I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

After her divorce, Han Dan was very happy. She got together with Wang Hongqi, a young man who delivered goods for an ice pop factory.

Having experienced the sweetness of love for the first time, Han Dan had long forgotten about Lin Jie.

Han Dan's colleagues were unaware that she was divorced, and their relationship couldn't be made public, so they could only date secretly.

Han Dan couldn't find a suitable house and continued to live in the two-bedroom apartment allocated by Lin Jie's workplace. After Wang Hongqi finished get off work, she came to find Han Dan, and the two entered into a semi-cohabitation relationship.

After spending two months together, Han Dan asked to meet Wang Hongqi's family. Wang Hongqi made various excuses to refuse, but eventually he couldn't resist Han Dan's insistence and agreed.

After late autumn, the popsicle factory went into a period of rest, and Han Dan had a lot of free time. She prepared gifts in advance to meet her future in-laws.

Wang Hongqi's family is simple: his parents and an older sister.

My father works at a lumber mill, my mother is unemployed, and my older sister is married with two children.

Han Dan bought two bottles of wine for her future father-in-law, a scarf for her mother-in-law, and pastries for her sister's two children.

Early in the morning, the two carried gifts home. Han Dan already knew that Wang Hongqi's family was poor, but she was still stunned when she arrived at Wang's house.

This is the residential area for the families of the lumber mill. It's far worse than the chemical plant area. It's full of dilapidated bungalows, almost like a shantytown.

Wang Hongqi's family has two rooms: a main room and a kitchen.

The main house was divided into three rooms by curtains. The parents lived in one section, the older sister lived in the middle section with her two children, and Wang Hongqi lived in the outermost section, which also served as the guest room.

The room was piled with things, and Han Dan had nowhere to step. The gifts she brought could only be placed on the small bed.

Looking around, the items in the house were old and dirty.

Wang Hongqi's father sat blankly at the doorway smoking, while his mother was busy in the kitchen. Only his older sister, Wang Hongmei, kept Han Dan company.

"Han Dan, Hongqi mentioned you a long time ago. You live in the chemical plant, which is clean and spacious. My house is small. Luckily, you two won't be living together in the future."

Han Dan had no way to express her bitterness. The building at the chemical plant belonged to Lin Jie, and she couldn't live there forever. She had hoped to find a man so she could live in his house, but...

"Sister, do you live at home too?" Han Dan asked tentatively.

"Han Dan, my life is so miserable. I found a man, and he... he beat me."

Wang Hongmei rolled up her sleeves, revealing bruises all over her hands.

"My parents felt sorry for me, so they let me live at home with my child. I was thinking that I would move back after my younger brother got married, but now that you have a house, I don't have to move."

Wang Hongmei smiled with relief, her face full of joy.

Wang Hongying's two children drooled over the pastries Han Dan had brought. Han Dan quickly opened them and gave each of them a cake.

The boy, about four or five years old, was eating sweets and smiling happily at Han Dan.

The girl is a bit older, probably seven or eight years old. Her hair is dry and yellow, and she seems to be underdeveloped.

"Auntie, the cake is so delicious! I've never had it before." The girl ate it with great enjoyment.

"What 'aunt'? Call her 'little maternal aunt'."

The two children shouted in unison, "Auntie!"

Han Dan felt no joy, only indescribable sorrow. No wonder Wang Hongqi had been making excuses to prevent her from meeting his parents; this kind of family... sigh...

Wang Hongqi helped his mother in the kitchen for a long time, preparing a dish.

A half-pound fish, half a basin of soup, and some rotten vegetable leaves made up the whole family's lunch.

The two children were overjoyed; they were going to have fish to eat.

Han Dan looked at the bowl of dark soup, which had no oil at all, and found it hard to swallow.

The whole family sat down, and Wang's mother placed the best piece of fish on Han Dan's plate, saying with a smile, "Han Dan, my family can't compare to yours, so please don't mind. Hongqi's father only earns 25 yuan a month, Hongqi earns 18 yuan, and his sister doesn't have a job and is raising two children."

Han Dan, our whole family likes you. After you marry Hongqi, live a good life and don't worry about us. As your in-laws, we can't help you, and we won't be a burden to you.

Han Dan lowered her head, staring at the piece of fish, her heart churning.

She and Wang Hongqi only earn eighteen yuan a month and don't own a house. Once they have a child, it won't be enough to cover their expenses.

The children were very sensible; they didn't eat the fish, but they ate rice soaked in fish soup, one bowl after another.

"Auntie, my house belongs to my ex-husband, and I won't be living here for long."

Han Dan finally voiced her concerns: she wanted a home of her own and hoped her in-laws would offer some assistance.

"No house?"

The Queen Mother looked at Han Dan in astonishment, then glared at Wang Hongqi with resentment.

"Mom, Han Dan and I both work at the popsicle factory, and the popsicle factory doesn't have a residential area for family members," Wang Hongqi replied casually.

Father Wang spoke up: "There's an empty courtyard near the entrance; if we tidy it up, we can build two rooms there."

Han Dan looked out the window. The yard had an open space, but it was also filled with miscellaneous items.

"Yes, it would be nice to build two rooms in the yard," Wang Hongmei agreed.

"I can get some timber from my workplace, but buying bricks, tiles, and some furniture will probably cost two or three hundred yuan," Mr. Wang said dejectedly.

Wang Mu, Wang Hongqi, and Wang Hongmei all looked at Han Dan. Their families had no money, but Han Dan did.

"Han Dan, look at the house, we really can't come up with that much money. How about we borrow some from you? Hongqi's father and I will write an IOU, and we can build a house for the two of you to live in." Wang's mother looked at Han Dan expectantly.

Han Dan thought about it and realized that she and Wang Hongqi had already consummated their marriage, so they definitely had to get married.

The house is finished, and it will be her home. If she relies on the Wang family, who knows when she will be able to get married.

"Okay, I'll have Hongqi bring the money tomorrow."

Han Dan agreed, and the Wang family all breathed a sigh of relief.

The Wang family was poor, but they were exceptionally kind to Han Dan. They put half a pound of fish into her bowl, and Hongmei poured her tea enthusiastically. The two children called her "little aunt."

Han Dan was very pleased; she received unprecedented respect from the Wang family.

When they divorced, Han Dan received 500 yuan. She had saved more than 300 yuan while living frugally with Lin Jie, so she had a total of more than 800 yuan.

They gave the Wang family three hundred houses and bought a lot of wedding supplies, and still have more than three hundred left.

Han Dan had her own plans. She was going to visit her parents' home after marrying Wang Hongqi, and she wanted to give the money to them. She couldn't let it be any more meager than when Lin Jie visited his parents' home.

Han Dan understands her parents; they value profit above all else.

Everything was ready, except for getting the marriage certificate, but Wang Hongqi made various excuses to delay.

"Wang Hongqi, the house is repaired, and we've met our parents. It's time for us to get our marriage certificate," Han Dan brought it up again.

"What's the rush? We're still young. What difference does it make if we stay a year earlier or later? Besides, once we get married, you'll have to move out. This is such a nice house, let's stay here a little longer."

Wang Hongqi was completely obedient to Han Dan, but when it came to marriage, he always had an excuse.

"Wang Hongqi, what do you mean? The house is built, the money is spent, are you saying you don't want to marry me anymore?" Han Dan was angry.

"Han Dan, don't you still believe me? Since we got together, we haven't been apart for a single minute except when we're delivering goods."

"Then why won't you get a marriage certificate?"

Han Dan really couldn't understand why someone would even bother to find her, given that her home was so dilapidated. She was already incredibly lucky.

"Oh, it's my mom. She said we should wait until you're pregnant before getting our marriage certificate."

Why?

"Didn't you not get pregnant during your first marriage? My mom is worried you're infertile," Wang Hongqi stammered.

"Wang Hongqi, have you lost your mind? When I was with you, I was a virgin. Lin Jie and I never had anything going on, so how could I be pregnant?" Han Dan was furious.

"I know you're the eldest daughter, how can I tell my mom this? Even if I did, she wouldn't believe me. You said Lin Jie was no good, but he turned around and got married again, and I heard that girl is pregnant."

"Wang Hongqi, what are you saying?"

"Go ahead and ask around, I'm telling the truth."

"You suspect I'm lying to you?"

"How would I know if he's lying to me? Lin Jie is the section chief at the chemical plant and has such a nice house. Why would he be willing to give you a large sum of money to divorce you? If you could have children, would you divorce him? Han Dan, I can't be a sucker, can I?"

Han Dan's mind went blank. Lin Jie got married, and his wife was pregnant. How could this be?