She was tricked into marriage for three years, then remarried a childless, tough guy and became preg

Li Meihua went straight to the dock after leaving the compound.

The ships at the dock had finished unloading their cargo, and the dockworkers sat in twos and threes on the stone piers by the shore, smoking and chatting.

Li Meihua circled around but didn't see Chen Zhongyi.

She found the fishing boat where Chen Zhongyi had been carrying the cargo. A middle-aged man was directing the workers to clean up the fishing nets.

"Master, I want to ask you about someone." Li Meihua stepped forward. "Chen Shouyi, he works on this ship, right?"

The boss looked up at her and asked, "Yes, what's up?"

"I need to talk to him about something. Where is he?"

"You've come at a bad time," the boss said, tossing the net rope onto the deck. "He left this morning after unloading the cargo. This guy has several jobs; after unloading here, he goes off to do something else."

"When will he be back?" Li Meihua continued to ask.

"It's hard to say. Sometimes he comes back in the evening to move things, sometimes he doesn't. If you're looking for him, come back tomorrow morning." He paused, "Or you could leave your name and I'll pass on the message?"

Li Meihua thought for a moment and said, "No need, I'll come another day."

She turned and walked back; it seemed things weren't going to be so easy.

She decided to go to the hospital first to ask a friend about getting a DNA test.

Li Meihua walked towards the hospital.

In a corner of the dock, Chen Shouyi sat behind a stack of burlap sacks.

He became wary when Li Meihua stared at him that morning. Now that she had come looking for him again, Chen Zhongyi frowned.

Only after watching Li Meihua walk away did he stand up, brush the dust off his trousers, and walk to the fishing boat.

"Boss, I quit."

The boss looked up, paused for a moment, and said, "Why did you quit? I haven't shortchanged you on wages."

"Something came up at home, so I have to go back."

"Sigh, what a pity." The boss put down the net rope in his hand, stood up and clapped his hands. "You're really a good worker. Here, here's your pay."

He turned around, took a cloth bag from the cabin, counted the money, and handed it over.

"A young girl was looking for you earlier, I don't know what she wanted," the boss said.

"Oh, she might be a fellow villager's daughter." Chen Shouyi took the money without explaining further. "Thank you for your help."

He put the money in his pocket, turned around, and left.

His brows were furrowed, but his steps did not falter.

It seems he can't stay here any longer; he needs to leave as soon as possible.

Chen Zhongyi lifted his foot and walked towards the direction of the cultural troupe, wanting to see her one last time.

*

At the entrance of the department store, Lin Manni linked arms with Shen Tang, their steps light and quick.

"Shen Tang, take us to buy some nice things. Do you have any handmade bracelets or anything like that?"

"Yes, I'll take you there," Shen Tang said with a smile.

Huo Xiuyuan followed two steps behind, looking unhappy.

Shen Tang finally got a holiday, but Lin Manni monopolized her time.

The four of them walked a short distance and stopped in front of a stall selling pearl jewelry.

Song Zhiyi picked up a small pearl hair clip, tested its position, and turned to look at Huo Xiuyuan:

"Brother Xiuyuan, is it good?"

Huo Xiuyuan didn't say anything, picked up a hair clip and put it in Shen Tang's hair, then smiled and said:

"This looks good."

Shen Zhiyi glared at him. "I want this. Buy it for me."

"Buy it yourself." Huo Xiuyuan didn't even look at her.

"I have no money," Song Zhiyi said, pouting.

"Then don't buy it."

Song Zhiyi pouted even more, waiting for him.

Lin Manni chose two bracelets, and Shen Tang also bought a hair clip and a bracelet.

Shen Tang took out some money from her pocket and handed it to the stall owner: "I'll settle this in one lump sum."

Song Zhiyi was stunned for a moment: "My dad gave me money, so I just..."

"Take it." Shen Tang smiled and patted her hand, then picked out a bracelet for her. "It's nothing expensive, just wear it for fun."

Song Zhiyi moved her lips, but ultimately didn't say "thank you".

After buying their things, the group continued walking.

Song Zhiyi deliberately slowed her pace and moved closer to Huo Xiuyuan, saying:

"Brother Xiuyuan, do I look good in my lipstick today? Sister Manny put it on for me."

Huo Xiuyuan didn't even glance at her, quickening his pace to catch up with Shen Tang.

Song Zhiyi glared at him angrily, then strode over, intending to bump into him, but she didn't see the steps in front of her and fell down the steps, brushing past Huo Xiuyuan's arm.

"Oh no—help me—" Song Zhiyi screamed in fright.

Upon hearing the sound, Shen Tang quickly released Lin Manni's hand and turned around to catch her.

Song Zhiyi lunged straight down, causing Shen Tang to fall backward.

Huo Xiuyuan rushed over and hugged Shen Tang tightly.

"Are you alright?" Shen Tang asked, looking at Song Zhiyi.

"pain......"

Song Zhiyi's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string.

"Oh dear, let her sit down first. Did she twist her ankle?" Lin Manni quickly helped Song Zhiyi up.

"How are you? Are you alright?" Huo Xiuyuan asked, looking at Shen Tang.

Shen Tang shook her head and went to check on Song Zhiyi.

"Ouch—it hurts so much—" Song Zhiyi clenched her fists and grabbed her trouser leg.

"Don't move, let me take a look." Shen Tang squatted down and gently rolled up her trouser leg, revealing that her ankle was already red.

She gently pressed her palm against the ground around her and took a breath.

"Does it hurt?" Shen Tang asked.

"A little..." Song Zhiyi shrank her feet.

Shen Tang placed his palm on her ankle and gently massaged it:

"Bear with it, it's better to rub it when you first sprain it."

Song Zhiyi bit her lip, watching her lower her head and rub her ankle.

It was very hot. Shen Tang knelt on the ground, sweat dripping from her forehead.

After a long while, Song Zhiyi spoke softly:

"Sister Shen Tang, I don't think Huo Xiuyuan is good enough for you at all."

"Huh?" Shen Tang looked up at her and smiled, "Why are you suddenly saying that?"

Song Zhiyi wrinkled her nose. "He has such a bad temper and such a cold face. He's so difficult to get along with."

She looked at Shen Tang and a smile played on her lips. "You're different. Not only are you beautiful, but you're also gentle, considerate, and understanding. I'll introduce you to my brother, and you can be my sister-in-law. My brother is handsome, has a mild temper, and can make money. He's much better than him."

Song Zhiyi rolled her eyes at Huo Xiuyuan.

"I won't allow it!" Huo Xiuyuan said coldly. "She's my wife, don't even think about it."

"Hmph, Sister Shen Tang will definitely give in to you all the time if she's with you. Who can stand your bad temper!" Song Zhiyi shouted like a little rooster, hands on her hips.

Shen Tang smiled. "Try it. Does it still hurt?"

Song Zhiyi took a few steps after landing and said happily, "It doesn't hurt anymore, Sister Shen Tang, you're amazing."

"Sister Shen Tang, I don't want Huo Xiuyuan as my fiancé. You can be my sister-in-law instead," Song Zhiyi said, taking Shen Tang's arm.

Huo Xiuyuan stood behind him, speechless.

We need to get rid of her quickly, otherwise he'll run away with his wife.

"Let's go!" Lin Manni stood up.

The group continued walking, and, feeling somewhat tired, stopped in front of a teahouse.

Lin Manni tilted her head and looked into the teahouse—

A fair-skinned young man sat by the window, with delicate features and an ethereal air about him.

Lin Manni was momentarily stunned.