Chapter 162 Experienced in a Past Life

From the perspective of a bystander, Lu Liqin in reality could see things much more clearly, and thus gained a deeper insight into Meng Jia's psychological activities.

Deep regret and frustration enveloped him, yet this state of mind was entirely impossible to resolve, causing daytime Lu Liqin to become even more taciturn.

Basically, he could work the entire day without speaking more than a few words to anyone.

At times, he would also feel a sense of guilt toward Meng Jia. Regardless of the original intention behind their marriage, they had after all become husband and wife.

Mother Lu had once told her son that a woman's life is exceedingly difficult, and the only carefree days she gets are the few years she spends as an unmarried maiden.

After marrying, she must manage a household, which comes with numerous hardships and dilemmas.

Therefore, Mother Lu had instructed her son from a very early age to be a gentleman and to always treat young women well.

However, Mother Lu had forgotten to tell her son: if you are certain you have found a girl you truly love and wish to take home as your bride, you should treat only that one girl well.

You must keep your distance from all other women; otherwise, the girl you love will eventually be heartbroken and leave you.

Lu Liqin had not understood this principle in the past, and consequently, he lost the girl he loved most.

In truth, even now, Lu Liqin still did not understand why she had turned away with such resolute rejection back then, yet he also knew that since she was already married, he should no longer pester her.

That was why he had readily agreed to marry Meng Jia, which could be considered taking responsibility.

Yet Lu Liqin knew he could not give Meng Jia the care and affection a husband ought to provide, and could only compensate her financially.

After all, a solitary person could not start an argument alone. Later, when Meng Jia uttered some harsh words, Lu Liqin simply chose to ignore them.

Thus, the two of them walked back together. Knowing full well that she had to rely on a man to survive, Meng Jia eventually swallowed her pride upon returning and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

During dinner, seemingly bringing it up in casual conversation, Meng Jia asked, "Did your family mention when they plan to arrange for your return to the city?"

"Return to the city?" Lu Liqin put down his chopsticks and looked intently at Meng Jia as he asked, "Why would you assume I am going back to the city?"

How could Meng Jia possibly tell him that this was something she had experienced in her past life?

She could only fabricate an excuse at random: "Your family only sent you to the countryside to toughen you up in the beginning. It has been several years now—surely they will transfer you back?"

To her surprise, Lu Liqin replied, "I don't think it's been enough. When we first came to support the construction of the countryside, we did so with the resolve to accomplish something meaningful. How can we just return empty-handed and tail tucked between our legs?"

Now it was Meng Jia's turn to be shocked: "What do you mean by that?"

"During the Lunar New Year, I called my family and told them I wouldn't be returning anytime soon. I will spend a few years here, thoroughly experiencing rural life. I also want to take this opportunity to see if I can make a greater contribution to the country and the people."

Seeing the look of utter exasperation on Meng Jia's face, Lu Liqin miraculously felt his mood improve significantly, and he continued, "I've already discussed it with my family, so they sent me a hundred yuan to subsidize my living expenses for the year."

Still reeling from the previous blow and unable to process Lu Liqin's subsequent words in time, Meng Jia hastily blurted out, "As educated youth, we can contribute to the country anywhere! It doesn't have to be right here—wouldn't returning to the city be even better?"

"Yet this place is better and lacks talent even more," Lu Liqin countered. "Besides, we go to work every day and earn work points, so food and drink are never a problem. That's why I told my family that a hundred yuan a year is entirely sufficient."

The poor Meng Jia finally grasped the hidden meaning behind Lu Liqin's words: "A hundred yuan is meant to last a whole year, not a month's living allowance?"

"A hundred yuan a month in pocket money?" Lu Liqin stared at Meng Jia as if looking at a madwoman. "Do you think our family is wealthy to that extent?"

In this era, a hundred yuan was enough to cover the living expenses of an ordinary worker's family for several months, and even enough for a rural family's expenditures for a few years.

However, after receiving that hundred yuan, Meng Jia had immediately gone on a shopping spree, leaving very little left in her hands.

Meng Jia understood that she could not let Lu Liqin find out about this right now.

She did not know why Lu Liqin treated her this way, but Meng Jia knew she had no way out anymore.

Besides, Lu Liqin was still capable of returning to the city; it was merely a matter of time.

Moreover, given the standing of the Lu family's background, Lu Liqin would ultimately succeed.

Therefore, she only needed to endure for the time being, and eventually, she would rise above others.

Consequently, Meng Jia's expression shifted repeatedly.

Finally, suppressing the turbulent anger within her, she put on a gentle and attentive demeanor toward her newlywed husband and said, "It's fine. I will always support you, and no matter where you are, I will stay by your side."

[Apologies, I am experiencing a bit of writer's block today, so I could only write this much. I will reorganize my outline, reread the previous chapters to clear my thoughts, consider how the subsequent plot should unfold, and then fill in the rest of this chapter.

First of all, thank you very much for everyone's enthusiastic support of this book, as well as your active votes and comments. However, I've realized that I have a major flaw: driven by the notion of mutual respect, I generally reply to every single comment. Especially since many dear readers have enthusiastically offered suggestions, for which I am deeply grateful and genuinely willing to accept. Yet over time, I've noticed a downside. Writing is not like solving a math problem; there is no absolute right or wrong in a true sense. Aside from typos or principled technical errors, general writing has no right or wrong—it can only be said that everyone has different perspectives. And I happen to be someone who takes things quite to heart and is easily influenced by others. Sometimes, after reading your comments, I even begin to doubt my original conception and ideas, and cannot help thinking: Did I write this wrong? But in reality, from the publication of this novel until now, it has surpassed three hundred thousand words, and the general structure of the text is already set. The overall work cannot undergo drastic, bone-crushing alterations, and no matter what, I can only write it according to my own vision. A thousand readers yield a thousand Hamlets; everyone has their own mysterious ideas, and everyone believes their own thoughts are the most unique, but my mind cannot hold a thousand different visions...

I'm sorry, but whenever I have time in the future, I will still reply to comments. However, the basic premise of this novel cannot be altered; I must continue writing according to my own thoughts. Otherwise, with a novel spanning hundreds of thousands or even millions of words, I simply would not be able to finish it.

As for the flaws in my writing that you have pointed out, thank you very much. I will take careful note of them and strive not to make similar mistakes in future writings.

Thank you all once again. I'm off to brainstorm the plot and will strive to update properly tomorrow!]