C4 Marriage

As she anxiously searched for a breakthrough, her eyes landed on Ren Yuanbo, who was standing by the water pump not far away. She remembered this unfortunate man. His childhood sweetheart became the mistress of a big shot, and after she got pregnant and failed to force him into fatherhood, she caused trouble. With no other choice, he had to change his identity and live as a countryman.

This man had once advised her and Qi Haipeng to part ways amicably when they fought, which made her realize that divorce was her way out. Later, she heard he had mysteriously drowned in a river. Having been given a second chance at life, she was grateful and didn't want to ruin anyone else's relationship. If it weren't for the Qi family's constant pressure and societal expectations, she wouldn't even consider marriage.

Choosing Ren Yuanbo, despite his less-than-perfect looks, seemed wise. He was tall, had a good character, and wasn't surrounded by troublesome relatives or friends.

"Dad, you'll forgive me no matter what I do, right?" Zong Fulai looked at her father with a pitiful expression.

Zong Qingshan was taken aback by the question. "What nonsense are you talking about, sweetheart? Don't do anything rash."

Despite his words, a sense of unease crept over him, feeling his daughter was about to do something big.

Zong Fulai smiled at her father, ignoring her still-recovering body, and hurriedly ran toward Ren Yuanbo. Everyone was puzzled by her actions, and Zong Qingshan was equally startled. "Sweetheart, what's going on?"

Zong Fulai had overestimated her strength. Her frail body couldn't stop her momentum, and she was about to fall onto the running water pump. In a moment of crisis, she managed to twist her body and fell onto Ren Yuanbo instead.

Since coming to Cloud Peak Village, Ren Yuanbo had added several large black moles to his face to make himself less appealing. He was never one to mince words with women and had never had a girl throw herself at him. Seeing that the village chief's daughter was now in his arms, he hesitated and didn't step aside, ending up with her in his embrace.

This left him at a loss, standing there stiffly, unsure of what to do. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Uh, Zong Fulai, are you okay?"

The crowd shifted their attention, including Haipeng's mother and son, not to mention Hailan. Everyone stared curiously at Ren Yuanbo, whose face was marked by a large dark mole.

In front of the onlookers, Fulai threw herself into his arms. Could it be these two were involved?

It wasn't surprising their imaginations ran wild. Ren Yuanbo, dressed like an old farmer with disheveled hair, uneven beard, and that prominent mole, was quite the sight—unkempt and unattractive. Compared to Haipeng, or even any young man in the village, it was hard to find someone with a worse appearance.

Tears welled in Fulai's eyes as she looked at him expectantly and choked out, "Ren Yuanbo, tell me, just because Haipeng pulled me out of the field and we had some contact, does that mean I have to marry him?"

"Well, theoretically, it doesn't mean anything," he replied quickly, though anger simmered inside him. Forced marriages, why were such people everywhere?

"But if rumors spread, my family and I will be trapped by gossip. What should we do?" she murmured softly.

Ren Yuanbo felt a bit dizzy from it all. Fulai's eyes were full of hope, but what could he do? If he had a solution, he wouldn't have traveled all the way from the city to this rural backwater to hide. "I, I don't know either."

In just a few exchanges, many in the crowd suddenly "understood" and began to chatter among themselves.

Haipeng's mother, her voice sharp and loud, exclaimed, "Haipeng, see that? She's shameless, throwing herself at any man. Such a woman isn't worth having, even for free."

Her words displeased Qingshan. "Mrs. Qianshan, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. My daughter never intended to marry into your family. She just stumbled, and Ren Yuanbo kindly helped her. How did that turn into throwing herself at him in your mouth?"

“Mom, please stop. Maybe Fulai just wasn't feeling well and lost her balance,” Qi Haipeng seemed to defend her, though his words sounded odd.

Haipeng's mother snorted, “Mayor, am I wrong? Your daughter is still pouring her heart out to someone.”

Ren Yuanbo, though not fully understanding what had happened, felt sympathy for the young woman in front of him. Getting involved with this mother and son seemed like bad luck, whether she married or not. But he had nothing and no influence, so what right did he have to intervene?

“Can you help me?” Zong Fulai's eyes dimmed slightly, but hope lingered as she looked directly at him.

Ren Yuanbo watched the light in her eyes slowly fade, his heart aching to the point of breathlessness, yet his throat was so tight he couldn't utter a word.

Seeing his pained expression, Fulai decided to be bold, “If I'm willing to marry you, would you marry me?”

“Everyone, look at her shamelessness. In broad daylight, she fails to seduce my son and then proposes to a man who looks like a beggar. Truly fitting for the mayor's daughter,” Haipeng's mother laughed, her face twisted.

Ren Yuanbo felt the sting of humiliation, glaring fiercely at Haipeng's mother, but she didn't even glance his way, and his resolve weakened.

“Don't joke with me. This isn't funny at all. I have nothing and can't marry you.”