Chapter 149: Wen Zhuqing Having an Affair?

Before long, the two of them arrived at the state-run restaurant.

It was Liu Yuan who had invited Wen Zhuqing. She was generous and ordered braised pork, cabbage stewed with vermicelli, a fish, and two bowls of rice.

Liu Yuan was the only daughter in her family, and her parents doted on her endlessly. They often gave her pocket money, and after she graduated from junior high, they found her a job at the supply and marketing cooperative—a secure “iron rice bowl” that wasn’t too demanding.

“Brother Wen, you’re too thin. You really should eat more, especially the braised pork. You need to nourish yourself,” Liu Yuan said, looking at the slender Wen Zhuqing, her eyes full of concern.

“Thank you, Comrade Liu. These days, you’re the only one who still thinks of me.” Wen Zhuqing managed a smile, but it was tinged with bitterness. His eyes were full of sorrow, which made Liu Yuan’s heart ache even more.

“Brother Wen, did that woman hit you again? Did she not give you anything to eat?”

Wen Zhuqing stayed silent.

Seeing him like this, Liu Yuan became even more convinced that her guess was right.

“Brother Wen, I’ll talk to my parents when I get home today. I’ll ask them to help you divorce that woman. Once you’re divorced, we… we…” Liu Yuan looked at Wen Zhuqing, her eyes brimming with affection.

“Yuanyuan…” For the first time, Wen Zhuqing didn’t call her “Comrade Liu.” His gaze was filled with gentle tenderness, making Liu Yuan completely lose herself in it.

Yes, Liu Yuan liked Wen Zhuqing.

Their acquaintance began with a rescue—Wen Zhuqing had saved Liu Yuan by chance. At that critical moment, Wen Zhuqing had appeared before her, tall, handsome, and gentle, almost like a god descending from the heavens.

In that instant, Liu Yuan fell for him.

Her heart was moved, and she started to like Wen Zhuqing.

After that, they kept in touch.

But when Liu Yuan learned that Wen Zhuqing was married, she hesitated. After all, her upbringing didn’t allow her to destroy someone else’s marriage.

She had even planned to distance herself from him after repaying his kindness.

But later, through more interactions, she found out that Wen Zhuqing was a sent-down youth, and his marriage to his wife wasn’t voluntary—it was a setup.

What’s more, that woman treated him terribly. Not only did she make him do endless chores, but she would also beat and curse him, taking advantage of his physical strength as a hunter.

And Wen Zhuqing, since she was his wife and a woman, didn’t fight back (not that he wouldn’t—he just couldn’t win).

When Wen Zhuqing talked about his life, his sadness and melancholy, along with those bruises, made Liu Yuan’s heart ache.

If Gu Jianing knew what she was thinking, she’d say: Wen Zhuqing always uses that face of his to get whatever he wants.

And wasn’t that exactly what was happening now?

Liu Yuan thought, since Wen Zhuqing saved her, she wanted to repay him. How could she just stand by and watch him suffer like this?

She wanted to save him from his misery, just as he had once saved her.

But as for how to save him, Liu Yuan hadn’t figured it out yet.

Still, because of all this, Liu Yuan no longer thought about distancing herself from Wen Zhuqing. Instead, she felt even more sorry for him.

Sympathy and gratitude for saving her life—these were the beginnings of a woman falling for a man.

As their interactions grew more frequent, Liu Yuan’s feelings for Wen Zhuqing deepened.

And now, she was determined to help Wen Zhuqing escape his misery, to help him divorce Bao Shanyan, and to marry him herself.

Liu Yuan didn’t know how to help Wen Zhuqing get a divorce, but she knew that while she might not be able to do it, her parents could.

She’d never dared to tell her parents before, knowing they’d surely object.

But now, Liu Yuan felt she had no choice. Even if she had to cry, throw a tantrum, or threaten drastic measures, she was determined to get their approval.

When Wen Zhuqing heard Liu Yuan say she’d tell her parents about them today, he hesitated for a moment but didn’t refuse. A thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.

He thought to himself: Some things have to be set in motion today.

Soon, the food arrived.

The chef at the state-run restaurant was indeed skilled, and especially for Wen Zhuqing—who had neither money nor ration tickets, and never got to eat anything good at the Bao household—it was a rare treat.

When Wen Zhuqing was sent to the countryside, he brought almost nothing with him; he was basically penniless.

But thanks to people like Gu Jianing sending him things, he managed to live quite well and keep up appearances.

However, after marrying Bao Shanyan, neither the village girls who fancied him nor the female sent-down youths dared come near anymore.

At first, some still tried, but Bao Shanyan drove them off.

After that, no girl dared “support” him again.

Wen Zhuqing really didn’t have a good life at the Bao household. He was always hungry and cold, beaten by Bao Shanyan, and before she got pregnant, he was even forced at night…

Every time, Wen Zhuqing felt like he was being trampled by a pig.

Although Bao Shanyan was now pregnant—and the child wasn’t what he wanted—at least she wouldn’t bother him anymore.

Still, Wen Zhuqing was determined to escape the Bao family and Bao Shanyan.

And the person who could help him get away from Bao Shanyan and even Huaihua Village was Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan was the one he had carefully chosen.

“Yuanyuan, I’ve rented a place in the county. After we finish eating, do you want to come see it? Once you know where it is, it’ll be easier for us to meet up…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Liu Yuan already understood what he meant.

Blushing, she nodded shyly. “Mm.”

After their meal, the two left the restaurant. Soon, Wen Zhuqing led Liu Yuan to a secluded alley, then unlocked a small house with a key.

They went inside.

With just the two of them, the atmosphere grew more intimate, especially as Wen Zhuqing intentionally brushed against Liu Yuan.

Soon, they couldn’t hold back. In the bedroom, the two of them, drawn to each other, embraced and kissed.

For a moment, Liu Yuan was completely swept away.

Soon, they fell onto the bed together.

Just as things were about to go further, there was a sudden loud noise at the window, snapping Liu Yuan back to her senses. Startled, she instinctively pushed Wen Zhuqing off her.

In her panic, she used quite a bit of strength.

Wen Zhuqing, who was rather frail, hadn’t expected her to push him so suddenly.

With that shove, he tumbled to the floor, landing painfully on his backside.

“Ah! Brother Wen, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!” Liu Yuan was flustered and full of guilt.

When she saw that several buttons on her blouse had come undone, she hurried to fasten them.

What had just happened to her? How could she have… how could she have…

She’d always planned to wait until she married Brother Wen before doing that.

But now, Brother Wen wasn’t even divorced yet. If they did this, wouldn’t it be… wouldn’t it be having an affair?

At the thought, Liu Yuan’s face turned pale. “Brother Wen, I—I’ll go home now. Don’t worry, I’ll convince my parents.”"