Chapter 9: We Can Divorce Later if We Want

“This is the family’s address and phone number. I’ve already made the arrangements last night; someone will be sent to pick you up at the train station.”

“Here’s some money and the ticket. From now on, I’ll send you forty yuan and a ticket every month. Once you get there, just follow your family’s plans.”

While waiting for the train, Gu Fengji took a piece of paper and a brown envelope from his pocket and handed them to Lu Jiaor, giving her these instructions.

In truth, his final words were the most important. Since he hadn’t spent much time with Lu Jiaor, he didn’t know her character well. He wasn’t worried about her timidity or low self-esteem but feared she might cause trouble or act out of line.

Lu Jiaor understood perfectly.

“All right,” she replied obediently, nodding firmly. She could promise not to cause trouble or make a scene.

As long as no one provoked her, she wouldn’t provoke anyone.

The Lu family had made quite a reasonable impression on Gu Fengji these past few days. Apart from forcing him to marry Lu Jiaor, they were very reasonable and easy to talk to.

So, for now, Gu Fengji still trusted Lu Jiaor a little. As long as she behaved herself, he could tolerate it.

As for whether they would become a real married couple in the future—that was something to be seen later.

Lu Jianping and Su Yulan, watching their son-in-law hand over money and tickets and carefully remind their daughter, felt somewhat relieved. This was better than they had expected, and the sadness of parting was somewhat eased.

“Xiao Gu, don’t worry. Jiaor isn’t the type to be spoiled or capricious. She’s honest and hardworking, can handle many tasks, and is very resilient. She won’t cause trouble or hold anyone back,” Su Yulan quickly vouched for her daughter to her son-in-law.

Lu Jiaor: “…” No, she wasn’t diligent, nor did she want to work hard. If she could lie flat, why get up and work?!

In the end, she only promised not to seek out trouble as long as it didn’t come looking for her. After all, she wasn’t bored enough to look for trouble by herself.

Gu Fengji nodded politely to his mother-in-law. He didn’t know his wife well yet, so he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt for now.

***

“Sis, you must remember to write us letters!”

“Big sister, when will you come back to see us?!”

“Sister, don’t go. I don’t want you to leave.”

At that moment, a train was slowly pulling into the station—exactly the one Lu Jiaor was to take from Ning City to Jing City.

Having never been to a train station or seen a train before, Lu Jiuqing and Lu Zhuer watched curiously. Lu Jiuzhou, always inquisitive, suddenly realized that his sister was leaving them for a very far place. Overcome with sadness, the three children clustered around Lu Jiaor, holding her hands and reluctant to part.

Their eyes were red; the youngest, Lu Jiuzhou, began to sob.

“Big sister will definitely write back. You all must study hard and obey Mom and Dad at home. Next year, big sister will find a chance to come back to see you. You have to believe in big sister.”

Lu Jiaor wasn’t just comforting them with words—she truly planned to do this. In both her past and previous lives, she had traveled to many places, often alone. Traveling from Jing City to Ning City was nothing to her.

Besides, next year she would have money—enough to go wherever she wanted.

Lu Jianping and Su Yulan didn’t quite believe her, but the three little siblings did, and their tears stopped.

Gu Fengji neither opposed nor agreed. Seeing the ticket gate open to let people in, he hurried her along.

“Let’s get on now. It’ll get crowded later, and you might not get on.”

Worried about crowdedness, losing seats, or nowhere to put their luggage, Lu Jianping and Su Yulan quickly hoisted their bags and moved out, barely paying attention to their three children.

Unlike them, Lu Jiaor immediately instructed her three younger siblings to stay put nearby and wait for her.

Then, unexpectedly, she grabbed Gu Fengji’s arm and pulled him ten meters away forcefully.

Gu Fengji realized at once that she wanted to speak privately, away from her family.

“Comrade Gu, I’ll be brief. I know this marriage is forced and unfair to you. Although there are reasons behind it, you did save me, yet my family clings to you. Ultimately, I’m the one who owes you an apology.”

“I also know you don’t want to marry me, and I feel sorry about that. But if in the future you like someone else, we can divorce. Or we can set a time to divorce—five years is too long; three years sounds better. You decide when. Also, don’t worry, I won’t cause you trouble or hold back your work.”

***

“I’ll repay the bride price and money you gave me in full. Besides, I can compensate you somehow. You won’t lose out.”

Lu Jiaor spoke rapidly. The Lu family was waiting nearby, anxiously watching her and Gu Fengji.

Gu Fengji looked surprised and shocked, his expression complex as he regarded the woman before him.

Lu Jiaor calmly lifted her head to look at him. He was really tall—at least 1.9 meters—and she was only about 1.63 meters. There was a full 30-centimeter height difference between them.

After a long pause, Gu Fengji only said faintly, “Get on the train.”

He still felt some resentment and dissatisfaction about this forced marriage.

Lu Jiaor never expected her heartfelt words to be understood or forgiven; at least, she had expressed her thoughts clearly. Now it was up to him to decide when to divorce.

Gu Fengji had booked her a middle-tier hard sleeper berth. After all, she was a young girl traveling alone to an unfamiliar place. No matter how uncomfortable he felt, he wouldn’t put her in danger and tried to arrange her journey as best he could.

Lu Jianping and Gu Fengji stowed two bags under the lower berth, leaving Lu Jiaor’s green backpack for her to carry.

Su Yulan held the children, repeatedly reminding Lu Jiaor, the family reluctant to part.

Soon, the train whistle blew, followed by the conductor’s loud calls to board.

As the train was about to depart, the Lu family and Gu Fengji had to get off. The Lu family, worried, kept saying goodbye to Lu Jiaor while hurrying toward the carriage door.

“If you’re hungry, there’s food for sale on the train. If thirsty, you can get water. Don’t talk to strangers or trust anyone. Don’t leave the carriage or the train. No matter who asks for help, ignore them. Keep valuables with you. Most importantly, just take care of yourself.”

The Lu family was already outside. Gu Fengji, usually silent, turned to leave as well. But then he suddenly stopped and turned back, calmly and steadily giving Lu Jiaor one last reminder.

At that moment, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of unexpected tenderness toward her.