80 village women marry military officers; it was supposed to be a fake marriage.

A tall, imposing man walked over against the light. Once Lin Mei could see his face clearly, she stared in disbelief.

Chang Jingxiang didn't even glance at her, walking straight past her to Lin Yue's side. "Why are you crying?"

Lin Yue couldn't hold back her tears and cried again, "My mother wants to sell me. She wants me to go back with her and marry that old man in the neighboring village."

Chang Jingxiang's face immediately turned cold, his deep eyes staring coldly at Lin's mother, "Do you know that buying and selling people is illegal?"

"What law did she break? Don't try to scare me. She's my daughter. I gave birth to her and raised her. She should listen to me. That's the principle no matter where you go."

"You didn't give any betrothal gifts or hold a wedding banquet, so this marriage doesn't count. We just won't acknowledge it, what can you do about it?"

She then glared at Lin Yue fiercely, "Are you deaf? I told you to pack your things, take everything he bought for you, what's given to you is yours."

Lin Yue, looking aggrieved, hid behind Chang Jingxiang and grabbed his arm with her little hands.

Looking at Lin's mother with trembling eyes, he said, "Mother, you should just return the money to them. I'm not going back with you."

Chang Jingxiang squeezed her hand, then turned to the onlookers, “Everyone heard that. Now come with me to the team to be witnesses. She tried to sell my wife and took money from others. The fact of human trafficking has been established, and I’m going to sue her.”

Lin's mother was already feeling guilty, and his words made her panic a little. "You, you're talking nonsense? You say I'm trafficking people, what evidence do you have? I'm just here to take my daughter back to her parents' home for a few days, is that illegal?"

“Everyone here is a witness; you said it yourself, and everyone heard it.”

Lin's mother simply gave up, acting like a dead pig that doesn't fear boiling water, "I didn't say anything, who heard it? If you have the guts, stand up."

You never wanted to marry her in the first place; she forced herself on you. Now that I'm bringing her back, I'm doing you a favor.

Don't try to act innocent after getting what you want. You took my daughter's body for nothing and made her work like a slave for your family, serving your entire household. I'm already being lenient by not reporting you for indecent assault.

Wanting to get married without spending a penny? Your family is truly shameless.

"Lin Yue, you brat, pack your things and come with me. We're never coming back to this awful place."

Chang Jingxiang was furious, clenching his fists tightly. "We got our marriage certificate and registered in town. She's my wife now, and no one can take her away if she doesn't want to."

Seeing Chang Jingxiang protecting Lin Yue in every way, Lin Mei was extremely jealous, and her fingernails even pierced the flesh of her palms.

This was the first time she had met Chang Jingxiang. She had always thought he was an old and ugly man, but she was surprised to find that he was tall and handsome.

His worn-out clothes couldn't hide his noble air; he was far superior to Shen Rong.

And he even protected Lin Yue in front of so many people. Didn't he say he didn't want to marry Lin Yue? Didn't he say he treated her badly?

Lin's mother always kept nagging her, saying that Chang Jingxiang didn't give a single penny of betrothal money and only used a broken bicycle to bring Lin Yue back to the Chang family's dilapidated house.

There was no banquet or congratulations; the villagers all said he was forced to marry her sister.

She went up the mountain the day after the wedding and never came back, completely disregarding her older sister.

Now it seems that's not the case at all. Why is he letting Lin Yue hold her arm?

If he can even be attracted to a woman as ugly and stupid as Lin Yue, wouldn't he fall in love with me if he met me?

"Won't he spend all the money he earns on me then?" Lin Yue thought excitedly, as if it would happen soon.

Lin Mei was making plans in her mind, completely unaware of the anger in Chang Jingxiang's eyes.

Having devised a plan, Lin Mei straightened her clothes, deliberately puffed out her chest, and quickly walked in front of her mother, blocking her and Chang Jingxiang.

She raised her head high and said in a coquettish voice, "Brother-in-law, you've misunderstood. My sister said you treated her badly and cried to the family. Mother was worried that she might do something rash, so she thought of coming to see me."

You know that your sister is uneducated, simple-minded, and tends to overthink things.

She must have misunderstood you, which caused today's misunderstanding. I apologize to you on behalf of my sister.

Chang Jingxiang glanced at Lin Mei thoughtfully. This woman kept belittling her sister and had no intention of protecting Lin Yue at all. Instead, she kept stirring up trouble.

With a sister and family like that, it's no wonder Lin Yue doesn't want to go home.

Chang Jingxiang ignored him and turned to look at Lin Yue. The little girl's eyes were red from tears, and the tip of her nose was also red.

Her hands were trembling as she gripped them, clearly trying to control her emotions. Chang Jingxiang couldn't help but reach out and touch the top of her head. "Don't be afraid, I'm here. No one can take you away."

Lin Mei couldn't believe her eyes. Chang Jingxiang wasn't impressed by her at all, and his gaze didn't even linger on her.

Lin Mei is very confident in herself. She wears the latest trendy clothes and has a well-developed figure because she eats well. She is rich and has children.

Moreover, she even wore makeup, using popular brands from the capital. Every time Shen Rong saw her, his eyes would practically pop out of his head.

Shen Rong would give his life for just letting him touch his little hand or kiss his little mouth, so why doesn't it work on Chang Jingxiang?

It must be that Lin Yue spoke ill of her to Chang Jingxiang, causing him to misunderstand her, which is why he doesn't want to look at her directly.

Thinking of this, Lin Mei winked at her mother, who immediately understood what Lin Mei meant and raised her voice, shouting, "Xiao Yue said that your Chang family abused her. I haven't reported you yet. If you obediently let her come back with me, I won't ask you to pay compensation."

“Abuse?” Chang Jingxiang’s voice was steady and powerful.

She had witnessed the interactions between Lin Mei and her mother. They hadn't considered her at all; they were just trying to smear her reputation.

Seeing how awful the family she had treated with all her heart in her previous life had become, Lin Yue couldn't help but feel sad and hate herself for being so blind.

Lin Yue tugged at Chang Jingxiang's sleeve, sniffed pitifully, and said, "My mother told me to take all the money you earned back to her so she can pay Lin Mei's tuition. She also told me to take all my things from the house. I refused, and then they came to make trouble."

Lin Yue's appearance made Chang Jingxiang increasingly angry, and he wished he could beat up all those who bullied her.

Lin Mei's jealousy spread everywhere, and she wished she could slap Lin Yue twice.

Why should she, an uneducated, stupid, and clumsy countrywoman, be able to marry a talented young man from the capital?

Lin Mei never truly regarded Lin Yue as her older sister. She felt that she was perfect in every way, and that Lin Yue was only fit to be her servant.

In this situation, she has to drag Lin Yue down with her and ruin her reputation so that Chang Jingxiang will see her.