A lonely, unlucky military officer with a stubborn fate insisted on marrying me.

"Sis, let's go to the department store!"

You have the money, I have the tickets, let's enjoy ourselves today!

"Okay!" Lin Huizhi nodded with a smile, reaching out to tidy her sister's hair that had been ruffled by the wind, her eyes full of doting affection.

The two were unusually well-off, so they spent more generously. Lin Huizhi bought a moon-white dress and picked out a yellow skirt for Lin Yinyin. They also bought new fabric to make bedding and even bought pillowcases with a double pearl pattern.

The two sisters were both beautiful; the younger sister was charming and lively, with two shallow dimples when she smiled. The older sister was intellectual and gentle, with a scholarly air about her.

After changing into a new dress, and having eaten better recently, her face gradually gained weight. As they walked hand in hand down the street, they attracted frequent glances from passersby.

The journey back to the military compound attracted considerable attention.

A few women sewing shoe soles huddled together and whispered, "Did you see them? What happy occasion do the Lin sisters have? They're dressed so brightly!"

"Who knows! But why do I feel like Lin Huizhi has become a completely different person?"

"That's right! Back when we were at the Li family's, you always walked with your head down, you had none of that energy and spirit you have now! Your eyes are shining! What happened?"

"I know a little bit," an aunt who had just returned from outside interjected mysteriously.

"I saw Old Lady Li go to the army base to see her son, Li Jianjun, at noon, and she hasn't come back yet! And Old Lady Li looked radiant; I wonder what she's gotten herself into!"

The two sisters ignored the gossip behind them and went straight back to the Li family home.

There wasn't much of value in the room, so Lin Huizhi packed up her clothes and a few books, but Lin Yinyin wouldn't leave any of the items behind.

She took out her post-apocalyptic gear: blankets, sheets, curtains, kettle, scissors, and a washbasin.

The kitchen utensils, firewood, rice, oil, salt, and even farm tools like shovels and hoes were all wrapped up.

Lin Huizhi's lips twitched. The only thing missing was the iron pot. Her sister really did a thorough job of looting!

Originally, one bag shop was enough, but now there are ten.

"There are so many Yinyins, how are we going to carry them all? We can't manage in two trips!"

"Sister, I have a way."

She opened the gate to the courtyard and called out to the women sewing shoe soles at the entrance, "Ladies, we're moving today, could you lend us a hand? As a token of our gratitude, we've got all the vegetables in the yard for you! Pick as many as you like!"

"Oh my, what a wonderful thing!" Everyone in the compound knew that Lin Huizhi's vegetables were the freshest.

"Absolutely! You can pick all the vegetables and flowers in the yard!"

The aunties quickly put down what they were holding and gathered around.

"Comrade Xiaolin, why are you moving? Where are you moving to?"

Lin Yinyin raised her voice high, "Isn't it because my sister is getting a divorce from Li Jianjun? We're looking for a place to stay in the compound and we're moving out."

"What? Divorce?" The gossip was immediately exciting. The aunties instantly erupted in excitement.

"Why did you get a divorce? Can't you just enjoy your life together?"

"What could be the reason?" Lin Yinyin deliberately dragged out her words, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Isn't it because Old Mrs. Li went too far!"

My sister works tirelessly at their house, doing all the laundry, cooking, and serving the three of them, surnamed Li. But this woman, instead of doing anything, just washes her hands of the household and spews a nasty mouth, like she's eaten eight pounds of shit, spewing vulgarities and showing no manners whatsoever.

She changed the subject, "Look at the aunties in our compound, aren't they all getting along well?"

A mother-in-law who loves her daughter-in-law and a man who protects his family—that's what makes life great!

But what about the Li family? The mother-in-law is oppressing the daughter-in-law, and the husband is protecting his mother. Why should my sister have to suffer here? Isn't the point of life to be comfortable? If we can't get along, it's better to break up sooner rather than later!

So my sister made a snap decision and took the initiative to file for divorce!

"Well done! Every girl is raised by her mother, why should she suffer like this at his house!" Battalion Commander Li's mother moved a small stool over and came closer.

"That old lady Li was always yelling about divorcing her daughter-in-law, but in the end, it was her son who got divorced. What a slap in the face! She deserved it!"

"Yes, yes, yes! People are all made of flesh and blood. This isn't the old society anymore. Treating your wife like a servant is an outdated idea. Our propaganda and education always emphasize mutual respect!"

"That's right! And then there's Li Jianying, such a grown woman who does nothing, lazy, greedy, and cunning, yet she still has her sister-in-law serving her. What's her name again?"

"A giant baby," Lin Yinyin added.

"That's so apt. He's like a giant baby!"

"Even so, Old Mrs. Li always said that Lin Huizhi wasn't good enough for her son! Now that she's left on her own, let's see where she'll find such a diligent and honest daughter-in-law again!"

"I heard that Kathy Chow has been spending a lot of time with the Li family lately. Could it be that she's trying to fill that vacancy?"

"That Zhou Hai Mei is shrewd; she's probably eyeing the Li family's status. With her fighting with Old Madam Li, there'll be quite a show to watch!"

Amid the chatter, the aunties stopped being polite. One picked a bunch of cabbage, another a potato, and in no time they had picked all the fresh vegetables in the yard clean.

Looking at the empty courtyard, Lin Yinyin took her sister's hand and said, "Sister, let's go, we're never coming back to this wretched place!"

Meanwhile, in Li Jianjun's dormitory, Old Lady Li was sitting and shoving the divorce papers in front of him: "Jianjun, just say yes!"

Li Jianjun clutched the piece of paper, staring at his mother in disbelief: "Mom, this...this was forged by someone else, wasn't it? Lin Huizhi can't possibly divorce me!"

"Look at these characters!"

Grandma Li pointed to the signature and said, "This is Lin Huizhi's own handwriting. How could I find someone who writes exactly the same as her? Lin Huizhi is a barren hen. What good is keeping her around?"

You're a man, the pillar of the Li family. You have to leave a bloodline for the Li family! Otherwise, how can you face the ancestors of the Li family?

Jianjun! I'm begging you, please get a divorce! While you're still young, find someone who cares for you and have a child!

"No! I need to find out!"

Li Jianjun suddenly stood up, grabbed the application form, and ran home.

But as soon as they entered the courtyard, they were taken aback by its empty state.

How come all the vegetables in my garden are gone, even though they were perfectly fine this morning?

He rushed into the room in a panic, only to find the wardrobe empty, the bed sheets, the tablecloth on the table, and even the curtains on the window gone!

Nothing was left, let alone anything that belonged to Lin Huizhi. The clean house looked like no one had ever lived there!

He rushed out of the house like a madman and ran all the way to the cafeteria.

But the cafeteria staff told him, "Comrade Lin came early this morning to apply for leave, saying he's moving."

Li Jianjun slumped on a bench in the cafeteria, his hands tucked into his hair, his knuckles turning white from the effort.

He couldn't believe that Lin Huizhi, who usually obeyed him, could be so heartless.

He never even mentioned divorce, yet she brought it up first!

Why?!

Over the years, he has never complained about her inability to have children. Whenever his mother openly or subtly belittled her, he never said anything to her.

Even when his mother pressured him relentlessly, saying she wanted a divorce, he never gave in or agreed.

He thought he had done enough, but Lin Huizhi was so heartless!

Why, Lin Huizhi!