Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

"Hongmei, you've become quite the smooth talker."

Ma Feng stammered.

He was awestruck by You Hongmei's powerful aura.

Judging from You Hongmei's decisive and efficient work style and her outspoken manner, it's hard to believe that she used to be a mountain village girl who didn't even dare to raise her voice.

once Upon a time,

You Hongmei blushes and lacks confidence when talking to strangers because she is an adopted daughter of the You family.

You Hongmei gave a bitter smile and said, "There's nothing I can do. Life forces me to do this. I thought running a hotel didn't require dealing with too many people or talking much. Guests would come, pay for their stay, and all I had to do was keep the place clean and provide satisfactory service. I was too naive."

Ma Feng: "Hongmei, do you hate me?"

You Hongmei shook her head and asked in return, "Why should I hate you? My path is my own choice and has nothing to do with you."

Ma Feng continued, "If I hadn't joined the army, there wouldn't have been any closed training. I would have known about your situation immediately and appeared in front of you when you needed help the most. I'm sorry, Hongmei, it's all my fault."

You Hongmei shook her head, tears silently streaming down her face, and choked out, "Brother Feng, please don't think like that, and don't blame yourself or feel guilty. It's all fate. It's destined that we are destined to be together but not to be. There's no use in forcing it. I'm doing just fine now."

Ma Feng: "You're doing well, yet You Dalin still abuses you?"

Upon hearing You Dalin's name, You Hongmei's face instantly darkened. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Isn't it normal for couples to bicker and argue?"

Ma Feng: "You have to run a hotel to earn money to support your family, take care of the children, and do housework. Doesn't You Dalin help you?"

You Hongmei smiled bitterly, "I'm just grateful he doesn't cause me any trouble. When we first got married, at my urging, he drove a truck for transportation. Although he didn't earn much, it was enough to support the family. But ever since his uncle started a tourism development company, he sold the truck and became the security manager for You Changqing. He spends all his time leading a group of people going door-to-door negotiating demolitions. If people don't agree, they smash and loot, doing all sorts of heinous things. As a result, people have been secretly cursing me and the children. I've also developed a habit of eating, drinking, and having fun. When he's short of money, he comes home to ask me for it. If I don't give it to him, he beats me."

Ma Feng clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and muttered, "Beast! He even beats his own wife and children. Is he even a man?"

You Hongmei wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said, "Alright, let's not talk about him anymore. Brother Feng, if you go back to the village now, you've definitely fallen into a trap that You Changqing has already set."

Ma Feng said firmly, "I'm not afraid. Even if it's a den of dragons and tigers, I will still demand an explanation. I'm back this time to confront You Changqing head-on. I must get justice for my parents and my family. This is a society ruled by law. The era of You Changqing is long gone."

"Why!"

You Hongmei sighed and said, "You Changqing's three sons all received help from influential people and were successively transferred to the capital to become high-ranking officials. It is said that the three sons are leaders in different departments and are all doing very well. Every time they come back to the village, the leaders and cadres in the county and town follow behind them and try to curry favor with them. You are just a soldier, with no money, no power, and no connections. What can you use to fight against the You family? You simply can't beat You Changqing!"

"Brother Feng, please, please don't go looking for You Changqing, okay? Go back to the village and bring your parents out. It's inconvenient for you to be in the army, but I can help you take care of them and see them off in their old age."

Hearing these words, Ma Feng felt as if his heart was being torn apart. Looking at the woman in front of him, he said, "I can't selfishly drag you down. Besides, you're already married and have a son. If You Dalin finds out, or if others find out, there will be gossip. How will you run a hotel in town then? Hongmei, I'll handle my own affairs."

You Hongmei looked at Ma Feng, still the same man who dared to act and take responsibility, and said, "Ma Feng, the most comfortable emotional relationship between a man and a woman isn't necessarily that of husband and wife, but it's definitely that of soulmates. When we're not busy, we reply instantly; when we're done, we reply to each other immediately. You say one thing, I say another, everything is accounted for, everything is responded to. There are no lies, no deception, no scheming, no worries, we say what we want to say, we care about each other, you understand my unspoken meaning, and I understand your unspoken words."

Ma Feng: "Yes, Hongmei, our hearts will always be connected. My love for you and my feelings for you have never changed."

"After this incident, I will leave here with my parents. You and the child can come with us then."

"Leave this place of trouble."

"Don't worry, I will treat the child as my own."

Hearing Ma Feng's words, You Hongmei's brow twitched. For a moment, she truly wanted to follow this man, regardless of morality or gossip. Being with the one she loved, even if it meant eating coarse food, would be happiness…

But reason told her she couldn't do that; You Dalin wouldn't let her go, and neither would Youjia Village.

Then You Hongmei gritted her teeth, made up her mind, and said, "No one would use disposable cups and bowls that others have used because they're considered dirty. But you love people who have used and reused so much. I find it disgusting, even if you don't. Ma Feng, you'll find a better woman."

"You'd better hurry up and leave. Your friend is waiting for you. If you don't leave now, you won't make it to Youjia Village before dark."

Ma Feng: "Hongmei, how could I possibly dislike you?"

"Will you promise me?"

"Promise your mother's head."

Suddenly, a jarring voice rang out from behind, and a person emerged from around the corner.

Ma Feng exclaimed in surprise, "You Dalin!"

When You Hongmei saw You Dalin suddenly appear, carrying a wooden stick, she was immediately flustered and quickly stepped forward to say, "Dalin, Ma Feng and I were just chatting for a bit, it's nothing."

Yu Dalin pointed at Yu Hongmei with a wooden stick and cursed through gritted teeth, "You filthy bitch, you've got some nerve, daring to cheat on me at home, have you no shame?"

Ma Feng stared at You Dalin and said, "You Dalin, put down the stick. Hongmei and I are just catching up."

You Dalin shoved You Hongmei to the ground and then kicked her twice.

"Ouch."

You Hongmei cried out instinctively in pain.

Ma Feng clenched his fists and angrily shouted, "You Dalin, stop! Hitting people is against the law. If you hit someone again, I won't be polite!"

You Dalin sneered, "What business is it of yours if I beat my unfaithful wife? Oh, right, you're the adulterer and she's the harlot, you two are a male prostitute and a female thief."

Ma Feng was furious and shouted, "You Dalin, shut up! Don't frame me and Hongmei. We are innocent!"

You Dalin sneered, "You call her Hongmei so smoothly, and so affectionately, huh? Hongmei is not a name you can use!"

"The most ridiculous thing is that she doesn't even like you. In other words, she's a woman I'm tired of, so why are you so infatuated with her?"

"You wanted to take that bitch with you, but she refused."

"Ma Feng, don't you feel hurt?"