Chapter 8: The Calculation’s Origin

What did he do?

Recalling Li Ruantang’s rosy cheeks, Meng Jun smiled and pressed his lips, “Today I—”

His words came to an abrupt halt. Hu Youning curiously asked, “Jiujiu, why did you stop talking?”

“I……”

The young man, coming to his senses, had reddened ear tips, his breath weakening slightly. He uncomfortably averted his gaze, his eyes falling on the tightly closed door not far away.

He couldn’t possibly tell Hu Youning that he had been teasing the sleeping Li Ruantang all morning.

After all, not long ago, the young man had very melancholically made up a story with Hu Youning, mixing truth and fiction to coax quite a few sighs from him.

“Jiujiu, hurry up and tell me, I’m dying of curiosity.” Hu Youning marinated the cleaned fish to remove the smell, and smiled at Meng Jun with raised eyebrows, “If it’s really interesting, I’ll have something to amuse myself with when I’m idle at home in the future.”

He said it casually, but the young man heard it with a twitch in the corner of his eye, and even instantly had an image in his mind.

Ah Ning’s voice was softer, perhaps it would be more suitable for him to call out the two characters “Tang Tang”.

Although he was determined to bring them together, there was an unexpectedly heavy feeling between the young man’s brows, like the thick cloud layer pressing down on the sky outside.

“Actually, it’s not that interesting.”

Meng Jun lowered his eyes, tightly gripping his own sleeve, “It’s certainly not as fun as going to play in Changshan Valley.”

That’s right, it was just a woman blushing, nothing extraordinary. Even if he said it, Ah Ning wouldn’t find it interesting.

The young man pressed his lips, concealing his smile, “I just sat in the room and zoned out for a while.”

After all, when he was teasing Li Ruantang, he wasn’t thinking about anything, which wasn’t much different from zoning out. Meng Jun nodded, as if affirming something, “Yes, that’s all it was.”

“Zoning out?” Hu Youning was stunned, feeling increasingly sympathetic towards this young master. Despite his prominent family background, he had married a woman he didn’t like, and now even something like zoning out was considered joyful.

Wait, Hu Youning narrowed his eyes slightly, perhaps he found it joyful not because of zoning out.

A sudden flash of insight struck his mind, and he lowered his voice to ask, “Jiujiu, did you lie?!”

“……”

Meng Jun was stunned by his question, somewhat surprised by Hu Youning’s perceptiveness.

Hu Youning let out a long sigh, gesturing towards the tightly closed door not far away, “I know, you’re actually happy to zone out because Lady Li is asleep and you don’t have to put on an act with her, right?”

“Jiujiu, don’t be foolish.”

Hu Youning, being a man, was ultimately soft-hearted. He glanced outside a few times, then closed the kitchen door and said, “This world is not a tolerant place for men. No matter how much Lady Li cares for you, she is still a woman after all. How could she tolerate someone by her side having another in their heart?”

“Since you don’t like her, the best plan now is to let her gradually distance herself from you. There are many flirtatious women in this world, and with Lady Li’s good looks, if you return to the capital and find a few handsome men, she might change her heart and no longer think of you.”

“Then it will be much easier for you to propose a divorce.”

Hu Youning’s heartfelt words hit the mark for Meng Jun.

Thinking of Sister Wei in the capital, the young man deliberately pushed aside that bit of heaviness from earlier and feigned melancholy, “But my wife-master likes simple-minded men.”

He secretly observed Hu Youning’s expression and said softly, “Moreover, this matter was my fault to begin with, so I sincerely want to find a suitable man for my wife-master.”

He made his intentions crystal clear.

Meng Jun looked out the window, “And you’re right. Now that my wife-master is injured, I shouldn’t stimulate her at this time. I hope her destined person appears soon.”

Hu Youning nodded along.

The clouds in the sky grew thicker and heavier.

The young man sat on the stool, cupping his cheeks, occasionally glancing at the still sleeping Li Ruantang.

Ah Ning had a straightforward personality. If he could successfully match them, perhaps when Li Ruantang regained her memory, she wouldn’t hold the impersonation of her husband against him.

She saved his life, and he would repay her with a marriage.

Although it couldn’t be called knowing gratitude and repaying kindness, it could at least be considered making amends.

The more Meng Jun thought about it, the more he felt his idea was brilliant.

When Li Ruantang had rested enough and slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the back of her young husband dozing off at the table.

Li Ruantang got up and walked closer, “Jiujiu?”

Her voice was gentle, and the awakened young man, who was pressing his arm, looked at her with those beautiful phoenix eyes, still dazed. He stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly grinned, “Tang Tang!”

This voice was familiar; she had heard it countless times in that old dream of war just now.

“Mm, why are you sleeping here?” Li Ruantang’s ear tips reddened slightly as she helped the still drowsy young man up.

His mind was still foggy. Meng Jun rubbed his eyes and obediently drank the warm water Li Ruantang held to his lips. Those phoenix eyes showed a hint of guilt, “I, I had to watch over my wife-master.”

Meng Jun’s clear voice inexplicably lowered.

“Silly Jiujiu.” Li Ruantang ruffled his hair, “These injuries of mine are nothing, you don’t need to worry about me so much.”

“Years ago in the army, I once took a sword here.” She lightly tapped her side waist with her finger, “Although I lost a lot of blood at the time, I still pulled through.”

“Let alone this time, most of the injuries are from falls and bumps.” Li Ruantang pointed at her chest, with a faint smile on her lips, “So, Jiujiu, don’t worry. I promised you, no matter what, I will definitely live.”

As she spoke, her eyes were gentle. Her clear gaze was like spring breeze scattering over a pool of clear water, rippling with light.

The young man stared at her blankly, but the fingers hidden in his sleeves seemed to have a will of their own, lightly touching the corner of her eye.

He was like a feather brushing past, and Li Ruantang’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. The ticklish sensation on the young man’s fingertips was like spring thunder, startling him to hastily withdraw his hand.

“Wife-master, I, I didn’t mean to.” The young man hurriedly explained to her, not knowing what had come over him, his handsome face as red as if it would drip blood.

“Jiujiu doesn’t need to apologize.”

Li Ruantang’s cheeks were also pink. She turned her face slightly, looking towards the half-open window. In the distance, mountains were layered, shrouded in clouds and mist, just like the furrowed brow of her young husband in his fluster.

“I……” Li Ruantang felt a sweetness in her chest and was about to speak when she was interrupted by sudden cursing and door-banging from outside.

Smoke was rising from the courtyard.

Hu Youning was busy in the kitchen, sweating profusely. When he suddenly heard the commotion outside the courtyard, he inwardly thought, “This is not good.”

He quickly ran through his mind and figured it must be that ruffian who saw him go to Changshan Valley this morning, and had come looking for trouble again.

Come to think of it, it was his own fault for not being more careful. Hu Youning gritted his teeth in frustration. The Hu family’s fields were far from home, and even if his mother and father got the news now and came, it would probably be too late.

He could only rely on himself!

With this thought, Hu Youning grabbed the kitchen knife from the table. Just as he walked out of the kitchen, he ran into Li Ruantang, who had come out after hearing the commotion.

“Young Master Hu.” She nodded slightly and asked tactfully, “Is there some trouble at home?”

“I’m sorry for Lady Li to see this.”

Hu Youning pressed his lips, his eyes glaring hatefully towards the courtyard gate, “The person shouting outside is a ruffian from the village, surnamed Fu. Earlier, my mother fell for her scheme and owed her three taels of silver.”

Before he could finish speaking, Madam Fu outside the courtyard could no longer contain herself. She kicked the dilapidated courtyard gate several times, causing dust to fall from the mud walls.

“You Hu family, open the door quickly! Paying debts is the natural order of things. If you don’t have money, then use that man of yours to pay the debt. What, did you think everything would be fine after sending your precious son out of the village?”

She had her eye on Hu Youning early on, but this young man had high standards. Fu Lanxian had sent several matchmakers to their door, but the Hu family refused no matter what.

Think about it, the Fu family could trace their lineage back three generations to high officials in the capital. Although they had fallen on hard times now, they still had some assets.

Fu Lanxian threw a few strings of copper coins behind her, and her band of followers immediately became excited, their shouts and curses growing louder.

Their words were so filthy that Li Ruantang frowned upon hearing them. Hu Youning was hot-tempered and couldn’t endure it. He was about to step forward.

But Li Ruantang was a step faster, her arm extending to easily disarm him of the weapon in his hand.

She smiled gently at Hu Youning, “Young Master Hu is after all an unmarried man. If Young Master Hu doesn’t mind, this Li is willing to face them on your behalf.”

“Lady Li, those people are all ruffians from the village.” Although Hu Youning was very grateful for Li Ruantang’s willingness to help, she looked sickly. If something really happened, the Hu family’s fate would likely be even worse.

Hu Youning’s eyes reddened, but he couldn’t bear to see his mother and father sighing all day long.

After all, it was just him paying the debt with his body.

“Young Master Hu, there’s always a way out of every situation.” Li Ruantang let out a soft sigh, “Since this Li has received a life-saving kindness from Sanniang, there’s no reason to stand by and do nothing.”

“Just trust me.” She gestured for Hu Youning to return to the main hall first.

“Wife-master.” Meng Jun, who had been listening from inside the room for half the day, finally understood why Hu Sanniang had designs on him in the first place. He felt angry inside, and his face peeking out from behind the door grew cold.

“Jiujiu, quickly hide.” Hu Youning had been hiding at his uncle’s house for a few days and had only sneaked back early this morning, completely unaware of Hu Sanniang’s intentions.

“Fu Lanxian is just a ruffian. Relying on her family’s wealth, she doesn’t let go of any good-looking man in the village.” Hu Youning worriedly advised Jiujiu to hide inside the room.

The young man pressed his lips, his fingers hidden in his sleeves digging into his palms.

If he hadn’t heard about Hu Sanniang’s scheme, he wouldn’t have pretended to be Li Ruantang’s husband, telling such a big lie.

Originally, Meng Jun wanted to tell Li Ruantang not to interfere in other people’s affairs.

But Ah Ning was innocent.

Even if the adults were at fault, he couldn’t implicate Hu Youning who knew nothing about it.

The young man reached out and tugged at Li Ruantang’s sleeve, “Wife-master, there are many of them, you alone……”

His worry was clearly written in his eyes.

“Don’t be afraid, you and Young Master Hu just wait for me in the kitchen.”

Li Ruantang smiled reassuringly at him, sent the two young men into the room, then carefully closed the door before slowly walking out.

Outside the door, Fu Lanxian, who had been causing trouble, had already run out of patience. She reached out to lift her skirt, took a breath and raised her foot, but before she could step on the courtyard gate.

Creak—, the door suddenly opened inward.

Fu Lanxian’s foot met empty air, and she almost stumbled, “Are you the noble person Hu San picked up?” Her voice didn’t lose its momentum, and as soon as she steadied herself, she looked left and right, and immediately four or five people surrounded her.

Li Ruantang’s brows furrowed slightly.

Fu Lanxian raised an eyebrow, looked at her waist but didn’t see any jade, and immediately sneered coldly, “I thought it was some remarkable person. That Hu Sanniang hasn’t seen much of the world, but I, Fu Lanxian, am not so easily fooled.”

“Paying debts is the natural order of things. Even if the Jade Emperor came down today, if the Hu family can’t repay the money, they’ll have to use Hu Youning to pay the debt!”

“Yes, pay the debt!”

“The son pays the mother’s debt!” The few who had just received copper coins immediately chimed in.

Fu Lanxian raised her hand, gesturing for them to be quiet. Her mouth twisted to one side as she glanced at the cotton cloth wrapped around Li Ruantang’s forehead, “However, I am a reasonable person.”

“Since you’re not from the Hu family, as long as you don’t meddle in this matter, I’ll spare your dog life. How about that?”

***

My Husband Asks for a Divorce Every Day (Female-Dominant)

This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.

The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.

Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.

If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.

It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.

The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.

In the end, everything will come together and be explained.

One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!

In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.

Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.

However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.

Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.

Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?

——

Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.

His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.

Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”

——

The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.

Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!

Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!

The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…

——

But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.

The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.

She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…

Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”

Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”

Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?

[Small Theater]

The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.

Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”

Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.

Zhu Wansheng: ?

Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…

On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.

Warm breath lingers on her neck.

“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”

[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]

Link to read