Super Soldier in the City

Of course, his daughter thinks Tianxing isn’t that bad. As one of the few people in the nearby villages who made it out, and reportedly made a name for himself in the army, Lang Yonggan’s daughter does find him somewhat attractive. Just the fact that he’s disabled in his legs is displeasing, but she’s heard he’s quite capable with farm work, so it’s not too bad. What’s critical is the rumor that the state gave him a sum of money when he retired, and she’s been fixated on this money, so Lang Yonggan’s daughter agreed.

But yesterday she suddenly heard that a few years ago Tianxing had a mishap in the city, lost a lot of money as compensation, and now he’s just a poor boy, so Lang Yonggan’s family wouldn’t have it. Nowadays, who doesn’t want their daughter’s marriage to be proud, with lots of betrothal gifts and such?

Lang Yonggan hurried to inquire, ending up discovering more things. He immediately wouldn’t have it, rushing over to break the engagement. Although his daughter isn’t all that great, she can’t marry someone like this—no money, marry what?

Lang Yonggan isn’t afraid of the people of Zhang Family causing trouble. In this area, Lang Yonggan isn’t anyone notable, but his family has three sons, plenty of people if a fight breaks out, so he feels confident.

"This marriage will be annulled whether you agree or not. You Zhang Family were unkind first, so don’t blame me for being heartless!" Lang Yonggan slapped the nearby table, glaring, angrily saying: "Tianxing, damn it, say something. Are you annulling this marriage or not?"

A future father-in-law cursing a future son-in-law isn’t unusual, but charging into the other’s house, pointing at the son-in-law’s nose, cursing his mother to force annulment—such a thing is rare.

When Tianxing learned of Lang Yonggan’s purpose for coming, he remained silent. His only good hand clenched tightly, head bowed, teeth gritted. The parents of Zhang family were indeed angry, Zhang family’s relatives were furious too, but none felt worse than Tianxing; he should be the one most upset.

Originally, the future was limitless—as long as he followed the path, by the time he retired, he’d surely be a lieutenant colonel or so, with a decent rank that would change the fate of his entire family. But everything changed, became impossible to achieve. Just as Lang Yonggan remained arrogant, Tianxing seemed not to hear, recollecting his experiences of the past few years. If he could keep going like this, it’d be fine. Yet with the wedding almost tomorrow, the other side suddenly came to annul.

This is a tremendous insult. Even if Tianxing’s character changed, even if his temper were good, it was still about to erupt. His breath quickened, eyes reddened, eye corners tightened, staring at Lang Yonggan. The latter seemed provoked, pointing at Tianxing, cursing: "Damn it, still daring to glare? Today, this isn’t a negotiation but a notification that the wedding is canceled!"

"Big Brother Lang, this isn’t a joke. How can both families’ marriage just say canceled and be canceled? Not to mention our side, haven’t you notified your friends and family? Preparations are also complete. Calm down, let’s have a proper discussion!" Tianxing’s father stepped forward, grabbing Lang Yonggan’s hand, trying to mediate.

Tianxing’s mother also smiled apologetically: "Yes, yes, Big Brother Lang, is it that you’re not satisfied with the betrothal gift? We can discuss this. His father and I also know the dowry for the daughter-in-law is indeed too little, but you know our family’s situation. Missing things we’ll slowly make up for later, alright?"

Tianxing’s parents were angry, embarrassed, but at this juncture, no matter how mad they were, they had to coax. They didn’t believe the other side truly wanted to annul but possibly asked for more for their daughter, so they tried to soothe with good words.

But Lang Yonggan sneered, saying: "The things you gave—that’s called things? In the ten-mile-eight-town radius, whose dowry isn’t grand? I don’t even want to say it. Promises—what promises? With your disabled son? He’ll be lucky to support himself later. I’m telling you, my daughter absolutely won’t marry, no one’s words work, and don’t come entangle with me!"

Saying this, Lang Yonggan stood up again, took a few steps toward Tianxing, slightly raised his head, looked at Tianxing, and asked: "Didn’t you hear me just now? Are your damn legs disabled, and your ears deaf too?"

Tianxing’s clenched fist suddenly loosened. He immediately figured it out, so he said: "Fine, let’s do as you say, forget about this wedding!"

"Son, don’t speak thoughtlessly. That’s your father-in-law; you must listen even if he curses you!" Tianxing’s mother immediately got anxious hearing this, rushing over to pull her son. She knew her son’s stubbornness; even ten bulls couldn’t drag him back. But times are different now; given her son’s condition, marrying a wife was rare enough, so after all, let them make a fuss, bear with it, marry the wife first and talk later.

Tianxing remained unmoved, a slight smile gradually appeared on his face, facial muscles relaxed. Opposite, Lang Yonggan pointed at Tianxing, loudly said: "You heard him. Your son agreed, so the wedding is off, and we’ll have no relation now. Goodbye!"

"In-law, in-law!" Seeing Lang Yonggan about to leave, Tianxing’s parents hastily ran over, pulling him.

"Brother, quickly hold your father-in-law, how can the wedding be called off just like that, how can it be stopped!" Zhang Tianxing’s sister shouted too.

Zhang Tianxing forcefully closed his eyes, then opened them, shouting angrily: "Stop!"

"What, do you intend to fight?" Lang Yonggan’s expression darkened, he walked out a few steps, hearing Zhang Tianxing’s shout, he immediately stopped, turned his head, and glared at Zhang Tianxing, angrily asking.

"Tianxing, hurry and kneel before your father-in-law!" Mother Zhang urged anxiously.

Zhang Tianxing slowly shook his head, his voice cold, saying: "The marriage can be called off, that’s your freedom, but the dowry must be returned. Although it’s not much, it’s still what my parents scraped together, you want to just leave and take the dowry, that’s not allowed!"

"What?" Lang Yonggan had never seen this side of Zhang Tianxing, when he spoke his eyes seemed like a wild wolf in the forest, giving off a chilling feeling, Lang Yonggan instinctively swallowed, but then felt a surge of anger, being intimidated by a cripple, he snorted heavily, glancing at others, he said: "Zhang Tianxing, say what you just said again."

"Didn’t hear clearly? Fine, I’ll say it again!" Zhang Tianxing was fearless, his back straightened, turning around, although his legs were still unsteady as he turned, his demeanor was exceptionally firm, he said in an unchanged tone: "The marriage can be called off, but the dowry must be returned. Are you okay with keeping the dowry even though there’s no marriage, Lang Yonggan?"

"You dare speak to me like this?" Lang Yonggan jumped up, he really hadn’t thought about returning the dowry, although it’s not much, it’s still a matter of thousands of dollars. Of course, he was in the wrong, dowry is given to marry a bride, now you’re calling off the wedding by choice, yet want to keep the dowry, this can’t be justified anywhere.

Nonetheless, Lang Yonggan still didn’t want to return the dowry, he glared at Zhang Tianxing, feeling this youngster was truly excessive today, he said: "And you call that bit of stuff a dowry? Haha, our daughter is pure and because of you, the marriage can’t proceed, so you’re not preparing to provide some compensation? Instead, wanting the dowry back, is this how people of Zhang Family conduct themselves? Have some shame."

"Dear, dear, don’t be angry, Tianxing is just anxious, he didn’t mean to offend you, Tianxing, quickly kneel and apologize to your father-in-law!" Mother Zhang, flustered, tugged at Zhang Tianxing, wanting him to apologize.

On the contrary, Zhang Tianxing’s father remained silent, his eyes were red, having been a farmer all his life, he had little to demand for, this kind of withdrawal from marriage if it really happens, would be an immense humiliation, but now he understands, they are here just to call off the wedding, not due to some dissatisfaction with the dowry, hence his son’s decision was right, since they are here to call off the wedding, let’s call it off then, Zhang Family can’t cling to them, so the old man did not speak.

Zhang Tianxing held his mother’s hand, stopped Mother Zhang’s action, saying: "Lang Yonggan, firstly, your daughter is not pure, ten years ago she had numerous encounters with a man from the neighboring village, later when you found out, you extorted two thousand dollars from them, but they still refused to marry your daughter, five years ago your daughter went to the city hospital for an abortion, even last year, there was unclear conduct between her and a migrant worker, going out singing and drinking every day, don’t tell me that’s all they did. So tell me, how does this count as being pure?"

Zhang Tianxing’s voice was not loud, but it hit Lang Yonggan’s ears like Heavenly Thunder, his temples throbbed, shocked that the things he had tried hard to hide were clear to Zhang Tianxing, Lang Yonggan felt at a loss for an answer, surrounded by People of Zhang Family, everyone’s faces showed understanding at Zhang Tianxing’s words, followed by immense anger, they started to scold: "Lang Yonggan, your daughter turns out to be so disgraceful!"

"So disgraceful yet has the face to call off the wedding? Damn, do you think we didn’t know about your daughter’s disgusting deeds? Still claiming to be a maiden, after an abortion? Do you think she got pregnant during a bath?"

"Lang Yonggan, stop talking, return the dowry to us, the marriage is off, forget it, with your daughter’s appearance like that, looking like a potato turned spirit, even if you want to marry her, our Tianxing won’t take her!"

"You!" Lang Yonggan hadn’t expected his daughter’s affairs to be known by Zhang Tianxing, being revealed now, he felt as if a slap had hit him hard and directly across his face, leaving him somewhat stunned.

"Big Brother Lang, since you haven’t refuted, apparently Tianxing is correct, so let’s call off the marriage. We’ve known each other for years, returning the dowry, let’s end this." Zhang Tianxing’s father was equally angry, but he was more rational, seeing it’s futile, he didn’t force things.