Isn’t that the guy who had an affair with the original protagonist in the novel, cuckolding Zhou Yueshen?
It wasn’t that the original protagonist actually liked him, but because this man fell head over heels for her at first sight. After their first meeting, he was utterly smitten and launched an obsessive pursuit.
Of course, the original protagonist wanted nothing to do with him. Having grown up in the city with a fiancé who was a major, she naturally looked down on the greasy Li Mingjun.
On top of that, after being forced to marry Zhou Yueshen, she developed a deep-seated disgust for divorced men.
But Li Mingjun was the epitome of overconfidence—a man with zero sense of boundaries. At first, he was a little worried when he heard the original protagonist had married Zhou Yueshen.
However, after learning that the couple had a rocky relationship, he grew bolder.
Using his connection as the brother-in-law of Zhou Yueshen’s younger sister, he often found excuses to visit the Zhou Family and see her.
Over time, people noticed, and gossip spread.
Her reputation was ruined.
The original protagonist despised him and lashed out with harsh words.
This only provoked Li Mingjun, who retaliated by spreading rumors behind her back—claiming she was desperate, seducing him because he drove a big truck and was from the city, all so she could live a better life there.
In this era, a married woman seducing another man was a serious offense, enough to make people scorn her behind her back.
To the villagers, Li Mingjun was somewhat impressive—dressed better than most, decent-looking, and skilled at driving heavy trucks.
Many girls in the village had their eyes on him.
So when Si Nian, already married to the wealthiest man in the village, Zhou Yueshen, still "tried to seduce" him, she became the target of vicious gossip.
The rumors grew uglier by the day.
But the original protagonist was proud and stubborn. She adopted a "take it or leave it" attitude, refusing to explain herself.
Divorcing Zhou Yueshen suited her just fine.
Realizing this might be her way out, she even started inviting Li Mingjun into the house in front of the children.
The children grew to despise her but were powerless to stop it.
Si Nian’s divorce from Zhou Yueshen wasn’t just because of the kids—this scandal played a big part too.
Back then, divorce was rare unless things were truly unbearable.
For a woman, divorce often meant her life was over.
But to the original protagonist, her life had already been ruined the moment she married a divorced older man.
What difference did a little more disgrace make?
People in this era either endured abuse in silence or, like the original protagonist, refused to accept reality.
Clearly, she belonged to the latter.
And so, she continued down this self-destructive path.
Thinking about this ridiculous plot, Si Nian’s expression twisted as if she’d swallowed a fly.
She knew everyone had their share of bad romantic encounters, but this man was downright disgusting.
Failing to seduce her and then framing her instead—what kind of lowlife scum did that?
Whoever wrote this novel must have had a serious grudge against this female antagonist.
"And who might this be?" After greeting the other women, Li Mingjun finally turned his attention to Si Nian, feigning surprise.
No one suspected anything, eagerly introducing her: "This is Si Nian! She just moved here from the city not long ago. She’s Zhou Yueshen’s wife—didn’t you know?"
Hearing she was Zhou Yueshen’s wife, Li Mingjun stiffened momentarily. But then, as if remembering something, he smirked and put on a dreamy expression. "Si Nian... 'Longing'... What a beautiful, poetic name."
Si Nian made a face like she’d tasted something vile. "Seems like you’ve been skimming quite a bit from my husband’s business, huh?"
Li Mingjun faltered, caught off guard. His face twitched with guilt before he stammered, "W-what? How could you say that? I’d never do such a thing!"
Si Nian scoffed. "Then why are you so oily? If you can’t describe things properly, go read a book. Otherwise, you just sound uneducated."
Li Mingjun: "..."
This man had delusions of grandeur, convinced he was unmatched. He’d only taken this job because Zhou Yueshen was his sister-in-law’s older brother, hoping to ride his coattails to wealth.
Yet after all this time, he was still just a driver.
Naturally, his inflated ego couldn’t accept that.
So he started embezzling, scheming to steal Zhou Yueshen’s wife and ruin his farm’s reputation before making off with the money.
But Zhou Yueshen wasn’t someone to be trifled with. In the end, Li Mingjun’s fate wasn’t pretty—he was handed over to the authorities. If not for his sister begging on her knees, he’d have been locked up for good.
Yet instead of gratitude, he only grew to resent Zhou Yueshen. Seeing how profitable the business was, he tried copying it himself.
But it wasn’t as easy as he thought. Combined with his laziness, he ended up bankrupt and destitute...
The other women also found his way of addressing Si Nian inappropriate. Hearing her sharp retort, they exchanged uneasy glances.
Li Mingjun’s face cycled through shades of green and white, contorted with fury.
Oily? Disgusting? Uneducated?
Wasn’t he supposed to be handsome?
He was fuming. Women usually fawned over him—how dare this one insult him like this? Just because she had a pretty face, she thought she was special?
He’d asked for her name as a courtesy, and she had the nerve to throw it back in his face!
So what if she was Zhou Yueshen’s wife?
Didn’t Zhou Yueshen still need him to drive?
Without him handling deliveries, who else in this village could do the job?
The more he stewed, the more his arrogance flared.
With a sneer, he retorted, "You’re overthinking it. I was just joking. Hah, it’s not like I’d compliment just anyone."
His tone dripped with condescension.
"Joking? Do I know you? What gives you the right to joke with a stranger?" Si Nian shot back.
Li Mingjun choked. "..."
The others didn’t understand why the usually mild-mannered Si Nian was suddenly so sharp-tongued. But with the atmosphere turning awkward, they quickly intervened. "We should go deliver the meals now. Our men are waiting, so we’ll catch you later."
Li Mingjun stood there, face dark as a storm cloud, watching the women walk into the farm.
He’d thought she was a delicate peony waiting to be plucked—turns out she was a thorny rose.
Though she’d humiliated him in front of everyone, the thought of conquering such a woman excited him. Unlike those who fell at his feet, she posed a challenge—more thrilling!
The idea soothed his bruised ego.
He convinced himself she must not know who he was—that he was from the city. Otherwise, she wouldn’t dismiss him so easily.
Women in this era were pragmatic. They all dreamed of marrying into the city.
Zhou Yueshen’s situation wasn’t even that great. Sure, he made more money, but he had three kids weighing him down.
