Chapter 3: Future Plans

Lin Mu wasn't contemplating any schemes, but rather how to live in this world from now on.

First, cultivation was a must.

Although Earth's spiritual energy was extremely thin, although this body was extremely weak, and although starting over would require a tremendous amount of time and energy...

But Lin Mu didn't want to give up.

Even if he failed to transcend the tribulation, he had survived the ten-thousand-foot thunder tribulation.

Why not return to the peak?

With his decision made, Lin Mu began to sort through the fragments of the original owner's memories, gaining a clearer understanding of his situation and making plans for the future.

The original owner's father and Chen Wenxin's father had served together in the military in their youth.

The two had a life-or-death friendship and were close brothers.

Later, they retired, married, and had children.

Coincidentally, they had a boy and a girl: Lin Mu and Chen Wenxin.

So, the two men took the initiative and arranged a marriage for Lin Mu and Chen Wenxin.

At the time, it was just a joke between the two men, drunken and drunk, and no one took it seriously. Five years later, Chen Wenxin's father felt unwell and went to the hospital for a checkup, where he was diagnosed with cancer.

After enduring for a year and a half, Chen Wenxin's father passed away.

From then on, Lin Mu's father visited Wang Dongyan and Chen Wenxin every holiday.

Because the families lived far apart, Lin Mu's father had to take a nearly ten-hour bus ride each time, changing buses three times, which was a daunting task.

Even so, Lin Mu's father persisted in visiting his old friend's wife and daughter.

He did this every day for ten years.

This continued for a full thirteen years.

Until last year, while on the bus, Lin Mu's father was caught in a landslide.

The bus veered off the road, rolled down the mountain, and exploded.

All 32 people on board were killed, and no one survived.

Upon hearing this devastating news, Lin Mu's mother collapsed unconscious and spent two days in the hospital before dying.

Lin Mu was left an orphan. When his parents were alive, Lin Mu spent his days idle, living a carefree life, just waiting for death.

Now that his parents had suddenly passed away, Lin Mu was left with nothing but empty savings.

The money his parents had left behind was soon squandered by Lin Mu.

Unwilling to work, yet afraid to commit a crime, Lin Mu, desperate, took a ride to Wang Dongyan's place.

He had initially considered asking Wang Dongyan for compensation, claiming, "My father died in a car accident because he was visiting you."

But when he saw the pretty and gentle Chen Wenxin, he changed his mind and mentioned the child marriage arranged by their parents.

At first, Wang Dongyan objected.

Because Lin Mu and Chen Wenxin didn't even know each other, how could they get married based on a joke?

But Lin Mu wisely avoided nagging and instead appealed to her emotions.

First, he explained that they had a pre-existing engagement.

Second, he explained that his father had always brought gifts to visit her during the holidays, and their friendship was deep. Third, he said Chen Wenxin was of marriageable age and would eventually marry. The separation of mother and daughter would be incredibly painful, and he was willing to be a live-in son-in-law and take care of them.

Lin Mu was sincere.

His third point, in particular, touched upon Wang Dongyan's heartache.

Her husband died young, leaving her and her daughter to depend on each other.

The thought of her daughter marrying in the future filled Wang Dongyan with grief.

But a girl should marry when she grows up.

When that day finally came, Wang Dongyan couldn't possibly stop her.

Now, hearing Lin Mu's willingness to be a live-in son-in-law, Wang Dongyan felt a little tempted.

She had also considered a live-in son-in-law.

This way, it wouldn't hinder her daughter's happiness, and the mother and daughter, who depended on each other for survival, wouldn't have to be separated.

Finding a live-in son-in-law is incredibly difficult these days.

Finding one who's suitable in every way is even more challenging. Wang Dongyan saw Lin Mu's handsome appearance and sincere conversation, and, considering his father's well-known character, she felt confident his son would be a good choice. So, she asked her daughter, Chen Wenxin, for her opinion.

Chen Wenxin had never been in a relationship before, and her first impression of Lin Mu was favorable. Furthermore, since Lin Mu was willing to be a live-in son-in-law, she wouldn't have to leave her mother after marriage. So, she agreed, leaving it entirely to her mother to decide.

After confirming the situation, Wang Dongyan began arranging a marriage for the two.

During this time, Lin Mu's true nature gradually emerged.

He was not only lazy and gluttonous, but also constantly complained about the simple food and the dreadful surroundings. He had no real skills, yet acted like a sophisticated urban dandy.

Chen Wenxin's favorable impression of Lin Mu completely faded, and she began to resist the marriage.

Wang Dongyan, her mother, was busy arranging the marriage, unaware of Lin Mu's true nature. Chen Wenxin watched her mother beam with joy these past few days, excitedly running around and inviting relatives and friends to the wedding banquet. It was difficult for her to bring herself to say she wanted to break off the engagement.

A week later, Lin Mu and Chen Wenxin officially became husband and wife.

But Chen Wenxin refused to let Lin Mu touch her.

Not even to hold hands.

On their wedding night, Chen Wenxin told Lin Mu her thoughts, saying she wasn't ready and didn't want to sleep in the same bed with him.

Of course, Lin Mu disagreed.

He had put so much effort into getting Chen Wenxin, and now he was about to get her. How could he resist?

But Chen Wenxin was adamant.

If Lin Mu forced his hand, she would divorce him.

After a moment's deliberation, Lin Mu chose the latter, choosing between enjoying it once and enjoying it countless times.

That night, Lin Mu slept on the bed, while Chen Wenxin slept on the floor.

This continued every day thereafter.

And as time went on, Chen Wenxin, far from letting down her guard against Lin Mu, actually developed a worse impression of him. Laziness, irritability, complaining, and a lack of ambition aside, the real problem was that Lin Mu, a grown man, refused to do any work and simply wanted to live a life of idleness.

Wang Dongyan saw through Lin Mu's true colors and immediately demanded that Chen Wenxin divorce him.

But Lin Mu was a scoundrel.

He threatened to inform the entire village if they divorced, claiming that Chen Wenxin had been kept by other men for a long time and had been a spentthrift woman before marriage, only to find an honest man out of boredom. Now, not long after their marriage, Chen Wenxin was lusting after a divorce and continuing to pursue other men.

Hearing Lin Mu's words, Wang Dongyan was furious and threatened to kill him with a hatchet.

Chen Wenxin was trembling with anger, but she held onto her mother tightly to prevent her from making a blunder.

Negotiations ensued.

Lin Mu refused to agree to a divorce.

Wang Dongyan insisted he divorce Chen Wenxin. The two sides were deadlocked, arguing furiously.

Finally, Chen Wenxin spoke out, saying they didn't need a divorce, but they wanted to live separately. Lin Mu didn't have to work, as long as he stopped talking nonsense and let him live his life as he pleased.

Given Chen Wenxin's personality, she naturally wanted a divorce and wasn't afraid of Lin Mu's gossip. A man of integrity fears no scorn.

But if Lin Mu really made a big deal out of this, then, regardless of truth or falsehood, she and her mother would be humiliated in the village and would have to endure endless gossip.

To spare her mother the insults of the rumors, Chen Wenxin proposed a compromise.

In short, they needed to keep Lin Mu stable first.

Lin Mu was reluctant to accept this proposal.

He coveted Chen Wenxin's body, not her two mouthfuls of food.

But Wang Dongyan firmly disagreed with him being with Chen Wenxin.

If he didn't accept the proposal, they would have to part ways, have a big fight, and go their separate ways.

But where would he go after leaving?

To work?

Or to wander? Lin Mu wasn't happy with either of these options. He might as well just stay here and eat and drink for free!

Then he'd find a chance to force his relationship with Chen Wenxin into a fait accompli. Why would he be afraid of Wang Dongyan's objections?

So, even though he was reluctant, Lin Mu chose to accept it.

Sooner or later, he'd get his chance and finish Chen Wenxin.

After sorting out all the memories of the original owner, Lin Mu wanted to slap himself, but he held back.

The original owner was a bastard, but he was innocent.

"Brother, rest in peace. If there's reincarnation, in your next life, you'll be a pig—no, a stinkbug!"

Lin Mu muttered to himself as he added firewood to the stove.