Chapter 209: Forcing a Duck onto a Shelf

eased Fu Xiaoyao and walked to the old man in a Tang suit.The elderly man in Tang suit, i.e., the one from Tangshan, squinted at Fu Xiaoyao's face and curved his lips in satisfaction. "Well done, tie..."The contract hasn't been signed, why can't I go back on it" Lu Hanchuan asked her.

Fu Xiaoyao blinked her eyes a little flusteredly, "Yes, the contract wasn't signed, but..."

"But I just said, I helped this village for you." Lu Hanchuan interrupted her, arms crossed. "Because you are my wife, I felt obligated to help here, but what about you You said you wanted a divorce from me. Since we're getting divorced anyway, we have no relationship anymore, so why should I help this village"

Fu Xiaoyao was stunned.

Yeah, they're getting a divorce, why is he still helping here

"Now you have nothing to say" Lu Hanchuan glared at her coldly.

Fu Xiaoyao bit her lower lip tightly, "What do you want"

"I've said it before, I'll help this village on one condition: you become my wife. If you're not mine, then I have no obligation to help here. Do you understand" Lu Hanchuan's thin lips parted slightly, speaking slowly.

Fu Xiaoyao clenched her hand.

She wasn't stupid, of course she understood the meaning behind his words: he wouldn't allow her to divorce. If she insisted on going through with it, he would definitely not help the village.

If he suddenly changed his mind and didn't go through with the deal with the village head even though they hadn't finalized it yet, she wouldn't think much of it. But now that he had already made arrangements with the village head, if he broke off the deal because of her, the village head would be very disappointed, and the villagers would miss out on a source of income...

Now that the village finally has a development road, she doesn't want to let this opportunity slip away. But the only way to keep it is if she doesn't get divorced. What should she do now Should she really listen to him and give up on the idea of divorce

Just as Fu Xiaoyao was in a dilemma, not knowing what to do, the village chief pushed the door open and came in.

"Xiao Lu, Xiao Yao, the meal is ready, come and sit down." The village head greeted enthusiastically.

Lu Hanchuan gave Fu Xiaoyao, who was frowning deeply, a meaningful glance. "Let's go, Grandpa Fu is calling us."

Fu Xiaoyao stood still.

Seeing this, Lu Hanchuan reached out to grab her hand.

But before he could even reach her, she darted away as if she had seen something terrible, quickly hiding her hands behind her back.

Lu Hanchuan's hand froze awkwardly in mid-air for a long while before he clenched his fist and withdrew it.

The village head, noticing the awkward atmosphere between them, couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Lu, Xiao Yao, did you have a fight"

"No, Grandpa Fu, I'll wait for you outside first." Fu Xiaoyao casually replied, raising her foot and leaving the main hall.

The village head looked at her retreating figure, finally settling his gaze on Lu Hanchuan. "Little Lu, what's going on here Looking at Xiao Yao's appearance, are you two really having a conflict"

Lu Hanchuan's long and narrow eyes narrowed, "It's nothing, let's go, Grandpa Fu."

Seeing that both of them refused to speak, the village head also knew that he couldn't get anything out of them. He sighed and could only give up, "Let's go."

At the dinner table, the village head poured two cups of wine and handed one to Lu Hanchuan. "Xiao Lu," he said, "I'm really happy today, thank you for giving our village an opportunity to get rich. Here's to you."

He raised his glass to toast Lu Hanchuan.

And Lü Hánchuan was also preparing to return the favor.

Seeing this, Fu Xiaoyao's heart tightened. She didn't have time to think too much and directly pressed down on Lu Hanchuan's hand, preventing him from picking up the wine glass. "Grandpa Fu, he can't drink."

"Oh" The villagers looked at her with some confusion. "Why Doesn't Xiao Lu drink alcohol"

"No, he's injured and can't drink." Fu Xiaoyao shook her head to explain.

Lu Hanchuan watched her diligently tending to him, his heart softening. His expression also became much gentler.

This woman, she's really tough-mouthed but soft-hearted.

On one hand, she insisted on divorcing him, but on the other hand, she kept checking up on him constantly.

Doesn't she get tired

"Really, Xiao Lu You're hurt" The village head stared at Lu Hanchuan in surprise.

Lu Hanchuan collected his thoughts and nodded, "Yes, there was an accident some time ago that hasn't healed yet."

"Oh, I see. "The village head sighed with some regret, “It was my oversight to not ask you first and just pour the wine. Well then, let me offer you tea instead, as a thank you for your contributions to our village.”

Saying that, he poured two more cups of tea.

Lu Hánchuan took the cup but didn't drink. Instead, he handed it to Fu Xiayao. "Grandfather Fu, you should actually be thanking her, not me."

Fu Xiaoyao's small mouth was agape in surprise, "Thank me"

The village head looked at Lu Hanchuan with confusion.

Li Hanchuan chuckled softly, "Yes, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have helped this village. That's why I say thank you."

The village head then reacted, patting his forehead and smiling. "That's right, that's right, we should thank little Yao girl. If it weren't for her finding you such a good husband, our village wouldn't have this opportunity. Come here, little Yao girl, Grandpa Fu offers you a toast."

"Huh"

"What Grandpa Fu is thanking you, what are you still doing" Lu Hanchuan stared at Fu Xiaoyao with a smirk, reminding her.

Fu Xiaoyao was forced to go on the stage, she could only clink glasses with the village head with a stiff face.

She now understood, Lu Hanchuan had done it on purpose.

He deliberately told the village head that it was she who had facilitated the investment today.

This way, she wouldn't be able to say divorce anymore. If she insisted on a divorce, he would cut off the investment. Then, the village head wouldn't blame her, that's for sure.

"That's really despicable," Fu Xiaoyao took a sip of her tea and, while the village head was distracted, quickly glared at Lu Hanchuan.

Lu Hanchuan's lips curled up slightly, "Are you still getting a divorce"

Fu Xiaoyao bit her lip and snorted, without answering.

If he acts like this, will she still dare to insist on a divorce

If she insisted, she would become the village pariah, and everyone in the village would hate her!

Lu Hanchuan gazed at Fu Xiaoyao's indignant and wronged expression, the smile in his eyes deepening. "Grandpa Fu, I'll have someone draft the contract right away and my people will bring it over tomorrow. I'll also arrange for a vehicle to pick up the goods."

"That's wonderful!" The village head exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement. "I'll go and tell everyone right away. They should gather all their mountain goods at home and be ready to load them onto the trucks."

"Just leave it to me, Grandpa Fu." Lu Hanchuan picked up a chopstick of vegetables and put it in Fu Xiaoyao's bowl.

Fu Xiaoyao stared hard at the food in her bowl, as if she was glaring at him through the dish. Her expression was amusing.

After dinner, the two left the village head's house and walked towards their own small courtyard.

Along the way, Fu Xiaoyao ignored Lu Hanchuan and walked ahead by herself without waiting for him.

Lu Hanzhan didn't mind, following behind her at a leisurely pace.

As she reached the gate, Fu Xiaoyao suddenly stopped and turned to look at the man, her expression complex. "Why"

“Why” Lu Hanchuan stopped as well, standing before her, and slightly lowered his head to look down at her.

She didn't avoid his gaze, lifting her head and looking up at him boldly. "Of course it's about the divorce. I don't understand, why are you refusing to divorce me"

"I've told you many times, there's no precedent for divorce in the Lu family, and I won't be the first." Lu Hanchuan replied faintly.

Fu Xiaoyao took a deep breath, "If that's the only reason, then I can't believe it. In my memory, you Lu Hanchuan shouldn't be such a rule-abiding person."

Lu Hanchuan's eyes flickered a few times, "You're right, I don't follow the rules, but what I said just now is also true. I really don't want to be the first descendant of the Lu family to get divorced, so I insist on not divorcing. Besides that, I have another reason for not getting a divorce. Do you want to know"

He looked at her, his pupils deep and dark like an ancient well, as if they could draw a person in. missing!" Lu Hanchuan interrupted him sharply, "I will find her!"Upon hearing Lu Hanchuan's confident and unwavering words, Shi Mo's expression shifted slightly. For a fleeting moment, he felt an urg...