Reborn as a Noble's Son

At this moment, Yan Fengjiao also realized she was being inappropriate. However, she was reluctant to let go. But she did loosen her hug. In a low voice she said, “Director Nie, can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?”

At this point, how could Nie Zhenbang refuse? A woman, who was a leading figure in Lixian, and director of the development zone committee, had just been publicly humiliated by her husband. Such an insult was more than what an ordinary person could endure.

The two of them stood there in the living room for a few minutes. Yan Fengjiao eventually calmed down and sensing the awkwardness of the situation, she let go, apologizing awkwardly, “Director Nie, I’m sorry for that, I was too agitated.”

“Director Yan, there’s no need to be so formal. Since we’re colleagues, we’re in the same boat and it’s fine to lend you a shoulder. Since you’re already here, why don’t you have dinner here? It seems like you’re not in the mood to cook,” Nie Zhenbang teased.

The sudden visit by Fan Jianjun today had left Yan Fengjiao entirely shocked. The flagrant insults and public humiliation under the open sky had left Yan Fengjiao on the verge of collapsing, a nightmare burned into her heart.

But there was Nie Zhenbang’s assertive intervention, throwing Fan Jianjun out of the government courtyard, and offering his handkerchief. It all gave Yan Fengjiao a sense of trust and gratitude. Thus, after work, when she got to the second floor, Yan Fengjiao knocked on Nie Zhenbang’s door, as if moved by some strange impulse.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Yan Fengjiao couldn’t help but throw herself at him. At this moment, it didn’t really matter; it had nothing to do with romance. Yan Fengjiao just wanted to lean on someone’s shoulder and pour out her woes. Since her marriage, she had rarely felt this way. Watching other women being pampered by their men, Yan Fengjiao had never yearned for such thing. That led to the scene that had just unfolded.

Several small dishes, very delicate. Tofu with green onion, tomato and egg soup, and a dish of stir-fried lotus root. Nie Zhenbang’s cooking skills were decent. In his past life, Nie Zhenbang cooked for himself most of the time. After a life-changing event when he was young, Nie Zhenbang began to cook for himself. Later, he became disabled, and life was tough, so naturally he had to cook for himself. He couldn’t have instant noodles every day, and pushed by circumstances, Nie Zhenbang had to learn cooking.

In this life, his fate had changed, but his culinary skills remained. Seeing the dishes Nie Zhenbang cooked, Yan Fengjiao laughed: “Director Nie, I didn’t know you were vegetarian. I thought all you men were carnivorous.”

After she finished speaking, she seemed to realize that her words were somewhat suggestive. All men are carnivorous, this comment was similar to the popular saying that all men think with their lower half. Yan Fengjiao’s face turned red.

After serving a bowl of rice to Yan Fengjiao, Nie Zhenbang sat down and said, “Ha ha, when alone at home, I just eat whatever is in the kitchen. Mayor Yan, let’s eat together. No need to be polite.”

It was simple, but it still felt cozy. Right now, Yan Fengjiao’s face was adorned with a hint of a serene smile, a feeling she had never experienced before.

After finishing her meal, Yan Fengjiao got up, looked at Nie Zhenbang and laughingly said, “Director Nie, thank you for your hospitality. Since you cooked, let me wash the dishes.”

Having tea after dinner was a habit Nie Zhenbang formed after moving to Xibei. Before Dong Wan and the others moved in, he didn’t have much to do when he wasn’t working or watching “Daily at Seven”, so making tea leisurely seemed like a great idea.

Now that someone was washing the dishes, Nie Zhenbang naturally brought out his tea set from under the table. He heated up the water, brewed the tea, and soon the living room was filled with the subtle aroma of tea.

Seeing Yan Fengjiao approach, Nie Zhenbang immediately picked up a cup of tea and passed it to her, laughing, “County Mayor Yan, would you like a cup of tea?”

At this moment, Yan Fengjiao also sat down, looking at Nie Zhenbang. This man… well, by age, he could hardly be called a man yet. However, his manner of speech and conduct made him seem very mature, giving off the impression of a man in his forties.

After being silent for a while, Yan Fengjiao held the teacup with both hands and took a light sip. Then, after a long pause, Yan Fengjiao suddenly whispered, “Director Nie, would you like to hear a story?”

Hearing Yan Fengjiao’s words, Nie Zhenbang was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, “Of course, since it’s already off work. I’m honored to be able to keep County Mayor Yan company.”

“Years ago, a young woman graduated from university. She could have been assigned back to her hometown, but she chose to support the construction of the frontier of the motherland. She came to Bazhou and was assigned to Bazhou Municipal Committee Office. Then, less than half a year into her job, she accidentally met a man. This man was very powerful and treated this female exceptionally well. Due to an accident, the man got injured and lost his ability to procreate. After the woman learned about it, she still chose to marry him. But after that, the man changed. He became paranoid, suspicious, and even deranged. He was always suspecting that this young woman was looking for other men. The man’s father was also very powerful and treated the woman well, helping her climb the career ladder. However, after the old man retired, the man’s repressed nature completely broke out. The woman was always under torture.”

From then on, the woman began to fear and loathe going home. She would rather live in the single dormitory of the unit. Even if it was just a moment of peace, she was willing to enjoy it. However, this made the man even more certain that the woman had another man outside, even suspecting that she had a relationship with his father’s secretary. He intensified his torture on the woman, leaving her covered in injuries. The woman, in order to avoid this, requested to move to a county office, but she could not escape this endless nightmare.

At this point, Nie Zhenbang was already clear that the story Yan Fengjiao was telling was her own experience.

Looking at Fan Jianjun’s appearance and bearing, he seemed like a fairly decent person. Coupled with his father Fan Guoliang’s status, such a family was hard to find. Furthermore, Yan Fengjiao, despite knowing that Fan Jianjun was impotent, still chose to marry him. This was a testament to her unwavering love.

Thinking of Yan Fengjiao, Nie Zhenbang seemed to envision Yang Anna, a woman who chose to protect him in silence in their previous life, who would rather stay single forever till she felt like she had no choice.

Looking at Yan Fengjiao, Nie Zhenbang’s expression also changed slightly. This kind of woman deserves respect and needs to be protected. After pondering for a while, Nie Zhenbang asked gently, “County Mayor Yan, could I ask bluntly, you’re the girl in the story, aren’t you?”

Yan Fengjiao smiled bitterly and nodded, looking at Nie Zhenbang and saying, “Director Nie, I apologize for showing you such a side of me. In both Lixian and Bazhou, I am an outsider. Men don’t dare to get close to me because of my father-in-law’s lingering influence. Women reject me because of my looks. Here I am alone. I have no family, neither do I have anyone to confide in. I don’t know how I managed to survive these years. Please don’t mind, I just wanted to find someone to confide in.”

Hearing her words, Nie Zhenbang was shocked. A woman, alone and helpless, having to endure the humiliation of a perverse husband, was something Nie Zhenbang could never imagine. Yet, he could see the torment in Yan Fengjiao’s eyes. This was not something that just anyone could endure.

After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang suddenly asked, “County Mayor Yan, tell me honestly, do you still want to repay this pseudo kindness and continue living this kind of life?”

With a bitter smile, Yan Fengjiao lay back on the sofa. Her snow-white skin and the fullness of her chest were clearly visible. She spoke calmly, “Repay kindness? After so many years, even with a boundless amount of gratitude, I think it would have disappeared completely under these instances of verbal and physical abuse. If it weren’t for my parents, I would have died long ago and wouldn’t have to endure all this pain and torture.”

Nie Zhenbang began to ponder. To his surprise, Nie Zhenbang suddenly stood up, looking at Yan Fengjiao and said, “County Mayor Yan, since you’ve already made up your mind, let’s divorce. Let’s do it now, I’ll accompany you to the city. I’m curious to meet Secretary Fan Guoliang.”