Rejected Marriage Proposal I Married a Cold-Faced Officer and Had Two Kids in Three Years

Xu Nuo is a pediatrician from the twenty-first century who transmigrates into the body of a rural girl with the same name after the original host dies from a head injury. The original Xu Nuo was sold by her greedy second uncle and aunt for a fifty-yuan bride price to marry a mentally disabled man, while her cousin Xu Shan stole her childhood engagement contract and fled to Beijing to impersonate her. The contract promises Xu Nuo a marriage with Lu Cheng, the son of a high-ranking military general. Upon arriving in Beijing, Xu Nuo is nearly abducted by human traffickers but is rescued by Lu Chen, the cold and disciplined eldest son of the Lu family. She reveals her true identity to the Lu household, exposing Xu Shan as an imposter and reclaiming her rightful place.

The Lu family is initially divided by the deception. Lu Huaizheng, the patriarch, insists on honoring the engagement made by the previous generation, viewing it as a debt of gratitude owed to Xu Nuo’s mother, who once saved the life of Lu Cheng’s mother. Lu Cheng, however, is deeply resistant. He finds Xu Nuo’s rural background embarrassing and has no romantic interest in her. He attempts to drive her away through neglect and humiliation, hoping she will voluntarily break off the engagement. Xu Nuo, pragmatic and independent, is indifferent to his hostility. She views the marriage as a means to secure a city household registration and a stable livelihood, not as a romantic destiny.

A significant turning point occurs when Xu Nuo uses her medical knowledge to save Lu Cheng’s young daughter, Yi Yi, from acute laryngitis and airway obstruction. Her competence earns the respect of the family, particularly Cheng Wanying, who begins to see Xu Nuo as a worthy daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, Lu Chen’s perception of Xu Nuo shifts. He witnesses her resilience, intelligence, and moral character, including an incident where she saves a drowning girl by the river. Lu Chen, who has long been rumored to be indifferent to women, finds himself increasingly drawn to her, marking a subtle but profound change in his demeanor.

Xu Nuo faces bureaucratic hurdles in her job search, as she lacks the necessary urban registration to work in a hospital. She decides to leverage the engagement to obtain her city status, a decision that aligns with her goal of self-sufficiency. Lu Cheng, frustrated by her lack of interest in his social circle and her refusal to be manipulated, continues to act coldly. However, the family dynamics are shifting. Lu Huaizheng is pleased with Xu Nuo’s grace and capability, while Lu Chen begins to spend more time interacting with her, often under the guise of duty or casual assistance.

The narrative explores the tension between duty and desire within a military family. Xu Nuo’s modern sensibilities clash with the traditional expectations of the era, yet she navigates these challenges with wit and determination. She refuses to be a victim, standing up to her abusive relatives and her dismissive fiancé. The story sets the stage for a complex romantic development, as Lu Chen’s initial detachment gives way to genuine interest, while Lu Cheng remains stuck in his stubborn rejection of the arranged match. The central conflict revolves around Xu Nuo’s struggle for autonomy and identity in a new time and place, and the evolving relationships that challenge her emotional defenses.

As the story progresses, the romantic focus appears to shift from Lu Cheng to Lu Chen. The misunderstandings and rumors within the military compound suggest that Lu Chen’s growing closeness to Xu Nuo is noticeable to others, even if he remains stoic. Xu Nuo’s decision to stay in the Lu household, despite Lu Cheng’s hostility, indicates her strategic intent to build a life on her own terms. The engagement contract, once a symbol of obligation, becomes a catalyst for unexpected connections and personal growth for all parties involved.