Chapter 3: Living a Good Life

Xie Zhi didn’t rush to speak, wanting to hear how Jiaojiao would explain herself. Her words had undoubtedly softened his previously cold expression, and he gently patted Jiaojiao’s hand in a comforting gesture.

Xie Zhi’s sharp gaze swept over the crowd in the room. With a faint smile, he said, “Jiaojiao and I are engaged. Isn’t it perfectly normal for us to sleep together?”

“That’s right! Her parents have already approved of it. Come on, Shen Yun, let’s leave,” a man chimed in, trying to smooth things over. To be honest, though he liked Shen Yun, he didn’t want to provoke the village chief or Xie Zhi.

Besides, Xie Zhi had been living at the village chief’s home for months. There was a good chance that her parents already knew, so there was no point in causing trouble.

“Get out,” Xie Zhi’s gaze turned cold and sharp as he pointed to the door. His voice was icy, sending a chill through the room.

Shen Yun, feeling aggrieved, covered her face with the back of her hand, tears slipping down her cheeks in frustration. Silently cursing, she wondered why things had become so difficult today. She couldn’t even get a word in. Looking up at Xie Zhi’s intimidating stare, she trembled and ran out.

The crowd dispersed quickly, and the room soon emptied.

Once everyone had left, Xie Zhi cautiously observed Jiaojiao’s expression, worried that he might have upset her. He coaxed gently, “Jiaojiao, don’t associate with Shen Yun anymore. She’s not a good person. Now that we’re really together, let’s focus on living a good life.”

Looking at Xie Zhi’s handsome face, which now wore a pitiful expression, Xu Jiaojiao couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart. She reached out and pinched his cheek—it was soft. His fair face showed a look of seriousness. “Hubby, from now on, let’s live a good life together.”

Hearing the word “hubby,” Xie Zhi’s face flushed. Her delicate hand rested gently on his cheek, and her gaze held a watery warmth. The fire inside him, which had just died down, flared up again in an instant.

He could only hold her tightly in his arms. “Jiaojiao, don’t lie to me. But even if you do, lie to me for a little longer, alright?”

“Hubby, later I’ll go talk to my mom and ask her to choose a good day for our wedding.”

Xu Jiaojiao’s soft lips brushed against Xie Zhi’s ear as her breath tickled his neck. Though she had no experience in relationships, she certainly knew how to tease someone.

After all, she had read so many romance novels, so toying with Xie Zhi was as easy as playing with a puppy. But those others, Xu Jiaojiao wouldn’t let any of them off easily.

Hearing her words, Xie Zhi’s eyes lit up, and he didn’t even have time to feel embarrassed. His usual cool demeanor disappeared. “Jiaojiao, if you’re willing to marry me, I’m the happiest man alive! I’ll write to my parents right away. I want to give you the best.”

Xu Jiaojiao, however, had her own calculations. After all, this was the male lead—handsome, with a bright future. Of course, she had to hold onto him tightly. She lifted her head, her eyes welling up with tears, making her look even more stunning.

“Xie Zhi, you have to treat me well,” she said pitifully.

Xu Jiaojiao knew that men loved delicate women, so she forced herself to squeeze out a few tears, putting on her most heart-melting expression as her eyes sparkled.

As expected, Xie Zhi’s body immediately stiffened. He silently swore to himself that he would make sure Jiaojiao lived a good life.

“Alright, let’s get up and eat,” Xie Zhi coaxed softly.

After washing up, the two of them headed to the main courtyard. They lived next to Xu’s parents, a setup intended to help them develop their relationship. Xu Jiaojiao, true to her name, was treated like a delicate treasure, especially in this era when daughters were often considered a burden.

Xu’s mother had given birth to five sons before she had Jiaojiao at the age of thirty. Naturally, she doted on her daughter. Moreover, when Xu Jiaojiao was born, her father, who had previously been poor and powerless, was chosen as the village chief. Because of this, the entire village viewed Xu Jiaojiao as a lucky star.

Xu Jiaojiao had a sweet face and an even sweeter personality. It was hard for anyone not to like her.

Her engagement to Xie Zhi had been arranged by their grandfathers, who had fought together on the battlefield. They had promised to marry off their children, and if they had no children, then their grandchildren would marry.

No one had expected that Xu’s father would only have two sons, and it seemed unlikely that there would be any grandchildren. But then Xu Jiaojiao was born, and she became the perfect match for Xie Zhi. The problem was, Xu Jiaojiao had been too blind to see how good Xie Zhi was.

In the original story, Xu Jiaojiao had been manipulated by Shen Yun. In short, she had been foolish. Even after being intimate with Xie Zhi, she was still determined to marry Sheng Jie.

Xu’s parents eventually gave in and let her marry Sheng Jie, but rumors about her relationship with Xie Zhi had already spread through the village. Sheng Jie was mocked for marrying “damaged goods” and treated Xu Jiaojiao coldly. Even when she became pregnant, she was still forced to do housework. No matter how beautiful she was, it didn’t help. In the end, she was worn down and died.

“Too stupid, too stupid! How could someone be this foolish?” Xu Jiaojiao muttered to herself, recalling the plot.

“What’s too stupid?” Xie Zhi asked.

“I was saying, how ridiculous it was that I ignored such a great husband and chased after Sheng Jie. I must’ve been out of my mind.”

“Jiaojiao, I don’t care about the past. From now on, let’s just live a good life together,” Xie Zhi said seriously, his eyes dark with possessiveness.

“Okay, hubby,” she replied playfully, blinking her eyes.

“Jiaojiao, I want to hold your hand,” Xie Zhi said pitifully.

Xu Jiaojiao’s heart almost melted. She quickly grabbed his hand, interlocking their fingers and playfully swinging them as they walked toward the main house.

“Jiaojiao and Xiao Zhi are here. Come, sit down. The last dish is almost ready,” Xu’s mother greeted them warmly. Seeing the two so close, her eyes curved into a smile. Her silly daughter had finally come to her senses.

“Mom, let me help.”

Xie Zhi immediately offered to help in the kitchen, but Xu’s mother stopped him. “Xiao Zhi, you stay with Jiaojiao.”

“Alright.”

Xu Jiaojiao watched as Xie Zhi rolled up his sleeves, showing off his strong arms. She almost drooled. The thought that this man was hers filled her with excitement.

After waiting for a short while, Xu’s father and her brothers, Xu Chen and Xu Yan, returned home. The Xu family was undeniably full of good-looking men.

“Little sis, the sun must be rising from the west today. You and Ah Zhi are getting along so well,” Xu Chen teased. His rugged appearance contrasted with his cheerful tone.

Xu Yan placed a large bag of raspberries in front of Xu Jiaojiao. “Jiaojiao, I picked these for you. Now that you and Ah Zhi are doing well, make sure to live happily together.”

“And I helped pick them too!” Xu Chen hurriedly added, not wanting his contribution to be overlooked.

Xu Jiaojiao blushed with joy. Now that her brothers knew, the whole village would probably know soon. She shot a warning glance around before focusing on the bright red raspberries. In this era, the fruit wasn’t treated with pesticides, so it barely needed washing before eating.

Xie Zhi smiled as he watched the sibling banter, a trace of envy in his eyes. Thankfully, with Xu’s father’s help, his own family’s life was much better than most.

“Hubby, you should eat some too,” Xu Jiaojiao said sweetly, noticing Xie Zhi’s brief distraction.

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