Chapter 6: Under Pressure

Dai Ning had mischief on her mind and wouldn’t let Uncle Qian follow her. She and Zhao Ping walked along the winding paths through the fields for a good while until they finally spotted Zhao Yu and Du Tian in the distance.

Zhao Ping was afraid his brother would scold him for bringing the young lady along, so he asked quickly, “Now that we’ve found my brother, can I head back?”

Dai Ning grinned and nodded. “See you!”

Zhao Ping dared not look back at her and dashed away. At twelve years old, he was starting to notice girls, and this young lady was so beautiful it was almost unreal—though with a mischievous streak. His classmates in junior high had warned him: girls like her were best left alone.

Who would dare provoke her anyway? Just one broken dish, and it turned out to be worth over thirty thousand yuan! That had given him nightmares for an entire night.

After Zhao Ping disappeared, Dai Ning picked up her skirt carefully, navigating over muddy patches as she made her way toward the two in front of her.

With her slow pace, Du Tian had already arrived a while earlier. Unlike in her previous life, when she was a 25-year-old white-collar worker, Du Tian now had childhood experience in rural work. She had grown up in the countryside, was skilled at all kinds of farm chores, and was quick and capable.

Since her family moved up in the world, Du Tian started focusing on lifestyle quality, learning to cook and make tea. While tea-making wasn’t feasible in this backward village, her cooking skills and knowledge of wild plants had proven invaluable. With these skills, she had made a decent life here with her mother.

Du Tian was well aware of Zhao Yu’s family situation. Besides the two responsible teenagers, everyone wore patched clothes. According to her analysis, a man in Zhao Yu’s situation would greatly appreciate care and companionship.

Knowing Zhao Yu was a sentimental person, she was certain he would remember her kindness once he succeeded in the future. And indeed, Dai Ning’s past life had proven her right—she had become an unforgettable presence in Zhao Yu’s life.

That is, until this young lady showed up to stir up trouble.

Du Tian had woken up early to make vegetable pancakes, using more oil than typical villagers, resulting in crispy, delicious pancakes.

With a gentle voice, Du Tian offered, “Zhao Yu, I made vegetable pancakes. My mother told me to share them with the neighbours. Would you like to try some?”

It was already ten-thirty, and though the sun wasn’t scorching yet, it was still hot in July.

Zhao Yu’s expression softened, but he shook his head politely. “Thank you, but no.”

Du Tian was the village’s recognized beauty, and if someone saw her with him, there would be endless gossip.

Du Tian didn’t seem to mind his refusal. “Then at least have some water.”

Her gaze was sincere, not too flattering, not too indifferent.

Explaining, Du Tian added, “Last year, when my mother got lost gathering firewood, you saved her. I’ve wanted to thank you ever since.”

Zhao Yu, initially unsure of her recent kindness, now understood. He hesitated but finally accepted her offer.

At eighteen, Zhao Yu was growing fast. At times, he felt like he could eat an entire cow.

During busy farming seasons, however, the family’s meals were scarce. He’d already digested this morning’s porridge long ago, and hunger gnawed at him. Parched and exhausted, he finally agreed as Du Tian continued gently, “Next time you go out of the village, could you help me bring back a rabbit?”

Smart women knew not to push too hard. Offering an exchange made men feel at ease.

A few pancakes for a rabbit—she was clearly getting the better deal.

“Alright.”

Zhao Yu stepped out of the field, accepted the pancake, and drank the water she brought as they sat together.

Du Tian had a good heart, refined skills, and excellent cooking; Zhao Yu’s brows relaxed as a soft summer breeze swept by, filling the moment with calm contentment—until he saw the girl in a purple dress coming closer.

Dai Ning approached carefully. Her skirt, the color of blooming violets, was complemented by a matching ribbon in her hair.

Ignoring the pair’s friendly conversation, her gaze fell on the pancake in Zhao Yu’s hand, a look of unmistakable distaste crossing her face.

Seeing her expression, Zhao Yu, who had been enjoying the food, suddenly found it tasteless, remembering her lavish meals over the past few days.

He set the pancake aside and asked, “What are you doing here?”

Dai Ning tilted her head, puzzled. “To watch you harvest the rice. Why aren’t you working? Are you slacking off?”

As if everyone was as lazy as her!

Zhao Yu’s mouth twitched, annoyed. He said nothing, but after losing his appetite, he rolled up his pants, preparing to get back to work.

Du Tian glanced at Dai Ning. Being so close, she could better appreciate the startling impact of Dai Ning’s beauty.

The once-perfect moment with Zhao Yu now felt distinctly awkward with Dai Ning’s presence.

With a frown, Du Tian chided, “Miss Ji, Zhao Yu is not a machine. He’s allowed to rest when he’s tired.”

Dai Ning nodded approvingly. “If he’s tired so easily, he’s pretty weak, isn’t he?”

Zhao Yu paused, a muscle twitching in his jaw.

Du Tian took a breath, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Stop saying things like that.”

“You’re the one who said he was tired!” she retorted, glaring right back with her big eyes.

Du Tian fell silent, glancing at Zhao Yu, who was working in the field, intending to explain herself. But he spoke first: “Du Tian, ignore her.”

Du Tian’s heart softened at his words, signaling a quiet sense of solidarity. “Okay.”

——

With the sun high in the sky, Dai Ning was starting to regret her decision.

As long as Du Tian didn’t leave, she couldn’t leave either. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.

Standing on the field ridge, she called to Zhao Yu, who had already harvested several rows of rice. “Hey, come here for a second.”

He looked back at her.

“Come on!” she urged.

Zhao Yu sighed, frustration rising. “Now what?”

Even Du Tian, standing nearby, turned to watch her suspiciously.

“It’s so hot! I’m getting sunburned!” She pulled at his shirt collar. “Come on, think of something!”

Seeing her previously fair cheeks flushed from the heat, Zhao Yu paused. “If you go back, you’ll be fine.”

Dai Ning retorted, “I don’t know the way back. You need to take me.”

“We still have a lot to harvest here. If I take you back and return, it’ll be afternoon by then.”

Dai Ning wasn’t one to be sympathetic. She clung tightly to his collar. “If you don’t do something, I won’t let you keep working!”

Zhao Yu’s expression darkened. Dealing with her was exasperating—he couldn’t hit her, nor could he get through to her.

“Let go. I’ll come up with something.”

After a moment, he went to the woods, gathered a few banana leaves, and set up a makeshift shelter under a small tree, spreading two leaves on the ground.

“Come here,” he told her.

Dai Ning happily ran over and sat down. She found it all quite amusing. While it was still warm, at least she was out of the sun. From her spot, she had a good view.

Zhao Yu, seeing she was content, went back to work.

Du Tian’s mind whirled. Dai Ning was pampered and annoying, only ever causing trouble. If Du Tian, on the other hand, showed she could endure hardship and only had Zhao Yu’s wellbeing at heart, the contrast would be clear…

“Zhao Yu, it’s almost noon, and you still have so much left. Let me help you.”

Seeing that Zhao Yu was about to decline, she insisted, “I’ll just help stack it up for you. You’ve already been delayed a while, and it could rain at any moment. If we don’t hurry, it might be too late.”

Without waiting for a response, she stepped into the field in her rubber boots.

“Thank you,” Zhao Yu said quietly.

He knew Du Tian was a good person, and he was genuinely moved, thinking that he’d make it a point to look out for her and her mother in the future.

Dai Ning sat cross-legged, resting her chin on her hands as she watched them.

She’d never seen anyone harvesting rice before. Usually, farm couples would work together, harvesting and threshing at the same time.

But since Zhao Yu’s family only had him as a strong laborer, he had to harvest it all by himself before he could think about threshing.

Du Tian’s help was limited to stacking the rice, which was only a small help to Zhao Yu.

Dai Ning thought to herself that Du Tian really was something else, standing by Zhao Yu’s side despite the heat. No wonder this childhood bond managed to touch Zhao Yu.

She took out her phone and started snapping photos of the scenery.

Hearing the sound of the camera, both Zhao Yu and Du Tian looked up.

Seeing Dai Ning’s leisurely demeanour, a vein in Zhao Yu’s forehead throbbed.

Honestly, with someone like Dai Ning around, it was like she was the center of the world. She had a knack for either attracting attention or making people want to strangle her.

“What are you doing, Miss Ji?” Zhao Yu asked.

She replied, “I’m not taking pictures of you. Do you want to check?”

As if he’d waste his time checking her pictures.

Suppressing his irritation, he tried to pick up the pace with the rice harvesting, but he couldn’t help being distracted by Dai Ning.

She wasn’t doing anything bad; she was simply watching him and Du Tian work, looking highly entertained—almost like she was watching a show.

Zhao Yu eventually got used to it and ignored her.

Du Tian, however, felt uncomfortable, convinced Dai Ning was capturing her at her messiest.

Soon after starting, Du Tian began to regret it. The midday sun beat down intensely. On the embankment, it was manageable, but standing in the field, directly exposed to the sun, she quickly broke into a sweat, her clothes damp and clinging to her. Mud splattered onto her boots and pants.

Being a girl who liked to look nice, she was suddenly worried Zhao Yu might notice her sweaty appearance.

If Dai Ning hadn’t been there, she could have reassured herself that this was a moment of hardship shared with Zhao Yu. But with Dai Ning sitting there under banana leaves, looking as fresh as ever, Du Tian’s discomfort grew.

What frustrated her most was seeing how Dai Ning, pampered by Zhao Yu, sat there shaded, while she had to endure the harsh sun. Worse, Zhao Yu’s attention seemed somewhat distracted.

Still, she steeled herself and stayed with him until the field was harvested.

Zhao Yu climbed up onto the embankment first, reaching out a hand to Du Tian. “Come up. Thank you for your hard work.”

Du Tian stared at him in surprise, her heart pounding as she placed her hand in his.

Zhao Yu pulled her up.

Overjoyed, Du Tian momentarily forgot her earlier discomfort and wanted to gauge Dai Ning’s reaction.

Dai Ning was genuinely surprised.

Were the male and female leads really that drawn to each other? She was a pretty big third wheel here!

Dai Ning’s displeasure was written all over her face as she stared at Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu had no idea what the two girls were thinking. He picked up his sickle and turned to Dai Ning under the banana leaves. “Miss, we’re heading back.”

Dai Ning pouted. “Come and pull me up.”

Although she didn’t particularly like Zhao Yu, she was determined to annoy Du Tian.

Zhao Yu was reluctant. What was with this “Miss” needing help after lazing around for more than an hour?

“Hurry up. If you don’t come, we’re leaving without you.”

Her eyes wide, she threatened him, “You wouldn’t dare leave me behind!”

Zhao Yu sighed. All he wanted was to get back for lunch. He resignedly walked over and extended a hand to help her up.

Dai Ning eyed his hand with distaste.

Zhao Yu anticipated this reaction.

“Hold onto my shirt instead. It’s clean.”

Satisfied, she grabbed his shirt and stood up, but then thought it through—if the leads held hands while she only grabbed his shirt, she’d feel at a disadvantage.

Determined to win, she ignored her previous reluctance and wrapped her arm around his neck, half-hanging off him.

Zhao Yu nearly choked.

Through gritted teeth, he growled, “Ji…!” only to realize he didn’t know the Miss’s full name.

The girl, clinging to him like a koala, urged, “I’m called Dai Ning. Hurry up, hurry up! It’s so hot—I want to go back.”

Seeing Du Tian’s displeasure, Dai Ning’s mood instantly improved.

Zhao Yu was sorely tempted to push this “koala” girl off his arm.

But he held back, used to keeping things bottled up. Silently, he dragged the girl on his arm along.

After several steps, he sensed he had forgotten something.

Turning around, he saw Du Tian looking at them with a mix of grievance, and Zhao Yu suddenly realized he’d overlooked her entirely.

Facing Dai Ning, others couldn’t even steal an ounce of his attention.

Just then, Dai Ning tugged at his ear and, with a fierce yet delicate voice, scolded, “Zhao Yu! Are you going to walk or not? You’re holding me up for lunch!”