Chapter 10

When Jiang Tiantian reached the village entrance, she suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves approaching from behind.

Curious, she turned around and saw a group of about seven or eight people riding toward her.

Leading the group was a young woman around twenty years old. She was tall and athletic, with big eyes, a round face, a healthy wheat-colored complexion, and thick braids. Her face radiated confidence and wild charm.

As she galloped past Jiang Tiantian, she turned her head in surprise and stared at her for a few seconds before flicking her whip and riding away without looking back.

The young men following behind her were all strikingly handsome, their long hair flowing in the wind. They were full of energy, laughing and shouting as they whipped their reins and sped off.

Jiang Tiantian watched the departing riders with admiration. That kind of raw, untamed freedom was something she had envied in her past life but could never have.

She wondered if that girl was from the village. If so, maybe she could invite them to film a horseback riding video on the grasslands—it would definitely be interesting.

As she walked back, lost in thought, she passed by a few village homes. Several older women stood at their gates, looking at her with expressions that suggested they wanted to say something but hesitated.

Jiang Tiantian was puzzled. She guessed that the morning’s events had already spread through the village.

However, since there was no mockery on their faces, she simply smiled politely and continued on her way.

That was until Cha Jiuzhang’s cousin-in-law couldn’t hold back any longer. She stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Tiantian’s arm, and pulled her into her courtyard.

“Tiantian, why don’t you come sit at my house for a while?”

“Huh?” Jiang Tiantian looked confused.

Her cousin-in-law forced an awkward smile.

“I’m Jiuzhang’s cousin-in-law. Why don’t you come over and get to know the place? You can visit anytime.”

A nearby aunt quickly chimed in, nodding. “Yes, yes! Jiuzhang’s wife, go inside with your cousin-in-law. You can go home later.”

“Huh? Why?”

Jiang Tiantian glanced at their strange expressions and felt something was off. She blinked and asked directly, “Did something happen?”

Seeing that she refused to budge, the cousin-in-law had no choice but to explain. “Did you see that group of riders just now?”

“Yes, I saw them at the village entrance.”

“That was—”

The cousin-in-law hesitated for a long time before finally blurting out,

“The girl leading them is Ayi Duo, the daughter of the village chief from Soyang Village over the mountain. Three years ago, she saw Jiuzhang at a gathering and fell in love at first sight. She immediately declared that she would marry no one but him.”

“Since then, she’s been coming to our village every so often to try and snatch him away.”

Jiang Tiantian’s eyes widened as she listened.

“But don’t worry,” the cousin-in-law reassured her, “she’s never succeeded. Jiuzhang has always managed to chase her away.”

Looking at Jiang Tiantian’s delicate, fair-skinned face, the cousin-in-law couldn’t imagine what would happen if she had to confront that wild bandit-like woman.

Her voice grew quieter. “They came again today, so… why don’t you stay here until Jiuzhang drives them off?”

Jiang Tiantian snapped back to reality and repeated in disbelief, “Bride snatching?”

The cousin-in-law sighed, “Yes, bride snatching.”

Jiang Tiantian frowned. “Doesn’t she know that Jiuzhang has been engaged since childhood?”

The neighboring aunt sighed, “Of course she knows! Jiuzhang told her long ago. But their villages over the mountain still practice bride snatching. Since Jiuzhang hadn’t married yet, she refused to believe it.”

Jiang Tiantian rolled up her sleeves, looking fierce.

“This is outrageous! Jiuzhang is my man now. How dare she try to take him!”

But her voice was soft and sweet, completely lacking in intimidation.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go deal with her!”

Jiang Tiantian ran toward home, while secretly gossiping with her AI assistant, Xiao Qi. “Wow, a real bride-snatching! This is so rare—I’ve never seen one before!”

“Xiao Qi, do you have any drones or filming equipment? Hurry up and set one up!”

Hehe, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to capture some content?

Xiao Qi stealthily released a mini HD drone, which flew straight to the scene of the action.

The cousin-in-law and the neighbor looked at each other, exasperated.

Girl, are you underestimating the situation?

That female bandit from the neighboring village wasn’t easy to deal with! Even Jiuzhang had a hard time with her—he avoided her whenever possible!

Yet here Jiang Tiantian was, running straight into the fire.

The two women quickly followed after her.

From a distance, Jiang Tiantian saw Cha Jiuzhang standing outside his house, surrounded by Ayi Duo and her gang, who circled him on horseback.

The air was filled with loud cheers and the rhythmic pounding of hooves, creating a lively scene.

Ayi Duo shouted at Cha Jiuzhang, “Cha Jiuzhang, will you come with me today or not?”

“This is the eleventh time I’ve asked you! If you don’t give me a definite answer today, my brothers will just tie you up and take you back!”

“Yohoho~”

“Tie him up!”

“Tie him up!”

The young men cheered, egging her on.

Cha Jiuzhang refused firmly, “Ayi Duo, I’ve told you before—we’re not suited for each other. I won’t go with you.”

A burly young man next to Ayi Duo, his face filled with jealousy, swung his whip at Cha Jiuzhang.

“Ayi Duo likes you—that’s your fortune! Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!”

Cha Jiuzhang reached out and caught the whip’s end.

“Acuo, I made it clear from the start—I have a fiancée.”

“If you like Ayi Duo, go ahead and pursue her. Don’t take it out on me.”

“You—!”

Acuo’s face turned red with anger. He yanked back his whip and shouted, “Cha Jiuzhang, I challenge you to a duel!”

“If you lose, you’ll come with us. If you win, we won’t bother you again.”

“Do you dare?”

Cha Jiuzhang narrowed his eyes, staring coldly at Acuo.

This guy had already tried to sabotage him several times. If he could settle things once and for all today, that would be ideal.

Instead of answering, he looked at Ayi Duo.

“Ayi Duo, what do you think?”

“Do you accept Acuo’s challenge?”

Acuo turned to Ayi Duo, his eyes filled with determination.

Ayi Duo looked down at Cha Jiuzhang from horseback, her expression carrying a hint of grievance.

“Cha Jiuzhang, what’s wrong with me? Why won’t you even consider me?”

Cha Jiuzhang sighed and patiently explained, “Ayi Duo, you’re a great girl, but we’re not meant to be. I’ve told you from the beginning—I have a fiancée.”

Ayi Duo refused to believe him. “You’re lying! If you really had a fiancée, why haven’t I seen her in three years? And why aren’t you married at 24?”

Cha Jiuzhang glanced at Jiang Tiantian, who was peeking from behind a tree. The corners of his lips curled slightly, and he said softly,

“She’s still young. I’ve been waiting for her to grow up.”

For the first time, Ayi Duo saw a trace of sweetness on Cha Jiuzhang’s face—an expression he had never shown her.

Her heart tightened.

She turned to Acuo. “Acuo, can I trust you? Will you fight for me with all your heart?”

Acuo’s eyes showed a flicker of hurt. “Ayi Duo, you know what kind of person I am. Haven’t I always been there for you?”

Ayi Duo closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and made her decision.

She looked at Cha Jiuzhang and said, “Alright, I accept.”