Out of the corner of her eye, Gu Jianing noticed many people in the fields raising their heads to watch. She knew she had to correct some of the rumors.

“Zhao Weihong, it’s true that I fell into the water yesterday, but it was an accident. Who told you I jumped into the river for some educated youth named Wen? Do you have evidence? If not, I’ll sue you for defamation,” Gu Jianing declared confidently.

After all, whether it was an accident or a deliberate jump, only she knew the truth.

“The whole village is talking about it. Everyone knows,” Zhao Weihong retorted, lifting her chin defiantly.

“Oh? Who’s spreading these rumors? Let them come out and confront me and my family,” Gu Jianing said, crossing her arms and scanning the people in the fields.

Those she glanced at quickly lowered their heads, pretending to focus on their work.

They would only spread such gossip privately, as idle chatter. Who would admit to it openly? Old Man Gu was the village chief, and Third Brother Gu was the accountant. Eldest Brother Gu and his wife were a primary school teacher and a factory worker, respectively. Now, Gu Jianing seemed to be meeting with an army officer. The Gu family had a bright future ahead. Only a fool would side with the educated youths over the Gu family. What if Village Chief Gu held a grudge? What if they needed the Gu family’s help in the future?

“Sister Zhang, Auntie Qin…” Zhao Weihong called out the names of several villagers known for gossiping, the very ones who had whispered in her ear earlier.

Those named immediately waved their hands in denial. “No, no, don’t drag us into this.”

“You!” Zhao Weihong stamped her foot, her dark face flushing red with anger.

Gu Jianing, having anticipated this, raised her voice confidently. “You said my third brother beat up Wen Zhuqing. Do you have proof? Or did Wen Zhuqing tell you himself? If so, I’ll have my third brother confront him directly.” She remembered that her third brother preferred to settle scores discreetly, often by ambushing people with sacks.

“You accused me of having an affair. So, do you think there’s something between me and Wen Zhuqing? Are we dating? Are we engaged?”

Zhao Weihong thought for a moment but found herself at a loss. It seemed there was no evidence of either.

“There’s nothing, right? Since there’s nothing, what right do you have to question me and slander me and my third brother?”

As if remembering something, Gu Jianing’s eyes reddened slightly, and her delicate voice carried a hint of grievance. “I only took extra care of you all at the educated youth point because my father asked me to. How could you misunderstand me like this?”

“It seems like you’re the one who likes Wen Zhuqing.”

Zhao Weihong, whose secret had been exposed, turned red and black with embarrassment, stammering, “I… I…”

She instinctively wanted to deny it but feared her words might reach Wen Zhuqing, making him think she didn’t like him.

“Forget it. I won’t argue with you. You educated youths came to Huaihua Village to contribute to the development of the countryside. I hope you can focus on that and stop causing so much trouble.”

Zhao Weihong: ? Wasn’t it you who caused all the trouble? How did it suddenly become our fault?

By the time Zhao Weihong processed this, Gu Jianing had already walked away with the army officer.

The mood among the villagers had shifted.

Those who had been eavesdropping began to murmur. Had they been wrong? Did Gu Jianing not like Wen Zhuqing? Was her fall into the water really an accident?

If Gu Jianing truly liked Wen Zhuqing, she wouldn’t have met with another man today.

The villagers knew Gu Jianing’s personality well. If she didn’t want to do something, no one in the Gu family could force her.

However, it was true that the educated youths liked to stir up trouble.

Each one of them was restless and troublesome.

Thus, the villagers began to eye the educated youths with suspicion.

The other educated youths, toiling in the fields, noticed the change and blamed Zhao Weihong.

Zhao Weihong, who had returned to shucking corn, was so angry her eyes turned red. “I didn’t mean it that way,” she said, her eyes pleading with Li Juan for support.

Li Juan patted Zhao Weihong’s shoulder gently. “Weihong, I believe you,” she said softly, though inwardly she cursed her for being a fool.

While comforting Zhao Weihong, Li Juan’s gaze lingered on Gu Jianing’s retreating figure, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

Zhao Weihong was truly useless. A few words from Gu Jianing had shut her down completely.

But…

What was going on with Gu Jianing?

She seemed different, smarter somehow.

Was it just an illusion?

By the time Gu Jianing disappeared from Li Juan’s sight, she and Sheng Zexi had unknowingly arrived at the village school.

It was Sunday, so there were no classes, but the school was open.

Huaihua Elementary School was small, consisting of a few single-story buildings surrounding a courtyard with a red flag fluttering in the center.

Gu Jianing turned around, lifting her head to search Sheng Zexi’s calm face for any reaction but found none. Nervously, she asked, “Don’t you have any questions about what just happened?”

Sheng Zexi, still savoring the image of Gu Jianing like a feisty little cat, straightened up and replied seriously, “Gu Jianing, I only want to ask you one thing. Are you sincere about meeting me and wanting to marry me?”

Gu Jianing nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”

Sheng Zexi gently brushed his thumb over her eyes, sending a slight tickle through her. “Look at these bright, beautiful eyes. They’re not blind, so they must know that marrying me is the better choice.”

Gu Jianing glared at him, her delicate brows furrowing as she raised a small fist, pretending to hit him. “Sheng Zexi, you’re teasing me again. Your mouth is so sharp, and your face is so thick.”

Sheng Zexi took a step back, dodging her playful punch. Watching her like a bristling kitten, he couldn’t help but chuckle, though he quickly composed himself and said earnestly, “As long as we live well together in the future, I won’t ask about anything else.”

In truth, Sheng Zexi, who knew Gu Jianing well, had guessed much of what had happened. But he didn’t want to ask.

Asking felt like stabbing himself in the heart. Though he was annoyed by that Wen Zhuqing, as long as Gu Jianing’s future belonged to him, that was enough.

“Comrade Gu Jianing, here and now, under this red flag, I, Sheng Zexi, swear:

As long as you do not betray me, I will never betray you. This vow will remain unchanged for the rest of my life, until my last breath.

I know that right now, you don’t like me as much as I like you. But, Comrade Gu Jianing, if I do well, will you give me the same affection in return? Even if it takes time.”

If I give you enough love, I hope you can love me back, even if it takes time. I have the patience to wait.

The sky was blue, and the red flag fluttered, as if bearing witness to one of its most beloved soldiers declaring his passionate love and unwavering loyalty to his beloved.

Those shining eyes suddenly met Gu Jianing’s gaze, spreading to her heart and stirring waves of emotion within her.

Gu Jianing let out a soft hum, but under Sheng Zexi’s earnest gaze, she couldn’t help but respond, “Okay.”

Clenching her small fists and summoning her courage, Gu Jianing stepped closer and gently wrapped her arms around the man’s lean waist. She felt his body tense the moment she embraced him.

“Don’t worry, I don’t like Wen Zhuqing.”

At least, not in this lifetime after being reborn. In fact, she planned to find a way to get back at him.

This much, she had to make clear.

The petite girl in his arms was soft and fragrant. Sheng Zexi struggled to suppress the urge to grin wildly. He gently encircled her with his arms, wanting to hold her but afraid of being too forward or hurting her, afraid she might be startled.

“You’re my future wife, so of course you can’t like some pretty boy. Only someone foolish and empty-headed would be fooled by that pretty boy. Don’t compare me to him. It’d lower my standards.”

Gu Jianing, who in her past life had been deceived by Wen Zhuqing, foolish and empty-headed: I can’t take it anymore. I really want to hit this guy.