A cold breeze swept through, causing Zhang Yunxi to break out in goosebumps. She looked at the kneeling person with a smile and said, “I think you haven’t done your homework on my personality. I really don’t like being threatened!”

“You two are already involved in a messy relationship. I didn’t say anything wrong. You don’t want to spend the rest of your lives on a farm, do you?”

Tao Lizhen was confident that she had them under her control.

She was feeling quite pleased with herself.

This was a great idea—no cost, yet she could easily manipulate Zhao Rencheng.

She hadn’t wanted to do this initially. She was an ambitious and kind-hearted girl, but her brother had pushed her to the brink. All Zhao Rencheng needed to do was help with a small favor. Why wouldn’t he? How could someone be so unkind?

“Wow, my temper is flaring up. Go ahead, say whatever you want. Let’s see who believes you. Go on~” Zhang Yunxi spread her hands, smiling brightly. “Let’s see who ends up worse off~”

Tao Lizhen was stunned. “Aren’t you afraid of ruining your reputation?”

“Zhao Rencheng isn’t bad at all. He’s tall, handsome, a retired soldier, and has a good character. I’m pretty, smart, and have a great personality. When someone as excellent as me is paired with him, people will only think, ‘Wow, these two are such a perfect match.’” Zhang Yunxi covered her mouth and giggled, then feigned surprise. “Oh, look, there’s a clown here~”

Tao Lizhen was so angry that her chest heaved violently.

Zhang Yunxi continued in a sweet, teasing voice, “Oh my, you’re not getting angry, are you? I’m not even mad. Sister, don’t be like this. It’ll make me sad~”

“You… you… you…”

Tao Lizhen clutched her chest, her hand trembling as she pointed at Zhang Yunxi.

“What about me? I know you’re just jealous. There’s no helping it—my brilliance is too overwhelming to hide. What can I do? I can only blame myself for being so well-cultivated. Oh dear, being envied is just my inevitable fate in life.” Zhang Yunxi tilted her head 95 degrees, gazing at the sky, her face cupped in her hands, her expression mournful yet her lips curled in a smug smile.

Tao Lizhen was so furious she felt dizzy.

Zhao Rencheng, who had initially wanted to lose his temper, was now so amused that he could only laugh.

She really was…

Too adorable!!!

Just as she had said.

Her brilliance was impossible to hide.

But what he loved most was when Zhang Yunxi said that they were a perfect match!

No words in the world could sound sweeter than that!

Tao Lizhen stood up and said viciously, “I won’t let you two have it easy.”

“Oh my, don’t be like that. I’m so scared~” Zhang Yunxi clutched her chest, biting her lip as she looked at Tao Lizhen. “Sister, you’re so mean~”

Tao Lizhen was gasping for breath.

She turned and left.

Zhang Yunxi’s expression returned to normal, and she coldly muttered, “Trash.”

With such poor mental fortitude, she shouldn’t even be trying to ask for favors.

She should go back and start over for a few more years.

Zhao Rencheng’s heart raced. Why did he find her so endearing when she was being cute, and equally captivating when she was being mischievous?

Zhang Yunxi flipped her hair and gave Zhao Rencheng a confident look. “See how I handled that unwanted admirer for you?”

“Very impressive.”

Zhao Rencheng loved how she handled it.

“Of course.” Zhang Yunxi laughed. “Her begging skills are terrible. She can’t even say the right things to win people over.”

“If it were you, how would you beg me?”

“What happened to her?”

Zhang Yunxi was curious.

Zhao Rencheng explained the whole situation.

“Beg for what? If she wants to die, then go ahead—what does that have to do with me? And she even wants me to marry another man just to secure her position? How shameless.” Zhang Yunxi rolled her eyes.

(Hi readers, I’m not entirely sure what she means by “she even expects me to marry another man just to secure a position.” I don’t really see the connection, but I’ve translated it as it is. I hope you understand and bear with me!)

Zhao Rencheng thought she made a good point. “It’s great that you think that way!”

“Right? I think so too. She should have gone to the women’s director or, when she came to you pleading, she shouldn’t have been so aggressive. She should have put herself in your shoes, thought about your perspective, and used moral persuasion, appealing to the societal value of mutual help. At the same time, she should have discussed with you how to get money from her own parents. She can’t expect to gain favor without losing anything herself.” Zhang Yunxi explained.

Zhao Rencheng silently gave her a thumbs-up. “You’re amazing.”

“Not really. Maybe it’s just easier to see things clearly from the outside. Plus, I haven’t lived her life.” Zhang Yunxi shrugged. “I’m heading back.”

“Alright.” Zhao Rencheng also needed to talk to the team leader about Tao Lizhen. She couldn’t just go around causing trouble.

Thankfully, Zhang Yunxi had reacted quickly today.

If it had been someone else, things could have gotten really awkward.

On her way home, Zhang Yunxi took a detour and continued playing with mud. Honestly, it was really fun.

The children, seeing how well she built her mud houses, gathered around her. They already had a soft spot for her because Er Gouzi always sang her praises. Before, they had thought she was distant, but now that she was playing with mud, she was one of them.

Zhang Yunxi didn’t mind the crowd and patiently explained things to each of them.

By evening, when their parents saw how dirty their clothes were, they all got scolded.

Zhang Yunxi: “…”

Not my fault.

Really.

Not my fault.

Since she was far away and couldn’t hear the scolding, her conscience was clear.

“Why are your clothes so dirty? Covered in mud.” He Xiaoxiao frowned. “Did you fall?”

“Ah? Yeah, there are so many puddles. I slipped accidentally.” Zhang Yunxi’s eyes darted around.

“Go boil some water and take a bath!”

“Alright!”

Zhang Yunxi hurried to the firewood room to heat the water.

After her bath, a shy Deng Damei finally returned.

“Yunxi, I might be getting married soon.”

“Wow, congratulations! I wish you a lifetime of happiness and love.” Zhang Yunxi smiled warmly.

“Thank you.”

During dinner, Deng Damei kept giggling, overjoyed.

“Tell me, what did you talk about? What’s the plan now?” Zhang Yunxi asked.

“Zhao Xiaobing wants me to return Ma Zhongbao’s money and then borrow from the militia captain instead.” Deng Damei felt a little regretful. She had worked so hard to get that money, and now she had to return it.

Zhang Yunxi also felt a bit guilty.

She hadn’t expected Zhao Xiaobing to be so bold as to borrow money from Zhao Rencheng, which made her earlier advice seem like a bad idea.

“Sorry, I didn’t think it through at the time.”

“What are you talking about? You’ve been running around helping me and always taking care of my feelings. I’m so grateful to you. And if it weren’t for you mediating our misunderstanding, we wouldn’t have had a chance to reconcile.”

Deng Damei was upset.

She thought Yunxi was the best. Who else would go to such lengths for her?

Zhang Yunxi: “Forget it. As long as the outcome is good now, that’s all that matters.”

“Right! Exactly. Now, tell me about your relationship with Zhao Rencheng. How do you two know each other? You’ve been avoiding the question for so long. If you don’t come clean in front of us, we’ll pin you down on the bed and tickle you!”

Deng Damei was fierce.

“We don’t have a relationship.” Zhang Yunxi nervously shoveled rice into her mouth.

Deng Damei called out to He Xiaoxiao, “Let’s get her!”

He Xiaoxiao, who had been curious for a while, stood up.

Zhang Yunxi quickly shouted, “Wait, wait, I’ll talk, I’ll talk!”