Chapter 12: A Bewitching Temptress Who Captivates the Soul

As soon as Yi An’an saw Zhan Nanhui, she instantly felt relieved.

After all, Zhan Nanhui was a man. No matter how fierce Yan Dabao was, he wouldn’t dare do anything to her with Zhan Nanhui around.

Yi An’an walked up, reached out to grab Zhan Nanhui’s arm, and discreetly slipped the screwdriver into her pocket. Then, she lifted the net bag in her hand and shook it proudly. “We’ve got meat tonight! I’ll make braised pork for you!”

Zhan Nanhui looked at the smile on Yi An’an’s face and felt a strange, indescribable emotion in his heart.

He had previously suspected that Yi An’an was forced to marry him by that person, possibly sent as a spy. But now it seemed that she simply wanted to escape the Yi family’s control and didn’t want to marry Yan Dabao.

Or maybe, she had another motive—lusting after his body. After all, in the middle of the night, she was always looking for an excuse to grope him!

Outside the shack, next to the stove, Zhan Nanhui stoked the fire while Yi An’an made braised pork.

She used a bit of white sugar to make a caramel base, then added the meat to stir-fry. The aroma quickly filled the air.

In her previous life, Yi An’an hadn’t had much meat either, and Zhan Nanhui hadn’t smelled meat for four years. His stomach was growling nonstop.

“It’ll be ready in about ten minutes!” she said, pouring water in and covering the pot. She pressed cornmeal cakes against the inner wall of the pot, then sat to the side and took out a fountain pen from her pocket.

“This pen is a Hero brand. I tested it—it writes really well. You keep it for your exams,” Yi An’an said.

Fountain pens were hard to find in the junkyard, especially a Hero brand pen—you’d struggle to find one even at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Fan Dani had found this pen and gave it to Yi An’an specifically in exchange for her help with makeup.

Zhan Nanhui looked at the pen and said in a low voice, “To take the college entrance exam, you have to register first. If you’re not qualified to take it, no amount of materials or pens will help.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already looked into it. The policy has reached the commune. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to register!” As she spoke, the braised pork finished cooking. Yi An’an stood up and lifted the lid—an explosion of delicious aroma hit her face.

The corn cakes had soaked up the pork juices and turned a lovely reddish color—very appetizing.

Yi An’an found a large tea tray, first scraped the corn cakes off the pot and placed them on the tray, then ladled out the braised pork.

A whole jin (500 grams) of meat, all used in one dish, piled up like a small mountain, glistening with red sauce. Just the sight and smell of it made mouths water.

“Eat up! Fill your belly and study hard. You need good nutrition now!” Yi An’an said, picking up some meat with clean chopsticks and placing it in front of Zhan Nanhui.

Zhan Nanhui stared at the meat, swallowing again and again. For the first time, he realized he had no resistance to food.

Yi An’an picked up a piece of fat-and-lean braised pork and popped it into her mouth. The fragrance shot up through her nose—it was simply delicious!

Zhan Nanhui hesitated at first, but finally dug in.

Years later, he would still remember this meal of braised pork. It became an irreplaceable soul-comforting delicacy in his heart.

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhan Nanhui voluntarily went to wash the dishes. He rolled up his sleeves to the elbows, revealing arms with smooth muscular lines, veins and sinews subtly bulging—strong and powerful. His slim waist and long limbs made his figure nearly perfect.

Indeed, full stomachs spark lust. Yi An’an was so full she could hardly move, half-lying on a stone bench, burping while admiring the man’s physique. Her eyes clung to Zhan Nanhui like glue.

Suddenly, Yi An’an stood up and walked over to the man washing dishes. She reached out and lightly poked his wasp-like waist.

Mm, just as springy as she imagined!

Zhan Nanhui was washing dishes when he suddenly felt a poke. He froze and turned around to see the woman staring at his waist. Her soft white hand was even feeling around his waist.

Zhan Nanhui sucked in a breath and grabbed her hand.

His hand was a bit wet and cold, but hers was warm—so warm it made his heart tremble slightly.

Yi An’an looked up, her small face meeting his gaze.

Zhan Nanhui looked down—her face was so close to his. Her skin was like porcelain, her features carried a hint of seduction, especially those eyes—like they could steal a man’s soul. Her pink lips were so near… Her hand still lay in his palm, tracing faint patterns. She was like a bewitching temptress who could captivate one’s soul.

A wave of heat surged through Zhan Nanhui’s chest. His throat moved slightly as his back instinctively straightened.

He knew it—this woman was lusting after his looks!

One second later, Yi An’an yanked her hand back and tossed out, “Finish the dishes and get back to studying,” then dashed into the room.

Zhan Nanhui looked down at his palm. For some reason, he felt… a little disappointed.

Yi An’an collapsed into bed as soon as she entered the room. She knew tomorrow would be a tough battle.

After Zhan Nanhui finished his practice problems, he came in and looked at her back turned to him. His heart itched, but when he remembered his current identity, his blood instantly cooled.

Tomorrow’s college entrance exam registration would be difficult.

If he couldn’t leave for university, who knew how long he’d be stuck here…

Zhan Nanhui closed his eyes, resuming his usual cold and detached demeanor.

That night, Yi An’an once again snuggled into Zhan Nanhui’s arms.

In a haze, Yi An’an dreamed of Chen Sisi again. She was sitting on the hand tractor driven by Yan Dabao, sneering coldly at her while she screamed for help holding a child.

Yi An’an jolted awake, opened her eyes in fear, and looked up at Zhan Nanhui’s sexy jawline. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned away.

Zhan Nanhui had woken the moment she had leaned in. He had been torn over whether to push her away—but before he could, Yi An’an suddenly rolled away on her own.

Zhan Nanhui frowned. He had intended to push her away—he just hadn’t gotten to it yet.

But somehow, her pulling away first left him feeling… uncomfortable. It wasn’t the same as doing it himself.

Zhan Nanhui didn’t sleep well for the rest of the night.

The next morning, Yi An’an was already out the door.

After Zhan Nanhui finished feeding the pigs, he returned to find a note on the table and half a steamed corn bun. After a moment of hesitation, he ate it.

Today was the day for college entrance exam registration. He had mentioned it yesterday. Surely Yi An’an hadn’t forgotten?

At 10 a.m., the brigade headquarters was already packed.

The village head stood on a table and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Everyone listen to me! Quiet down!”

The crowd fell silent and turned to him.

“This year, getting into university means taking an exam. It’s not like the past years when the commune made recommendations. It doesn’t matter what your family background is anymore. So today, everyone signs up first. After that, just wait for notification to take the test!”

As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted.

Especially Yi Daping, who jumped out and yelled, “In the past we always got recommended to college—why are things changing this year?!”