Chapter 2: A Little Green Tea (Scheming Girl)

“I’ll go check it out.” Han Zhixu put down his chopsticks.

Luo Yaqing stared at the chopsticks in her hand and the untouched piece of braised pork.

What an unromantic man!

She popped the meat into her own mouth, set down her chopsticks, and followed after him, curious to see who was dropping by during mealtime.

“Brother Han, you’re home!”

“Mhm.”

“I came to change Yaqing’s bandage,” said a young woman standing at the door in a white coat. Her hair was tied into two neat braids, and her quiet face wore a sweet smile.

Han Zhixu nodded. “Thanks.”

The girl didn’t come in immediately, standing outside as she explained, “Brother Han, since you often participate in training and tend to get injured, I brought you a bottle of ointment. It’s really effective for swelling and pain!”

As she spoke, she pulled a small white bottle from her pocket. Worried that Han Zhixu might misunderstand, she quickly added, “This was sent from home—our health station doesn’t carry this brand.”

Han Zhixu didn’t take it. “Our unit provides medicine.”

“How could it be the same? This one’s a gift…”

She pouted and tried to force the bottle into his hand.

But the moment she spotted Luo Yaqing standing behind him, her entire body froze.

“Y–Yaqing, y-you’re awake?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea! I was just asking Brother Han about your injuries!” she stammered, her smile clearly strained.

From the original host’s memories, Luo Yaqing recognized this girl as Ye Hongping—a so-called “friend” of hers.

A city girl who had been sent to the countryside as part of the Down to the Countryside Movement, Ye Hongping was now stationed in the largest nearby village, Xinglin, and assigned to the health post due to her clever and quick-witted nature.

The original host, proud and self-absorbed, usually looked down on everyone. But she made an exception for Ye Hongping—for one reason: they were both from the city.

Luo Yaqing glanced at the ointment in Ye Hongping’s hand and turned around. “Come in, then.”

Ye Hongping quickly followed, afraid that if she hesitated for even a second, she’d be shut out.

As the bandage on her left wrist was unwrapped, a deep wrist-slitting scar was revealed—already scabbed over but still hideous on her otherwise flawless skin.

Luo Yaqing frowned.

The original host had really gone all out on herself.

While reapplying the ointment, Ye Hongping gently comforted, “Don’t worry, the wound is healing well.”

“No matter how well it heals, it’ll leave a scar,” Luo Yaqing sighed.

“Can’t be helped,” Ye Hongping said regretfully, pulling out fresh gauze. She couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at Han Zhixu, her heart churning with sour jealousy.

She had clearly liked him first… but Luo Yaqing had swooped in and snatched him away.

All her effort to befriend Luo Yaqing, all that flattering—it was for one purpose only…

As Han Zhixu stepped outside to dump coal ashes, Ye Hongping lowered her voice and said, “Yaqing, when are you two going to the political office?”

“To do what?” Luo Yaqing asked coolly.

“To file for divorce, of course!” Ye Hongping reminded her with apparent concern. “Didn’t you say you wanted to leave that country bumpkin and go back to the city?”

“…”

Luo Yaqing’s lips twitched. That was then—things were different now. The soul in this body had changed.

“Not getting divorced for now.”

“What?! You’re not?!” Ye Hongping was stunned.

Luo Yaqing answered seriously, “I realized he’s actually a good guy.”

She found Han Zhixu to be kind, patient, and reluctant to scold his wife.

Ye Hongping’s face fell with disappointment. She hurriedly said, “Yaqing, are you crazy? He’s an uncultured brute! How could someone like him ever be worthy of you?!”

“You’re giving up your life in the city—luxury apartments, servants—all for a shabby rural shack? Have you lost your mind?!”

“I’m telling you, get the divorce. The sooner, the better!”

Luo Yaqing frowned and cut her off. “Comrade Ye Hongping, are you that eager for me to get divorced?”

“No, I just… I’m worried about you,” Ye Hongping said with a complicated look, forcing a smile as she bit down on her bitterness.

She was hoping they’d split up!

Luo Yaqing remained silent, her face blank, simply motioning with her chin for Ye Hongping to hurry up with the dressing.

The original host had been blind, unable to distinguish true intentions.

But Luo Yaqing could see clearly—this Ye Hongping obviously had a thing for Han Zhixu, and that’s why she kept encouraging a divorce.

Ye Hongping carefully wrapped the bandage, taping it down securely. “Don’t get it wet. It’ll itch while healing—that’s normal.”

“Mm, thank you.” Luo Yaqing’s tone was distant.

“Yaqing…” Ye Hongping said softly, looking pitiful as she took Luo Yaqing’s hand. “I was just worried about you… you’re not really mad at me, are you?”

“No,” Luo Yaqing said, pulling her hand back.

“I shouldn’t have meddled in your household affairs… but I meant well.”

Ye Hongping’s eyes glistened with tears, playing the part of the heartbroken friend perfectly—anyone watching would feel sympathetic.

Luo Yaqing waved a hand. “If there’s nothing else, please leave. I still need to eat.”

Too much time had passed—the food had gone cold.

Ye Hongping froze, stunned.

Was she… being kicked out?

Every time she came over, Luo Yaqing would insist she stay for a meal and serve the best dishes.

Seeing her hesitate, Luo Yaqing gestured toward the door.

Even Ye Hongping’s thick skin couldn’t keep her standing there any longer. She reluctantly packed up her medical kit.

“Fine, I’m leaving!”

“You were the one who kept calling Brother Han ugly and old—saying he was a toad lusting after a swan… You were the one constantly pushing for a divorce. And now you’re giving me attitude?”

“I’m just a lowly health station nurse. Who did I ever offend?”

She slammed the medicine box shut and stormed off. “I won’t come here anymore!”

Luo Yaqing nodded enthusiastically. “Great, great. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Ye Hongping choked on her words, slung the medical kit over her shoulder, and walked past Luo Yaqing. “Brother Han, I’m leaving!”

Luo Yaqing let out a long sigh.

That little green tea b*tch…

Han Zhixu shut the door and silently returned to the table, sipping water from his enamel cup with an unreadable expression.

Luo Yaqing sat across from him and bit her lower lip. “You’re not ugly at all.”

It wasn’t her who said you were ugly—it was someone else.

“You’re not dark either.”

All that slander came from your ex-wife, not me!

Han Zhixu paused, cup still at his lips, and gave her a silent glance.

Luo Yaqing felt bitter. The original host had spewed so much venom that it was now affecting how they got along.

She pressed her lips together and asked, “You’re not going to hold a grudge against your own wife, are you?”

“Eat.” Han Zhixu said flatly.

“Okay, okay!”

Luo Yaqing obediently picked up her chopsticks and bit into a steamed bun, looking genuinely happy.

Han Zhixu lowered his eyes and kept sipping his water.

What was there to hold a grudge about? She used to say far worse things every day.

He was used to it—so long as she didn’t cause trouble.

“Oh, right.” Luo Yaqing chewed her bun, speaking with her mouth full. “This swan meat you got—you can eat all you want. Don’t be shy.”

Cough cough—

Han Zhixu choked on his water—or more accurately, on the bold and spicy words that came out of someone’s mouth.

“You okay?” Luo Yaqing blinked innocently.

Han Zhixu turned his head, coughing a few more times. “I’m fine.”

“Drink slower—don’t burn yourself.”

Han Zhixu wasn’t used to this kind of concern. After all, in the six months of their marriage, Luo Yaqing had only ever yelled and thrown things at him.

“There’s a military drill this afternoon. I might be home late.”

“How late?” Luo Yaqing asked.

“I’ll try to get back early to cook.”

Hearing that, Luo Yaqing couldn’t help but marvel. What a good man. All the handsome ones are so domesticated.

“This is for you.” Han Zhixu pulled out some money and ration tickets, placing them in front of her. “If you get hungry later, buy yourself something to eat.”