Chapter 37: Are you feeling sorry for his money, so you accepted it so readily?

Yuan Meilin felt like a lump of air was stuck in her chest, nearly making her pass out. In truth, that thick wad of cash she was holding was just for show—she knew full well that, with Fu Jingchuan’s character, he would never accept that money! The Fu family didn’t need it anyway. She was merely trying to make a gesture, hoping her “sincerity” would soften his heart a bit.

But to her shock, out of nowhere came Jiang Wan, that thick-skinned roadblock—who just took the money right out of her hands!

Fu Jingchuan frowned slightly at the scene. He had no intention of accepting that money, but Jiang Wan’s smooth and decisive action stirred something complicated in him. After thinking for a moment, he felt… oddly pleased.

Was Jiang Wan already starting to see the two of them as a real couple? Starting to think of his home as hers? Was that why she so naturally took the money—to protect what was theirs?

That thought brought a subtle curl to Fu Jingchuan’s lips, a trace of warmth softening his otherwise cold, stoic face.

Jiang Wan turned to Yuan Meilin with a sweet smile as she casually shook the mesh bag in her hand. “Yuan Meilin comrade,” she said, her tone light but her words sharp, “I didn’t expect you to be this decent. You’re already much better than your mother.”

Then she gestured to the meal Yuan Meilin had brought. “As for that braised pork? You’d better take it back.”

“First of all, it’s scorching hot at noon—my Jingchuan probably doesn’t feel like eating something so greasy.”

“Second, he’s a responsible man. Thinking about how the kids have been living off of porridge for years… you really think he can stomach your fancy pork right now?”

Jiang Wan’s voice was soft and sweet, her expression harmless, like a delicate and lovely girl with no sharp edges. But her words? Every single one hit with brutal accuracy.

The uncles nearby, already annoyed, now scoffed openly.

“Yuan Meilin, you better take that meat and leave.”

“Your mother is so calculating—if she finds out you’re out here giving meat to other people, she’ll have your hide!”

“Seriously, get going. It’s already kind of you they haven’t reported you for what your mom did.”

“If the kids had stayed with your family any longer, they’d probably have stunted growth by now!”

Just then, a voice rang out in the distance, cutting through the commotion.

“Hey! What are you all crowding around here for at high noon?!”

Several people were gathered in the field, forming a little circle, drawing attention. Fu Jingchuan looked up in surprise. The nearby uncles turned and greeted the newcomer enthusiastically.

“Hey! Director Zhao! What are you doing out here in this heat? Shouldn’t you be resting in the village committee office?”

Jiang Wan, still clinging to Fu Jingchuan, blinked her long lashes and curiously observed the woman approaching.

She looked to be in her early forties, with cropped hair, wearing a plaid blouse and coarse cloth pants—clearly a rural official.

“Oh! Captain Fu…” Zhao Ying was coming over just to say hi after seeing Fu Jingchuan in the fields. But the moment her eyes landed on the woman beside him, she froze for a full few seconds, wide-eyed with disbelief.

Then she clapped her thigh and rushed forward, eyes practically sparkling.

“My goodness, Captain Fu! This must be the wife you just married, right? I heard she’s from South City—a real rich young lady!”

Zhao Ying’s gaze was so intense, like she was staring at some rare treasure, that it made Jiang Wan a bit uncomfortable. Still, she kept her composure. Since coming to this rural northern town, she was slowly getting used to these stares.

She offered a polite smile and said softly, “Hello. I’m Fu Jingchuan’s wife. My name is Jiang Wan.”

Now that there were more people around, Jiang Wan started to feel her ears heat up. Earlier she had only been playing a role to spite Yuan Meilin, but now all eyes were on her, and she felt a bit self-conscious.

Zhao Ying couldn’t stop praising her—saying “good” over and over.

The nearby uncles chuckled.

“Director Zhao! Look at you, you’re scaring young Comrade Jiang! What are you doing, trying to size her up for your own son or something?”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Zhao Ying frowned slightly, her eyes flickering with a touch of disappointment.

Her son was a scholarly type, not much older than Jiang Wan. Honestly, if Fu Jingchuan weren’t in the picture, she would’ve made a move! But Fu Jingchuan… well, he was built like a bear and a high-ranking officer in the army…

Zhao Ying’s eyes darted to Fu Jingchuan. She could immediately tell something had changed.

He had always been the rough, stoic type. Rumors even floated around that he had no interest in women. But now? She could see it clearly.

His eyes—dark, intense—were fixed firmly on Jiang Wan, and the heat in that gaze was unmistakable. She’d never seen this kind of look in the eyes of that gruff man before!

Zhao Ying quickly shook off her wandering thoughts and got down to business.

“Captain Fu, I have something I wanted to discuss with you—see if it’s possible.”

Then she turned to Jiang Wan.

“It’s like this, Comrade Jiang. I’m the Women’s Director of our Peaceful Village. Recently, the county held a meeting—leaders from higher up are coming down to check on rural development!”

“Our village is hosting a welcome event, but we’re short on performers.”

“To be honest, most of the women here are used to hard labor—not exactly stage material. But when I saw you, I thought, wow! Someone this pretty and graceful—it’s a rare sight in our village!”

“So I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to help out? Join us and participate in the performance?”

Zhao Ying’s tone was very sincere—even a bit pleading.

Yuan Meilin, who had been completely ignored this whole time, was fuming. Zhao Ying? That was someone with status—comfortable job, good pay, respected by everyone. Her son just got into college, and usually she walked around with her chin so high it nearly reached the sky.

And now she was basically begging Jiang Wan! Complimenting her nonstop!

Yuan Meilin was practically seething with jealousy. She thought bitterly: Pfft! It’s just a performance—probably some exhausting, thankless task. No way would I want to do that!

She turned to leave with her lunchbox in hand, not wanting to stick around and feel any worse.

But just then, Zhao Ying’s tone suddenly turned serious.

“Comrade Jiang, actually, this opportunity could come with some real benefits!”

“This performance is different from usual. The higher-ups are not just here for show—they’re looking to recruit talent. If someone stands out, they may be selected for special training, or even offered a job placement!”

“Comrade Jiang, the moment I saw you, I could tell—you’re different. Smart, capable, beautiful. And since you’ve now joined our village, you should consider your future too, shouldn’t you?”

“?!?!”

“Director Zhao!! Director Zhao!”