Chapter 13 – Xiao Cheng’an

Today was the day for transplanting rice seedlings, so the village divided the educated youth among several seasoned farming experts to teach them the ropes.

Anran was paired with Zheng Xiuhong. Wang Xixi and Huang Zhaodi formed another group, while the three male youths made up the last.

The one guiding Anran was a cheerful, talkative auntie.

“Just call me Auntie Cheng,” she said with a bright smile.

She didn’t waste time with small talk and dove straight into teaching. Both Anran and Zheng Xiuhong listened attentively. Auntie Cheng truly lived up to her reputation—teaching them not only how to conserve energy but also how to plant in a way that would help the seedlings grow well. She held nothing back, like a true master of her craft.

While they focused seriously on learning, things were far more dramatic on the other side—with the novel’s female lead.

A sudden commotion broke out nearby. Everyone paused their work and turned to look. Wang Xixi was arguing with a village girl. Wang Xixi stood there crying helplessly, making the other girl appear aggressive. Next to them stood the male lead.

Anran’s curiosity nearly got the better of her, but she was also focused on her work. Just as she was debating whether to go have a look, she noticed Auntie Cheng had already walked off toward the ruckus.

Problem solved. Time for some drama. Anran trotted after her.

As she neared the scene, she heard Wang Xixi crying out:

“Brother Xiao just caught me when I nearly fell! That’s all it was—it’s not what you think!”

The village girl’s face flushed with anger as she snapped,

“You were practically falling into Brother Jianguo’s arms and you dare say it wasn’t on purpose? You little seductress!”

Xiao Jianguo suddenly raised his voice,

“That’s enough, Wang Eryin! You’re being ridiculous. Do you even hear yourself?”

Wang Xixi hid behind him, sobbing softly and apologizing through her tears.

“I didn’t mean to… I’m so sorry… really…” Then, suddenly, she turned and ran off.

Xiao Jianguo went chasing after her.

Anran stood there blinking. Wait, what was that? She tilted her head.

“She ran… he chased her… Is this one of those mandatory Mary Sue tropes? She runs, he chases, she can’t escape his love?” Anran couldn’t make sense of it.

Wang Eryin stared at their retreating backs with a mix of rage and heartbreak, then turned away and returned to her work.

The crowd quickly dispersed, and Anran headed back to her field, replaying the rural soap opera in her mind. “Not quite satisfying. I’ll have to binge-watch some real drama later.”

Before she knew it, the workday ended. Everyone packed up and began walking home.

Auntie Cheng invited the girls to her home for dinner.

Anran and Zheng Xiuhong initially declined, not wanting to impose, but Auntie Cheng insisted so earnestly that they finally agreed to go after work.

Back at the youth center, it was supposed to be Wang Xixi and Huang Zhaodi’s turn to cook. But when Anran arrived at the kitchen, only Huang Zhaodi was there, busy with everything on her own.

“Why are you alone?” Anran asked. “Where’s Wang Xixi?”

Huang Zhaodi replied, a bit annoyed,
“She’s lying down in the room. Said she wasn’t feeling well and took the afternoon off.”

Anran and Zheng Xiuhong exchanged a look but said nothing more. They rolled up their sleeves and joined in to help with the cooking.

“You really don’t have to,” Huang Zhaodi said, clearly touched. “I’ll have it done soon—you must be tired too.”

“It’s fine,” Anran said with a smile. “This way we finish faster and can sleep earlier.”

Just as the meal was ready and everyone sat down to eat, Wang Xixi appeared and took her place at the table, as if nothing had happened.

Huang Zhaodi’s face turned pale with anger.

“I’m really sorry, Zhaodi,” Wang Xixi said softly. “I didn’t mean to make you do all the work alone. I really wasn’t feeling well. You’re not mad at me, right?”

Caught between frustration and pity, Huang Zhaodi forced out a quiet,
“It’s fine.”

After dinner, Anran retreated to her room, had a cold milk tea, and took a refreshing nap before heading back out for afternoon work.

Hours hunched over had left Anran’s back aching—it barely felt like it belonged to her anymore. She grit her teeth and kept at it until the workday finally ended.

As they were leaving, Auntie Cheng reminded them again to come for dinner.

Zheng Xiuhong and Anran decided they shouldn’t show up empty-handed. Zheng said she’d bring peach cookies; Anran said she’d bring some milk candies and brown sugar.

Back at the youth center, they quickly freshened up and told the others where they were going. They’d already informed Huang Zhaodi earlier not to make dinner for them.

Later that evening at the center:

“Where are they going? They’re not eating with us?” Wang Xixi asked.

“The auntie who taught them to transplant rice invited them for dinner,” Huang Zhaodi replied.

The male youths expressed their envy—clearly, the two girls were about to have a much better meal.

Wang Xixi’s face was tinged with jealousy. Her usual delicate expression now looked a bit bitter. But no one noticed—everyone was focused on eating.

Anran and Zheng Xiuhong arrived at Auntie Cheng’s home and were immediately greeted by the rich aroma of dinner in the air.

As they stepped into the courtyard, they saw a tall man with his back to them, chopping firewood.

Anran called out,
“Is this Auntie Cheng’s place?”

The man turned to look at her.

And in that instant, Anran felt like she had been struck by Cupid’s arrow.

“Who is this man?!” she thought wildly. “He’s like a living sculpture—sharp features, stunning looks, thick brows, those slightly smirking peach blossom eyes… and that physique?!”

She nearly fainted on the spot.

Zheng Xiuhong nudged her hard.

“Hey, snap out of it. We’re going inside.”

Auntie Cheng came out and greeted them warmly, ushering them into the house.

They handed over the small gifts they brought.

“Oh, you girls are too polite,” Auntie Cheng said, smiling even more. “It’s just a casual meal, nothing fancy.”

It wasn’t that she was stingy or cared much about the gifts, but anyone with good manners was always welcome.

Meanwhile, the tall man in the yard watched the two girls enter the house. He chewed the inside of his cheek and his gaze deepened.