Chapter 4

She never expected that, just before losing consciousness with a splash, Shu Yue caught sight of another man’s face. For some inexplicable reason, a sense of safety welled up inside her, as if she might actually be saved.

When she regained awareness, Shu Yue struggled to open her eyes and saw a man performing emergency resuscitation on her. His palms pressed rhythmically against her chest, water dripping from his face. He was focused, free of any ulterior motive. Yet behind him, villagers were already pointing and whispering at the sight.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… what a shameless woman, tangling with two men in the river. Disgraceful.”

“Isn’t this just her way of finding herself a strong backer? Not picky at all—first that no-good Li family’s third son, and now even trying to hook the second son of the Chengs. He’s the most promising young man in the village! If he marries that so-called ‘capitalist’s daughter,’ he’ll ruin his future.”

“She and that Li fellow are a perfect match—rotten pedigree with rotten stock. But if she pulls Cheng Jingchuan into this… that’s a loss for him.”

Shu Yue had long grown used to the villagers’ malice. At that moment, however, her mind was occupied by only one thought: the leering face of Li Laosan and the fear of what might happen if such men targeted her again. Terror of the future left her with one desperate conclusion—marrying this soldier might be her only chance at survival.

“You’re awake. I was only giving you first aid—I hope you understand.”

When Shu Yue opened her eyes, Cheng Jingchuan stopped his chest compressions and draped his jacket over her. He had returned home on leave and happened to see Li Laosan chasing a girl down the road. Hearing her cries for help, his soldier’s instincts kicked in and he sprinted after them. But he was still a step too late—the girl had fallen into the river. When he arrived, Li Laosan was already stripping off his clothes at the bank, spouting vile remarks that made his intentions clear. Cheng kicked him aside and jumped into the water to pull her out.

When he dove in, his only thought was to save her—soldiers serve the people, after all. But as he dragged her ashore and heard the villagers’ murmurs, he realized he’d stepped into trouble.

The girl’s “class background” was politically tainted. Most would avoid her entirely. Yet not only had he rescued her, he’d performed chest compressions right there in front of everyone—his hands pressing against her thinly clad chest on a sweltering day. To a reasonable mind, it was life-saving, nothing more. But to anyone looking for an excuse, it was grounds to demand he “take responsibility.”

Meeting Cheng Jingchuan’s gaze, Shu Yue felt deeply conflicted. Her grandparents had been doctors, their house full of medical books; she knew perfectly well that what he’d done was standard first aid. Without him, she would have died. By rights, she ought to thank her savior. But instead, she was about to shamelessly cling to him.

“Comrade Shu,” Li’s mother suddenly butted in before Shu Yue could think things through. “My Laosan took a nasty fall saving you. Shouldn’t you repay him by marrying into our family? Don’t worry, we don’t care that your background’s bad or that another man’s already touched you. Just give us a big healthy grandson, and that’ll be thanks enough.”

Li’s mother didn’t care about political pedigree. She knew exactly what sort of scoundrel her son was, but since he seemed interested in this educated youth, why not marry her off quickly? Everyone in the village knew Shu Yue had no one to rely on. Such a daughter-in-law could be easily controlled—made to work hard and bear children.

Li’s mother’s brazenness clarified Shu Yue’s own hesitation instantly: she had to marry someone, or she’d never survive here. Before leaving the city, her grandparents had told her repeatedly—endure everything; nothing is more important than staying alive. And if she must rely on someone, this soldier was her best option.

“You held me… you touched me… you have to marry me. Otherwise, you’re forcing me to die.”

It was shameless, saying such words to her savior. Shu Yue didn’t dare lift her head. She hated herself for resorting to such a low move, but there was no other way. If she didn’t marry this man, life in the village would only grow harsher.

“I. Was. Saving. You.”

Cheng Jingchuan spat each word out through clenched teeth. If he hadn’t acted, she’d either have drowned or fallen prey to Li Laosan. He never saved lives expecting repayment, but he hadn’t expected to be extorted in return either.

Even without seeing his face, Shu Yue could hear the anger in his voice and didn’t dare look up. Fortunately, the village chief stepped in, pulled Cheng aside, and spoke quietly. Shu Yue knew the chief would likely help her—her uncles had slipped him favors to keep an eye on her. Without that support, the villagers’ hostility might already have destroyed her.

After a long while, the village chief’s daughter-in-law came to help Shu Yue to her feet, bringing good news: Cheng Jingchuan, the second son of the Cheng family, had agreed to marry her. The only catch was her “bad class status,” which would make official approval difficult. For now, they would hold a wedding feast in the village so everyone knew they were husband and wife, and Cheng would file an application for a marriage certificate. When the approval came, they’d register it officially.

No certificate, no guarantee of when it might come—but Shu Yue didn’t hesitate. She had no other choice. In the countryside, once you held a banquet, everyone treated you as married regardless of paperwork.

For Shu Yue, the lack of an official certificate was actually a relief. If her grandparents were ever rehabilitated and brought her back to the city, not having a legal marriage would make things simpler.

And so, the day after nearly drowning, Shu Yue went from “Educated Youth Shu” to “Second Daughter-in-law of the Cheng Family.” On the day of the banquet, Cheng Jingchuan kept his face grim and said only one thing to her:

“This is the marriage you wanted. Don’t regret it.”