Chapter 19

Su Wanwan had no idea what her father was up to, but she followed him toward the drying yard.

People who saw her all wrapped up couldn’t help but glance at her curiously. Who is this? Why is she covered up so tightly? Isn’t she hot?

She had only walked a few steps when someone tapped her shoulder. Turning around, she saw it was none other than her next-door neighbor, Aunt Liu’s daughter, Su Xiaofeng.

The original Su Wanwan had often been bullied by her. Four years older, Xiaofeng used to call her “shorty” because she was undernourished and small as a child. But in recent years, with better food, she had shot up in height—now a full head taller than Xiaofeng. So Xiaofeng had stopped using that nickname.

Xiaofeng eyed her strangely. “Su Wanwan, ugly people sure like to make a fuss. Aren’t you hot dressed like this?”

“Of course I’m hot,” Su Wanwan replied coolly. “Does your family live by the sea? Why are you so nosy?”

She gave her a look and kept walking toward the drying yard.

Xiaofeng was stunned. Did she just talk back? Before, no matter what she said, Wanwan never talked back. This was like the sun rising in the west.

Quickly stepping in front of her, Xiaofeng demanded, “Take that hat off and let me see what you look like now. My mom’s been going on about how you’re prettier than me. I want to see if that’s true!”

She reached to grab Wanwan’s hat, but Wanwan dodged.

“I’ve always been prettier than you,” Wanwan said evenly. “Everyone can see that. Unlike you—dark, short, skinny. Shorty. Now move.”

She threw Xiaofeng’s own words back at her.

Xiaofeng gnashed her teeth. “You… you…”

“See? You’re stuttering now. Why copy the bad things instead of learning something good?” Wanwan said lightly. “I’m just returning your words to you. Don’t provoke me again, or I won’t be polite.”

With that, she turned and walked off. She wasn’t the original Wanwan—anyone who made her suffer wouldn’t get away with it. If Xiaofeng kept at it, she really would hit her.

Xiaofeng stomped her feet in frustration.

By chance, Wanwan’s gaze shifted—and she spotted Xie Beishen.

He wore a white shirt, broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, long-legged, his solid build obvious even beneath the fabric. It wasn’t hard to imagine the kind of physique he had.

Heh, she’d already seen it by the water—that nearly explosive, hormone-charged body.

Stop it, stop it! Don’t let your mind go dirty again!

Beside him was Lin Yu.

Wanwan paused, waiting for him to approach.

Beishen immediately recognized her, even with only her bright eyes showing as she looked at him. Is it my imagination? Is she looking at me? Instinctively, he glanced behind him.

Ma Zhiming.

Ah. So she was looking at Ma Zhiming. Not him.

He felt a sudden heaviness in his chest, his eyes darkening as he turned away, heading in a different direction.

What kind of taste does this woman have? She likes Ma Zhiming? Really? Blind woman.

Lin Yu quickly followed him.

Wanwan saw him change direction. He must not recognize me dressed like this.

If the mountain won’t come to me, then I’ll go to the mountain.

She hurried to catch up. His legs were so long she had to jog to keep up. “Xie Beishen, what a coincidence.”

He stopped abruptly and turned, his sharp gaze fixed on her eyes. “You… need something?”

Her eyes lit up. “Xie Beishen, it’s me—Su Wanwan.”

His face stayed cool, but he gave a faint response. “Mm.”

Lin Yu frowned at her. “What’s with this getup? Ashamed to be seen?”

Wanwan shot him a look. “You’re the one who should be ashamed. I’m just trying not to get sunburned.”

Lin Yu chuckled—who in the countryside cared about tanning? Only she was an oddball.

Wanwan turned back to Beishen. “Let’s walk together.”

He didn’t know what she was trying to do. Doesn’t she already have a boyfriend over there?

Wanwan’s mind raced—she needed a topic to keep him talking. “Did you eat the fish I cooked yesterday? Where are you from? Did it suit your taste?”

His dark eyes flickered. “I ate it.” He hadn’t known she was the one who made it. It was delicious.

Her eyes sparkled. “And? Where are you from? Was it good?”

He didn’t answer, only quickened his pace. She has a boyfriend. She shouldn’t mess with me. I’m not someone she can provoke.

Lin Yu matched his stride.

Wanwan paused. Did I say something to upset him? He seems a little angry… maybe I’m imagining it?

But cold as he was, she liked him too much. She ran to catch up again.

Before long, they arrived at the drying yard.

Since anyone who didn’t come would lose work points, everyone gathered quickly.

The captain stood in the middle. “I called you all here today to talk about the leave requests. Forty-two people asked for leave today—that’s way too many. If we don’t deal with this now, it’ll be worse tomorrow. You all know the importance of the coming harvest. Without a proper reason, I can’t approve leave. And those who asked must be dealt with seriously.”

The crowd erupted. Someone shouted, “Captain, that’s not fair. We’re just following your example! Your daughter doesn’t work—so why can’t our daughters take leave too?”

Wanwan’s eyes widened. They’re all skipping work because of me? She craned her neck, trying to see past the crowd, tugging off her hat in the heat.

Beishen, standing behind her, lowered his gaze. She stood right in front of him, peering around curiously, a sweet fragrance drifting from her. Unlike his mother’s cloying perfume, this scent was light and pleasant.

She even wears perfume?

He frowned slightly and stepped back.

At that moment, Aunt Liu spoke up. “Captain, this won’t do. You let your daughter take leave to ‘nourish her health’ and prepare for matchmaking. Why can’t we do the same? Even the higher-ups would understand.”

The villagers echoed her: “Exactly!” They all wanted a rich son-in-law—better than working the fields.

The noise grew louder.

Wanwan was stunned. They’re spreading rumors that I’m preparing for matchmaking? Was it Aunt Liu who started this? If Xie Beishen believes it, how can I ever win him over?

She lifted her gaze to look at him.