Chapter 13

Zhang Cuihua and Da Zhuang 

After speaking, Xia Wanyang also ran after Zhang Shiye. 

The production team leader, Li Zhu, glanced at Zhang Heping. “Uncle Zhang, has your boy turned over a new leaf?” 

Zhang Heping had a faint idea of what was going on. That rascal probably had his eye on the girl. “Who knows? Maybe he’s just in a good mood today.” 

Xia Wanyang caught up to Zhang Shiye. “Can you slow down? I’m getting tired chasing after you.” 

Zhang Shiye stood at least 1.85 meters tall. Even though Xia Wanyang, at 1.65 meters, was considered tall among women, she still struggled to keep up with his long strides. 

The next moment, Zhang Shiye actually slowed down as she asked, though he kept a cautious distance. Village gossip wasn’t something to take lightly. 

“My name’s Xia Wanyang. I’m from Hu City, and I’m eighteen. What about you? What’s your name? I heard Uncle Zhang call you Shiye. What’s your last name?” 

“The brigade leader is my father. My name is Zhang Shiye, and I’m twenty.” 

“Oh, it’s impressive that you became the brigade’s accountant at such a young age!” 

Zhang Shiye’s lips curved slightly. “The team has fewer than 200 people, and not many have gone to high school.” 

Xia Wanyang was still puzzled. In her past life, when she was sent to the countryside, Zhang Shiye had also been in his second year of high school. But back then, he was too much of a troublemaker. From her memories, he wasn’t the type to settle down. What happened this time around to make him an accountant? 

The educated youth’s quarters weren’t far, and they arrived quickly. Zhang Shiye wanted to help her carry the grains inside but feared it might harm her reputation. He left the bags at the door instead. “I won’t go in. Ask two female comrades to help you carry them.” 

Xia Wanyang took two fruit candies from her pocket—one red and one yellow. The sunlight made the wrappers shine beautifully. “Here, these are for you!” 

She deliberately brushed her small, soft, and fair hand against his large palm as she handed them over. Zhang Shiye’s mind went blank with a buzzing sound. Her hand was so small, so smooth, so white! 

Only after Zhang Shiye walked away did Xia Wanyang recover. Effortlessly lifting the grains, she turned and went inside. 

On his way home, Zhang Shiye felt dazed and absent-minded, so much so that he didn’t notice his father waiting for him halfway. 

“Stop right there, you rascal! What are you thinking about, wobbling around like that?” Zhang Heping had deliberately waited for him. Now that there was a hint of interest, he needed to knock some sense into his son. 

“Dad.” 

Zhang Shiye’s eyes darted around, glancing back and forth. 

“What’s this? Feeling something, are you?” Zhang Heping asked tentatively. 

Zhang Shiye’s heart skipped a beat. Was he that obvious? Since when was his dad this sharp? 

“What are you talking about? I don’t know what you mean.” 

Zhang Heping smirked knowingly. “You know exactly what I mean. Whether you are or aren’t, you’d better extinguish that little spark of yours. Do you know her background?” 

Zhang Shiye quickly asked, “What background?” 

Zhang Heping said nothing, just stared at him with an expression that screamed, *Oh, so now you’re curious, huh?* 

Zhang Shiye, still oblivious, waited for his father’s response. 

“She’s the daughter of a current regimental commander in Hu City’s armed forces. Son, she’s like a cloud in the sky while we’re mud on the ground. She’s out of reach. I know you’re ambitious, but no matter how high you aim, you’ve got to know your limits.” Zhang Heping spoke with rare sincerity. 

Zhang Shiye said nothing and walked away. 

Zhang Heping shook his head. “Good, still salvageable.” 

Meanwhile, back in her room, Xia Wanyang was greeted by Li Wenzhuo, who acted as if nothing had happened earlier that day. Smiling ingratiatingly, he said, “Comrade Xia, why didn’t you call for help? I could’ve carried that for you!” 

Xia Wanyang avoided his outstretched hand, her head aching at his fawning smile. “No need.” 

Internally, Li Wenzhuo cursed her eighteen times over, but he kept up his polite act. “It’s so heavy. How can a young lady like you carry it? Let me help!” 

“What’s wrong with you? Which eye of yours sees me struggling? You think I’d eat anything you’ve touched? Shameless toad, get lost!” 

Fang Zhaodi, who had been hiding nearby and watching Li Wenzhuo suck up to Xia Wanyang, was already upset. Seeing Xia Wanyang so ungrateful, she couldn’t hold back anymore. Li Wenzhuo never voluntarily helped anyone! 

“Don’t think you can insult people just because of your status! Wenzhuo was just being kind. If you don’t appreciate it, fine, but why insult him?” 

Xia Wanyang didn’t even spare her a glance. “Because I find him disgusting and thick-skinned.” 

At that moment, the bell for the afternoon shift rang, and Fang Zhaodi had no choice but to drag a furious Li Wenzhuo away. 

Back in her small room, Xia Wanyang put the grains in the cupboard, took off her shoes, and climbed onto the kang bed. She rolled from left to right and back again, grinning so wide her smile nearly reached her ears. Lying on the kang, she giggled mischievously. 

“Hehehe, I finally saw him. Judging by his reaction, he doesn’t seem to reject me! Hahaha…” She eventually laughed out loud. 

Feeling full of energy, Xia Wanyang suddenly wanted to go for a run outside. But the sun was too harsh, so a light bulb went off in her head. She quickly drew the curtains and entered her private space. 

In the distance, the mountain range was shrouded in mist, appearing as if it were suspended in mid-air. Xia Wanyan suddenly darted towards the mountain, laughing as she ran, looking every bit like a silly fool. 

When she reached the summit, she was startled to see two tigers—real, majestic tigers—standing with their heads held high. Xia Wanyan could clearly see their red tongues. 

Her good mood vanished instantly, replaced by cold sweat as fear gripped her. The next second, she screamed, “Ah—!” 

Just as she was about to turn and run, one of the tigers unexpectedly lay down, exposing its fluffy white belly. 

Yes, that’s right—it lay down, not crouched. 

Xia Wanyan froze, not daring to move. At that moment, 007’s voice rang out in her head, “Can you stop acting like a bumpkin? You’re the master of this space, the ruler of everything here. What are you scared of?” 

Xia Wanyan puffed out her cheeks and retorted in a soft voice, “You’re the bumpkin! You’re the bumpkin! If you call me that again, I’ll fire you!” 

Sure enough, 007 shut up. 

Xia Wanyan cautiously approached the tigers, squatting beside them. She tentatively reached out to touch one, then quickly withdrew her hand. 

The tiger didn’t react at all. Gaining some courage, she touched it again. “Wow, you feel so nice!” 

“Wow, you can snore?” 

“Wow, you’re so cute!” 

The other tiger also lay on its side. Just as Xia Wanyan was about to reach for its belly, a large furry head nudged her hand away. 

Only then did Xia Wanyan notice that the second tiger’s belly looked different—it seemed like, it seemed like… it was pregnant! 

“You’re having tiger cubs, aren’t you?” 

The next moment, the tiger actually nodded! 

Xia Wanyan sat down on the ground, holding a tiger head under each arm. From a distance, she looked utterly ridiculous. 

007: “…” 

“That silly 007 said I’m your master, so let me give you nicknames, okay? You’ll be called Cuihua, and you’ll be Dazhuang. When your baby is born, we’ll call it Hutou!” Xia Wanyan said happily. 

After playing with the tigers for a long time, Xia Wanyan finally made her way down the mountain. On the way, she came across some beautiful monkeys perched in a tree, eating fruit. Remembering that she was the master here, she immediately commanded, “Give me one!” 

To her surprise, one of the monkeys actually plucked a fruit and tossed it to her. Xia Wanyan happily ate it as she continued down the mountain. 

That evening, Xia Wanyan was going to Zhang Shiye’s house for dinner. She rummaged through the villa for the envelope her father had stuffed into her hands before she left. She took out some meat coupons, a few fabric coupons, half a pound of brown sugar, and five eggs.