Chapter 3

Lin Xiang accompanied Aunt Zhang to meet a prospective match at the tea house near the First Municipal Cable Factory, where Wang Jun worked. As they waited, Aunt Zhang enthusiastically extolled Wang Jun’s virtues, describing him as accomplished, hardworking, and most importantly—exceptionally handsome.

“Let me tell you, Wang Jun is a real catch,” Aunt Zhang declared. “Tall, good-looking—I’ve never seen a more handsome young man in Xifeng City! Lots of women at his factory have their eyes on him, but he’s picky and hasn’t shown interest in any of them. His poor mother is so anxious about it.” She grinned at Lin Xiang. “But don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll like you. You’re gorgeous yourself!”

Lin Xiang grew curious. The most handsome man in Xifeng City? She had to see what all the fuss was about, even if she wasn’t expecting much from the meeting.

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Meanwhile, outside the First Municipal Cable Factory, a middle-aged woman and her son emerged.

“Jun’er,” the woman began earnestly, “you’re not getting any younger. You can’t keep being so picky about marriage! Aunt Zhang says this girl is beautiful—she’s never seen anyone prettier in all of Xifeng City!”

Wang Jun scoffed. “Matchmakers will say anything. They probably just want to push someone desperate onto me.”

“Even if that’s true, it won’t hurt to have a look. It’s just a tea break—you’ve got nothing to lose.”

“Fine. But I’m just drinking tea and leaving,” he relented.

Satisfied, his mother, Dong Yufeng, dragged him to the tea house.

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At the tea house, when Lin Xiang saw Aunt Zhang greeting a young man entering with his mother, she had a sinking feeling.

The so-called “handsome” Wang Jun had a square face—classic for the era’s aesthetics—and thick eyebrows with large eyes, but he didn’t fit her idea of attractiveness.

Lin Xiang: “…”

Trusting a matchmaker’s pitch was like inviting trouble.

On the other hand, both Wang Jun and his mother were pleasantly surprised by Lin Xiang’s striking appearance. Dong Yufeng was momentarily awestruck but quickly grew concerned. This girl was too beautiful—what if she wasn’t serious or loyal?

Before she could voice her worries, she noticed her son staring at Lin Xiang with uncharacteristic interest. Well, it seemed like he was smitten.

Wang Jun had come reluctantly but now felt his heart race for the first time. He’d never met someone so captivating. He even began imagining their future together—he could help her transition into a relaxed job in factory logistics, secure housing, and plan for their family life.

While Wang Jun planned their life in his head, Lin Xiang was silently assessing him. Though polite, she didn’t feel any chemistry. His intense gaze made her uncomfortable, and his mother’s strong personality hinted at potential conflicts.

After a polite meal, during which Lin Xiang answered questions with reserved courtesy, the group parted ways for work. Aunt Zhang eagerly asked, “So, Xiang, isn’t Wang Jun just too handsome for words?”

Lin Xiang: “…”

“Aunt Zhang, I’m afraid he’s not quite my type. Do you have other matches?” Lin Xiang tactfully declined. “Oh, by the way, please help settle the lunch bill and ration tickets with them for me.”

Aunt Zhang was shocked. “You’re turning him down? He’s not handsome?”

Lin Xiang felt the weight of their differing standards.

After the meeting, Lin Xiang decided to take a more strategic approach to matchmaking. Before agreeing to meet, she’d observe potential matches from a distance. This saved her from awkward interactions with unsuitable prospects.

Wang Jun, however, wasn’t ready to give up. After hearing her refusal, he asked Aunt Zhang to intervene on his behalf and even visited her workplace at the steel plant. Lin Xiang firmly rejected him again, and only then did he relent.

“This one is a butcher at the meat processing plant. The benefits there are great, and employees often get meat without needing ration coupons. His family must eat well, and the young man himself is handsome.” Aunt Zhang had clearly realized that Lin Xiang didn’t like men with square faces. This time, she specifically sought out someone with a softer visage. “Though he’s a bit older, older men are more considerate.”

When Lin Xiang asked further, she learned that he was 28, nine years older than her original self. Plus, he slaughtered pigs daily—a bloody and gruesome job. She decided to pass.

“Then there’s this accountant from the food factory. It’s a respectable office job, though his family is a bit large.”

“How many people?” Lin Xiang asked casually.

“Nine, but they all get along well. They’re known for their good tempers.”

Lin Xiang: ?

That house would surely be too cramped, making life miserable.

On Sunday, while resting, Lin Xiang followed Aunt Zhang to meet three or four men. These were said to be the best available options in Xifeng City in terms of overall conditions. However… none of them stood out.

They were either too old, too unattractive, lived in overly crowded homes, were mama’s boys, or had a lecherous vibe.

Lin Xiang had already lowered her standards significantly since arriving in this world, but she couldn’t bring herself to settle for someone completely unsuitable. Due to the rural resettlement policy, the marriage market was exceptionally competitive, and the “most desirable” men had already been snapped up. The ones left behind all had one issue or another.

She wanted to compromise, but no match felt worth the effort.

Aunt Zhang, having exhausted her options, sighed. “Girl, let me be honest with you. These are the best matches in Xifeng City right now. If you don’t make a move, even these men will get snatched up soon.”

Lin Xiang let out a heavy sigh. Her current job didn’t suit her, her scummy father and stepmother were eager to force her to give it up, and she faced the threat of being sent to the countryside. With danger on all sides, she lamented her lack of a golden opportunity or a sturdy “thigh” to cling to.

After parting ways with Aunt Zhang in the afternoon, Lin Xiang headed home to take a nap. She was overheated from spending most of the day outside. However, upon returning to the Lin family residence, her stepmother, Qiu Aiying, appeared, all smiles.

“Xiang Xiang, look at this scarf. Isn’t it beautiful? Try it on!”

Qiu Aiying held up a pale yellow silk scarf, its material light and delicate, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. It was clearly a high-quality item.

Lin Xiang was naturally suspicious. Qiu Aiying wouldn’t gift her anything nice without ulterior motives. “Mom, is this scarf for me?”

“Yes!” Qiu Aiying replied enthusiastically, trying to wrap it around Lin Xiang’s neck. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful scarf before. You’ve been looking prettier lately, and this suits you perfectly.”

Lin Xiang didn’t take the scarf and said coolly, “Such a nice item should stay with you, or maybe you could give it to Sister Chuchu.”

“Why would I give it to Chuchu?” Qiu Aiying’s smile faltered slightly as she glanced at Lin Xiang, who had grown prettier seemingly overnight. She felt uneasy but didn’t show it. “This scarf was a gift from the steel mill director’s son for you. Pretty girls deserve pretty scarves. I’m too old to wear it.”

Sure enough, the scarf was a trap!

Lin Xiang suspected that the original owner of her body had been coaxed into wearing the scarf and then manipulated into accepting a marriage proposal.

“I can’t accept this. I’ve done nothing to deserve it. I don’t even know the man, and such an expensive gift is too much.” She avoided further persuasion by calling out to her stepsister Lin Chuchu, who had just returned from work. “Chuchu, Mom wants me to have this scarf, but I think it’d suit you better.”

Lin Chuchu, seeing her mother giving such a beautiful scarf to Lin Xiang, immediately threw a fit. “Mom, this scarf is gorgeous! Why give it to Lin Xiang? It’s wasted on her—give it to me!”

Taking advantage of the chaos, Lin Xiang slipped out of the house.

In late July, the streets of Xifeng City buzzed with the sound of cicadas. Rows of plane trees lined the roads, their lush green leaves casting dappled sunlight onto the cool stone pavements below.

Lin Xiang stepped carefully in the shifting patches of shade, contemplating her next move.

Her father, Lin Guangming, was domineering and inflexible. He was determined to force her to give up her job to his precious son, Lin Jianxin. Though he didn’t often involve himself in family matters, when it came to his son, he wouldn’t hesitate to hit either Lin Xiang or Lin Chuchu.

The stepmother, Qiu Aiying, was calculating, especially when bribed by the steel mill director’s son, Sun Yaozu. She had no bottom line.

Lin Xiang felt trapped. She was stifled by the expectations of family and society. People of this era believed children must obey their parents. Moreover, travel was difficult, requiring permits and introductions, making it hard to escape her situation.

One way or another, she needed Aunt Zhang to continue finding potential matches. If nothing worked, she might have to compromise… but how could she lower her standards further?

Just as she sighed in frustration, someone called out from behind her: “Xiang Xiang!”

A voice tinged with excitement suddenly broke the air, drawing Lin Xiang’s attention to the young man walking toward her.

The man was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, an outfit that should have highlighted one’s looks and demeanor, especially amid the drab blacks, grays, and blues of the 1970s. Yet, his bloated face and piggish features made the shirt appear ill-fitting and unflattering. Coupled with the lecherous look on his face, the overall impression was deeply unpleasant.

The expensive fabric of his clothing, paired with his lustful gaze and the way he called her name, made it easy for Lin Xiang to guess his identity. He was almost certainly Sun Yaozu, the steel factory director’s son.

“Xiangxiang, did you get the silk scarf I asked your mom to give you?” Sun Yaozu’s eyes remained fixed on Lin Xiang, unblinking and predatory. He had always thought Lin Xiang was beautiful, with a meek demeanor that made her seem like a mouse cowering before a cat whenever she saw him. That kind of fear only made him more eager to bully her.

But something was different this time. From afar, Lin Xiang seemed even more radiant. The soft sunlight cascaded over her, forming a gentle halo around her figure. Her delicate features were like an artist’s masterpiece, her eyes slightly upturned at the corners, exuding a charm that could steal a man’s soul. As she glanced up at him, her fair and graceful neck gleamed with an otherworldly glow, and her coarse, simple clothing couldn’t hide her alluring figure.

Sun Yaozu silently swore that he would marry Lin Xiang no matter what.

“We’re neither friends nor family. I’m not accepting any scarves from you,” Lin Xiang said firmly. She had no intention of wasting words on this man, who was known to be a violent abuser. Turning on her heel, she prepared to leave.

“Hey—” Sun Yaozu, who had been involved with many women, felt an uncontrollable itch in his heart as he looked at Lin Xiang. Without hesitation, he stepped forward to block her path. “Xiangxiang, that’s no way to treat me! I’m planning to go to your house to propose marriage. Your mom already agreed to let you marry me!”