Chapter 10

“Son, you really are my son! We have the same taste. I’ve had my eye on Gu Zhiqing for a long time, and I didn’t expect you to like her too. Leave this matter to me!”

“Mom, don’t mess around.”

Jiang Huaijing originally wanted to tell his mother about Gu Nian so she would stop matchmaking for him, but who knew she would become even more enthusiastic?

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Ever since Jiang Huaijing returned, matchmakers had been visiting daily, all bringing marriage proposals from families with daughters in the village.

—-

At the educated youth station, He Yirou looked at the corn grits and coarse steamed buns on the table. Everyone else was eating meat for the New Year, yet she was stuck with this. She was unhappy.

She remembered that in her past life, Jiang Huaijing had been very successful. Despite his young age, he was already at the rank of regiment commander.

If Jiang Huaijing was willing to marry her, she would abandon Ji Yunchen. No, she had to think of a way to make him notice her.

—-

After lunch, Ji Yunchen sat at the educated youth station’s entrance, troubled over how to get rid of He Yirou.

“Brother Yunchen.”

Hearing this, Ji Yunchen looked up and saw Shen Yuling. He didn’t have much fondness for this woman, but knowing she used to like him gave him a sense of pride.

“Shen Yuling, what do you want?”

“Brother Yunchen, I’m here to help you. I know you don’t like He Yirou, and I don’t like her either. I have a great idea. Do you want to hear it?”

Ji Yunchen had been troubled over this issue, so when he heard that Shen Yuling had a solution, he was naturally interested.

“What’s the plan?”

Shen Yuling wanted to use He Yirou’s own tricks against her. Whatever He Yirou did to her, she would return in kind.

After hearing Shen Yuling’s plan, Ji Yunchen found it feasible and agreed.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“Brother Yunchen, since I helped you, will you do something for me?”

“What do you need?”

Subconsciously, Ji Yunchen didn’t want to get involved with Shen Yuling, but right now, he had no choice but to use her.

“You need to help me get pregnant first.”

At that moment, Ji Yunchen understood—Shen Yuling wasn’t actually pregnant, which was why she had come to him.

“Alright, I’ll help you.”

Seeing him agree, Shen Yuling breathed a sigh of relief. She had been stuffing a pillow under her clothes to fake the pregnancy.

Erlai was infertile, and Wang Qini was eager for a grandson. In desperation, she had no choice but to fake a pregnancy. Ever since she “got pregnant,” Wang Qini’s attitude had completely changed. To prevent suspicion, she needed to conceive quickly.

After making their agreement, they parted ways. Meanwhile, He Yirou was focused on observing Jiang Huaijing.

—–

Another New Year had passed, and the educated youth who had gone home to visit their families were returning. Among them was a new batch of educated youths arriving in the village.

Village chief Jiang Dashan escorted them before leaving. Among the new arrivals were two men and two women.

One of the female educated youths spotted Ji Yunchen and her eyes lit up. She ran over excitedly.

“Yunchen! How have you been here? Your mother asked me to bring you home.”

“Jingjing, I’m doing fine here. Why are you here?”

Zhou Jingjing—Ji Yunchen’s fiancée. Their families had arranged their engagement when they were children. After his experience with He Yirou, Ji Yunchen found himself developing some feelings for Zhou Jingjing.

“I’m here to bring you back to get married.”

“We’ll talk about this later. Go settle in first.”

Ji Yunchen had already decided to return with Zhou Jingjing. Once Shen Yuling successfully conceived, he would leave.

Seeing that Ji Yunchen had a fiancée, He Yirou was furious. It seemed like Ji Yunchen genuinely liked his fiancée.

No way. She couldn’t let Ji Yunchen go. Jiang Huaijing was like a rock—stubborn and unyielding. Ji Yunchen was her only bargaining chip now, and she had to hold onto him tightly.

—-

One of the new educated youths, a boy named Gu Kai, caught Gu Nian’s attention. According to the novel’s plot, he was Gu Yan’s illegitimate son. She hadn’t expected him to be sent to the countryside as well.

Judging by his gaze, Gu Nian guessed he knew her identity, but she didn’t care as long as he didn’t cause trouble.

—-

Spring arrived, the snow melted, and it was time to return to work. But today, Gu Nian overheard a shocking rumor.

“Gu Zhiqing, I heard the village chief’s eldest son is interested in you. He said he won’t marry anyone but you.”

“What? Who said that? It’s definitely a rumor!”

Gu Nian denied it immediately. She and Jiang Huaijing had barely interacted. How could he insist on marrying her?

“He said it himself. If you don’t believe me, go ask him.”

Seeing the certainty in the villagers’ eyes, Gu Nian realized she had to clear up the misunderstanding. She had to find Jiang Huaijing.

That afternoon, after work, she went straight to the village chief’s house but didn’t find him there. They told her he had gone hunting in the mountains, so she had no choice but to wait for him at the foot of the mountain.

After a while, she saw Jiang Huaijing approaching with a wild chicken in one hand and a wild rabbit in the other.

“Gu Zhiqing, you were looking for me?”

“Yes, Brother Jiang, the villagers are saying that you insist on marrying me. That’s not true, right? You need to clarify things with them.”

Jiang Huaijing hadn’t expected her to come because of this. He knew it was his mother spreading the rumor. Realizing that his actions had tarnished Gu Zhiqing’s reputation, he felt guilty.

Since he had caused the situation, he should take responsibility. Looking at Gu Nian seriously, he said,

“Gu Zhiqing, it’s true. Don’t worry—if you marry me, I will treat you well for a lifetime. I really want to marry you.”

Gu Nian was different from other girls, and Jiang Huaijing admitted he had feelings for her.

“This…”

Things were happening too fast, and Gu Nian hadn’t thought much about it. Jiang Huaijing continued,

“I’m leaving for the army tomorrow. If you agree, I’ll submit the marriage application before I leave, and then I’ll come back to take you with me.”

Jiang Huaijing was excellent in every way. In her previous life, Gu Nian had never married, but in this life, she wanted to experience it. She believed Jiang Huaijing wouldn’t let her down.

“Alright, let’s get married.”

Gu Nian wasn’t the type to hesitate. Once she made a decision, she acted immediately.

Hearing her response, Jiang Huaijing was thrilled. He handed her the wild chicken and rabbit before rushing home to share the good news.

—-

Jiang Dashan and his wife were delighted to hear about Jiang Huaijing and Gu Nian’s decision. Xia Hehua approached her son and asked,

“Son, have you told Gu Zhiqing about Xu Zhiqing?”

After observing Xu Xing for some time, Jiang Huaijing had confirmed that he had issues—sometimes extremely gentle, other times violent and unpredictable.

Such a man was not suitable for Jiang Su. Since Gu Nian had warned them about him, they owed her their gratitude.

“I forgot. I’ll go tell her now.”

Xia Hehua gave her son a disdainful look. He was clearly too excited and had lost his head.

“Remember to take some cured meat with you.”

That evening, Jiang Huaijing carried a piece of cured meat to Gu Nian’s place. Thinking about seeing the woman he longed for, his steps felt lighter.