Chapter 43

Jiang Tiantian followed her usual morning jogging routine, but today, she had company.

As soon as she opened the door in the morning, she saw Cha Jiuzhang waiting in the courtyard.

“Let’s go, I’ll run with you.”

“Alright, let me call Mop over.”

The little pup should get up and start working too.

But Mop remained unmoved, lying in his doghouse with his head down. He lazily opened one eye to glance at her coolly before burying his head back, playing the part of a melancholic soul.

To top it off, he used his two front paws to cover his eyes.

The message was clear: Out of sight, out of mind!

Jiang Tiantian: Hey, my patience with this dog is running thin…

Yet, she still softened her tone and coaxed him gently, “Mop, if you keep ignoring me, I’ll truly become a dog that gets ignored.”

Mop: “Woof, woof~”

Still ignoring her.

Today, even beef tripe and liver wouldn’t work.

His pride had been wounded last night—his fragile little heart was so shattered that even beef intestines couldn’t stitch it back together!

Jiang Tiantian tempted him for a long time, but nothing worked. Frustrated, she finally lost her patience.

“Mop, this attitude of yours is wrong. You can’t be complacent and stagnate in your ways.”

“Remember, life isn’t just about the village dogs. There are dogs all over the county, even all over the world.”

“Just because you’re popular in the village doesn’t mean you’re anything outside of it. Don’t believe me? Ask your dog dad—aren’t the city dogs in Beijing more impressive and more popular with the female dogs?”

Cha Jiuzhang: “?”

Under Jiang Tiantian’s threatening glare of ‘You dare not cooperate?’, he silently nodded.

Mop: “!!!”

It was like a thunderbolt striking his soul!

His world crumbled!

His once joyful dog life was now in shambles.

The village’s little female dogs always told him he was the most handsome dog in the world!

Were they lying?

Or… was it because they hadn’t seen much of the world?

If outside dogs came here, would he be rejected?

—-

Jiang Tiantian continued to guide him patiently.

“Mop, I’m doing this for your own good. If you don’t work hard now to improve your skills and make achievements, what will you use to compete with other dogs in the future?”

“The world is vast, open your mind…”

“In the future, there will be beautiful little female dogs everywhere, all for you to choose from!”

“Think about it—slim ones, chubby ones, gorgeous ones everywhere, a whole harem of three thousand beauties, all competing for your attention…”

Mop couldn’t sit still anymore. He sprang out of his doghouse, tongue lolling out, panting excitedly~

His eyes were practically sparkling with pink hearts~

Jiang Tiantian remained serious. “Still want to slack off?”

Mop: “Woof, woof!”

I want to be a hardworking dog!!!

With renewed enthusiasm, he dashed out the door, his long fur bouncing with determination~

“Mission accomplished!”

Jiang Tiantian snapped her fingers in satisfaction.

Hmph~

Silly dog, you think I can’t handle you?

Cha Jiuzhang, who had been watching the entire scene, felt his worldview shatter…

The strangest part?

The little pup actually understood everything.

Should he be proud that his dog was so intelligent?

Or should he be worried that his dog was this motivated by lust?

“You’re sure this kind of education is okay?”

Jiang Tiantian rolled her eyes. “What do you know? This is called teaching according to one’s aptitude.”

Cha Jiuzhang silently swallowed, secretly shifting 10% of their future child-rearing responsibilities from Jiang Tiantian onto himself.

The two followed Mop to the village entrance.

They watched as Mop joyfully ran off into the mountains with the rest of the village folks.

Looking at his energetic figure, playfully chasing after another dog, Jiang Tiantian laughed and asked,

“Hey, don’t we look like an old married couple sending our son off to school?”

Cha Jiuzhang chuckled, his beautiful peach blossom eyes lighting up.

He reached out, gently squeezing her small hand.

“Hmm, I’m just waiting for you to give me a real son.”

Jiang Tiantian rolled her eyes. “What if it’s a daughter?”

Cha Jiuzhang’s voice softened. “Son, daughter—it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s yours, I’ll love them all.”

“Ew~”

Jiang Tiantian shuddered and quickly pulled her hand away.

Ever since his dramatic outburst last night, it seemed he was committed to running full speed down this romantic road, never looking back.

With that face, he was much better suited for the cold and aloof aesthetic.

“Keep running, this is just the warm-up.”

She immediately took off.

“Let’s race to the hill outside the village!”

Cha Jiuzhang stood there, nearly stomping his feet in frustration.

This woman—why didn’t she react like she was supposed to?

Shouldn’t she have blushed and shyly leaned into his arms?

Clearly, the love advice those fools in the dormitory gave him was unreliable.

There was no way he’d lose to a dumb dog in wooing her…

—-

The two ran one after the other until they reached the hilltop.

Jiang Tiantian turned around, her face slightly flushed from exertion, watching him approach with a playful smile.

As he got closer, she spread her arms wide.

“You lost! Your punishment is… a sweaty hug!”

A gleam flashed in Cha Jiuzhang’s eyes.

He absolutely loved this arrogant and lively side of her.

Speeding up, he dashed over and scooped her into his arms, burying his face in her scent.

Thanks to their exercise, her natural fragrance was even stronger, making his heart race~

The two sat side by side on the hill.

They watched as the sun slowly rose over the mountain peak.

In an instant, the entire valley broke free from the mist and was bathed in golden light.

Absolutely breathtaking.

“Do you like this life?” Cha Jiuzhang turned to her and asked.

“I do.”

The weather was good, the scenery beautiful, the food delicious, and the people kind.

And right now, she had someone dear to her by her side.

How could she not like it?

“What’s your plan for today?”

It seemed like this girl was always busier than he was, never sitting still.

Jiang Tiantian suddenly jumped up. “Crap! Grandma Liu said they were making tofu early this morning!”

“Hurry up, we’re gonna be late!”

She pulled Cha Jiuzhang up and sprinted toward the village.

Her body, strengthened by medicine, had incredible endurance, stamina, and flexibility.

Cha Jiuzhang had to push himself to the limit just to keep up.

If he hadn’t spent the past few days with her, he would’ve doubted whether the delicate girl he first met that night was just an illusion.

On the 25th day of the lunar month, people traditionally made tofu!

Back in the day, making tofu symbolized good fortune, as the word “tofu” sounded similar to “fu” (happiness) in Chinese.

Though it wasn’t the lunar month now, with life being better, people could make tofu anytime they wanted.

By the time Jiang Tiantian arrived at Grandma Liu’s house, the elderly couple was already grinding soaked soybeans in a stone mill.

“Tiantian, you made it just in time! We just started,” Grandma Liu greeted warmly.

“Grandpa Liu, let me do it!”

Cha Jiuzhang stepped forward, taking over the heavy task of turning the stone mill.

Jiang Tiantian curiously observed the ancient, hand-operated process.

Her hands were itching to try it herself~

“Move over, let me have a go!”