Chapter 18: Pretending to Be Hurt

Luo Yue found out that Shuxin would start work in a few days, and he needed to leave a good impression on her during this time. Otherwise, once she began working, he knew there would be even more rivals competing for her attention.

When it came to dealing with women, he had plenty of strategies. Back in the noble residence, he had observed many of his mother’s maidservants engage in their battles; he had secretly learned a lot, and now he finally had a chance to put that knowledge to use.

As Shuxin came out from the fields that day, she decided to head up the mountain to investigate. As she reached the foot of the mountain, she spotted a flower boy leaning against a rock, appearing to have twisted his ankle.

Now, if it had been any other man, she would have surely scoffed at him for being so weak as to be incapacitated by a twisted ankle. However, since this was Luo Yue, she felt somewhat differently. Her first impression of him had been that he was quite delicate, almost like a girl.

Despite not paying much attention to the educated youths in the past, she had heard that Luo Yue couldn’t handle the first day in the fields and had cried at the educated youth point, while even the main female character, Zhao Li, had managed to stick it out for a couple of days before giving up.

At this point, Shuxin intended to pretend she hadn’t seen him and take another path, as her instincts told her that Luo Yue would bring her more trouble than the main character. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard Luo Yue calling out to her, his eyes gleaming with moisture, making her think she might be guilty of some wrongdoing towards him.

“Miss Liu, could you help me to the educated youth point? I twisted my ankle and can’t walk.”

“Uh… I have things to do and I’m short on time. You should…”

Just as Shuxin opened her mouth to refuse, she glanced over and saw tears welling up in Luo Yue’s eyes, with a few droplets escaping and rolling down his cheeks. He was nervously twisting the hem of his shirt and lowering his head, quivering slightly.

Great, she had stirred up a hornet’s nest. If it were anyone else crying in front of her, she would’ve given them a solid punch. But with Luo Yue, she couldn’t bring herself to do it; it felt perfectly natural for him to shed tears, and he did so in such a beautiful way.

“Alright, don’t cry. I’ll take you to the point. Just extend your foot and let me see!”

Having decided to help him, she didn’t hesitate further. Seeing to a monk as they walked, she prepared herself to assess the severity of his injury; if it was serious, she would take him to the clinic for some medicine.

Luo Yue obediently extended his foot towards Shuxin, his face blushing deeply. He was so shy that he almost wished he could curl up into a ball. In a matriarchal society, a man’s foot shouldn’t be easily shown to others—only one’s future wife could look at it.

Seeing this, Shuxin thought it was quite enough. She was merely checking his ankle, not undressing him; he didn’t need to be so embarrassed.

After carefully inspecting Luo Yue’s foot, she found that only his ankle was swollen; everything else seemed fine. Satisfied, she helped him up, and they headed towards the educated youth point. To her surprise, Luo Yue’s feet were not as rough and calloused as her father’s and brothers’; they were much more delicate and had a pleasant feel to them.

Luo Yue was oblivious to the fact that the woman he admired was contemplating the state of his foot. Even if he had known, he would have likely allowed her to touch it a few more times.

Now that Shuxin was taking him to the educated youth point, it was just before the start of work. Villagers who were already there would surely notice, and soon everyone would know that Shuxin had personally escorted him there. The timing was calculated on his part; he didn’t want Shuxin to think he had staged the encounter for the villagers to see.

Today marked a successful first step; he planned to take his time with the next steps. If he rushed things and scared her away, it would be counterproductive.

Over the next two days, Shuxin encountered Luo Yue frequently, whether in the fields or on the road. Luo Yue wouldn’t approach her directly, but he always smiled warmly at her when he saw her. The incessant smiling made Shuxin feel quite exasperated; it was clear he was doing this to win her over. Now, all the villagers looked at her with knowing expressions, and simply thinking about it fueled her frustration.

The people of the Liu family were also asking her if she had developed feelings for that pretty boy. She insisted she hadn’t, but the whole village saw her helping him. She felt embarrassed that she was so captivated by his looks and tears that she fell for it.

When she ran into Luo Yue again, she had no temper left, knowing she couldn’t shake off this delicate guy.

This time they met by the riverbank. He was barely dressed, a white shirt clinging wetly to his body, and she could clearly see the texture of his skin. At that moment, she cursed her sharp eyesight; now, no matter what, she couldn’t wash away her feelings.

It was still the tail end of summer, and the sun was just as hot as it was in summer. There weren’t many people out and about in the village around noon, so she took the opportunity to go out for some fresh air. Who knew he would find a chance to linger? Was he putting radar on her? Every time was just so coincidental.

“Alright, come up here. I’m really scared of you. Did I owe you in my past life, and you’ve come to torment me this life?”

Shuxin had also resigned herself to fate, pulling Luo Yue up and using a handkerchief to wipe his wet body, although the corners of her mouth were slightly lifted as she did so.

Seeing Shuxin say that, Luo Yue didn’t mind. He leaned close to her, acting cute, and explained, “Isn’t it because you’re too outstanding? If I don’t use some tricks, when will you ever notice me?”

“Besides, you’re not losing out. I’m so good-looking and obedient. I follow your directions perfectly; we’re a great match!”

Shuxin couldn’t be angry anymore, especially since she had been attracted by his looks. She had never had a boyfriend in her past life, and in this world, she didn’t plan on staying single.

“Alright, I know you brought clothes, put them on. Otherwise, if you catch a cold, you have to remember you’re mine now. If you get sick, I’ll have to spend money!”

After he put on his clothes, Shuxin and Luo Yue sat together. He told her about his family situation, and she shared the situation of the Liu family with him.

Luo Yue looked at Shuxin and asked, “So now we’re a couple? Should I call you Shuxin or Xinxin?”

“Yeah, we’re a couple now. It’s worth all your efforts; call me whatever you like.”

Luo Yue wasn’t embarrassed; he leaned in closer to Shuxin, looking pleased, and said, “Xinxin, you know I’m weak. From now on, I’ll be relying on you. You need to take care of me, love me, and protect me. I’ll just focus on being beautiful. You’ll handle the earning and support the family. Don’t worry, I won’t hold you back!”

Shuxin didn’t find anything wrong with what he said. Luo Yue’s personality actually matched hers pretty well. After so long, her character had become independent, strong, and domineering; she was no longer suited to play the delicate daughter-in-law role.

Whether in the past or present, men liked women who could rely on them. Perhaps there would be those who appreciate her this way, but she didn’t know if she’d have the chance to meet them.

If she met a guy who was to her liking, handsome, and who liked her back, she didn’t plan on missing the opportunity. If he didn’t feel inferior because of her capabilities, and didn’t mind her working outside like a man, maybe they were meant to be.

Men have their masculine pride, and so did she. She wanted to be needed by others and acknowledged, reflecting her value and making her feel like she wasn’t living in a fictional world.

The Liu family treated her well because she was one of their own, able to create value for them, and she didn’t mind. Relationships between people were complicated.

Right now, she was living well, but she also wanted to live a more valuable life, so she was trying hard to find work in the city, venturing into broader horizons. Otherwise, given her background, she could live comfortably in the village without having to fight her way out.