Chapter 19: About Romance

When the sun’s intensity was not so strong anymore, Shuxin and Luo Yue returned to the village, escorting him back to the youth station, but this time they weren’t hiding from the villagers.

Since Shuxin had decided to be in a relationship with Luo Yue, she naturally wouldn’t keep it a secret and openly told the villagers that Luo Yue was her boyfriend, asking them to help him a little.

Before Shuxin even got home, the news about her relationship with Luo Yue had already spread throughout the village. The Liu family was no exception; they knew Shuxin had a strong personality and was decisive. Now that she was bold enough to accompany Luo Yue back, they figured they wouldn’t give up easily and planned to talk to her when she returned.

The people at the youth station were also surprised. Luo Yue was impressive; he had been there for less than half a month and had already won the village beauty over, and she was quite the gem. They had heard from the villagers that Liu Shuxin was about to start working in the city, and they hadn’t even decided whether or not to pursue her, yet Luo Yue had already won her heart.

Shuxin didn’t pay attention to those people and directly took Luo Yue to the door, reminding him, “I’ll tell the team leader in a bit that you won’t be going out to work in the fields anymore; you’ll be helping my grandmother with the pig grass. If you can’t manage that, find my brother, and I’ll explain it clearly to him.”

“Okay, I’ll listen to you. I believe you can support me,” Luo Yue replied in a spoiled tone, pretending to be a small wife.

Shuxin didn’t say much more and turned to leave, thinking to herself: She would take him to get familiarized tomorrow. Since he was weak, she would give Liu Nai some money to buy a few eggs in the morning and ask her to cook them for him to help him regain his strength. Buying the eggs was also to reduce family conflicts.

Once Luo Yue couldn’t see Shuxin’s back anymore, he turned back to look at Zhao Li and the others, not speaking to them. He just huffed and swayed his waist back into his room.

He wasn’t oblivious to their little schemes. Zhao Peng and Zhang Hongliang liked Zhao Li. Zhao Li neither rejected nor accepted them, keeping both of them hanging. The Zhao Li from before had even tried to flirt with him because he was good-looking, but he could see right through her intentions. As soon as she sat down, he knew what tactics she would use; he was tired of the same tricks.

Back then, he had also been amidst countless suitors, just like the women in this world. He could predict what methods Zhao Li would use. Compared to those, her tricks were far inferior to what he had dealt with before.

When Shuxin returned to the Liu family, she saw the whole family waiting for her in the courtyard.

Her brother asked, “Shuxin, have you really taken a liking to that pretty boy?”

Grandma Liu chimed in, “Yeah Shuxin, that Luo Yue looks like he’s all show and no substance.”

Mom Liu added, “Shuxin, that Luo Yue doesn’t seem like someone who can do hard work. Are you really going to support him in the future?”

Hearing her grandmother and mother’s questions, Shuxin calmly replied, “What’s wrong with liking him? Just because he’s good-looking, it’s not impossible for me to support him. I can make a living in the fields by myself; not to mention I’ll be getting a salary soon, so supporting him won’t be a problem.”

Grandpa Liu took a puff from his pipe and added, “He looks like a city boy. How long do you think he can last here? Have you thought about that?”

“Grandpa, I have thought about it. With his sickly appearance, not everyone can accept that. It’s fine for dating, but marriage can be a different story. I’m different; I can accept him and am willing to support him. If he can’t stay in the countryside, I’ll take him to the city for a while.”

Shuxin understood that everyone was concerned about her, fearing she might get taken advantage of, like drawing water with a bamboo basket—an empty endeavor. She had a good read on people and knew Luo Yue wasn’t that kind of person. He seemed to be like a gentleman from ancient times, someone who would dedicate himself to a single person for life, unwavering in his commitment.

It was after meeting Zhao Li at the youth station that Shuxin began to speculate about Luo Yue’s origins. Since there was a time-traveling woman like her, it was possible that others had also come from elsewhere. Comparing Luo Yue’s behavior and mannerisms, she found he resembled those refined young men often found in stories set in matriarchal societies.

Having guessed Luo Yue’s background, she didn’t intend to retract her thoughts; instead, it solidified her resolve. They both embodied the dynamics of a matriarchal society—with her in the outer realm and him managing the home. This idea intrigued her; she looked forward to seeing how things would unfold.

The Liu family, seeing that Shuxin was serious about that pretty boy, didn’t say much more. Although Shuxin usually appeared gentle and kind, her family knew well just how stubborn and domineering she could be.

Their family had limited strength, and they couldn’t afford to raise someone who merely ate at their expense. However, since Shuxin had argued that she was capable, there was no worry on that front. At worst, they would have to keep a close watch to ensure that pretty boy wouldn’t hurt their Shuxin.

Early the next morning, Shuxin took some eggs to find Luo Yue. The Liu family was bemused by this; she hadn’t even married him yet, and already she was buying eggs for him. What would happen when they actually got married?

Arriving at the youth station’s entrance, Shuxin saw Luo Yue had been waiting for her there for a while. She hurried over to him, pulling the eggs from her pocket and placing them in his palm.

“You could have waited inside. What if you catch a cold standing out here? Hurry and eat. I had my grandma boil you some eggs. I gave her money so that she can make you one every day, and when I’m not in the team, my brother will bring them to you.”

“Mm, Xinxin is the best! I’ll definitely eat them all, nourish my body, and not make you worry,” Luo Yue replied sweetly as he ate, looking satisfied.

The others at the youth station watched Luo Yue eat the eggs without any reservation and make a fuss over Liu Shuxin. Ugh! It made their skin crawl. They had known Luo Yue looked weak, but they hadn’t expected him to be so effeminate, acting so charmingly towards a woman and doing it so effortlessly.

As Luo Yue finished the eggs, Shuxin also pulled out some candies from her pocket to give him as a snack. The others fell silent—clearly, they were not in the same league.

Shuxin didn’t care what others thought; she led Luo Yue to work. Arriving at the warehouse, they looked for Liu Yan, the son of Captain Liu Shuangquan, who was in charge of work allocations.

“Yan Ge, this is my boyfriend Luo Yue. He’s weak and can’t do fieldwork; please let him help the women with the pig grass,” Shuxin said, pulling Luo Yue to Liu Yan’s desk.

“Sure, Shuxin, you move quickly! Your boyfriend is currently the most favored by our team leader. The young girls in the village all have their eyes on him; you really got in there first!” Liu Yan teased while writing down Luo Yue’s name for the pig grass allocation.

“Then he better be quick; otherwise, like you, if he goes late, he’ll only get the leftovers. Aren’t I lucky to have my sister-in-law’s talent, or you wouldn’t be enjoying such good fortune now, Yan Ge!” Shuxin chuckled, not holding back her playful banter as she watched him write down Luo Yue’s name, then she took her basket and went to find Grandma Liu.

When Grandma Liu saw Shuxin bringing that pretty boy to her, her expression changed. What could she do? Her own granddaughter had made this choice; there was no arguing, and she had to grudgingly accept it.

Luo Yue understood that the Liu family didn’t think highly of him and acknowledged that he wasn’t their ideal son-in-law. As long as Shuxin liked him and they didn’t set traps for him, he would be content.