Chapter 16.2

Ruan Mingfu resisted this person’s approach and wanted to refuse his suggestion without a second thought.

“Don’t be too quick to refuse me,” Zhou Peng fixed his gaze on her. “You wouldn’t want them to overhear what I’m about to say, would you?”

Zhou Peng appeared confident, as if sure she wouldn’t refuse.

Ruan Mingfu really didn’t refuse.

She knew this person was a lunatic and could do anything when pushed.

“Ruan Mingfu…”

Zhu Hong called her with concern.

Ruan Mingfu tried to smile at her but failed.

The two walked aside, to a place where others could see but not hear.

Zhu Hong stamped her foot anxiously. “…Ruan Mingfu won’t be in danger, right?”

This Zhou Peng was too terrifying; just one glance had scared her stiff.

“I wouldn’t dare to confront him,” Hu Lihong added, with a green leaf on her head, “We can only hope Ruan Mingfu will be okay.”

Other female educated youths commented:

“He looked like he was going to eat someone.”

“Too frightening, no wonder Ruan Mingfu didn’t want to marry him.”

“Could he actually be violent towards Ruan Mingfu…”

“That’s hard to say,” Hu Lihong said, then her eyes brightened. “Wait, we can go find Comrade Xie…”

Zhu Hong’s eyes lit up. “Right!”

Since he’s dating Ruan Mingfu, if we don’t find him now, when will we?

On the other side, Zhou Peng looked at Ruan Mingfu with a frown. “Mingfu, why are you afraid of me? Am I that terrifying?”

Ruan Mingfu involuntarily took a step back.

This man seemed like a demon from hell, and he was asking if she was scared?

Of course, she was scared.

“Mingfu, your behavior is making me very angry,” Zhou Peng said with a low laugh, his eyes filled with an unreadable expression. “Tell me, how should I punish you?”

Ruan Mingfu’s beautiful eyebrows were tightly knitted, never relaxing even for a moment.

“I really am not as good as you think. Can you just leave me alone?”

In this era, one needed a letter of introduction to travel, she couldn’t even leave the county. If it were in her own time, Ruan Mingfu would have left with an airplane, making sure he’d never find her in his life!

Zhou Peng took a step closer. “It doesn’t matter. No matter how bad you are, I love you.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Damn it, there’s a pervert here!

“Mingfu, didn’t I tell you to stay away from that Comrade Xie?” Zhou Peng’s expression turned serious as he looked at her with a dark gaze. “You’re testing my patience.”

Ruan Mingfu didn’t want to continue this entanglement. “Who I am with is my own business.”

“You belong to me!”

Zhou Peng’s hostility was uncontrollable as he stepped forward and grabbed Ruan Mingfu’s chin.

This not only startled Ruan Mingfu but also frightened the educated youths who were watching.

“My God, is he going to hit Ruan Mingfu?”

“It’s right that Ruan Mingfu didn’t marry him, he’s too terrifying.”

“Where is Zhu Hong? Has she come back?”

Just as the words were spoken, a breathless Zhu Hong ran back. She shook her head at the inquiring eyes of the others and said once she caught her breath:

“I went to the Wu family. They said Comrade Xie went to the commune.”

Hu Lihong anxiously asked, “What about the other comrades?”

“They… they went to a comrade’s home in the neighboring village…”

The educated youths faces changed.

“Why can’t we find anyone at a crucial moment? This is really frustrating!”

“Lihong, you’re good at coming up with ideas. What should we do?”

“What?” Hu Lihong pointed to herself, puzzled.

Zhu Hong also panicked. “We can’t just stand by and watch him hurt Ruan Mingfu.”

Hu Lihong nodded vigorously. “Alright, listen to me…”

Ruan Mingfu, restrained, was forced to look up and met Zhou Peng’s cold, malicious gaze, making her shiver involuntarily.

Her heart felt like it was crying without tears.

A madman, this person was a madman!

“Mingfu, I was initially very lenient with you,” Zhou Peng, though smiling, had a cold smile. “But you destroyed it with your own hands! Mingfu, I won’t give you a second chance.”

Ruan Mingfu tried to break free from his grip but couldn’t budge him at all.

Zhou Peng completely disregarded her strength. “Behave yourself, and I’ll make things better for your parents on the farm.”

Ruan Mingfu’s struggling stopped, and she looked at him in disbelief.

“You’re threatening me with my parents?”

“It’s necessary to make you obey,” Zhou Peng gazed at her angry face. “See, even your angry expression fascinates me.”

Ruan Mingfu’s beautiful eyes became misty with tears, and she struggled even more.

“Bastard! You’re not human!”

“Behave yourself,” Zhou Peng smiled slightly and released her. “The day after tomorrow, I’ll take you to get the certificate.”

Ruan Mingfu’s face turned red, and tears of anger streamed down.

“I’d rather die than marry you. Get lost!”

Her reddened eyes revealed no hint of ferocity.

It seemed to be the first time Zhou Peng had seen Ruan Mingfu angry, and a trace of interest flickered in his eyes. However, before he could look more closely, a clod of mud hit him.

Ruan Mingfu, holding a stone, shouted, “Get lost!!!”

Zhou Peng was about to say something but saw the educated youth team leader and all the male educated youths coming quickly. Though he wasn’t afraid, he didn’t want to cause trouble. After a deep glance at Ruan Mingfu, he turned and left.

“Ruan Mingfu, are you alright?”

Zhu Hong cautiously approached, but before she could reach her, Ruan Mingfu turned and stumbled away.

“Where is she going?” Zhu Hong was worried. “Should we follow her?”

Hu Lihong shook her head, her eyes complex.

She should go find Comrade Xie…

Hopefully, she would be lucky enough to see him.

……

Ruan Mingfu’s vision was blurred, and her tears kept streaming down. She didn’t even notice when her hair tie came loose, leaving her long hair trailing down her back.

She arrived at the Wu family’s home, peeking into the empty yard, and suddenly hesitated.

Before she could think things through, the door of the Wu family’s house suddenly opened.

Ruan Mingfu, feeling like a guilty thief, hunched her shoulders, wanting to hide. As she turned, she bumped into a solid embrace. Before she could react, the person’s large hand enveloped her shoulders, pulling her into a secluded corner.

She was about to scream but, upon seeing the person, her voice caught in her throat.

Ruan Mingfu’s red lips parted slightly, her long hair disheveled across her chest. Her eyes, red from crying, gave her a more enchanting appearance against the surrounding pale skin.

She stared blankly at Xie Yanzhao, her voice trembling slightly.

“Do the words you said about marrying me still… still count?”

**