Chapter 18.1

Xie Yanzhao’s agreement to marry her was the best news Ruan Mingfu had received since coming here.

Zhou Peng had threatened her with her parents, hitting her sore spot.

If she had to spend her life with such a despicable person, she might as well die. At least she and her parents could be a happy family of ghosts in the afterlife.

Ruan Mingfu understood Zhou Peng all too well.

Despite the current sweetness, if things turned sour in the future, she would be the one to suffer the most!

The original owner of this body also understood this, which is why she sought out Xie Yanzhao in the end.

Thinking of this, Ruan Mingfu felt a sense of triumph.

No matter how difficult the man was, he eventually fell into her hands.

Recalling how Xie Yanzhao had been so fierce as if he wanted to devour her, Ruan Mingfu felt both embarrassed and angry.

After arriving at the educated youth camp, her lips were even more swollen, making her reluctant to go out and see people. Although the swelling subsided after applying medicine, the soreness on her lips remained. Because of this, Ruan Mingfu avoided others.

“Educated Youth Ruan,”

Zhu Hong called her a few more times when she didn’t respond.

Ruan Mingfu came back to her senses, “Wh… what’s the matter?”

The peanuts were still not finished being planted, and Zhu Hong continued to work alongside her.

“I want to ask if you still need water,” Zhu Hong said, holding an empty water jug and looking at her apologetically.

In her rush to leave in the afternoon, she had forgotten to fill it. The sun had been especially harsh these days, and just standing in the field for a short while left her drenched in sweat. Zhu Hong was extremely thirsty, but it wasn’t yet time to finish work.

Ruan Mingfu was bundled up tightly, revealing only her beautiful eyes.

She handed over her own water jug.

Zhu Hong took it, giving a shy smile, “Thank you.”

She had been wearing a short-sleeved shirt, but seeing Ruan Mingfu so thoroughly wrapped up, she silently put her long-sleeved shirt back on.

After filling the jug with water and returning it, Zhu Hong tilted her head back and drank deeply.

Feeling her thirst abate somewhat, she wiped the sweat from her forehead, “After we finish planting peanuts, we should get a couple of days off.”

“That would be wonderful.”

Ruan Mingfu could hardly bear it any longer.

In this scorching weather, she would rather be lying indoors with a watermelon and air conditioning.

…..

After finally enduring until work ended, Ruan Mingfu was utterly exhausted.

Her clothes were soaked with sweat, enough to wring out water. She removed her hat, her hair matted and sticking to her forehead, which was particularly uncomfortable.

She was desperately in need of a shower!

But halfway there, someone stopped her.

Lin Yujiao was still wearing that white dress. She tried hard to appear friendly, but Ruan Mingfu could still see the contempt hidden in her eyes.

“Ruan Mingfu, can I speak with you for a moment?”

“No!”

The mere sight of Lin Yujiao made Ruan Mingfu think of Zhou Peng, and she was getting fed up with these people.

Seeing Ruan Mingfu trying to leave, Lin Yujiao hurried to block her path.

“Don’t you want to get rid of Brother Xiaopeng? I have a way.”

If Lin Yujiao had known that Zhou Peng’s response to being provoked would be to pressure Ruan Mingfu into marriage, she would never have gone down that path.

She had gone to the Zhou family today and found out that Zhou Peng had returned from the city and headed straight for the educated youth camp. After getting back to the Zhou family, he had a big argument with Mother Zhou, who, upon Lin Yujiao’s arrival, was lying in bed and pretending to be sick again.

There was a sense of resignation in her words.

How is this possible!

Lin Yujiao put so much thought into this, not just to help Ruan Mingfu.

“My affairs are my own concern. You don’t need to worry about them,” Ruan Mingfu said, casting a glance at Lin Yujiao.

This little schemer had her malicious intentions written all over her face. Ruan Mingfu would have to be out of her mind to pay her any attention. In her previous life, her plastic friend was far more calculating than Lin Yujiao, and there was no sense of accomplishment in engaging with her.

“Ruan Mingfu!”

Seeing Ruan Mingfu really about to leave, Lin Yujiao was truly anxious.

She had only one chance. If she couldn’t dissuade Ruan Mingfu, and if Ruan Mingfu ended up getting married to Zhou Peng, she might never become a wealthy wife and live a life of extravagance.

Just thinking about it made Lin Yujiao feel like she might vomit blood.

“I’ve grown up with him and know Zhou Peng’s character very well. He’s overbearing and hates being rejected.”

Lin Yujiao continued, “Once he fixates on you, you’ll never have peace!”

Ruan Mingfu looked at Lin Yujiao.

Undeniably, Lin Yujiao had pinpointed her concerns.

A person like Zhou Peng would never let her go easily. Moreover, he had the capability and the intelligence to stay hidden and strike when necessary.

“You’ll only have a chance to escape once he gets bored,” Lin Yujiao finally revealed her purpose, “But I have a solution.”

Now Ruan Mingfu was genuinely curious, “Oh? What is it?”

If she were still the top heiress surrounded by bodyguards, with money and power, she could handle someone like Zhou Peng with a mere glance.

Instead, she was now powerless.

“The best solution is to get married!”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Is that it?

She had already thought of that and had even taken action.

Lin Yujiao quickly added, “I have a great candidate in the neighboring village. Though not as well-off as the Zhou family, it’s still good. The person has a relative who is an official in the city.”

“If you marry him, Brother Xiaopeng won’t dare to touch you.”

Ruan Mingfu: “And then?”

“Then I’ll marry Zhou Peng,” Lin Yujiao said confidently, “With me watching over him, you won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Wow.

The audacity of it was astonishing.

“Go away! I’m going back.”

“Ruan Mingfu, just agree. That family is really good, among the top in the commune, and you won’t have to suffer…”

Lin Yujiao looked at Ruan Mingfu’s radiant face, and her jealousy was almost spilling out.

If it weren’t for Ruan Mingfu, she would have been engaged to Zhou Peng long ago with all the effort she’d put into pleasing Mother Zhou over the years.

Lin Yujiao silently prayed that Ruan Mingfu would agree quickly.

This was the person she had carefully selected.

If Ruan Mingfu married into that family, it would definitely make her life better!

Before Lin Yujiao could hide her smugness, there was a sharp sound, and her face stung.

“If that family is so good, why don’t you marry them?” Ruan Mingfu said, extending her fair, slender hand and giving Lin Yujiao a slap. “Don’t pretend to be some innocent green tea, it’s laughable.”

Lin Yujiao covered her face, “You!”

“Comrade Lin, you’re not that young. Why is your heart so poisonous?” Ruan Mingfu gave her a disdainful glance. “Don’t think I don’t know about the background of the family you mentioned.”

Lin Yujiao: “…”

I was dumbfounded.

Ruan Mingfu had heard enough gossip from the older women at work to know much more than Lin Yujiao did.

Take the family Lin Yujiao mentioned, for instance.

They had three sons, all of whom were married. The other two sons had settled in the county, with only the eldest son remaining nearby.

He was a truck driver, coming home only twice a month. His wife and children lived with his mother-in-law.

The problem lay with this mother-in-law.

She mistreated the daughter-in-law so badly that even during the postpartum period, the daughter-in-law was expected to wash clothes for the whole family. Eventually, the daughter-in-law was driven to suicide. The eldest son seemed unfazed, continuing to show great filial piety to the old woman.

As soon as the daughter-in-law passed, the old lady was busy arranging a new marriage for the eldest son.

Lin Yujiao was both foolish and malicious.

“Ruan Mingfu, don’t be too excessive!” Lin Yujiao said, her anger flaring. “With your bad reputation, this is the only family that wouldn’t mind. Miss this chance, and you’ll be an old maid for life.”

Ruan Mingfu smiled broadly, “Oh, but I could still marry your beloved Brother Xiaopeng~”

Lin Yujiao: “……”

She was about to explode with anger. “With me around, you’ll never marry—”

“Lin Yujiao, when did it become your place to decide my affairs?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, both women turned to see where it came from.

It was a large mulberry grove, lush and verdant. People hidden there were completely out of sight.

Lin Yujiao’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly put on a sweet smile.

“Brother Xiaopeng, when did you arrive?”

“From the moment you started speaking,” Zhou Peng said, having stopped trying to hide his true nature since that day in front of Ruan Mingfu.

Lin Yujiao: “……”

The heavens were conspiring against her!

Ruan Mingfu, having heard Zhou Peng, didn’t give him a glance and turned to leave.

“Good dogs don’t block the way!”

Lin Yujiao felt incredibly frustrated.

She had always acted gentle and understanding in front of Zhou Peng, hoping to win his favor. Now that he saw her true nature, she felt completely out of her depth. To make matters worse, Ruan Mingfu had even called her a dog.

Old grudges and new grievances surged within her.

Lin Yujiao stopped pretending and lunged at Ruan Mingfu with a vicious expression.

“Little vixen, I’ll fight you!”

But just as she began, Zhou Peng stopped her. His eyes were dark as ink, and they glared at Lin Yujiao with an unmistakable chill.

“Don’t touch my people.”

Lin Yujiao recoiled, pouting, “But… she hit me.”

“That’s what you deserve,” Zhou Peng said coldly, showing no regard for their past friendship. “She is my woman, and you’d better show her some respect.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yujiao’s face drained of color as she stared at him in disbelief.

“Brother Xiaopeng, we grew up together. We are the closest people. What does this woman have besides her face that could compare to me?”

Zhou Peng glanced at her but said nothing. His gaze returned to Ruan Mingfu, and he wore a warm smile.

“Mingfu, it seems you took my previous words to heart. I’m glad.”

Seeing this madman acting up again, Ruan Mingfu couldn’t help but take a small step back, putting some distance between them.

Zhou Peng, however, didn’t mind. “Mingfu, I’ve arranged a day off with the team leader. I’ll come to the educated youth camp to pick you up tomorrow.”

“Not possible!”

Lin Yujiao screamed.

She had gone to great lengths to marry Zhou Peng and live a life of luxury. Seeing her plans on the verge of success, she couldn’t possibly give up now.

Ruan Mingfu looked at him with guarded suspicion.

“Give it up. Even if I had to marry a dog, I would never marry you.”

She didn’t understand why he was so fixated on her, worthy of all this trouble.

Zhou Peng’s smile faded, his eyes turning cold with a layer of unmelting ice. Behind his glasses, his eyes narrowed, “Mingfu, my patience has limits. Don’t make me unhappy.”

“My patience is also limited,” Ruan Mingfu retorted, backing away as he approached, “Your actions are nothing but coercion. I… I’m going to report you!”