Chapter 3

“Educated Youth Ruan, where are you going? Don’t you need work points?”

The old team leader’s sharp eyes spotted Ruan Mingfu walking off the field and immediately scolded her.

Ruan Mingfu retracted her leg and behaved very obediently.

“I’m going back right now…”

She couldn’t afford to offend this old man. Otherwise, he might not assign her lighter tasks in the future.

The team leader glanced at her and then looked away.

In the distance, the rumbling sound of a machine suddenly started.

Ruan Mingfu turned to look.

A tractor drove over, and it was being driven by Xie Yanzhao. He shook the joystick and parked the tractor, then hopped off with a smooth, stylish move that caught Ruan Mingfu’s eye.

Xie Yanzhao had a chiseled face with striking features. Perhaps due to his military service, his skin was slightly darker. There was a three-centimeter scar on his left cheek, which made him look fierce and rugged.

This man seemed to meet all her aesthetic standards.

Ruan Mingfu’s frustration from yesterday had dissipated somewhat.

After all, he was quite handsome.

The old team leader’s wrinkled face broke into a beaming smile.

“Wonderful! The tractor is finally repaired. Comrade Xie, we really appreciate it.”

Xie Yanzhao wiped the sweat off his face. “No need to mention it.”

The tractor was old, with worn-out parts. It had broken down many times and had been patched up. A month ago, it broke down again, and even the machinery factory said it couldn’t be repaired.

Yet Xie Yanzhao managed to fix it.

“Comrade Xie fixing the tractor is a huge benefit to our village.”

“Indeed, Comrade Xie is amazing.”

“Absolutely, Comrade Xie, could you teach us how to drive it…”

The villagers praised him, each adding their comments.

The strength of a village was often measured by the presence of a tractor. If a family could use it for weddings and other events, they would be the talk of the town.

Ruan Mingfu looked at Xie Yanzhao standing among the crowd, standing out like a crane among chickens.

No, she had to make a move on this man!

….

Xie Yanzhao, having extricated himself from the enthusiastic villagers, saw several comrades waving at him from the field’s edge.

“Old Xie, how does it feel to be praised by so many people?”

He didn’t speak, taking the water bottle handed to him and drinking deeply.

As he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbed, adding an indescribable allure and sensuality. Xie Yanzhao let out a deep breath and wiped the water off his lips.

“Old Xie, don’t keep such a stern face. Smile more often. Your scowl could scare children.”

So fierce, who would want to spend their life with him?

The speaker was Xu Zhu, who had known Xie Yanzhao since childhood and was his best friend.

Xie Yanzhao tossed the water bottle back to him, looking down from his height, “I’m just not the smiling type by nature.”

Listen, listen to this, is this human language?

Xu Zhu was well aware of this person’s temperament and couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.

“Have you taken a liking to any of the female comrades you met yesterday?”

The other comrades perked up at this question.

“Old Xie, tell us, who are you interested in?”

“Yes, if you like someone, we’ll go propose for you!”

“That’s right…”

Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow, “So, who do you think is good?”

“Xiao Li is good, she’s educated and a high school graduate!”

“Xiao Lin is even better; she’s virtuous and capable. As someone with experience, I say you should find someone like her.”

“Xiao Lin isn’t suitable, she’s not pretty. I think Xiao Zhang is good, she’s beautiful…”

The discussion grew heated, almost to the point of a fight.

“I’ve noted all your suggestions,” Xie Yanzhao leaned against a large tree, casually observing them, “I’ll relay everything you said to the sisters-in-law.”

The mention of their wives made the men shiver.

“Old Xie, give us a break. We won’t rush you into finding someone, okay?”

Xu Zhu was speechless, “So, you really didn’t like any of them?”

“Are you sure it’s me choosing them, not them choosing me?” Xie Yanzhao’s posture against the tree made him look even taller and more striking.

Xu Zhu’s face showed embarrassment.

Yesterday, everything seemed fine. The female comrades were quite willing. But when Xie Yanzhao appeared, they acted like they had seen a venomous snake, eager to flee.

He was also annoyed with Xie Yanzhao.

He was a good soldier, but his demeanor was like that of a brooding gangster, making it hard even for a female mosquito to approach him.

That being said, Xu Zhu wasn’t happy seeing his good friend treated so dismissively by the female comrades.

He had to find a fairy for his friend and show those women!

*

Ruan Mingfu was pulling weeds when she suddenly looked up and saw Xie Yanzhao heading towards the mountains. Seeing it as a good opportunity, she quickly ran over to ask for leave.

The team leader gave her a perplexed look, “…What did you just say?”

“I have a stomachache,” Ruan Mingfu feigned a pained expression.

The team leader’s own stomach started to hurt, “Why are you holding your chest if your stomach hurts?”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Oh no!

The team leader closed his eyes and waved his hand impatiently, “…Fine, go on, just go.”

Such a mess, she couldn’t even pretend properly.

Ruan Mingfu didn’t care what the team leader thought as long as she got the leave. On her way back to the educated youth camp, Ruan Mingfu was bubbling with joy, imagining Xie Yanzhao flattering her and falling at her feet.

“Educated Youth Ruan, why are you back?”

The educated youth camp was empty as everyone was at work, except for Zhu Hong, who had spoken to her earlier. She had an injured foot and had been on leave for a few days.

“I took leave.”

Zhu Hong, the only person there, didn’t ask further.

As Ruan Mingfu was about to enter the house, she paused and asked, “How should I pursue a… a man?”

Zhu Hong wasn’t valued at home. She had to send the savings from her rations back. Since she started cooking for Ruan Mingfu, she has been able to exchange her labor for a dozen or twenty eggs a month.

Her life had improved.

But Zhu Hong had always been kind to Ruan Mingfu, otherwise, she wouldn’t have asked such questions.

“Me?” Seeing Ruan Mingfu nod, Zhu Hong continued, “I don’t know.”

Ruan Mingfu wasn’t disappointed but then heard Zhu Hong add, “However, I’ve heard from the elders that to win a man’s heart, you need to win his stomach.”

Ruan Mingfu recalled her past life.

Whenever her father came home, her mother would cook a pot of soup, and her father would drink it all up, leaving none for her and her brother…

Ruan Mingfu’s eyes brightened.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was a good strategy.

She grabbed Zhu Hong’s hand with eager eyes, “Zhu Hong, teach me to cook.”

“Ah?”

Even if Ruan Mingfu didn’t know how, couldn’t she learn? With her intelligence, cooking a dish shouldn’t be too difficult. It should come easily.

*

In the kitchen, Zhu Hong watched with difficulty as Ruan Mingfu cut vegetables.

Every time Ruan Mingfu cut a potato, Zhu Hong shuddered. Seeing the uneven potato slices on the cutting board, Zhu Hong had to look away.

“Educated Youth Ruan, let me do it,” Zhu Hong tried to stop her, “Cooking is much harder than cutting vegetables. Let me handle the heavy lifting.”

Ruan Mingfu looked at the potato slices that resembled Mahjong tiles and shyly said, “Okay then.”

Zhu Hong took the knife and got into position.

She clearly had experience in the kitchen. Her knife skills were quick and precise.

With the ingredients prepared, it was time to start cooking.

Ruan Mingfu planned two dishes: spicy stir-fried potatoes and tomato scrambled eggs. Since there were no eggs at the educated youth camp and she had none either, Zhu Hong contributed two.

With Zhu Hong as her mentor, Ruan Mingfu cooked smoothly.

She tasted it and found it quite good.

She knew it—how could her intelligence be defeated?

Seeing this, Zhu Hong let out a sigh of relief.

It had been tough for her.

In fact, Zhu Hong did most of the cooking while Ruan Mingfu only helped a bit, contributing to the sense of participation by stirring the dishes a few times before they were done.

Ruan Mingfu packed Xie Yanzhao’s portion into a lunchbox.

The rest she ate with Zhu Hong.

Before it was time to finish work, Ruan Mingfu decided to go early to avoid being spotted. But before that, she tidied herself up.

She missed her 500-square-meter dressing room and the exquisite pigeon blood red piece she hadn’t worn many times.

Such a loss…

She had styled her naturally curly long hair into a fishtail braid, with some wispy strands framing her face, making her look even more radiant. To enhance her appearance, Ruan Mingfu also wore a dress.

As for whether she looked good, Zhu Hong’s astonished eyes were a clear indicator.

Ruan Mingfu picked up the lunchbox from the table and walked out of the educated youth camp with a swaying gait.

Considering the direction Xie Yanzhao went, he should be at the reservoir.

The deeper she walked, the fewer people there were. The surroundings grew quieter and more eerie, which was somewhat frightening. If she hadn’t previously visited this place with someone, she would have turned back already.

After walking for another ten minutes or so, she finally heard voices.

Ruan Mingfu adjusted her hair and dress before gracefully approaching.

Xie Yanzhao stood out among the crowd with his tall and upright figure. He had removed his jacket, wearing only a military green vest and trousers. His exposed arms were strong and muscular.

Every movement he made exuded an explosive power that was startling.

Sweat collected on his forehead, trickling down his face. When it seemed about to fall, it quickly ran down his chin, passed over his Adam’s apple, and disappeared into his chest…

The surge of hormones made Ruan Mingfu swallow hard.

Xie Yanzhao had keen senses. Ruan Mingfu didn’t hide her gaze. When he turned his head and saw her, he even smiled at him.

The comrades working noticed the commotion and stared in shock.

There was Ruan Mingfu standing not far away, her dress highlighting her slender waist. She looked extraordinarily beautiful, like a peony bud ready to bloom, dazzlingly stunning.

Seeing Xie Yanzhao walk towards the beautiful woman, the comrades couldn’t help but criticize him.

“What a beast.”

“No wonder he kept rejecting introductions before. It turns out he had someone in mind.”

“Good for him, Old Xie finally has someone…”

Xu Zhu’s eyes lit up.

He had just said they needed a fairy, and now one had appeared at his door.

Xu Zhu felt relieved, thinking he could finally explain to the old leader and wouldn’t have to be nagged all day about Old Xie’s personal issues.

Wu Gang squinted, “…Why does she look a bit familiar?”

*

The two reached a secluded spot.

Before Ruan Mingfu could say anything, Xie Yanzhao, with his back turned to her, said firmly, “You don’t need to keep pursuing me. I won’t marry you.”

**