Chapter 11: You’re So Beautiful

Dai Ning noticed that Zhao Yu had a knack for teaching. He didn’t just stick to the textbook material for Zhao An’an and Zhao Ping; he would occasionally tell stories with morals woven in.

The man’s voice was clear and pleasant, and the two children were completely engrossed, even drawing Dai Ning in despite herself.

As long as Dai Ning didn’t disrupt the lesson, Zhao Yu didn’t mind her presence.

The rain hadn’t stopped when a young man in a raincoat came running over, calling out, “Brother Yu!”

Zhao Yu looked up; it was Liu Shuan from the same village.

With mud splattered on his calves and boots, Zhao Ping quickly invited him in. “Brother Shuan, come in and sit.”

Liu Shuan had grown up with Zhao Yu. With his thick eyebrows and bright eyes, he had a cheerful look. Entering, he greeted Zhao Ping and An’an with a smile, then noticed a girl casually sizing him up.

The girl wore a purple dress, with an amethyst necklace around her neck. She glanced at the mud on his clothes with clear distaste. Liu Shuan’s ears reddened, his initial excitement suddenly turning into discomfort.

Zhao Ping covered his mouth, amused—Miss Dai really didn’t hide her disdain for anyone.

Knowing that she looked down on others, Zhao Yu stepped in, asking, “Shuan, what brings you here?”

Liu Shuan snapped back to attention, saying, “My dad caught some fish, and he sent me over with one to help out Uncle and Auntie.”

Indeed, he held a plump fish in his hand.

Zhao Yu thanked him without any formalities, took the fish, and put it in the water tank to keep it fresh. The lively fish started swimming and blowing bubbles as soon as it hit the water.

Zhao An’an thanked him in a small voice, “Thank you, Brother Shuan.”

Liu Shuan beamed. “It’s nothing. Brother Yu has helped my family plenty.” Scratching his head, he added, “Oh, and there’s something else. Next month, I’m marrying Xiao Yan. Brother Yu, you and your family have to come to the wedding.”

At that, Zhao Ping let out a surprised “Wow!”

Zhao Yu smiled and patted Liu Shuan’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”

Liu Shuan glanced at Dai Ning, his honest face turning shy. “Miss Ji, if you’re free, you’re also welcome to come celebrate.”

Dai Ning looked annoyed and was about to speak when a large hand covered her mouth.

“She knows,” Zhao Yu replied.

Liu Shuan glanced from Zhao Yu to Dai Ning, who was struggling furiously, bewildered.

“Well, I’ll be off then. Just make sure you come.”

Liu Shuan left, visibly thrilled, as he couldn’t wait to share his joy with everyone.

Only after he disappeared into the rain did Zhao Yu release his hand from covering her mouth. Dai Ning immediately spat in annoyance, clearly indignant.

Zhao Yu gave her a look. “Weddings are happy occasions. Don’t spoil it with any snide remarks.”

Dai Ning scowled, “How do you know what I was going to say?”

Zhao Yu knew exactly—it’d be something about these mountain folk not being able to accommodate someone of her standing.

Recently, Zhao Yu had grown bolder, and Dai Ning, upset, took a few swats at him.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Zhao Yu let her hit him until she calmed down.

Seeing her still sulking, he added, “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Naturally, this made Dai Ning want to go even more.

Feeling like he had no way to deal with her, Zhao Yu said, “But you’d better not make a scene that day, understand?”

—

The rain continued through early August.

Everyone in Xinghua Village knew about Liu Shuan and Xiao Yan’s wedding. Events like these were rare, so the whole village felt uplifted by the occasion.

For Dai Ning, something good had happened as well—

Uncle Qian had brought in ten more bodyguards from outside the village, expanding her security detail to fourteen well-armed guards. She boasted that her team was strong enough to handle the entire village without breaking a sweat.

With this newfound sense of security, Dai Ning reverted to her demanding, rebellious self.

Noticing her mood, Zhao Ping quietly asked his brother, “Brother, is it just me, or has Miss Dai been extra lively these days?”

“Lively” was putting it mildly. The young lady had been going on about wanting ice cream and frozen lychees, driving her bodyguards to exhaust every possible method to fulfill her whims.

Zhao Yu replied, “Ignore her. Have we prepared everything for Shuan’s wedding?”

Zhao Ping nodded, “The fireworks and meat are all set. Should we send all the chickens?”

“Yes,” Zhao Yu said. “I’ll trade for some chicks later, so you and An’an can raise them.”

“It’s alright, Brother. I don’t mind. This is a big occasion for Brother Shuan; it should be done right.”

Seeing his younger brother act so responsibly, Zhao Yu felt gratified.

He went inside and shared the news with his parents. His father, bedridden and unable to speak, looked on with dull eyes.

His mother, on the other hand, was reflective. “In the blink of an eye, Shuan is getting married. Time really flies.”

She was a woman who had endured hardship and, despite her joy, was becoming sentimental. What began as happiness soon shifted as she looked at her eldest son, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “It’s all because of your father and me. We’ve held you back all these years.”

Zhao Yu pulled up her blanket, saying, “Mom, don’t talk like that. In a few years, when I’ve saved enough, I’ll take you to the city for treatment. You and Dad will get better, and you’ll still be able to help with An’an.”

Remembering something, his mother shook her head and took Zhao Yu’s hand, “I know my own health, so don’t waste any money on me. Save up, and… Yu, you’re eighteen now. If you see a girl you like, don’t hesitate to pursue her.”

In the village, weddings often happened young, with celebrations first and the official paperwork later when it was feasible.

Zhao Yu remained silent.

Once his mother started on this thought, she couldn’t let it go and began considering which village girls might be suitable.

“I heard from Zhao Ping that Tian Niu next door treats you quite well. What do you think…”

Zhao Yu cut her off. “Mom! She’s not interested in our family.”

His mother’s lips moved as if to speak but then fell silent, her gaze holding a faint sense of sadness and resignation. She understood all too well—her family’s situation wasn’t hidden from her. Beyond anything else, the burden alone was enough to deter any girl from wanting to marry into their family.

Their Yu is undoubtedly better-looking and more capable than any other young man, yet he still hasn’t settled down.

Zhao Yu knew what his mother was thinking and reassured her, “Don’t worry. In the city, some people don’t marry until twenty-eight or twenty-nine. I still have time. If I make more money, there’ll be no shortage of good girls to marry.”

He paused, lost in thought for a moment, then changed the subject.

“I’m going to check on my little sister.”

——

A few days later, it was time for Liu Shuan and Xiao Yan’s wedding.

Before dawn, Zhao Yu was already up, preparing to attend the wedding. He planned ahead so he could lend a hand before the banquet started.

Liu Shuan was grateful for his good friend’s thoughtfulness. Excited and nervous, he’d been glancing toward Xiao Yan’s house since five in the morning.

Zhao Yu fed firewood into the steamer. Even though they were poor, weddings were a big deal. There were eight steamed dishes, six of which had to be meat, for good fortune.

At dawn, Liu Shuan carefully donned his red groom’s robe. He couldn’t go to pick up his bride until nine, so he passed the time talking with Zhao Yu.

“Yu, do you have a girl you like?”

Staring into the firelight, Zhao Yu replied calmly, “No. You know the situation at my place.”

Liu Shuan didn’t like that answer. “Of all of us, you’re the most capable, Yu. I always thought you were destined for great things. Any girl would be lucky to marry you.”

Zhao Yu smiled faintly.

Liu Shuan continued in a hushed voice, “I heard your family gets along pretty well with Du Tian’s family?”

Zhao Yu’s tone sharpened. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Heh,” Liu Shuan chuckled, waggling his eyebrows.

Funny enough, whenever people brought up Zhao Yu’s marriage, no one ever thought of the “Miss” living at his house.

In the villagers’ eyes, Dai Ning was untouchable, someone to be honoured from afar. There was no way she’d be interested in someone from their village.

“Will Miss Ji be coming to my wedding?” Liu Shuan asked.

Zhao Yu nodded. “She said she would.”

Zhao Yu helped Liu Shuan prepare everything. Soon, Liu Shuan would go fetch his bride, but Zhao Yu’s expression shifted as a thought crossed his mind. He spoke quietly, “Liu Shuan, I need to go home for a moment.”

“Are you picking up Zhao Ping and An’an? No problem,” Liu Shuan said cheerfully. “Don’t worry. I know your parents can’t make it, so I saved them some food. You can take it back for them later.”

“Mm.” Zhao Yu didn’t explain further, heading home in the morning light.

Zhao An’an and Zhao Ping were already dressed and ready, planning to head to Liu Shuan’s house when the time was right. They were surprised to see their brother come back.

“Zhao Ping, you take An’an ahead,” Zhao Yu instructed.

Zhao Ping didn’t ask questions, simply taking his sister’s hand and leading her on.

Zhao Yu walked to his former room, took a deep breath, and knocked. “Miss.”

After a moment, the door opened.

Zhao Yu saw the girl inside, and even though he’d prepared himself, he was still taken aback.

Miss Dai stood there in a dazzling golden dress, wearing ten-centimeter heels that brought her height up to his chin.

She was like a peacock with its feathers fully displayed, radiant and striking.

“What are you doing? You interrupted my makeup,” she said.

Zhao Yu pursed his lips. “Ji Dai Ning, change into something less flashy.”

She closed the door on him. “I don’t take orders from you.”

Pride unwavering, she’d endured disfigurement before and now cherished her beauty more than ever.

Zhao Yu frowned. If she went out dressed like that, no one would look at Liu Shuan’s bride, Xiao Yan; it would turn into Miss Dai’s personal showcase.

Liu Shuan only had one wedding in his life. Zhao Yu couldn’t let him end up overshadowed, leaving his bride with such a heavy memory.

“If you don’t change, don’t go at all.”

Inside, Dai Ning was picking out a necklace. She scoffed, “Who do you think you are? If I want to go somewhere, no one can stop me.”

Only with her fourteen-bodyguard entourage did she have the confidence to talk to Zhao Yu like this.

Zhao Yu’s expression darkened. “Ji Dai Ning!”

“Keep your voice down. I’m not deaf!”

Left without options, Zhao Yu tried to reason with her, swallowing his irritation. “Miss, today is Liu Shuan and Xiao Yan’s wedding. You know we’re poor here; everyone dresses modestly. Liu Shuan and Xiao Yan will only be in simple red clothes. If you go like this, it will embarrass the bride.”

The last thing Dai Ning cared about was reason.

“You’re poor, and her clothes aren’t good—that’s my fault? So I should dress worse just because she can’t afford better? Not happening.”

Zhao Yu was at his limit. “Ji Dai Ning.”

She opened the door, fully dressed, ignoring Zhao Yu as she prepared to head to the banquet with her entourage.

A rural wedding banquet? She’d never seen one, and she was quite intrigued.

Zhao Yu grabbed her wrist, his voice dropping even lower as he tried to coax her. “Miss, you’re so beautiful. If Xiao Yan sees you, she’ll feel overshadowed. This is her special day. Please, be good and don’t stir things up.”

Dai Ning glanced back in surprise.

She asked the green orb spirit in her mind, “Did I hear that right?”

The spirit replied gloomily, “You heard right. He said you’re beautiful.”

Dai Ning’s mood lifted. This was the first time in two lifetimes that Zhao Yu had called her beautiful. In her past life, when she first met Zhao Yu, he already managed a couple of small companies, carrying himself with calm indifference, never sparing her a second glance or complimenting her.

With a pleased smile, she cupped her face and leaned close to Zhao Yu. “Am I really that beautiful?”

Zhao Yu looked at her, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. “Yes.”

For some reason, saying that word made him feel a rare bit of embarrassment. He looked away. “Wear something simpler.”

“Ask me nicely.”

At this point, Zhao Yu was numb. “Please.”

Satisfied, she nodded proudly. “Alright then.”

A subtle smile tugged at Zhao Yu’s lips.

Though she could be insufferable, this Miss was surprisingly… easy to appease.