Chapter 18: Tempted by Her (Part 2)

September came quickly. Dai Ning wasn’t interested in going back, but Zhao Yu’s younger siblings needed to attend school.

Zhao Ping was in eighth grade, and their village only had a primary and a middle school, with mediocre teachers at best.

This was Zhao An’an’s first year, and the little girl was both nervous and excited, rising as soon as the rooster crowed. Zhao Ping held her hand as they waved back, saying, “Goodbye, Big Brother. Goodbye, Miss Ji.”

Zhao Yu reminded Zhao Ping, “Take good care of An’an.”

“I will, Big Brother. I won’t let anyone bully her.”

The school was a bit far, located at the foot of another mountain. Both siblings carried lunch boxes to steam their food at school.

Once they were gone, Zhao Yu picked up a hoe and went to harvest peanuts. Autumn was the season of harvest, and to support a large family, he was kept busy with farming duties.

When Zhao Yu returned at noon, he saw that Uncle Qian was urging Dai Ning to go home again.

The young lady was holding a letter when Zhao Yu entered. She got an idea and said, “Tell Grandpa not to worry. Zhao Yu said he would be my tutor and teach me.”

Uncle Qian’s eyes filled with doubt as he looked over.

Zhao Yu remained calm, quietly listening to her spin her tale.

“Zhao Yu is a wonderful teacher, even better than the tutors at our house. Besides, I end up sleeping in class, which only upsets the teachers. I enjoy listening to Zhao Yu’s lectures. Who knows, with his help, I might even get into college.”

Uncle Qian was skeptical. “Miss, are you telling the truth?”

Dai Ning pulled Zhao Yu over, pointed to her textbook, took out her phone, and started recording. “Zhao Yu, explain it to Uncle Qian.”

Zhao Yu looked at Dai Ning as she blinked at him.

Without another word, he opened the physics book and calmly began lecturing.

Teaching was no challenge for Zhao Yu, as he had always tutored his younger siblings. Zhao Yu was diligent and intelligent, and though he wasn’t exactly a scholar, he was more than capable of handling Dai Ning’s lessons.

Uncle Qian’s expression softened, and he even started to believe the story Dai Ning had concocted.

Dai Ning handed him the phone, saying, “Uncle Qian, show this video to Grandpa. I’m sure he’ll be moved and won’t push me to come back.”

Uncle Qian chuckled, shaking his head as he temporarily let her off the hook and left.

Dai Ning then turned to Zhao Yu with a sweet voice, showering him with compliments. “Zhao Yu, you’re amazing! You can work, cook, handle rumors, and even teach! Is there anything you can’t do?”

Zhao Yu found it amusing.

He couldn’t help but say, “An’an and Zhao Ping walk an hour to school, but you waste such a good learning opportunity and don’t appreciate it.”

Dai Ning argued, “There’s a saying: ‘You’re not a fish, so you don’t know what fish feel.’”

Zhao Yu corrected her, “‘You’re not a fish, so how could you know the joy of fish?’”

This illiterate girl—no wonder she frustrated the teachers so much. Even the ancient scholars would turn over in their graves.

Dai Ning defended herself confidently, “Yes, exactly. I don’t like it, so I don’t like it. Why should I be forced to like what you do? I can live comfortably my whole life without studying. Why make myself learn things I hate? That would just be foolish.”

For a moment, Zhao Yu almost felt she made sense.

“…”

“Let’s not discuss this,” Dai Ning said, suddenly curious about something. “Zhao Yu, could you really handle any kind of rumor?”

Zhao Yu was puzzled.

Dai Ning said, “I believe you could.”

Two days later, when he realized what she meant, Zhao Yu was ready to strangle Ji Dai Ning!

Recently, a new rumor started spreading in the village—this one even more scandalous than the last. Yet, one thing remained the same: the protagonist was still Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu noticed the villagers’ strange looks but initially ignored them, assuming it was residual gossip from the recent incident with Du Tian falling into the river.

Today, as he finally had a spare moment to pick up Zhao An’an and Zhao Ping from school, the three of them were walking along the path by the fields when a lazy bachelor from the village whistled at him.

The bachelor sneered, “Didn’t think you had it in you, Zhao Yu! Fooling around with a big-city lady. You’re bolder than the rest of us! So, how was the taste of the rich girl?”

Zhao Yu’s expression darkened. “What did you just say?”

“Oh, getting mad, are we? You’ve got the guts to do it, but not to own up to it, huh? It’s all over the village now. They say Miss Ji is staying at your place, and you’re taking advantage. Everyone knows now, Mr. Upright Zhao Yu is just a lecher!”

Zhao Yu grabbed the man by the collar. “Try saying that one more time!”

Normally, the bachelor was all bluster, but he didn’t stand a chance in a fight with Zhao Yu. Seeing Zhao’s intimidating glare, he stammered, “I-it’s not me saying it—everyone’s saying it!”

Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. “What else are they saying?”

“They’re…they’re saying that the reason you won’t marry Du Tian is because you’re infatuated with Miss Ji’s beauty and her family’s wealth.”

Unable to hold back, Zhao Yu punched the man, who fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

With a cold gaze, Zhao Yu warned, “If I hear it again…”

“N-no more, no more, I swear!”

Nearby, Zhao An’an was terrified at seeing her big brother hit someone. Zhao Ping covered her ears protectively, fuming, “Who’s spreading such lies?”

A dozen explanations flashed through Zhao Yu’s mind, and he suddenly recalled something Ning had said two days ago: “I believe you can handle it.”

His forehead throbbed in frustration.

Good job, Ji Dai Ning, starting your own rumors without worrying about ruining your own reputation.

If the rumored lady had been anyone else, the villagers probably wouldn’t have believed it. After all, they knew Zhao Yu well; he had a solid character. But when it involved Ji Dai Ning, things were different.

Dai Ning’s beauty was bewitching, her figure alluring, and her voice soft enough to charm anyone. What man could resist? Besides, everyone had seen her family’s wealth. Marrying her would be a fast ticket to riches.

As gossip spread, Zhao Yu was now painted as a man driven by both lust and greed.

Fuming, Zhao Yu returned home to find Dai Ning in her room, painting her nails. She had chosen a soft pink shade, and her pale fingers looked lovely with a glossy top coat.

She blew on her nails, waiting for them to dry.

Zhao Yu pushed open the door, his face grim. “Ji Dai Ning!”

Dai Ning, quick-witted, guessed immediately that her recent words to Er Niu had made the rounds.

She smiled sweetly, trying to change the subject. “Doesn’t this color look nice? Want me to paint yours too?”

Zhao Yu’s chest rose and fell in anger. “Come outside.”

“Don’t be mad,” Dai Ning said. “It’s your fault for tying me up that day. I only told Er Niu, but I didn’t expect it to spread. Go confront her instead.”

“She wouldn’t go spreading rumors if you hadn’t filled her head with nonsense! Ji Dai Ning, come here and apologize.”

Dai Ning set down her nail polish. “You hypocritical bully! When Du Tian was spreading rumors, you weren’t this angry, so why are you mad now? You’re so good at stopping rumors, go say it again if it bothers you. If you keep bullying me, I’ll get mad too!”

Zhao Yu felt a headache coming on.

He grabbed her hand and led her out to the yard. “Zhao Ping, bring the family’s education stick.”

Zhao Ping dashed off and soon returned with a smooth, yellow branch about a meter long and as thick as a finger.

When Zhao Ping was younger and wilder, he used to get disciplined with this very stick. Even little An’an had felt its sting once or twice.

There’s an old saying in the countryside: “A yellow stick yields filial children.” Today, its target was to be Miss Ji. Zhao Ping gave her a sympathetic look.

Zhao Yu said, “Ji Dai Ning, hold out your hand.”

She scowled defiantly. “No way. Who do you think you are? If you dare hit me, I’ll have Uncle Qian blow up your village!”

He replied coldly, “You just won’t stop, will you?”

He held her hand, forcing her to open her palm, and struck her lightly.

Dai Ning stared in shock, speechless.

Though Zhao Yu had held back, the stick still stung. She’d never been hit in her life.

Not her grandfather, who adored her, nor even her mischievous younger brother, had ever raised a hand to her.

She looked at Zhao Yu, disbelief written on her face.

His expression was calm, and he struck her palm again.

Smack.

“Will you keep causing trouble?” he asked, his voice low. “Have you considered the consequences? You’ll do anything to achieve your goals, even use yourself. Do you realize how a reckless act like this could lead to regret that lasts a lifetime?”

Dai Ning couldn’t hold back her tears. Through choked sobs, she cursed him, “Zhao Yu, you’re done for! Your whole family’s done for! I’ll dig you up and have the wild dogs eat you!”

Despite her vicious words, she cried like a wounded flower, making him look like the villain.

With a stony expression, he struck her hand once more.

Dai Ning couldn’t bear it any longer and began wailing. “I was wrong, I was wrong! Stop hitting me, I admit it!”