Chapter 18: I Really Do Like You

“Chen Yu’an, long time no see.” Jiang Yunhe took a few steps back, leaned against the wall, then suddenly lifted her leg to knee him in the crotch. At the same time, she shoved him back, one hand clamping around his neck, pinning him firmly.

“Jiang Yunhe, what are you doing?” Chen Yu’an was stunned by her sudden move, unsure whether to guard his upper half or lower half. He stood frozen in disbelief.

Just three days ago, when she saw him, she still looked at him with admiration and deep affection in her eyes.

But now? Why did she look so cold and indifferent?

“You’re still mad? Just because I didn’t give you 300 yuan? Jiang Yunhe, I didn’t think you were such a shallow person. How could you be like this?”

“Shallow?” Jiang Yunhe let out a short laugh. At first it was just a faint smile, but it quickly turned into uncontrollable laughter—so hard her stomach cramped.

She had already thrown this man out of her mind long ago!

But now, seeing him again, those buried memories came rushing back.

In her previous life, back when she didn’t even understand what love really was, she had briefly liked him… No, more accurately, she had a small crush.

They interacted occasionally, had a few conversations.

Back then, Jiang Yunhe thought she had found love. So when her family decided to sell her off, she didn’t hesitate to ask Chen Yu’an for help—just a bit of money.

But what did he do?

Not only did he refuse to help, he turned around and sold her out, which made Sun Meilin even more wary of her and indirectly led to her being forced to marry Wang Tiejiang.

And now he dares to show up again, trying to make himself relevant?

Chen Yu’an tried to move—he couldn’t just be overpowered by a woman like this. It was too humiliating.

He attempted to push her away.

Unexpectedly, she grabbed him by the throat again!

“Comrade Chen,” Jiang Yunhe sneered, “you’re from the capital, aren’t you? Don’t pretend you don’t know—this isn’t being shallow. This is reality! I’m not some lovesick idiot. And you? You’re not even worthy of making me become one. Why should I care about your feelings?”

“You…” Chen Yu’an was thrown off by her words, totally unable to keep up with her pace.

“Get lost!”

“Wait! Jiang Yunhe, I really don’t have 300 yuan! But I’ve thought of something else—we can run away together!” Chen Yu’an gritted his teeth through the pain, eyes full of hope. No matter what, convincing her to leave with him was the priority. Seriously.

Jiang Yunhe paused. That hadn’t happened in her past life. She only found out later that the only reason Chen Yu’an ever approached her was because of Fang Mianmian.

Since they were both from the capital and had been sent to the same rural commune, he had shamelessly set his eyes on that woman.

But Fang Mianmian never gave him the time of day.

So Chen Yu’an settled for the next best thing—her.

Could it be…

But how would Fang Mianmian know about this?

Chen Yu’an had no clue he’d already been seen through. Seeing the blank look on her face, he thought she was hesitating.

After all, his looks did stand out among these country folks.

Not just Jiang Yunhe—plenty of other girls had tried to flirt with him, hoping for something more. But because of his loyalty to Fang Mianmian, he’d never acted on it. Instead, he had willingly served her.

“Jiang Yunhe, you know my situation. Yes, I’m from the capital, but my family’s really not well-off. Three hundred yuan—that’s just too much for me!”

“Oh?”

“Listen, if we elope, all your current problems will go away. We’ll go to the capital, start a new life. I promise, I’ll treat you well. The 300 yuan bride price—you’ll get it one day.”

“Wow… What a huge promise.” Jiang Yunhe immediately saw through him. He thought she was that gullible?

“I’m not lying! I really do have feelings for you!” Chen Yu’an, ignoring the pain, tried to pull her into his arms. He was practically desperate—utterly pathetic.

But would Jiang Yunhe let him?

Obviously not!

She grabbed his collar and shoved him back against the wall again, keeping him at a very calculated distance—no chance to get close.

What a joke.

“Chen Yu’an, I’m warning you—stay away from me!”

“Jiang Yunhe, I really like you!”

“Pfft. How much is your love worth?!” Jiang Yunhe was so disgusted her hairs stood on end. Damn, this was nasty.

What kind of karma had she accumulated to ever think this man was some graceful gentleman?

The truth was, he was nothing like that.

Chen Yu’an’s expression stiffened. For a moment, he truly didn’t know how to respond.

He always thought—maybe he wasn’t as handsome as Pan An, but surely he was on par with Song Yu. How could she despise him like this?

And yes, the look on Jiang Yunhe’s face spelled one thing loud and clear: disgust. And that was painful.

“You once said—”

“Said what?” Jiang Yunhe asked coolly. Despite the time that had passed, she was confident. Having lived in fear so long, she would never say anything she couldn’t back up.

Especially not something as big as love.

Chen Yu’an faltered. He searched his memory carefully—and realized, she’d never said anything like that.

Not even a promise.

Damn it. She was playing him.

Jiang Yunhe had been planning to let him go, but now—she didn’t feel like it anymore.

Because his face was now plastered with one word: scheme.

“Come on, tell me—what task did Fang Mianmian give you this time?”

“Who’s Fang Mianmian…” Chen Yu’an’s eyes flickered, but he flatly denied it. “Jiang Yunhe, are you jealous? I’ve already explained—me and Comrade Fang only talked because we’re from the same place. That’s all. If you’re angry about that, how are you different from a jealous shrew?”

“……”

Heh. Look at that—how skilled he was at emotional manipulation. Three sentences and the blame was suddenly hers.

And worse—she couldn’t even call it out directly.

If this were the foolish version of her from her past life, she might’ve believed it. She believed whatever anyone told her.

But now? She only felt it was laughable.