Chapter 5 – First Meeting

Xia Tian was stunned. Since she had arrived yesterday, this older brother had only asked a question at the door and hadn’t said anything else.

She was curious, wondering what kind of person this older brother was.

Unexpectedly, Xia Yang turned around, half-squatted, and said, “Siya, come up. Big Brother will carry you out.”

A warm current surged through Xia Tian’s heart. She didn’t overthink it, simply saying, “Thank you, Big Brother,” before climbing onto Xia Yang’s back, allowing him to carry her out of the door.

Xia Yang only set her down outside the main door of the Xia family after walking out a bit further. Aside from the second branch of the Xia family, everyone else had stayed hidden inside their homes, not coming out.

Xia Tian, carrying her bundle, waved goodbye to her parents, older brother, older sister, younger brother, and younger sister standing at the doorway before turning to follow the matchmaker, Liu, away.

Liu’s village, was about an hour’s walk from Xia Family Village. Along the way, Liu briefly told Xia Tian about the situation of the groom’s family. Soon, they arrived at Liu’s village.

The sickly person was called Shen Nian and lived near the end of the village.

Liu led Xia Tian from the village entrance, where there was a big willow tree, greeting the villagers along the way. If someone asked, she introduced Xia Tian as the newlywed wife of the Shen family boy, who was from outside the village.

The villagers curiously observed Xia Tian as they passed by. Xia Tian, walking behind Liu, lowered her head, pretending to be shy and not saying a word.

The villagers only thought the new bride was embarrassed, teasing her a bit before moving on.

When they arrived at Shen Nian’s house, Xia Tian looked at this house, which was no different from the others in the village, and felt a bit nervous.

She didn’t know what kind of person Shen Nian was, or if they’d get along.

Suddenly, Xia Tian felt a wave of fear, an apprehension about the unknown, which made her reluctant to step forward.

Liu Matchmaker pushed open the door, then turned to wave at Xia Tian. Taking a deep breath, Xia Tian stepped into the yard.

Liu Matchmaker entered and called out loudly to Shen Nian as she headed to the main room, “Shen boy, I’ve brought your wife! Come out and take a look.”

Xia Tian, hands nervously clutching her bundle, stood in the yard, her eyes fixed on the doorway.

Not long after, accompanied by a few coughs, the curtain at the door of the main room opened. A tall man wearing a rough linen shirt and looking handsome, about 1.8 meters tall, stepped out.

Xia Tian was stunned the moment she saw the man’s face.

My goodness! He’s so handsome!

Xia Tian couldn’t find the words to describe it, but anyone who can imagine the expression of someone in ancient clothes with a furrowed brow would understand. He was even more handsome than that.

In her previous life, she was a die-hard fan of that actor, so seeing him in real life was a dream come true!

If this is Shen Nian, she would be smiling in her sleep!

Xia Tian was both nervous and excited. This should be Shen Nian, right? Right?

She silently prayed and turned her gaze to Liu Matchmaker, hoping for confirmation.

Unfortunately, Liu didn’t catch the signal.

But soon, she would know.

Liu, smiling with her wrinkled face, looked at the pouch Shen Nian handed her, and said, “Shen boy, if you ever need anything, come find your aunt!”

Shen Nian nodded, then glanced at Xia Tian after Liu left the yard. The girl had been staring at him earlier, which made him frown in disdain, “Come in.”

Xia Tian licked her lips, calming her excited heart, and followed him inside.

It was probably a little past eight in the morning, and the sun was bright, making the room quite well-lit.

Right inside the door, to the right, was a large kang (heated brick bed), with two large wooden chests at the foot, on top of which were bedding and covers. In the center of the kang was a table, with an open book on it, likely left there by Shen Nian while reading.

On the opposite side of the room stood a three-story tall cabinet, and under the left window was a square table with two stools. Near the door was a washstand, with a towel draped over it and a wooden basin placed on top. There was nothing else, and it was simpler than the main hall of the Xia family’s house.

Xia Tian noticed Shen Nian sitting on a stool by the left table. Without waiting for an invitation, she quietly sat on the other stool.

Shen Nian watched the unfamiliar girl’s actions, raising an eyebrow. “Hmph, still a bold one.”

Xia Tian, on the other hand, discreetly examined Shen Nian. She saw his thin frame, pale lips, and frequent coughing, confirming that he was indeed quite ill.

Such a pity, being so handsome!

Although his clothes were no different from the villagers’, his exceptional looks and demeanor suggested that his background wasn’t ordinary.

Xia Tian’s mind immediately started spinning with conspiracies.

Having read countless spy thrillers and palace intrigue novels, she thought about the rich young masters hiding in a village to escape disaster, or noble young masters in hiding, waiting for their opportunity… there were plenty of such stories.

Xia Tian almost laughed at herself for these wild thoughts. Could she possibly be the chosen one, destined to help a fallen prince take revenge and rise to the top?

“Cough, cough.”

A sudden cough pulled Xia Tian back from her daydream.

She involuntarily cleared her throat, realizing she had been thinking too far.

“Xia… Miss, marrying you wasn’t my intention, but since you’re here, just do your part. I don’t need anyone to serve me personally, just make sure to prepare three meals a day on time.”

Shen Nian’s straightforward, emotionless voice made Xia Tian feel like she was here for a job interview.

“You’ll live in the next room. Apart from cleaning, you should stay out of here as much as possible.”

The cold tone made Xia Tian think that this wasn’t a newlywed couple at all, but a boss and an employee!

A domineering CEO!

But that suited her just fine!

Xia Tian nodded. He was handsome, so he could call the shots.

As a little sparrow like her, she had to know her place.

When she first saw Shen Nian, she had wondered why someone like him would marry a village girl.

Now she understood. He just wanted a maid.

In less than two days since arriving, all her confusion, anxiety, and fear about her unknown life had been swept away.

See? Life isn’t that bad!

With her role clearly defined, Xia Tian straightened up. “Shen Nian, your name is Shen Nian, right? Does that mean, from now on, we’re just partners in life, right?”

Shen Nian thought for a moment, and then nodded, repeating what Xia Tian had said, “More or less.”

“Then, should I call you Shen Nian? Or Shen Gongzi? Or Shen Dage?”

“Shen Dage.” Shen Nian paused before replying.

“Okay, Shen Dage, let me introduce myself. I’m Xia Tian, like the Xia Tian season, you can just call me by my name. I’ll do my best. Just watch my performance!”

Shen Nian watched as Xia Tian became excited, and inwardly understood. This girl probably didn’t want to marry, but that was fine. It saved him a lot of trouble.

Xia Tian went to the next room, set down her bundle, and took a look around. On the left was another large kang, with two wooden chests on it, and neatly arranged bedding on top.

Although it was simple, it was clean. She thought, since she had fallen to this point, she couldn’t afford to be picky.

Xia Tian figured it was the first day of meeting, so she might as well leave a good impression on her new partner.