Chapter 6: Gratitude and Crisis

After the floodwaters receded, the village was left in ruins. Lin Yue, along with the villagers, began the difficult task of rebuilding their homes. Just as they were struggling to recover, a mysterious man arrived in the village.

He introduced himself as Su Yichen, a wealthy merchant from a nearby town. Upon hearing about the disaster that had struck the village, he had come to offer aid. He brought with him an abundance of supplies—food, clothing, and building materials—providing much-needed relief to the villagers. Grateful for his generosity, the villagers welcomed him warmly.

As Lin Yue interacted with Su Yichen, she quickly noticed that he was no ordinary merchant. His refined speech and elegant demeanor set him apart from most traders. There was something enigmatic about him.

However, Su Yichen’s arrival was not entirely altruistic. He had been secretly observing Lin Yue for some time, intrigued by her intelligence and unique charm. During a private conversation, he subtly expressed his feelings for her, offering to take her to the town, where he could provide her with a life of wealth and comfort.

Lin Yue was taken aback by his proposal. Without hesitation, she firmly refused, saying, “Young Master Su, I appreciate your kindness, but my heart already belongs to Zhao Yu. Our love is steadfast, and I will not leave him. Furthermore, the villagers need me. I want to help them rebuild their homes.”

A fleeting shadow of disappointment crossed Su Yichen’s face, but he did not give up. Instead, he decided to stay in the village, waiting for another opportunity.

Meanwhile, strange incidents began occurring in the village. Some villagers reported that their belongings had mysteriously gone missing, and shadowy figures were spotted lurking at night. Lin Yue couldn’t shake the feeling that these events were somehow connected to Su Yichen’s arrival. However, without solid evidence, she could do nothing but remain vigilant.