Chapter 5: You Can Do Anything You Want to Me…

Xie Zhi, feeling a long-lost tenderness in Jiaojiao’s gaze, could barely contain his emotions. His heart almost melted as he held her trembling hand, squeezing his thigh with the other to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“This is how it should be. Jiaojiao, A Zhi is a good kid. Since everyone has seen the two of you together, tomorrow I’ll find someone to calculate your birth dates and choose a good day for your wedding,” Xu Father decided, puffing on his dry tobacco, clearly no longer interested in dinner.

After all, he knew his daughter too well. Now that she had finally come to her senses, it was best to hurry up and get the wedding done before anything changed.

The others at the table clearly shared the same sentiment, nodding in agreement.

“Jiaojiao, let’s go to town tomorrow and buy some things for the wedding,” Xie Zhi quickly suggested, lowering his head in embarrassment, unable to meet her eyes.

Xu Jiaojiao smiled helplessly. It seemed she had done too many foolish things in the past; her credibility with the family was practically zero.

With playful interest, she replied, “Alright.”

In truth, she was curious—she hadn’t seen what the town looked like yet, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Jiaojiao, after you finish eating, I’ll give you money and ration tickets,” Xu Mother, having just changed and combed her hair, joined in eagerly.

“Mom, there’s no need. I have money and commercial coupons. My family sent them to me ages ago for the wedding. Besides, the man should be the one to pay for the wedding,” Xie Zhi objected with some disapproval.

He wasn’t short on money. In fact, he had an entire box full of large banknotes, enough to make anyone’s head spin.

Looking at the family who were all working hard for her, Xu Jiaojiao felt a lump in her throat. She was increasingly convinced that she belonged in this world. She secretly vowed to change her fate from the original story.

“Bring the money anyway. It’s good to have something on hand, so you won’t feel nervous,” Xu Father said.

“Alright.”

After dinner at home, the couple returned to their small courtyard. By the time they stepped out, the sky had already turned dark.

Xie Zhi held her hand tightly, his touch as warm as a furnace. “Jiaojiao, your hands are so cold.”

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she stepped onto his toes and rubbed her head against his neck, her voice soft and playful. “Then warm me up.”

Xie Zhi felt a jolt of electricity course through him, his mind going blank. He lowered his head, his voice trembling as he asked, “Jiaojiao, we… we’re married now. Should we… should we sleep in the same room tonight?”

Xu Jiaojiao raised her head with a teasing smile, her fair little face full of charm. She leaned in and bit his cheek lightly. “You can do anything you want to me.”

Xie Zhi couldn’t hold back any longer. He scooped her up in his arms, his gaze dark and intense. His thoughts raced uncontrollably: Jiaojiao, where did you learn all this? Did you treat Sheng Jie like this too?

Xu Jiaojiao wrapped her arms around his neck, watching the usually calm and composed man, now consumed by desire. She felt a sense of accomplishment.

With a soft, sweet voice, she said, “Xie Zhi, I only act this way for you. I only like you.”

The moment the words left her lips, he carried her towards her room, a place that had always been off-limits to him.

But now, he could enter freely, holding the love of his life in his arms. The happiness he felt was indescribable.

Xu Jiaojiao was gently placed on the bed, but as Xie Zhi stood up, something small slipped from her chest.

His rough fingers picked it up, and his face instantly flushed red. His fingers, having brushed against the object, felt as if they were on fire.

Xu Jiaojiao laughed so hard she couldn’t close her mouth. Though lying down, she somehow maintained an air of dominance. “You’re the one who took it off.”

With that, she knelt on the bed, slowly unbuttoning her shirt while staring straight at Xie Zhi.

He knew exactly how soft and warm her body was. Taking a deep breath, he knew that if he held back any longer, he wouldn’t be a man.

His eyes, dark and brooding, locked onto Jiaojiao.

Xie Zhi’s face was flushed with desire, his breathing heavy, as if the two of them were exchanging breaths.

Xie Zhi pressed down on her, and from between his lips came the sweetest words, “I really like you, Jiaojiao.”

…

It just so happened that the next two days were the weekend. There was no need to work in the fields, and the village school was on break. Naturally, the ox cart heading to the county was in high demand. Fortunately, Jiaojiao’s fourth brother had already reserved two spots for them.

Despite barely getting any rest last night, Xu Jiaojiao woke up before dawn, excited about going to town. Her eagerness drove her to get up early and start getting ready.

Xie Zhi had gone to help his mother with breakfast. Thinking of him, Xu Jiaojiao rubbed her sore waist. That man had really worn her out last night.

She took out the cosmetics sent by Xie Zhi’s parents and did her makeup according to a simple 21st-century style, leaving her skin as smooth as a boiled egg.

The original owner of this body had fox-like features—bold and striking. In this era, people didn’t really appreciate that type of beauty. Most preferred gentle, serene women like Shen Yun. But now, with this simple makeup, her looks balanced a youthful charm with a hint of allure, like a begonia flower swaying in the wind.

Still, when Xu Jiaojiao looked at herself in the bronze mirror, something felt off. Her hair was too neat.

After thinking for a second, she rushed into the kitchen and grabbed the fire tongs, using them as makeshift curling irons to give herself big waves. If anyone saw her now, they’d mistake her for a Hong Kong star.

With her hair done, the next big decision was what to wear.

Looking at the variety of clothes in her wardrobe, even someone from a different time like her couldn’t help but admire how well the male lead treated Xu Jiaojiao.

In an era when most people worried about having enough to eat, she could dress up as much as she liked. No wonder the young women in the village disliked her.

She chose a white Dacron shirt, paired with a military green A-line skirt. On her feet were black leather shoes with pearl embellishments, and she topped off her look with a red star military hat, even slyly attaching a couple of hair clips to the brim.

Satisfied with her appearance, Xu Jiaojiao smiled to herself, admiring the vibrant beauty staring back at her.

When Xie Zhi returned with breakfast from Xu Mother, he heard clattering noises coming from Jiaojiao’s room. Shaking his head helplessly, he brought in a cup of milk powder and a plate of beef jerky.

He knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Xie Zhi entered with breakfast, and the moment his eyes fell on Jiaojiao standing in front of the mirror, he was stunned. Jiaojiao, with her bright eyes and radiant smile, was already beautiful without makeup. But now, with just a bit of effort, she was breathtaking.

Xie Zhi suddenly didn’t want to take her out. Such a beautiful girl belonged only to him; he couldn’t bear the thought of others ogling her.

As a man himself, he knew all too well how the villagers thought. Outwardly, they might look down on Jiaojiao, but no one would be able to resist her if she showed the slightest bit of interest.

Seeing Xie Zhi standing in the doorway, dumbfounded, Xu Jiaojiao raised her skirt slightly and spun around, her bright eyes locking onto his. “Do I look good?”

Xie Zhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, his voice deep. “You look beautiful.”