Chapter 6: Seductive Ways

Xu Jiaojiao smiled smugly. Of course, even though the clothes themselves were ordinary, on her, they looked stylish and expensive.

Xie Zhi also wore a white shirt made of durable fabric today, paired with army-green pants. With his clean-cut face, he was truly eye-catching. Their outfits matched so well that they almost looked like they were wearing a couple’s clothing.

“Jiaojiao, let’s have breakfast,” he said.

“Okay.”

In front of Xu Jiaojiao was her exclusive breakfast of eggs, milk, beef, and soft steamed buns, a feast for this era. On the other hand, Xie Zhi had a bowl of porridge and a coarse bun made from rough rice flour, which was more typical of a rural breakfast.

“Honey, you’re so good to me,” Xu Jiaojiao said, blinking playfully.

Xie Zhi felt like his heart had been hit, and he peeled the boiled egg for her, placing it on her plate. “Jiaojiao, it’s only right that I treat you well. After all, we’re husband and wife.”

Xu Jiaojiao didn’t share her food with him. Although he might have feelings for her now, no one could guarantee that such feelings would last. She pitied this man, who might suffer for the rest of his life.

After breakfast, the two left the house.

Xu Jiaojiao slung a small cloth bag that her mother had made over her waist. The bag was a patchwork of different fabrics, embroidered with floral patterns, and inside were various types of money and ration coupons.

Xie Zhi glanced at it for a while. “I remember that Mom sent you lots of bags, along with earrings and necklaces.”

“Honey, we have to keep a low profile. As it is, we’re already a handsome couple bound to attract envy. Besides, I want to save what Mom gave me for special occasions.” Xu Jiaojiao flattered him with her sweet talk.

A blush crept onto Xie Zhi’s usually stoic face, and a faint smile appeared. He could only hear the word “Mom” echoing in his ears from Jiaojiao.

Xu Jiaojiao gently kissed his cheek. “Alright, let’s go. Or we’ll miss the cart.”

“Okay,” he replied, his voice deep and husky.

It was almost 7 a.m., and the villagers, accustomed to early rising, were sitting outside their houses with bowls of food, enjoying their meals. Children, finally free from school, were running around playing. It was a time when there was still a strong sense of community, and kidnappers were rare.

Xu Jiaojiao was wide-eyed, watching everything with curiosity. This was her first time seeing such a scene, and even the people seemed novel to her.

“Jiaojiao, are you heading to town?” Auntie Wang called out warmly. She was known as the village’s helpful busybody.

“Yes, Auntie Wang, my husband and I are going to town to buy some things for the wedding,” Xu Jiaojiao replied sweetly.

As soon as she said that, the crowd, who had been watching idly, fell silent. They couldn’t believe what they were hearing. After all, Xu Jiaojiao’s passionate pursuit of Sheng Jie had been witnessed by everyone in the village.

She had gone to great lengths to chase him, using every tactic imaginable. She would bring him snacks and water under the scorching sun, a privilege even her parents didn’t enjoy. And now, just a few days later, this?

Auntie Wang thought about the day the village youth had gone to catch her in the act, and her eyes gleamed. When a woman gives her body to a man, her heart follows.

After exchanging a few more words, Xu Jiaojiao and Xie Zhi left. But Xu Jiaojiao’s attire left the village women green with envy—her skin was so fair it seemed like it could drip water, and her shoes were so fine. She didn’t look like a village girl at all; she could easily be mistaken for a city lady.

But what they envied most was her curly hair. Most of the women in the village couldn’t get it right; their attempts at curling often ended up looking scorched and ugly. They simply couldn’t achieve such a beautiful style.

Xie Zhi held Jiaojiao tightly in his arms, feeling the hostile stares around them. His face grew colder, and his eyes darkened.

As soon as the two left, a group of women began gossiping, their faces full of disdain, looking down on Xu Jiaojiao.

“Just look at what Xu Jiaojiao is wearing, showing off her pale legs. She’s such a flirt! Who knows who she’s trying to seduce. Ugh, shameless!”

“Exactly! The Xu family has no rules. They spoil that girl rotten. A few days ago, I went to see Village Chief Xu, and their house only had white steamed buns, all for her. What a disgrace.”

“Right, she’s a fox! My husband couldn’t stop looking at her, like his eyes were going to fall out. You can see how she’s enchanted Teacher Xie too. She’s got some real tricks up her sleeve.”

The women all laughed in unison, exchanging knowing glances.

When Xu Jiaojiao and Xie Zhi arrived at the village meeting point, the ox cart was already nearly full, with only a few seats left.

“Jiaojiao, over here!” Xu Chen called out, waving at them.

When they approached, they saw that Xu Chen had saved them the best seats, near the driver, where it wasn’t as bumpy.

“Big brother, you’re amazing!” Xu Jiaojiao said excitedly as she sat down. She hadn’t expected her brother to reserve such good seats for her.

Xie Zhi had known about it all along.

Xu Chen handed a small box of milk candies to his sister before getting off the cart. His large hand ruffled her hair. “Jiaojiao, I need to head to the supply and marketing cooperative. Take care.”

“Okay, be safe, big brother.”

As she watched Xu Chen run off, Xu Jiaojiao felt a rush of emotion. In the original story, her brother had always wanted to join the army. Later, through Xie Zhi’s connections, he had the opportunity, but Xu Jiaojiao took it and gave it to Sheng Jie’s cousin. Even then, her brother never blamed her.

The milk candy in her hand suddenly felt like a hot potato, and her eyes filled with sorrow as she watched her brother’s disappearing figure.

Xie Zhi followed her gaze and saw Sheng Jie and Shen Yun approaching. He glanced at the tears in Jiaojiao’s eyes and felt a surge of anger. So, she still cared.

Sitting up straight, Xie Zhi’s eyes were filled with a strange fury as he spoke coldly, “Focus on the road. Stop looking at things that don’t matter.”

Xu Jiaojiao turned to him in surprise, confused by his sudden anger. She gently scratched his palm with her finger. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

Xie Zhi sighed deeply. It’s fine, he thought. As long as she was willing to comfort him, as long as she stayed by his side, it was enough. He was being too greedy.

From a distance, Shen Yun spotted Xu Jiaojiao sitting at the front of the cart. Her lips twisted in disdain as she glanced at the girl’s fine shoes. Looking down at her own cloth shoes, she anxiously rubbed off some dirt, her heart filling with jealousy.

Xu Jiaojiao looked no different from a movie star today, while she herself was dressed like the most ordinary village girl, her hair tied in a plain braid.

Shen Yun was almost driven mad with jealousy. Why was Xu Jiaojiao’s life so good? Why did she get to live so well?

They had grown up in the same village, playing together as children, but Xu Jiaojiao’s father was the village chief, and her mother worked at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Her own father was a gambling addict, and her mother only cared about her brothers. She had nothing.

Since fate had treated her unfairly, she would take her life into her own hands.