Taking the Initiative: Just thinking about it.
The wild boar knocked unconscious by Xie Mingtu was now housed in their production team’s livestock pen. Luckily, Liu Zhaoqiang had expanded the pigsty with the team members earlier, so there was enough space to accommodate it.
The boar’s loud calls after waking up quickly drew a crowd of curious villagers.
“So, this is the dumb pig that Xie Lao Wu and his wife brought back?”
“Big as it is, it’s pretty stupid to run into a tree like that.”
“Meat for brains, clearly!”
The wild boar, hearing the mocking voices outside, became even more enraged, roaring thunderously within the pen. However, what it didn’t realize was that its cries, reminiscent of a pig being slaughtered, didn’t frighten the villagers at all. Instead, they salivated at the thought of the feast it would eventually provide.
“It screams so loud; the meat must be firm. Just wait until the end of the year.”
“That’s a fine pig, except for its lack of brains.”
“It’s a male, too. Perfect for breeding.”
After a few days of good food and rest, the wild boar had been paired with a sow for breeding. It seemed to have discovered the pleasures of being pampered, as it no longer showed any desire to escape.
“Haven’t heard it squealing the past couple of days.”
“It’s eating and drinking well now—probably doesn’t want to leave anymore.”
Just like humans, animals are easily swayed by comfort and care.
In short, the big wild boar became the village’s latest hot topic. Wherever the villagers gathered, conversations inevitably turned to this unexpected arrival and the couple who had brought it back.
“Imagine going up the mountain and finding a boar. The luck those two have!”
“Didn’t I say Su Xiaoman has a knack for bringing fortune? Look at Xie Lao Wu—since marrying her, nothing but good things have come his way.”
“Maybe their eight characters match perfectly, creating this streak of good fortune. The stars and land are aligned—how could they not thrive?”
“This couple is really something.”
At this point, the village had little else worth discussing. Topics revolved around the new sewing room, the dumb wild boar, and Su Xiaoman and Xie Mingtu. These were the subjects that filled the conversations of gossiping aunties during idle hours.
Meanwhile, the enthusiasm for the educated youth had begun to wane.
When the educated youth first arrived, the villagers were abuzz with curiosity, constantly engaging them in conversation about life in the city, which often elicited wide-eyed exclamations. While the educated youth found these inquisitive aunties tiresome, they at least enjoyed the attention.
Later, when Su Xiaoman took a liking to Educated Youth Jiang, the focus shifted to him, making him the centre of attention. Everyone wanted to know more about the man she fancied. Even though the gossip wasn’t about them, the presence of someone as popular as Educated Youth Jiang among the educated youth made them feel proud by association.
But now, Su Xiaoman no longer liked Educated Youth Jiang. She was married to Xie Lao Wu, who had transformed from a scruffy, down-and-out man into a handsome and ambitious young man. With two recent incidents under their belt, the couple had become the village’s primary focus.
The gossiping aunties no longer talked about the educated youth. Instead, they discussed Su Xiaoman’s sewing room, her sericulture project, and even the wild boar. After all, the educated youth were no longer a novelty. As outstanding as Educated Youth Jiang might be, talking about him wouldn’t bring an extra bite of meat.
It was far more enticing to talk about the new “handsome boar.” At least it promised something tangible.
The educated youth quarters had grown noticeably quieter.
Still, there were occasional visitors, such as Sun Mei, who used to rarely show up but now seemed to have discovered a newfound interest. She often chatted and laughed with the educated youth, sometimes even bringing them snacks like sunflower seeds.
“I used to think Educated Youth Jiang was exceptional, given how much the village aunties talked about him. He was the centre of attention. But now it seems they’ve shifted their focus entirely to Su Xiaoman,” Zhao Qingqing remarked. “Ever since Su Xiaoman married Xie Lao Wu, the conversations are all about them. No one even mentions Educated Youth Jiang anymore.”
“Plenty of people used to want to introduce their daughters to him. But now? Not so much. If even the prettiest girl in the village didn’t catch his eye, what chance do the other girls have?”
“Guess they’ve wised up.”
Another female educated youth chimed in, “It’s not really about Su Xiaoman; it’s just that she keeps doing things worth talking about. She always brings something new to the table.”
“Hmph, Su Xiaoman!” Zhao Qingqing sneered, expecting the other girl to badmouth her. After all, this particular educated youth had once fancied Educated Youth Jiang and despised Su Xiaoman for pursuing him.
But to her surprise, the girl’s tone shifted. “I’m kind of envious of her.”
“That wild boar is really something—I’ve never seen one before. It was quite the eye-opener.”
“Su Xiaoman is so lucky. Imagine going up the mountain and finding a wild boar. What a story! Do you think if I went up there, I might find a rabbit that’s run into a tree?”
Zhao Qingqing: “?!”
Is this girl out of her mind?
The girl laughed. “Why are you looking at me like that? I was just joking.”
Zhao Qingqing: “…”
“Life in the countryside is all about finding small joys.”
“Why don’t you go discuss things with Educated Youth Jiang?” Zhao Qingqing asked pointedly.
The girl shrugged. “What’s the point? Educated Youth Jiang wouldn’t be interested in me anyway. Why should I embarrass myself?”
Zhao Qingqing thought to herself: Seems like people only want what others are fighting over. When Su Xiaoman was chasing Educated Youth Jiang, every female educated youth was envious and hostile toward her. Now, the tide has turned.
The girl, Wang Ruopian, leaned in and whispered to Zhao Qingqing, “I’m over Educated Youth Jiang now. He’s too aloof.”
Zhao Qingqing: “…You just realized that?”
“No one likes a cold shoulder,” Wang Ruopian said, biting into a jujube. “I think Su Xiaoman’s mother was onto something, finding her a good man. Look at her now—used to chase Educated Youth Jiang and get looked down on despite her beauty. Now she’s married to a tall, handsome, young man who adores her and listens to her every word. Her life couldn’t be better.”
“Have you seen her lately? She’s always smiling, her face even brighter than before. That’s what being cherished does to a person.”
“I’ll only find someone who cherishes me in the future,” Wang Ruopian said, crunching the last of her jujube, revealing her new perspective on relationships.
Zhao Qingqing was taken aback. In just a few days, Wang Ruopian’s entire outlook on choosing a partner had changed.
Reflecting, Wang Ruopian continued, “I think I may have been looking at it wrong before. A partner doesn’t need to be outstanding in every way. What matters is whether he can make me happy—not just materially, but emotionally as well.”
Zhao Qingqing: “…”
Jiang Yantang’s days continued as usual, though the throng of admirers had disappeared. On one hand, he felt relieved. On the other, gazing at the jujube tree by the well, he occasionally experienced a pang of loneliness.
Life for the educated youth was monotonous and uneventful. After working in the fields, Jiang Yantang would read in his room. Sometimes, he would think of Su Xiaoman with a sense of regret. Once so eager to learn and impressed by knowledge, she was now married to a “mud-legged farmer.” It seemed she would spend her life in the countryside, her youthful beauty gradually eroding amidst the yellow earth, becoming just another villager like the rest.
Perhaps, he thought, it was fate.
Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes to phoenixes; a mouse’s offspring can only dig holes.
Jiang Yantang often felt out of place among his family. Most of his peers had joined the army, while he alone had chosen to become an educated youth in the countryside. But even he sometimes questioned whether this decision was the right one.
Zhang Lili, meanwhile, had her own troubles. Being reborn, she aimed to make money through side hustles. However, her covert dealings were exposed when someone reported her, resulting in a public criticism session and a mandatory labour reform of over half a month before she could return to the village.
The incident became a village scandal, but people rarely discussed it openly, puzzled as to why a young woman from a rural background would stoop to such behaviour, akin to petty thieves and rogues.
It was said that the whistle-blower was a young woman from a neighbouring village who had seen Zhang Lili sneaking goods to the market multiple times. Assuming she was a thief, the woman reported her. It turned out Zhang Lili had been disguising herself to engage in trade, only to be caught red-handed.
Some even speculated that the woman had ties to He Liang…
When Su Xiaoman heard about this, she was stunned. Wasn’t Zhang Lili supposed to be the protagonist of the original story? Su Xiaoman wasn’t familiar with many “era novels,” but she understood the general trope: the main character, either transmigrated or reborn, would engage in secretive trades to build wealth, quickly surpassing everyone else. While others struggled to fill their bellies, the protagonist would amass fortune and admiration.
Zhang Lili seemed to be following that path.
But why was she caught so quickly after starting her business? Wasn’t she the heroine? Su Xiaoman was bewildered. Then it struck her: they lived in a real, vibrant world. The people around them weren’t fools, and actions always left traces. Keeping secrets was far more challenging than in novels, especially when operating frequently.
In fiction, the heroine might go unnoticed or, if discovered, would have the male lead step in to help her cover her tracks.
But in reality, things were different.
Perhaps, Su Xiaoman mused, by distancing herself from Jiang Yantang and shedding her “cannon fodder” script, she had inadvertently disrupted the original storyline. The hero and heroine hadn’t yet sparked their destined romance.
Somewhere, a butterfly’s wings had flapped, altering fate.
Su Xiaoman decided she needed to tread carefully and avoid touching these high-risk activities, at least until a more open era arrived. She concluded that the chickens Xie Mingtu raised on the mountain were relatively safe—they were free-range, and anyone could claim them. Still, they needed to be discreet.
For now, improving their lives and contributing to Qiao Xin Village’s production team seemed more practical. By increasing agricultural yields and side products, everyone’s standard of living would improve.
The village’s fishponds had expanded to over a dozen acres. Along the pond’s edge, rows of mulberry trees thrived, their leaves a vibrant green. According to skilled planters, most trees were growing well and would be ready for silkworm cultivation next year.
The autumn rice paddies were flourishing, a sea of green waiting for harvest. Wild fruits in the mountains were ripening, and the jujube trees by the village entrance were laden with fruit.
Su Xiaoman picked a basket of jujubes, washed them, and prepared to head to the city with Xie Mingtu.
The day before, Xie Mingtu had somehow obtained a blood sample from Old Man Xie. Su Xiaoman wasn’t sure how he managed it, but he did.
Apparently, Old Man Xie thought he had been bitten by a venomous snake and needed to release blood. After “releasing” it, he realized the snake wasn’t venomous.
Su Xiaoman’s uncle arranged for them to get a travel permit under the guise of thanking the garment factory for the sewing machines. The production team readily approved the request.
Upon arriving in Nanjing City, they visited the garment factory, where the manager, Wang Fengshan, had invited them. Impressed by Xie Mingtu’s ability to read technical manuals during his previous visit, Wang sought his help translating and annotating machine instructions.
Xie Mingtu delivered a simplified translation and marked key maintenance points, earning Wang’s gratitude. This time, instead of discounted sewing machines, Wang gifted them a set of clothes: a light blue women’s autumn coat, perfectly suited for Su Xiaoman.
Xie Mingtu was thrilled and immediately draped the coat over her shoulders. “Wear it, Manman.”
“Let’s wash it first,” she replied, equally delighted. Watching her husband’s growing connections with the garment factory, she joked, “Maybe soon we’ll never have to buy clothes again.”
But in reality, she wanted fabric for her own designs. Strengthening their relationship with the factory could eventually lead to access to discounted, non-ticketed fabric and accessories like buttons.
“Xie Mingtu, you’re amazing!” Su Xiaoman praised. Not only could he repair machines, but he also understood English and Russian.
When she asked how he had learned, he humbly explained that he had found an old dictionary belonging to Xie Weiqiang. After reading it, he had memorized the words, deciphering patterns and meaning even when encountering unfamiliar terms.
In short, his abilities left Su Xiaoman both impressed and in awe.
“I’m not amazing. You’re the amazing one, Manman,” Xie Mingtu said modestly.
She playfully knocked on his forehead. “You’re so humble it makes me want to hit you!”
“You know, if you’d had the chance to go to school, you’d realize just how gifted you are,” Su Xiaoman said, then paused. Looking at him, a wave of tenderness swept over her.
Had he received a proper education, he might have become an academic powerhouse, a technical innovator, or a multilingual diplomat. Instead, he was confined to the countryside, toiling in the fields, disconnected from a world of knowledge.
He was like a sponge capable of absorbing vast oceans but stranded far from any water source.
She cupped his face and gently kissed his forehead. “Mingtu, you’re truly exceptional.”
“And compared to Educated Youth Jiang?” he asked, feigning nonchalance.
Su Xiaoman burst out laughing at his faux casualness, seeing right through his little act.
“Last year’s vinegar tastes so sour now,” she teased.
“What Educated Youth Jiang? Who’s that?” she continued playfully, pretending not to know who he meant.
Xie Mingtu’s face darkened as he muttered, “Jiang Yantang.”
“Why do you always compare yourself to him? You shouldn’t have a competitive heart like that,” Su Xiaoman said, turning the tables to lecture him.
Xie Mingtu looked aggrieved. “In your heart, is he still better than me? Is he the kind of person you really wanted to marry?”
Su Xiaoman felt wronged, as though accused unjustly. This jealous puppy was truly hard to handle! She crooked her finger, motioning for Xie Mingtu to lower his head.
The silly man’s eyes lit up as he eagerly bent down, his face full of anticipation.
Su Xiaoman playfully patted his face twice.
No kiss for you!
When his expectant face fell, Su Xiaoman couldn’t hold back a laugh. Then she grabbed his face and pressed her lips to his in a sudden, soft kiss.
It was their first real kiss. Their lips met, sweet and warm, like honey slowly spreading across their hearts.
After a few seconds, Su Xiaoman pushed him away, her face flushed red. “I only want to marry the person I kiss. In my eyes, he’s the most amazing person in the world—no one else can compare.”
She didn’t elaborate on who that was, though her burning cheeks betrayed her. Even in this secluded corner near the factory, with no one else around, Su Xiaoman felt a little overwhelmed by her boldness.
Throwing that out, she stomped off in a hurry, too embarrassed to even glance back.
Fuming internally, Su Xiaoman walked a few steps before turning around, only to find Xie Mingtu still standing there, dazed. When he noticed her looking, he reflexively licked his lips, as if savouring the moment.
Something in Su Xiaoman’s mind snapped. She wanted to grab a stick and bash his head in.
This man, if placed in modern times, would never land a girlfriend!
In novels, the male leads were always domineering and proactive. They wouldn’t hesitate to pin the female lead to the wall and kiss her senseless. Xie Mingtu, on the other hand, just stood there waiting to be kissed.
Su Xiaoman snorted to herself. No wonder you’re destined to be a side character, stinky puppy!
Turning her nose up, she strode off again, determined to leave him behind. But after a few steps, she felt a gust of wind and was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace.
Xie Mingtu wrapped his arms around her, his warm breath tickling her neck as he whispered excitedly, “Manman, I’m so happy! I’m really, really happy.”
Feeling his strong arms around her, Su Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’re all talk. Why don’t you ever show some initiative?”
She truly couldn’t understand it. Xie Mingtu’s intelligence was beyond exceptional, and he was perfectly capable in social situations. Yet when it came to romance, he was wooden—more wooden than the carvings he made.
He was utterly clueless about being proactive.
Xie Mingtu blinked, as though a light bulb had gone off in his mind. “Manman, can I kiss you now?”
Su Xiaoman was speechless. She gave him a helpless glare. “Do you have to announce it first? When I kissed you, did I ask for permission?”
“I was afraid you’d reject me or get upset,” Xie Mingtu confessed earnestly, holding her as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. His voice softened to a murmur. “Manman, I’m scared of losing you. What if you get angry and leave me?”
Su Xiaoman reached up and smushed his handsome face. “You don’t have to be so cautious around me. I’m your fiancée now—your future wife.
Do wives just up and leave so easily? Honestly, you’re so silly.”
“I’m not silly.” His face still squished, Xie Mingtu grinned foolishly.
This time, his instincts kicked in, and he did the right thing—he bent down and captured her lips.
“Mm-mm!” Su Xiaoman was caught off guard, her protests muffled as he held her tight. His strong arms left her no room to escape, and soon she found herself going weak.
She realized, belatedly, that she might have brought this on herself.
Sometimes she forgot that the “innocent lamb” exterior of this man was just a façade. Deep down, he was a wild, untamed leopard—fearless even when facing a 200-pound wild boar, but terrified of losing her.
Stupid puppy.
Resigning herself, Su Xiaoman gave up struggling. She let him fumble his way through the kiss like an amateur nibbling at an unfamiliar treat. Both of them, inexperienced in matters of love, could only explore clumsily.
In this uncharted territory, they began to build a fortress—one of sweetness and connection.
“Manman, I want to…” Xie Mingtu started to say.
Su Xiaoman quickly covered his mouth with her hand. “Keep wanting, then,” she said with a huff.
For now, these two married-but-romantically-naïve beginners would stick to holding hands and taking things slow.
After he calmed down, Su Xiaoman led Xie Mingtu to the hospital, where they had blood samples drawn for testing. The results would take about ten days.
Later, they headed to the municipal library in Nanjing City.
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