When Fang Yao heard him say the words "eternal loyalty," memories of past schemes and betrayals she had endured struck a deep chord within her!
But she knew it wouldn't be long before Xu Qingzhou became disabled.
She pursed her lips, turned her face, and met his profound gaze. "Do you know what today's biggest lesson was for me? Rather than trusting a man's worthless words, I'd sooner believe a sow could climb a tree!"
Yet Xu Qingzhou looked at her with unwavering eyes, his pale pink lips curving into a sly arc under the moonlight.
"Your family went through great lengths to marry you into our Xu Family. Looking across the neighboring villages, you won't find a family with better conditions than ours. Since you don't trust anything men say anyway, why not be with me? At the very least, I can be a long-term meal ticket. From now on, all the money I earn will be under your control."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yao clenched her hands. The offer of a long-term meal ticket was indeed tempting!
In her previous life, she hadn't interacted much with Xu Qingzhou. She only knew that after he became disabled, he and Li Xuemiao would argue frequently—small quarrels every other day, big fights every three days. During severe conflicts, they would even resort to violence, smashing the windows until the house was drafty from all sides. She had lost count of how many times she had helped repair them.
Clearly, his temper wasn't good—domineering, forceful, and sharp-tongued.
"I think our personalities aren't compatible. You heard it yourself earlier—the neighbors all say I'm fierce. Who knows, I might end up fighting with you someday." Fang Yao still had reservations.
Xu Qingzhou chuckled, a low laugh lingering in his chest. The playful glint in his deep eyes seemed to grow even stronger.
"Don't worry, I'm not in the habit of laying hands on women. I know what kind of temper you have, and I won't provoke you."
Fang Yao was deeply suspicious—could the person before her also have been reborn like her?
Because he was so different from the person she remembered. Of course, it might also be related to the fact that his legs were still intact, unlike the gloomy and brooding man from her previous life.
"Marriage is a lifelong commitment. I need to think it over some more." Fang Yao remained unyielding.
Xu Qingzhou simply said, "Alright."
He stood up, took out another set of military bedding from the cabinet, and spread it on the floor. Turning to look at her, he said, "My mother's room is small. You can stay here tonight. I'll give you the bed, and I'll manage on the floor."
Fang Yao watched as he casually lay down on the ground. Her eyes drifted to the window, where she could hear the howling wind outside.
Winter nights in the north could drop to well below minus ten degrees Celsius. Even with the stove burning in the room, the floor was damp and cold. Spending a night sleeping there would surely lead to illness!
"Are you sure you want to sleep on the floor? If you get sick, don't blame me!"
Xu Qingzhou glanced at her sideways, his lips curling into a matching smirk.
"If not here, then where? Would you let me share the bed with you?"
Fang Yao blew out the lamp directly. She had never paid close attention to Xu Qingzhou before, but today she noticed that his eyes were electrifying, seizing every opportunity to entice!
That night, Fang Yao lay in bed, utterly unable to sleep. Every time Xu Qingzhou made the slightest movement on the floor, she would immediately open her eyes, holding her breath in alertness.
Xu Qingzhou got up twice in the middle of the night to add more fuel to the stove, keeping the fire burning strong. But by the late hours, his breathing still carried a nasal tone.
Finally, dawn began to break. The wall clock chimed four times. Xu Qingzhou got up and sat on a stool, and Fang Yao sat up as well.
"It's daylight. I need to go home."
Xu Qingzhou didn't say a word, only letting out a soft sigh as he sat on the stool.
Fang Yao walked to the door and opened it, discovering that a heavy snow had been falling all night outside the window, blanketing the entire courtyard in white. Behind her, the man let out two muffled coughs.
In that moment, she closed the door. Xu Qingzhou lit the kerosene lamp, flicking the match in his hand. The candlelight cast a soft, cold gray hue over his sharp and handsome profile.
“Weren’t you leaving?”
“Xu Qingzhou,” Fang Yao called out.
Xu Qingzhou turned his face, his gaze settling on her.
When Fang Yao had opened the door earlier and looked out at the vast expanse of white snow, aside from the chill that had frozen her limbs, she had also glimpsed an uncertain and hazy future.
She had already stepped through the gates of the Xu Family, and the incident of entering the wrong bridal chamber would soon spread far and wide.
Even if she returned to her parents’ home, gossip and rumors would drown her. Xu Qingzhou’s words from last night were right—looking across the nearby villages, she couldn’t find a better match than him.
Since life with anyone would be the same, she might as well find someone to rely on. His recent injury might even offer a chance to help him avoid certain troubles.
Moreover, if she wanted revenge, she had to stay in the Xu Family.
“Are you really willing to marry me? And you won’t regret it?”
Xu Qingzhou, likely exasperated by her indecisiveness, rolled his eyes and turned away, rising to walk toward the bed.
“I’ve already said it—it’s up to you. As long as you don’t regret it.”
With that, he pulled back the covers and lay down directly. Having endured the cold and exhaustion all night, his steady breathing soon filled the room.
This time, it was Fang Yao’s turn to approach the stove. She added a handful of firewood, and the flickering light seeping through the stove lid cast shifting shadows across her eyes. She crouched there for a long while, waiting until her body was thoroughly warmed, then went to Wang Hua’s door and knocked.
Wang Hua, fearing she might refuse the marriage swap, had clearly stayed awake all night. With bloodshot eyes, she welcomed Fang Yao into the room.
Fang Yao stood at the doorway without moving and asked, “When will Grandma wake up? I’ve thought it over. I’m willing to marry Xu Qingzhou, but I have conditions.”
Upon hearing her agreement, Wang Hua didn’t even bother asking what the conditions were. She threw on her cotton-padded jacket and took Fang Yao to see Old Mrs. Xu.
Old Mrs. Xu was even more thrilled upon hearing her consent to the marriage swap, nodding excitedly. “Girl, whatever conditions you have, as long as our Xu Family can manage it, we’ll absolutely agree!”
Fang Yao didn’t stand on ceremony. “Li Xuemiao is the village party secretary’s daughter. The betrothal gifts Xu Qingzhou gave her were twice what he gave me. Now that the marriage has been swapped, the corresponding betrothal gifts and pre-wedding expenses should also be swapped.”
Old Mrs. Xu nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, yes! Since you’re marrying Qingzhou, those things should rightfully belong to you!”
“Besides that…” Fang Yao stopped Old Mrs. Xu, who was about to take action, and continued, “Xu Manjiang slept with the wrong person on his wedding night, and now everyone knows about it. My marriage to Qingzhou is essentially cleaning up their mess. From now on, we’ll both be dragged down and criticized because of him. By all accounts, he should compensate us—let’s make it a thousand. Five hundred for me and five hundred for Xu Qingzhou.”
After all, Xu Qingzhou had promised her control over their finances. Fang Yao specified separate amounts to make it easier for them to agree.
Even so, Old Mrs. Xu’s expression tightened upon hearing this, resembling someone struggling with constipation. She gripped her walking stick tightly and let out a sigh.
“That’s certainly the way it should be, but the betrothal gifts Manjiang gave you were borrowed from his uncle. Even if he agrees to compensate, I’m afraid he won’t be able to come up with the money.”
Fang Yao knew all too well that Xu Manjiang's family consisted of three farmers who earned work points all year round, and their circumstances were far inferior to Xu Qingzhou's. His real backing was his maternal uncle, who had made some money through speculation and profiteering elsewhere. Upon learning of his nephew's marriage, he unhesitatingly handed over two thousand yuan.
One thousand was given to Fang Yao as the bride price, while the other thousand remained tightly gripped in Wang Cuilian's hands. Now, it was a matter of whether she valued money or her reputation more!
"I believe that success depends on human effort, Grandma. If I refuse to marry Xu Qingzhou, I'll pack up and return to my parents' home right now. And last night's incident won't be easily dismissed either. What do you think?"