Luò Yuè learned that Shūxīn would start working in a few days. He had to leave a good impression on her in these few days; otherwise, when she returned from work, his competitors would only increase.
When it came to dealing with women, he had plenty of methods. Back in the marquis household, he had often observed his mother’s young attendants vying for favor. He had secretly learned a lot, and now he finally had a chance to put it into practice.
That day, Shūxīn came back from the field and decided to check the mountains. At the foot of the hill, she saw a handsome young man leaning against a rock. He looked like he had twisted his ankle.
If it were any other man, she probably would have scorned him—twist an ankle and suddenly unable to walk—but this was Luò Yuè, so she didn’t think it was a problem. Mainly, from the first time she saw him, he had struck her as delicate and almost feminine, giving off a fragile impression.
Although she didn’t pay much attention to the new zhīqīng, she knew that Luò Yuè hadn’t even survived his first day in the fields. He had ended up crying, rubbing his eyes, and returning to the zhīqīng office early. Even Zhao Lì, the original female lead, had endured two or three days before giving up.
Originally, Shūxīn planned to pretend she hadn’t seen him and walk elsewhere. Her instinct told her Luò Yuè was even more troublesome than the female lead. But before she could turn away, she heard him call out. His eyes were glistening with moisture, making her feel as if she had somehow wronged him.
“Miss Liú, could you… please help me back to the zhīqīng office? I’ve twisted my ankle and can’t walk.”
“Well… I still have something to do, I don’t have time, you should—”
Shūxīn started to refuse, but before she could finish, she saw Luò Yuè’s teary eyes. A few drops of tears fell as if his eyes couldn’t contain them. His hands fidgeted with his sleeves, his head lowered, and he choked as he spoke.
Great. She had stirred a hornet’s nest. If anyone else cried in front of her, she would have punched them. A man crying? How disgusting. But with Luò Yuè… she couldn’t bring herself to do it. His tears seemed completely natural, and he cried so beautifully.
“Alright, don’t cry. I’ll take you back. Stretch out your foot—I’ll take a look.”
Having decided to help him, she didn’t hesitate. She wanted to see how serious the injury was and, if needed, take him to the clinic for treatment.
Luò Yuè obediently stretched out his foot. His face was flushed, his whole body shy, shrinking into himself. In a matriarchal society, a man’s feet weren’t to be casually shown—only a future wife could see them.
Shūxīn thought that was enough. She was only checking his foot, not stripping him. Why all the shyness?
She inspected his ankle carefully. It was only swollen, nothing serious. She stood up and helped him walk back toward the zhīqīng office. Notably, his foot was far softer and fairer than her father’s or brother’s—quite pleasant to the touch.
Luò Yuè didn’t notice that Shūxīn was paying so much attention to his foot. Even if he did, he might have let her touch it a few more times.
Shūxīn escorted him back just before the workday ended, when villagers returning early might see them. This was exactly what Luò Yuè had planned—he didn’t want her to feel he was doing it deliberately.
Today counted as a small victory. The rest he would arrange later. Coming on too strong all at once could scare her off.
Over the next two days, Shūxīn kept running into Luò Yuè—either in the fields or along the road. He didn’t crowd her but always smiled when he saw her. Smile, smile, smile—what a headache, she thought. He clearly had designs on her. Now the villagers were giving her meaningful looks, and she felt frustrated.
The Liú family also asked if she had taken a liking to the pretty boy. She denied it, but everyone had seen her helping him back—she had been enchanted by his looks and tears.
Next time they met, she had already given up. She knew she couldn’t shake off this delicate man.
This time, they met by the river. He wasn’t wearing much; a white shirt clung to his wet body, showing every contour of his skin. She cursed herself for having such sharp eyes—now there was no hiding it.
The autumn sun was still strong; the village was quiet at noon, giving her a chance to get some air. But somehow, he always managed to appear—was there some radar on her? Every time, coincidentally.
“Alright, come up. You’ve got me scared. In my past life, I owed you something, and now in this life, you’re here to torment me.”
Shūxīn sighed and let him come up, using a handkerchief to dry him. Her lips quirked slightly in spite of herself.
Luò Yuè, undaunted, snuggled close and said teasingly, “It’s not my fault—you’re too excellent. If I don’t use some tricks, when would you even notice me?”
“And besides, it’s not unfair to you. I’m good-looking and obedient. When I say east, you go east. Perfect match, right?”
Shūxīn’s irritation vanished. Who could resist such charm? She had never had a boyfriend in her past life, and she didn’t intend to remain single here.
“Alright, put your clothes back on. Don’t catch a cold. Remember, you’re mine now—if you get sick, I’ll have to spend money on you!”
Once dressed, they sat together. Luò Yuè told her about his family; Shūxīn shared details of the Liú family.
Luò Yuè looked at her: “So we’re… a couple now? Should I call you Shūxīn or Xīn Xīn?”
“Yes, we’re a couple. Your efforts weren’t in vain. Either works—your choice.”
He wasn’t embarrassed. Moving closer, he grinned and said, “Xīn Xīn, you know my body is weak. I’ll rely on you. You raise me, love me, protect me. I’ll focus on looking handsome, you focus on earning for the family. Don’t worry, I won’t hold you back.”
Shūxīn didn’t think he spoke badly. His personality suited her. After surviving the apocalypse, she had grown independent, strong, and assertive—unsuited for a delicate wife.
Men liked women who depended on them. Maybe some would admire a woman like her, but she had no idea if she’d encounter such a man.
Now, she had found someone who met her standards, was good-looking, and liked her. She wouldn’t let him slip away. He didn’t feel inferior to her strength, nor mind that she worked hard outside. Perhaps they were meant to be.
Men had their pride; she did too. She wanted to be needed and validated, to feel her life had value, not merely exist in a fabricated world.
The Liú family’s care was because she was family. They created value together, but she didn’t mind. People were inherently complicated.
She was living well now, but she wanted to live meaningfully. That was why she worked in the city, seeking broader horizons. With her space-backed abilities, she could have lived comfortably in the village without striving for more—but she didn’t want that.