Ye Qingyan felt Pei Ze’s gaze on her. She lifted her head and met his eyes, a lovely curve rising at the corners of her lips.
In that instant, Pei Ze could distinctly hear his own heartbeat thudding in his chest: Thump, thump, thump…
Ye Qingyan lowered her gaze again, listening attentively to Jiang Yuan as he spoke, smiling from time to time.
Jiang Yuan was witty and entertaining; he had the kind of personality that made people take to him easily — no wonder he had such a wide circle of connections.
Watching the two of them chatting and laughing so freely, Pei Ze could barely sit still. Beside him, Xie Chen was chattering away about something, yet not a single word registered in his mind.
Pei Ze was reserved and aloof by nature; very few things could stir his emotions.
But right now, he cared deeply about Ye Qingyan, and found himself hanging on every expression and gesture of hers.
Watching the pair leave after their meal, their figures receding into the distance, Pei Ze abruptly stood up.
“Hey? Where are you off to? We haven’t finished eating yet!” Xie Chen asked, staring at him in bewilderment.
Pei Ze took a few steps forward, only to halt, turn back, and sit down again.
What would it look like if he snuck after her like this? A stalker?
No. He couldn’t do something so improper.
“Tut-tut. So you’ve taken a fancy to that young lady, haven’t you? Well, I don’t blame you — she’s beautiful and carries herself with such grace, not a jot inferior to the daughters of high-ranking officials.”
Xie Chen took a bite of his food, shook his head, and went on: “If you ask me, though… I’d say you haven’t got a hope. That fellow beside her is about her age — he’s probably her boyfriend.”
Pei Ze’s expression darkened, and his tone turned icier than usual. “It’s still early. Later, I’ll take you on in a few rounds of sparring.”
“Now, don’t be like that! I’ve been on a train all day — just drop me off at the guesthouse, will you?” Xie Chen immediately backed down.
You must be joking!
Spar with Pei Ze? That wasn’t sparring — it was being used as a human punching bag!
The wind was biting. Ye Qingyan tightened her scarf around her neck, pushed her bicycle, and walked at an unhurried pace.
She turned her head slightly toward Jiang Yuan. “Brother Jiang, we’re both straightforward people, so I’ll speak plainly. If you’re willing to put me in touch with the factory procurement department, I’ll give you twenty percent of the profits.”
Connections and favours needed to be nurtured; one couldn’t expect something for nothing. Ye Qingyan was no miser.
That was more than Jiang Yuan had expected — after all, he wouldn’t be involved in growing or transporting the goods, merely introducing a contact.
No sensible person turned down money. Jiang Yuan laughed heartily. “You’re truly a woman of your word. I’m on good terms with the chief procurement officer at the textile mill. I’ll go and speak to her about this very day. Rest assured — I’ll get it sorted.”
“Splendid. I’ll look forward to your good news.”
After bidding Jiang Yuan farewell, Ye Qingyan rode her bicycle home against the cold wind.
Meanwhile, amid a field of withered yellow cornstalks, thin smoke curled upward from a fire.
Three middle-aged men huddled around a blaze. Each held a roasted sweet potato, and a whole chicken turned on a spit over the flames. They’d stolen the chicken, which was why they’d sought this secluded spot to cook it.
“Hey? Brother Cao, look over there. Isn’t that a pretty young thing?”
The man called Brother Cao peered in the direction his companion pointed — and froze. Good heavens, he’d never seen such a fresh, radiant beauty.
“Brother Cao, let’s go bring her over.” Two of the men seized wooden clubs and hurried to the roadside, blocking Ye Qingyan’s path.
Ye Qingyan halted, eyeing the menacing pair before her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Nothing much. Just thought you looked lovely — and we’d like to invite you to share our roast chicken.” The man with the scar across his face leered at her obscenely.
“I’m not hungry. Keep it.” Ye Qingyan’s expression turned icy, her eyes darting to the carrying pole fastened to her bicycle’s rear rack.
“Wang Wu, why waste breath on her?” The two men exchanged a look and lunged forward to grab her.
For a split second, Ye Qingyan’s mind went blank — but then she reacted. She quickly untied the rope securing the pole, whipped it free, and swung it hard at her attackers.
She’d read and heard enough warnings on television and in newspapers: stay clear of lonely, secluded places — places like this cornfield.
She’d never imagined she’d find herself in such a situation.
These two were notorious local thugs, idle gamblers and bullies who made life miserable for everyone around them.
Infuriated by how nimbly she fought back, they grew more ruthless in their attacks.
“Why, a feisty little pepper, aren’t you? Just you wait — we’ll teach you some manners!”
“I like ’em spirited — more fun to break in. Heheh…”
Their laughter was vile and repulsive. Ye Qingyan felt nothing but disgust — scum like this deserved to rot.
She’d learned martial arts in the past, and her recent hard labour had kept her strong and agile.
Seeing two grown men struggling to subdue one young woman, Brother Cao could stand it no longer. He burst from the cornfield and joined the fray.
He was their leader for a reason — his fighting skills had earned him his underlings.
With Brother Cao now involved, Ye Qingyan began to struggle, her strength fast fading.
Just then, a jeep came speeding down the road.
Inside, Pei Ze had already spotted the trouble ahead. He pressed harder on the accelerator, racing toward them.
“That girl looks familiar…” Xie Chen narrowed his eyes. “Ah! She’s the one we saw at the state-run restaurant!”
“Yes. It’s her,” Pei Ze replied grimly.
“She handles herself well — quite the valiant young woman.”
Pei Ze slammed on the brakes and clapped a hand to Xie Chen’s shoulder. “Stop chattering and go help her!”
Ye Qingyan caught sight of a military jeep skidding to a halt and felt a flicker of hope. Surely a soldier passing by wouldn’t stand by and let harm come to her?
A moment later, she saw Pei Ze and Xie Chen step out.
With Pei Ze’s intervention, it took barely a few moves to overpower all three assailants.
Xie Chen produced rope and efficiently bound their hands behind their backs in tight, secure knots.
“There! All tied up!” He dusted his hands together.
Ye Qingyan let out a long breath, looked up at Pei Ze with bright, clear eyes, and smiled gratefully. “Pei Ze… thank goodness you happened to be passing. I fear I might not have managed otherwise. Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it. Defending the innocent and apprehending wrongdoers are my duties.” Pei Ze’s tone softened with concern. “Are you unhurt? Did they injure you?”
Ye Qingyan had taken a blow to her left arm, though it was nothing serious. She shook her head. “I’m quite all right. No injuries.”
Xie Chen looked from Pei Ze to Ye Qingyan, curiosity getting the better of him. “So… you two know each other?”
Back at the restaurant, they’d merely exchanged a nod — and Xie Chen had been far too hungry to pay it any mind.
“Yes. We’re acquainted,” Ye Qingyan replied calmly.
Pei Ze turned to Xie Chen. “Get them into the vehicle. We’re taking this lot to the police station.”
Xie Chen wrenched open the rear door and gave the thugs a hearty kick. “You miserable curs! You’ve picked on the wrong people today — you’ve run straight into a brick wall. Hmph! Now get in there!”
Cowed by how easily Pei Ze had defeated them, the three men kept silent and meekly climbed into the jeep.
“You’ll need to come with us to the station too,” Pei Ze told Ye Qingyan as he secured her bicycle to the back of the jeep. “We’ll need a formal statement of what occurred.”
Xie Chen stood by the door and suddenly frowned. “Sir… I’m not sure we’ll all fit.”
Pei Ze said: “Squeeze in with them. Or ride the bicycle. Your choice.”
“Why not let—” Xie Chen began, catching Pei Ze’s gaze — amused and knowing — and quickly realised his mistake. “Ah — right. I’ll squeeze in back with them.”
Ye Qingyan tugged gently at Pei Ze’s sleeve. “I can easily ride my bicycle to the station.”
“It’s no trouble. Get in.” Pei Ze opened the front passenger door for her. “He prefers the back seat anyway.”
Ye Qingyan smiled. “Thank you, then.”
Xie Chen, watching from the side: ???
Pei Ze… being thoughtful and courteous? If he told anyone, they’d never believe him.
It was obvious. Pei Ze was well and truly smitten. ❤️