The “bigshot from a high-ranking cadre family,” the mysterious powerful figure of the entire compound’s elite second generation, and the greatest obstacle between the original novel’s female lead Xu Yiyan and the male lead—this was the original villain.
In the original story, the female lead and Qin Zhoucheng were engaged. At first, Qin Zhoucheng didn’t like this marriage arranged by elders, but during their time together he gradually became attracted to her. However, over time, the female lead was worn down by his coldness and ended up falling in love with the true male lead instead.
The villain’s “chasing wife to the crematorium” arc ended in failure—he didn’t win her back and instead became a stepping stone for the male lead.
Lin Su hadn’t even finished reading the original plot, but she remembered clearly that this villain’s exact background was never fully explained. He was always mysterious, extremely capable, and carried an intimidating aura. His personality was described as silent, reserved, and clean-obsessed—cold and aloof, a typical “CEO who could make the sky turn cold and the world collapse” type. He rarely smiled, but only showed warmth to the female lead.
He wore Zhongshan suits, leather shoes, strict and old-fashioned—the serious, rigid villain Qin Zhoucheng…
Lin Su subconsciously glanced at him.
Her Qin Zhoucheng, at that moment, had already finished sweeping the floor and was now wiping the cabinets with a rag until they were shining. After that, he went into the courtyard to chop firewood.
The summer heat was intense. He had taken off his dark blue military-style jacket, leaving only a white tank top underneath.
His clearly defined muscles were exposed—firm chest muscles, visible abs, a narrow and tight waist. Every time he swung the axe, his biceps bulged with strength.
Because he was sweating, he simply lifted the hem of his shirt and wiped his face.
Even though he had a cold-looking face and usually wore a blank expression, his movements were full of raw masculinity—he looked exactly like a rugged male lead from a novel.
Lin Su quickly looked away, her ears slightly red. She had already felt his physique earlier at the clinic.
But none of this matched the villain from the original book.
That Qin Zhoucheng in the novel had both parents, while the household registration book in front of her showed only him—he was the head of household. The introduction letter even stated he was an orphan with no parents.
In this era, without an introduction letter, you couldn’t take a single step outside. The official seal from the police authority made Lin Su trust its authenticity.
He absolutely could not be the same villain from the novel. It must be just a coincidence of the same name.
Lin Su quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
While she was lost in thought, Qin Zhoucheng had already finished most of the work inside the house. He even boiled hot water.
Then he went into the yard, removed his tank top, and prepared to pour cold water over himself.
“Wait!” Lin Su called out. She touched the basin—cold water. “Why are you using cold water?”
“There isn’t enough firewood. We should save the hot water. I have a strong body, I can handle it.”
Lin Su got annoyed. “Even if we don’t have firewood, we still have coal coupons. Even in summer, if you keep bathing in cold water, you’ll definitely have problems when you’re older.”
She directly mixed the water for him, adjusting it until it was just right—not cold, not hot.
Only then did she go back inside.
Qin Zhoucheng paused slightly, then curved his lips helplessly.
Aside from his guards, no one had ever cared about him like this.
But… it didn’t feel bad.
For dinner, they ate cornmeal cakes. The grain they had would only last two adults about half a month, and even that required careful rationing.
The original owner had a big appetite, but Lin Su only managed to eat half before she was full.
The cornmeal of this era was not like later “farmhouse-style” refined versions mixed with wheat flour—it was coarse, rough, and unprocessed. It scratched the throat when swallowed.
She really couldn’t eat more.
Right now, the most important thing was to make money. Otherwise, eating corn cakes every meal would literally starve her.
Seeing her struggle with the food, Qin Zhoucheng frowned. He wasn’t picky and could eat anything, but looking at her reaction, he felt they needed to prepare some fine rice and flour.
After dinner, Qin Zhoucheng watched as she sorted fabric scraps from their bundle and started working at the sewing machine.
“Tomorrow we’re going to the county. Why not rest earlier?”
“What are we going to the county for?”
“To buy rice, flour, oil, daily necessities—and also register our marriage. We need official documents. It’s important.”
The sewing machine stopped immediately.
Lin Su looked up and met Qin Zhoucheng’s overly calm and serious face.
Her face flushed slightly.
In her past life and present life combined, she had never made such a rushed decision about marriage. She didn’t dare look at his expression.
In her previous life, she had only been in one relationship—deeply unforgettable, but it ended in failure. For a moment, she felt dazed, as if she saw her ex-boyfriend. Come to think of it, Qin Zhoucheng also had somewhat mixed-race features like him.
She quickly pushed the thought away and resumed working.
“Comrade Lin, since we’ve already decided to marry, do you have any requirements? I will try my best to meet them,” Qin Zhoucheng said seriously.
“I… I don’t have any requirements.”
“What about the wedding? And the betrothal gifts? Right now people like ‘three turns and one sound system.’ Are you taking wedding photos?”
Lin Su felt a little shy, but his overly formal tone made her nervousness fade.
“Comrade Qin, we’re just living together temporarily. We don’t need anything that extravagant. You’re already spending a lot of money on me—if we divorce later, I’ll have to return it all. That would be too troublesome. You’re helping me, but I can’t take your kindness for free. I know you didn’t agree because you like me. I keep my word. I won’t cling to you or take advantage of you.”
She thought that once she had the ability to leave Yu Family Village and move to a big city, no one would care about her personal life anymore.
She spoke very openly and righteously, without any intention of relying on him forever.
Qin Zhoucheng actually liked her personality. Besides, he didn’t truly intend to spend his life with her either. However, he disagreed slightly.
“You want everything simple?”
Lin Su nodded.
“Even if it’s just a fake marriage, having nothing at all would still be unfair to you,” he said. “Forget it. Since you think it’s fine, we’ll do it your way.”
He lay down on the wooden bed, covered himself with a blanket, and soon his breathing became even—as if he had already fallen asleep.
Lin Su sighed in relief, but strangely, seeing how easily he agreed made her feel a bit disappointed.
She shook her head, forcing away the messy thoughts, and fell asleep as well.
This was the first person in this world who had shown her kindness. She attributed it to “imprint attachment,” but she knew she couldn’t rely on him forever.
What she didn’t know was that in the darkness, Qin Zhoucheng had already opened his eyes—and was quietly watching her.