01 The Arrogant and Domineering Female King

Song Jiuchen had lost count of how many times he had been asked to be introduced to potential partners.

When the enthusiastic old lady wouldn't let go, Song Jiuchen felt like he was in a brothel in ancient times, being enthusiastically promoted by the proprietress, smiling on the outside but bitter on the inside.

Song Jiuchen, 29 years old, single.

Xitang Village is both the same as and different from most rural villages.

What they have in common is vast tracts of land, an aging population, and children left behind in rural areas; what they have in common is commercialized streets, factories that hire workers, and wealthy self-employed individuals... Farmland is interspersed with assembly line factories, and the people working in the farmland are in their fifties and sixties, just like in the factories.

But more and more land is being abandoned, factories are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit workers and find markets... Those who remain are trapped in this situation. Those who leave never return!

Song Jiuchen wanted to revitalize Xitang Village, the place where he grew up, but things shouldn't have turned out this way.

Finding solutions, securing investment, undertaking construction, and locating sales channels all weighed heavily on this passionate young man. His hometown folks were very welcoming, knowing Song Jiuchen was acting in their best interests, and were very cooperative. In addition, they also helped Song Jiuchen with his marriage.

Today she's this family's daughter, the day after tomorrow she'll be that family's niece... Song Jiuchen had no choice but to meet several of them.

Song Jiuchen is well-educated, good-looking, and 185 cm tall. He wears glasses and has a refined and scholarly air about him, giving him a touch of the aloof and ruthless male god.

Unfortunately, no one could accept Song Jiuchen's job. It was supposed to be serving the people, but in reality, he was just a village cadre. After deductions for social security and housing fund, he only received a few thousand yuan, and lived in a small house in the village committee office. The girls had finally managed to leave; who wanted to come back with Song Jiuchen? Even if it was assembly line work, they'd go to an assembly line in the city.

Song Jiuchen didn't think much of it; after all, compared to building up his hometown, personal issues were insignificant.

But the people back home wouldn't give up, urging everyone to try harder, saying there's always a way to overcome difficulties!

Song Jiuchen, unaware of what others were thinking, devoted himself entirely to the development of his hometown. First and foremost, the land couldn't be left to waste. In his first year back, Song Jiuchen paid for soil testing himself, and the assessment determined it was suitable for planting fruit trees. Therefore, under Song Jiuchen's leadership, large tracts of wasteland were transformed into orchards.

The main crops are apples and yellow peaches. Apples are sold directly, while yellow peaches are used to make canned goods. The first harvest of fruit is expected in mid-to-late August, much to the delight of the villagers.

Only Song Jiuchen was silently pondering the sales issue.

Wholesale prices are too low, there's no market for retail, and transportation is another factor... In the internet age, e-commerce is a good option. Song Jiuchen wondered if he should learn from online village officials and make some videos... At least, Song Jiuchen has a good face.

Fortunately, before the fruit trees fully ripen, Song Jiuchen still has enough time to ponder and research short videos. However, he needs someone to help him. After much thought, he can't think of a suitable person yet, and he feels a bit melancholy...

After a 6-hour drive, Fang Shuning arrived successfully at 2:30 pm.

At 2:30, there's still time to air out the house and air out the blankets. Fang Shuning's home is a mixed-use commercial and residential building facing the street. Ms. Jianhua used to run a small business when she was younger, and since moving out, many people have wanted to rent her house. However, since she's rented it out, Ms. Jianhua can't come back to stay for a while whenever she wants.

And so, it remained unused.

As soon as Fang Shuning arrived home, her attentive and leisurely neighbors spotted her and came up to greet her.

There was Aunt Tian selling pies, Uncle Cui selling steamed buns, Grandpa Cui selling fried dough sticks... These people would be Fang Shuning's main source of food for a long time to come. Fang Shuning warmly responded to everyone's greetings, but everyone was asking a barrage of questions, making it a little difficult to keep up.

"Alright, alright, everyone, uncles, aunts, grandpas and grandmas, I just got home. I need to unpack and air out the blankets. I took annual leave to come home, and I'll be staying for a while. We still have time to chat, haha, everyone can go home now!"

At Fang Shuning's urging, the crowd finally dispersed. Fang Shuning finally had some peace and quiet.

It had been so long since anyone had been home; everything was covered in dust. At this moment, Fang Shuning especially missed Aunt Li. How long would it take her to clean up all that? Oh well, she'd tidy up the bedroom first, just enough to make it habitable. She'd worry about the rest later.

Laziness is a common human failing, but Fang Shuning is exceptionally lazy.

As evening approached, Fang Shuning felt hungry. Food is essential for survival; you get hungry if you skip a meal. Thinking back to when she used to work late into the night, she wondered why she never felt hungry then.

Fang Shuning went to the convenience store to buy an ice pop. The shopkeeper recognized her immediately and refused to take any money. Fang Shuning felt embarrassed. "Oh, it's just an ice pop, it's only five cents or a dollar. If I take your money, your mom will scold me."

Unable to refuse, Fang Shuning had no choice but to give up.

A noodle shop had opened on the street sometime during the day, and Fang Shuning decided to give it a try. If it was good, she would come back more often.

Fortunately, the owner didn't recognize her. She ordered, and the shop, though small and easily visible, was brightly lit with yellow bulbs hanging from the ceiling. She found a spot, sat down, and ate an ice pop while waiting for her noodles. Halfway through, she suddenly realized she shouldn't be eating something cold, especially since she'd just had surgery. Even minimally invasive surgery is still surgery, so Fang Shuning decided to ask DeepSeek.

Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed over her. Fang Shuning looked up and saw it wasn't a mask, but a human figure. Then it left.

Not paying attention, she continued to lower her head. A little while later, the noodles were served. Fang Shuning started eating. Since she couldn't add chili, it wasn't particularly delicious, but it wasn't terrible either. She just vaguely sensed that the man who had been standing in front of her had been stealing glances at her every now and then. Could this man be a pervert?

In broad daylight, under the clear sky, how could there be such a daring pervert?

Song Jiuchen went to the city today and came back a little late. Not wanting to cook, he decided to grab something to eat outside. Passing a noodle shop, he caught a glimpse of a familiar face. But unsure if it was the one he was thinking of, he nervously went inside.

After scrutinizing her for a while, Song Jiuchen finally couldn't resist and approached Fang Shuning again, asking in a tone that was both doubtful and certain.

Seeing that Fang Shuning didn't react, Song Jiuchen asked again, "Are you Fang Shuning?" This time, however, he changed "ba" to "ma," and his tone was less certain and more hesitant.

Fang Shuning sized up the person in front of her. He looked to be about her age, but she didn't recognize him. She asked impatiently, "Who are you?"

Seeing that Fang Shuning had acknowledged him, Song Jiuchen sat down opposite her without any hesitation. "I'm Song Jiuchen," he said, his eyes pleading, hoping Fang Shuning would remember him.

"Oh, Song Jiuchen, what's up?" Fang Shuning was still impatient, thinking to herself: This guy has no sense at all. If we don't leave soon, the noodles will get soggy and I'm not going to eat them!

When Song Jiuchen heard Fang Shuning ask him what was wrong, he assumed she remembered him and was overjoyed. "Nothing much, I just didn't expect to see you here. I'm a little surprised. What brings you back?"

“My home is here, so there’s nothing to be surprised to see me.”

Fang Shuning didn't want to waste her breath arguing with the stranger who seemed like a pervert. She pointed with her chopsticks at the noodles that were about to clump together, meaning that she was being held back from eating her noodles.

Song Jiuchen immediately understood and quickly apologized, keeping his mouth shut.

Fang Shuning took a couple of bites of noodles, then looked up at Song Jiuchen sitting in front of her and asked, "Aren't you going to sit back down?"

Can't I sit here?

Without the slightest hesitation, Fang Shuning said bluntly, "No!"

Song Jiuchen had no choice but to awkwardly sit back down, then occasionally steal glances at Fang Shuning who was eating noodles.

Fang Shuning probably didn't like the noodles, as she ate very small bites, scrolling through her phone with her left hand while holding noodles in her right, oblivious to everyone around her.

Fang Shuning had left half her noodles and didn't want to eat anymore. She got up to leave. Seeing that Fang Shuning was about to leave, Song Jiuchen hurriedly stood up, "Fang...Fang Shuning, can we add each other on WeChat?"

Fang Shuning scrutinized Song Jiuchen again. Putting aside the fact that she seemed to have a problem with her brain, this man was quite handsome. It wasn't that she couldn't add him, but… “I can, but… who exactly are you?”

"Huh? So you didn't remember who I was at all?"

"Ah (fourth tone, stressed, even more impatient), so what!" If Song Jiuchen didn't have some good looks, Fang Shuning would have left long ago, why bother talking nonsense with him.

Song Jiuchen looked a little embarrassed, but still spoke calmly, "Xitang Elementary School, Class 1, Grade 6, we were classmates. I even sat in front of you. You hit me right after we changed seats. And you didn't like doing your homework when you were in school, you often copied mine, I..." Before Song Jiuchen could finish, Fang Shuning quickly interrupted, "Okay, okay, shut your mouth! You want to add me on WeChat, right? Come on, add me on WeChat, add me on WeChat."

Ding~ Scanning successful, friend request accepted.

Then she turned and left, not giving Song Jiuchen a chance to speak again. Her little mouth opened, and she said things Fang Shuning didn't want to hear. Even a lunatic wouldn't want to listen.

After Fang Shuning left, Song Jiuchen sat down again and began eating his bowl of noodles, which had long since clumped together. The proprietress, who had watched the whole thing unfold, teased Song Jiuchen, "Little Secretary Song, have you taken a fancy to that young lady? Should I help you find out whose she is?"

"No need to trouble you, Auntie. I know who she is and whose family she belongs to." But he didn't deny the question, "Have you taken a fancy to that young girl?"

The proprietress scoffed and continued scrolling through short videos. The jarring sound coming from the phone, coupled with the proprietress's occasional giggles, gave Song Jiuchen a strange sense of irritation.

He quickly ate a few bites of noodles and left.

Back at the village committee's small house where he rested, Song Jiuchen couldn't calm down for a long time. He had unexpectedly run into Fang Shuning again, the "arrogant and domineering queen" who had slapped him the moment he sat down in front of her when they were kids. Thinking of that nickname, a smile crept onto Song Jiuchen's lips without him even realizing it.

Scrolling through Fang Shuning's WeChat Moments, Song Jiuchen noticed that most posts were reposts of legal provisions and cases, interspersed with photos. Like a voyeur, he meticulously examined the images, eventually reaching the end. He learned that Fang Shuning had attended a law university, was now a lawyer, and lived in City A...

Most importantly, Fang Shuning's social media posts don't mention anything about love, seemingly indicating she's single. But who would believe someone as beautiful as Fang Shuning doesn't have a boyfriend?

Fang Shuning was angry for a while after returning home because she thought Song Jiuchen was crazy. How could she, a model student excelling in all aspects of life—morality, intelligence, physical education, aesthetics, and labor—become the kind of person he described? He really doesn't know how to talk to people; what a waste of his good looks.

After checking her emails for a while, Fang Shuning realized she had nothing to do. Suddenly, she felt that she wasn't in City A, wasn't working, had nothing to deal with, and no one was contacting her.

That makes sense. The world keeps turning no matter who's gone, so don't take yourself too seriously. I'll close my laptop, wash up, and go to bed early.

Standing at the bathroom door, Fang Shuning suddenly realized that after hanging out the laundry to dry and tidying up the bedroom that afternoon, she had gone out for a stroll and completely forgot that the water heater wasn't on! Ms. Jianhua always turned off the power to everything that needed to be turned off when she left the house. Sigh, Fang Shuning sighed deeply. Now that it was plugged in, how long would it take for the water to heat up?

Driving all day without showering is no good! Washing with cold water right after surgery is also out of the question! No this, no that—the classic line popped into Fang Shuning's mind: "A bitch is just being dramatic." But fortunately, Fang Shuning is a pretty optimistic person; there's always a solution to every problem.

Even when we didn't have a water heater at home when we were kids, we still took showers as usual.

After rummaging through drawers and cabinets, Fang Shuning pulled out a kettle. "Boiling two kettles of water will be enough, won't it? How clever of me!"

She filled the water container, plugged it into the power strip, and waited for it to boil. Three seconds later, with a "sizzle," sparks flew before Fang Shuning's eyes, and the room went dark instantly!

The villagers all go to bed early, so who should we ask for help now?

Looking out the second-floor window, only a handful of houses had their lights on. A glance at her phone showed it was only a little past 9 a.m., and Xitang Village had already fallen silent. Fang Shuning suddenly felt a pang of sadness; this place where she was born and raised seemed to have truly lost all vitality.

After thinking it over, Fang Shuning sent Song Jiuchen a WeChat message, since he was the only young person she had interacted with since returning home. 【Hey Song, are you asleep? Can you do me a favor?】 She also attached a funny emoji.

Fang Shuning felt that this way, it wouldn't seem too awkward.

Song Jiuchen was pleasantly surprised to receive Fang Shuning's message. He quickly said he hadn't slept and asked what was wrong.

I sent a voice message and briefly explained what happened.

"I understand, wait a moment, I'll be right there."

About three to five minutes later, Song Jiuchen sent a message: "[Have you unplugged all the power strips?]"

[Removed]

【good】

The moment the "OK" was received, the room was illuminated again.

Did you receive a call?

[Here you are] [Thank you!]

Would you mind if I went to check what's going on?

[If you don't mind, you can do it] After all, she knew nothing about this, so why wouldn't Fang Shuning be happy to get free labor?

A short while later, Song Jiuchen appeared at Fang Shuning's door. Fang Shuning suddenly realized that Song Jiuchen not only knew exactly where her power switch was, but also knew everything about her house. Knowing that one shouldn't be malicious, she casually asked, "Hey, how did you know where my power switch is?"

Song Jiuchen scratched his head, and said apologetically, "I am now the village secretary of Xitang Village, so I am quite familiar with the situation in the village. Especially for places like yours where no one is home often, we need to pay more attention to avoid any accidents."

I see. "Then you're still a cadre."

"No, not really. Let me check the kettle." "It's probably been unused for too long; the heating element at the bottom is broken. It can't be used anymore, and you shouldn't use the power strip either. Go buy a new one tomorrow."

Finally, Song Jiuchen went to the village committee and brought two kettles of hot water for Fang Shuning, so that Fang Shuning could get through her first night back in the village without any problems!