As well-informed transmigration fans, Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli disdained watching such a live performance.
Jiang Ci recognized the voice. Sometimes, opportunities are seized by sudden, keen observation. So, Jiang Ci grabbed Zhou Mingli's collar and whispered, "Let's go take a look."
Zhou Mingli: "...?"
"What are you looking at?"
"You'll find out when you get there, don't ask so many questions."
Jiang Ci had already jumped off the back of the bicycle and moved forward stealthily with small, shuffling steps.
Zhou Mingli watched her movements, speechless, and could only quietly push his bicycle behind her.
Jiang Ci suddenly stopped, squatted down, and waved to Zhou Mingli, signaling him to squat down as well.
Once Zhou Mingli was properly disguised, Jiang Ci slightly raised her head and saw the scene not far away.
This kind of thing, where a man and a woman go into the woods, isn't anything special. Jiang Ci's reason for coming over wasn't because she was sexually aroused and wanted to see a live performance, but because she wanted to see who the woman talking was.
Jiang Ci recognized who it was at a glance.
No, that's not Widow Wang from their Shanding Brigade.
Take another look at the man—
Oh dear!
Jiang Ci's eyes widened, and she seemed to be frozen in place.
Zhou Mingli looked around to make sure no one was watching, then quietly parked his bicycle and went to Jiang Ci's side.
"What... um?"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Mingli's mouth was slapped shut. Jiang Ci mouthed "Shh—" to him.
Zhou Mingli grabbed her arm and gave her a deep look.
Jiang Ci didn't notice his expression and pointed towards the grove of trees.
Zhou Mingli followed her hand and looked in that direction.
Wait until you see the person clearly.
Zhou Mingli: “…”
"I saw you wriggling around in the wheat field at noon today. Who were you flirting with this time?" the man said, eagerly groping Widow Wang and taking advantage of her.
"You rascal, who else could I seduce besides you?"
"Hmph, you say I'm in a hurry? Are you in a hurry or am I?"
The two quickly began to undress each other. Jiang Ci had already looked away, completely ignoring the two's babbling. "Did you see clearly? That's the male lead."
Zhou Mingli remained silent for a moment, then pulled Jiang Ci away.
"Unexpected, but reasonable."
Zhou Mingli lowered his voice and said, "The eldest son of the Zhou family made more money than the second son of the Zhou family by confiscating property, and certainly not less."
"Only the poor who suddenly become rich will do things they wouldn't have dared to do before."
"Like being a ladybug, or a gambler?"
Zhou Mingli let out a soft "hmm" from his throat.
Zhou Mingli let her sit on his bicycle, and he rode home.
Jiang Ci continued, "Then may I ask, Mr. Zhou, what were your thoughts when I transferred the first sum of money to you after we got married?"
Zhou Mingli: “…”
"Hey, Zhou Mingli, ride properly, don't twist around!"
For a moment, he was distracted and almost lost control of the bike. Zhou Mingli quickly snapped back to reality, focused on riding, and answered in a muffled voice, "I don't remember."
Liar.
He remembers it clearly.
At that time, he and Jiang Ci had just graduated. After taking graduation photos, all the classmates dispersed in twos and threes. Zhou Mingli took off his bachelor's gown and prepared to go to the next campus recruitment interview.
The suits in the mall were too expensive, so he wanted to go to the second-hand market to see if there were any cheaper ones.
Before he could even leave the school gate, Zhou Mingli was stopped by someone.
The person who stopped him was Jiang Ci, the most prominent figure in his four years of university life.
They didn't interact much; the most recent time was when she helped him get his wages.
"Zhou Mingli, where are you going?"
Jiang Ci was still wearing her graduation gown, her delicate and beautiful face tilted upwards. Because the sunlight was so bright, she could only squint slightly, and all the dappled light blended into her eyes, making her look incredibly beautiful.
"Go for the interview," Zhou Mingli said simply.
"Oh." Jiang Ci tapped her little leather shoes. "There's a business deal you'd like to do? A deal that can propel you to great heights and help you transcend social classes."
Zhou Mingli's eyelids twitched slightly, and he said coldly, "I don't have time to play pampered princess games with you."
He walked past Jiang Ci quickly, and Jiang Ci's lazy voice came from behind him, "Want to get a marriage certificate with me? I can fund your entry into the circle you want to be in, and I can also help you get the knowledge and connections you need quickly to satisfy your ambitions."
Zhou Mingli's steps suddenly became very heavy, and his breathing became labored.
When he turned to look at Jiang Ci, he saw her with her back to the sun, a smile on her lips, looking confident and determined to win.
“You can also refuse me, Zhou Mingli. You have one… no, ten seconds to think it over.”
Fairies danced merrily around her; the wind tossed her hair, and light leaped through it, more mischievous than any fairy.
"Ten...eight...six...five four three two!"
Jiang Ci was a rogue from the start; her drawn-out voice suddenly sped up, gripping his heart and making his heartbeat quicken with her voice.
Zhou Mingli clenched his fists, his back drenched in sweat, and said coldly, "Stop playing around, Jiang Ci. I don't have that much time to waste on your nonsense."
“Who said I’m being ridiculous?” Jiang Ci took out two certificates from the pocket of her graduation gown and waved them in front of him.
Those are ID cards and household registration books.
Staring at the two certificates, Zhou Mingli's throat was dry, and his neatly trimmed nails were still digging into his flesh, the pain constantly reminding him that this was the real world and not a dream.
No, I could never dream of such a wonderful thing.
Why do you want to marry me?
Jiang Ci strode towards him, her calves, white beneath her academic gown, were encased in black stockings, her ankles appearing exceptionally slender, as if they might break at the slightest touch.
Jiang Ci seemed to be thinking seriously, "Because you have needs, and I have needs too. My parents want me to marry a man, but that man is gay and still wants to marry me because he wants to become the son-in-law of the Jiang family to help his boyfriend get better resources."
“My mother and that man’s mother are good friends, and my father and his father are business partners. I can’t refuse directly, so I can only… do it first and ask for permission later.”
Zhou Mingli frowned in disbelief. "Scumbag."
“I’m not talking about you, I’m talking about…that man.”
Jiang Ci smiled, tilted her head, and asked with a light laugh, "So, do you want to marry me?"
"Zhou Mingli, you only have one second left to think about it."
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