Chapter 18: Entangled by Jiangguo

As soon as Ye Simin stepped out of the team leader’s house, she looked at Su Yao with curiosity. She had only thought that Su Yao was skilled in martial arts, but she hadn’t expected her medical skills to be so impressive. On top of that, she was so beautiful—it was truly enviable.

Mu Xingjue followed behind, his eyes fixed intently on her. He hadn’t anticipated such a pleasant surprise—her prowess in combat and her life-saving medical skills. He wondered what other discoveries awaited.

Back home, Su Yao began preparing dinner. Since spring planting was to start the next day, everyone ate well and then made some dumplings and steamed buns together, so they could just boil them for breakfast.

Early the next morning, after the work bell rang, everyone gathered at the threshing ground. After the team leader’s motivational speech, they went to their assigned fields to start working.

Su Yao was alright at weeding—it wasn’t a skillful task, and there was no need to distinguish between seedlings or weeds. Farming wasn’t this fast nowadays.

After a while, Su Yao sat on the ridge to rest. At that moment, a scruffy man with yellow teeth and a dodgy demeanor approached her. “Are you Su, the educated youth?” he asked.

Su Yao nodded silently.

“My name’s Jiang Guo. If you can’t handle the work, you can come find me. I’m strong,” Jiang Guo said, patting his chest. Not sure if he overestimated his strength or was just too forceful, but he ended up coughing after the pat.

Su Yao frowned deeply and quickly got up to leave. It had clearly been ages since he last brushed his teeth—the stench and the spitting were utterly disgusting.

“Su, I’m fine, no health issues, just choked a bit just now,” Jiang Guo stepped closer to explain.

Su Yao immediately took two steps back, putting distance between them.

Not giving up, Jiang Guo tried to approach again, but Su Yao coldly said, “Stay away from me, or don’t blame me for being rude.”

“Come on, Su, I like you. That’s why I’m getting close to you,” Jiang Guo grinned slyly and took another step forward.

Looking at his face, Su Yao felt like vomiting up last night’s meal—and he claimed to like her?

Nearby, some educated youths and villagers were working. Seeing Jiang Guo harass Su Yao, they started whispering among themselves.

“That Jiang Guo is pestering Su, really a toad wanting to eat swan meat. Doesn’t he know what he looks like? Does Su even fancy him?”

“You don’t understand. Remember that Cui, also an educated youth? Jiang Hong used underhanded tricks to snatch her. Jiang Guo’s even sleazier. Su’s in trouble.”

“I think it was that Li Zhaodi’s bad idea—not only no bride price, but also getting a rich daughter-in-law for free.”

“That Li Zhaodi is really despicable—probably after Su’s money. I wonder if Jiang Guo will succeed.”

Jiang Guo kept inching closer. Su Yao was about to kick him when Wu Hongtao suddenly appeared. “Jiang Guo, what are you doing? It’s the busiest time for spring planting. If you don’t work your own field, what are you doing here? Trying to dock work points?”

Seeing Wu Hongtao approach, Jiang Guo sulked away, but before leaving he said to Su Yao, “Su, I’ll come help you later.”

Su Yao rolled her eyes and ignored him.

After Jiang Guo left, Wu Hongtao came over. “Su, Jiang Guo is a troublemaker in the village. You’d better watch out for him; he’s capable of anything.”

“Thank you, team leader, for the warning. I’ll be careful.”

Later, Li Zhaodi pulled Jiang Guo aside and said, “This Su is pretty good-looking and wealthy—much better than that Yang educated youth you liked.”

“Mom, you have good taste. She’s indeed beautiful. I’m going to make her my wife.”

Li Zhaodi glanced around and whispered, “Son, use your elder brother’s tactic. Su will be yours in no time, and her money will be ours.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. With my skills, I’ll have Su wrapped around my finger. Once she’s married in, she’ll listen to you.” Jiang Guo smugly shook his head, scattering dandruff, thinking himself very handsome.

Li Zhaodi puffed out her chest. “That’s my son! Don’t worry, I’ve got your back no matter what.”

“Mom, just wait to sip tea with your daughter-in-law.”

In the following days, Jiang Guo kept appearing near Su Yao, but didn’t get too close or affect her work, so she paid him no mind.

However, someone else noticed and asked, “Su, has someone been bothering you lately? Want me to help?”

“What? Someone’s harassing you? Who? I’ll go settle it.” Hearing this, Ye Simin slammed the table and stood up, ready to confront whoever it was.

“No need, I can handle it.” Su Yao seated her and told her to keep eating.

That day, Yang Hui was assigned to work alongside Su Yao.

Jiang Guo strolled over lazily, chewing on a blade of grass. Seeing Su Yao, he spat it out with a “Pfft,” and said, “Su, you’re busy. I came to help you.”

Su Yao didn’t even bother looking up.

Yang Hui’s eyes flickered, then loudly declared, “I really envy Su. Someone’s even helping her.”

Yang Hui’s voice made the nearby workers look up. Seeing potential drama, they sat down to rest and watch.

“Who are you?” Su Yao asked, pointing at Jiang Guo.

“Su, I’m Jiang Guo.”

“Comrade Jiang, Yang needs help. You can go assist her, so she won’t be jealous,” Su Yao said, nodding toward Yang Hui, who was eager to watch the show.

Yang Hui grew flustered. “I don’t need his help. We’re not close. But Su must be familiar with him since he’s always by her side. When are you inviting me for a drink?”

Yang Hui was only a few steps away, but Su Yao strode over and slapped her hard across the face. “Yang, we’re both comrades, and you’ve had some schooling. How come all you learned at school is to gossip, slander, and make up stories?”

Yang Hui, still stunned from the slap, covered her face, staring incredulously at Su Yao. “You—you hit me?”

“Yes, to teach you a lesson.”

“You, you filthy woman! How dare you hit me? I’ll beat you to death!”

Yang Hui snapped out of it and lunged at Su Yao.

Su Yao grabbed her attacking hand, twisted it behind her back, and kicked her leg, forcing her to kneel.

“You filthy woman, you won’t die a good death,” Yang Hui cursed, struggling to stand and raise the other hand.

Su Yao pushed her away with one hand. “Yang, consider this a warning. I don’t want to hear any more slander about me. Otherwise, I’ll make those words come true—and you’ll be the main character.”

“You dare?”

“You can try me.”

With that, Su Yao left Yang Hui behind and returned to her work.