Chapter 19: You Look So Beautiful When You Smile

Yang Hui scrambled up from the ground, her eyes fixed on Su Yao with a venomous glare. "Su Yao, just you wait. I won't let you get away with this."

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, she shot a look at Jiang Guo, who was standing nearby. He understood immediately and slipped away.

The afternoon passed in uneasy silence.

That night, after everyone in the educated youth dormitory had turned in, a stealthy figure crept out of a room and headed toward the back mountain, pausing occasionally to scan the surroundings for anyone nearby.

Once she reached the back mountain and ventured a few meters inside, she arrived at the agreed-upon spot. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind. Yang Hui was startled, but upon realizing who it was, she pushed him away. "Jiang Guo, what are you doing? Get away from me!"

Having finally gotten her into his arms, Jiang Guo had no intention of letting go. His hands roamed over her body as he leered. "I didn't realize you were so well-endowed, Yang. Why don't you just belong to me? I think that Su girl will be easy enough to deal with."

Flushed with shame and humiliation, Yang Hui stammered, "Jiang Guo, let me go this instant! If you touch me again, I’ll scream."

Jiang Guo was unfazed and grew even bolder, his hands wandering freely. "Don't struggle, Yang. Otherwise, I won't care where we are—I'll take you right here and now."

"You..." Terrified, Yang Hui could only endure his molestation.

Seeing her stop struggling, Jiang Guo became even more brazen, kissing her forcefully. Yang Hui tried to dodge but could not escape, forced to submit to his demands.

After a long while, Jiang Guo finally released her. Seeing her tearful, humiliated expression, he spat in disgust. "Don't act so righteous. It was just some touching and kissing; it’s not like I went all the way. What are you crying for?"

"You—I came here to discuss business, not to be bullied by you!" Yang Hui wiped the saliva he had left on her skin with a look of revulsion, straightened her disheveled clothes, and glared at him.

Jiang Guo chuckled. "If you want me to scheme to make that Su girl marry me, I have to collect some interest first."

Yang Hui shot him a look of disdain, but since the damage was already done, she felt she might as well make it count. "When will you make your move? I don't want to see that bitch Su Yao flaunting herself in front of me anymore."

"Let's wait until the spring planting is over. Everyone is too busy and exhausted right now to be wandering out at night," Jiang Guo said, reaching out to grope her again.

Yang Hui slapped his hand away in annoyance. "Fine, we’ll wait until the spring planting is finished. But you’d better keep your word."

Jiang Guo shook his hand, which stung from her slap. "Don't worry, I always keep my word. But you have to come and keep me company every night until then."

"Absolutely not," Yang Hui refused flatly.

Jiang Guo was only being handsy for now, but she feared what might happen if he lost control. She intended to marry the educated youth Mu; she couldn't let a beast like Jiang Guo ruin her prospects.

Jiang Guo stepped forward and gripped her chin. "I’m not asking for your permission; you will come to me, or I won't mind paying a visit to the dormitory myself."

"You wouldn't dare," Yang Hui panicked.

"Just come here every night. If you don't believe me, feel free to test me." With a final squeeze, Jiang Guo walked away.

Yang Hui cried in frustration before composing herself and returning to the dormitory.

After she left, two elderly people emerged from the shadows nearby. "I never imagined there were such wicked people in the educated youth dormitory. I wonder who that Su girl is; we must find a way to warn her."

"We can barely look after ourselves, let alone worry about others."

"These youths coming to the countryside are only seventeen or eighteen. If we can help, we should. We can't let those villains ruin them."

"You and your soft heart. When A-Jue arrives, I’ll ask him to give her a heads-up."

After nearly a month of hard labor, the field work finally concluded, and the brigade leader granted everyone a day off.

Ye Simin tried to drag Su Yao to town, but Su Yao refused; she didn't want to move or walk such a long distance, so she asked Xu Xingyu to take her bicycle and bring her back some rice, flour, and meat.

Since Su Yao wasn't going, Mu Xingjue didn't plan to either. After the others left, he asked, "Do you want to go for a walk in the back mountain? We can pick up some firewood while we're at it."

Su Yao thought it sounded fine, and she could dig up some wild vegetables too.

Mu Xingjue grabbed an axe and some rope, and Su Yao took a basket, heading to the back mountain together.

At the foot of the mountain, they tacitly headed deeper into the woods, gathering firewood as they went. Suddenly, they heard the clucking of a pheasant, reminding them of the delicious bird they had shared previously.

"Educated Youth Mu, look! Wild pheasant eggs!" Su Yao called out, gesturing to Mu Xingjue.

"Go ahead and put them in your basket. I'll go catch that pheasant; we can make soup tonight," Mu Xingjue said, sprinting after the clucking bird.

He hadn't had a chance to show off his skills before, and he was determined to prove to Su Yao that he was quite capable.

Before long, Mu Xingjue returned with a smile, holding the pheasant by its broken neck. "We're having chicken tonight."

It was the first time Su Yao had seen Mu Xingjue smile; she was surprised to find how adorable he looked, especially with his two little canine teeth.

*Oh my, what do I do? I think I'm falling for him!*

Mu Xingjue felt self-conscious under her gaze, his ears turning bright red. "Let's... let's keep walking."

They continued deeper, picking up firewood as they went. Without realizing it, they had wandered quite far. The mountain path was tangled with vines and difficult to navigate. Su Yao accidentally tripped, and just as she was about to hit the ground, Mu Xingjue caught her from behind, and they tumbled down together.

Mu Xingjue lay on the ground with Su Yao sprawled across his chest—a position both intimate and picturesque.

Su Yao hadn't expected him to cushion her fall. Her hands were pressed against his chest, and the thumping of his heart sent a warmth radiating through her palms.

"You..."

"You..."

"Are you alright?"

"Are you alright?"

They spoke in unison and burst into laughter.

Su Yao stared at Mu Xingjue’s smile, finding it increasingly charming, especially those two little canine teeth. "You look really good when you smile."

Mu Xingjue blushed. "Do you like it?"

In her heart, Su Yao was bold enough to imagine having multiple lovers or finding a man with a six-pack, but facing him directly, she felt shy. She blushed and whispered, "Yes, I like it."

They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment before looking away, afraid of what might happen if they lingered too long.

Su Yao braced her hands to stand up, but Mu Xingjue’s frame was solid—broad shoulders and a narrow waist. She couldn't push herself up and ended up collapsing back into his arms.

A muffled groan escaped him, and both their faces turned beet red.

Just as Su Yao tried to move, Mu Xingjue held her down with one hand. "Don't move. Let me."

His voice had dropped an octave.

With one hand bracing the ground and the other wrapped around her waist, he sat up. Su Yao found herself straddling his lap, her arms around his neck—an incredibly provocative position.