What?
Comrade Zheng got two holes drilled into him by Captain Pei's glare?
The villagers paused their work and pricked up their ears to listen.
Even Shen Nanchu, who had just walked up behind Zheng Tongwei, was burning with curiosity.
"Ah, speaking of it brings nothing but tears."
Zheng Tongwei let out a long sigh.
Yesterday, he had indeed been thoroughly crushed by this couple—Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian.
Now that Pei Zhengnian had just returned, Zheng Tongwei couldn’t afford to miss such a golden opportunity to get closer to him.
After tossing and turning all night, he finally came up with a brilliant plan.
Today, he would make sure the jealous Pei Zhengnian believed that Zheng Tongwei had absolutely no improper thoughts about Shen Nanchu.
Zheng Tongwei took a deep breath to steady himself and began his performance.
"Uncles, aunties, be the judges here."
"Do I look like a bad person to you?"
The elderly villagers shook their heads, then nodded.
"Well, bad people don’t exactly wear their wickedness on their foreheads!"
"But so far, Comrade Zheng’s actions have been quite upright."
Zheng Tongwei inwardly wiped away bitter tears.
"Let me tell you, Captain Pei absolutely adores Nanchu."
Pei Zhengnian rarely wandered around the village, let alone with Shen Nanchu.
On top of that, Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu were a strikingly handsome couple—unlike any other pair in Wang Family Village. Naturally, the villagers were endlessly curious about them.
"Really? Tell us more!"
The more gossip-loving women quickly surrounded Zheng Tongwei.
Zheng Tongwei never imagined he’d be this popular one day.
Rolling up his sleeves, he launched into his tale.
"Listen, Captain Pei might look like he could take down a wild boar with one punch, but he’s completely whipped by Nanchu."
"If Nanchu tells him to go east, he wouldn’t dare go west."
"The moment Nanchu sheds a tear, Captain Pei would kneel to catch them."
Shen Nanchu froze. "System, does Pei Zhengnian really listen to me this much?"
The system calculated. "Based on incomplete statistics, the male lead complies with 99% of Host’s requests."
Shen Nanchu: "..."
A scarily obedient male lead.
(つ﹏⊂)
The women burst into lively discussion.
"Captain Pei looks like he could punch a boar to death, yet he’s a total henpecked husband!"
"Hands over his salary, eats all the leftovers, does all the chores, obeys every word—what a well-rounded man!"
"Ha! Maybe your husband should learn from him!"
The women dissolved into laughter.
This… wasn’t the reaction Zheng Tongwei had expected. He wanted everyone to see how much Pei Zhengnian cherished Shen Nanchu!
How did it turn into Pei Zhengnian being a pushover?
If Pei Zhengnian found out…
Zheng Tongwei shuddered at the thought. The mental image was… beautiful.
He hurriedly backtracked.
"Ah, it’s not as exaggerated as you all think."
"Nanchu isn’t that fierce—she’s actually very gentle, beautiful, and generous."
"She’s kind-hearted, always helping others."
"And she treats Captain Pei extremely well too."
A heavy silence fell over the crowd.
Was this Shen Nanchu that Zheng Tongwei was describing the same one they knew?
Maybe someone else with the same name?
The Shen Nanchu in the villagers’ memories was nothing like the sweet angel Zheng Tongwei was painting her to be.
"Comrade Zheng, it seems you know my wife very well."
Shen Nanchu had been listening with great interest when Pei Zhengnian’s voice suddenly sounded behind her.
Of all times, Pei Zhengnian had overheard Zheng Tongwei’s later praises.
The villagers, well-versed in drama, immediately cleared a path.
Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu now stood right in front of Zheng Tongwei.
This was the definition of a mortifying moment.
Pei Zhengnian stepped closer. "Comrade Zheng, you seem to have an exceptionally thorough understanding of Comrade Shen Nanchu."
"Heh, hehe…"
Zheng Tongwei forced an awkward but polite smile.
"Well, I’ve worked with Comrade Shen for a while, so I know her just a little…"
"Actually, Comrade Zheng has only been in Wang Family Village for a little over half a month. We’ve only worked together a handful of times."
Shen Nanchu shot Zheng Tongwei a look.
Her expression seemed to say, I’m telling the truth—why are you making up stories about us?
[Dislike Points +30]
[Dislike Points +50]
After all the times he’d helped Shen Nanchu, this was how she repaid him?
Zheng Tongwei’s gaze turned mournful.
What an ungrateful woman.
"Captain Pei, you’re so outstanding—only someone as remarkable as Comrade Shen could be your match."
Zheng Tongwei desperately flattered.
Heh~
Hehe~~~
Pei Zhengnian glanced at Zheng Tongwei, disdain flashing in his eyes.
He strode over, his iron-like arm hooking around the weaker man’s shoulders.
Zheng Tongwei stiffened.
"Comrade Zheng, didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to discuss village matters with me?"
"I’m free now. How about we have a proper chat?"
Could Zheng Tongwei refuse?
Pei Zhengnian’s grip was like a vice around his shoulder.
He was half-convinced that if he said no, Pei Zhengnian would crush his bones on the spot.
"Y-Yes, of course."
Shen Nanchu didn’t buy for a second that Pei Zhengnian—that dog—actually wanted a friendly chat. This was 100% a power move.
Men could be so childish sometimes.
After watching the two "buddies" walk off, Shen Nanchu went for a stroll, with the round ball of fluff, Meiqiu, trailing behind her.
Officially, she was still under the guise of working for the cultural relics bureau, so she had to make her daily rounds.
By now, Shen Nanchu had explored every inch of Wang Family Village’s mountains. She could probably navigate them blindfolded.
Meiqiu led the way, sniffing left and right, while Shen Nanchu followed.
Soon, the little dog guided her to a patch of wild mulberries.
Shen Nanchu noticed the berries had ripened—tiny, dark fruits with a sweet-tart flavor.
She picked a bunch and stored them in her system space, snacking as she walked.
The system even kindly chilled them for her.
The duo wandered happily through the hills—until Shen Nanchu’s brows furrowed slightly.
Meiqiu had brought her to a stone wall covered in dense vegetation.
She knew this spot but had never paid it much attention before.
Meiqiu barked twice at her, then suddenly ducked into the greenery.
It was hollow!
Shen Nanchu had never noticed.
Meiqiu popped back out, tilting its head. Its pitch-black eyes gleamed with curiosity as it stared at her.
Shen Nanchu reached out and pushed aside the thick foliage—
A narrow opening, just wide enough for one person, appeared before her…
