"Hello~"
A familiar, melodious voice came through the receiver.
"Yeah, it's me."
Pei Zhengnian had deliberately waited until the office was empty before making the call.
"The marriage application has been approved."
"So soon?"
Shen Nanchu sounded surprised.
"Yeah, your political vetting was already cleared, and I asked the leadership to expedite it."
Pei Zhengnian said it casually, but truthfully, even he found it odd.
The approval had come unusually fast.
But he didn’t mention that to Shen Nanchu.
"Do you have time to come to town tomorrow? Let’s get our marriage certificate sorted."
"Sure."
Shen Nanchu agreed without hesitation.
She’d been meaning to visit the supply and marketing cooperative anyway.
Getting the certificate tomorrow would work out perfectly.
"Alright, I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the state-run restaurant at noon."
Pei Zhengnian’s words made Shen Nanchu’s eyes light up.
"No problem. Just remember to bring plenty of money."
Pei Zhengnian nearly choked on her bluntness.
"Alright, I’ll hang up now."
"Okay."
As she set the phone down, Shen Nanchu met the curious gaze of Wang Jianguo’s beady little eyes.
"Um, Village Chief, I’d like to take tomorrow off."
"Going to get hitched with that Pei boy?"
The phone had one major flaw—it was too loud. Anyone nearby could easily eavesdrop.
"Yep. I’ll bring you and Aunt Lanhua some wedding candies later."
Shen Nanchu admitted it openly, without a hint of shyness.
"Sounds good!"
Wang Jianguo grinned, the wrinkles on his face deepening.
Who would’ve thought?
The village chief was only in his forties, but he looked well into his fifties.
The stress of running the village had aged him prematurely.
Shen Nanchu had to admit—Wang Family Village was lucky to have a chief like Wang Jianguo, a man so dedicated and selfless. It must’ve taken generations of good karma.
At least, he was better off than her.
Shen Nanchu wasn’t exactly the poster child for traditional virtues. She was an unapologetic opportunist.
Helping the Pei family? Only because they were the ultimate winners.
Happiness wasn’t her goal—winning was.
This world only respected two kinds of people: the rich and the powerful. Shen Nanchu intended to be both.
Now, she needed to pull Wang Family Village into her plans, binding them together in mutual interest.
Only a shared stake would make their alliance unshakable.
She wasn’t naive enough to think the Pei family’s enemies would just sit back and let them thrive in Wang Family Village.
Wang Jianguo was adaptable yet principled—a perfect partner.
After all, even a mighty dragon couldn’t crush a local serpent.
If trouble came, let the village chief and the villagers handle it.
She was the mastermind—no need to dirty her own hands.
Shen Nanchu flashed Wang Jianguo an innocent smile, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt.
Wang Jianguo chuckled along, oblivious to the net closing in around him.
"Village Chief, how’s the village’s grain yield been these past few years?"
"Don’t even ask."
The question instantly deflated Wang Jianguo’s mood.
"You’ve seen our situation."
"Surrounded by mountains, most of them rocky, with barely any arable land—just enough to keep folks from starving."
"We’re the county’s poorest village, year after year."
His face flushed with shame.
Leading the village to such a state felt like a personal failure.
"Planting nothing but rice and corn? No wonder you’re dead last."
Shen Nanchu’s bluntness twisted the knife deeper.
What was wrong with this girl?
Couldn’t she at least offer some comfort instead of rubbing salt in the wound?
"But, Village Chief, you’re lucky you met me."
What did that mean?
Wang Jianguo stared at her in disbelief. "Shen, do you have a way to lift the village out of poverty?"
"Maybe."
Of course she had a plan, but it never hurt to sound modest.
Wang Jianguo knew Shen Nanchu well—if she said it, she meant it.
"Shen—no, Nanchu, if you can help Uncle Wang shed this poverty label, I’ll treat you like my own ancestor."
That was exactly what Shen Nanchu wanted to hear.
"Deal, Uncle!"
"Consider it done."
"I’ll find a way to swap our poverty cap for a prosperity crown."
Wang Jianguo’s eyes bulged like copper bells. The next second, he leaped up, knocking over the table and startling the neighbor’s dog into silence.
"R-really?"
He was so excited he could barely speak.
"Nanchu, if you can pull this off, I swear—your family’s troubles will be Wang Family Village’s troubles."
Wang Jianguo was no old-fashioned stickler.
Anyone who could fill his villagers’ bellies, clothe their backs, and put money in their pockets would be their savior—no matter their background or enemies.
And anyone who dared harm their savior would have to step over their bodies first.
Shen Nanchu paused, momentarily taken aback.
She hadn’t expected Wang Jianguo to grasp her needs so quickly.
Perfect. She loved working with smart people—it made for lasting partnerships.
"Uncle, you’re sharp. Pleasure doing business."
"Uh, y-yeah, pleasure."
---
The next morning, after breakfast, Shen Nanchu borrowed a bicycle from the village chief’s house and set off for Ning'an Town.
Truthfully, getting to Ning'an Town from Wang Family Village without a vehicle was a hassle.
She made a mental note to ask Pei Zhengnian to buy her a bicycle later.
Weren’t the "three rounds and a sound" all the rage for weddings these days?
Sure, she was a divorcee, but was one "round" too much to ask?
If he couldn’t even spare that, why bother getting married?
Might as well stay single forever.
(￢︿￢☆)
Shen Nanchu pedaled leisurely, arriving at the state-run restaurant by noon.
At the entrance,
Pei Zhengnian leaned lazily against a pillar, dressed in a white shirt, like a lion lying in wait.
His striking profile drew admiring glances from passersby of all ages.
When he spotted Shen Nanchu, a flicker of admiration crossed his eyes.
He’d always known she was beautiful, but each encounter still left him breathless.
Of course, if she’d just keep her mouth shut, the moment might last longer.
Today, Shen Nanchu also wore a white shirt, paired with army-green trousers. Her long black hair was braided into a side ponytail draped over her shoulder.
Unintentionally, they’d matched—like a couple.
"Um, excuse me, comrade!"
A young woman in a floral dress approached, cheeks pink, fingers nervously twisting her hem.
"Could you tell me how to get to the town government office?"
"It’s my first time in Ning'an Town, and the address on my referral letter is blurry. Are you a local?"
Without missing a beat, Pei Zhengnian replied,
"Sorry, comrade, I’m not from here either."
"You could ask the staff inside the restaurant—they’d know."
...
