Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: Darling, Give Me a Kiss

“Everyone, take your time eating; there’s fruit after the meal,” Lin Ranyi said, pulling several clusters of wampi fruit from the basket.

Ji Junyao’s eyes lit up instantly. “Sister-in-law, you even got fruit?”

Lin Ranyi smiled as she explained, “I picked these wild wampi fruits by the roadside. They looked quite fresh, so I gathered a few.”

Ji Junyao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Where did you pick them? Take me with you next time—I want to go picking too!”

“I’d love to, but everyone’s already picked them clean. These few clusters were just what I was lucky to find. Honestly, I don’t like the taste at all, but you all should give them a try.”

Ji Junyao’s excitement deflated. “What a shame.”

Ji Junxiao looked at his wife with a gentle tone. “Picking fruit is too dangerous. Don’t do things like that again, especially now that you’re pregnant. What if you fall?”

Their mother added, “That’s right, Ranyi, you must be careful. That baby’s precious, and nothing can go wrong.”

Lin Ranyi laughed. “I’m not made of glass—I won’t break that easily. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Just then, Xia Zhiyuan arrived in the field carrying the food she had prepared.

She had planned to find an opportunity to present her cured pork to Ji Junxiao, but when she saw the Ji family sitting together, happily enjoying the pork belly Lin Ranyi had brought, and even eating fruit, her face turned pale with anger.

Pork belly! She had never tasted anything so luxurious in her life! And to think they even had fruit—how extravagant!

The more Xia Zhiyuan thought about it, the angrier she became. In her mind, Lin Ranyi was a terrible housekeeper—turning pork into braised pork belly, what a waste! If you just boiled it, you could eat it for several meals!

Lin Ranyi noticed Xia Zhiyuan’s face had turned green with envy, and was secretly delighted. While the Ji family wasn’t looking, she deliberately raised her middle finger at Xia Zhiyuan, smiling provocatively.

Xia Zhiyuan didn’t understand the gesture, but from Lin Ranyi’s expression, she could tell it wasn’t anything good. Sure enough, Lin Ranyi then gave her a very obvious thumbs-down, the meaning unmistakable.

Xia Zhiyuan trembled with anger, glared fiercely at Lin Ranyi, and stormed off. What’s so great about pork belly and fruit anyway? Just wait—when Lin Ranyi’s squandered everything in her house, let’s see how smug she’ll be then!

A dozen or so educated youths gathered around, and Xia Zhiyuan distributed the lunchboxes.

“Rice for lunch today? Xia, wasn’t it supposed to be cornmeal porridge according to our schedule?” Zhao Yi asked, puzzled.

Xia Zhiyuan looked uneasy. “Is that so? Maybe I got mixed up today.”

“Oh well, it’s been ages since we’ve had rice—it’s delicious.”

“By the way, that daughter-in-law from the Ji family is truly beautiful. I’ve never seen such a pretty woman. No wonder the Ji family won’t let her work in the fields.”

“She really knows how to dress. When she speaks, her voice is like a singer’s—all the young men sneak peeks at her in the fields.”

“What’s the use of being pretty and well-dressed if she doesn’t work?”

“But she cooks! I heard she made braised pork belly—the aroma of meat drifted for miles.”

“Earlier, some people even claimed her cooking wasn’t good, but just the smell of that meat was enough to make you drool.”

“Exactly, they’re just jealous of her.”

“Tonight when we’re back at the youth center, I want a closer look. Missed her last night—what a pity.”

“Yes, the girl from the capital is not only beautiful but also has presence. The Ji family’s daughter-in-law is number one, their younger sister is second…”

...

Listening to the men discussing Lin Ranyi, Xia Zhiyuan was infuriated. Lin Ranyi was lazy, pregnant, and not even as pretty as herself—how could she be ranked below their little sister too? What awful taste these men had!

Chen Jing noticed something was off and quietly asked, “Xia, are you alright?”

Xia Zhiyuan sulked, “I’m fine.”

She took her lunchbox and moved away to eat.

“Do I smell meat?”

“Xia, did you cook pork?”

“How could I? That’s the Ji family’s daughter-in-law’s doing. She didn’t even wash the pot afterward.”

Xia Zhiyuan didn’t dare open her lunchbox.

“So that explains the smell. Not just braised pork, but cured pork, too.”

“It’s been so long since we’ve had meat. Even smelling it is a treat.”

Xia Zhiyuan grumbled, “Shall I draw you some cured pork and braised pork instead?”

With that, she walked farther away. She had planned to eat the cured pork herself, but was already full from anger over Lin Ranyi, so she packed it away, thinking she’d give it to Ji Junxiao in the evening—surely he’d be moved by her thoughtfulness.

Meanwhile, the Ji family had finished eating, and Ji Junxiao and Ji Junyong volunteered to take the lunchboxes to the river for washing.

Lin Ranyi wanted to take the boxes home, but Ji Junxiao refused. “Ranyi, I’ll bring them back after work tonight. Be careful on the road. The sun is fierce—go home and rest.”

He gently wiped the sweat from her forehead as he spoke.

Lin Ranyi’s lips curved into a playful smile. “Darling, you’d better remember what you promised me last night. You must stay far away from those improper women—don’t pay them any mind.”

A warm feeling surged in Ji Junxiao’s heart. He replied softly, “I know, don’t worry.”

Lin Ranyi tapped her rosy cheek with a finger, her eyes smiling coquettishly. “Then give me a kiss, darling.”

Bathed in sunlight, she looked more charming than ever.

Ji Junxiao instinctively glanced around. Villagers were watching, and many single men were sneaking glances at his wife. Jealousy suddenly welled up.

When Lin Ranyi saw he wasn’t making a move, she pretended to be angry, pouting. “If you’re not willing, forget it—I’m leaving.”

She turned as if to go. Seeing his wife was really about to leave, Ji Junxiao panicked. Forgetting about the onlookers, he darted forward and quickly kissed her on the cheek.

The villagers’ eyes widened in shock!

Scandalous! And he was a soldier, too! Such disregard for propriety!

Lin Ranyi had only meant to tease him; she hadn’t expected he’d actually kiss her. Her fair cheeks flushed crimson.

Ji Junxiao spoke gently, “Ranyi, the sun’s too strong—hurry home and don’t get too much sun.”

Lin Ranyi told him to squat down.

He obeyed, puzzled.

She kissed him in return on the cheek. “Darling, I’m heading home. Don’t forget to miss me.”

That kiss left Ji Junxiao’s heart in turmoil, nearly making him want to follow her home and do something reckless.

He felt that the passionate, flirtatious Lin Ranyi had returned. No, she was even more thoughtful and alluring now—he found himself falling for her all over again.

“Tsk, tsk, that daughter-in-law of the Ji family is just too much.”

“Indeed, acting so lovey-dovey in public—her morals are questionable.”

“We need to tell the team leader—she might corrupt the village’s morals.”

“Exactly. My husband wants to kiss me, I never let him. It’s disgusting.”

...

In the afternoon, the sun’s heat grew more oppressive as it beat down on those laboring in the fields.

Xia Zhiyuan managed to secure a job fertilizing—she calculated this would be a good chance to get close to Ji Junxiao.

Before long, as she moved through the field, she inevitably crossed paths with him.

She greeted him warmly, “Brother Ji, it’s your first day working—are you getting used to it?”

Ji Junxiao didn’t even spare her a glance, focusing on his work. To him, his wife’s words were law, and his heart was filled to the brim with Lin Ranyi. No other woman could catch his eye.

“Brother Ji—” Xia Zhiyuan called again, unwilling to give up, and took a few steps closer.

At that moment, Ji Junyao appeared seemingly out of nowhere, fixing Xia Zhiyuan with a sharp gaze.

She’d seen clearly how Xia Zhiyuan had deliberately approached her brother earlier! This wicked woman really was trying to seduce him! Shameless!

With perfect aim, she stomped hard on Xia Zhiyuan’s foot.

Xia Zhiyuan nearly jumped from the pain.

Ji Junyao put on an innocent face. “Oh dear, isn’t this Comrade Xia? Sorry, I didn’t see you there—was just talking while working.”

Xia Zhiyuan knew it was deliberate, but could only force a smile. “It’s fine.”

But Ji Junyao wasn’t finished. She put her hands on her hips, eyes full of challenge. “Comrade Xia, isn’t there a saying: ‘If you have no shame, you’re invincible’? Is that right?”

Her words drew curious stares from those nearby.

Xia Zhiyuan’s face alternated between white and red, mortified and wishing she could sink into the ground. She muttered, “Ji Junyao, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Ji Junyao snorted and stepped closer, threatening, “Don’t play dumb. If you ever try to seduce my brother again, or come between him and his wife, you’ll have me to answer to!”

She stomped on Xia Zhiyuan’s foot again.

This time, Xia Zhiyuan couldn’t hold back and cried out from the pain.

The people around stopped working and looked over.

Someone asked with concern, “Comrade Xia, are you alright?”

Xia Zhiyuan explained, “It’s nothing—just saw a bug.”

Ji Junyao glared coldly at her and whispered, “Next time, it won’t just be two stomps.”

Xia Zhiyuan looked at her with grievance, trying to explain, “Ji Junyao—”

“Who told you to call me that? Don’t pretend to be family!”

With that, she stormed off, leaving Xia Zhiyuan standing there, angry and frustrated.

But Xia Zhiyuan wouldn’t admit defeat. She started searching for opportunities to approach the other Ji brothers.

“Second Brother Ji, it’s your first day here—how are you settling in?”

“Third Brother Ji, isn’t the work tiring?”

“Fourth Brother Ji, do you want water? I can fetch some for you.”

She put on her most ingratiating smile, approaching the Ji brothers and striking up conversation any way she could.

But no matter how shamelessly she tried, the Ji men treated her as if she were invisible. Some gave her a cold glance before turning away, others simply turned their backs, leaving her with nothing but cold indifference, and some even let their dislike show openly.

After all, their little sister had sternly and solemnly ordered them last night never to pay Xia Zhiyuan any attention.

They all knew she was up to no good, scheming to break up their eldest brother and his wife. They didn’t hit her only because she was a woman, and it wasn’t appropriate for men to strike a young lady.

Xia Zhiyuan tried everything, but got no response, as if her efforts were swallowed into thin air. She felt utterly stifled.

Looking at the Ji brothers’ cold backs, she felt a fire of rage burning inside her. Apparently, all the Ji men were this aloof—completely impervious!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got! In her previous life, they had been so easy to manipulate—she only needed a little trickery to make them fall in line.

But now, everything had changed. A hint of resentment flashed in her eyes! It was all because of Lin Ranyi!

If only Lin Ranyi weren’t here—

At that thought, a sudden chill ran through her. Her eyes widened in terror.

God, what was she thinking? Murder was a crime—do that, and her life would be over.

That thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, pulling her back from the edge of madness.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She’d have to think of another way.

While Xia Zhiyuan racked her brains, consumed with schemes to win over Ji Junxiao, Lin Ranyi was already busy with her planting project.

According to the book, the team’s white corn crop this year would yield little and collapse easily in strong winds, leaving everyone hungry.

Behind the youth center, Lin Ranyi found a large patch of wasteland—so barren that not even grass would grow.

She drew a stream of clear water from her space and carefully irrigated the soil.

A miracle occurred. The once dry, lifeless earth instantly became fertile under the stream’s nourishment, turning a rich, dark color and giving off a fresh, earthy fragrance.

Her hands trembled with excitement, her eyes shining with joy. She hurriedly took out some pearl yellow corn seeds and planted them.

These seeds were of an old local variety—short plants, small ears, usually left to grow naturally with little fertilizer or pesticide, so yields had always been low.

But Lin Ranyi was confident—after being cultivated in her space, these seeds’ potential would be entirely different.

She could already picture the barren land soon covered in heavy ears of corn!

Then she would persuade the team leader to let the whole village plant this pearl yellow corn.

She was determined to lead everyone to a better life.