Cao Xiaojuan from Locust Tree Village, Zhuzi Town, E County, has recently been rather pleased with herself, as she finally found a boyfriend while working away from home, a young man from Rong City.
Locust Tree Village, true to its name, was planted with many locust trees, some of which were even over a hundred years old. The village lay against a mountain and faced a river, which, from the perspective of geomancy, made it a treasure land of Feng Shui. Meanwhile, the village itself was peaceful and tranquil, with doors wide open during the day and particularly simple and honest customs.
Cao Xiaojuan, with a shoulder bag on her back and holding onto her boyfriendâs arm, had a face full of blissful smiles.
"Ge Ling, this is my hometown," Cao Xiaojuan said with a beaming smile, pointing at the villageâs archway entrance.
The young man known as Ge Ling was seen wearing a pair of washed jeans, a plaid shirt, and an outer trendy jacket. He had a basin haircut that covered his brows, with several tufts of his hair dyed yellow. On his feet, he wore a pair of skate shoes, emitting a very non-mainstream vibe, hardly looking like a respectable person.
In one hand, Ge Ling held a net bag with two bottles of liquor, a pack of cigarettes, some pastries, and a few apples. He sighed, "Your village even has an archway, how impressive!"
Cao Xiaojuan laughed, and with a bit of pride, said, "Thatâs right. Let me tell you, this archway was made from the oldest locust tree in our village, it might ward off evil spirits and enhance Feng Shui!"
"Really?" Ge Ling grinned, teasingly touching her chin, "No wonder it managed to nurture a lovely girl like you!"
"Oh, stop it, you smooth talker!" Cao Xiaojuan glanced at him and coquettishly covered her face, feigning annoyance.
"Isnât it my sweet talk that you love? Come on, give me a kiss," Ge Ling leaned in, pretending to kiss her.
"Hey, you better behave yourself. This is not like the county, people in our village are quite conservative about male and female relationships, everything must be proper and upright," Cao Xiaojuan pushed him away, stomping her foot.
Upon hearing this, Ge Lingâs face immediately soured, "Are you despising me now? If thatâs the case, I wonât go to your home." Saying so, he made a move to leave.
"Hey, hey, thatâs not what I meant! Look at you, get angry over a couple of words?" Cao Xiaojuan watched him carefully, pleading in a soft voice, "Iâm just afraid people will gossip, thatâs all."
Ge Ling snorted, "Youâre almost my wife, who would dare to gossip?"
"You, who said Iâm going to be your wife!" Cao Xiaojuan blushed with embarrassment.
A glint appeared in Ge Lingâs eye as he teased, "Then why are you bringing me home to meet your parents if not to marry me?"
"Me... I just wanted my dad and them to meet you, thatâs all!" Cao Xiaojuan replied.
"Alright, alright, letâs move on; my legs are getting sore from walking so far," Ge Ling complained impatiently.
"Okay, okay, itâs not far ahead. You said you would come no matter how far it was, and now youâre complaining about being tired!" Cao Xiaojuan chided as she walked ahead.
A glint appeared in Ge Lingâs eyes again as he said, "I came because I planned to seriously date you; otherwise, I wouldnât have come at all!"
Cao Xiaojuan felt sweet inside upon hearing this and chided lightly, "Got it."
"What do your parents do? Are they fierce? If they are too fierce, youâll have to cover for me a little, yeah?" Ge Ling asked casually.
Cao Xiaojuan paused for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "Theyâre just ordinary farmers, very kind. You donât have to worry."
"Thatâs good!" Ge Ling seemed to relax.
Cao Xiaojuan, seeing this, had a full smile on her face.
However, she didnât see the fleeting cold sneer at the corner of Ge Lingâs mouth as he turned his face away.
And when Ge Ling lifted his head again, his face, brimming with unruly defiance, had visibly transformed; he was none other than the young master who had studied abroadâNing Ge!