Chapter One: I Want to Marry You

When she woke up, Tang Xin was utterly bewildered to find that she had transmigrated. But what was even more frightening was that she had arrived at the very moment of almost being caught in an illicit affair? Judging by the angry crowd surrounding her, shouting threats and curses, Tang Xin’s head throbbed painfully. The strangest thing was, she still hadn’t figured out—why were all these people surrounding her, a woman, trying to catch her in the act?

Suddenly, a delicate girl with a sharp chin exclaimed in surprise, “Oh my, isn’t this Tang the Educated Youth? What’s going on between you and my brother?”

Before Tang Xin could respond, a cold male voice, thick with suppressed rage and heartbreak, cut in, “Tang Xin, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Just hearing that voice made Tang Xin’s whole body tense up—it was the instinctive reaction left by her body’s original owner. If she guessed correctly, this must be the man the original Tang Xin was in love with.

Another girl appeared at her side, and as Tang Xin glanced at her, a flash of recognition lit up her mind—was it her? Instantly, two names surfaced: Lu Liqin and Meng Jia.

Their identities came to her too: one was the original owner’s childhood friend, the other her closest confidante. Tang Xin couldn’t help but study this so-called best friend, Meng Jia, a bit more closely. She looked fair-skinned and wore two neat braids draped over her shoulders, the very picture of an honest, innocent schoolgirl—the type elders would certainly like.

Of course, the body’s previous owner had never realized that beneath Meng Jia’s innocent façade lay a cunning mind. Tang Xin responded coolly, “Don’t you know what I’m trying to do?”

Meng Jia’s astonishment seemed almost effortless, as if she had practiced it a thousand times. She shook her head vigorously, “No, I don’t believe it. Tang Xin, did you really do something like this?”

Then she turned and asked loudly, “You said you wanted to marry Li Sheng, is that true?”

A torrent of information flooded Tang Xin’s mind, making her head feel as though it might explode. She quickly closed her eyes, needing a moment to collect herself.

But the sharp-chinned girl, Li Xiyue, immediately assumed Tang Xin was ignoring her on purpose. Incensed, she gave Tang Xin a hard shove.

Just as Tang Xin was about to fall to the floor, a figure darted forward and caught her by the waist. In an instant, she found herself sprawled against a man’s broad, solid chest.

Though it was autumn, Tang Xin had already shed her outer coat, so she was wearing only a thin layer. Her soft, light body carried a faint, fresh fragrance that drifted into the man’s nose, making him acutely aware of the warmth in his arms. And yet, he had just refused her advances only moments before.

Li Sheng’s emotions were in turmoil—he didn’t know whether to feel relieved or regretful. His body went rigid, tenser than during even the busiest harvest. Beads of sweat rolled down his handsome face. But he quickly regained his composure and carefully set Tang Xin upright.

Yet her legs gave out again, and she clung tightly to his lapel, desperately burrowing closer to his chest.

No one but Meng Jia realized that Tang Xin’s reactions were entirely due to the effects of a drug. Lu Liqin, Li Xiyue, and the others stared in shock, dumbfounded by the scene before them.

Especially Lu Liqin—though he’d heard rumors, seeing it with his own eyes made him furious. He stepped forward and grasped Tang Xin’s arm. “What on earth is going on with you?”

Meng Jia edged closer too, her voice trembling with concern. “Tang Xin, you mustn’t do this.” Her eyes flicked to Lu Liqin, and with a hint of calculation, she added, “Could it be that you and Li Sheng really—” She clapped her hand over her mouth mid-sentence, as if she’d accidentally let a secret slip.

Tang Xin stayed motionless, nestled in the man’s arms, having no desire to acknowledge this friend who was so obviously putting on a show. Even if she didn’t know the full story, she knew enough to guess: her current state had to be the result of being drugged.

A sudden fragment of memory flashed in her mind—Meng Jia had been the one to drug her. Her so-called “best friend.”

Fortunately, the drug wasn’t a deadly poison, just something to sap her strength and cloud her mind with desire. By tomorrow, everything would return to normal, and no one would be able to tell anything had happened. Meng Jia, like Tang Xin, was an educated youth sent down to the countryside. Tang Xin couldn’t tell if the drug had been procured locally or brought from the city.

Leaning limply against Li Sheng felt surprisingly comfortable, and Tang Xin was in no hurry to sit up.

The man beside her, Li Sheng, had a pleasant, refreshing scent that instantly soothed her nerves. In contrast, when Lu Liqin approached, Tang Xin only felt restless and uneasy. But being near Li Sheng, she felt calm and safe.

However, Li Sheng had no intention of letting this continue. Gritting his teeth, he pushed the petite woman away. Tang Xin stumbled, nearly falling again, but at least Li Sheng wasn’t as heartless as his sister—he didn’t shove her toward the bed.

So, though she wasn’t hurt, she was left feeling thoroughly embarrassed in front of everyone.

She steadied herself and, turning around, saw Li Sheng holding out a cup of water, his face expressionless. “Drink this.”

“Huh?”

“Drink it. You’ll feel better.”

So he’d just gone out to get water? Tang Xin glanced around—the room was so simple it didn’t even have a water jug or a cup.

After drinking it, she indeed felt much better, and a faint herbal taste lingered on her tongue. That confirmed her suspicions—Li Sheng had gone out to fetch water, and he knew something of medicine. He must often gather herbs, which explained the clean, pleasant scent she’d noticed.

No wonder everyone talked about whether she would marry him. To be honest, she was developing quite a good impression of this Li Sheng.

On a whim, Tang Xin flashed Li Sheng a sweet smile. “Hello, my name is Tang Xin. I’m eighteen, almost nineteen. Are you married yet?”

Staring into her eyes, Li Sheng, as if by reflex, replied, “Not yet.”

“Good,” Tang Xin’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Would you like me to be your wife?”