CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: IT’S ALL IN YOUR MIND

"And also, during the flood when you were saved by the cloth strips, it wasn’t me who did it, it was my wife. If you want to thank someone, you should thank her."

"She really has a kind heart. Those cloth strips were torn from new clothes she just bought. I couldn’t bear to use them as markers, but she insisted, fearing the colors might not be bright enough for you all to see."

When He Chen mentioned Ye Manman, his expression softened involuntarily. The toughness on his face vanished, replaced by tenderness in his deep eyes.

Gao Huifang saw this and was driven to madness inside.

Of course, she knew the cloth strips were torn from Ye Manman’s clothes. Others had mentioned it before; her saying this was completely to satisfy his vanity, wasn’t it?

I was trying to give you a reason to get closer to your lifesaver!

Who wants to hear you brag about how kind your wife is!

Gao Huifang was so furious she could almost vomit blood, but she still bit her lip tightly, looking at He Chen with tears in her eyes, desperately trying to show her vulnerability.

"I know, she is indeed very nice."

"Wah wah wah... But my foot really hurts, it might be swollen, can you help me get up a bit..."

She tried hard to make a weak and pitiful face, but He Chen’s face was filled with confusion and nothing else, barely even glancing at her.

"Your foot doesn’t look swollen, and I just saw you trip over flat ground when I came over from behind. It’s unlikely you sprained it. Try standing up yourself—there should be no injury."

He Chen had indeed seen her mysterious stumble, which only made him more certain that she wasn’t hurt and couldn’t be swollen.

Upon hearing this, Gao Huifang’s face went pale.

"But my foot really hurts, I’m not sure what’s wrong, can you take a look for me..."

She gritted her teeth, moved her leg with a painful expression, and even hissed to show that such slight movements hurt.

But when she looked up, He Chen just looked back normally and confidently said.

"It’s probably a psychological effect, thinking you’ll hurt because you fell. I can see nothing wrong with your leg, no signs of redness or swelling, certainly nothing serious. If you’re worried, go to the clinic and get it checked."

"..."

Gao Huifang’s tears stopped, her barely squeezed-out tearful eyes shook heavily, and her tears retreated.

Why?

Why is it completely different from what she imagined?!

She’s not worse than Ye Manman!

Gao Huifang was very agitated.

Having come to Qingshui Village years ago, not a single woman in the educated youth institute could compare with her.

In terms of looks, conversation, and temperament, she was among the best, with suitors never in short supply.

But Gao Huifang has high standards, not interested in the local peasants who work the land, nor in the male educated youths who failed to get into college; she’s waiting for a wealthy and capable man to appear.

She thought that since He Chen was a rural man, just starting to thrive, he’d surely be easily swayed. A simple charm from her would have him at her feet, but she didn’t expect to hit a wall.

How is Ye Manman better in any way?

Gao Huifang really couldn’t understand, she’s just a rural bumpkin girl!

"Comrade, if you’re okay, I’ll leave now. I have things to take care of, time’s tight."

He Chen, seeing she truly wasn’t hurt, wouldn’t waste time on a stranger. He bid her farewell, got back on his bike, and rode off with no hint of reluctance.

Gao Huifang sat on the ground, her head throbbing with anger, watching He Chen’s tall figure biking away, her face full of unwillingness.

But soon, Gao Huifang changed her mind: the fact that He Chen was thriving, yet remained loyal to his wife, is proof that he’s a rare good man, right?

These days, wealthy men who don’t stray are incredibly rare!

Gao Huifang recalled He Chen mentioning errands, heading to town early. She immediately thought he must be going there to make big bucks.

He’s so diligent, up early and down late every day, doting on his wife without straying—Gao Huifang felt she discovered a treasure. She secretly decided she must win him over!

She calmly stood up, brushed dust off her pants; there wasn’t a hint of that pale, fragile appearance from before. Her eyes were filled with determined ambition.

Thinking about Ye Manman, who never worked the fields, just stayed at home, idle, Gao Huifang snorted coldly, proudly raising her chin, heading back to the educated youth institute.

Hmph, she’s just an inept little girl, no way she can’t beat that girl!

He Chen didn’t take the little episode on the road to heart at all; his mind was all about hurrying to town, finishing his errands, and buying peach crisp, candies, and chocolates for Ye Manman as snacks.

Oh yes, and malted milk. Heard that’s good for health too.

After handling things, He Chen returned early, carrying loads of goodies into the house, catching Liu Tiejun, hiding outside the He Family’s courtyard wall, with wide eyes.

Liu Tiejun couldn’t stop drooling, swallowing uncontrollably.

Cousin actually bought two big cans of malted milk! He’s never had anything so expensive! Heard that’s something only wealthy kids can afford.

And those peach crisp and candies he carried, just seeing them wrapped in paper bags made Liu Tiejun seem to smell the aroma of peach crisp.

Those chocolates and candies looked delicious just from the packaging, he couldn’t even imagine what flavors to fantasize they might be.

Recently, Liu Tiejun had lost a lot of weight; no trace of his former chubby self was left.

His belly had no meat left, skin loose and sagging, clearly the result of losing too much weight too quickly, leaving his skin slack, making him look somewhat strange.

No good food at home, no meat, the flood washed away half of that already dilapidated house; Li Hongmei got sick, Liu Dongliang didn’t help, Liu Tiejun was starving every day, making him think of He Chen’s goodness.

The villagers said cousin was living a great life now, with meat aromas wafting from his house daily. Liu Tiejun couldn’t resist, but he dared not ask He Chen, only secretly watched.

Looking for a chance to steal something from him.

Today seemed like a golden opportunity.

That malted milk—he’s got to taste it!

And chocolate!

Having lived in the He Family house for over ten years, Liu Tiejun was very familiar with the layout, naturally knowing how to sneak inside quietly.

But he held back, waiting until He Chen was out carrying a pole to fetch water before sneaking in through a lower section of yard wall.

Ye Manman was still asleep, entirely unaware someone had snuck into the house.

And this person brazenly walked into He Chen’s room.

Lately, Ye Manman was injured and needed care, so He Chen let her sleep in his room. Liu Tiejun, slipping into the room, hadn’t realized anyone was there.

He thought Ye Manman was in the opposite room, maybe reading, perhaps doing something else—never expecting to see her lying in bed upon entering He Chen’s room.

Moreover, noticing the gauze on her forehead, her hand and knees exposed outside the quilt, her face tranquil and beautiful, her delicate lips ruby red naturally, Liu Tiejun suddenly stared blankly.

He knew before that cousin-in-law was good-looking, but didn’t expect her to be so stunningly fragile lying in bed, inducing shivers in one’s scalp.

Like a crystal statue with cracks forming, inviting closer inspection, eager to shatter—

Especially when staring at her face, that succinctly pristine skin, lengthy lashes concealing those always lofty eyes, lips seemingly bouncing with spray upon touch.

Liu Tiejun swallowed, slowly advancing to the bedside.