Originally, in everyone’s eyes, Jiang Heng seemed ordinary, with no father or mother. People thought that if their daughters married him, not only would there be no bride price, but they might even have to give their own money to support her. Time and again, they warned their daughters to stay away from Jiang Heng. It was truly a headache!
But clearly, they were overthinking it.
Jiang Heng had no interest in any of the village girls and never spoke a word to them. He always kept to himself. Yet, his handsome features and a physique with broad shoulders and a narrow waist made many girls’ hearts flutter.
While other bachelors in the village worried about not being able to get a wife, many girls would subtly signal to Jiang Heng—but he always kept a cold expression, exuding a chill even in the heat of June.
Watching him bent over in the fields, hoeing, while a young girl held a sugar-water drink for him, blushing and heart racing as she looked at Jiang Heng in just a vest—muscles clearly defined, strong arms, and a beautifully shaped waist—made them unable to look away.
The girls immediately put on pained expressions, realizing that no matter how sweet the water in their hands was, their hearts felt bitter with envy.
Later, Yangling Village experienced a strange, continuous heavy rainfall that damaged many crops. Yangling Village was part of the Fenjin Commune, a sub-team whose crop yields always ranked first in the commune. That year, the villagers were anxious—falling behind in crop delivery would be a serious problem.
Jiang Heng, however, anticipated the unusual weather and advised the village committee to dig drainage ditches. He led a group to dig, ensuring that even if the downpour continued, the village wouldn’t flood.
Neighboring villages scoffed, saying the rain was just a minor shower and would stop in a few days, so digging ditches was pointless.
As Jiang Heng had predicted, the rain initially eased but soon poured down in torrents. Many houses in other villages were damaged, but Yangling Village managed to harvest crops in time, and the rainwater was channeled into the ditches and eventually into the river, avoiding disaster.
For this, Jiang Heng was awarded first-class merit and promoted to production team leader. Despite his young age, his handsome looks made all the village girls envious. Everyone feared being too slow and losing their chance.
After becoming team leader, matchmakers came to his door, tirelessly trying to set him up—but he refused every proposal. Many girls even secretly gave money to the matchmakers to ensure a good marriage and a hefty bride price. Matchmakers from neighboring villages shamelessly insisted, saying that Jiang Heng, if he didn’t marry young and have a strong son, would have an incomplete life.
To Su Jin, this was clearly Jiang Heng being “PUA-ed”! But Jiang Heng simply gave them a cold glare and turned them away. Soon, every girl in the village kept a close eye on this high-quality, rugged man, fearing someone else would steal him first.
…
Jiang Heng filled in Su Jin’s name and age, then gave the forms to the village secretary.
Secretary Lao, a scholarly man wearing glasses, remarked, “Xiao Jiang, I didn’t expect you, who normally ignores matchmakers, to suddenly have a wife.”
Jiang Heng replied, “It’s all about fate.”
In truth, he had never been interested in romance or marriage—until the day he happened to save Su Jin by the river. At that moment, he felt an inexplicable sense of compassion. He couldn’t just watch the girl drown. That’s why he performed CPR. Everyone around saw it, and if Jiang Heng didn’t take responsibility afterward, it would be hard for her to marry. Many girls who saw the incident were envious of Su Jin.
After saving her, he awkwardly asked, “Do you want to come home with me?”
Her eyes were vacant, but she nodded heavily.
Back home, Jiang Heng helped her cover herself with a quilt. Despite questioning her, he only managed to learn her name and age—nothing else. He had no choice but to add Su Jin to his household registry, smoothly arranging the marriage.
Jiang Heng didn’t mind the sudden intrusion into his life; in fact, it filled a void in his heart.
…
Su Jin quietly watched the two of them talk.
Jiang Heng said, “I’ve arranged a job for you. I’ll take you there.”
Su Jin felt nervous—she had never done heavy labor and couldn’t even tell weeds from rice plants. How could she work in the fields?
Jiang Heng frowned, his expression dark. If it weren’t for the shortage of workers in the production team, every adult, male or female, would have to work. But he couldn’t bear the thought of his wife laboring in the fields; she should rest comfortably in bed. If other men knew this, they’d be shocked. Isn’t a wife supposed to work? Yet he seemed to be spoiling her.
The sun blazed down at 8 a.m., making every step feel hot. Jiang Heng led her to the village’s oil-pressing place. On the way, many aunts and older women stared at Su Jin.
Xu Fangfang loudly called out, “Oh? Jiang Heng’s bringing his new wife to work? Look at her delicate skin—earning three work points a day will be hard!”
Everyone in the village knew Xu Fangfang had a daughter, Chen Miaomiao, whom she hoped Jiang Heng would marry. But now, he had taken someone else. She was furious.
Her daughter was plump and healthy, perfect for giving birth to a big boy each year. How could this slender girl survive childbirth?
Jiang Heng, protective of his wife, replied, “No need to worry. My family isn’t short on work points.”
Xu Fangfang was silenced.
At the oil-press, Jiang Heng said, “This is where you’ll work. If it’s too tiring, tell me.”
Su Jin obediently nodded, feeling warmly cared for by her husband along the way.
The workers were all women, their palms thick with calluses from years of labor. The team leader, Sister Liu, had a round, kind face, looking very approachable.
“Jiang’s wife, come here. Do you know how to press oil? You just need to clean the peanuts.”
Su Jin looked around; the work of the peanut oil team wasn’t difficult—fairly light. She knew Jiang Heng had arranged this for her. Feeling grateful, she thought, My dear husband really spoils me!
After a while, though she had no work experience, Su Jin’s fitness from regular exercise allowed her to handle the tasks easily. The older women had less work, so they started chatting, focusing on the new bride.
“Su Jin, do you remember where your family is?”
Su Jin replied vaguely, “I don’t remember clearly. Maybe when I was in the river, I forgot everything before that.”
The women felt sympathy. “How tragic! Having no home… but marrying Jiang Heng isn’t so bad.”
“Yes, so many girls in the village fight for a man like him!”
“Marrying Jiang Heng is a real catch.”
Su Jin gave a polite smile, thinking to herself: Actually, it’s Jiang Heng who’s lucky to have me!
