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 boyfriend’s arm, had a face full of blissful smiles.
"Ge Ling, this is my hometown," Cao Xiaojuan said with a beaming smile, pointing at the village’s 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, "That’s 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.
"Isn’t 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 Ling’s face immediately soured, "Are you despising me now? If that’s the case, I won’t go to your home." Saying so, he made a move to leave.
"Hey, hey, that’s not what I meant! Look at you, get angry over a couple of words?" Cao Xiaojuan watched him carefully, pleading in a soft voice, "I’m just afraid people will gossip, that’s all."
Ge Ling snorted, "You’re almost my wife, who would dare to gossip?"
"You, who said I’m going to be your wife!" Cao Xiaojuan blushed with embarrassment.
A glint appeared in Ge Ling’s 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, that’s all!" Cao Xiaojuan replied.
"Alright, alright, let’s move on; my legs are getting sore from walking so far," Ge Ling complained impatiently.
"Okay, okay, it’s not far ahead. You said you would come no matter how far it was, and now you’re complaining about being tired!" Cao Xiaojuan chided as she walked ahead.
A glint appeared in Ge Ling’s eyes again as he said, "I came because I planned to seriously date you; otherwise, I wouldn’t 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, you’ll have to cover for me a little, yeah?" Ge Ling asked casually.
Cao Xiaojuan paused for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "They’re just ordinary farmers, very kind. You don’t have to worry."
"That’s good!" Ge Ling seemed to relax.
Cao Xiaojuan, seeing this, had a full smile on her face.
However, she didn’t see the fleeting cold sneer at the corner of Ge Ling’s 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 abroad—Ning Ge!