"He Chen, I don’t believe you don’t like me even a little. I’ve waited for so long, boo hoo hoo!"
Gao Huifang cried as she threw herself at He Chen, scaring him so much that he jumped up on the spot and took a few large steps back, landing several meters away.
"How can you be so shameless!"
He Chen wasn’t great at insulting people, but he was particularly angry right now. He really wanted to scold this shameless and indecent woman who threw herself at him in the middle of nowhere, even more so because he was a married man!
At that moment, he suddenly realized how Cheng Yuan must have felt when Xie Fengmian was pestering him relentlessly.
While Cheng Yuan was timid and averse to trouble, He Chen just felt disgusted, repulsed, and angry, and even more afraid of being seen and causing misunderstandings that would upset Ye Manman.
This was no small matter.
He Chen’s father had taught him that once you have a wife, you must never let her get upset often. Women, no matter their age, must always be happy and joyful to maintain beauty and health. He didn’t want Ye Manman to get upset because of him.
Let alone getting angry and misunderstood because of a woman like this.
If she got sick from sulking, it’d be too much to bear; it would break his heart!
He Chen moved too swiftly for Gao Huifang to react, and she missed him and fell hard to the ground, swallowing a mouthful of dirt, and dirtying her clothes and hands.
She still refused to believe that He Chen was truly so heartless, really loved Ye Manman so much, and wouldn’t give her any chance.
Gao Huifang didn’t even want to bother getting up from the ground, instead sitting there crying, smearing mud on her face as she wiped tears. She looked filthy and disgusting, even He Chen couldn’t help but feel repulsed, thinking this woman was unhygienic.
He was terribly afraid that if a woman like this touched him, he wouldn’t want to touch Ye Manman afterwards, worried she’d be disgusted.
"He Chen! Why don’t you like me? How am I any worse than Ye Manman? I’m a city-born educated youth, my looks and figure are no worse than hers, boo hoo hoo, why won’t you just look at me?"
Gao Huifang was still sitting on the ground questioning him, while He Chen only felt a bit nauseous inside.
After all, he’d been living with somewhat germophobic Ye Manman for half a year now, and this level of filth was beyond what he could handle.
Much less, having this dirty woman questioning why she couldn’t compare to Ye Manman.
He Chen really didn’t want to hurt her pride as a woman, but to prevent future trouble, he spoke righteously and sincerely.
"Comrade, let me be clear with you today, okay? I hope you won’t follow me anymore or say these things that cause misunderstandings."
"Firstly, I’m married, and I love my wife very much, so no matter what you do, even if you’re a celestial maiden, I wouldn’t like you."
"Moreover, you’re not a celestial maiden. I disagree with what you just said, as would many others; there’s nothing about you that compares to my wife."
Speaking about Ye Manman’s virtues, He Chen’s tone and expression became somewhat proud.
"My wife is beautiful, fair, and cute. No woman for miles around can compare. She’s also kind-hearted; you were saved during the flood thanks to her good deed. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here today. I hope you won’t speak ill of her. People ought to be grateful, especially for life-saving kindness."
"Also, my wife is very smart. She understands foreign books we can’t even read, and can translate them, making even the publishing house director eager to retain her."
"My wife is also very considerate, takes care of me, and never looks down on me. She’s helped me immensely. Marrying her is the biggest blessing of my lifetime..."
Once he started talking about Ye Manman, he couldn’t stop, and even felt a bit elated, his handsome face beaming with joy.
Gao Huifang felt utterly humiliated and shouted.
"Stop it!"
"I understand!"
She was angry and deeply ashamed, feeling utterly worthless being disparaged like this.
Gao Huifang’s shout immediately shut He Chen up.
He realized he might have been too harsh, but his wife was just so exceptional, and he couldn’t stand her being belittled by a woman like this.
How could Ye Manman possibly be inferior to her?
Ye Manman was better in every way, by a mile.
But he stopped talking, knowing that by now, this educated woman would likely stop following him or bothering him, and He Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
Thinking back to when this woman sprang forward at him still made him scared—it was more terrifying than a wild boar charging at him.
With a wild boar, he could at least fight for his life and kill it, but as it was a woman jumping at him, he couldn’t touch her, only hide frustratedly.
Gao Huifang slowly climbed up from the ground with her head lowered, feeling disheartened.
The things she once prided herself on turned out to be worthless in He Chen’s eyes, especially since she’d soiled herself; of course, he would never accept her now.
So what face did she have to stay here?
Perhaps it’d be better to accept that male educated youth at the educated youth center.
At least that man had liked her from before, pursued her, and even after she rejected him, he remained kind. Even after what had happened before, he didn’t mind and said he was willing to marry her.
Since there was no hope with He Chen, marrying the male educated youth might be her last resort. Maybe she could leave this place with him, avoiding the other man who had wronged her multiple times even without ever meeting him...
Gao Huifang left in a daze, while He Chen vigilantly watched until she was out of sight, making sure she wouldn’t suddenly come rushing back before picking up the saw to resume his work.
Yet, even after she left, he couldn’t concentrate on work like before, constantly on edge, fearing another unexpected return.
As luck would have it, it wasn’t long before he heard something behind him.
He Chen’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned around.
Only to see Ye Manman, who should have been at home, walking towards him.
She had seen everything: He Chen rejecting the female educated youth and heard him praising her without reservation. Ye Manman felt her heart swell with happiness.
She was overjoyed and ran towards him, jumping into his arms. He Chen barely had time to react, dropping the saw to catch her securely.
"Why are you here?"
He Chen was a bit concerned and anxious, worried that she might have gotten scratched climbing the mountain alone and fearing she might have misunderstood or been upset by what had just happened.
His face was full of tension.
But Ye Manman just hugged his neck tightly, lowering her head to give him a firm kiss.
"He Chen! You’re the epitome of male virtue! Love you so much!"
"Smooch" – the kiss was crisp and loud.
Raising his head, He Chen saw the bright, smiling face of Ye Manman.
"Hehe, this is a reward for keeping your virtue intact!"