Chapter 24: Seize the Opportunity Well

Xie Beishen paused for several seconds, his long, deep eyes fixed on her. His magnetic voice carried a hint of nonchalance: "Not interested. We aren't a good match."

Su Wanwan had already prepared herself for rejection, and once she had asked, she felt a sense of relief. She didn't want to endure another day of the bitterness of unrequited love.

She shrugged and said, "Xie Beishen, are you sure you won't reconsider? I’m actually quite a catch."

"I have a good temper, a pleasant personality, I'm well-educated, and I'm pretty. As for my figure..." She looked down at her chest and added, "I’m only eighteen; I’ll grow more. Once I put on a little more weight, my figure will definitely be even better. You wouldn't be losing out."

After speaking, she stared at him unblinkingly, trying to read his reaction.

Xie Beishen followed her gaze, and the image of her in the water, revealing her charms, instantly flooded his mind. His face grew hot, and a subtle flame began to burn within him. He quickly shifted his gaze away.

*Tsk.* She was a bewitching little enchantress. How could she be so bold? It was... simply too seductive. Was she like this with Ma Zhiming, too? His expression darkened at the thought.

Su Wanwan pondered further. Selling herself was something she could do. She added, "I may be poor right now, but I’m a 'potential stock.' Do you know what that is? I’ll definitely amount to something in the future." She said it with a straight face. "Also, look at us—we’re both so good-looking. The children we have in the future will definitely have incredible features."

The veins on Xie Beishen’s forehead throbbed, and his ears flushed a faint red.

Seeing that Xie Beishen wouldn't even meet her eyes, Su Wanwan realized there was no point in continuing. She decided to give herself a graceful exit to avoid further embarrassment. "Well, uh... just take some time to get to know me. I’ll ask you again next time. This is your first time rejecting me; they say 'the third time's the charm.' If you reject me three times, I’ll stop chasing you. Once the opportunity is gone, it’s gone forever."

"Make sure you seize this chance."

She placed the basket she was holding on the ground and said to Xiao Hei, "Xiao Hei, pick up the basket and follow me home."

The dog wagged its tail, immediately took the basket in its mouth, and trotted after Su Wanwan.

Xie Beishen glanced at the dog carrying the basket. Could dogs even be that smart? Looking at that clever creature, it was certainly no less capable than the police dogs in the army.

He recalled the advantages the woman had mentioned earlier. *Hah*, she must have forgotten two: bold and thick-skinned. No other female comrade would praise herself like that.

***

Su Wanwan watched Lin Yu frying pancakes. "Educated Youth Lin, was the fish I made last time good? Were you the one who ate the most?"

Lin Yu smiled and said, "It was delicious, but I didn't eat as much as Brother Shen. He ate way more than I did."

"Was the spice level okay? Was it too spicy?"

"It was just right. Both Brother Shen and I can handle spice. Thank you for the fish, I appreciate it," Lin Yu replied.

Su Wanwan curved her lips into a smile. "So, you and Xie Beishen both enjoyed it."

"Yes, we both loved it. Was it really made by you? I thought it was made by his aunt," said Lin Yu.

"It was me. I know how to cook so many dishes," Su Wanwan mused. She suddenly realized that being a good cook was also an advantage—why had she run out of things to say in front of Xie Beishen?

Knowing she had her answer, she bid Lin Yu farewell and headed home.

Back in the room, Xie Beishen had heard their conversation clearly. He curled his lips into an imperceptible smile. *Hah, she’s a little fox, clever as can be.*

Su Wanwan carried her basket, unwrapping a White Rabbit creamy candy and popping it into her mouth. The sweetness filled her palate—delicious.

Everything she had said to Xie Beishen was true. If he didn't agree after she confessed three times, she would stop chasing him. At least she would have tried, and she wouldn't have any regrets. There was no need to hang herself from a single tree; there were plenty of forests to explore.

Just as she was thinking about how to pursue Xie Beishen, someone blocked her path. When she saw who it was, anger surged in her heart, though her expression remained calm.

Ma Zhiming had left work early at noon to find Su Wanwan in the fields, but he had missed her. He went to the Su house and waited outside, but she never appeared. It was hot, and he decided to head back to the Educated Youth dorms and look for her after work. He hadn't expected to run into her on the way, accompanied by a dog carrying a basket.

He assumed she must have been bringing him something, and since he hadn't been at the dorms, she hadn't been able to deliver it. Just then, Liu Caixia, who had been looking for Ma Zhiming at the dorms, walked out and caught the scene exactly.

***

As Ma Zhiming drew closer, he saw that the woman he hadn't seen for half a month looked even more beautiful. Her brows were like paintings, her skin was as fair as snow, and she possessed a curvy figure and a willow-like waist—a true beauty.

He felt a wave of heat wash over him. Suppressing the burning desire in his gut, he took a few large steps forward. "Wanwan, I've missed you to death! I went to find you so many times; why didn't you see me?"

Su Wanwan looked at his lecherous gaze and felt a wave of nausea. The original owner had agreed to be his partner, but now that she had transmigrated, she refused to acknowledge it. Besides, no one else knew about their relationship. It was fortunate they hadn't had any real physical intimacy—they hadn't even held hands—otherwise, she would have been absolutely disgusted.

"Who are you? And why are you calling me Wanwan?"

Su Wanwan decided that feigning amnesia was the best course of action. She would die before admitting to any relationship with this man.

Ma Zhiming’s eyes widened in surprise. He reached out, trying to grab her hand. "Wanwan, what’s wrong with you? It’s me, Zhiming! How could you not recognize me?"

Su Wanwan quickly dodged his touch, her voice cold. "Stand back! I don't know you. If you come any closer, I’ll scream and report you for harassment."

Ma Zhiming’s eyes went wide. "I’m your partner! How could you forget? We were together on the night of the 28th, half a month ago! Who do you think gave you the antidote?"

Su Wanwan feigned shock. "I’m your partner? How come I don't know that? What antidote? I fell off the mountain on the night of the 28th, and my second brother saved me. Are you saying you were the one who pushed me?"

Hearing her mention falling off the mountain, Ma Zhiming concluded that she must have injured her head and lost her memory. That explained why the brigade leader hadn't come to bother him.

He didn't dare move closer, fearing he might scare her. He patiently explained, "How could I have pushed you? You’re my partner! We had agreed to meet that day. I waited for you all night, but you never showed up. How can you not remember it was me? It doesn't matter; I’m telling you now—we love each other."

Su Wanwan felt like retching. She shook her head, her tone firm. "You’re definitely lying to me. If you were my partner, my family would know. If you keep spewing nonsense and slandering me, I’ll tell my father. Besides, you’re so ugly—there’s no way I would ever be interested in you."

Ma Zhiming: "!!!"

He touched his face. How was he ugly? He was dashing and handsome. Who was more handsome than him? Let them step out and compare; he’d show them!