Chapter 020: Love Token

Ji Xinhe turned her head and sneered. Did she not understand their scheme? She guessed that Wang Er Ya must be rushing back to the village to call for help.

But, at that moment...

Suddenly, a figure sprang out from behind, seemingly trying to pounce on her and hold her. Ji Xinhe, however, had been a killer in her previous life. She would have wasted all these years if she didn't notice such a movement in advance.

Just before the figure pounced, Ji Xinhe swiftly turned and dodged, brushing past him. Before, she used to seize the initiative while dodging, often delivering a side kick. But today, she simply avoided, revealing an unexpected playful smile on her cold little face.

"Why the rush, Brother Zhang San? You think I don't know it's you?"

Ji Xinhe's appearance wasn't extraordinary. She had been malnourished since childhood making her somewhat thin and pale. However, her features were delicate, and her water-like eyes, once timid and downcast, now sparkled with life. Even in the darkness, they seemed to be as bright as shimmering stars.

Porky San was stunned, unsure whether it was due to Ji Xinhe's sudden change in attitude or because her smiling face was too dazzling.

Ji Xinhe sneered inwardly but kept her charming smile. Her crisp voice rang out, "I'm going to marry you anyway; why are you so impatient? My stepmother desperately wants me to marry you, but she doesn't realize that I actually want to. Brother Zhang San, you're muscular and masculine, and you come from a reasonably wealthy family. It's far better than being treated like a servant in the Ji family and not getting anything good to eat."

A wave of surprise flickered in Porky San's eyes as he had only ever experienced women being afraid of him, avoiding him. This was the first time a woman had complimented him so liberally. Add to that Ji Xinhe's dazzling smile, he no longer harbored any suspicions, took Ji Xinhe's words as truth, and excitedly moved closer, "Xinhe, you really feel this way?"

Ji Xinhe stepped back without changing her expression and scoffed, "That's how I feel, but what about you? You're always so rude to me; it's frightening."

"I, I, I definitely won't be like that in the future!" Porky San was utterly dazzled by Ji Xinhe's smile and forgot his actual purpose, allowing Ji Xinhe to take control.

Ji Xinhe blinked, "Really? In that case, my family doesn't need to repay your money; just wait for me to marry into your family. But remember, you can't back out."

Porky San was overjoyed; he hadn't expected a woman to be so infatuated with him.

"How could I possibly change my mind? I swear to Heaven!"

Ji Xinhe giggled and pulled out a hairpin from her sleeve, handing it to Porky San, "This is my token of commitment. But, since you sincerely want to marry me, you can't just casually give me something in return."

Porky San accepted the hairpin while laughing heartily. He boldly pulled out a small golden lock from his pocket, "This is what I rely on for survival. I don't get it out easily. If I, Porky San, say I'm going to marry, that's exactly what's going to happen! Rest assured!"

Ji Xinhe took the little golden lock and smiled faintly, "I knew Brother Zhang San was sincere. My token is also quite valuable, so make sure to keep it safe."

"Of course!"

Ji Xinhe still smiled cheerfully, thinking that Wang Er Ya must be about to bring everyone over. The smile in her eyes deepened a bit. Porky San was so dazzled; he had never noticed how pretty she was before. Unable to resist, Porky San moved closer and reached out his greasy hand, "Xinhe, let me touch you."

"Sure." Ji Xinhe's radiant smile remained.

But the moment Porky San got close to her, her smile suddenly vanished. She then raised her leg and kicked him. Porky San screamed and fell straight into the river.

They were standing by the riverside, so Porky San naturally fell into the water with a "splash".

Ji Xinhe sneered, "Dare to deceive me?"

She then turned around and left.

Porky San was floundering in the river, shouting, "Help, help!" As a lazy man, Porky San never learned to swim. He finds even walking a few steps tiring.

Wang Er Ya had just brought a group of people over when they heard Porky San calling for help. Everyone was frightened.

Hearing this cry for help, everyone rushed to his aid.

Wang Er Ya was dumbfounded. The deceptive plot to trap Ji Xinhe had turned into a real crisis, with an actual person falling into the water?

But the situation now wasn't exactly as arranged. Where was Ji Xinhe?

——

At the moment, the Ji family was unusually quiet. Ji Xiulan and Lady Ding anxiously awaited news in the house, knowing that their success or failure depended on this moment.

"Mother, could anything go wrong again this time?"

"That wretch Ji Xinhe has gone. Her desperation to save her brother will certainly make her most anxious. Once she's captured by Porky San, the villagers will catch her in the act. Then, their clandestine meeting in the middle of the night will be clear for all, forcing her into marriage!" Lady Ding sneered.

"But, what if Ji Xinhe adamantly claims she was forced by Porky San? Ever since she hit her head, she's been much smarter than before." Ji Xiulan grew slightly uneasy.

"What's there to fear? If Er Ya denies it at the time, it'll seem like Ji Xinhe went there on her own. Why would a young girl go to such a secluded place in the middle of the night for no reason? If she claims innocence, who would believe it? Do they think I'm gullible? As soon as this incident comes to light, Ji Xinhe will have no choice but to marry Porky San due to her lack of decency, while we'll be completely innocent. What is there to fear?" Lady Ding, now much more cunning, half-lay there eating melon seeds, awaiting the news as if watching a play.

Ji Dong and Xiao Bei returned one after the other. They were anxious as they didn't see Ji Xinhe. The main family claimed to know nothing about her whereabouts, so they had to wait at the courtyard entrance.

Suddenly, a figure rushed in. Xiao Bei recognized her immediately and ran over, "Sister! Where have you been? Brother and I were so worried!"

Ji Xinhe motioned for him to be quiet. Without waiting for Xiao Bei to explain, she quickly put a small gold lock in his hand, whispered a few words, and Xiao Bei understood, running back inside without asking any more questions.

Ji Xiulan was coming out of the house to use the latrine when Xiao Bei ran into her. The small golden lock he had been clutching "accidentally" fell out.