Chapter 01: The Ultimate Match

In the early days of April in the Northwest, the sun was hidden behind clouds, making the air feel somewhat chilly.

Sister-in-law Li saved Qiao Qingyu, the wife of Chief Engineer He, from the rafters in the Tenghai Research Temporary Family Accommodation.

Regrettably, not only did she not receive praise, but people also murmured behind her back, "She tied a slipknot, waited for you to come over, how could you be fooled again?"

Sister-in-law Li: "..."

They just took advantage of her honest nature.

But the woman was rescued, just not opening her eyes. Sister-in-law Li, pushing the few people in the room, said impatiently, "Alright, alright, go home and cook, it's going to be awkward when Chief Engineer He gets back."

"Alas, what a pity for Xiao He, such a good man, and he ended up marrying a wife who's stupid, lazy, and so much trouble."

"Mr. He is being foolish, a Qingyu is going to be Xiao He's downfall for his whole life!"

"..."

Shaking her head helplessly, Sister-in-law Li closed the door firmly and left the courtyard of Chief Engineer He's home.

The room instantly fell silent, and Qiao Qingyu, who had long been awake, finally couldn't resist opening her eyes.

The first thing she saw was a dark wooden beam across the ceiling, and several cobwebs hung in the corners of the ceiling.

The mottled yellow mud walls surrounded her. The light that seeped in revealed that the room was dirty and shabby, resembling the Northwest rural homes from old photographs of the last century.

The only bright color was a pair of red "happiness" characters posted on the wall.

Qiao Qingyu stiffened all over and suddenly realized something. She sat up abruptly and incredulously widened her eyes as she looked at the wall across from her.

There hung a calendar.

Displaying the date: April 1, 1980!

In an instant, a flood of memories swarmed in.

She had traveled into a novel she had read a few days ago and became a cannon fodder character with the same name and surname as the main male character's wife in the book.

The male lead was He Xiuyu, the chief engineer at the Tenghai Research and Experiment Base, not only handsome as jade with a clear and bright demeanor, but also one of the first doctoral graduates in the late seventies, admired by all like a rare bloom on a lofty peak.

The original owner of this body had fallen in love with him at first sight and utilized the He family's, specifically Mr. He's, indebtedness to her mother to successfully marry He Xiuyu.

Maybe all cannon fodder characters have a common trait: they are ignorant and foolish, and above all, they cause trouble. The original owner stirred up so much trouble that people got tired of her antics and she became the laughingstock of the family accommodation.

Qiao Qingyu was thankful she arrived early.

At this moment, aside from crying, making scenes, and threatening suicide, the original owner had not yet burned down the family accommodation for disliking the shabby house, nor had she split open the study's lock with an axe to destroy the main male character's notes, let alone sold his little niece for a piece of soy sauce beef...

Most importantly, the main female character had not yet been reborn!

She wouldn't have to face a conflict with the main female character and end up with an unmarked grave.

All was not lost. Everything could still be salvaged. Qiao Qingyu clenched her fist in joy, but then, she froze.

There was something in her hand!

She was about to open her palm, but at that moment, an abrupt screech of tires came from outside. Qiao Qingyu startled, hurriedly turned over and leaned on the windowsill to look outside.

The firmly closed gate of the courtyard was pushed open, and a young man stood at the entrance, with a military green jeep behind him.

The window glass was somewhat blurry; his features weren't clear, but she could see the handsome outline hidden under the dappled sunlight. He was wearing a coffee-colored woolen coat, his tall figure exceptionally upright.

He felt the woman's gaze in the room, his steps faltered slightly, and then he quickly walked towards the inside of the house.

The courtyard was small, and in the moment Qiao Qingyu was daydreaming, the man had already entered the room.

It was indeed He Xiuyu who had returned!

Qiao Qingyu was stunned for a moment. The main male character of this book was indeed very handsome.

Truly worthy of the description "as refined and elegant as jade."

He approached her in a few strides, looking down at her with a high and remote gaze. His eyes were cold, but his voice was calm, "Qiao Qingyu, I'm back."

Qiao Qingyu looked up and met his gaze.

He Xiuyu had a pair of seemingly passionate but actually indifferent peach-blossom eyes—all his emotions were there, but now they were so deep they could not be seen clearly.

A wave of regret surged in Qiao Qingyu's heart. If this man weren't the main male character, He Xiuyu, who met her aesthetic preferences in every way, would truly be a pleasure to behold.

She was just about to say something, but a sharp pain came from her throat—that was the mark left by the hemp rope used in the hanging, and she couldn't help but cough a few times.

The next moment, He Xiuyu sat down beside her, stretching out his hand to pinch her chin. His fingertips were slightly cool but very dry. With a serious look in his eyes, he applied a little force, making Qiao Qingyu lift her chin.

He Xiuyu glanced at the red mark on Qiao Qingyu's neck. This was the third time this woman had tried to hang herself. After a moment, he let go of her, his voice deep and his breath clear, "It's good you were saved in time..."

Qiao Qingyu finally found her voice, though it was slightly hoarse, "I... I'm fine."

"Qiao Qingyu, can we talk?" asked He Xiuyu.

Qiao Qingyu stared at the man in front of her. It was time to talk—about how to get a divorce!

After all, they had been married for just over a month, hadn't even shared a bed, and so far had only met three times.

"Okay," Qiao Qingyu nodded eagerly.

He Xiuyu seemed surprised and looked intently at Qiao Qingyu. After a moment, he picked up the iron-clad thermos from an old table, poured water into the teacup, placed the teacup beside Qiao Qingyu, and took out a stack of money and food coupons from the pocket of his coat, placing them on the table. He said in a serious tone, "This is the salary I drew in advance; take care of it."

A soft approach before a hard stance?

His EQ was quite high, worthy of being the main character!

Before Qiao Qingyu could speak, he continued, "Qiao Qingyu, this place is just a temporary residence. The family accommodation for Tenghai Research and Experiment Base will be completed by the middle of next month, so just hold on for a while longer. As for Beijing, when the right time comes, I will naturally take you back."

"... I won't go back to Beijing with you, you don't have to worry about that."

He Xiuyu's expression suddenly turned dark and obscure. He pressed his thin lips together, and his gaze finally landed seriously on Qiao Qingyu's face.

From the moment he entered, he felt that something was amiss.

It was the same face as always, but now, those usually dull eyes had become moist and clear, as clear as the autumn sky.

He was slightly surprised and finally put away the impatience in his heart, speaking gently, "I won't be at the base this month, and even if you seek death again, I might not be able to rush back in time. Qiao Qingyu, life is only once, and once lost, it does not return. I hope you can cherish it!"

"Uh-huh, I won't hang myself again," Qiao Qingyu's voice was truly sincere.

He Xiuyu didn't show it, but he still breathed a sigh of relief. If something happened to Qiao Qingyu, it wouldn't just be the loss of a life, but both the He Family and Qiao Family would never find peace.

He was very busy; he had too many things to do, so he had no time to waste on affairs of the heart.

He pondered for a moment, thinking that perhaps Qiao Qingyu's repeated crises were due to a lack of security. He tried to make his voice gentle, "Although our beginning was very bad, I am a person who is loyal to marriage. You have no need for baseless suspicions. If nothing unexpected happens, we may spend a lifetime together."

He gave her an assurance, hoping that Qiao Qingyu would be a good wife to him.

He would also do his utmost to fulfill this marriage and be a qualified husband.