From Actress to Farmer's Wife

After being forced out of the entertainment industry by public criticism, I entered into a flash marriage with a wealthy farmer from the countryside.

The man was rough, unsophisticated, and clumsy with words—when it came to coaxing me, all he knew how to do was buy gold.

I was mocked online as the campus beauty who had become a village flower.

In a fit of anger, I abandoned all pretense and started livestreaming:

"A Day in the Life of a Washed-up Actress Married to the Countryside"

Killing chickens, chasing dogs, farming, driving tractors.

Overnight, I suddenly went viral online.

[Sis, aren't you a bit too versatile?]

[Seriously, how did Xu Zhi find such a niche genre?]

[Jie Zhi, don't work too hard but don't rest either, okay? Please update frequently. You're my electronic pickle now.]

Chapter 1

On the day I married into Lu Family Village, gongs and drums sounded, firecrackers echoed, and the place was packed with people.

"I heard Cheng Xiao married a rich young lady from the big city."

"My goodness, she looks like a TV star. How can she be so beautiful?"

"Yes, her face is so fair and radiant. You can tell she's not from our farming fields."

"What's the use of being pretty? She's as thin as a praying mantis. Probably can't even carry a hoe. When it comes to marrying a wife, you need someone who can work."

A group of old women stood with their arms tucked, snacking on melon seeds, saliva flying as they chattered.

I looked up at the large red wedding characters pasted everywhere in the courtyard.

Under my feet was cheap red carpet, and my high heels felt unstable walking on it.

The person beside me quickly grabbed my hand, his voice rough and gruff:

"Be careful."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man was a head taller than me, with honey-colored skin, sharp features, and a stern expression.

The black dress pants looked like capris on him, and with the white shirt and red tie, he looked like a real estate agent.

Terribly tacky.

For a moment, I felt so wronged I wanted to cry.

Just days ago, I was still a glamorous female star, but now I had become an unknown village woman in the countryside.

I hated this rustic wedding, and I disliked the terribly tacky man beside me.

I disgustedly shook off his hand.

After taking just two steps, there was suddenly a commotion of chickens and geese.

I looked closely—Haha was chasing chickens, ducks, and geese all over the yard.

Haha was my dowry dog, a stupid, fat Husky.

At this moment, chicken feathers were flying everywhere in the yard. I was stunned.

"Haha, what are you doing!"

I tried to run over to stop it, but the lead goose suddenly flew toward me.

It went straight for my legs and tried to pinch me.

I screamed and scrambled onto Lu Chengxiao's body.

"Lu Chengxiao, it... it pinched me..."

I was scared to death...

I hugged his neck tightly. His arm supported me, his voice deep.

"Don't be afraid."

Just then, I heard a miserable goose cry behind me.

"You blind thing!"

Lu Chengxiao's mother directly grabbed the goose, twisted its neck, and it died instantly.

"Zhizhi, don't be afraid. It's okay now."

As she spoke, she grabbed a kitchen knife from the kitchen and directly slit its throat.

"We'll have stewed goose for you tonight."

The series of actions made my scalp tingle.

How could they be so savage...

Haha had a chicken feather in its mouth, wagging its tail and looking up at me, showing off its achievements.

"Let me go..."

Chapter 2

I struggled down from Lu Chengxiao's arms and scolded Haha:

"Haha, behave yourself!"

But it looked at me innocently and kept pouncing on me.

Lu Chengxiao grabbed Haha's collar and threatened it:

"Show off again and I'll stew you."

Remembering the goose that just died tragically, I glared at him.

"Lu Chengxiao, don't bully my dog!"

Lu Chengxiao glanced at me, the corner of his mouth hooking into a smile:

"I was just scaring it."

Chapter 3

I didn't want to talk to him, so I turned and went into the house.

The room also had a strong rustic style, with golden mandarin ducks embroidered on the bright red four-piece bedding set.

Midway through, Lu Chengxiao and his mother came in to call me for dinner, saying the goose stew was ready.

Remembering the bloody scene from earlier, I instantly lost my appetite and excused myself, saying I was tired.

I curled up on the bed, opened my phone, and saw Han Wei and Xu Ying's official relationship announcement on the trending topics list, then looked at the 99+ insulting messages in my private inbox.

Tears immediately started falling.

Betrayed by a good friend, betrayed by my boyfriend, forced out of the entertainment industry by online criticism, and arranged by my family to marry this ghost place.

For a moment, the whole world seemed dark and gray.

"Xu Zhi, eat something."

Lu Chengxiao's voice sounded at the door, sounding somewhat cautious.

"I won't eat."

I turned away, wiping my tears as I faced the wall.

Behind me, there were several minutes of silence before he squeezed out:

"You... don't be unhappy."

I sniffled, ignoring him.

He can't even coax people properly. What kind of person did I marry...

Then, another long silence.

After a long while, a voice came from behind:

"Marrying me, I will definitely treat you well."

I angrily turned to look at him, glaring at the glaring red tie around his neck and the ridiculous dress pants on his legs.

"Lu Chengxiao, can you change these clothes?"

He was stunned for a moment.

"Okay."

He pointed at the food on the table.

"You should eat something."

He turned and went to the bathroom, and soon the sound of water came—he was probably showering.

I sat on the bed in a daze, the aroma of food wafting into my nose.

I swallowed, and my stomach growled twice.

I held my chopsticks, hesitating for a long time.

Not long ago, this goose was hopping around alive, and now it was a dish.

I carefully took a bite.

Oh my god, how can it be so fragrant...

In the past, to maintain my figure, I didn't dare eat at night, and during the day, I only ate a few pitiful vegetable leaves.

Now I no longer had to suffer like that.

I want to eat!

The goose meat was tender and falling off the bone, paired with the fragrant corn cakes that had absorbed the broth.

Damn, what kind of heavenly delicacy is this?

Chapter 4

When Lu Chengxiao came out, he glanced at the pile of bones on the table, the corner of his mouth slightly raised.

"Are you full?"

I was a bit embarrassed: "I'm full..."

He wiped his hair and came over to clear the table.

He had just showered, and his hair was still damp, carrying the simple scent of soap.

He only wore shorts, his upper body's firm lines fully displayed, his muscles defined but not exaggerated.

A few water droplets slid down his chest muscles, disappearing into the edge of his shorts.

Broad shoulders and narrow waist—the inverted triangle physique that countless male artists dream of.

Lu Chengxiao looks better without clothes on, I thought to myself.

I couldn't help but take a few more glances.

My mind suddenly flashed with several phrases from novels: "dog waist," "rough man," "waist-grasping doting."

My face heated, and I suddenly met his gaze,

"Why is your face so red?"

I instantly wanted to curl my toes.

"I... I'm going to wash up..."

I fled in panic to the bathroom.

The water spray cascaded down, and my mind flashed back to Lu Chengxiao's appearance just now.

On our wedding night, now we were legally husband and wife. Did we need to...

My heart was somewhat unsettled.

But we had a flash marriage; we weren't familiar with each other.

I had been in the entertainment industry for years with a scandal-ridden reputation. My father, in anger, gave me one year. If I couldn't make a name for myself, I would come home to marry.

As it turned out, this year I became less and less popular, directly driven out of the industry by criticism.

Lu Chengxiao was my father's student, a graduate student from a prestigious university who returned to the countryside to farm after graduation.

I heard he had made quite a bit of money, but people in the circle called him "country bumpkin" or "tacky rich man" behind his back.

But my father said he never forgot his roots, was honest and decent, with reliable character—most worthy of entrusting one's life to.

But I liked gentle and refined types, not someone rough and unsophisticated like Lu Chengxiao.

I couldn't help but feel another wave of grievance.

Chapter 5

When I pushed the door out, Lu Chengxiao was sitting on the bed, studying a red gift bag.

"What are you looking at?"

I thought it was a wedding gift someone had given him.

He turned the opening toward me and calmly explained:

"This was given when we registered our marriage."

I looked inside and saw several boxes of folic acid and contraceptive supplies.

My face flushed crimson, and I panicked into the bed, wrapping myself tightly.

"I... I'm sleepy, going to sleep..."

He seemed to chuckle softly.

After a while.

Behind me, I heard the sound of包装盒 being opened.

My waist was suddenly hugged from behind, followed by the back of my head being held by a large hand, and warmth on my lips.

Although I had seen things in the entertainment industry, I was actually a novice myself.

Now my heart was pounding, my mind a mess.

"Lu Chengxiao, you... can you be a bit gentler?"

I was pressed under him, his kiss gradually from gentle to forceful, my hands against his chest, breathing unevenly.

"Okay."

His voice was extremely hoarse.

He tore open the small packet. I closed my eyes, blushing.

Anyway, it had to happen sooner or later. It didn't matter...

After a long time.

"Zhizhi, I... I can't get it on..."

His voice was strained, breathing heavily.

Chapter 6

I quietly opened my eyes, took a peek, and my heart trembled.

"You... don't you have any idea about your size..."

The gift package contained only one-size-fits-all items.

"Let's just go to sleep."

I quickly pulled the covers over myself. The scene I just saw was still replaying in my mind.

Would it... would it be painful to death...

He actually leaned over me, and his hands started to misbehave.

"You... what are you doing..."

What honest and decent? He was clearly like a hooligan.

"Lu Chengxiao... no, I don't want to get pregnant..." I struggled.

"I... I'll go buy a new box."

As he spoke, he got out of bed and reached for the car keys.

"Lu Chengxiao! Come back!"

I stopped him, in disbelief,

"Are you crazy in the middle of the night?"

"I want to sleep. I don't want to do it anymore."

He lowered his eyes, somewhat frustrated.

I pulled the covers up higher, covering my half-red face, and said softly:

"Let's do it tomorrow."

He turned me over and held me tightly, his voice hoarse:

"Okay, then we'll wait for tomorrow."

I blushed, trying to break free from him, complaining:

"Why are you so hard all over? The bed is hard too. It's uncomfortable to sleep on..."

Chapter 7

This night, I slept rather uneasily.

My chest was burning hot, and the breathing by my ear was scorching.

Just at dawn, there was suddenly a series of chicken crows.

My morning anger instantly erupted.

"Where did Lu Chengxiao get these chickens? So annoying..." I complained from under the covers.

"I'll go take a look."

He quickly got out of bed.

Less than two minutes later, he was back.

The chicken crows disappeared.

"Where are the chickens?" I asked groggily, half-asleep.

He pulled me into his arms, his voice calm and low.

"I killed them."

Killed... killed?

Chapter 8

When I woke up naturally, there was no one beside me.

In the courtyard, Lu Chengxiao's mother was plucking feathers from a chicken.

"Zhizhi, you're awake. Chengxiao has gone to the fields. It's autumn harvest season, very busy."

"This morning, he killed a rooster, said to nourish your body. Mom will stew it for you in a while."

I glanced at the ground full of chicken feathers, silently repenting.

Around noon, Lu Chengxiao returned.

He was carrying a jewelry store packaging bag, which he eagerly handed to me.

"Brother Li said his wife feels unhappy sometimes, and buying a gold bracelet makes her happy."

I opened the packaging bag, and inside were neatly arranged six large gold bracelets, shining with golden light.

No wonder people call him a tacky rich man...

"Lu Chengxiao, why... why did you buy so many? I'm not Nezha..." I was somewhat between laughter and tears.

"I didn't know what style you like."

He explained, then pulled my hand and said:

"Zhizhi, don't be unhappy."

It was this sentence again. He really doesn't know how to coax people...

I sighed helplessly.

"I ordered a mattress, it will be delivered this afternoon. You won't be uncomfortable sleeping then."

He pinched my fingers, his tone carrying some attempt to please.

I responded noncommittally.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw he was also carrying a full transparent bag.

"What's in that bag you're holding?" I asked him curiously.

"It contains..."

He hesitated.

He directly handed the bag to me.

I took one look and was stunned.

A huge bag full of XL, 001.

"You... you're crazy buying so many!?"

"It was cheaper to buy in bulk." He explained calmly.

Me: ...

How can he say this without blushing or his heart skipping a beat.

Chapter 9

In the afternoon, two people came to deliver the mattress.

A young couple, the girl wearing an apricot-colored dress, sweet-looking, while the guy wore an exaggerated trendy T-shirt and had dyed yellow hair.

As soon as they entered, I heard his shout:

"Sister-in-law, Brother Xiao's mattress for you has arrived!"

Lu Chengxiao's mother also rushed out when she heard.

"Da Huang, you've worked hard. Sit down and have some water before you leave."

As she spoke, she introduced me to them.

"Zhizhi, this is Da Huang, who grew up with Chengxiao."

I nodded in greeting. The other party guzzled a large glass of water, wiped his sweat, and said:

"Sister-in-law, Brother Xiao has been busy with autumn harvest lately. If you need anything, just speak up. I'll serve you faithfully."

Then he pointed to the girl and introduced her to me:

"This is Xiao Jia, Brother Xiao's assistant. If you need anything, you can instruct her too."

The girl smiled warmly and greeted me.

"Sister-in-law, add me on WeChat. If you need anything, just find me."

As she spoke, she took out her phone and added me, then exclaimed in surprise:

"Sister-in-law is so beautiful! You look just like a celebrity, what was her name? I can't remember."

"Hey Da Huang, isn't it?"

"I think sister-in-law is more beautiful than TV stars," Yellow Hair chuckled twice.

Jia Ying nodded in agreement: "Yes, Brother Xiao really cares about sister-in-law. The mattress was transported from the city, over twenty thousand yuan."

When these words fell, Lu Chengxiao's mother was stunned.

"You said how much? Twenty thousand?"

"A mattress sells for twenty thousand?"

Jia Ying explained with a smile: "Yes, Auntie. Brother Xiao wanted the best one in the store. It was twenty-five thousand yuan."

"Oh my god, how much does a bed cost? How can this mattress be so expensive?"

Yellow Hair waved indifferently: "Auntie, Brother Xiao has plenty of money. This is just a small thing."

"Even if you have money, you can't spend it like this. His money is all hard-earned."

"Oh my god, how will we get through life in the future?"

Lu Chengxiao's mother muttered to herself, her face full of worry.

I felt as if I had become the prodigal daughter-in-law who spent her son's money.

Instantly, I felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Chapter 10

Before dinner, Lu Chengxiao returned.

As soon as he entered, his mother grabbed him, looking as if she was about to demand an explanation.

"Today Xiao Jia said the mattress you bought for Zhizhi cost over twenty thousand yuan."

Lu Chengxiao washed his face in the courtyard, showing no reaction.

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

His mother anxiously stamped her feet:

"Goodness, were you cheated? How can a mattress be so expensive?"

"It was bought from a city specialty store. It can't be fake."

"The one you used before only cost a few hundred yuan. Wasn't that fine too?"

"Zhizhi wasn't comfortable sleeping on it. I got her a better one." He explained.

"Oh my, if a mattress is this expensive, how will we get through life in the future..." His mother sighed and shook her head, turning into the house.

Not long after, she came out, holding a small cloth bag in her hand.

"These cards and passbooks are all money I saved myself, about 200,000 yuan. You take it and spend it on Zhizhi."

"You two grew up with different living standards. Everything needs to be the best."

"Don't let her suffer with us. What if she doesn't want to stay with you then?"

Lu Chengxiao found it somewhat amusing: "Mom, it's not that. The money I gave you, you can spend it. Can't I even support my own wife?"

Hearing their conversation, my heart suddenly warmed.

I had thought I was about to face the typical mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts, but unexpectedly, my mother-in-law was so reasonable.

I found the gold bracelets Lu Chengxiao had bought and chose one with a pattern.

"Mom, this is one I specially bought for you."

There was nothing suitable at hand, so I could only borrow flowers to offer to Buddha.

The word "Mom" made my mother-in-law so excited she could hardly speak properly.

"Oh my, Zhizhi, what are you doing? Don't spend money on me,"

I directly put it on her wrist.

"It's a token of my affection. It looks beautiful on you."

"Oh, just keep this for yourself. It's inconvenient for me to wear this while working. If it gets bumped or scratched, I'll feel bad."

I pulled her hand and said with a smile:

"It's fine. If it gets damaged, I'll buy you a new one."

My mother-in-law was so happy tears welled in her eyes;

"Oh my, Chengxiao marrying you is truly our family's ancestral grave emitting green smoke. Mom will definitely treat you like her own daughter."

"When Chengxiao was in school, our family was so poor we couldn't even afford to uncover the pot. If it weren't for Professor Xu, he wouldn't have today's achievements. I often heard Chengxiao mention you and your father."

I was somewhat curious: "He mentioned me?"

I only remembered that my father had many students, including many outstanding ones.

During holidays, many students would visit our home,

Only Lu Chengxiao, often wearing a faded black T-shirt, would help my mother plant flowers and vegetables in our backyard while other classmates gathered to discuss lofty matters.

He was solitary by nature and didn't like to talk, so I had little communication with him.

So, when I heard my mother-in-law say that he had actually mentioned me, I was very curious.

"What did he say about me?"

"Oh, he said his advisor's little junior sister, whose three subject scores added up weren't as high as his father's blood pressure."

Me: ...

I really shouldn't have asked...

"He also said you were beautiful since childhood, didn't like to study, and insisted you would become a big star when you grew up."

"Later, Mom often saw you on TV. The third-wheeler role you played was truly hate-inducing."

Me: ...

"That Xu Ying spread rumors about you. Mom goes to curse her every day."

"As the saying goes, a straight person fears a crooked shadow. The truth will come out one day. Stay here peacefully. People in the village don't follow entertainment news, so no one knows."

"If you're not used to it, let Chengxiao accompany you to your parents' home for a while."

Once my mother-in-law started, she couldn't stop.

Not far away, Lu Chengxiao, who was cooking, reminded her when he saw this:

"Mom, it's time to eat."

The iron pot stew at home, with the rooster, plus dried beans and hedgehog mushrooms, and a circle of golden pancakes around the pot edge.

It was really fragrant...

"Zhizhi, if you like it, I'll kill another one for you tomorrow."

My mother-in-law kept serving me food, and also mixed some chicken with rice, feeding a large spoonful to Haha.

"Oh my good baby, really eats well. Have a few more bites."

Haha wagged its tail, happily wiggling its butt.

"This chubby big treasure is so good and cute."

She seemed happier watching Haha and me eat heartily than when she ate herself.

"Mom, Haha is already overweight. It can't eat too much..." I reminded her.

"Where is it fat? Not fat at all."

"And Zhizhi, you're too thin. You need to eat more to be healthy."

I covered my bowl and shook my head repeatedly: "No, I've eaten too much meat these past few days. I must have gained several pounds."

"I've been too indulgent lately. I need to exercise to burn some calories."

Lu Chengxiao quickly finished the rice in his bowl and responded.

"Go to sleep after eating."

I was somewhat confused—what did exercise have to do with sleeping?

My mother-in-law also said to him: "It's only what time? Why are you sleeping so early? You young people sleep earlier than us old folks?"

"I'm sleepy." He replied lightly.

"Ah, child, why are you in such a hurry to sleep today?" My mother-in-law muttered.

For some reason, I suddenly thought of that big bag from today.

Chapter 11

After entering the room, Lu Chengxiao directly took off his T-shirt with one hand.

He was naturally large and burly, having worked in the fields for years, with a solid muscular build.

For the sake of looking good on camera, female celebrities are very thin. Standing before him, I seemed like a delicate bean sprout.

I felt like he could kill me with one slap.

He turned to the closet and took out a pair of shorts.

"I'm going to shower."

I blushed and nodded.

I opened the closet, preparing to find pajamas.

My gaze fell on the corner where he hung his clothes—all were dirt-resistant black and gray tones.

He had pitifully few clothes, all from unknown brands, with few new items.

He showered very quickly, and when he came out, I felt his gaze sticking to me.

I hugged my pajamas and lightly coughed:

"I'm going to shower too."

"Hmm." His voice was somewhat hoarse.

When I pushed the door out after showering, I wasn't looking where I was going and accidentally bumped into his chest muscles.

My nose instantly felt sore, and I couldn't help complaining.

"Lu Chengxiao, why is everything on your body so hard?"

One hand held my waist, the other rubbed my nose. He was rarely gentle.

His upper body was unclothed, his chest burning hot.

I looked up and met his fiery gaze. My eyes trembled, feeling as if something had been ignited in the air.

His hand tightened, and he lowered his head to kiss me.

I was kissed breathless.

"Lu Chengxiao, wait a moment... I... I need to apply a face mask..."

The sky was falling. Female stars also needed exquisite skincare before bed.

Especially these past two days, my skin felt somewhat dry.

He obediently released me.

"Lu Chengxiao, is the climate here not very good?" I asked him, then found a face mask and applied it to my face.

"Hmm, autumn and winter are rather dry and cold, with quite a bit of wind and sand."

The person in the mirror was several shades darker than me. I leaned in to look at his face.

"You work in the fields every day. Your skin is severely dehydrated. You should apply one too."

He frowned and dodged: "No need. What's a big man doing applying a face mask?"

"Long-term light exposure will cause spots, and severe dehydration." I educated him.

But strangely, besides being darker than me, his skin actually had no flaws.

So unfair.

He still refused: "No need. I don't rely on my face for a living."

I angrily blew out a breath: "Come here!"

Seeing my attitude was off, he immediately shut up and stretched his face forward.

"Close your eyes."

He obediently closed his eyes, and I applied the face mask to his face.

Chapter 12

The two of us lay side by side on the bed. The new mattress was very comfortable.

"Customized mattresses need to wait, so I bought this type for now. Just make do with it." Lu Chengxiao turned to look at me.

"Oh, this is quite good enough. No need to buy customized ones. It's too expensive. You didn't earn your money easily." I quickly waved my hand.

Those customized mattresses cost hundreds of thousands. If my mother-in-law found out, wouldn't she go crazy?

"I have no place to spend money. If you need anything, just tell Xiao Jia or Da Huang to buy it."

After speaking, he added,

"Buy the best."

Me: ...

It was late autumn, and I felt somewhat cold wearing long-sleeved pajamas. I turned to look at him, still wearing just shorts, bare-chested.

Good figure is good, but must you show it off every day?

"Lu Chengxiao, go put on some pajamas."

He was stunned: "I don't have pajamas..."

"You've been sleeping like this?" I asked, puzzled.

"Yes, all four seasons like this."

"No, aren't you cold?"

"Not cold."

Are we experiencing the same season?

I incredulously reached out and touched his chest. His skin was scorching hot, like a small furnace.

How strange.

I reached down a bit further and found it was still hot.

I became increasingly curious, and my brain heated up. My hand unconsciously explored further down.

Just as I was about to touch somewhere I shouldn't, I suddenly realized something was wrong.

My hand was suddenly caught, and he lowly called my name.

"Zhizhi."

"Ah..."

He pointed to the face mask on his face:

"How much longer does this thing need to stay on?"

"It... it will be ready soon..."

Chapter 13

Quietly endured until the time was up. He peeled off the face mask, roughly washed his face.

I had just finished washing my face when he pressed me against the sink and kissed me.

"Lu Chengxiao, no..."

"I still need to apply skincare products..."

He gritted his teeth and released me.

I was applying my bottles and jars in front of the mirror while he watched with great interest behind me.

I educated this straight man:

"This is toner. It needs to be applied first."

"This is eye cream, applied around the eyes. This is face cream. As the name suggests, it's applied to the face. Understand?"

He nodded repeatedly.

"This is lotion."

He frowned in confusion: "Rub oil on breasts too?"

Me: ...

Ahhhh...

"No, it's also for the face!"

His long arms wrapped around me, his voice carrying some attempt to please.

"I was wrong. I will definitely study hard in the future."

He lowered his head, his breath scorching.

I pressed my hands against his chest:

"Lu Chengxiao, you can't kiss my face..."

"Why?"

"The skincare products will be kissed off, and I'll have to wash my face and apply them again. It's troublesome."

He frowned:

"Uh, did you put something on your lips?"

"I applied lip balm..."

I was suddenly swept up horizontally. His voice carried a low chuckle.

"I'll help you apply it later."

The delayed wedding night, everything seemed to flow naturally.

He was somewhat clumsy, with a hint of forcefulness.

At first, he still considered my feelings, understanding gentleness.

Later, I began to doubt life.

"Lu Chengxiao, you liar. You said this was the last time."

"This really is the last time. I'm not lying to you."

He was strong, and I couldn't break free.

Biting him, he seemed to feel no pain.

What honest and decent? Simply a hooligan beast!

I no longer remembered when I fell asleep, exhausted and sleepy.

I only remembered him carrying me to wash up, then feeding me a large glass of water.

Chapter 14

Early the next morning, while I was sleeping soundly, I heard my mother-in-law's shouts from the courtyard:

"Oh my, Dabao, don't run. Come back quickly!"

I drowsily opened my eyes. The spot beside me was already empty.

What is this man made of? He tossed and turned so late last night, yet he got up so early again to go to the fields.

I shuffled to the courtyard in my slippers.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

I yawned sleepily.

"Oh my, Zhizhi, Haha ran away. I couldn't hold him back. He's too strong!" My mother-in-law stamped her feet anxiously.

"Ah?"

I forgot I was still wearing pajamas and slippers and ran outside.

Haha darted away quickly, disappearing from sight as soon as he left the door.

My mother-in-law and I split up.

Last night's activities had been too intense, and now walking was somewhat uncomfortable.

"Haha, Haha!"

I endured the discomfort, searching all the way.

Passing by the village intelligence center, a group of old women's gossiping eyes instantly focused on me.

I had no mind to pay attention to them, only anxious to find the dog.

"Haha, Haha!"

I don't know who asked:

"Oh, Chengxiao's daughter-in-law, what happy matter has you so cheerful?"

I froze for a few seconds before realizing.

"No, Auntie. My dog is called Haha..."

"It just ran out. Have you seen a Husky?"

Several people shook their heads.

"We haven't seen one. We only saw a furry pig that just ran past here."

"Uh... that's my dog. Which way did it go, Auntie?"

Several people pointed for me: "It went toward the north end of the village."

"Oh my, with your small frame, you can't catch up with it. Don't worry. We're idle anyway. We'll help you look."

As she spoke, one auntie quickly stood up.

"Yes, yes, I'll go to the village committee and shout for you."

As she spoke, a large group set out mightily.

The village loudspeaker was resounding.

"Villagers, pay attention! Chengxiao's family's dog is lost! Black and white flowers, looks about like a pig, called something Haha Husky. If you're idle, help look for it! The dog's name is Haha, the ha in haha laughter."

The response was immediate, and within minutes, the village was everywhere.

"Haha, Haha!"

Chapter 15

As I anxiously searched for the dog, Yellow Hair and Jia Ying also rushed over.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry. Someone in Lu Family Village group posted about it. Look, is this the dog?"

I saw in the video that Haha was shaking its head and tail among a group of local dogs, all of them looking at this city eunuch dog with expressions of seeing an idiot.

"Yes, that's Haha!"

"It ran all the way to the village edge. Quite far from here."

Yellow Hair rode a small motorcycle and quickly called to me,

"Sister-in-law, with your thin arms and legs, you can't run fast. Hurry up, I'll pull you over."

I rode on Yellow Hair's small motorcycle, and after some chaos, finally got Haha home.

I was so angry I wanted to give it a good beating.

It darted behind my mother-in-law, making wronged sounds.

"Oh, Zhizhi, the child knows it was wrong. Calm down. Don't hit him."

It was still snuggling and rubbing against grandma wrongfully.

I angrily pointed at it and scolded it.

Relying on someone to speak up for it, I couldn't lose my temper further.

My mother-in-law washed me a plate of fresh grapes and brought them over:

"Zhizhi, try these grapes newly picked from our garden. Chengxiao told me you like grapes, right?"

"Hmm."

I didn't expect him to remember.

Many years ago, when he was helping my mother plant flowers in our garden, I excitedly ran over.

I handed him the grape seeds I had just spit out from my palm,

"Brother, do you know how to plant grapes? Can you help me plant one?"

He took them, smiled, and agreed.

"Okay."

A few days later, several grape seedlings really grew in the courtyard. I happily shared with my father,

"Daddy, your student is so amazing. He actually grew grapes from my seeds."

He sighed helplessly.

"Daughter, have you ever seen anyone grow grapes from seeds?"

"Those were cuttings from the mother plants Chengxiao experimented with last year. There weren't many, and he gave them to you."

"This child is really down-to-earth."

I only remembered the grapes that grew were large and red, tasting better than any I had eaten before.

I tasted the grapes my mother-in-law had washed, and they had the exact same texture as back then.

Not the industrial sweetness, with a hint of sourness, full of grape flavor.

"Did Chengxiao grow these too?" I asked my mother-in-law.

"Yes, if you like them, go pick them in our fields. This season has everything—grapes, apples, peaches, all ripe."

"Do you have a lot of land?" I was very curious.

"Oh, plenty. Chengxiao has rented land from several nearby villages. We have grain, vegetables, fruits—everything."

"If you're bored at home, you can go look around our fields."

My mother-in-law said this, and I became even more curious.

I planned to go look around after eating.

Chapter 16

When I washed up and looked in the mirror, I realized that when I went out to find the dog, I was still wearing pajamas, my face unwashed, hair messy, and I had walked all over the village...

The pajamas were loose, and the marks on my neck and knees were blatantly exposed.

Remembering last night's scenes, I felt both ashamed and angry.

Lu Chengxiao looked so proper, but why did he become a different person after taking off his clothes?

I changed my clothes, matched them with an appropriate bag, combed my hair, and applied light makeup. This time, I finally went out beautifully.

For over twenty years, it was my first time seeing the countryside fields.

Endless golden rice paddies, vast cornfields.

Red apples, yellow pears, purple grapes—colors rich and splendid.

Villagers shuttled among them, tractors busy between fields and villages, laughter everywhere.

"Oh, sister-in-law, why did you come to the fields?"

Yellow Hair, riding a small motorcycle, was the first to spot me.

"Bored, came out for a walk." I greeted him.

"Thank you and Xiao Jia today, and the villagers too. I didn't expect everyone to be so enthusiastic about helping me find my dog."

Yellow Hair waved indifferently, "Brother Xiao has good relationships. If anything happens to your family, the village will definitely help."

I was curious: "Why?"

"Brother Xiao's agriculture has made everyone live good lives. Our village used to be very poor. Now Brother Xiao's business is getting bigger and bigger, driving our entire county to shed its poverty hat."

I was somewhat shocked: "Lu Chengxiao is that amazing?"

Before, I only heard people say he was some tacky rich man who only knew how to farm. I narrowly thought farming couldn't earn much money.

"Don't you understand your own man?" Yellow Hair asked me.

I suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed.

Yellow Hair shouted toward the distance:

"Brother Xiao, your wife is here to see you!"

His voice was loud, and not only did Lu Chengxiao hear it, but the working people couldn't help but look this way.

Lu Chengxiao drove a tractor out of the cornfield, pulling a full cart of corn kernels.

When he saw me, he was very surprised.

He quickly turned off the engine and got out of the car.

"Zhizhi, why did you come over?"

It was already somewhat cool in late autumn. He only wore a black short sleeve, sweating profusely.

"Bored at home."

I took tissues from my bag to wipe his sweat.

His face reddened slightly, and he took them himself.

"I'll wipe it myself."

"Lu Chengxiao, you're so amazing. You even know how to drive a tractor."

Lu Chengxiao said nothing, but Yellow Hair squatting at the field's edge couldn't stop laughing.

"Sister-in-law, which farmer doesn't know how to drive a tractor, hahaha. You're really good at complimenting people, haha."

I was speechless for a moment.

Lu Chengxiao gave him a cold look.

"If you're idle, go work."

"Okay, I'll go drive the tractor."

The field harvesters were working methodically, and soon, the corn stalks were pulverized,

I watched somewhat stunned.

"I've seen in movies before that corn was harvested by hand. This is amazing."

"Now it's all mechanized. After the harvester passes, the corn is directly shelled, and the stalks are returned to the field as fertilizer." He explained.

"It's noisy and dusty here. I'll take you somewhere else to walk around."

Chapter 17

He stood up, and I followed behind him.

Like this, one after the other, a meter apart.

Clearly we had been so intimate last night, but now it was like we didn't know each other.

"Lu Chengxiao, why won't you hold my hand?"

"My hands are dirty." He explained.

I took a wet wipe from my bag and forcibly wiped them clean for him.

"Now they're not dirty."

He lightly coughed.

"Zhizhi, there are many people outside. It doesn't look good."

He was actually embarrassed?

I didn't know who was like a madman last night when I begged him so many times and he wouldn't stop.

During the day with clothes on, he was like a different person.

I glared at him and humphed unhappily.

He looked around furtively like a thief, then quietly took my hand.

"Zhizhi, don't be unhappy..."

I gritted my teeth and smiled.

The fields on both sides of the road were full of working people. Seeing us pass, they couldn't help but tease:

"Chengxiao brought his wife out. She's really beautiful."

"Holding hands when you go out. You two have a good relationship."

"Yes, no wonder Chengxiao has been grinning from ear to ear these past few days."

"Of course, the boss is full of energy now."

He nodded in acknowledgment, and I smiled awkwardly, trying to pull my hand away.

He showed me several orchards, and we picked a full basket of fruits.

The fresh fruits were juicy and full, with a natural taste completely different from what I used to buy in supermarkets.

Passing several greenhouses, I couldn't contain my curiosity.

"Lu Chengxiao, what's planted in there?"

"This greenhouse has strawberries. We just planted the seedlings. They'll grow strawberries in winter."

I looked at a patch of green seedlings, taking photos of everything.

"Wow, this will grow into strawberries? So amazing."

"That greenhouse has strawberry tomatoes, a newly researched variety. They're sweet and eaten as fruit."

He picked one, washed it, and handed it to me.

I took a bite and exclaimed: "This tomato is so delicious."

"Over there are several flower rooms, growing roses. They'll be blooming soon."

I carried a small basket, looking everywhere, feeling everything was amazing.

"Lu Chengxiao, you're so amazing. So farming is this interesting."

He was somewhat embarrassed by my praise: "If you like it, come play."

I suddenly understood why Haha thought about running outside every day. The outside world was so fun to play in.

Yellow Hair drove a tractor past, and when he passed us, he was holding back laughter.

"What are you laughing at?" I glared at him.

"I'm not laughing." He tried hard to control himself.

"You laughed."

"I was born to laugh."

He couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Sister-in-law, are people and dogs from big cities this unworldly? Hahaha."

What did he mean? Calling us country bumpkins?

Until Lu Chengxiao gave him a killer look, he shut up.

I looked at the rumbling tractor and couldn't contain myself again.

"Lu Chengxiao, I want to drive the tractor."

"Ah?" He was somewhat confused.

"I think it's very interesting. You teach me. It should be quite simple, just like driving a manual car, right?"

He hesitated: "Hmm... about the same..."

"Then I definitely can. My driving skills are excellent!"

I was eager to try and directly sat on it.

He patiently taught me step by step how to start, shift gears, and accelerate.

I thought it was very simple and was full of confidence.

After a series of operations, I drove into a ditch.

Finally, several villagers worked together to push it out.

The villagers chattered about all sorts of things:

"Oh, Chengxiao's daughter-in-law, your delicate skin and tender flesh can't handle our farming work, can it?"

"Yes, children from big cities can't do farm work, can they?"

"Isn't Xiao Jia also from a big city? She's a college student, and now she's clear about field work, isn't she?"

"The boss's wife married to the countryside isn't delicate at all. Instead of being a rich lady at home, she's learning to farm and drive tractors. How nice."

"Chengxiao's family, don't worry about driving. If you drive into the ditch again, we'll push it out for you."

I was between laughter and tears.

"Lu Chengxiao, they're all so lovely."

"And the group of aunties at the village entrance. They actually mobilized the whole village to help me find my dog today."

Lu Chengxiao smiled and stroked my hair, telling me:

"Those aunties all watched me grow up. The year I got into college, my dad had a brain hemorrhage and was paralyzed at home, owing a pile of debts. It was the people of Lu Family Village who donated to raise my tuition fees."

I had only heard my father say his family wasn't well-off, but I didn't expect it to be this difficult.

"Because of this, you chose to return to build your hometown after graduation?"

He nodded.

These people were straightforward, but they were all simple and kind.

Chapter 18

I gradually grew to like life in the fields.

These past few days, I gradually learned to drive the tractor and became familiar with the field work.

Working in the fields for a while every day, listening to everyone's laughter and chatter, my mood improved a lot.

Here, there were no messy intrigues, no anxiety about figure or appearance. Life was pleasant and comfortable.

When I had free time, I would scroll through my phone, but unexpectedly saw the latest entertainment trending topics.

#Xu Zhi's Miserable Current Situation#

#Netizen's Rural Encounter with Xu Zhi#

#Xu Zhi's Mental Breakdown#

I don't know who posted a Weibo:

[Is this Xu Zhi? Encountered in the countryside. Looks similar.]

Attached was a video of me just after waking up, wearing pajamas, "hahaha" looking for my dog by the roadside.

The marketing account's description left me stunned.

[Recently, a netizen encountered Xu Zhi in the countryside. After retiring from the circle, Xu Zhi was disheveled, haggard, covered in injuries, staggering, and behaving strangely, suspected of having a mental breakdown.]

The comment section instantly flooded with crowds of onlookers:

[Is this confirmed to be Xu Zhi?]

[Look at the mole by the corner of her eye. It's undoubtedly her.]

[What's wrong with Xu Zhi? She's laughing strangely at the air, looking scary.]

[Looking at her haggard face and injuries, plus this strange behavior, she's definitely on drugs.]

[No wonder she retired from the circle and hid in the countryside.]

I looked at the comments one by one, thought of the culprit, and couldn't help but get angry.

When Lu Chengxiao came home, my mother-in-law quietly pulled him aside:

"Zhizhi isn't very happy today. Did you make her angry?"

He thought for a moment: "I don't think so?"

"If not you, then who?"

My mother-in-law educated him with hatred that iron wouldn't become steel,

"You coax her well. What if she doesn't want to stay with you?"

"If you don't know how to coax people, look it up online."

"If not, kneel for her."

Lu Chengxiao entered the room, confused.

"Zhizhi, what's wrong today?"

I angrily showed him that trending Weibo post.

"Someone in your village secretly took pictures of me and posted them online."

He focused and looked for a while, then said nothing.

"What do you think?" I asked him.

"I was thinking, who posted that Weibo? Few people in the village follow entertainment celebrities. Even if they do, how could someone connect a daughter-in-law married to the countryside with celebrity Xu Zhi?"

"Since the other person photographed you, they must know you were looking for a dog. But when the gossip media deliberately misinterpreted it, the other person didn't explain at all."

"Moreover, a newly registered account getting such big traffic is too abnormal."

This... how could his mind work so fast?

I had thought it was just some curious villager who posted it, but after Lu Chengxiao's analysis, I felt this matter might not be so simple.

"It doesn't matter. I've retired from the circle anyway. News is temporary. If I don't respond, no one will pay attention in a few days."

"Responding would attract more attention. Then some paparazzi might come to the village to stake out, which would be more troublesome."

Let the internet say what it wants. Anyway, my scandals were already flying everywhere.

But looking at the increasingly popular news, I was still angry enough to want to hit someone.

"Lu Chengxiao, it's all your fault!!!"

"What 'covered in injuries, staggering'?"

"And Haha, I'm going to kill it!"

"My image, completely ruined by you all ahhh!"

He tried to please me, pulling my hand: "I'm sorry. Don't be angry."

"I'll be gentler next time."

I glared at him fiercely.

"That's it?"

This was his attitude toward coaxing people?

Chapter 19

Then, he took me to a gold store.

As soon as I entered, he asked: "Do you have gold bars?"

"Yes, sir. We have 20g and 50g ones. How much do you want?"

He calmly said: "A jin."

"A... a jin?"

He nodded, then asked me, lowering his head:

"Is that enough?"

I was momentarily stunned by his tacky extravagance and couldn't speak.

He thought I wasn't satisfied and bought five more gold bracelets.

"Zhizhi, are you feeling better now?"

"Much better..."

Until we carried the heavy gold out the door, I finally couldn't help but ask:

"Lu Chengxiao, how much money do you actually have?"

Next, he spent the entire afternoon explaining in detail all the industries and income under his name.

"All of this is ours. It should be enough for you to spend."

I was speechless for a long time.

Besides agricultural planting, he was also involved in product processing, sales, supply, and multiple other chains.

This extended to multiple sectors like ecological agriculture, tourism, and catering, with nearly ten thousand employees.

"If you're so rich, why can't you buy yourself a few new clothes? And that suit from the wedding didn't even fit properly."

"I work in the fields every day. It's wasteful to wear such nice clothes. That wedding suit cost over a thousand yuan too."

Me: ...

"Regular sizes definitely won't fit your build. You need custom-made."

I pulled him, ignoring his objections, bought several outfits, and ordered a proper suit.

"Lu Chengxiao, you have so much money. Why do you still go to the fields every day?"

"I'm used to it. I started with farming, and I studied agriculture. The food that reaches people's mouths, I have to see it myself to be at ease." He explained.

I saw that besides this, he also had multiple industry investments, making a fortune.

What kind of tacky rich man was this? Clearly a business genius.

"Have you ever lost money on your investments?" I asked him.

"I have. I invested in movies a few years ago."

"Which movies?" I became even more curious.

He lightly coughed: "The ones you starred in."

Me: ...

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to get a few female lead roles, but they all flopped upon release.

I was mocked by netizens as "box office poison" and "beautiful waste."

I had had a star dream since childhood, was called the campus beauty in school, and naively thought I could really become a star.

Only after entering that circle did I know there were too many explicit and implicit rules.

I considered myself above such things and disdained to bow down.

Besides, I had a boyfriend then. Han Wei and I had a good relationship. Although the company didn't allow official announcements, it was basically semi-public. Fans were happy to ship us.

My university best friend Xu Ying mixed much better than me. Especially in the past two years, after getting two popular dramas, she directly leaped to become a top traffic actress.

More recently, she won best actress with her new drama.

I was genuinely happy for her, but she turned around and officially announced her relationship with Han Wei.

The two claimed to have been in love for years, deeply in love with each other.

Fans collectively cursed me as "fake bestie," "green tea third wheel," "leeching off popularity," and "unscrupulous publicity seeker."

Overnight, my reputation was ruined.

After so many years in the entertainment industry, except for some empty admiration, it was actually extremely boring.

After retiring, under my father's arrangement, I married Lu Chengxiao, away from the flashlights and city prosperity.

Although there were many discomforts, everything here was very pure. I could eat meat heartily, wander freely through the fields, and no one examined my every move with a magnifying glass.

Plant seeds, and as long as you work hard, they will bear abundant fruit the next year.

Chapter 20

I didn't want to pay attention to the online discussions, but suddenly another topic about me trended.

#Xu Zhi's Mental Younger Brother Husband#

#Xu Zhi Campus Beauty Becomes Village Flower#

Still a Weibo post from a newly registered small account:

[I seem to have encountered Xu Zhi and her husband.]

Attached was a photo from a few days ago of me sitting on the back of Yellow Hair's motorcycle looking for my dog.

Onlookers discussed heatedly:

[Xu Zhi married a rural yellow hair?]

[This combination, yellow hair, trendy clothes, ripped pants, big gold chain, looks like he could do a flower hand dance any second.]

[Too blinding. Xu Zhi was at least a campus beauty. How could she find such a mental young man ugly thing?]

[I used to think Xu Zhi's temperament was truly fairy-like. Now campus beauty has become village flower. Shouldn't she go act in rural love stories?]

Wave after wave of mockery online.

I was used to being cursed at, but Yellow Hair became the biggest innocent victim.

"Not only that, I finally got to have a celebrity scandal, how did I become bullshit?"

"I'm so handsome and charming, yet they call me a mental young man, call me ugly!"

"Sister-in-law, your anti-fans are truly inhuman!"

While Yellow Hair was wailing, my phone received a message from Han Wei:

[Zhizhi, the company arranged my relationship with Xu Ying. I had no choice. If I didn't do this, they wouldn't give me any resources.]

[I know this wronged you. Can you bear with it for now?]

[Wait, wait until I become famous, I will definitely clear your name.]

I ignored him, and he sent several more.

[Zhizhi, are you there?]

[I saw the news about you online. Where are you now?]

[Zhizhi, please reply to me.]

Me: [Farming in the countryside.]

[Zhizhi, you really went to the countryside?]

[Are the online rumors true?]

[Are you okay now?]

I was irritated by his spamming, threw down my phone, and didn't want to deal with him.

But before my phone screen even turned off, Lu Chengxiao came back.

When his gaze fell on my phone, Han Wei, courting death, sent another line:

[Zhizhi, I miss you so much.]

I quickly covered my phone.

Guiltily, I pulled his hand, explaining:

"I broke off contact with him long ago. I don't know why he suddenly contacted me."

He lightly hmmphed, reminding me expressionlessly:

"He said he misses you very much."

"He's sick."

I kissed his face.

He had no reaction.

"Lu Chengxiao, are you angry?"

"No."

Me: ...

After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly spoke:

"Do you like this kind of skinny dog?"

Me: ...

"I don't like him. I was blind before. Now I only like you."

I quickly guaranteed.

Then took out my phone and replied:

[I'm married. Don't harass me.]

Then dragged into blacklist.

"Is this okay? Not angry anymore?"

I held the face of a certain vinegar jar and kissed it again.

He had no reaction, just responded noncommittally.

"Then why won't you kiss me?"

So hard to coax...

As soon as the words fell, he suddenly leaned over me.

Dense kisses followed one after another, clothes scattered.

I gradually couldn't handle it.

"Lu Chengxiao, you can't kiss there..."

...

I was tormented until I repeatedly begged for mercy, but he wouldn't let me go.

Afterward, I weakly nestled in his arms.

He had calmed down and finally knew how to comfort me:

"I've already had someone investigate who posted the Weibo."

He stroked my hair,

"Don't be angry."

I yawned: "I've retired from the circle. I don't believe they can still blacken me..."

Chapter 21

I thought this matter would just fade away as long as the parties involved didn't respond.

Unexpectedly, the next day, media interviewed Xu Ying about my situation, and she openly said:

"Some people should have some shame. Already married but still sending text messages to someone else's boyfriend late at night."

The reporter asked her: "Then the online rumor that Xu Zhi married into the countryside is true?"

Xu Ying said lightly: "I heard it was so."

For a moment, my social media accounts were flooded with curses:

[Xu Zhi this kind of green tea third wheel, already married but still seducing Han Wei. I've never seen such a shameless person.]

[Her countryside husband is just a farmer, compared to Han Wei, one heaven one earth. She must be unwilling.]

[The strange laughing behavior a few days ago suggests relevant departments should investigate.]

[Disgraced artists get out of the entertainment industry. Go sew on a sewing machine.]

[Too disgusting. Can't Xu Zhi just die?]

I looked at the curses one by one, angry for a long time without calming down.

How could someone be so shameless and reverse black and white!

I couldn't bear it anymore and opened a livestream.

The bullet comments instantly exploded:

[No, Xu Zhi is actually livestreaming?]

[So shameless. Always trying to ride on popularity.]

[Why isn't Xu Zhi dead yet?]

I smiled at the camera.

"I was originally going to die, but halfway through hanging myself, I took my neck out, it was a bit ticklish."

[Oh, isn't this Village Flower Xu? Where's your farmer husband?]

"Oh, he's working in the fields."

[Xu Zhi has really given up, completely shameless?]

[Can't her livestream be banned? Don't let this kind of person ride on popularity anymore?]

[Xu Zhi must be having a miserable time in the countryside now, right?]

[Knowing you're not doing well, I can finally be at ease.]

"Hmm, I'm having a miserable time now. Life tried to chew me up, but I became melt-in-your-mouth. Below, please watch: A Day in the Life of a Washed-up Actress Married to the Countryside."

As soon as I finished speaking, a chicken crowed.

I directly grabbed a kitchen knife and ran to the chicken coop.

"You're the only one with a mouth, right? Clucking all day. What, you think I can't kill you just because there's a net between us?"

I directly tore off the netting on the chicken coop, grabbed that chicken, directly twisted its neck, and wiped the knife. Instantly dead.

The livestream bullet comments suddenly fell silent.

[This...]

[I thought of an idiom: kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.]

[No, where are the monkeys that were jumping around?]

[Probably touching their own necks.]

[No, this scene is too funny. Which beautiful female star gets up to kill chickens early in the morning?]

Chapter 22

After killing the chicken, I took Haha for a walk.

Passing by the village intelligence center, a group of aunties were gathered around, muttering about something.

I tucked my hands and squeezed in, grabbing some melon seeds.

"Auntie, what's the news today?"

"Oh, let me tell you, in broad daylight yesterday, someone's wife was fooling around with that bachelor from the east end in the cornfield. When they were discovered, their bare bottoms were exposed."

"Wow, so explosive..."

"You came late, many things you don't know. Let me tell you, do you know Old Li's son? I heard he found a woman."

"Oh, that woman also has a lover. She follows him on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and another one on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tsk tsk..."

Whoa, who says the city has deep schemes? The rural plots are more exciting than novels.

Just as I was happily eating melon seeds, several dog barks came from nearby. Haha suddenly grabbed me and started darting.

I staggered up, desperately holding the rope.

"Haha, slow down."

It ran like crazy, I frantically moved my legs, desperately pulling the rope back.

"Haha, stop for me!"

As a result, the more I said, the more energetic it became, directly breaking free with a strong pull.

I suddenly lost strength and braked hard.

I sat down hard on my butt, my slippers directly跑到 my脚踝上.

The unleashed Haha dashed forward like crazy.

The livestream bullet comments were laughing like crazy:

[My god, what is this scene? I'm laughing so hard my bed is shaking.]

[Rainy day wearing slippers to walk a Husky, a bloody lesson.]

[So Xu Zhi's dog is called Haha? Then the news a few days ago about her mental breakdown was her looking for her dog?]

["Haha's Strange Laughter" "Suspected Mental Breakdown" I'm really going to die laughing.]

I worked hard to reset my shoes and continued chasing the dog.

Finally, I found Haha rolling with a group of local dogs in a mud pit at the east end of the village.

My blood pressure instantly shot up.

"Haha, get over here!"

This time it listened, directly sprinting over and pouncing on me.

Still shaking its head...

In just an instant, I seemed to have rolled in the mud pit too.

Finally, one person, one dog, all covered in mud spots.

I glanced at my phone screen, feeling like I'd seen a ghost.

Scared, I turned off the livestream.

Not long after, my livestream video was trending.

The comment section was extremely lively:

[No, I'm laughing like crazy.]

[Entertainment circle for ten years couldn't produce such a funny variety show. How did Xu Zhi manage to have no boring moments throughout?]

[Seriously, how did Xu Zhi find such a niche genre?]

[I'm not anyone's fan, and I don't understand who's right or wrong, but I genuinely love watching Xu Zhi's livestreams.]

[Jie Zhi, don't work too hard but don't rest either, okay? Please update frequently. You're my electronic pickle now.]

After going home to shower, my mother-in-law's iron pot chicken stew was ready.

I continued the livestream.

"That chicken that was making noise this morning is now out of the pot, family. Our own big iron pot, firewood stewed free-range chicken, with hedgehog mushrooms, vermicelli. Oh my, it's so fragrant."

I scooped a piece of corn pancake, and with the chicken, I started devouring it.

"Oh my god, it's so delicious..."

"Slurp slurp..."

The livestream was filled with bullet comments:

[Slacking at work deserves to see such a fragrant livestream. My mouth is watering.]

[One thing's for sure, iron pot stew is really fragrant.]

[Watching Xu Zhi eat is really fragrant. The food appeal is maxed out.]

[How can she be so cute? I used to think she was that aloof goddess type,没想到 she's so down-to-earth.]

[Eats deliciously, has a beautiful face. I want to have a daughter like this.]

Chapter 23

After eating, I directly rode a small electric scooter to the fields.

First, I picked several bunches of grapes, a few apples and peaches, filling a small basket.

Lying on a lounge chair in the orchard, I happily started eating.

"Rural life is this simple and unadorned."

[Work pause, I want to go pick fruits. Xu Zhi's grapes look so delicious.]

[That big peach, if I could eat it, I don't know how cheerful I'd be. Jie Zhi, can you post a link?]

After eating fruits, passing by the grain fields.

Several villagers were harvesting corn, with tractors rumbling.

A yellow head kept bouncing around.

I shouted:

"Yellow Hair, let me drive the tractor."

"No way, sister-in-law? Don't drive it into the ditch, okay?"

He protected the keys, somewhat struggling,

"Or should I call Brother Xiao over? He's busy investigating those who smeared you."

"Give it here." I snatched it.

[Isn't that Yellow Hair Xu Zhi's rumored husband from a few days ago? People clearly call her sister-in-law. Which unscrupulous media is spreading shit?]

[Capturing with just one picture, making groundless accusations. Could someone be intentionally targeting Xu Zhi?]

[That day's news too, clearly Xu Zhi was looking for her dog but was written as mentally unbalanced.]

[Just now, Yellow Hair also said someone was smearing Xu Zhi. I feel there will be a reversal.]

I directly sat on the tractor.

Once shy, twice confident. This time I handled it easily.

The golden corn kernels poured into the truck bed, looking joyful.

I drove the tractor rumbling through the fields.

The livestream audience grew larger and larger, the bullet comments about to explode.

[Sis, aren't you a bit too versatile?]

[I got up too early. First time seeing a female celebrity driving a tractor in a village.]

[Current Xu Zhi has a kind of beauty full of vital energy. Those white, young, and thin aesthetics, what kind of taste is that? This is the idol look I like.]

[Xu Zhi can be said to be invincible in this genre.]

[Jie Zhi, don't stop. Please update quickly.]

Chapter 24

As the topic's popularity grew higher, some netizens started digging up my past materials, and along with them, Xu Ying and Han Wei were completely exposed.

[How do I feel something's not quite right? Before, Xu Zhi and Han Wei, although not officially announced, were clearly in a couple state. In contrast, Xu Ying had very little interaction with Han Wei.]

[At that time, fans on both sides overwhelmingly cursed Xu Zhi. Why didn't anyone curse Han Wei? Even if Xu Zhi interfered, Han Wei didn't avoid suspicion. I quite enjoyed the ambiguity.]

[+1, Jumping for joy during promotions, but pretending to be dead after the official announcement?]

[And Xu Ying, since her boyfriend had been ambiguous with her best friend for so long, why did she still eat that undercooked rice, only cursing Xu Zhi? Don't be so male-centered.]

After some scientific analysis, netizens flocked to question Han Wei and Xu Ying.

Han Wei only posted: [I hope everyone focuses on my work rather than my private life.]

Netizens directly cursed: [Laughing, what work do you have?]

[Whether Xu Zhi or Xu Ying is right or wrong is unclear, but you're definitely trash.]

[Pretending to be a turtle from start to finish. Are you even a man?]

As for Xu Ying, her studio only posted a variety show announcement.

["Let's Farm Together" is about to premiere. As a main player, what surprises will Ying Ying bring?]

The comment section discussed heatedly;

[Where was the energy to curse Xu Zhi a few days ago? Why so quiet as a chicken now? Responding will kill you?]

[People farm and you farm too. Do you love copying this much?]

Of course, soon a large number of fans came to defend.

[Our Ying Ying responds to what? From start to finish, she was the victim.]

[Xu Green Tea interfering with her best friend's boyfriend is confirmed. Why are there so many brain-dead people trying to whitewash her?]

[That village flower is already married to the countryside and still shamelessly jumping around. Can't you just be a proper village wife?]

Chapter 25

In the evening, Lu Chengxiao returned somewhat late.

I was sitting on the bed, remembering what Yellow Hair had said today.

"Yellow Hair said you're investigating the person behind those Weibo posts?"

"Hmm, I have some leads."

He changed his shoes and washed his face.

"Who is it?" I asked curiously

"Probably Jia Ying."

This answer, I found hard to believe.

"Xiao Jia? How? She seems like such a good girl, cheerful and hardworking."

Just as I spoke, Lu Chengxiao's phone rang.

"Brother Xiao, I don't know who spread Xu Zhi's past news, exaggeratedly spread in the village, with overseas location, saying she was some kind of third wheel, green tea."

"Got it. I know."

His gaze sharpened, and after hanging up, he quickly dialed another number.

"Caught yet?"

The voice of Yellow Hair came from the other end:

"Caught him, Brother Xiao. It was Jia Ying. She used a foreign IP to post it over the wall. Who in the village would understand that?"

"Okay, we'll come over now."

Lu Chengxiao pulled my hand and hurried out.

When we arrived, Yellow Hair and several others had already detained Jia Ying in the office.

Her eyes were red, carrying a kind of hatred.

Lu Chengxiao glanced at her, his voice cold:

"Jia Ying, I treated you well. Why did you harm my wife?"

She gave a bitter laugh, her eyes full of resentment:

"Why? Senior, I've liked you for eight years. For you, I gave up opportunities in big cities to come to the village to help you. I thought, given time, you would eventually see me..."

"But you turned around and married someone else. I'm unwilling..."

"Why... I gave so much for you, yet ended up with nothing. Why won't you even look at me?"

Lu Chengxiao found it somewhat amusing and asked her in return:

"You gave for me?"

"You've worked by my side for so many years. The salary I gave you was four to five times what you'd get outside. You ended up with nothing?"

She gritted her teeth, tears streaming down:

"But what I wanted wasn't these..."

Lu Chengxiao stared at her coldly, questioning word by word:

"So, you secretly photographed Xu Zhi and smeared her online, then spread rumors to destroy her reputation? Is that it?"

Jia Ying trembled all over, suddenly stood up, and shouted:

"Yes, it was all me! I contacted Xu Ying. She was the one behind it."

"I posted her past news. I just wanted everyone to know what kind of person she is!"

After Lu Chengxiao listened, he calmly asked:

"Did you get it all on camera?"

"The whole process is recorded, Brother Xiao." Yellow Hair nodded.

"Contact HR, fire her immediately. Then notify the lawyer. Send her to court."

Jia Ying instantly collapsed to the ground.

Chapter 26

Lu Chengxiao held my hand as we came out, stroking my hair.

"Zhizhi, the truth will come out soon. I won't let you be wronged."

"Hmm."

This drama was getting more and more interesting.

Passing by the village entrance, several aunties had finished eating and were sitting on small stools chatting.

"Oh my, Chengxiao is taking his wife out to play again?"

We had just smiled and greeted them when suddenly a car drove straight toward me at high speed.

Lu Chengxiao reacted quickly, he violently extended his arm, pulled me over fiercely, protecting me in his arms, his voice carrying uncontrollable trembling.

"Zhizhi!"

Only a sharp brake sound was heard.

"I'm fine, I'm fine Lu Chengxiao..."

I sat on the ground, still dazed, when several aunties had already pinned the person down.

"It's you again, you bitch! Chengxiao treated you so well, yet you come to harm his wife."

Lu Chengxiao then saw it was Jia Ying, his eyes instantly turning red.

With one swift step, he rushed forward and directly grabbed Jia Ying's collar.

Seeing the situation was wrong, people quickly pulled him back.

"Chengxiao, calm down. Don't hit. Hitting people is illegal."

"Yes, yes, it's not worth it for this kind of person."

"Behave, let go."

Several aunties kept persuading him.

"Yes, let go. We'll handle it."

Several people pulled him aside with all hands.

Then, they turned around and started crazily attacking Jia Ying.

They specialized in hitting visible places.

This fighting prowess scared even me.

Jia Ying's nose was bruised and her face swollen, nearly collapsing.

"You... you..."

"I'm calling the police!"

She called 110, and when the police came and understood the situation, they directly instructed someone:

"Take her away. Jia Ying, this counts as intentional injury. The surveillance camera captured it clearly."

Then they looked at the several hitting aunties, feeling troubled.

"Aunties, you're all seventy or eighty years old. Why are you hitting people? Do you know hitting people is illegal?"

"We know, we know, but we're just a group of righteous old ladies."

Several nodded repeatedly, one auntie put her hands on her hips, and said righteously:

"Although we have sharp tongues, our hearts aren't black. We can't do things like repaying kindness with enmity."

The police sighed: "Then you'll have to come with me too."

"Okay, we've never been to the police station before. Do they provide food and lodging?"

As a result, three had heart attacks on the way, five had high blood pressure, and they were so frightened they were sent back.

Chapter 27

"Let's Farm Together" variety show officially started recording.

When the host announced the special guests, and Lu Chengxiao and I walked onto the stage hand in hand, Xu Ying's face showed utter disbelief.

Onlookers instantly flooded in:

[My god, the production team actually invited Xu Zhi and her husband. What kind of excitement is this?]

[The production team has no bottom line for traffic. Can this kind of disgraced artist make a comeback?]

[Good show ahead. Fight, fight!]

[Didn't they say Xu Zhi's husband was a countryside farmer? This face, this figure, kills most male celebrities in the entertainment industry.]

[To be honest, compared, Han Wei is weak.]

[Upstairs, one's a farmer, one's a celebrity. Are they comparable?]

Xu Ying quickly recovered her composure and even generously greeted us.

"Hello, Mr. Lu. Xu Zhi and I used to be very good friends."

"May I ask what work you do now?"

Lu Chengxiao's expression was normal:

"I farm."

Xu Ying didn't expect him to be so frank.

"Oh, so Zhizhi really married a farmer?" Xu Ying pretended to be surprised and looked at me.

I glanced at her lightly;

"Chairman Mao said working people are the most glorious. What, Miss celebrity discriminates against farmers?"

Xu Ying was startled, quickly denying:

"How could I? I just think you two are somewhat mismatched..."

"Besides, I come from a rural background myself. How could I discriminate against farmers?"

The host, seeing the situation, quickly came to rescue.

"Then Miss Ying can show us her skills later. Now is autumn harvest season, and the villagers are all busy harvesting grain. Let's set off!"

The camera cut to the cornfield.

Xu Ying wasn't pretentious. Without saying much, she started harvesting corn.

Her movements were skillful and quick, not afraid of getting dirty or tired.

Throwing away her idol baggage, she directly carried snake-skin bags, transporting them out bag by bag.

Netizens started praising:

[Xu Ying's movements show she's clearly experienced.]

[Not pretentious, not afraid of hardship. Truly worthy of being from a rural background.]

[This is a true child of working people, hasn't forgotten her roots.]

[Unlike some people, who want the whole world to know every little thing they do. Just showing off.]

Lu Chengxiao and I watched Xu Ying working vigorously, shaking our heads.

We confirmed with our eyes and officially started work.

He directly drove a harvester over. As the vehicle passed, corn stalks were pulverized on the ground, and corn was directly shelled.

I drove a tractor, cooperating with him to directly receive the grain, loading it into the truck and transporting it out of the field.

[No, this has me stunned. What style is this? One driving a harvester, one driving a tractor?]

[This is too cool. The operation is so smooth.]

[Quick screenshot. These couple profile pictures are awesome. Don't be too showy.]

[I've been a fan since watching Jie Zhi drive the tractor. In this regard, she's forever a god.]

A field of land, finished in no time.

In contrast, Xu Ying was still cracking corn cobs there.

"Xu Zhi, you... you harvest grain like this?"

Lu Chengxiao asked her speechlessly:

"The country is developing. Agriculture has long implemented mechanized operations. Miss Xu comes from a rural background, you don't know this?"

Xu Ying was somewhat embarrassed: "At home, I always helped my parents harvest corn like this."

Lu Chengxiao chuckled lightly:

"Then Miss Xu probably hasn't been back to her hometown for a long time? People shouldn't forget their roots."

After speaking, he reminded her again:

"Oh right, the corn you've broken down needs to be shelled, otherwise it can't be sold."

So next, Xu Ying sat alone at the field's edge, having to twist corn cobs.

More and more onlookers gathered:

[I'm from a rural area. I can testify that except for very remote areas, we all use harvesters for autumn harvest.]

[I remember Xu Ying previously said her parents were university professors. Now she admits to being a farmer. What, is being a farmer shameful?]

[To be honest, I feel Xu Ying is trying too hard.]

[Look at her twisting cobs, both miserable and funny.]

After the cornfield was harvested, Lu Chengxiao drove a plow machine in, turning the field over.

Then he drove a seeder, planting wheat.

I had never seen this before and was very curious:

"Lu Chengxiao, don't we usually plant grain in spring? If we plant now, won't it freeze to death when it snows in winter?"

He smiled and educated me:

"This is winter wheat. The more it snows, the better it grows, because heavy snow can increase soil moisture, kill pests. A timely snow promises a good harvest—that's what this means."

"You know so much..."

The bullet comments also became lively:

[First time discovering a man who knows how to farm is so charming.]

[At this moment, Xu Zhi's eyes are full of stars.]

[Work pause, I want to go farm.]

[School pause, I want to go farm.]

[No, are some people so unworldly? Which farmer doesn't know how to farm?]

[Just an uncultured, ignorant farmer. Some people should eat some fine chaff.]

Chapter 28

After we finished planting wheat, Xu Ying hurried over.

"Mr. Lu, you really understand farming."

She friendly praised Lu Chengxiao. Lu Chengxiao had no reaction.

She then sarcastically asked: "Zhizhi used to be a delicate young lady. She probably won't accompany you in hardship here, will she?"

Lu Chengxiao frowned and directly threw her a line:

"The founding of New China was to let the broad masses live good lives. Demanding others live hard lives goes against the party and people's wishes. Are you trying to turn history backward?"

Xu Ying was left speechless by Lu Chengxiao's retort.

"I... I didn't..."

"I just... we were originally good friends..."

"Oh really? Then why aren't you now?" Lu Chengxiao chuckled and asked her in return.

"Because of my boyfriend..."

Lu Chengxiao's gaze paused, full of disgust:

"Speaking of your boyfriend, please tell Miss Xu to tell him not to harass a married woman."

"What? Impossible. How could Han Wei?"

Xu Ying's eyes were already panicking.

Lu Chengxiao, without another word, directly showed the day's record screenshots.

Xu Ying directly denied:

"Impossible. This picture is synthesized!"

Lu Chengxiao chuckled lightly and directly played Jia Ying's video.

"Just filmed yesterday. Is this synthesized too?"

Xu Ying's face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling, wanting to say something but having no way to defend herself.

"Miss Xu, you're standing on my land, earning money I paid, discussing my wife. Do you take me for dead?"

The livestream bullet comments had already exploded:

[Quick-fingered already screenshots that chat record. Xu Zhi isn't a third wheel at all. Han Wei abandoned Xu Zhi for resources.]

[Xu Zhi has carried this blame for so long. How can Xu Ying still have the face to turn things around?]

[Too disgusting. Xu Ying and Han Wei, one more disgusting than the other.]

Netizens discussed heatedly.

After being confronted on the spot, Xu Ying was forced offline.

Many onlookers from Lu Family Village were present.

The village entrance aunties nimbly rushed to the front, throwing vegetable leaves at Xu Ying.

[On our turf, how dare you bully our village's daughter-in-law!]

[Shameless! In the past, you and that dog man would have been sunk in the pond!]

After throwing, they declared to the camera:

[Our quality is low. Our behavior only represents individuals, not our village.]

The variety show instantly went viral, with several trending topics getting more and more attention.

#Xu Ying Han Wei Collapse#

#Xu Ying Thrown Vegetables on Show#

The comment section had more and more onlookers:

[Grass, what excitement is this? It's so satisfying to watch!]

[Xu Ying, don't run! Where's that trash Han Wei? Both of you get out here and apologize to Xu Zhi. And those black fans, why are you all quiet as chickens now?]

[I want to sponsor the aunties with a basket of rotten eggs, to smash hard on that dog couple.]

Meanwhile, the topic #Xu Zhi's Husband# also grew higher

[Jie Zhi's husband really protects his wife. So A-class. I feel Brother-in-law isn't an ordinary person.]

[Of course not ordinary. The land there belongs to Xu Zhi's husband. He sponsored this variety show.]

[Isn't he a farmer?]

[There are many tacky rich men who farm.]

Later, I don't know who posted:

[What tacky rich man, he's Lu Chengxiao, the city's outstanding youth, major taxpayer.]

[Joining in, isn't this our senior? For those who say he's uncultured, please open your dog eyes wide and see clearly. He's a famous university master's degree holder, a big shot with multiple SCI first-author papers.]

[Lu Family Village villager passing by. Why do those aunties protect Brother Xiao so much? After graduation, he directly returned to the countryside to pick up hoes and farm, leading the villagers to prosperity. The industries under his name have provided jobs for tens of thousands, letting villagers live good lives. He is our hero.]

[Yes, we used to rely on heaven for food. Our land there was barren, the climate uncertain, crops single and scarce. Every household was poor as a bell. He could have had a decent, high-paying job but chose to return to the village with hoes, developing modern agriculture, turning desert into oasis.]

[Brother Xiao is worth so much now but hasn't bought a villa in the city, no luxury cars, private planes. He still wears the most ordinary clothes every day, gets his hands dirty researching grain, building his hometown. Whoever dares to black him, I'll be the first to curse them to death!]

I looked at the comments one by one, and for some reason, my eyes felt sore.

I suddenly remembered before getting married, I was extremely unwilling, angry that my father had carefully chosen and married me to a farmer.

But my father said: "Others are opportunistic businessmen, but what he does benefits the country and the people."

Now, I finally understood the meaning.

Chapter 28

After all matters were settled, I was almost driven crazy by netizens urging me to update.

When the flowers in the greenhouse bloomed, I started a livestream.

The rose garden was like a colorful sea. Outside, the autumn wind was biting, but inside, it was filled with flowers.

Lu Chengxiao was busy working inside with several villagers.

The livestream bullet comments were full of praise:

[Oh my god, what kind of paradise is this? So beautiful.]

[Can you share the location? I really want to visit.]

[The climate and soil in Lu Family Village aren't suitable for flower growth. Brother-in-law is so awesome. Worthy of being an agricultural academic giant.]

I wandered among the flowers, looking here and touching there.

"Zhizhi, don't touch."

Lu Chengxiao reminded me,

"There are thorns. Don't prick your hand. Which one do you want? I'll cut it for you."

I stood at the field's edge, dazzled by the choices.

"I want an orange Barbie."

"Then a Luo Shen."

"Wow, they even have green roses here."

Not long after, my arms were full of fresh flowers.

"Lu Chengxiao, everyone is curious how you managed to grow roses so well."

He skillfully removed thorns from the flower stems.

"This is this year's experiment with a new generation of hybrid plants, drought-resistant, cold-tolerant, with larger flowers."

The livestream netizens shouted:

[Jie Zhi, you should open a little yellow cart. I really want some.]

[Boss lady, grab this overwhelming traffic. Start selling products quickly. Put all your good things on links, okay?]

[Jie Zhi, even if you sell dichlorvos, I have to buy a bottle to give my ex-boyfriend a taste.]

I looked at the messages one by one, then turned to ask Lu Chengxiao:

"Hey, do you need me to help you with a sales livestream?"

He was stunned: "No need. That's not your job."

"Then what should I do?"

He smiled and reached out to stroke my head.

"Count money."

The bullet comments instantly exploded.

[Not, inexplicably fed dog food.]

[This head pat is deadly. He really loves her, dotes on her so much.]

[So sweet my teeth hurt. True couples are really the best to ship.]

[This size difference, feels like he could single-handedly pick Jie Zhi up for three hundred rounds.]

[Inexplicably imagining a novel about an arrogant big star vs. a domineering rough man. Are there any substitute fics? Need traffic-developed ones!]

Chapter 29

After finishing the work at hand, Lu Chengxiao accompanied me home.

My father was finally satisfied with me once.

"Art that connects with the people will be loved by the people."

Then he earnestly educated me.

"Labor is the most glorious."

Hearing Lu Chengxiao was here, many people came to visit, including classmates who had looked down on him back then.

Their attitudes were now completely different:

"Junior sister, is Chengxiao available now? I have a project I'd like to discuss with him."

"He, he seems to be unavailable right now."

He was in the backyard, pruning grape vines and taking cold-proof measures.

Just like that young man wearing faded clothes back then.

His posture was upright, neither humble nor arrogant.

My mother couldn't help praising from the side:

"Oh my, Zhizhi, look at Chengxiao. He's so capable."

I was somewhat proud: "He is quite capable."

He looked up at me, the corner of his mouth hooking into a meaningful smile.

I blushed and twisted his arm.

"I meant it literally. Don't think crooked."

After marriage, I spent most of my time freely in the countryside, rarely taking on acting roles.

Occasionally, I took on a role I liked and unexpectedly won an award.

That day, when someone wearing that custom-made suit sat in the audience looking straight at me, my heart seemed to skip a beat.

Too showy. In the future, I could only let him wear it for me to see.

The camera kept lingering on him.

"We see that Xu Zhi's husband has also come to the scene."

The host teased me, asking:

"Can you describe what kind of person he is?"

I smiled:

"He is a person who grows roses in the desert."

(End)