Chapter 53 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 53

Ji Xiu didn’t make things difficult for Li Shiyue and quickly agreed to teach her.

Showing off in front of her had only been a pretext—to find the right opportunity to personally tutor her and take her with him to university.

In their previous life, Li Shiyue hadn’t been able to take the college entrance exam. Judging by her life trajectory, six years sent down to the countryside, far away from classrooms, plus the grind of daily life, had long wiped her textbook knowledge clean.

Even if the original owner of the body hadn’t destroyed her textbooks, her chances of getting into college would still have been slim.

If he let her drift along like she had in their previous life, studying on her own from textbooks, then when the time came—if he passed and she failed—the consequences would be disastrous.

So Ji Xiu had to find a reasonable excuse to teach Li Shiyue himself, help her review all this material, and make sure their progress stayed aligned so they could get into the same university.

And so it went: one teaching, one learning. The days flew by.

By June, their progress was finally on track—though Li Shiyue took quite a blow.

She realized she had truly forgotten a lot. Before, without Ji Xiu as a comparison, she’d felt pretty good about herself, studying leisurely each day.

Now, with Ji Xiu beside her, she finally understood just how miserable her actual level was.

Ji Xiu fully lived up to his claim of being a genius. Many things he didn’t understand at first and needed her to explain—but once he grasped a new concept, no related problem type could stump him.

His thinking was exceptionally sharp. He could always pinpoint the traps hidden in questions, cut straight to the core, apply formulas cleanly, and solve them with the simplest possible method.

All those deliberately confusing tricks in exam questions couldn’t fool him at all.

Li Shiyue lost count of how many times she’d seen him stare at a problem for ten seconds, then immediately start writing and solve it.

To keep up with Ji Xiu, she gritted her teeth and pushed herself relentlessly. Day and night she drilled problems, using every spare moment for studying except the afternoons, when she had to roast nuts and dried goods. She fought desperately to match Ji Xiu’s pace.

Fortunately, effort paid off.

Though it was hard to keep up, when Ji Xiu somehow got hold of an old college entrance exam paper and they completed it together, Li Shiyue realized that her current score had actually surpassed that of the top student in her entire high school back then.

Amazing…

Holding the test paper, Li Shiyue was so moved that tears streamed down her face.

A smile flickered in Ji Xiu’s eyes. He casually set aside his own perfect-score paper and watched her excitement, rubbing his chin with quiet satisfaction.

This was a student he had taught with his own hands.

…

Both of them were happily absorbed when a knock sounded at the door.

Ji Xiu glanced at Li Shiyue. Seeing that she was still riding her excitement, he didn’t interrupt her and went to open the door himself.

Outside stood several educated youths.

All men, with Guan Jia’an at the center, surrounded by the others.

Ji Xiu didn’t know what they wanted. He raised an eyebrow and asked directly, “What is it?”

Guan Jia’an, standing at the front, looked a little grim, his expression hesitant.

Someone behind him nudged him, urging him on.

Guan Jia’an glanced at his companions. His gaze flickered, then slowly steadied. He pulled out a sheet of red paper.

“I’m getting married the day after tomorrow. You’re welcome to come and drink the wedding wine.”

Ji Xiu took the red paper and saw words written on it—something like a crude wedding invitation.

Groom: Guan Jia’an.

Bride: Lin Ying.

A strange feeling stirred in Ji Xiu’s heart.

For the past three months, he’d been busy teaching Li Shiyue while also running their business. He hadn’t paid much attention to village affairs—and hadn’t even known Guan Jia’an was getting married.

If he remembered correctly, Lin Ying was Captain Lin’s youngest daughter. Seventeen years old, plain-looking, freshly graduated from high school, now teaching at a primary school in a neighboring village.

Ji Xiu had run into her a few times in the village, but because of the age gap, they weren’t familiar.

Objectively speaking, though, she was one of the best matches in the village. No wonder Guan Jia’an—who’d insisted on staying single—had set his sights on her.

What Ji Xiu hadn’t expected was that Guan Jia’an would bow to reality and choose to marry and settle down here.

In Ji Xiu’s memory of his previous life, Guan Jia’an had stayed single all along. When the college entrance exam was reinstated in October, he’d gotten into university and left Chunxi Village without ever being linked to anyone.

Before leaving, he’d even gone to Li Shiyue, brimming with superiority, and asked whether she wanted to leave with him.

But Li Shiyue had missed the exam and was consumed by frustration—how could she have paid him any attention?

Later came the incident of Ji Yingzi falling into the pot of porridge. Li Shiyue was overwhelmed with guilt, spending her days seeking medical help, and Guan Jia’an faded completely from her mind.

Even in the original owner’s memories, Guan Jia’an barely registered—only that he’d left, and about a month later something big happened at Captain Lin’s house involving his youngest daughter, Lin Ying.

After that, when the original owner went home to fetch something and passed the village entrance, she’d seen Lin Ying holding a baby, staring blankly down the road as if waiting for someone.

But the original owner had been too busy with her own struggles to care. The thought passed through her mind and was quickly forgotten.

As Ji Xiu recalled this, he narrowed his eyes and looked up at Guan Jia’an.

It seemed that in the previous life, Guan Jia’an had indeed been involved with Lin Ying—only they hadn’t married before news of the exam reinstatement came out.

And the scumbag before him, in order to get into college and return to the city, had abandoned Lin Ying.

This time around, perhaps because Ji Xiu and Li Shiyue’s relationship was solid, Guan Jia’an had lost the confidence to keep waiting. Or perhaps something else had changed. In any case, he’d gotten together with Lin Ying earlier—and was now planning to marry her.

But would he really behave himself?

When news of the exam’s reinstatement spread, would he stay in Chunxi Village?

Ji Xiu couldn’t be sure. After a moment of silence, he said calmly, “Congratulations.”

Once Guan Jia’an left, he planned to talk to Captain Lin—give him a heads-up so they’d be mentally prepared.

A girl’s entire life was at stake. If she’d entrusted herself to the wrong man, better to call off the engagement now, while there was still time.

Lost in thought, Ji Xiu’s expression stayed flat.

Guan Jia’an was dissatisfied. The other male educated youths behind him were as well. They exchanged glances, brows furrowed.

Then one of the men behind Guan Jia’an stepped forward, wearing a provocative grin.

“Congratulations is right! Our Brother Guan has outstanding conditions. With just a little charm, he won Captain Lin’s precious daughter. Ji Xiu, you’d better be careful from now on. If Brother Guan magnanimously lets you off, Captain Lin might not.”

With one person taking the lead, the others chimed in.

“Yeah, Ji Xiu, watch yourself.”

“Brother Guan not holding a grudge just means he’s generous…”

Ji Xiu snapped back to attention, crossed his arms, and calmly watched them perform.

They didn’t notice the coldness in his eyes, still venting their pent-up feelings.

When they’d first come to Chunxi Village, the educated youths had stuck together tightly—Li Shiyue at the center of the women, Guan Jia’an among the men.

Back then, Ji Xiu had married Li Shiyue and beaten Guan Jia’an, effectively plucking away the most beautiful flower among them and flooring their leader. It offended a whole group of educated youths at once.

But Ji Xiu was a hooligan—reckless, lawless, capable of anything.

Feeling like outsiders, the male educated youths hadn’t dared to fight him and had swallowed their anger in silence.

Now things were different. Guan Jia’an was about to marry Lin Ying and become the production team leader’s son-in-law. With a powerful backer, they no longer feared Ji Xiu.

To vent their resentment, they’d egged Guan Jia’an on to come flaunt his authority.

Of course, Guan Jia’an himself had been eager—half-pushed, half-willing—or this scene wouldn’t exist.

For six years, he’d hated the memory of himself begging weakly under Ji Xiu’s fists. He’d dreamed of reclaiming his dignity.

Seeing everyone gang up on Ji Xiu while Ji Xiu said nothing, Guan Jia’an felt he had the upper hand, a surge of sweet revenge rising in his chest.

So what if you married Li Shiyue? With just a flick of my finger, I can marry a woman of higher status in Chunxi Village and crush you effortlessly.

Suddenly, Ji Xiu cut in.

“Are you done?”

They froze, staring at Ji Xiu’s faint smile in confusion.

Ji Xiu smiled, slowly raised both hands, and rolled up his sleeves. “If you’re finished, then it’s my turn.”

They snapped back to their senses, panicked, instinctively retreating behind Guan Jia’an.

Guan Jia’an stared at Ji Xiu’s arms, forcing himself to stay calm. “Ji Xiu, what are you doing?!”

Ji Xiu looked up, smiling gently, his white teeth glaringly bright.

“What do you think I’m going to do?”

As the words fell, a fist the size of a sandbag came flying straight at him.

*Bang.*

Guan Jia’an was sent flying backward. A second later, the searing pain finally reached his brain, and he let out a delayed scream.

Ji Xiu didn’t stop.

*Bang. Bang. Bang.*

Each punch landed solidly.

Inside the house, Li Shiyue heard the noise and sensed something was wrong. She called out, “Ji Xiu, what are you doing?”

Ji Xiu grabbed Guan Jia’an by the collar with one hand, lifting him high, still leisurely enough to turn his head and reply gently, “A few friends came to see me. Don’t worry—they’ll be leaving soon.”

Li Shiyue didn’t want to deal with his hooligan friends. Hearing that, she said “Oh,” and didn’t come out.

Guan Jia’an’s face was swollen and bruised, one corner of his mouth split open. He could barely speak, let alone call for help—only muffled sounds escaped.

“Mm… mm… help… help…”

Ji Xiu waved his fist threateningly.

Guan Jia’an stiffened and shut up.

With a snort, Ji Xiu tossed him to the ground, casually brushed the dust from his clothes, and said disdainfully, “Get lost. Use your eyes next time. If you provoke me again, it won’t be this simple.”

The others crouched on the ground, silent and humiliated.

Ji Xiu couldn’t be bothered to waste time. He shut the door and went back inside, leaving behind a yard full of “rag dolls.”

Guan Jia’an watched his back disappear, grinding his teeth.

Again. And again…

“Brother Guan… are you okay?” The man who’d first provoked Ji Xiu trembled as he asked softly.

Guan Jia’an shot him a terrifying glare, closed his eyes, and felt as though his dignity had been trampled into the dirt, his face burning with shame.

At least Ji Xiu’s house was far from the village. No one nearby—no one would see his disgrace.

Just as he thought that, the door next door creaked open. Chen Manzhu and a few brothers came out with hoes on their shoulders, heading to check the water levels in the paddies.

Eyes met.

Chen Manzhu and his brothers: “…”

The educated youths: “…”

Guan Jia’an’s face went deathly pale. He nearly couldn’t catch his breath.

Chen Manzhu and the others paled too. They glanced at Ji Xiu’s yard as if at a man-eating beast and hurried away.

Only then did Guan Jia’an avoid being angered to death.

Panting heavily, he struggled to his feet. “Let’s go. Back.”

At his word, the others rushed to support him.

Hatred glinted in Guan Jia’an’s lowered eyes—toward Ji Xiu, and also redirected toward these useless companions.

If they hadn’t egged him on, he wouldn’t have come here to suffer humiliation…

A faint scent drifted into his nose. Still seething, he absentmindedly wondered what it was.

Melon seeds? Peanuts?

Did someone in Chunxi Village sell those?

Suddenly, he jerked his head up, stared at Ji Xiu’s tightly closed door, shoved the others aside, and cautiously leaned in to sniff.

After a moment, realization dawned—and a cold, sinister expression spread across his face.

The other educated youths shuddered when they saw it.

…

Because of the beating, Guan Jia’an’s injuries made it impossible for him to show his face, and his wedding banquet with Lin Ying was held in a rushed, perfunctory manner.

Ji Xiu and Li Shiyue attended. From start to finish, they never saw the groom.

At the banquet, the Lin family’s expressions were strained. They swallowed their anger and forced awkward smiles as they hosted the guests.

Ji Xiu gave them a face and said nothing.

But secrets couldn’t stay hidden. Even without him saying a word, many people had seen Guan Jia’an’s injuries, and the news spread during the feast.

Huang Taohua whispered with a middle-aged woman at the neighboring table for a long time, then turned back and shared what she’d learned.

“The groom has injuries on his face. He can’t come out to greet guests.”

Ji Xiu’s sister-in-law found it strange. “Then why not wait a few days? Why rush the wedding today?”

In the countryside, banquets were arranged last-minute. If something came up, they could easily cancel or postpone.

Insisting on holding the wedding under these circumstances was odd.

Huang Taohua sighed, sounding both disappointed and frustrated. Lowering her voice, she said only to her daughter-in-law, “That girl Lin Ying… sigh. I heard she’s pregnant. If they don’t marry now, it’ll start to show.”

Ji Xiu’s sister-in-law widened her eyes. “Is Lin Ying crazy?”

She was the production team leader’s only daughter, educated through high school, a schoolteacher—even if she wasn’t pretty, her conditions were excellent. Matchmakers from miles around had been asking about her.

And she’d secretly gotten pregnant with an outsider educated youth’s child?

No wonder they rushed the marriage.

The mother- and daughter-in-law sighed, unable to understand Lin Ying’s choice. After a moment’s regret, they let it go.

Ji Xiu, who already knew the truth, wasn’t surprised at all.

In fact, he knew even more.

After beating Guan Jia’an that day, he’d gone to find Captain Lin, intending to warn him.

Captain Lin wasn’t home—but Ji Xiu saw Lin Ying in the courtyard.

At a single glance, Ji Xiu sensed something was off.

In his previous life, he’d trained in martial arts and paid close attention to breathing. Ordinary people breathed naturally and lightly; people with nasal issues breathed short and labored; pregnant women—carrying another life—breathed differently from anyone else.

Lin Ying was pregnant.

When that realization surfaced, Ji Xiu looked at her sweet, hopeful expression and hesitated over whether to say anything about Guan Jia’an.

While hesitating, he overheard the Lin family talking.

It turned out that Lin Ying and Guan Jia’an had gotten together back in March and even brought him home.

The Lin family had opposed it and suppressed the matter.

After being scolded, Lin Ying refused to give up. Not long after, she told her family she was pregnant with Guan Jia’an’s child.

The Lin family was furious but helpless. In the end, they could only swallow it and agree to the marriage.

After hearing this, Ji Xiu turned and left, abandoning the idea of warning them.

When a woman was blinded by love and determined to marry, what good would a few words from him do? It would only earn Lin Ying’s resentment.

The only question was: when news of the exam’s reinstatement came, what would Guan Jia’an choose?

In the previous life, when Guan Jia’an left, he likely didn’t yet know Lin Ying was pregnant. This time, they were married, and the child was known. Faced with another crossroads, what would he do?

Guan Jia’an soon gave him the answer.

He chose to first take revenge on Ji Xiu—an old enemy.

…

Early July, the season for harvesting early rice.

The production team grew busy again, mobilizing everyone to reap the rice and plant the second crop.

Li Shiyue sighed and went to the fields intermittently, just enough to fool outsiders.

That day was no exception. She saw Ji Xiu off, sent her daughter to the Ji household, and hurried to the fields.

When she appeared, the male educated youths seemed to see Ji Xiu’s terrifying smile. Waves of phantom pain surged through them; cold sweat broke out as they hastily made space for her.

Thinking they were being considerate, Li Shiyue smiled at them and began cutting rice with her sickle.

A tall, thin female educated youth glanced around and whispered to her, “Guan Jia’an doesn’t seem to be here today.”

Li Shiyue looked up. Sure enough, he was nowhere to be seen.

She didn’t care much and said casually, “Didn’t they say he was injured and resting at home?”

The tall girl replied, “Xiao Ling and I visited him yesterday. His wounds have already healed.”

Li Shiyue thought for a moment, then waved it off. “If he’s not here, so be it. He’s moved to the Lin household now—he probably asked Captain Lin for leave.”

That made sense. The girl nodded and dropped the matter.

By sunset, the day’s work ended.

Tired, Li Shiyue headed home. Near her house, she caught a glimpse of Guan Jia’an’s figure flashing past.

She froze, momentarily stunned. What was Guan Jia’an doing here?

After Ji Xiu returned, she told him, still puzzled. “At first I didn’t think much of it—whether Guan Jia’an works or not has nothing to do with me. But why would he appear near our house? The more I think about it, the stranger it feels. Even if he were fetching water, the well isn’t this way. The Lin house is much closer to the old well.”

As Ji Xiu listened, his expression darkened, a bad feeling creeping in.

He remembered that one morning, he too had seen Guan Jia’an near their house.

At the time, he’d assumed Guan Jia’an was resentful after the beating and trying to regain face, so he hadn’t paid attention.

Later, when Guan Jia’an didn’t appear again, Ji Xiu had let it go.

But now Li Shiyue was telling him that Guan Jia’an hadn’t stopped coming—he’d just avoided times when Ji Xiu or Li Shiyue were home, sneaking around instead.

Where there was something strange, there was a plot.

Ji Xiu’s only real vulnerability was the “buying low, selling high” business.

Li Shiyue couldn’t figure out Guan Jia’an’s purpose and set it aside. Glancing at the sack behind Ji Xiu, she said, “It’s getting late. Hurry and light the fire. Let’s roast everything and make dinner early.”

“No,” Ji Xiu said suddenly. “We’re not doing business anymore.”

Li Shiyue froze.

From March to July, they’d worked nonstop, expanded their snacks, and earned at least two thousand yuan—more than enough for university expenses.

And yet, no one ever felt they had too much money. They’d planned to keep going until they got into college.

Why stop now?

Thinking of Guan Jia’an, her brows knit. “Because of him? Are you worried he’ll report us?”

“Whether he reports us or not, we’ve earned enough. Giving this up isn’t a loss.”

Ji Xiu rubbed his chin. “The exam’s coming soon. We can focus more on studying.”

Still unconvinced, Li Shiyue could only agree reluctantly.

Speaking of the exam, she couldn’t help asking, “They said the college entrance exam would be reinstated, but it’s already July…”

Normally, exams were held in June.

Ji Xiu patted her head soothingly. “Calm down. Even if it’s not reinstated this year, it definitely will be next year. We just have to be patient.”

Li Shiyue pressed her lips together and nodded helplessly.

Ji Xiu smiled, pinched her cheek, returned to his usual roguish grin, and hoisted the sack. After a moment’s thought, he went out and dumped it into a river ditch.

If he was erasing traces, he’d leave nothing behind.

Just a dozen yuan or so.

Once everything was handled, Ji Xiu felt at ease. Whistling, he strolled home with his usual hooligan swagger.

Passersby looked at him with disdain and quickly averted their eyes.

…

Ji Xiu’s intuition was right.

Less than half an hour after he returned, someone knocked on the door.

With a clear conscience, Ji Xiu opened it readily.

Huang Taohua stood outside, tense and wary, glancing around as if afraid of being seen.

The moment the door opened, she darted inside and shut it behind her.

Ji Xiu raised an eyebrow. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Huang Taohua glared at him angrily without a word, then sniffed the air.

After a moment, her face went pale. “Son… you really are doing buying and selling…”

Her nose was even sharper than Guan Jia’an’s. She’d caught yesterday’s lingering scent at once, her heart sinking.

Ji Xiu looked innocent. “Mom, what are you talking about?”

Furious, Huang Taohua punched his arm. “Still acting with your own mother? Hurry and bring the stuff out—I’ll think of a way to hide it for you!”

Rubbing his arm, Ji Xiu looked aggrieved. “Mom, is it because Sister-in-law’s pregnant and you’ve got a big grandson now, that you don’t want your youngest son anymore? Why are you hitting me for no reason?”

Huang Taohua nearly fainted from anger. With no choice, she lowered her voice and explained to this spoiled youngest son, “Stop pretending. I just came back from the brigade. Someone reported you for buying and selling. If this spreads any further, it’ll be too late. Bring the stuff out—Mom will take it away for you.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Ji Xiu’s eyes. He massaged her shoulders but still revealed nothing, grinning playfully. “Mom, what are you thinking? With how lazy your son is, do you really think I could run that kind of business?”

Huang Taohua paused.

She’d panicked when she first heard the news. Now that she thought it through…

It really didn’t seem likely.

She calmed down a little, eyeing him suspiciously. “Then what about the report?”

“Probably a misunderstanding,” Ji Xiu said lightly. Then added, “Or maybe—someone framed me.”

Huang Taohua instantly bristled. “Misunderstanding? Who misunderstands this kind of thing? It must be a setup! Fine, Guan Jia’an—how dare he frame my son. I’m going to settle this with them right now!”

Fierce by nature, Huang Taohua was the true head of the Ji household. Neither Ji’s father nor eldest brother dared cross her. That was how Ji Xiu had been spoiled.

Now someone dared target her son—it was like yanking a tiger’s whiskers.

Without waiting for Ji Xiu to respond, she rolled up her sleeves and stormed toward the door.

Before leaving, perhaps remembering how unreliable her youngest son was, she stopped and turned back hesitantly. “Son, one last time—did you really not do this?”

Ji Xiu looked honest and upright. “No.”

“Good!” Reassured, Huang Taohua declared, “Mom’s going to stand up for you!”

Ji Xiu clapped. “Go, Mom!”

Encouraged, Huang Taohua marched toward the Lin household.

Ji Xiu watched her go, then carefully inspected the yard again, checking every corner. Once he was sure no evidence remained, he burned a bundle of dry grass and smoked the yard to erase lingering smells.

He’d thought this wasn’t a big deal—at worst, villagers would suspect him.

Without evidence, they couldn’t touch him.

But Huang Taohua’s fierce maternal love meant he couldn’t let her be implicated or gossiped about.

So he had to be absolutely thorough.

When everything was done, he told Li Shiyue to wait at home and headed toward the Lin household himself—to back Huang Taohua up.

Halfway there, he ran into a large group coming toward him.

Ji Xiu curled his lips. He knew none of his preparations had been in vain.

…

Among the group were Captain Lin, Huang Taohua, and Guan Jia’an, with villagers trailing behind for the spectacle.

Huang Taohua was still shouting, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Captain Lin’s face was iron-gray. Unable to argue with Huang Taohua, he could only glare at his son-in-law, Guan Jia’an.

Guan Jia’an had insisted on reporting Ji Xiu for buying and selling. Captain Lin hadn’t wanted to get involved—everyone was from the same village; as long as Ji Xiu didn’t go too far, there was no need to pursue it.

But Guan Jia’an had gone mad, insisting on making a scene and threatening to write to higher authorities if Captain Lin didn’t act.

Captain Lin had nearly thrown him out. If not for his daughter stopping him, Guan Jia’an would’ve been beaten.

While Guan Jia’an was still stirring things up, word somehow reached Huang Taohua. She charged over, exposing the confrontation and blowing it wide open.

Villagers poured into the Lin household to watch the drama.

With no choice, Captain Lin had to bring everyone to Ji Xiu’s house to see the truth for themselves.

Deep down, though, he believed Guan Jia’an more.

So when he arrived and saw Ji Xiu waiting at the door, irritation flared.

Without evidence, Guan Jia’an wouldn’t push so hard. Ji Xiu must have left traces—something to seize on.

Huang Taohua’s refusal to believe it was understandable, given her love for her son.

The real problem was Ji Xiu himself—this hooligan stirring trouble with shady business and dragging everyone into it.

Captain Lin said sternly, “Ji Xiu, someone has reported you for buying and selling. Since you’re home, come inside. We’re going to search your house.”

Huang Taohua exploded. “On what grounds? Captain Lin, you can’t be biased! I told you it’s a setup, and you still come to trouble my son—just say it, are you favoring your son-in-law?!”

Captain Lin frowned irritably. “You’re the ones arguing nonstop, demanding the truth. If we don’t search Ji Xiu’s house, how can we tell whether it’s a setup or the truth?”

Huang Taohua scowled. “Even so—”

“Mom, it’s fine.” Ji Xiu smiled faintly, glancing at Guan Jia’an. “Let them search. It’ll clear my name in front of everyone.”

“Of course, I won’t let them search for nothing. If nothing’s found and it proves I was framed—Captain Lin, shouldn’t the person who reported me give me an explanation?”

Captain Lin hesitated, then nodded. “That’s fair.”

Guan Jia’an frowned, a bad feeling rising.

But no—he’d seen Ji Xiu carrying a sack back earlier and immediately gone to report it. Less than half an hour had passed. Ji Xiu couldn’t possibly have prepared.

He also knew Huang Taohua had gone to warn him.

He’d even sent someone to follow her. If they moved the goods, they’d catch them red-handed.

But the person reported back that Huang Taohua hadn’t taken anything. She’d gone straight from Ji Xiu’s house to the Lin household.

That meant the goods were still at Ji Xiu’s place.

Ji Xiu’s attitude now…

Guan Jia’an clenched his teeth. It had to be a bluff—trying to scare him.

He couldn’t fall for it.

Ji Xiu’s house had to be searched today.