A shy, easily flustered, timid hero with a guilty conscience and no strength to tie up a chicken vs. a tough-on-the-outside, sweet-on-the-inside heroine who can lift a cauldron
Zhu Jiao had just received the happy news that he’d passed the prefectural exam. He couldn’t wait to check out of the inn and hurry home. Sitting in the carriage, he was already imagining marrying his sweetheart and having two plump, healthy babies with her. The only problem was that their future mother apparently didn’t know who he was yet.
Zhu Jiao’s sweetheart was Lin Daya, the town’s famous firecracker. Ever since he saw her wield a broadsword at the start of the year, his heart had belonged to her. Now that he had become a licentiate, he finally had the confidence to ask for her hand.
But before he could propose, they would have to get to know each other first.
Lin Daya was the only female butcher in town. Inheriting her late father’s prodigious strength and honing a fiery temperament over the years, she kept the family’s pork stall running smoothly. Her life was peaceful and comfortable enough.
But things had changed a little two days ago.
Lin Daya counted on her fingers and realized she’d run into that sickly Zhu fellow nine times in just three days, not counting the time he’d come to her stall to buy meat.
Could it be because she’d found him so handsome and charming that she’d been dazzled by his looks and given him an extra half pound of meat?
Lin Daya slapped her cheeks twice to teach herself a lesson. She couldn’t afford to make another money-losing deal like that. But that lovely face kept appearing in her mind.
Lin Daya resolved not to let herself be captivated by good looks again.
But when she saw Zhu Jiao coming over with another bright smile, Lin Daya thought: Meat, meat, meat. It’s all yours.
Zhu Jiao thought: Looks like I don’t even need to win over my future wife. She’s already fallen right into my arms.
