My name is Gu Yi.
Not long after I finished the college entrance exams that year, my adoptive parents promised me to the village chief’s son, Chen Shitu, in exchange for a bride price of twenty thousand yuan.
I objected to the marriage.
First, Chen Shitu was a man of ill repute, a notorious bully in the village who liked to harass respectable women. He was also a full twenty-one years older than me.
Second, I wanted to go to college and change my miserable fate.
Third, I already had someone I liked. His name was Wang Zi, and he was the most handsome guy in our village.
I tried all sorts of ways to oppose the marriage: refusing to eat, attempting to hang myself, jumping into the river, and more. But my adoptive parents were as hard-hearted as stone and wouldn’t budge.
One day, Chen Shitu came to our house, wanting to claim his rights as a husband before the wedding. He tried to force himself on me. Terrified, I struggled with all my might, but women are naturally at a disadvantage in strength. Even with every ounce of strength I had, I was no match for one of Chen Shitu’s arms. He pinned me down with ease.
Just as I was sinking into despair and helplessness, Qin Huo suddenly burst through the door. He had a brick in his hand and slammed it hard against Chen Shitu’s head, leaving him brain-damaged.
Before the police arrived, Qin Huo asked me a strange question. “Gu Yi, do you like me?”
I was an honest, kind girl, so I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I don’t like you.”
Qin Huo gave a scoff, raised a hand to grip my chin, and stared at my pretty face with a dark gaze. “I sacrificed my future for you. How are you going to repay me, hmm?”
I was broke at the time, without a cent to my name, and had nothing of value to give him. The only thing I had worth anything was my body.
“I’ll marry you!” I blurted out.
Very beautiful, I like it so much