The Farmer's Precious Pearl

I can't believe it's over already. I'm planning to go premium next Monday (October 31). Thank you, everyone.

Ye Changqing went out of town to do business for his father. On his way home, a storm broke out, and the rushing waters made it unsafe to travel by boat, so he and his elderly servant and page took shelter in Lingju Village. By chance, he saw the master's eldest daughter, Jia Chunyang, who was beautiful and gentle in nature. He couldn't help falling for her, and as soon as he returned, he asked a matchmaker to propose marriage.

But when the matchmaker heard the Jia family's name, she waved her hands repeatedly and said the match was impossible.

Ye Changqing was puzzled and asked why.

The matchmaker hadn't wanted to say, but after he pressed her, she revealed that Jia Chunyang was famous across the surrounding villages as a "widow before marriage." She had supposedly caused the deaths of two fiances before either wedding could take place.

The matchmaker thought this would surely make Ye Changqing back down. Instead, he clapped his hands and exclaimed with delight, "A traveling Daoist once said I have a hard fate, and I need a woman with an equally hard fate for a wife."

The matchmaker: "..."

The matchmaker went to the Jia family to propose after all, but returned crestfallen a few days later. Jia Chunyang had refused the match herself, leaving the matchmaker feeling humiliated.

Puzzled, Ye Changqing went to ask Jia Chunyang in person.

She dropped her gentle facade and told him bluntly, "I don't believe in fate, and I'm not afraid of this talk about having a 'hard fate.' The fact that you brought up what monks and Daoists say proves we're not of the same mind."

Ye Changqing smiled. "What a coincidence. I don't believe in it either."

Jia Chunyang was confused. "Then why did you say that to the matchmaker?"

Ye Changqing folded his arms. "I was just telling outsiders what they wanted to hear. Once we're behind closed doors, we'll live however we please."

Jia Chunyang turned her face away. "Who said there was an 'us'?"

Though he couldn't see her expression, the blush at the tips of her ears had already revealed everything.

People of this era were mostly superstitious, leaving a precious pearl hidden from view. Fortunately, there was always someone with a discerning eye to recognize its worth and bring it home. When husband and wife are of one heart, how could their lives not flourish in this era of the nation's early prosperity?

Farm girl x merchant's son

A slice-of-life story of country life and the marketplace

Coming next door: Moon Rising Over the Sea. Please add it to your reading list, mwah!

On Mount Fulu, Hui Sheng looked at Ning Zhen and said, "See these steps? If you're even one step behind me, we'll be worlds apart."

Ning Zhen stubbornly stepped up beside her. "Even if we're worlds apart, I can cross that distance and catch up to you."

Nobody approved of this relationship between a woman and a man seven years younger than her. So when things between them grew cold, everyone thought they should break up.

Then Hui Sheng appeared at an upscale club and smashed a bottle of liquor. She pointed the jagged, sharp glass at a paunchy tycoon, frightening him into letting go of the young woman in his arms.

Hui Sheng helped the crying girl out, only to find Ning Zhen lounging casually on a sofa. The beautiful women on either side of him were so astonished they'd forgotten to pour his drink.

Hui Sheng acted as if she hadn't seen him and led the girl away.

Someone whispered, "This time, it's really over, right?"

Someone else was about to agree, but before he could nod, another sharp crash of breaking glass rang out. Ning Zhen had smashed the champagne glass in his hand. He swore, got up, and chased after her.

"...Looks like it isn't over after all."

The heroine is incredibly badass / the hero is a total dog / probably a sweet, pampering comedy

Theme: I decide my own fate, not Heaven.