Becoming the Beloved One While Teaching in the Countryside [The 1990s]

[Trying out Style 3 for a beginner's village story. I've always wanted to write a teacher-themed novel, and this one is a test run. The writing isn't great, but I'm getting the hang of it. It's been pretty relaxing to write, just a brainless little sweet romance.]

[Preorder: My Building in the City. The blurb is at the very bottom!]

After graduating from college, Jiang You went to the city to make something of herself. But because of her personality, she never fought or competed for anything. She spent half her life accomplishing nothing, and in the end died in a freak accident.

She never expected that when she opened her eyes again, she would be back at the moment she had to make that choice. This time, Jiang You gave up the city's bustle and fame, packed her few belongings, and went to the countryside to become a volunteer teacher.

And so she arrived at Fengyuan Village, nestled in endless mountains and covered in maple trees. But the people here seemed rather clannish, and didn't much welcome her arrival.

Jiang You took it in stride. She worked diligently, teaching classes and helping the village children. She devoted herself to the village, and never hesitated to lend a hand in the fields.

The village's old farmhand had looked at her with disdain when they first met. "Oh, she's just a young girl. She can't take hardship. Just watch, she'll be gone before long."

Later: "Xiao Jiang, come on over. Dig up whatever vegetables you like. If you need more, ask your auntie for a couple of eggs!"

The village's outspoken farm wives complained about her while cracking sunflower seeds. "She's so young, and wearing a floral skirt. Such a fussy little thing. Do you see any of us dressing like that?"

Later: "Those skirts from the shops aren't nearly as nice as the ones I make. Come on, Xiao Jiang, wear something bright. You'll look lovely! Look at this pattern, it suits you so well."

The village's old woman, who favored boys over girls, didn't think much of her. "She's even telling my granddaughter to go to school. What's the point of a girl studying? There's never enough time to finish the chores as it is."

Later: "Thank you, Teacher Jiang. If it weren't for you, I never would have known my granddaughter was so clever. It's all thanks to your guidance!"

Before she knew it, Jiang You had become the darling of the whole village. The aunties, uncles, and even the children at the school couldn't bear to see her suffer the slightest grievance.

One day, she and village secretary Zhou Jinsheng disagreed and argued briefly in the square. Half the village rushed over with shovels and hoes, and shouted at the secretary in unison:

"Back, back, back!"

Zhou Jinsheng: ...

Zhou Jinsheng: "My wife insists on going up the mountain to chop firewood. It's dangerous. Am I not even allowed to talk her out of it?!"

Zhou Jinsheng was famous in the village for his bad temper. Although he was the village secretary, the residents didn't like him.

It wasn't until a new volunteer teacher arrived that his relationship with the villagers gradually improved. They went from being at odds to working together to build up the village. They repaired the main road, dug irrigation canals, and little by little helped everyone live happier lives.

One day, Jiang You smiled at him from the fields. The years were peaceful, and time was gentle.

Beautiful, kindhearted, pure moonlight heroine, the village's darling, volunteer teacher x sharp-tongued but devoted wife-protector hero, the village secretary

Before You Read:

1. This is mainly about everyday family and village life, with a bit of an ensemble cast. The leads do have a romance, and it isn't a minor part of the story. The hero isn't just a background character, but that won't dim the heroine's shine.

2. Some plotlines and characters are idealized. This isn't a bleak, hard-hitting story, so if you want pure realism, this may not be for you.

3. My understanding of the 1990s may not be perfect. Please point out any mistakes politely, and don't be mean. Let's all be gentle readers! If something can be corrected without affecting the plot, I'll do my best to revise it. My sincerest apologies for any errors.

One last disclaimer: There are no real-life inspirations for anything in this story. Any similarities in names or plot points are purely coincidental. Please don't make unrelated comments or tell me how to write. If you drop the story, please don't come back to complain about it. I respectfully ask extreme heroine or hero fans to steer clear. Beginner writing ahead. Please read civilly and help create a positive writing and reading environment.

(If I think of any other warnings, I'll add them later.)

After completing quick transmigration missions in ten worlds, Xiao Xiaohui was rewarded by the System with a building in the heart of A City's bustling commercial district.

With ten billion in starting funds, Xiao Xiaohui stood in front of the building in the busy downtown area and sighed.

Having too much money and nowhere to spend it was a problem in its own right.

What's more, on top of the money she already had, people kept paying her rent. Xiao Xiaohui finally understood what it meant to have so much money that your hands got tired of collecting it.

Whenever she found a hidden-gem novel she liked, Xiao Xiaohui would wave her hand and invest in everything from animation to film and television adaptations.

Whenever she liked the location of a villa, she'd buy it outright, knock it down, and rebuild it as a little Chinese-style home.

When she got tired of spending money, Xiao Xiaohui simply went to her own building, applied for a job at one of the shops, and became an employee.

A low salary didn't matter. She was just bored and wanted something to do.

Who could have guessed that the biggest boss in the entire building was a young woman, and that she spent every day hanging around, listening to the companies' gossip?

Which shop owner on which floor was dating whom, Xiao Xiaohui knew it all. She was practically the ultimate intelligence agent.

Just as she was enjoying her leisurely life, the villain bosses from the ten quick transmigration worlds quietly arrived outside the building.

He walked up to Xiao Xiaohui with a cold expression. The crowd gathered to watch the gossip assumed this was some domineering CEO falling for a junior employee, or a president coming down to scold the rank and file. But then the villain boss started wagging an imaginary puppy tail and said in a coy, plaintive voice:

"You left without a word, Sis... I looked for you for so, so long."

"...So, could I have a chance to live off a rich woman in this world? Please, please?"

A cold CEO transformed into a clingy, coy puppy boy, leaving everyone stunned.

Xiao Xiaohui recognized him at a glance. Her heart softened, and she patted his head. "Sure."

Since she'd already saved him ten times, one more time wouldn't hurt.

Quirky, clever, full of schemes, and worldly heroine x tragic former villain hero who's a doglike puppy

Theme: You are the one who controls your own choices in life