The Male Fairy [Historical GB]

A new male educated youth arrived in the village, as pretty as a male fox spirit.

The villagers could tell at a glance that he was the sort who knew how to charm people. They said that on his very first day in the countryside, he’d charmed the eldest daughter of the Xie family into carrying his luggage all the way for him.

The villagers also said he looked too delicate to carry a shoulder pole or lift a hand. They said that after only a few days, he’d tossed aside his hoe and charmed the eldest Xie daughter into working diligently in the fields for him.

After that, the villagers often saw the eldest Xie daughter doing the male educated youth’s work and wandering by the entrance to the educated youth compound whenever she had a spare moment. They began to worry for the honest, hardworking Xie Shu, who was strong enough to do the work of several people. That male educated youth clearly wasn’t the type to care for a family. Xie Shu would have a lot to worry about if she married him.

Xie Shu, who only helped the educated youth with a few chores on the side so she could trade for candy for her little sister: Huh? Who’s marrying him? Me?

But the villagers wouldn’t listen to Xie Shu’s explanations. They all thought she had already fallen head over heels for him.

One rainy night, Xie Shu finally couldn’t hold back and called the male educated youth outside. She earnestly said, “Comrade, could you please explain things to the villagers? I still plan to marry a wife someday...”

Just then, lightning flashed. In the brief daylight, the once-smiling male educated youth’s face grew so dark it looked ready to drip. He seemed like a beautiful male ghost. He shot her a furious glare, then rushed out into the rain.

While Xie Shu was nursing the male educated youth through a fever after he’d been soaked, she saw the handsome young man turn away in embarrassment and mumble, barely louder than a mosquito, “You can only marry me.”

Xie Shu froze. Then she understood: So you want to be my wife! Why didn’t you say so sooner?

Theme: I am for everyone, and everyone is for me.