Whether or not she could marry Lu Ming was still uncertain. After all, she had the spiritual spring in the original plot, but now she didn't, leaving her with no bargaining chip to win someone over.
Of course, marrying Lu Ming would be even better, as it would allow her to experience the thrill of falling from grace.
Upon hearing this, Lu's mother maintained her disdainful expression. Her husband's wealth and success, coupled with her son's handsomeness and excellence, gave her an immense sense of superiority.
When choosing a daughter-in-law, she naturally aimed for the very best. Upon learning that her son had fallen for a country girl, she immediately dropped everything and rushed over, determined to see which vixen had seduced her son.
When she saw Li Wushuang, her eyes were full of scrutiny and disdain. The girl looked pure and innocent, but Lu's mother saw the greed glinting in her eyes. Did she think she could become her daughter-in-law? Dream on.
Qiao Ci found the situation uninteresting. Seeing that Zhou Ye had rested enough, she signaled for him to go back and move.
Zhou Ye's excitement immediately surged. How could he still be tired?
Qiao Ci looked up, revealing her full face. Only then did Lu's mother get a clear look at her.
What a beautiful little girl.
Her appearance and temperament were far superior to that Li Wushuang. Seeing her about to leave, Lu's mother quickly asked, "What's your name?"
Zhou Ye, seeing her appraising Qiao Ci like a prospective daughter-in-law, immediately became vigilant. "She's already married, so you can forget about it."
Saying this, he picked up the teapot and teacup and led Qiao Ci away.
Lu's mother: ...???
Acting like a wolf-repellent, what did I even say?
When Qiao Ci and Zhou Ye returned, the educated youths were still working in the fields, so it was quiet.
It was Zhou Ye's first time entering a girl's room, and his heart was quite nervous. He followed Qiao Ci closely, not daring to glance around, afraid of seeing something he shouldn't.
The room Qiao Ci lived in was relatively large. The villagers had vacated it for these educated youths to stay in temporarily, and the conditions weren't particularly good.
However, Qiao Ci's room was a breath of fresh air. The brick walls were covered with pale green wallpaper, and the cement floor was cleaned meticulously. The neat little bed was adorned with a light pink mosquito net, its circular top almost reaching the ceiling.
Zhou Ye had never seen such a mosquito net before, but he thought it looked quite nice, instantly elevating the small bed's appearance.
Toiletries and cosmetics were neatly arranged next to a large mirror, yet they didn't look cluttered.
The furnishings in the room, along with the pleasant fragrance within, were completely out of sync with the outside.
Zhou Ye secretly vowed to make something of himself. He would ensure that his future life was as refined as her past, perhaps even more so.
After packing the bags and parcels, fearing Qiao Ci would be reluctant to leave, Zhou Ye comforted her with a phrase the educated youths often used: "You're determined to marry me, and I won't let you down! I will definitely give you a good life."
Qiao Ci looked at him speechlessly and responded indulgently.
Seeing that she wasn't overly moved, Zhou Ye rubbed his nose, feeling a bit awkward.
Zhou Ye wouldn't let Qiao Ci carry anything; he shouldered all the bags and parcels himself, carrying them to his own courtyard. Qiao Ci had never seen someone so enthusiastic about working, so she let him be.
At this time, the workers from the fields were gradually returning. They had initially been watching Lu Ming's mother's car, but upon seeing Zhou Ye emerging from the educated youths' compound with so many bags, they curiously asked him, "Zhou Ye, you've got all these bags, who are you helping move?"
Zhou Ye raised an eyebrow, filled with smug satisfaction. "Of course, I'm moving for my wife."
"Who's your wife?"
Zhou Ye didn't reply. Carrying his load, his long, slender, powerful legs carried him away at a brisk pace.
He still had to move more things later and couldn't waste time with them.
Upon entering the educated youths' compound, they saw that Qiao Ci's doorway was piled high with items, looking like she was moving. Everyone understood what was happening and looked at Qiao Ci with teasing eyes. Qiao Ci, however, sat there calmly, her gaze unwavering.
From the murmuring of the people around, Lu's mother vaguely understood that Qiao Ci and the young man just now were likely a new couple, and there seemed to be some history between them and her son.
Looking at the dignified and graceful Qiao Ci, and then at the reserved and petty Li Wushuang beside her, she immediately began to question her son's judgment.
Wasn't this throwing away a watermelon for a sesame seed?
Lu Ming was in the middle of explaining Li Wushuang's situation to his mother when he saw that Qiao Ci was about to move in with Zhou Ye. This was such a disgrace that his eyebrows furrowed.
Unable to bear watching her jump into a fiery pit, he walked up to her and said earnestly, "Qiao Ci, must you demean yourself like this? The educated youth program is nearing completion, yet you're going to live with Zhou Ye? Have you thought about the consequences?"
"What consequences?" Qiao Ci lazily raised her eyelids, catching sight of Zhou Ye returning. She beckoned him over.
Zhou Ye, with sharp eyes, saw Lu Ming walking towards his wife and his heart immediately clenched. Seeing Qiao Ci wave at him, he finally relaxed his heart and ran towards Qiao Ci like a happy Samoyed.
"Are you tired?" Qiao Ci saw the sweat on his forehead and took out a clean towel for him to wipe his sweat. She also handed him a bottle of imported energy drink.
Zhou Ye took the drink, grinned foolishly, and twisted it open, taking a few sips.
Then, ignoring the gazes of those around him, he continued to move the remaining items.
Lu Ming's words were stuck in his throat. The two interacted so naturally that he felt like an outsider.
So he stood there coldly, waiting to see if Qiao Ci really intended to live with Zhou Ye without a proper ceremony! If she was just trying to provoke him, perhaps he could still persuade her.
Lu's mother was knowledgeable. Seeing the drink Qiao Ci handed to Zhou Ye, she recognized it as a special ration for high-ranking officials. How could Qiao Ci have it?
Li Wushuang tried to approach Lu Ming to assert her claim, but Lu's mother quickly pulled her back, "Why are you getting involved?"
Li Wushuang didn't dare to resist and could only stand there, looking at Qiao Ci with jealousy.
In the village, only Lu Ming and Zhou Ye were the most handsome. She was truly alluring.
However, fortunately, Zhou Ye was poor, an orphan with no parents. Marrying him would be a life of hardship.
For Li Wushuang, who had lived a lifetime, nothing was more important than money. Moreover, Lu Ming was handsome and perfectly fulfilled all her fantasies about a partner.
Therefore, choosing Lu Ming was not wrong, even if she had to face a difficult mother-in-law, she would bravely charge forward.
As for Qiao Ci, if she was willing to degrade herself, then let her rot in this poor, remote village.
Zhou Ye worked quickly and returned again shortly.
There weren't many things left. Qiao Ci prepared to return to his small courtyard with him.
"Qiao Ci!" Lu Ming couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward. "You're living with him like this without any formal commitment. Are you clear-headed right now?"
Qiao Ci looked at him, her voice faint, "Who says we have no formal commitment?"