A Divine Farmer

Chapter 199 - A Huge Hidden Danger

Zheng Hong was taken aback for a moment, gazing at the tall man who had just come to her aid. She felt a warmth radiating from him, like the sun, and her cheeks flushed with a hint of red. “If you're willing to treat my father, I would be willing to marry you!” she exclaimed.

?A few villagers couldn't help but laugh at the awkward situation.

Zhang Xiaolong was well-known to everyone except Zheng Hong. It was common knowledge that he had a wife as beautiful as a celestial being. Even if he were single, he wouldn't consider someone who had been involved with Wang Fugui.

?Wang Tiehzhu chuckled, “Daughter, it's understandable that you'd think that way. Xiaolong is one of the most capable men in Clear River Village. Last year, the line of women hoping to be matched with him could have circled the village. That small western-style house in the village is his. But he's taken. Xiaolong means to say he'll pay for your father's medical expenses. Are you willing to make peace with Fugui and live with him, right Xiaolong?”

“Yes, that's right…” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a touch of embarrassment. “The village chief is correct. Clear River Village won't always be poor. Since you originally admired Fugui's character, it would be a shame to split over money. I'll lend you the funds, and you can pay me back gradually. How does that sound?”

?Realizing she had misunderstood, Zheng Hong's face grew even warmer. Learning that the man before her owned the village's impressive house, and hearing the village chief's high praise, her eyes sparkled with admiration.

She had been seeking a man like him, someone who, despite not being wealthy at the moment, promised a hopeful future.

“Wang Fugui deceived me,” Zheng Hong said, shaking her head. “I don't want to be with him anymore…”

“My dear, Fugui was wrong to lie, and that's on him. But he did it because he cherishes you deeply. Give him another chance. I assure you, our family will treat you well and never shortchange you. What do you say?” Fugui's mother quickly added, eager to make amends.

Zhang Xiaolong watched the girl bustling about and quickly picked up the thread of the conversation. “There's a kind of destiny between people. You and Fugui meeting, that's fate. He may have lied to you before, but it wasn't entirely false. If you take my word for it and wait here patiently, I assure you, in less than two years, Clear River Village will undergo a dramatic transformation. Every family will be able to build a new house, maybe even a small western-style building.”

Zheng Hong's lips parted slightly, as she wanted to express her disbelief, but the conviction in the man's eyes made her think that maybe he could make it happen. She wavered for a moment.

“I wouldn't believe anyone else saying this, but if Xiaolong says it, I believe it completely,” Wang Tiehzhu chimed in. “Niece, you've seen that small western-style building. Do you know how long it took Xiaolong to earn it?”

Zheng Hong, of course, was unaware of these details, and even the villagers had largely forgotten. Just a few months prior, Xiaolong was a recent high school graduate, and the Zhang family lived in a dilapidated house that crumbled to the touch.

“Four months,” Wang Tiehzhu said, holding up four fingers, a sense of pride in his voice. “In just four months, Xiaolong not only acquired a small western-style building but also paved a cement road for our village. And that's just the beginning. My dear, he says that in two years, he'll have new houses built for the entire village. Is there anything about that you find hard to believe?”

Zheng Hong was even more astounded, yet she realized that a man like him was unlikely to take an interest in her.

After a brief pause, she finally spoke up, “Uncle, I'm willing to stay, but on one condition. If he doesn't agree to it, I'll leave regardless.”

“Just say it, whatever your condition is, we'll meet it,” Fugui's mother eagerly promised.

It was the same tactic Wang Fugui had considered earlier: coax the woman back first, and deal with any regrets after the fact was sealed.

But what Wang Fugui hadn't anticipated was that even after the rice was cooked, it still tried to leap from the bowl. He was at a loss for what to do next.

“Go ahead, Xiaolong and I will bear witness. What's your condition?” Wang Tiehzhu inquired.

“I'm willing to stay, but Wang Fugui can't force me,” Zheng Hong said, her cheeks flushing slightly as she mustered the courage to continue. “If in two years he can provide a good life, even without building a fancy house, I'll be content to stay with him. But if things are still like this, I'll pack up and leave.”

She was genuinely scared. When she had tried to leave before, he had locked her in the room. And it didn't stop there; he would forcefully hold her down on the bed every day…

All in an effort to get her pregnant quickly, to ensure she was tied to him forever.

Initially, she had believed Wang Fugui to be a decent man. But as time passed, she realized he was nothing more than a liar and a brute who had taken advantage of her. Any fondness she once felt had significantly diminished.

As Wang Tiehzhu had pointed out, she had already been intimate with Wang Fugui. Finding another man like Zhang Xiaolong seemed unlikely. If a good life was possible here in the future, she wasn't opposed to the idea of staying.

Zhang Xiaolong and Wang Tiehzhu exchanged glances, both understanding what she had endured and agreeing that her condition was reasonable.

“Cheng Cheng,” Fugui's mother urged her son with a meaningful look, “Promise your wife, quickly!”

With his head hanging, Wang Fugui struggled to find the words before finally committing, “I promise, unless you willingly come to my bed, I won't lay a finger on you.”

The villagers chuckled among themselves. They had witnessed many weddings, but this was the first of its kind.

Zheng Hong scoffed quietly to herself, thinking that no one would desire to share a bed with a man like him. If she hadn't been deceived by his false promises and given herself to such a man, perhaps she could have married someone better.

“Mr. Xiaolong, about that…” Suddenly, a thought struck Zheng Hong, and she turned to look at Zhang Xiaolong.

After a brief moment of surprise, Zhang Xiaolong quickly assured her, “Don't worry, I always keep my promises. Tomorrow, head over to my vegetable patch and look for Ms. Lianzi. She'll help you send the money back.”

“Thank you, Mr. Xiaolong. If I hadn't run into you today, I really wouldn't know how I'd make it through life.” Zheng Hong felt relieved, realizing she had narrowly escaped a life of being treated like a dairy cow.

“You're overthinking it,” Zhang Xiaolong said with a smile. “Fugui may have tricked you, but it's only because he's so fond of you. Regardless of today's events, Clear River Village is destined to prosper. You might have to endure some hardship for now, but if you ever face any trouble, Ms. Lianzi is there for you.”

Then, an idea struck Zhang Xiaolong, and he added, “Actually, I have an idea. My vegetable field and orchard are in need of workers. Both you and Fugui could come work there. You're already used to working in the city, so why not start here? The pay won't be much less than what you're earning now.”

“That sounds wonderful! I'm in!” Zheng Hong didn't wait for the man's response before accepting the offer.

“So, shall we proceed with the ceremony?” Fugui's mother interjected tentatively.

Zheng Hong glanced at Wang Tiehzhu and Zhang Xiaolong, gave a slight nod, and consented.

Zhang Xiaolong had thought the issue was settled peacefully, but little did he know, a significant problem was brewing just beneath the surface.