Chapter Four: How Can I See Him More Often?

Just as Jiang Shiyi was thinking of finding some topic to chat about, the man suddenly stopped walking.

“We’ve arrived,” he said calmly, looking straight ahead.

Jiang Shiyi snapped back to reality and saw that they had indeed arrived. From the moment they set off until now, it had only been about twenty minutes. And when he said he would send her back to the village, it truly meant just to the village entrance.

“Thank you,” she said.

Seeing him about to leave immediately, Jiang Shiyi smiled and said, “Thanks for bringing me back today. I’ll be sure to properly thank you when I get the chance.”

Huo Yixun glanced over at her.

Jiang Shiyi looked sincere, her eyes clear and genuine as if she truly meant her gratitude.

After a moment, he averted his gaze.

“You won’t get that chance.”

Jiang Shiyi was momentarily speechless.

She took a deep breath to calm her rising emotions, then smiled sweetly and said, “That’s okay, I’ll create my own opportunities.”

Watching the man’s departing figure, Jiang Shiyi eagerly opened the system panel.

Her eyes immediately widened when she saw the “Heartthrob Points” section.

Heartthrob Points: 20

She had already been so proactive, and yet she only earned a mere 20 points! The system’s full score was 100! In her two lifetimes, she had never faced such a blow.

But on second thought, those 20 points at least proved that her “going against the grain” tactic had succeeded!

Jiang Shiyi raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly, her red lips curling with a hint of amusement. “Minister Huo, my flirtation skills are far from just these few points. Let’s see how you handle what’s next.”

If her previous efforts were for survival, this time it was for her dignity in life.

Jiang Shiyi composed herself and returned home.

In the courtyard, Zhou Huailing and Jiang Weifeng were busy storing the harvested rice grains.

They watched Jiang Shiyi return with a bright smile and exchanged a glance before their faces grew serious.

As experienced parents, they could tell that smile on their daughter’s face was the unmistakable sign of first love.

Jiang Weifeng looked at Zhou Huailing and asked, “Has Shiyi got a boyfriend?”

Zhou Huailing thought carefully and shook her head, “She hasn’t mentioned anyone.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Weifeng frowned deeply and said sternly, “Then you better go talk to her right away. She’s still young—don’t let her be fooled by the sweet talk of men outside.”

Zhou Huailing agreed and quickly put down her work to head inside.

…

The night sky was dotted with stars, while the incessant croaking of frogs and chirping of cicadas filled the air, creating an almost maddening noise.

Huo Yixun walked along the road. Despite the cool evening breeze, he felt a restless heat burning inside him.

The scent of the woman lingered on his clothes, faint but persistent, teasing his senses.

An hour later, after discussing the upcoming anti-collapse work with Chief Zhang, he finally felt the restlessness dissipate.

Back at the military camp, the cold, commanding aura once again radiated from him, an imposing presence befitting his rank.

Meanwhile, Huo Shaoqin lay on his bed, savoring the brief yet unforgettable interaction from noon.

She actually told him to “get lost.”

Such personality.

No wonder she’s the woman Huo Shaoqin has his eyes on!

She was completely different from the sycophantic, superficial women outside.

At that moment, Huo Shaoqin made a firm decision in his heart: he would boldly pursue her.

Moreover, he believed he could leverage Jiang Shiyi to achieve a “victory” within the Huo family.

After all, because of Huo Yixun, he was largely overlooked.

Though born of the same parents, whenever the Huo family was mentioned, everyone said Huo Yixun had fully inherited the family’s fine genes, even surpassing them!

As for him, at best, he was mentioned in passing—as a somewhat worthless fellow who was rather lucky in life.

But everything was about to change.

In the near future, others would praise him: “Don’t underestimate this guy. He’s actually quite capable—just look at the beautiful wife he married.”

On the other side, Jiang Shiyi repeatedly assured Zhou Huailing that she wasn’t swayed by any sweet words from men outside.

And indeed, she wasn’t.

Not only did she resist those flattering words, but she was also trying her hardest to captivate an outstanding young man from another family.

After sending Zhou Huailing away, Jiang Shiyi lay down to relax.

With some time to spare, she opened the system.

!!!

Seeing the “Heartthrob Points” section again, Jiang Shiyi was completely shocked.

She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t mistaken, then was overjoyed.

In just two short hours, her Heartthrob Points had surged to 80!

This time, she noticed a small line of text below the Heartthrob Points.

Clicking on it revealed the exchange rate between Heartthrob Points and system credits.

[10 Heartthrob Points can be exchanged for 100 credits]

Jiang Shiyi exited the menu and immediately exchanged her Heartthrob Points.

800 credits—just enough to buy four bottles of “Life Essence.”

With this, Jiang Shiyi gained an additional four months of lifespan.

She exhaled deeply. “Time is finally less urgent.”

The next morning, Jiang Shiyi stood before the mirror, carefully observing her changes. Her overall spirit had improved greatly.

Her complexion was like polished jade, her lips like a delicate stroke of rouge. Every smile and frown revealed the grace of a captivating beauty.

Anyone who didn’t know would think she had deliberately dressed up.

As the family sat together for breakfast, Jiang Weifeng exchanged a meaningful glance with Zhou Huailing.

Zhou Huailing immediately understood. Perhaps it was time to find a match for their daughter.

Though free love was fashionable in the city, they lived in the countryside where arranged matches were still more reliable. At least, in terms of family background and character, word traveled far and wide.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Huailing took action right away.

As Jiang Shiyi stepped out the door, Zhou Huailing left with a slab of marbled cured meat and fifty eggs.

Yu Hongmei, wife of the village party chief, was also a well-known matchmaker in the region.

After a few casual words, Zhou Huailing straightforwardly expressed her requirements for a son-in-law.

“Don’t worry, Huailing. Once I find a suitable candidate for your daughter, I’ll contact you immediately,” Yu Hongmei said with a smile as she saw Zhou Huailing out.

Zhou Huailing smiled back, “Hearing that from you puts my mind at ease.”

After exchanging some more pleasantries, Zhou Huailing departed.

As she walked away, Yu Hongmei prepared to return home and begin her matchmaking work, when her son suddenly appeared before her.

Her son was Zhang Jian—the one who had been pestering Jiang Shiyi for years.

“Mom, I heard everything you told Aunt Huailing. I don’t care. I’m going to marry Shiyi!” he declared.

Yu Hongmei frowned deeply, displeased. “Why stir up trouble? That Jiang Shiyi is just a pretty but useless vase. She can’t shoulder burdens or do manual work, and her job at the clinic isn’t even officially staffed. She might get laid off any day now.”

Zhang Jian didn’t care. So what if she was just a pretty face? Just looking at her made him happy.

Besides, their family wasn’t poor. His father was the village party chief, and they ran a business on the street. They didn’t need a wife to do heavy work.

Of course, Jiang Shiyi was completely unaware of all this.

At this moment, she was still worried about how to win over Huo Yixun as quickly as possible.

Everyone had their own affairs; she couldn’t cling to him all the time. But now that the village’s collapse situation had stabilized and the severely injured had been transferred to the town clinic for treatment, once the medical team withdrew, she wouldn’t have such a good opportunity again.