She was here to give the man a facial; she absolutely couldn't lose face at a time like this. Besides, we are just low-key; it’s truly not a matter of having nothing presentable to show.

Opening the net bag that looked too shabby for public display, she took out a worn newspaper, unfolded it, and presented it to Chi Wu, saying, “It’s far from home, and contacting you is inconvenient, so I brought this along for you on my way back.” Everyone in the room instantly recognized this item; those who hadn’t seen the actual thing had certainly seen it in Hong Kong or Taiwanese films. Chi Wu was quite pleased upon seeing it.

“I won’t have to run down to the guardhouse to call you anymore.” Cheng Ying recalled it with genuine heartache. “Exactly!

In the dead of winter, you used to walk all the way from here to the guardhouse just to make a call. It’s so far!

If I had known, I wouldn’t have complained so much.” This was true heartache; the original Cheng Ying had assumed Chi Wu had a phone in his dorm room. Everyone observing this couple fell silent.

One couldn't enter their world. Gangzi felt the world had shifted.

You look at this rural woman, carrying a net bag and wearing tattered cloth shoes—could you be any more unreliable? Couldn't the item she pulled out be more dazzling?

A brother nearby, having finished an apple, asked, “Sister-in-law, what does your family do?” Cheng Ying guessed this man was older than Chi Wu; his questioning was measured. Chi Wu would have to interact with this person later, so appearing too flashy wouldn't be good.

Therefore, her reply was quite plain: “My family farms, we contracted some mountain land. The policies have been good these past few years, and the harvest has been excellent.” That statement was hard for them to process.

Plenty of people farmed, but few who farmed could pull out two 'Big Brother' cell phones. Did her family grow money trees?

Men are naturally gossipy, so someone nearby asked, “Sister-in-law, what does Wu Zi’s family do? We can never manage to get a straight answer from him.” Cheng Ying replied, “Wu Zi’s father is in education.” Cheng Ying thought this answer was perfectly accurate, and as a student, Chi Wu’s background was appropriately middle-ground, which would prevent him from being ostracized by his classmates.

Cheng Ying felt she had answered very well. Chi Wu felt that his wife’s visit was enough to show them his wife; monopolizing too much time felt like a personal loss.

“Alright, you guys eat up. I’m taking my wife out for a walk.” This shameless man, calling her 'wife' repeatedly without any hint of embarrassment, simply left the roomful of bachelors who hadn't figured anything out.

As soon as the two stepped out the door, the interior erupted. Gangzi spoke with a tinge of jealousy, “Chi Wu, the quiet one, usually so aloof—and now he’s repeatedly calling her ‘wife,’ doesn't he feel ashamed?” Someone nearby countered, “If he handed me a 'Big Brother,' I wouldn’t feel ashamed either.” Gangzi couldn’t help but think Cheng Ying was a scheming woman, clinging tight to Chi Wu.

“She’s just a rural woman.” The others disagreed. “Look at her appearance; even as a rural woman, she’s a fairy.

You’re just sour grapes, buddy.” Chi Wu ignored the cluster of bachelors. Leading his wife around the campus, he almost wanted to shout, “Yingzi, let me take you around our school!” Cheng Ying was delighted that Chi Wu wasn't embarrassed by her and was keen to show her off.

Men who don't look down on their wives are good men. “No need, I just arrived.

Let’s find somewhere to rest first. If I go out with you like this, won't it delay your studies?” Chi Wu replied, “What could be more important than you?

Besides, it doesn’t cause any delay. Since you’re here, whether I go back a day earlier or later makes no difference.” This statement was completely unconcealed.

The implication was: I'm not in a hurry to go home because I have my wife here; I'm eager to go home because I miss my wife. Cheng Ying felt that in public, she could only pretend not to hear.

She couldn't praise this kid for remembering his wife so fondly. Chi Wu tried to reach for his wife’s hand while walking, but there was always a gap between them, making holding hands difficult.

“Is Grandma feeling better?” Cheng Ying walked half a step behind Chi Wu, neither too close nor too far, unwilling to be too conspicuous. “Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t have come out.

Your school is quite large; I waited for you at the entrance for quite a while, thinking I might bump into you.” No matter how slowly Chi Wu adjusted his pace, his wife didn't catch up. It was truly hard to hold her hand.

“I rarely go out even when I have free time.” Cheng Ying remarked, “Why don’t young people go out and socialize more? I see many students going out in groups.” Chi Wu smiled widely at his wife.

“What if someone steals her away? I have a wife waiting for me at home.” Cheng Ying bristled.

Is that necessary? Why is he starting to tease me now?

Is it because my temper is too good? Chi Wu saw his wife wasn’t kicking him, so he wanted to tease her more.

But looking at her expression, he knew if he continued, he would be the one facing the consequences. As they walked, the pair certainly drew attention.

Acquaintances would call out from a distance, “Wu Zi, your lady has arrived!” Chi Wu would raise an eyebrow and call back, “Wife, not lady.” Cheng Ying grew calmer. “You are much more active here than you were in high school.” Chi Wu grinned.

“I can’t have wasted these few years for nothing! Social connections are vital.

If my wife can't manage them, I have to shoulder the responsibility for her.” After leaving the campus, he first found accommodation for Cheng Ying, and then the two went out for a meal. Cheng Ying drove Chi Wu back to the school.

At the gate, she asked, “Can I drive in?” Chi Wu replied, “You can drop me off right below the dorm building.” Cheng Ying thought that since Chi Wu didn't mind, she might as well drive straight in. When they arrived below the dorm, Chi Wu spoke to his wife by the car door, “If I didn’t have so much stuff to rush back, I would have stayed outside with you.” Cheng Ying comforted him.

“Now that I’m here, why worry about other things? Finishing up your urgent tasks is important.

We can go out and play for a few days before heading home.” Chi Wu was satisfied. His wife was wonderful, so understanding.

He wanted to kiss her on the face, but unfortunately, there was a car between them. Just during that short exchange, the windows of the dormitory building were open, with several heads sticking out of one window—how annoying these people were!

Cheng Ying pulled out two more net bags and handed them to Chi Wu. “Hurry upstairs.

Your dorm mates are truly something; they not only kept the door open for you but also the window.” Chi Wu looked up and glared fiercely at the heads. Cheng Ying made a U-turn, rolled down her window, waved at the heads in Chi Wu’s window, and only then waved goodbye to Chi Wu, making a gesture as if to call him.

Chi Wu watched his wife drive away before heading upstairs. His lingering reluctance held the entire atmosphere of an 'Eighteen Song Farewell.' The dormitory erupted into excitement inside.

Beautiful women who could drive were rare in those days. Someone next to Gangzi remarked, “Rural woman?

Do you think there’s such a rural woman?” Gangzi finally conceded, “There really isn't. I’ll admit she’s a rural wife.” Then Gangzi cheered up; at least he still had good taste.

His crush was excellent, just that Chi Wu, that wretched guy, was luckier. She was already taken.

When Chi Wu returned to the dorm, he thoroughly scolded the group for being shameful—they had embarrassed him. He hadn’t gotten to kiss his wife, and it was all their fault.

That night, Chi Wu had a long phone call with Cheng Ying, making the surrounding roommates green with envy. This wasn't just a phone call; it was money flying back and forth through the air!

'Big Brother' calls were expensive back then. Chi Wu sat slumped over, his smile utterly idiotic.

Gangzi said, “Alright, alright, she’s just a wife, must you be like this?” The older brother nearby said, “A wife like that? She’s worth it!

How beautiful is she?” Chi Wu was actually quite profound. “Her looks are just so-so.” Listen to how irritating this man was!

Gangzi felt that engaging with Chi Wu was already giving him too much credit; Chi Wu was shameless. No one asked, but Chi Wu volunteered, “The key is that she treats me well.” If Cheng Ying knew how Chi Wu had put it, she would have kicked him squarely on the backside.

The older brother in the dorm came over and tried to put an arm around Chi Wu’s shoulder. Chi Wu stepped aside.

“If you have something to say, just say it. No hugging or touching.

My wife’s—I am very virtuous.” In the room of six people, five simultaneously spat. The older brother said, “Brother, we’ve seen plenty of farmers, but we’ve truly never seen a farmer whose wife is as accomplished as yours.

Can you tell us something, what is Sister-in-law’s background?” Chi Wu raised an eyebrow, dismissively replying, “What do you mean by background? How are you speaking?” Everyone realized that Chi Wu must be afraid of his wife; he couldn't tolerate even a neutral term for 'wife.' “What kind of prominent family is Sister-in-law from?

Let the brothers broaden their horizons, so we don't look rude next time we meet her.” That statement put the whole group down. Gangzi asked, “Does brother have a sister or sisters?” Chi Wu raised his eyebrows and replied with disdain, “No, not a single one.” This was Chi Wu’s regret; a bunch of annoying potential brothers-in-law.

The older brother pressed, “Be serious.” Chi Wu chuckled. “My wife and I grew up together.” The older brother persisted, “I’m asking about your wife’s family situation.” Chi Wu stated firmly, “I don’t want to tell you.” The entire room was provoked.

What was the meaning of that? The anger radiating off Chi Wu was enough to extinguish any small flame.

“Are you trying to look at Sister-in-law tomorrow with dark circles under your eyes?” That was a clear threat. Two fists are no match for four hands, let alone the ten big fists Chi Wu was facing.

“My wife’s family really is farmers. Really.” ‘Damn, after I graduate, I’m going home to farm too’—that was the sentiment of the entire group.

Chi Wu scoffed. “Not everyone has my wife’s capability.

Let me tell you, my wife is farsighted.” A pile of nonsense. They had never seen Chi Wu talk so much.

But in the end, they couldn't find out what his wife actually did. At most, in the eyes of these brothers, Chi Wu’s wife had a rich father, and that was the end of it.

Chi Wu was too cunning; having your wife be noticed by others was never a good thing. For such careless matters, if he did it himself, he’d be a fool.

Good things must be guarded closely within one's own family—Little Yingzi had taught him that since childhood. Chi Wu now felt the most precious thing he possessed was his wife, and he had to guard her securely.

After dismissing the gaggle of old bachelors, Chi Wu stayed up late studying by lamplight alone. The brother next to him couldn't bear to watch.

“Hey Wu Zi, is it necessary? She’s just an unmarried wife; must you work this hard?

Sister-in-law has already visited; surely she’ll wait for you, so why are you pushing yourself so hard?” Chi Wu didn't even look up. “You bunch of old bachelors wouldn't understand a thing.” That comment wounded everyone deeply.

The roomful of men glared at Chi Wu with bloodshot eyes. One of them finally spoke up, “Brother here has a girlfriend too, Wu Zi, can you stop generalizing like that?” Chi Wu challenged him, “Are you engaged?

Do you have parental approval? Have you held a banquet?

Is that what you call a wife? What difference is there between you and a bachelor?”