Chapter One: A Chance Encounter with Qin Huairu

“Cough, cough, cough… System, are you sure we’ll run into Qin Huairu if we keep waiting here?”
Wang Lin’s face was deathly pale. Even just breathing sent pain rippling through his chest.
Though it was still the height of summer, his body emanated an icy chill.
“System, if Qin Huairu doesn’t show up soon, I really will be off to the Western Paradise.”
“Don’t worry, Host. Look over there—see for yourself, Qin Huairu is coming!”
Wang Lin looked into the distance and indeed saw a figure walking towards him, step by step. There was no mistaking it—this was none other than Qin Huairu, who had just turned eighteen.
The moment he saw her, Wang Lin’s expression brightened. He hurried up to greet her, taking three steps at a time.
“Hello, comrade. Do you happen to know the way to Qin Family Village?”
Qin Huairu gave Wang Lin a scrutinizing look and found herself momentarily dazed.
Even with his sickly pallor, his handsome features were impossible to miss. Yet it was his unmistakable air of authority—he had the bearing of a leader—that truly captivated her.
“So handsome… If only he were from the city and willing to marry me…”
Wang Lin had no inkling of her thoughts. In his previous life, he’d been a bachelor well into his thirties; in this life, all his time had been devoted either to cultivation or defending his country from invaders.
“Comrade, is something wrong?”
Seeing Qin Huairu staring off into space, Wang Lin waved a hand in front of her and asked again.
“Ah… I—I’m actually from Qin Family Village. Why are you headed there?”
A hint of a self-deprecating smile played at Wang Lin’s lips.
“I don’t get along with my neighbors in the courtyard. They keep sabotaging my matchmaking, so I have no choice but to come to the countryside in search of a partner.”
At his words, Qin Huairu’s heart leapt with joy.
“How about me, then?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Huairu knew she’d spoken out of turn. She instantly grew shy, lowering her head into her ample chest.
Beyond her embarrassment, she was filled with anxiety, terrified Wang Lin would reject her.
She couldn’t explain it herself—how had she suddenly become so bold as to confess her feelings so directly? She’d even forgotten the reason she’d come to the city today.
Wang Lin was overjoyed. He gripped both her hands, his excitement barely contained.
“You truly want to marry me?”

“Yes, I… I do.”
Despite Wang Lin’s firm grip, she didn’t even pretend to resist; instead, she shyly gave in.
“Come on, let’s go get you an introduction letter right now.”
Wang Lin had never expected things to go so smoothly, unaware of how hard his system was working on his behalf.
“This host is by far the densest I’ve ever had to guide—a complete blockhead!”
“I—I already have an introduction letter.”
As she spoke, Qin Huairu produced the letter.
The moment Wang Lin saw it, everything clicked into place.
“No wonder the system told me to wait at the bus stop. Today was the day Qin Huairu was supposed to come to the city to meet Jia Dongxu for a matchmaking!”
Realizing the system’s good intentions, Wang Lin felt immense gratitude.
“In that case, since you’ve got the letter, let’s head straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau and get our marriage certificate!”
“Alright. Yes, alright.”
Qin Huairu’s mind felt completely short-circuited; she agreed to Wang Lin’s suggestion without a second thought.
It truly was a lucky day—even the heavens seemed eager for Wang Lin and Qin Huairu to marry.
No sooner had she agreed than a bus rumbled up, its destination Four-Nine City.
Wang Lin and Qin Huairu boarded, sitting together as the bus rolled towards the city. Wang Lin spent most of the journey introducing himself.
Qin Huairu was so excited she could barely breathe.
“Heavens above, you’re far too kind to me, letting me meet such a wonderful man.”
Who was Wang Lin? He was the deputy director of the Red Star Steel Mill, earning a monthly wage of two hundred yuan—a sum that could support Qin Huairu’s whole family farming for ten years.
Soon they arrived at the Four-Nine City bus stop. As Wang Lin and Qin Huairu stepped off, an elderly woman in her forties or fifties approached, beaming.
“Huairu, there you are!”
At the sight of her, Qin Huairu suddenly remembered the reason for her trip into the city. Seeing Matchmaker Wang, she felt a wave of embarrassment.
Noticing this, Wang Lin gently stroked her hair in reassurance.
“Don’t worry. Leave everything to me.”
Matchmaker Wang frowned slightly at the intimacy between the two, a sense of foreboding stirring within her.

Still, she said nothing.
After comforting Qin Huairu, Wang Lin turned to the matchmaker with a smile.
“Hello, comrade. You must be the matchmaker who arranged the meeting for Huairu today?”
As he spoke, he extended his right hand for a handshake.
As the saying goes, you don’t slap a smiling face. Matchmaker Wang refrained from voicing her doubts, instead looking Wang Lin up and down to see what he would say.
“I’m Wang Lin, deputy director of the Red Star Steel Mill. I met Huairu by chance today, and it was love at first sight. So, we won’t be attending the matchmaking as planned. I hope you won’t mind.”
As he spoke, Wang Lin withdrew his hand, reached into his pocket, and pressed five large ten-yuan bills into the matchmaker’s palm.
Upon hearing Wang Lin’s words, Matchmaker Wang was about to lose her temper, but when she learned of his position and saw the fifty yuan in her hand, her scowl melted into a broad smile.
There’s an old saying: only a fool would turn down money. And this was more than just money—cultivating a good relationship with Wang Lin could mean future favors. How could she let such a good thing slip by?
“Hahaha, it’s no trouble at all. I’ll just introduce Jia Dongxu to someone else. Nowadays, marriage is about freedom. You and Huairu meeting like this—it’s fate. Why would I mind?”
She pocketed the money without hesitation and, rather than scolding, began showering Wang Lin and Qin Huairu with blessings.
“Just looking at you two, I can see you’re a perfect match. May you enjoy a long and happy union and have children soon!”
Thinking of the Jia family, Matchmaker Wang silently cursed their stinginess. Jia Zhang had only prepared a five-yuan betrothal gift for Qin Huairu, and the promised commission was even less—just one yuan upon success.
Now, after only a short wait, she’d pocketed fifty yuan. How could she not be delighted?
“Well then, thank you. When I come to propose officially, I’ll contact you. Don’t worry, you won’t lose out.”
Hearing there would be more money, Matchmaker Wang’s smile grew even brighter.
As for the rumors about Wang Lin, which she’d considered mentioning, she wisely kept her mouth shut.
“Very well. I’ll be waiting for your word, Director Wang.”
Meanwhile, in the courtyard home at 95 Nanluoguxiang, the Jia family sat expectantly, awaiting the arrival of Matchmaker Wang and Qin Huairu.
Jia Dongxu was full of hope, and Jia Zhang was bustling about, determined to make a good impression on the country girl her beloved son had set his sights on.