Chapter 2: So He Wasn't Living in the Primordial Black Hole

The man remained expressionless. He merely cast a detached glance at her, easily shook off her small hand, and strode away without so much as a word.

Su Zhirui froze, a rare trace of indignation appearing on her small face. Did he dare look down on her?

Swiftly, Su Zhirui gave chase, trailing right behind him. He walked faster and faster, forcing her to break into a light jog just to keep up. As she followed, she found herself at the docks. She watched as the man hurried onto a large ship, her eyes darkening slightly. Just as she thought her "big fish" had slipped away, the man unexpectedly emerged from the ship again, carrying a large sack of rice.

She felt a surge of joy and stood by the bridge, watching him work, moving back and forth with the heavy sacks. Her willow-leaf brows furrowed as she scrutinized him carefully. He was truly strange; such heavy rice seemed to weigh no more than a fly on his back. His face remained blank, and he didn't seem the least bit tired despite the countless trips.

Standing there, her feet began to go numb, yet the damn man wouldn't even glance her way. This severely pricked at her pride and curiosity—why was picking up a man such a hassle?

"Big brother, there's a broad up ahead." Suddenly, a voice that sounded inherently sleazy rang out from behind her. Su Zhirui pursed her lips in disdain.

"Tie her up and take her back," another voice chimed in. Hearing this, she wore a harmless smile, remaining where she stood while shifting slightly toward the riverbank.

"Beauty..." The three men approached her together. Seeing this, she flashed a bewitching grin, then delivered a heavy slap. The leader flew like a fly, tumbling straight into the river to feed the sharks. The other two men reached for her, but she caught their hands and beat them black and blue from left to right. Seeing they couldn't take any more, the two men jumped into the river of their own accord. Watching the three men struggle in the water, unable to get up, her expression grew even more disdainful—grown men who couldn't even swim.

The man busy with the rice finally showed a flicker of expression upon seeing the commotion, but a moment later, he lowered his head and returned to his work.

The sun dipped below the horizon, its twilight glow shimmering on the rippling water. A breeze swept through the willow branches on both banks, creating a rustling sound. It was getting chilly, but she remained motionless. The three men had long since fled, and without the entertainment, she grew even more bored.

The busy man seemed not to have looked at her once, but giving up now wasn't her style; she would laugh at herself if she quit halfway. Defeated and helpless, how did she end up with such a... strange person?

Finally, the man finished his work, collected his pay from the boss, and walked toward her. He brushed past her without the slightest intention of acknowledging her. Rubbing her legs, she felt a surge of anger. In that moment, she actually understood the bitterness of a rapist—seeing the prize but being unable to touch it was truly heart-wrenching.

Was this guy a rare specimen? She shook her head speechlessly and followed him again. At this point, she didn't know what else to do; she had nowhere to go, she was hungry, and if she wanted to rest, she had to worry about her safety and image. Besides, the mosquitoes here were like they hadn't eaten a full meal in ten years, relentlessly pursuing her with "loving" care.

She glared fiercely at that lean back. A thought crossed her mind: *When I get rich, I’ll buy two candies—one for you to watch me eat, and one for me to eat while you watch.*

Through streets and alleys, over muddy stone paths, she followed him for a long distance. Wherever he stopped, she rested. Only when his hands were full of bags and parcels did he begin the long journey again. Circling hills, crossing streams, trekking through woods and lawns—she truly suspected this man lived in a primitive black hole.

Blood blisters had formed on her small feet, and her white dress was torn to shreds. She swore she had never been this disheveled in her life.

When they finally reached the foot of a cliff and she saw him enter a wooden hut, in that instant—just for a second—she fell to her knees and solemnly uttered four words: "Buddha bless me!" She nearly burst into tears.

It was night now, and she could only vaguely make out her surroundings. Before her stood a stilted wooden hut, and in front of it was a pool of water emitting a cold mist, looking both beautiful and desolate. She pulled her collar tight, listening to the chirping of insects and the croaking of frogs, a chill running down her spine. She crept toward the house, step by step.

Reaching the door, she was pleasantly surprised to find it unlocked. Sitting at the entrance was the man, still expressionless, holding a wine cup as if waiting for prey.

"Didn't you want to get married?" He turned to look at her, his gaze cold and sharp, yet deep, mysterious, and alluring. Damn it, wasn't this exactly what she wanted?

Su Zhirui was too stunned to speak. Seeing this, the man moved to close the door, but she lunged forward and squeezed inside.

Once inside, she was astonished to find that the bags and parcels he had bought that afternoon were, in fact, items for a wedding. Had he known all along that she would follow him?