Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

Qin Huairu knew the village secretary meant well, but a hint of displeasure still lingered in her eyes as she lowered her head.

"What are you standing there for? Make it quick!" The village secretary's tone revealed a hint of impatience.

In his mind, girls should be cheerful and outgoing, and a shy and timid girl like Qin Huairu was not a likable girl.

"This is Yi Zhonghai, a master craftsman from the Beijing Steel Rolling Mill! He'll be staying at your house for the next two months!"

"Master Yi, you'll be staying at Qin Laogen's house for a while now. It's spacious. This is his daughter; let him take you there, is that alright?"

"No problem!" Yi Zhonghai smiled憨厚ly and nodded readily.

More than two years after the army entered the city, Yi Zhonghai deeply realized the importance of a good reputation. He naturally couldn't miss out on the opportunity to gain fame through worker-peasant mutual aid, and he was the first to sign up when the propaganda team gave presentations at the steel mill.

On the way back to Qin Laogen's house, Qin Huairu led the way with her head down, while Yi Zhonghai followed a meter behind her. The sight of her fair neck made his heart flutter.

A man, as long as he can still pull off a powerful shot, is forever a young man! Not to mention a bachelor who's been holding back for five years!

Speaking of which, Qin Laogen is really a thoughtful person... While other girls are already working in the fields at the age of eleven or twelve, Qin Huai is eighteen years old this year and spends all day at home washing clothes and cooking.

Her skin was incredibly fair and smooth, unlike the rough, wheat-colored skin of a typical rural girl.

"Master Yi, this is my home! The house is all ready; you'll stay in the room on the east side!"

Qin Huai pointed to the three large tile-roofed houses, a hint of pride in his expression. In the entire Qin Family Village, only a handful of families owned such large tile-roofed houses.

"You've worked hard... little girl, have some candy!" Yi Zhonghai already had an honest-looking face, and he had been practicing in front of the mirror every day for the past few years, so his smile was quite deceptive.

Qin Huai glanced at Yi Zhonghai, hesitated for a moment, and then took the candy. In those days, candy was a rare commodity, not only in the countryside but also in the city.

As a senior worker from the city who was sent to the countryside to help others, Yi Zhonghai was naturally treated well by Qin Laogen, the host... The meat was pig's head meat, the wine was bulk white wine, and there was also a free-range chicken raised at home.

"I didn't drink too much, I can still drink..."

Unsurprisingly, the two drank too much! Qin Laogen was helped into the west room by his wife, and Yi Zhonghai had to be handed over to Qin Huairu.

March in the countryside is still a bit chilly. Yi Zhonghai lay on the heated kang bed, too restless to sleep. His mind was filled with thoughts of her fair skin from earlier in the day, the softness he'd accidentally touched, and the faint, lingering fragrance.

For the next few days, Yi Zhonghai dutifully followed the villagers in spring plowing. However, after returning to his lodgings, his eyes would always unconsciously drift towards Qin Huairu, who was doing housework. Over time, Qin Huairu also noticed this and began to intentionally or unintentionally avoid Yi Zhonghai.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Yi Zhonghai took leave to return to the city. When he came back, his bag contained more women's trinkets such as soap, face cream, clam oil, and headbands. Every few days, he would find an excuse to give one to Qin Huairu…

A month would be enough for Qin Huairu to find out all about Yi Zhonghai. Being a bachelor and old—these weren't problems, considering he was a master craftsman at the steel mill. It was a pity he had no children… Of course, none of that stopped her from collecting things.

It's understandable that eighteen-year-old Qin Huairu would look down on a thirty-something-year-old man with no heir. However, this nascent harem member is no match for a cunning old fox like Yi Zhonghai!

Over time, Yi Zhonghai figured out Qin Huairu's little scheme. She only gave him a nice look when accepting money or gifts, allowing him to look but not touch them—what was the difference between her and the respectable courtesans of the Eight Great Hutongs?

It's quite interesting, really. I don't know what Qin Laogen was thinking, naming his daughter Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu... Qin Huai River, just one character short of being on par with the Eight Great Hutongs!

That night, exhausted from a long day, Yi Zhonghai lay in bed, glancing at the side room where Qin Huairu was staying outside the courtyard, his eyes filled with both infatuation and disgust!

Initially, he was tempted by Qin Huairu's good looks and youth... He was a master steel mill worker with a house and savings in Beijing. Although he was old and childless, he was more than a match for a rural girl.

Now... ha, marrying a woman like that would probably be a disaster. When he gets old and can't move anymore, she might just run off with all the money.

"I need to think about it some more!" With a barely audible sigh, Yi Zhonghai closed his eyes to rest.

For a period of time afterward, Yi Zhonghai continued to send trinkets to Qin Huairu to accompany her in her acting, and even went back to Beijing to restock.

In mid-April, Qin Laogen suddenly received news of a relative's injury. Logically, the whole family should go, but Yi Zhonghai couldn't be left alone at home. At this point, the male members of the family clearly couldn't be absent, so Qin Huairu had to stay behind.

Yi Zhonghai's honest and simple face was somewhat useful, and besides, the neighbors in the countryside lived nearby, so if anything happened, a shout would bring them over. Qin Laogen felt at ease leaving Qin Huairu alone at home, with Yi Zhonghai also there.

In the evening, it was still simple food, but spring plowing was hard work, so the rice was made of fine grains and the dishes were quite oily. In front of the stove, Qin Huairu's round figure appeared even more shapely because of her bent-over posture, which aroused Yi Zhonghai's desire.

Without further hesitation, he secretly poured the contraband he had risked buying during his last trip back to Beijing into the oily egg drop soup. Qin Huai, with his back to Yi Zhonghai, seemed completely unaware, continuing to busy himself at the stove.

The meal proceeded as usual, and Yi Zhonghai showed no unusual behavior. This relieved Qin Huai, who understood Yi Zhonghai's thoughts and was secretly on guard.

In the countryside 51 years ago, there wasn't even electricity, let alone any nightlife. After dinner, the two exchanged a few incoherent words and went to bed early.

In the side room, Qin Huairu, who had just begun to feel sleepy, suddenly tossed and turned on the bed, overcome with heat. Under the moonlight, her fair face showed an unnatural flush, and her body felt even hotter.

In the main room, Yi Zhonghai calculated the time and, feeling it was about time, got up and headed towards the side room. Unexpectedly, he saw Qin Huairu, her collar wide open, scooping water from a water vat.

The opportunity was right in front of him, and Yi Zhonghai's face lit up with joy, but he didn't rush forward. His eyes lewdly scanned Qin Huairu, whose clothes were half-undressed. In the moonlight, the beauty's exposed skin glowed white. Yi Zhonghai subconsciously swallowed...

Only when Qin Huairu's legs gave way and she slumped halfway beside the water vat did Yi Zhonghai slowly approach her. "Huairu, what's wrong?"

"No...it's nothing! It's just a bit hot!" Qin Huairu said, her hands still tearing at her clothes haphazardly. In April, as the weather warmed up, Qin Huairu's spring clothes were torn open by her force.

Yi Zhonghai had never seen such a sensual scene before. With red eyes, he picked her up in a few steps and carried her straight to the east room.

"Hmm!"

Under the moonlight, Qin Huairu's tears were crystal clear!

In the original drama, Jia Dongxu's wife was defeated by Yi Zhonghai. The master cuckolding the apprentice is quite interesting...