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

The next morning, Qin Huai, having regained consciousness, subconsciously tugged at the blanket, but her fair fingers felt a different sensation.

"woke up!"

A male voice boomed in her ear, jolting the dazed Qin Huairu awake. Looking at Yi Zhonghai, who was shirtless, she cried out, "What are you doing here? You… what did you do to me? You… ugh!"

When the blanket was pulled back, she was completely naked. Coupled with the pain in her body, even a naive young woman who knew nothing could tell what had happened.

Yi Zhonghai reacted swiftly, covering the screaming Qin Huairu's face. Yi Zhonghai, a grown man and a fitter, was no match for Qin Huairu, a mere girl. In no time, she was exhausted.

Yi Zhonghai then spoke: "You already know the situation! Hitting me, scolding me, even killing me won't change anything, and you'll never be a virgin again. You might as well listen to me honestly..."

Status, house, money—what a display!

"You probably already know I'm childless. If you come with me, all of this will be yours!"

Yi Zhonghai's pancake was big and round, and eighteen-year-old Qin Huairu, who was still inexperienced, ate it until it was completely round.

Ha... People in their thirties still have at least twenty more years to live, while an eighteen-year-old flower has long since turned to dregs...

Qin Huairu looked at the crimson stains under the blanket, tears streaming down her face. However, her sobs were suppressed, clearly indicating she had decided to give in. "Then...when will you marry me?"

In 1950s China, chastity was still a basic requirement for women. In Qin Huairu's eyes, she was no longer worth anything and could only submit to Yi Zhonghai, who had humiliated her.

In fact, this was the most likely choice for women in that era when faced with this situation…

"What, you don't mind that I'm childless anymore?" Knowing that Qin Huairu wouldn't make a big fuss, Yi Zhonghai became more assertive and his words were full of sarcasm as he vented his resentment.

"I...you don't want me?"

The eighteen-year-old Thirteenth Aunt, her clothes torn and tears streaming down her face, was undeniably beautiful. After five years of pent-up desire, Yi Zhonghai, finally able to experience the taste of sex, pounced on her again.

As the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, Yi Zhonghai continued his scheme:

"Don't worry, I won't abandon you. As for marrying you...? I don't care. As long as you're willing, I can propose to your father right away! But are you content with a life without children?"

"What...do you mean?"

At present, Qin Huairu is at most a village girl with some cleverness. She has resigned herself to her fate, like a chicken following its rooster or a dog following its master, and though unwilling, she has nestled into Yi Zhonghai's arms.

"I have an apprentice..."

"What…" Qin Huairu sat up abruptly, her large eyes staring at Yi Zhonghai in disbelief. "You want me to marry your apprentice?"

"What are you yelling about?!" Yi Zhonghai's face darkened, and he threatened, "Do you want everyone to know about us?"

Qin Huairu was so frightened by Yi Zhonghai that he could only silently shed tears in frustration.

"Stop crying, it's bad luck!" Yi Zhonghai impatiently pulled the person into his arms.

"Marry a man for food and clothing! Your family does so much, isn't it all in the hope that you will marry into a good family and help support your family?"

My apprentice is fairly good-looking, and most importantly, healthy. She has me to help her with daily life, and she can even have children…what a wonderful thing!

Qin Huairu wasn't the innocent, tearful girl she later became in the courtyard house; her greed got the better of her. Unbeknownst to her, she fell into a trap, naively believing it was all a good thing!

The two bickered for a while, then Yi Zhonghai glanced at the sun outside and said, "I'm going out to work first. You tidy yourself up and don't let anyone notice anything amiss!"

"Mmm..." Qin Huairu obediently agreed.

At the doorway, Yi Zhonghai watched as the beautiful woman who had been indifferent to him just a few days ago now brazenly tidied her clothes in front of him. He felt a surge of smug satisfaction... What good was a pretty village girl if she was just a country bumpkin? He could easily have her.

He wouldn't marry himself, but instead had his apprentice do it, while secretly maintaining his relationship with Qin Huairu. That was Yi Zhonghai's entire scheme... If he married her himself, he would have to worry that Qin Huairu would follow in Li Guifen's footsteps, but it was a different story if his apprentice did.

With money to keep her hanging on and leverage over her, Qin Huairu will be nothing more than a puppet to be manipulated. He can both play with the beauty and provide for her in her old age—a win-win situation.

That's quite a scheme!

He slept with his apprentice's wife first, then turned around and sent the woman who already belonged to him back. If He Ping'an knew about this bizarre move, he would definitely give it a perfect score.

Green people... green oneself... ha, a first in history!

In Buddhism, there are three poisons: greed, anger, and ignorance. If Yan Bugui represents greed, then Yi Zhonghai represents ignorance...

The foolish are stubborn and incorrigible!

Around noon, Qin Laogen's family finally returned from their relatives' house. Yi Zhonghai was still working in the fields, leaving Qin Huairu alone at home. Seeing his parents return, the pent-up resentment suddenly erupted…

"What's wrong, girl? Why are you crying for no reason?" Qin's father, thinking of "a rare commodity to be hoarded," was very attentive to his daughter Qin Huairu.

"It's nothing, Dad! I was just home alone last night, and I was a little scared!" Qin Huairu thought of Yi Zhonghai's threats and promises, and ultimately chose to keep it a secret.

"Hey, isn't there Master Yi here too...?"

"That bastard ruined your daughter's body!" Qin Huairu had no way to express her grievances and could only offer a few perfunctory words to get rid of it. As for Qin's mother…

"Girl, what happened to your leg?"

Qin Huairu's heart tightened, but she remained outwardly calm and casually said, "I went out for a drink last night and accidentally bumped into something! It's nothing..."

Ever since he took Qin Huairu's virginity, Yi Zhonghai would go to her room late at night. At first, Qin Huairu resisted, but under Yi Zhonghai's threats of money and force, she had no choice but to comply.

After a while, you get used to it!

Later, Yi Zhonghai made it clear to Qin Huairu's father that he wanted to act as a matchmaker for her and Jia Dongxu. Qin Huairu saw this as a declaration of her stance, and having tasted the sweetness of love, she sometimes even actively seduced Yi Zhonghai into their affair.

To outsiders, the two seemed to have a close relationship, which was also because Yi Zhonghai wanted to act as a matchmaker for Qin Huairu, so it didn't arouse any suspicion.

The two of them continued to linger like this until the spring planting season was over...

"Old Yi, can you really get Jia Dongxu to marry me? You're not lying to me, are you?" Qin Huairu asked cautiously after their lovemaking.

A seasoned veteran in his thirties could easily subdue an eighteen-year-old village girl. During this time, Qin Huairu was completely subdued by Yi Zhonghai.

"Who would be foolish enough to abandon such a beauty like you? Don't worry, I'll take care of it when I get back. Just stay home and wait for my news!"

Yi Zhonghai held Qin Huairu's fragrant and tender body, making a solemn promise.