Volume One, Chapter 11: The Confident Chen Yang

The past few days had been exceptionally tormenting for Huang Zhiyao.

In this era, losing one’s purity was a grave matter.

Not only did the villagers gossip endlessly, but she also found it impossible to overcome the turmoil in her own heart.

If it weren’t for her close friend Chen Ying constantly by her side, she wasn’t sure she could have endured.

At this moment, after hearing Chen Yang’s words, her emotions finally unraveled.

She threw herself into his arms and wept bitterly, the kind of sobbing that tore at the soul, as if releasing all the pent-up anguish in her heart at once.

Within less than a minute, Chen Yang could feel the front of his shirt soaked through by her tears.

Yet he dared not move an inch—after all, it’s said that once the truth is out, no harm comes from it.

Once Huang Zhiyao had vented all her negative emotions, the weight in her heart lessened considerably.

This was good news for Chen Yang.

So, holding her gently, neither of them knew how much time had passed.

Chen Yang felt his arms grow numb as Huang Zhiqing’s sobs gradually subsided.

Seeing this, Chen Yang’s anxious heart finally eased.

He truly feared that this girl might get trapped in a dead end, from which he would be helpless to rescue her.

“Sorry,” he whispered after a while.

That “sorry” was not just for the present Huang Zhiyao but also for the previous life she had lost.

If not for her death, he would not have carried such lifelong guilt and vowed never to marry.

It was a belated apology, but at least, for him now, it was not too late.

The apology finally brought Huang Zhiyao back to reality.

Lying against Chen Yang’s warm chest, with his arms still wrapped around her, her rosy cheeks flushed even deeper.

His chest was truly warm and comforting, filling her with a sense of security.

Judging by his recent behavior, marrying him might not be such a bad thing after all.

At least it was far better than she had initially imagined.

No matter—first, she had to break free from his embrace.

With both hands pressing against his chest, she forced herself out.

“You don’t have to say sorry to me. We were both drunk that day; neither of us really remembers what happened exactly,” she said, her face blushing once again.

That fellow, taking advantage of the alcohol, showed no mercy; her body still ached.

Working in the production team was inconvenient.

If it weren’t for fear of gossip, she would have asked for a few days’ sick leave to avoid working.

“It’s definitely my fault, but Zhiyao, rest assured, I will treat you well for the rest of my life. I promised to make you the happiest woman in the world, and I will never break that promise,” Chen Yang said resolutely.

“Chen Yang, I want to discuss something with you!” Huang Zhiyao suddenly said, her tone heavy.

Chen Yang felt a foreboding chill.

What was she going to say? Had she changed her mind? Did she no longer want to marry him?

“Zhiyao, no need to be so formal with me. Whatever you want to discuss, just say it—I’m all ears,” he replied, his heart racing to 130 beats per minute.

He feared hearing something he did not want to hear. What if Huang Zhiyao didn’t want to marry him?

“I… I think we can have a wedding ceremony, but not register the marriage certificate. Is that okay?” she asked.

Buzz!

Chen Yang’s head went numb.

Just as he feared, Huang Zhiyao was unwilling to marry him officially.

After all, in others’ eyes, he was just a worthless layabout.

Any girl with sense wouldn’t want him.

“Chen Yang, Chen Yang!” Huang Zhiyao called him several times, bringing him back to his senses.

“Zhiyao, I respect your choice. I know marrying me feels unfair to you, I understand,” Chen Yang said, disappointed.

Huang Zhiyao felt a sudden pang in her heart.

“That’s not what I meant. Listen to me. Since the national college entrance exam has resumed, and I graduated from high school, I want to try the exam.

I’ve looked into the policies; if we’re married, I won’t be eligible to register. So we can have the ceremony but delay the certificate.

If you don’t believe me, we can register immediately—I just won’t take the exam. But honestly, I’m not sure I’d pass anyway.”

She chose to concede; she didn’t want Chen Yang to feel so down.

One’s fate was predestined.

If Heaven had brought them together like this, perhaps it had already charted their path.

In any case, she could not, in her broken state, marry another.

“What are you saying? You must take the college entrance exam. I support your choice. We won’t register for now; after the exam, we’ll talk about everything else.”

What?

Did she hear him right?

Huang Zhiyao could hardly believe her ears.

He agreed?

He actually agreed?

She looked up abruptly, disbelief written all over her face.

“You… really agree to let me take the exam?”

In this era, forget university students—even vocational school graduates were assigned jobs.

At worst, one could work in a factory and enjoy worker’s benefits.

And it meant escaping the backbreaking rural toil.

If she really got into university, it would create a class gap between her and Chen Yang.

Yet he agreed without hesitation, which felt surreal to Huang Zhiyao.

To put it bluntly, if she got into college, would she still willingly live as a farmer’s wife?

So she thought she must be hearing things wrong; the reality couldn’t be this way.

“Of course I agree. Having a university student in our family is a matter of great honor.

Not only do I agree, I will fully support you! If you lack study materials, I’ll get them for you. You must get into that university,” Chen Yang said seriously, with no hint of jest.

This finally made Huang Zhiyao believe his words, though she still had some doubts.

“Then, aren’t you afraid that if I get into college, I won’t want to live with you anymore?”

“Hahaha!”

Chen Yang burst into laughter at her question.

This left Huang Zhiyao dumbfounded, unsure what he meant.

“Why are you laughing? Answer me!”

“If you leave me because you went to college, it just means I, Chen Yang, am not good enough.

But don’t worry, I will make you fall in love with me and willingly bear my children!”

At that moment, Chen Yang was so confident that, bathed in the sunset’s glow, he seemed to radiate dazzling light…