TFRLTOP Chapter 32 Part 1

Chapter 32: The Educated Youth’s Humble Wife 

◎ I’m just a spoiled, pretty young lady, that’s all! ◎

After pedaling her bike for a few days straight, Ming Ming felt like she was about to turn into a loyal lapdog. She decided to give herself two days off.

She slept until broad daylight, nearly ten o’clock, and when she finally woke up, she rubbed her sleepy eyes and patted her belly. She’d eaten too much the night before, so she wasn’t even hungry. To her surprise, when she came out and saw the table neatly covered with dishes, she was dazed for a moment, almost thinking she was in Chen Weiguo’s house.

She leaned over the table, lifting each bowl cover one by one, muttering to herself, When did Yan Junsheng get so thoughtful?

The system had already begun to pity the male lead:
“What a poor child—his family fallen from grace, alone in a strange place and bullied, forced to marry a woman he never wanted. Worse, his wife can’t even manage daily life. He has to farm his own land, cook his own meals, and even wash his wife’s clothes. And on top of that, he’s surely burdened by gossip and judgmental stares in the village… sigh, the male lead is truly pitiful!”

Ming Ming said coldly, “Oh, is that so?”

And what does that make me, then? A poor little thing abused in a strange world, completely alone? Don’t love him too much.

A moment later, she scratched her head. “Why does this setup feel so familiar?”

After she’d eaten her fill, Ming Ming suddenly realized, “Isn’t this the same formula as all those son-in-law/Dragon King/dark lord stories?”

System: What?

It eagerly tapped away at its keyboard, hungry for knowledge, studied for three whole minutes, and then replied coldly: “That’s the male channel. Not our territory.”

“Oh.”

Ming Ming: “…But it really does feel the same!”

“The despised son-in-law looked down upon by everyone. When the three years are up, the Dragon King returns to his throne. His true identity terrifies those who mocked him. And me? I’m the arrogant, beautiful young lady who ignored him when he was a useless weakling. I’m the Dragon King’s despised wife!”

Ming Ming stood in front of the chicken coop in the yard, cupping her face with both hands, marveling at her own tragic fate.

“But really, what did I do wrong? I’m just a spoiled, pretty young lady, that’s all.”

System: “Wake up. This is a woman’s historical novel.”

“I’m just a spoiled, pretty young lady, that’s all!”

System: “…”

By noon, Ming Ming glanced at the sun. It was spring, and the midday sun wasn’t too harsh—actually quite warm—so she grabbed a little basket and strolled to the fields.

System: “What are you, a little girl picking mushrooms?”

Ming Ming: “No, I’m the virtuous wife bringing her husband lunch.”

The system hesitated, then asked nervously, “Wait… are you planning to poison him?”

Suddenly panicked, it backtracked: “I didn’t mean that! He’s not pitiful at all, you are! You’re the most pitiful! You’re the spoiled, pretty young lady—please, spare the male lead!”

“How could you think of me like that!” Ming Ming looked at it with disdain. “He left me food before heading to the fields this morning. I have to repay that kindness, don’t I?”

Standing at the edge of the fields, she gazed at the man who was her husband in name only. “It’s not like I’m overthinking. I bet he was just repaying me for taking him out for meat yesterday. Technically, we’re even now. But I, Ming Ming, am a good person! So today I’m bringing him lunch myself—saving him from all the villagers’ gossip.”

She patted her chest, moved by her own kindness, while scolding the system for its malicious suspicions.

“System, you hurt me. I’ll need unlimited cheats, hugs, kisses, cuddles, and more to recover.”

System: Idiot.

“You really just want to get a front-row seat to his misery, don’t you?”

Ming Ming hummed a little tune, her smile slowly turning wicked. “Revenge and revenge and more revenge… Brother dear, don’t panic. Saint Ming is here to save you~”

“Hehehehe…”

System: “….”

When she arrived, Ming Ming and Yan Junsheng locked eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

“Bringing you lunch.”

“I already brought mine. Ate it too…”

Ming Ming plunked the little basket down in front of him with a thump and said expressionlessly: “Eat.”

How dare you eat already, when your grandma went through the trouble of bringing you food?

Yan Junsheng lifted the cloth and peeked inside. Perfect. The same as what he’d brought for himself, and no different from what he’d left at home this morning for a certain someone.

Maybe Chen Chanjun had suddenly grown a conscience after yesterday’s conversation, but really—offering flowers with borrowed hands?

Taking wool off the same sheep?

“No, I’m full. Really.” After a pause, he added, “But… why don’t you sit with me? Keep me company while I eat a bit more?”

Ming Ming shook her head immediately. “I’ve already eaten.” She looked around. “I’ll head back now.”

“Don’t go. You’re already here…” Help me with farm work, at least.

But before he finished, she was already walking away.

Yan Junsheng watched her figure grow smaller in the distance, then looked at the little basket by his side, and for some reason, his mood brightened.

Later, He Lin returned from the fields with his hoe, greeted him, and said, “Brother Yan, eaten yet? If not, come over to the educated youth dorm. Don’t be shy.”

Yan Junsheng pressed his lips together and replied casually, “I’m fine, already ate.” He pointed at the little basket. “My family brought me food.”

He Lin blinked. Family? They were all educated youth sent down from the city—what family? Then it hit him. Yan had gotten married recently.

Clapping him on the shoulder, He Lin teased, “What do you mean by ‘family’? Just say your wife brought it! Embarrassed, are you?”

Yan Junsheng couldn’t help but bow his head and smile.