The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 501 - 499 First Kiss

Chapter 501: Chapter 499 First Kiss

Ming Zhu had heard from one of her cousins that when a man willingly buys you a gift and you joyfully accept it, he feels his intentions are affirmed, and everyone ends up happy.

If you hesitate and complain about wasteful spending, suggesting it would be better to buy something practical instead, you’ll dampen the man’s enthusiasm, and who will give you gifts in the future?

This cousin, with high emotional intelligence, was only pretty but not stunning, yet she had countless accomplished men pursuing her. Ultimately, she chose the best among them, and the married couple was incredibly affectionate. Her husband practically worshipped her.

She became a role model and example for her girlfriends to learn from.

However, another cousin’s close friend was exactly the opposite. Taught by her family to be gentle, kind, considerate, and sensible, she was the epitome of a good girl.

In a relationship, she always considered her boyfriend’s perspective. When dining out, fearful of making him spend too much, she avoided fancy restaurants and chose humble eateries instead. Eventually, she even suggested that they were better off cooking at home because it wasn’t hygienic to eat out.

When her boyfriend bought her an expensive, delicate gift, she would be happy inside but would refuse it outwardly, nagging him not to waste his money on impractical things. Wouldn’t it be better to save up for a house or a car?

When he asked her to the movies, she preferred buying some snacks and watching films online at home instead.

At first, the boyfriend was touched, thinking she cared for him, but over time, he grew accustomed to her considerateness and took it for granted. He never thought of buying her gifts or taking her out anymore, as she would always refuse.

After marriage, she envied other women whose husbands bought them flowers and gifts or took them out on romantic outings on holidays and birthdays.

Her own husband never thought about it, and when she finally gathered the courage to bring it up, he was astonished: hadn’t she always said that buying flowers and gifts was a waste and impractical? Wouldn’t it be more cost-effective to save for a house or a car?

That friend, crying a messy mix of tears and snot, regretted her past behavior, leaving a profound impression on Ming Zhu.

With a quick thought, Ming Zhu happily slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. Under the bright sunlight, the tiny gemstones on the gold-plated bracelet sparkled beautifully, accentuating her slender wrist and honeyed skin tone.

Chongjin glanced at it and his heart raced, daring not to look again.

Yet Ming Zhu extended her wrist towards him, "It’s pretty, isn’t it?"

Chongjin felt his heartbeat thundering, his mouth dry, swallowing repeatedly. His voice came out hoarse and low, "It’s beautiful—"

Ming Zhu then handed him a hairpin, "I can’t see it myself, you help me put it in."

Chongjin, whose hands were always steady when handling bows and knives, now trembled almost imperceptibly. He pursed his lips and gently inserted the butterfly hairpin into her hair.

As Ming Zhu moved, the butterfly on the hairpin quivered slightly as if it were about to take flight.

It was uncommon for peasant girls to wear gold jewelry — firstly because it was too expensive and secondly because gold jewelry required fair skin to look good; it would only make dark or yellowish skin appear aged.

Ming Zhu now had skin creamy and radiant, her complexion rosy. With her fair and blushing cheeks, lustrous hair, and the golden butterfly hairpin and gemstone bracelet, she possessed an air of refinement that differentiated her from village peasant girls.

She seemed more like a pampered girl from a prestigious family.

Chongjin watched her with good sight, feeling that the Ming Zhu of this moment, adorned with gold artifacts, wasn’t overshadowed by them; instead, they highlighted her natural beauty, making her even more charming.

A thought crossed Chongjin’s mind: this side of Ming Zhu seemed to be the real her. The Ming Zhu of the past had always been low-key, suppressing herself to fit the image of a peasant girl.

She didn’t realize that this version of her, adorned with beautiful jewelry, clad in gorgeous attire, smiling a bit cunningly with a touch of naive childishness, was the truest representation of herself.

Girls like Yongzhu should be dressed in fine silks, free from worries about food and clothing, living carefree with a hint of innocence and nonchalance, pampered by others...

Thinking this, a surge of fighting spirit abruptly rose in Chongjin’s heart. If he couldn’t give Yongzhu such a life, what kind of man was he?

"Yongzhu, do you like these pieces of jewelry?" Chongjin asked softly.

"Of course I like them! Thank you!" Wang Yongzhu immediately reverted to the way she used to thank her father and family for gifts when she was Ming Zhu, and without thinking, she leaned in and planted a kiss on Chongjin’s cheek.

That was how Ming Zhu had always expressed her gratitude when she received gifts from her father and family.

Chongjin’s mind exploded with a bang at that moment— the soft touch, that light brush, sent his blood nearly boiling throughout his entire body.

It wasn’t until after the kiss that Wang Yongzhu came to her senses, Oh no! This wasn’t her dear father, this was Chongjin!

What should she do?

Both of them were stunned in place.

It took quite a while before Chongjin regained his composure, his voice low and husky, "Yongzhu, you actually..."

Wang Yongzhu, flustered and incensed, berated herself for taking the initiative to kiss him. After all, this was her first kiss in both her lifetimes; Chongjin was getting it for free!

"What about it if I kissed you? We’re engaged, you’re already mine, it’s not like a kiss would make a piece of flesh fall off. You..."

Her remaining words were swallowed whole by Chongjin’s mouth...

Wang Yongzhu stared at Chongjin dumbfounded, the burning warmth on her lips, the sensation— it was undeniable, she had been kissed by Chongjin!

Chongjin felt as if his heart was flying to the heavens, their lips and teeth intertwined, their breath mingling, making him feel as if he was drifting in the clouds, dizzily happy, almost wanting to jump for joy.

Their lips remained pressed together for some time until the unevenness of the mountain road and a jolt from the carriage finally separated them, bringing them back to reality.

They exchanged glances, both with flushed faces and ears.

Chongjin’s gaze shone frighteningly bright, as though he wanted to devour Wang Yongzhu whole.

Wang Yongzhu found herself unable to resist and turned away, scolding herself silently, Spit! So weak! After all, she used to read all those little racy stories online and even watched racy comics; she had no real-world experience, but she was rich in theory... To be so easily flustered by such an innocent kiss, it was just too shameful!

No, she couldn’t back down! With this thought, Wang Yongzhu stubbornly turned back, only to be engulfed in Chongjin’s embrace, as he gently laid kisses as light as butterfly wings on her hair, simply pecking her and murmuring, "Yongzhu..."

His call made Wang Yongzhu’s recently calmed heart race again, and all her strength drained away as she limply leaned against Chongjin, thinking to herself that she should push away this rogue, this scoundrel.

Yet her hand stayed firmly on Chongjin’s arm, unable to exert any force.