C2 I Met a Beauty in the Night

"Childhood betrothal, childhood betrothal!"

Changshun felt as though his entire body was tingling with electricity, becoming incredibly weak. It was the first time in his life that a woman had been so close to him, and she was stunningly beautiful at that!

"Alright, alright."

Changshun's resistance had all but melted away. He was enveloped in a rosy haze, his spirits soaring.

The beautiful girl's crisp laughter, who was about to become his girlfriend, reverberated in his ears until his consciousness faded into a blur.

A vision of flowing locks, a radiant face, the sway of golden ornaments, and the warmth of a hibiscus-draped bed filled his mind.

Changshun opened his eyes and rose from the decrepit armchair, his body aching all over. He had hoped to wake up to a beauty beyond compare, but instead, he found himself still in his dilapidated home.

The memory of the beautiful girl's light laughter from the night before lingered, yet the house was now desolate, devoid of any enchanting presence.

"Sigh, I'm just so exhausted."

No beauty was in sight, but the soreness in his body was all too real, reminiscent of enduring a grueling battle the night before.

The bowl of untouched, now stone-cold rice sat on the floor.

The thought of last night's ludicrous dream filled Changshun with guilt. His grandfather had only just passed away, and such dreams seemed disrespectful, weighing heavily on his conscience.

In the village, even ordinary families observed a three-year mourning period after a loved one's death. For at least that time, Changshun knew he must continue to live in the village.

"Sigh, if only that dream had been reality."

Changshun shook his head, casting aside the fanciful notion. He surveyed the rundown house; the funeral was over, but his grandfather's belongings were still strewn about, awaiting his attention.

Impoverished, Changshun had relied on the generosity of his fellow villagers, who had lent him items from all corners, helping him in his time of need.

He knew he had to return these borrowed items eventually.

It was important to return them promptly; holding onto them too long could lead to misunderstandings, suggesting an intent to claim what wasn't his. After all, these items were not just objects, but symbols of the villagers' kindness.

Changshun rolled up his sleeves and busied himself around the house, meticulously organizing the various items strewn across the room. He intended to find a way to return them to their owners later on.

He had only been tidying up for a short time when a soft knock sounded at the door—three gentle taps. Had he not paused for a sip of water, he might have missed it entirely.

A timid voice then called out from the other side, "Excuse me, is Brother Changshun home?"

Changshun quickly made his way to the door and swung it open. There stood a girl in a dress, her hair woven into braids, clutching the hem of her garment, her cheeks tinged with an embarrassed blush.

Upon recognizing Changshun, the girl's face lit up with joy. She straightened up and exclaimed, "Brother Changshun, it really is you! You've come back! I thought my dad was fooling me!"

Changshun eyed her quizzically. She looked familiar, yet he couldn't quite place her. But her joyful greeting jogged his memory—this was none other than Xiuxiu, the village chief's daughter!

In their small village, with only a handful of families and even fewer children their age, the kids naturally became close companions. Xiuxiu, being the youngest and the village chief's daughter, was particularly cherished. As a child, she was doted on and protected by everyone.

Changshun, known for his kind heart, always looked out for Xiuxiu when they played together. But as time passed and they pursued their own lives—he toiling away as a bricklayer and she studying in the county town—they lost touch. It had been years since he last saw her, so her sudden appearance caught him off guard.

Overjoyed by the visit from his childhood friend, Changshun eagerly invited Xiuxiu inside. However, he was met with the sight of his home cluttered with odds and ends, leaving barely any room to stand. His face betrayed a hint of embarrassment at the disarray.

"This place... it's not enough."

Changshun stood there, somewhat bewildered, unsure of what to do next.

Xiuxiu, however, couldn't help but laugh at Changshun's awkwardness. She rolled up her sleeves and said, "Come on, Brother Changshun, no need to be shy. You have so much stuff here. Let me help you sort it out."

"No, no, you shouldn't. You're a lady, and a guest at that. I can't possibly let you do this. The place is a mess. I'll handle it myself."

Changshun hurried over to stop her, feeling guilty about making Xiuxiu work upon their meeting, especially with the room being so cluttered.

But Xiuxiu was determined and quick. Before Changshun knew it, she had already started moving things around, even picking up the pots and pans that were behind him.

While doing so, she playfully chided him, "Oh, come on, Brother Changshun. Since when do we stand on ceremony? I used to visit your house when we were kids. Stop being so formal."

With Xiuxiu's words, Changshun could only offer a sheepish grin. What more could he say?

Scratching the back of his head, Changshun gestured ahead and conceded, "Alright, alright. If you insist on helping, go ahead. But leave the heavy lifting to me. Just sort the lighter stuff, okay? I don't want you getting hurt."

"I get it, you're the one who's fussing too much."

The young woman retorted sweetly and bent down to continue tidying up.

With Xiuxiu's assistance, the work went much faster. She had clearly learned some skills while away, no longer the timid and delicate girl she once was.

As she efficiently helped tidy up, she also engaged in lively conversation. Before long, the room was almost completely organized and much cleaner.

"There, all done," Changshun announced. "Xiuxiu, come take a seat. I'm going to return these things to their owners."

The room, once old and worn, now looked considerably more inviting thanks to the joint efforts of Xiuxiu and Changshun.

As soon as Xiuxiu heard Changshun was heading out to return some items, she sprang to her feet and swiftly grabbed a stack of large bowls, exclaiming, "Brother Changshun, let me come with you!"

Changshun hadn't even managed to voice his refusal before Xiuxiu fixed him with a stern look. In the blink of an eye, the sprightly girl had already dashed out, bowl in hand.

With a resigned shrug, Changshun followed suit, stepping out the door and trailing behind Xiuxiu.

Today, the young lady was unusually spirited, her eagerness almost too much, her mood exceptionally bright. Her words chirped out like a melodious songbird.

Changshun initially thought Xiuxiu's excitement stemmed from not having seen him in a while, but when she bashfully inquired about returning to the city and whether he could take her along, he sensed something different.

Despite not having had a girlfriend for many years, Changshun was no fool. It was clear as day that Xiuxiu had taken a shine to him.

Yet, Changshun was filled with hesitation. After all, he was just a laborer scraping by in the city, with neither money nor a house, much less a car.

Struggling with poverty, he could barely fend for himself, let alone provide for a delicate young woman.

Though he understood the situation perfectly, Changshun was naturally not the sharpest tool in the shed and was at a loss for words.

His grandfather always said Changshun had a head like a block of wood, unable to produce a thought even if prodded. He used to be defiant, but now, even if reluctantly, he had to admit he was clueless about what to do next.

As Changshun grappled with his thoughts, trying to find the right words, Xiuxiu, with her keen mind, could easily see his predicament.

Without waiting for him to speak, her eyes brimming with tears, she mustered the courage to ask, "Brother Changshun, is there someone else you've taken a liking to out there?"