It was no wonder Zheng Xiaoluo had such a strong reaction. The issue of virginity was directly related to the quality of Zhang Xiu's life after his escape.

If Zhang Xiu had left with an untainted body (virgin), they could easily fabricate a story about starting a new life away from home and could find a good partner for a happy life together.

But without his chastity, it would mean he was either a widow or did not adhere to social norms (a fugitive).

Even if they tried to fabricate their identity, the best they could achieve would be the status of a "widow." His choices for remarriage would be limited, and a man who would marry a widow would likely have his own issues. As for the identity of someone who did not follow the rules, their fate would not be pleasant either.

The reason they were willing to help Zhang Xiu leave was also because they knew the advantage of having an untouched body, which would make it easier for them to start anew and find someone else in the future. That was why they agreed to assist.

But now that Zhang Xiu has lost his innocence, it would not be as easy to navigate life outside anymore.

"What does that jerk Lin Ze mean? Wasn't he planning to sell you? Why did he sleep with you? Wasn't his heart only for Zhang Yinzhu, and he even got angry and disgusted by just touching your finger? He's such a scoundrel, wuwu…"

Zheng Xiaoluo grabbed Zhang Xiu's arm, looking at the lotus pattern on it, almost in tears.

What should they do now? Lin Ze was unreliable, and if they ran away with a tarnished reputation, it would not be easy to find a good husband. How would Zhang Xiu spend the rest of his life?

"But it's not entirely his fault either. It's all a series of unfortunate events. Yesterday, Xue Liang colluded with the one from the Chen family (CSJ) to drug him and frame him. He came back in a dazed state, which led to… us being in the same room."

Thinking about last night's events, Zhang Xiu could not help but blush and offer an explanation.

He knew Zheng Xiaoluo's concerns, but he also knew that last night's situation could not entirely be blamed on Lin Ze. If he had to blame someone for how things turned out, it would be his own bad luck. Besides, Zhang Xiu could not shake the feeling that Lin Ze had been somewhat different since last night.

"You're actually defending him?"

Zheng Xiaoluo was once again surprised.

"Wait, I just heard you calling him 'husband.' Xiu Ger, even after he treated you like that, you still call him 'husband'?"

Now Zheng Xiaoluo remembered the question he wanted to ask earlier, but almost forgot about it. Why should Lin Ze, that jerk, be considered Xiu Ger's husband? Lin Ze himself had said he was not Zhang Xiu's husband before.

Although Lin Ze seemed to have changed today, showing signs of remorse and awakening, who knew if it was genuine or fake? How could a person change overnight?

Seeing Zhang Xiu blushing even more, Zheng Xiaoluo became alarmed. Something did not seem right with Xiu Ger.

"Ah Xiu, your face is getting redder. Did you fall for him after he slept with you?"

Zheng Xiaoluo hesitated, gently poking their friend's flushed cheeks, asking with concern. Otherwise, why would Xiu Ger defend Lin Ze?

"…"

Zhang Xiu blushed so much that he nearly ran out of breath, becoming as red as a boiled shrimp.

What was going on in Zheng Xiaoluo's mind? Could he, as a Xiao Ger, really say such things without hesitation?

In truth, Zheng Xiaoluo also felt a bit embarrassed after saying it. However, he was a broad-minded person, and with his upcoming marriage, his family had provided him with a lot of relevant knowledge, lowering his threshold of embarrassment.

"It's not impossible, you know. When Brother Feng liked me in the past, I didn't like him back, but he kept pestering me and constantly kissed my face (flatter, coax). I don't know why, but eventually, I started liking him too… You're probably similar to me."

Zheng Xiaoluo blushed and poked his own fingers. If it were not for his close relationship with Xiu Ger, he would not have brought up such embarrassing matters.

Zhang Xiu could not take it anymore. How could kissing someone's face (pursuing) be equated to those kinds of things? Falling for someone after just one night? Zheng Xiaoluo really had an active imagination.

"I'm defending him because I think that's how things are. Besides… besides, I've already decided to leave now. Why would I still like him? Before yesterday, he used to hit me and curse at me every day…"

Zhang Xiu emphasized with a flickering gaze, recalling the gentle scene in the morning when Lin Ze applied medicine to his wounds and hugged him, his heart pounding.

Yes, Zhang Xiu was not crazy. Before yesterday, Lin Ze used to hit and curse at him. He even overheard Lin Ze telling Xue Liang that he wanted to sell him to a brothel. How could Zhang Xiu suddenly fall in love with Lin Ze just because they slept together last night? Although Lin Ze had indeed changed somewhat since last night.

Hearing that, Zheng Xiaoluo understood his perspective. Then, with concern, he asked, "Have you decided when you will leave? Brother Feng and I can help cover for you."

"Well…"

Although Zhang Xiu had been saying they wanted to leave, he had not really thought about the specific date.

"If you're going to leave, do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, when Lin Ze remembers Zhang Yinzhu, it might be too late for you to leave."

"I'll think about it some more. You go and inform my mother to be prepared at any time…"

Even though Zhang Xiu was certain about leaving, he did not feel as happy in his heart as he had imagined.

When Zhang Xiu and Zheng Xiaoluo returned after their conversation, Lin Ze and He Xiangfeng had almost finished cleaning up the room.

Zhang Xiu's complexion improved, much better than before he went out with Zheng Xiaoluo, the anxiety and fear on his face seemed to have disappeared. He now had a youthful vigor that only young people possess, which made Lin Ze very happy.

Of course, if he knew that Zheng Xiaoluo had taken his wife out and encouraged him to run away, he probably would not be able to laugh and would want to chop someone. Then he would pin down the person who had planned to leave him and exhaust them in bed, just to see if they still had the energy to run away!

But at this moment, Lin Ze did not know about that, so he found the couple with the surnames He and Zheng, who made his wife happy, pleasing and satisfying.

Lin Ze had always been generous and enthusiastic towards those he liked, and from the conversation he had just had with He Xiangfeng, he felt that he was also someone he could socialize with.

No matter where you live, friends are needed, especially in this ancient era where relatives and friends are crucial existences.

The He family was not wealthy and did not have any significant background. They were a poor farming family with eight sons, all of whom were strong men. The brothers got along well, and the family had a good reputation.

If Lin Ze could establish a good relationship with them, he would have a reliable group of people to call for help when needed. Since he was currently lacking in power and influence, he had made up his mind to befriend He Xiangfeng.

After finishing up the cleaning, Lin Ze called He Xiangfeng and Zheng Xiaoluo.

"Brother He, why don't you two stay and have a meal before leaving? Since you brought so many things for Ah Xiu, I'll take this opportunity to showcase my culinary skills…"

This statement shocked He Xiangfeng and Zheng Xiaoluo, leaving them at a loss for words to describe their feelings.

"You can cook?"

It was not surprising that Lin Ze could work in the fields; after all, the Lin family had few laborers, and Lin Ze was filial and always helped out during busy farming times.

However, it was shocking to think of him in the kitchen. In this era, most scholars looked down on cooking and would not be willing to do it themselves. The previous occupant of Lin Ze's body was no exception, and Lin Jianwen was the same.

While Zheng Xiaoluo and He Xiangfeng were shocked, they also hesitated to speak. They were worried that this refined scholar would set the kitchen on fire and end up wasting good food.

On the other hand, Zhang Xiu was staring at Lin Ze, deep in thought…

"I don't usually handle kitchen affairs, so I hope you won't mind later, Brother He. In the future, it will just be Ah Xiu and me in the house, so I have to learn these things. Supporting each other as a couple is only natural."

Lin Ze remained unfazed by the curious and shocked gazes of the others.

The original occupant of his body did not know anything about cooking, but Lin Ze did. How could he win over a good wife without culinary skills? Besides, he had a personal interest in fine cuisine and had even studied it for some time in the modern world.

He was aware that his current behavior was drastically different from the original occupant, which would inevitably arouse suspicion and curiosity.

However, it did not matter. As long as the premise of the Lin family's situation remained, people would not jump to supernatural explanations. They would simply think that he had undergone a change after experiencing some setbacks.

Moreover, the previous Lin Ze rarely went out, so the villagers did not really know much about the original body. As for the Lin family members, apart from Lin Sangui, they had never really paid much attention to the original occupant. As long as the explanation with Lin Sangui was handled well, there should not be a problem.

As for Zhang Xiu, Lin Ze's actions were intentional.

A couple could not hide things from each other forever. Lin Ze was not the original occupant, and there were many small differences in habits. As someone who slept by his side, Zhang Xiu would inevitably have suspicions over time. Lin Ze wanted Zhang Xiu to like him for who he was, not for the 'changed' Lin Ze.

So he was willing to take this risk. If Zhang Xiu could not accept it, it would be better to separate earlier than to discover deeper feelings in the future and face a greater heartbreak.

Ultimately, even if Zhang Xiu knew that he was not the real 'Lin Ze', he could not expose the issue. Given his character, he would not do such a thing. Moreover, for Zhang Xiu, if the previous "Lin Ze" was gone, he would be even more determined to keep the secret.

After a brief moment of shock and silence in the room, Zhang Xiu glanced at Lin Ze and whispered, "I'll help you light the fire…"

"We'll help too."

Zheng Xiaoluo and He Xiangfeng said in unison, exchanging glances. They quickly offered their assistance, primarily because they did not want to see the ingredients go to waste. People from the countryside valued food the most.

"Great, Ah Xiu, you help me with the fire. Brother He, you and Zheng Xiaoluo can help me with washing and cutting the vegetables. I'll handle the cooking."

Lin Ze said without objection to their help.

Lin Ze had no problem with cooking, but he was not very familiar with the ancient stoves and cooking methods. Previously, when he made steamed eggs, he used the stove that was ready to use, the fire already lit. Having his wife's assistance was a welcome help.

The couple happily taking care of the household chores together, with the wife tending to the fire while the husband preparing the meal. Ah, it was even more romantic than a candlelit dinner! They conveniently ignored the presence of two large light bulbs¹ (third wheels)

Lin Ze, as the 283rd (it should be a random number) generation husband of the Lin family, was filled with joy and anticipation.

¹ it's just a curiosity, was the term "light bulb" used correctly here? as in, someone who is disturbing the couple's moment? sometimes, idk if it makes sense in english, or I just assume that the meaning in chinese is the same in english lol

Notes:

Lin Ze calls He Xiangfeng as brother (兄, "xiong", more of a "aniki" kind, informal, manly), and Zhang Xiu and Zheng Xiaoluo call him brother (哥, "ge", "onii-san", a bit more normal and usual)

Regarding the matter of Lin Ze cooking in the kitchen, Zheng and He, the engaged couple, were skeptical at first.

However, when they saw Lin Ze skillfully wielding the spatula on the stove, their doubts vanished. Their mouths dropped open in astonishment. They never imagined that Lin Ze could really cook!

Moreover, watching him expertly chop ginger and garlic and handle oil and salt, they realized he knew what he was doing.

Apart from using a bit too much oil and salt… Well, it was a bit wasteful, but they could not find any other faults. His smooth and graceful movements were pleasing to the eye. It was no wonder he was an educated person; even his cooking looks so good.

Originally, Zheng Xiaoluo and He Xiangfeng were ready to take over if Lin Ze did not do well, but they consciously kept their mouths shut and decided to assist instead.

As they smelled the aroma, they could not deny it—Lin Ze's culinary skills seemed to be quite good. However, who could put half a spoonful of oil in every meat dish they cooked? The resulting dishes must surely be delicious.

"Due to the lack of ingredients and cooking utensils at home, I can only make a few stir-fried dishes. Let's just make do with what we have. Once we settle in, I'll invite you, Brother He, to have a proper meal to celebrate our move and to thank you for taking care of Ah Xiu…"

As the dishes were served, Lin Ze greeted them warmly.

In this old house, there were very few cooking utensils. They only had an old worn-out iron pot and a few other things that the Lin family did not take with them when they moved, considering them too old. The iron pot would probably be unusable after a few more stir-fries.

With inadequate tools, Lin Ze only prepared some simple home-cooked dishes. Fortunately, Zheng and He had brought seasoning ingredients, showing their thoughtfulness.

However, nobody in the house understood what he was saying at all. They all stared, all dumbfounded, their eyes fixed on the dishes on the table, drooling uncontrollably.

When Lin Ze was stir-frying earlier, everyone could already smell the delicious aroma. But when the finished dishes came out, they were left speechless. Not only did Lin Ze's cooking smell great, but it also looked good. Even the messy stir-fry looked exquisite.

If they had served it on a nice-looking plate, people would believe it was sold in a restaurant!

"Not at all, not at all! Let's dig in!"

Zheng and He, the couple, swallowed their saliva and very naturally sat down, picking up their chopsticks without being too concerned about being too polite.

Seasonings in this world were plentiful. After all, they had all the basic things that one would expect in modern times. However, for people living in the countryside, where their livelihoods teetered on the line of basic subsistence, just being able to eat their fill was already good enough. Oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar—all were consumables, and they were reluctant to use them.

So, with generous amounts of oil and salt, plus Lin Ze's skillful cooking, the dishes he made today were undoubtedly delicious for the villagers.

Not to mention the substantial servings of white rice. That was something they could only taste after a good harvest and paying their taxes, something they could not eat more than a few times throughout the year.

The rice and flour they had given as a gift to Xiu Ger, Lin Ze had used them to cook a large pot. It could not go to waste; they had to make sure to eat their money's worth!

Not only Zheng Xiaoluo and He Xiangfeng were devouring their food, but Zhang Xiu also stuffed his cheeks, unable to lift his head while eating.

"Eat slowly. From now on, let me take care of cooking at home. I'll cook for you every day."

Lin Ze said with a smile as he picked up a dish for Zhang Xiu. The feeling of feeding his wife… It felt even better than receiving a bonus from the boss after completing a project. No wonder his dad used to show affection to his mom every time they had a meal.

Although Lin Ze's situation as a transmigrated person was not ideal, he was very satisfied to have met Zhang Xiu. In the past, in modern times, he would come home from work every day to an empty house. He would cook a table full of delicious dishes for himself to enjoy alone, and he felt lonely and desolate just thinking about it.

But now, things were different. He had someone to share his life with, someone to warm his bed at night. The thought of it filled him with excitement.

The men of the old Lin family always had a serious and even elite appearance in their daily lives. But when it came to love, they all became devoted husbands.

Although Lin Ze tried to restrain his emotions, he could not hide the smile on his face that seemed to say, "How can my wife look so beautiful even while eating? I want to kiss him anytime, anywhere."

"Husband, I'll serve myself, you eat too…"

Zhang Xiu was sweating under his gaze, blushing so much that he could hardly eat.

Lin Ze's smiling face was more terrifying than his face when he used to get angry and scold him. Zhang Xiu inexplicably felt as if Lin Ze wanted to devour him.

"Ah, let's eat, let's eat…" Hearing him (ZX) addressing himself (LZ) as 'husband', Lin Ze was overjoyed. His eyes became even more affectionate and filled with deep emotions. His wife really cared about him.

Zheng Xiaoluo and He Xiangfeng could not help but get goosebumps.

Wasn't Lin Ze planning to sell Zhang Xiu until yesterday? How come today he seemed so obsessed, as if he could not take his eyes off Xiu Ger?

It was all an act, a clever act to deceive everyone and secretly sell Xiu Ger. This cunning scholar was truly scheming and deep-minded!

The atmosphere during the meal went from cheerful and lively to eerie and silent.

Of course, from Lin Ze's perspective, today was a delightful gathering.

Zheng and He, the engaged couple, left after having lunch. It was the busy harvest season, and every household was quite busy. They had to hurry home and work in the fields.

Lin Ze, on the other hand, returned to the Lin family with Zhang Xiu to pack up the remaining belongings and prepare to move. If everything went smoothly, they would be able to live in their new home tonight.

After a morning of arguing, the Lin family finally settled down under Lin Sangui's firm stance. Chen Shuju had to surrender and obediently hand over the family's silver and land contract.

Five acres of fertile land, twenty taels of silver, and the house deed of the old house—these were the things allocated to Lin Ze.

In addition, there were some farming tools, utensils, a large iron pot, and a certain amount of rice and flour. It was evident how much Lin Sangui cared for his eldest son.

Although these things may not seem valuable, ironware was precious in ancient times. The iron pot and farming tools were worth a lot, and receiving them saved Lin Ze from having to purchase them again, saving him a considerable amount of money.

The rice and flour were even more indispensable. In ancient times, it was not as convenient as the modern era, especially in remote villages where it was difficult to buy things. Sometimes, having money did not guarantee smooth sailing.

"After the busy harvest and tax collection, we'll have rice and flour. Since we're dividing things, we should count it all. When things settle down, come and see how I make tea. It can be a livelihood for you in the future."

Lin Sangui said, implying that he would teach Lin Ze the skill of making tea leaves.

Although the original owner of Lin Ze's body had been self-studying all these years, it could not compare to learning under a teacher in a private school. Lin Sangui knew this as well. With so many years of missed education, even if the eldest son had talent, the path to the imperial examinations would be difficult.

What could a scholar who only knew a little about everything do? Even if he achieved the title of a Xiucai, the original owner's reputation outside was not good, making it challenging to find employment. By learning the skill of making coarse tea, the eldest son would at least have a means to survive.

Although Chen Shuju was unwilling, she had no choice.

Lin Sangui was the pillar of the family, and it was determined that their second son did not need to learn this skill. Chen Shuju could only resentfully remain silent.

"The house is a mess, so your father will stay behind. I'll have your second uncle and the others come to help you move your things."

Lin Sangui said, his eyes turning red.

What he truly wanted was to be with his eldest son. His words about the house being in a mess and needing someone to stay behind were simply his fear of sending his son away and being unable to bear it.

This middle-aged man had never experienced a good life in his half a lifetime. Being a husband and father was never easy for him.

"Dad, I'll stay in the old house. If you want us to come over, remember that we agreed I would stay for half a month every month. I have my own plans for the future, so don't worry."

Lin Ze reassured his father, not knowing what else to say in the face of Lin Sangui' concern.

Although he could not immediately replace Lin Sangui with his real father, now that he had become Lin Sangui' son, he would do his best to be filial.

Lin Sangui was deeply touched.

"Yes, work hard in life with Xiu Ger, you are fortunate to have him. Live a good life and give me a chubby grandson as soon as possible."

"Yes, we will work hard starting tonight."

Lin Ze immediately turned to look at Zhang Xiu, expressing his satisfaction and agreement with the suggestion.

Zhang Xiu's heart raced as he was being looked at. His ears turned red as he lowered his head, trying hard to convince himself that it was all an illusion.

The affectionate and harmonious interaction between the two young husbands greatly eased Lin Sangui' discomfort. It seemed that his eldest son had finally figured it out. As long as the couple was loving and harmonious, they could live a good life.

As for the other members of the Lin family who stayed inside without coming out, they were all feeling heartbroken seeing so many things being taken away by Lin Ze.

After giving some instructions, Lin Xiaolian, who was told to call Lin Sangui's second brother, returned with some people.

Lin Sangui had three brothers. He was the youngest, and he had two older brothers and one sister.

According to the village customs, parents usually live with their eldest son when they get old. However, among Lin Sangui's brothers, he was the most successful and had two grandchildren who could read. They would certainly bring honor to the family in the future.

So when the family split up, the elderly couple followed the youngest son. Not only did the eldest and second sons receive fewer assets, but they also faced criticism and gossip.

As a result, there was some discord among the brothers over the years. The relationship with the second brother's family improved somewhat, but there was little interaction with the eldest brother's family, who lived in town.

The second brother had many children, and Lin Ze was amazed to see a middle-aged man who resembled Lin Sangui leading a "group" of sons to help. Indeed, it felt like a whole team of people. Lin Ze had heard stories about people in the past having large families, like football or basketball teams, but today he truly witnessed it himself.

With so many people helping, the move was completed effortlessly in one trip, despite having a lot of belongings.

Compared to Lin Sangui's honest and good-tempered nature, the second brother was more astute and fierce. His facial expressions alone conveyed a stern and angry demeanor.

Second uncle Lin, being a relative and neighbor, was not deceived by Lin Ze's transformation at all. They were well aware of who "Lin Ze" really was. The original body was a stubborn and sarcastic scholar.

Therefore, after the move, Second uncle Lin looked at Lin Ze with dissatisfaction.

"Don't think that you can deceive us with your pretense. All these things were obtained through your father's hard work. If you dare to secretly sell the land, your father may be lenient, but I'll break your legs on his behalf! That woman is not the one you should spend your life with."

The woman in question was obviously referring to Zhang Yinzhu.

"Don't worry, second uncle. Right now, all I want is to live a good life with Xiu Ger."

Lin Ze assured him, nodding.

He was not the original owner who had feelings for Zhan Yinzhu nor had interest in any elopement scenarios. If he had to choose a partner, it would be his wife, no one else.

On the first night after leaving the Lin family, Lin Ze and Zhang Xiu both slept very soundly. They only woke up the next day when the sun was fully out.

Apart from the fact that moving is too tiring, credit should also be given to Linze, this hypocritical person.

Considering how much he had bullied people the other night, Lin Ze did not dare to be too intimate last night. However, it was necessary to cultivate their relationship now that he finally had a wife to hold and kiss.

No matter how much Zhang Xiu struggled and blushed, Lin Ze felt that one of them had to take the initiative and be shameless. Otherwise, following the reserved nature of ancient people, their relationship would develop too slowly. If his wife was there every day but not available for intimacy, it would cause him internal damage (from holding back too much).

Therefore, Lin Ze took on the role of being shameless actively. When pursuing a wife, one must have a thick skin.

It was fortunate for him to have the title of husband, otherwise, pursuing a wife in this manner might have gotten him beaten up.

The whole night, the two husbands played a game of "I want to kiss you" and "I don't want you to kiss me" until the late hours. Zhang Xiu was exhausted and eventually allowed Lin Ze to tightly embrace him and fall asleep.

In the morning, Zhang Xiu woke up to the aroma of savory porridge.

Opening his eyes, there were no scolding men, no acerbic remarks from a mother-in-law, and no voices urging him to work.

For a moment, Zhang Xiu thought he was still dreaming. Then he blanked out for a while before remembering that he had already left the Lin family, and there was… the scene from last night when someone had disturbed him until late.

"That hooligan…"

Zhang Xiu sat up in bed. Although Lin Ze had only kissed his face last night, he felt somewhat annoyed and embarrassed as he uttered a curse.

There was no need to mention who he was cursing.

Zhang Xiu could not control the blush on his face. Despite being married, Lin Ze had never touched him before. Besides the title, he was no different from other unmarried Xiao Gers.

In this era, things were more reserved, and even a simple kiss, which was ordinary to Lin Ze as a modern person, was an extremely shy matter here.

It would be strange if Zhang Xiu did not blush.

There was also an indescribable frustration. Given his relationship with Lin Ze, he should hate and despise Lin Ze for getting close to him, but instead, he felt embarrassed and blushed. It made him wonder if there was something wrong with him. After all, he was someone who almost got sold!

In the end, the only explanation was that Lin Ze was really good at pretending, so good that it made people forget how despicable this bastard used to be…

Outside, the sky was already bright, and the sun had fully risen.

The bed beside him had already cooled down, and coupled with the aroma of meat porridge in the air, Zhang Xiu knew without a doubt that Lin Ze had already gotten up and prepared breakfast.

His mood was complicated. He could not understand what Lin Ze was up to now. They had moved out, and the land and property had been divided. Lin Ze could have gone to please Zhang Yinzhu. So why was he still pretending?

Could it be that Lin Ze had truly changed his mind? That was impossible unless the sun rose from the west…

While Zhang Xiu sat on the bed lost in his thoughts, Lin Ze had already finished preparing breakfast and returned to the room to continue being attentive. There was lean meat porridge and boiled eggs, nutritious and delicious.

"Ah Xiu, get up and eat first, then wash your face. Let's discuss our future plans."

Lin Ze said with a beaming smile as he walked directly to the bedside. Without any hesitation, he picked up a spoon and started feeding Zhang Xiu. He particularly enjoyed watching Zhang Xiu eat, finding him cute like a little animal.

Before Zhang Xiu could retort, he was silenced by a mouthful of warm meat porridge.

The gentle smile and actions of Lin Ze made his heart warm as well. Zhang Xiu stared at the man in front of him, feeling that the current Lin Ze was truly unfamiliar to him. He was like a different person.

Yes, like a different person. Lin Ze could not cook, could not defy his mother, and had a haughty and disdainful attitude towards everyone, stubborn and sarcastic.

Most importantly, Lin Ze… would not treat him so well.

"Who are you, really? You're not Lin Ze!"

Zhang Xiu could not hold back his question any longer.

However, after saying it, he immediately regretted it. He felt that his thoughts were too absurd. Lin Ze's temperament was not as gentle as everyone had imagined. On the contrary, he was hot-tempered and easily provoked, often resorting to physical violence.

Alternatively, Zhang Xiu wondered if his guess was correct. If the person in front of him was not 'Lin Ze', then who could it be? Would he be silenced for recklessly asking such a question?

Zhang Xiu felt afraid, nervously staring at Lin Ze as sweat began to form on his palms.

"Who do you want me to be?"

Lin Ze responded with an easy smile. He was in a good mood and had expected to wait a little longer before the young man asked him. He did not anticipate it would happen so soon.

His smile dispelled the fear in Zhang Xiu's heart, leaving him stunned. Clearly, he had not expected this kind of reaction.

Lin Ze did not mind. He set down his bowl and looked at the dumbfounded youth with a slight tilt of his mouth.

"Ah Xiu, what if I told you that the previous Lin Ze is already dead, and I am a different person? In your terms, you could say it's a case of soul possession. But I'm not a ghost. Would you believe it? Are you afraid?"

"…"

Zhang Xiu's body stiffened, his gaze fixed on Lin Ze's eyes with a mix of nervousness, fear, and shock. His hands clenched the blanket tightly.

To expect such a mind-boggling revelation to be immediately accepted by someone from ancient times was impossible. In Zhang Xiu's eyes, there was nervousness, fear, and astonishment, but notably, there was no immediate desire to escape out of fear.

Perhaps it was the gentle smile on Lin Ze's face that instinctively made Zhang Xiu feel that the man in front of him would not harm him. He could listen to him continue speaking.

This reaction from Zhang Xiu pleased Lin Ze, and he let out a sigh of relief.

Despite appearing calm, he was actually quite nervous himself. He was worried that Zhang Xiu would scream "monster" or "ghost," which would be quite troublesome.

If he had set his sights on a young man whom his original body had never encountered before, he would have buried his origins deeply, making it a forever secret.

But with Zhang Xiu, that was not possible. The original owner had treated him so atrociously, and Lin Ze did not want any scars to exist in their relationship.

Moreover, as mentioned before, the two of them had different habits. If they were to be together, it would not be long before the truth would be revealed.

That was why he chose to leave the Lin family so quickly, afraid that Lin Sangui would notice that his son had been swapped.

Instead of exhausting himself with concealment, it was better to take the risk and speak the truth.

Again, the best-case scenario would be if Zhang Xiu could accept it. If he could not accept it, it would be best to separate while their feelings were not too deep, for the good of everyone involved.

"I ended up here against my will, but I'm glad I met you. I like you, and the vow I made in front of the village last night wasn't just empty words. As long as you're willing, we can be together. You are the only husband in my life, Zhang Xiu…"

Lin Ze spoke, expressing his anticipation for this future.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, my name is also Lin Ze, and I look exactly like this scoundrel. Perhaps this is the karmic fate of me ending up in 'Lin Ze's' body."

The helplessness in Lin Ze's tone somehow made Zhang Xiu feel like laughing, and his stiff body relaxed.

Zhang Xiu did not say anything; he just continued to gaze at Lin Ze with bright eyes, waiting for what he had to say next.

Lin Ze met his gaze, realizing that he had to be clear about what he wanted to say.

"The earlier part was my hopeful thoughts. If you can't accept me, I won't force you. I'll give you a divorce letter, and you'll have half of the family's wealth and land. Then you'll be free, which I believe is something you desire."

"But… I hope you can seriously consider me. Though I have no great talents, I will strive to make the person I like happy. We can try to understand each other for a while, and then you can think about the issue of divorce. How does that sound?"

How did it sound? Of course, it sounded good.

Zhang Xiu stared at Lin Ze, trying hard to discern whether what he said was true. Regardless of being together or getting a divorce, both choices were good for him.

He held his breath, finding it hard to believe that happiness had come so quickly.

"If I don't accept you, will you really… let me go?"

Asking this meant that he had not even considered what was said earlier.

Lin Ze felt frustrated, his face darkening.

"The condition is that you have to enter into a relationship with me, get to know each other for a while. Right now, I won't let you go."

Despite his gentle demeanor, it was clear that Lin Ze was fundamentally domineering. His gentleness was just a facet of his temperament.

Rarely did one come across a precious person who was to their liking, and Lin Ze did not want to miss out. After all, husbands were won over with shamelessness, and even Liu Bei had to make three visits to the thatched cottage to recruit Zhuge Liang¹. This demonstrated the importance of fighting for what/who one wanted!

¹

Lin Ze had decided to act shamelessly. Even if he had to throw away his dignity, he could not let his sweetheart slip away.

"If you don't give me a chance, I won't agree to the divorce. After all, I'm your husband now, and the initiative is in my hands."

The tone of this hooligan-like rascal was truly unworthy of his handsome and upright appearance.

Having said that, does the other party still have a choice to refuse?!

"Then, that night, the person I had relations with, was it him or… you?"

Zhang Xiu lowered his head, unable to look at him, his ears turning red. His voice became so soft that it was almost as quiet as a mosquito's buzzing.

Lin Ze's face showed a pleased expression.

"It was me. He had already passed away before he returned home. I'm sorry, at that time, I was drugged, which is why I acted that way towards you… But rest assured, as I mentioned earlier, as long as you're willing, you will be my only husband in this lifetime. Despite my sense of responsibility, I genuinely have feelings for you."

If he was not sincere, there were many ways for him to make amends for Zhang Xiu, with only a sense of responsibility. He would not joke about something as significant as his lifelong commitment.

This statement eased the tension in Zhang Xiu's heart.

He would rather have the person who possessed him that night be a demon or a monster, rather than 'Lin Ze'.

Zhang Xiu lifted his head and saw the smile on Lin Ze's face. He felt an indescribable sensation in his heart, something special. His face slightly blushed.

"I…"

Knock, knock.

Before he could finish his sentence, the courtyard door was knocked from outside. A woman's voice interrupted.

"Lin Ze, is Lin Ze home? It's me, Auntie Yang. I've come to see you. Open the door quickly."

Heba Village was a village with various surnames. There were people with different surnames, and there were also many women who could be called Aunt Yang.

But when Lin Ze heard the voices outside, he immediately recognized who it was. Among the aunts who had connections with the original owner and had the surname Yang, there was only Yang Guifang, the mother of Zhang Yinzhu.

Why would Yang Guifang come early in the morning? If Lin Ze guessed correctly, it should be for one thing: money.

Lin Ze smiled slightly and patted his wife,

"Quickly get dressed and come with me. Yang Guifang must be here to give us the twenty taels of silver that father allocated to us. Later, you don't need to say anything, just obediently stand by my side."

When Zhang Xiu heard the voice of a woman calling herself their 'aunt', his body stiffened, and he stared at Lin Ze with some nervousness,

"Cousin should be here too…"

After all, Zhang Yinzhu was an unmarried girl, and her reputation was important. Yang Guifang, despite her love for money, knew her limits. So most of the time when Zhang Yinzhu met with the original owner, she was present. She would occasionally turn a blind eye, allowing the two to meet alone, teasing the original owner.

However, the original owner was unaware of these tricks and actually believed that Zhang Yinzhu reciprocated his feelings. He even thought that even the "mother-in-law" agreed. He was foolishly deceived.

Although Zhang Yinzhu did not explicitly mention eloping, it was her and her mother's plan to trick the original owner into giving them money. They intentionally said some misleading words to make the original owner misunderstand.

Fortunately, even if Zhang Xiu and her mother were close relatives, they did not worry when they knew the original owner would not care about selling Zhang Xiu. They even hoped the original owner would earn quickly and give them the money.

Anyway, as long as Zhang Yinzhu showed up, the original owner would obediently hand over the money.

Seeing Zhang Xiu's nervousness, Lin Ze knew it was a reflex reaction. He was afraid that he (LZ) would give their money to Zhang Yinzhu.

"Why are you so nervous? I don't like Zhang Yinzhu. You're my wife, and from now on, you'll be in charge of the household money. Now quickly get dressed and come with me to deal with this trouble so that we can live a good life."

After speaking, Lin Ze pinched Zhang Xiu's face and then hugged his head, planting two loud kisses on his lips.

In broad daylight, early in the morning, Zhang Xiu felt like his head was about to explode. Faced with such a shameless rogue, he did not dare to say anything further and maintained his blushing face while obediently getting dressed.

However, due to his haste, he tried to put her arms in the sleeves twice before succeeding, which made Lin Ze burst into laughter.

He pulled him closer and kissed him on the face again. The joy of loving his wife could only be expressed through actions. Words were too pale.

Zhang Xiu shrunk in his embrace, feeling annoyed and embarrassed. This person must have been a rogue in his previous life!

Meanwhile, the Yang Guifang mother and daughter outside the room had become impatient with all the commotion.

When they used to come looking for "Lin Ze" before, he never made them wait. He would eagerly rush over as soon as they called out "Lin Ze." However, today they had waited for quite a while, so Yang Guifang was slightly displeased.

"Lin Ze, what were you doing in the house? Auntie has been waiting for you for a long time, and my legs are getting tired…"

As a girl, Zhang Yinzhu could not easily approach him to speak, but her expression also conveyed a sense of resentment, as if saying, "You made me stand for a long time, and it's exhausting."

Although Lin Ze enjoyed the modesty and shyness of people in this era, he could not bear this affected behavior. It would have been more acceptable if it were his own wife acting coquettish with him.

Seeing Zhang Yinzhu's attitude, he immediately felt a shiver down his spine.

Without responding, Lin Ze pulled Zhang Xiu, who was by his side, and looked at him with an indulgent smile, displaying the sweetness of a newlywed couple.

"I slept late last night, and I just woke up. I wanted Ah Xiu to sleep a little longer, but when he heard that his aunt came, he insisted on coming out personally, regardless of his own health…"

The whole sentence did not imply any invitation for them to come into the house and sit, plus it was a blatant display of affection.

Words like "slept late," "just woke up," and "regardless of his own health" did not leave any room for imagination. Even unmarried people could imagine something blush-inducing just by hearing those words. What else could there be between a couple who don't sleep at night?

Zhang Xiu was already feeling the urge to kick some sense into this guy who was spouting nonsense.

Yang Guifang and Zhang Yinzhu, on the other hand, widened their eyes in disbelief, staring at the indulgent smile on Lin Ze's face. When did Lin Ze become so affectionate with Zhang Xiu?

"Brother Lin…"

Zhang Yinzhu could not hold back her resentment any longer.

Although she did not like Lin Ze, otherwise she would not have agreed to the marriage swap in the first place, she was only willing to give him face because Lin Ze was willing to let her make some demands. After all, the things Lin Ze gave her could be sold in town for silver, and she could accumulate quite a sum in her private savings.

When she eventually marries Lin Jianwen, the dowry she brings with her would be substantial, and her status would be elevated. After all, it would be the Lin family's wealth in the future, so she did not feel guilty about taking advantage of Lin Ze's feelings.

She was well aware that although she was beautiful, she was still just a village girl. Once Lin Jianwen became successful, she would not be enough for him. She had to seize the position of the wife in the household early on, and bringing a larger dowry was the most direct way to do so.

It was normal for her not to like Lin Ze. After all, Lin Ze had no future prospects at the moment and therefore was not worthy of her. But Lin Ze, who had been pursuing her all along, suddenly stopped and seemed to be interested in Zhang Xiu, who she deemed to be inferior to her. How could she accept that?

Just a few days ago, Lin Ze had claimed to be completely devoted to her and wanted to elope with her. How could he betray her now?

Zhang Yinzhu never even considered that she was the one stringing him along. "Lin Ze" was at most one of her backup pursuers. There was no concept of "betrayal" in their relationship.

Her expression of resentment and grievance was too obvious, making it hard for Lin Ze to ignore.

Lin Ze felt that this woman had some serious mental issues. She was a typical combination of a green tea (bi*ch) and a white lotus (a bi*tch acting innocent), expecting the world to revolve around her, despite not having the princess's fate or the right to act like a princess.

"Miss Zhang, please stop calling me 'big brother.' I have severed ties with the Lin family, including Lin Jianwen. You no longer qualify as my future sister-in-law, so it's inappropriate to address me as such."

"Furthermore, yesterday's incident involving the Lin family must have spread throughout the village. My relationship with your future husband is not good at the moment. Considering your status as Zhang Xiu's cousin, I won't hold it against you this time. But what brings you and your family to my house? We're currently busy cleaning up and don't have the time to entertain guests."

Lin Ze put away his smile and spoke without politeness or tact.

Although he believed his temper was already quite good, it was only because it was early in the morning and he did not want to cause trouble. For the time being, Zhang Yinzhu and her mother had not given him a reason to take action. Otherwise, the saying "a good man doesn't fight with women" would definitely not hold true in his case.

However, this cold attitude was also a form of "hurt" for Zhang Yinzhu and her mother.

Zhang Yinzhu was almost on the verge of tears due to anger.

Yang Guifang was also angry.

"Lin Ze, how can you treat Yinzhu like this!"

Lin Ze felt speechless. As a gay man, he had a clear understanding of men, but when it came to women, he was the epitome of a "straight guy."

He understood the reasons behind Zhang Yinzhu and her mother's anger. They had been enjoying the attention and pursuit of suitors for a long time, and suddenly losing that, only to see the person they lost to be someone "inferior" to themselves, naturally hurt their pride and face.

However, he could not quite comprehend this way of thinking.

"Aunt Yang, how have I mistreated your daughter? Think carefully about what you say. If it gets out, you might not mind your reputation, but I do care about mine. If you have something to say, I'm not interested in dealing with you. Don't come to my house anymore. I have a bad temper, and I won't take responsibility if I impulsively hurt someone."

Lin Ze's face turned cold.

"By the way, I'm not good at keeping my mouth shut either. It would be best for you not to provoke me, or else I might say something outside that could ruin your marriage plans for your daughter, and I won't care."

Bang!

After saying that, Lin Ze unceremoniously closed the courtyard gate and pulled the stunned Zhang Xiu back to their room.

After standing dumbfounded at the door for a while, Zhang Yinzhu and her mother stomped their feet in frustration. They had not even mentioned the matter of the money yet!

The reason why Lin Ze went out to meet them was to scare them off a bit and ensure that the troubles left behind by the original owner would not come back to haunt him in the future.

Resolving the situation with Zhang Yinzhu was actually quite simple. If the original owner's feelings were reciprocated, it would have been more troublesome, but now it was purely the original owner's own misunderstanding and being played by someone else. Lin Ze could easily sever ties and be done with it.

The most important thing was to let his wife know that he was truly not the same as the previous "Lin Ze," and that he did not like Zhang Yinzhu.

"I've already given her no face at all. With Zhang Yinzhu's personality, she definitely won't come looking for me again on her own. But Aunt Yang might come again, especially since we have twenty taels of silver. But don't worry, if Yang Guifang comes again, you can take a cane and drag me to Zhang's doorstep, accusing her daughter of seducing someone else's husband!"

Once back in the room, Lin Ze explained his plan for dealing with the ruffians.

When dealing with people like Yang Guifang and her daughter, reasoning would not work. He had to be even thicker-skinned than they were. If things escalated and became a big fuss, the one most affected would be Zhang Yinzhu. At most, he, as a man, would be accused of being fickle.

If that mother-daughter duo were shameless enough to forsake a "promising scholar" as a prospective husband for the sake of a few dozen taels of silver, then he would truly be amazed.

However, the idea of having his husband drag him to someone else's doorstep and throw a tantrum with a cane was something he could not fathom. It would truly tarnish his image as a man, and he would be known as someone who feared his wife.

Zhang Xiu could not bring himself to engage in such behavior, but Lin Ze coming up with such an idea made him realize that the man before him was truly someone else now. The real Lin Ze had sincerely liked Zhang Yinzhu.

But Zhang Xiu knew that his cousin was one of the most beautiful girls among the neighboring villages. With just a slight gesture, few men would be able to resist her.

"As long as you don't give it to them, no one else can take our family's money…"

Zhang Xiu stole a glance at Lin Ze and then lowered his head, speaking softly.

Upon hearing the unintentional mention of "our family," Lin Ze could not help but smile. He immediately lifted Zhang Xiu up and spun him around, happily saying,

"Why would I give my money to someone else? You are my wife, and from now on, I'll entrust our family's money to you. If I upset you, you can withhold my allowance. I'll let you handle it, alright?"

"Put me down quickly…"

Being spun around made Zhang Xiu feel embarrassed. This person truly seemed like a shameless rascal, as he could not even finish a sentence before getting intimate.

Also, didn't they agree to get to know each other for a while before deciding on becoming husband and wife? He had not even agreed to be called as his wife yet.

"I won't let go unless you call me 'husband'."

Lin Ze acted stubbornly. He enjoyed seeing his wife blush, which made his heart race.

After revealing his identity, Zhang Xiu's attitude towards Lin Ze clearly underwent a change.

Zhang Xiu himself was not a truly weak person; the attitude he portrayed to outsiders was simply a way to conceal himself. After all, the more seemingly fragile and unremarkable a person was, the less vigilant and dismissive others tended to be, thus avoiding harm.

However, after marrying into the family, the original body's grievances were often vented on Zhang Xiu. He faced the original Lin Ze and it would be strange if he was not afraid or did not avoid him.

So, prior to knowing Lin Ze's true identity, Zhang Xiu was extremely passive in his interactions with him, almost wishing to be invisible in his presence.

Now that he knows Lin Ze was not the original person, Zhang Xiu has breathed a sigh of relief.

When Lin Ze proposed the options of "getting along" or "separating," Zhang Xiu was very willing. If Lin Ze treated him well, he naturally wanted to be Lin Ze's spouse.

As for emotions and such, he did not know. He has never encountered someone he likes, but finding a man who treats him well was the ultimate goal for most people, wasn't it?

If he could truly spend a lifetime with this "unexpected spouse" in a harmonious and respectful manner, regardless of Lin Ze's background, he was willing.

If they could not get along, then separation was also fine. Breaking away from both the Zhang and Lin families, Zhang Xiu and his mother could live freely and comfortably.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Xiu never even considered reporting that Lin Ze was "possessed by an evil spirit."

He was not a fool. What benefit would he gain from reporting Lin Ze? Would it be to have the Zhang family find a monk to exorcize him, or to have Lin Ze burned to death and then be taken back by the Zhang family as an excuse to remarry?

Same as Lin Ze, he would prefer that this secret never be known by anyone.

However, after knowing Lin Ze's true identity, it was impossible to say that he was not afraid.

Resurrection through another's body, such a thing would have already scared Zhang Xiu unconscious if he did not have strong psychological resilience.

So, upon reflecting on the matter afterward, Zhang Xiu took out the protective amulet his mother obtained from the temple and wore it, with the intention of warding off evil and protecting himself… (poor Lin Ze, he's being seen as a ghost lol)

When Lin Ze entrusted Zhang Xiu with the family's money, land deeds, and house deeds, Zhang Xiu did not hesitate and cautiously accepted them, avoiding the possibility of Lin Ze selling them off as well.

This gesture truly made Lin Ze feel heartbroken. He treated his spouse sincerely and openly, but his spouse treated him like a ferocious beast!

Zhang Xiu felt a bit embarrassed under Lin Ze's accusing gaze. He felt that he was being petty, but he was also scared. The living environment he had grown up in had forced him to be more cautious.

"Let me get to know you better, and then we can live a good life together…"

Zhang Xiu blushed and explained, thinking it over.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Ze seized the chance to tease,

"Well, since I'm so sincere, and I'm not even afraid that you'll run away with the family's money and land deeds. But you can't sleep in a separate bed from me at night."

Knowing that he was not the real Lin Ze, Zhang Xiu was not as afraid of him anymore and immediately requested separate sleeping arrangements. How heartless!

But is it really appropriate to keep talking about how to sleep with one's spouse in ancient times?

Zhang Xiu stared at him for a while before reluctantly saying,

"Well, then, for now, we can't do that kind of thing…"

Since Lin Ze was not his real husband, and Zhang Xiu had not decided whether he wanted to spend his life with this person, how could they engage in such activities? The previous marriage consummation was an accident, and they should not do it again. It was off-limits for the future.

"Well, then I can hug and kiss you, and you can't refuse. It's about building a connection, and there's no room for negotiation!"

Lin Ze gritted his teeth in frustration. Suddenly, he disliked the conservatism and restraint of people in ancient times. It was tragic to see but not allowed to eat.

This was clearly being shameless, and Zhang Xiu felt both embarrassed and indignant, but he could not win against him.

"Then, I can only allow you to kiss my face…"

"Deal!"

Lin Ze readily nodded and immediately planted a kiss on Zhang Xiu's face.

Zhang Xiu felt a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, muttering to himself about shamelessness.

The whole morning was spent in the couple's tangled arguments as they tidied up the house.

After having lunch…

With the fear and desire to escape from the original body gone, Zhang Xiu began contemplating how to live their life from now on and finally took the initiative to talk to Lin Ze.

Now that they have separated from the family, the previous "Lin Ze" was no longer in the picture, and their future life was filled with hope. Naturally, Zhang Xiu can no longer continue to live carelessly and casually as before.

According to Zhang Xiu's plan, it's currently the busy farming season, so he intends to help Lin Sangui harvest the crops for the time being. After all, they also have a share in the crops, and the other members of the Lin family were not capable enough. Relying solely on Lin's father was not feasible, so helping with the harvest was necessary before considering their livelihood.

After marrying into the Lin family, only Lin Sangui treated Zhang Xiu well. So while he disliked the Lin family as a whole, he still remembered Lin Sangui's kindness.

But after saying these words, Zhang Xiu felt a bit nervous and looked towards Lin Ze.

In this era, the man of the house usually held the decision-making power, and Zhang Xiu, as a Xiao Ger, was afraid that his meddling arrangements might displease the men in the family. Additionally, since Lin Ze was not truly Lin Sangui's son and lacked a father-son bond, Zhang Xiu was worried that Lin Ze may not want to go.

Despite the change in attitude, Zhang Xiu had been bullied and oppressed from childhood, so it was natural for him to still be somewhat timid.

This fear would not disappear in a short period of time, but Lin Ze believed that time would change Zhang Xiu. Eventually, Zhang Xiu would face him with the utmost genuine happiness and willingly call him "husband."

"It's indeed necessary to help our father, but we don't have to go ourselves. Working in this weather will make our skin peel off. We can spend some money to hire a few people for assistance. The He family has more brothers but less land. Let's invite them to help us."

Lin Ze was not trying to be lazy; he genuinely could not handle the work.

Although he had not done any farm work before, he knew how exhausting it was. The memories from the original body also indicated that a day at the gym for exercise was easier than the labor of farming. That was the hardship of being a farmer—sweat dripping in the fields.

If something can be solved with money, he firmly believed in not wasting his own energy. It would be foolish. Even modern people knew that labor was the most valuable.

However, things were different in ancient times, especially in the village. The least valuable thing is manual labor. Who in the countryside would spend money to hire people for farm work? That would require burning a lot of money.

Zhang Xiu did not want to waste money and could not help but suggest,

"The busy farming season will last another month. Hiring someone would cost at least a few hundred coins (copper coins). How about this: you go to the mountain to collect dried fruits, and I'll help father with the work. That way, we can even earn some money."

During this season, there were many wild fruits and dried fruits ripe on the mountain. Villagers supplemented their income by gathering them.

Judging from Lin Ze's attitude toward spending money and the way he casually eats rice and flour during meals, Zhang Xiu speculated that before Lin Ze's reincarnation, he was not a rich young master but possibly came from a well-off landowner family or something similar.

If that was the case, it would not be suitable for Lin Ze to do the work because the previous "Lin Ze" was capable of farming. If the current Lin Ze did not perform well, it would raise suspicions.

Worried that Lin Ze might misunderstand and think he looked down on him, Zhang Xiu quickly explained,

"The previous one used to help his father with farm work every year. If you don't do well this time, father will definitely be suspicious of you…"

While the original body had flaws in other aspects, his filial piety was worth praising.

"But I can't let my spouse exert themselves,"

Lin Ze said.

Lin Ze greatly appreciated the consideration Zhang Xiu showed for him. His gamble was not in vain. Zhang Xiu was worthy.

"Don't worry, I have the memories of his previous life. I'll be careful not to expose anything. When I suggested hiring people, firstly, the farming season is indeed too tiring. Even if both of us go back to help, it's ten acres of fertile land, four acres of dry land, and three acres of sandy land. The rest of the Lin family can't do much. Most of the work falls on us three. Until when should we keep doing that?"

"That's why hiring people is necessary. Otherwise, we'll exhaust ourselves, and we'll end up spending more on doctors' fees. Secondly, I want to seize this opportunity to earn some money in the town, and I'll need your help."

Although it made sense, Zhang Xiu still felt that it was not cost-effective. It used to be the family members who did the work. It was just farming, so how could the villagers be afraid of getting tired in the fields?

Zhang Xiu cautiously proposes once again,

"It won't be just us working. Second uncle's family will also come to help. If you help me, in the afternoon, I'll assist you after finishing my work in the afternoon…"

Seeing Zhang Xiu's determined expression, as if he would gladly work himself to death on the production line, Lin Ze could not help but chuckle.

It was both amusing and heart-wrenching. If Zhang Xiu were of this age in the modern world, he would lead a carefree life. But being born here, his life was harder than that of an ox. Zhang Xiu may not care about others, but he was someone Lin Ze liked.

"No negotiation, that's the decision. We'll hire people for the farming now, and in the future, we can lease the land. During this time, let's find a way to earn some extra income and stabilize the household's finances. I plan to participate in the rural examination three years from now, so I'll need time to study."

"You want to take part in the rural examination and participate in the imperial examinations?"

Zhang Xiu's attention instantly shifts to another focal point.

"Yes, the previous 'Lin Ze' was actually very knowledgeable. I don't want to waste that knowledge. The social hierarchy here is quite strict: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Since there's an opportunity, I naturally want to attain a good official position to protect ourselves."

"Although 'Lin Ze' hasn't attended a private school or studied for a long time, he has accumulated a lot of knowledge over the years. His foundation is solid, and combined with my own knowledge, I should be able to review well for three years and pass the examination without any issues…"

The original body had good knowledge, and Lin Ze himself graduated from a prestigious university in the modern world, majoring in Chinese language and literature. Although his final job did not align with his field of study, his diploma was a testament to his true abilities.

Therefore, Lin Ze had confidence that he could achieve a good ranking in the rural examination three years later. Even if he ended up at the bottom, he would be satisfied.

Although he had the ability to provide a good life for his spouse even without the examination, having the advantage of the original body's knowledge, it would be better to obtain a good official position. That way, he would be less likely to be bullied. The current title of Xiucai was not enough.

Zhang Xiu naturally understood the importance of becoming an official, and if Lin Ze truly wanted to participate in the imperial examinations, he would definitely support him.

However, hearing Lin Ze's tone and attitude when discussing matters, Zhang Xiu could not help but ask,

"Lin… Ze, were you a young master before?"

He originally thought that this reincarnated Lin Ze was just an ordinary person or a child from a small landowner's family. But now, it sounded a lot like a wealthy young master.

The ease with which he talked about money, the fact that he never did farm work during his "lifetime," and his education and demeanor all did not match someone from a poor family background. If Lin Ze was indeed a young master before, then… Did Zhang Xiu, an illiterate country boy, deserve him?

Zhang Xiu's voice was subdued as he asked.

He knew that one of the main reasons Lin Ze was willing to let him continue as his husband was likely due to a sense of responsibility. Otherwise, they would have just separated.

Even Lin Ze did not have any interest in his beautiful cousin. Saying that he liked him was probably just to comfort him. This reincarnated man was a good person.

"Ah Xiu, no matter who I was before, just remember that now I am your husband, and you are my only spouse, understand?"

Lin Ze could sense what Zhang Xiu was thinking.

Attraction was not determined by whether someone was worthy or not. If they were to consider it that way, this young man did not even realize how amazing he was. Lin Ze felt like he had found a treasure.

With Zhang Xiu's appearance and intelligence, he would have shone brightly in the modern world, but here, he's been overlooked.

Upon thinking this, Lin Ze realized that he overlooked something.

"Do you want to learn how to read?"

"Do you want to teach me?"

Zhang Xiu responded quickly, his beautiful phoenix eyes shining.

"Yes, as long as you willingly give me a kiss every night before going to sleep and call me 'husband'!"

Lin Ze took advantage of the opportunity to negotiate for his own benefit.

"In that case, I don't want to learn…"

Zhang Xiu answered, playfully refusing.

As Zhang Xiu pushed away the person who was being shameless once again, his momentary feeling of being touched extinguished. He ran off in embarrassment, not falling for the foolishness!

Watching his spouse finally show some spirit and temper, Lin Ze felt truly delighted looking from behind.