Ah, what is going on! All I can confirm is that the plane indeed crashed, and my soul has entered the body of Su Xiaowan from the eighties. There's no going back from this.
Being younger by ten years is a bonus, but it comes with a husband, obnoxious relatives, and a fierce mother-in-law. I can't even recognize everyone else, and I'm unsure of how they might turn out to be.
I woke up hazily, feeling starving— due to not eating properly for several. I had been through quite an intense physical ordeal, and I'm not fully recovered yet. How could I not be hungry? Well, I must admit the truth: I woke up because I was hungry.
I slowly opened my eyes. It was already dark, with a faint moonlight illuminating the room. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I turned and realized someone was next to me. Su Xiaowan immediately shrieked in fear, abruptly sat up, wrapped herself in the quilt, and retreated to a corner.
The person next to her also sat up, but didn't move. Su Xiaowan anxiously scrutinized him while he looked back at her with a furrowed brow. She finally realized that this man was the soldier she had seen today.
He sat there, steady as a mountain, straight as a pine. Wearing a vest, his tanned arms were visible, the muscles full but not noticeably prominent like a bodybuilder.
Short and refreshing hair, distinct facial features, thick eyebrows, and a pair of phoenix eyes. His gaze was sharp as if he could see through you. A prominent nose, thin lips, coupled with a calm and serious expression.
Ah! So cool! He is quite the handsome man. If a comparison was made with today's hottest actors, he wouldn't fall short. Moreover, he's so masculine, oozing with charm.
I was almost drooling. I never realized I could be such a closet romantic. Is it just because my potential never got a chance to surface before? Or did my rebirth amplify my nature?
Even from her initial fear, Su Xiaowan recovered slowly. After all, how could I resist such allure? Did the heavens take pity on me and bestow a handsome man upon me?
But then again, it occurred to me that I had battled with his mother earlier today. How do I overcome this dilemma?
I behave wildly, fiercely, and he witnessed it all. More importantly, I hit his mother! That's serious! I feebly dropped my chin; this situation couldn't get any worse! It doesn't matter how handsome he is, it's utterly unfilial to hit your mother-in-law.
On the other side, Han Dongchen was also observing his mother-appointed wife. She was a little petite (1.62m, only petite compared to his 1.85m frame), somewhat dark-skinned (due to sun exposure), with two large braids lying on her chest, slightly disheveled at this moment.
Her jet black sparkling eyes were lucid and bright, akin to a clear spring. Long eyelashes, fluttering like a butterfly's wings. A small nose, pouting lips, akin to an abandoned puppy, evoking an involuntary softness in one's heart.
This seemingly quiet and delicate girl possessed such strong resentment, so much bravado. Her fearless demeanor during the fight looked just as if she was ready to follow him into death. She seemed to have a bit of ruthlessness etched in her bones, which he admired. Of course, that would be the case if the person she was fighting wasn't his mother.
Seriously troublesome! He had gathered information about this girl. She had a hard life. Apparently, she had to deal with all the household chores back at her place, sometimes even getting beaten, and often went hungry.
Did her rebellion start the very next day after she got married because she had been beaten? Was that why she fought back so fiercely? She even furrowed her brows in her sleep, and upon waking, behaved like a frightened rabbit. Initially anxious, she gradually dared to look at me more directly, her eyes growing increasingly bright and spirited. The corners of her big, furry eyes curved into crescents. She must have fancied his looks.
This lackluster manner of hers, what did it signify? Hmm, she must have remembered her fight with my mother this morning. This little wench's emotions change rather quickly.
Su Xiaowan had no clue that her thoughts were already transparent to him. But what troubled her now was a very practical matter. When one couldn't have both the fish and the bear's paw, it was best to face reality, fill up the stomach first, then figure out how to escape this life.
Staying here was out of the question. If his mother was so fierce, she would have been battered within a couple of days, given her frail physique. She didn't even have a chance to see her current appearance. Only checking her hands and arms, they were skinny and dark. There wasn't much flesh on her whole body. The image in her memory was almost vague. She heard she used to be a village flower, but how she really looked like she didn't know. She should be quite good-looking, right? Nevermind, I should think about filling my stomach and then figuring out how to escape. These are the priorities.
It seemed difficult for her to leave on her own, because as per her memory, she was penniless. Without money, how would she leave? Moreover, in this era, there was no GPS, no maps (none could be bought in the village), no bus announcements. The law and order situation did seem suspect. Considering her frail state, it would be risky to set out alone.
If she couldn't manage on her own and had no reliable acquaintance, there was only one option left— follow the army.
Su Xiaowan slightly lifted her head, her eyes glittered, and she fixed her gaze on her cheap husband. She made up her mind. She had to win him over. She had to convince him to enlist her into the army.
Han Dongchen had been observing Su Xiaowan all along. After a brief silence, this wench's eyes flickered on him. Though it was only for an instant, he noticed it. She must be hatching some kind of scheme. Han Dongchen straightened up, his eyes fixed on her.
At this moment, Su Xiaowan was also pondering. His demeanor was rather domineering, and she had hit his mother with a stick earlier. Now, seeking a favor from him wouldn't be easy. Besides, he seemed pretty shrewd. Deceiving him wouldn't be easy. He was handsome and a soldier. However, she couldn't ascertain his character yet.
His mode of operation seemed straightforward, but confronting such a man of steel wouldn't end in her favor. Yet, after so many years of planning, she had developed a knack for understanding people.
Negotiating terms with him wouldn't work considering her impoverished state. So, there was only one option left. She shut her eyes tight, took a deep breath, mustered her courage. Although she hadn't used this move in many years, it should be effective. Ah, how she missed those days!
On the other side, Han Dongchen was watching her. Her eyes were shifty, definitely hatching some devious plan. She seemed to be asking him for something. He casually touched his chin, finding this wench rather interesting. Looking at her, she seemed prepared to risk it all.
On her end, Su Xiaowan was thinking, this was the first negotiation after her arrival. She had to find a breakthrough. She hardly knew anything about this man other than the fact that he was a soldier. She didn't know his military rank, how long he had been in service, or even his name. The way marriages were conducted in this old society was unacceptable (poor child, people now have the freedom to date. The fact that you don't know anything about the man is because it was all arranged by your kind relative).
Su Xiaowan mentally cheered herself on, I have been in the professional world for many years. I shouldn't lose to a young man who is much younger than me.
The situation was more powerful than the individual. Whichever hill you stand on, sing that song. You must make the most of your own advantage.
Su Xiaowan gently pulled the quilt down, slightly lifted her head and timidly looked at him and asked, "W-who are you? A-are you my husband?"