Married the Tough Guy After Transmigrating

After the rain cleared and the sun came out, it had only been a day since the downpour stopped.

Mr. Xu and his family went to the fields as usual. Though it was early autumn, the weather was still sweltering, though much better than the future would be.

Walking around in this weather wouldn't be too hot, but working in the fields, constantly moving, guaranteed a sweat-soaked shirt.

"Yingying, want to head up the mountain or not!" Xu Jing's voice called from outside the door. The rainy season had just passed, and it was prime mushroom-growing time. Considering her older cousin hadn't been as irritating lately, Xu Jing stepped up to Yingying's house.

In the past, she couldn't wait to keep her distance from her cousin, but after witnessing the transformation her cousin had undergone over the past month, Xu Jing found herself liking her more.

It was like her eyes had been opened.

That was why she had been so strange before. As for being a bit lazy, Xu Jing thought it was normal—who isn't lazy sometimes? People only stop being lazy because they're forced to when there's no one to help them out.

Her cousin had people to spoil her. And besides, if her uncle and aunt forbid her from working, how could that be her fault?

Xu Jing had another reason for seeking Yingying. Her cousin knew how to hunt. A few days ago, her family had benefited from Yingying's skills and eaten meat several times in a row.

She wondered if she could take a chance, piggyback on her cousin's luck, and catch a few wild animals herself.

"Sure, Sis, wait for me!" Yingying wasn't going to miss this chance. Thinking about the mushrooms waiting on the mountain made her mouth water.

She wasn't just a cook but also a food lover. Thoughts of mushrooms brought a flood of recipe ideas to her mind.

The only pity was, she knew the dishes but didn't know how exactly to prepare them.

"Shitou, bring Hu Zi along—and your little aunt will take you two up the mountain."

Shitou perked up and swallowed involuntarily at the thought of heading to the mountain. He was looking forward to it.

Though Huo Chen had brought back plenty of wild game last time, some had been given to their great-grandparents and some to their great-great-grandmother's family. Not much had been left for the household.

After a few meals and giving a share to Big Sister Aunt, there wasn't any meat left at home.

Shitou grabbed a large basket, handed one to Yingying, and took one for himself.

As they left the Xu Family's courtyard, Xu Jing craned her neck to peek inside Third Uncle Xu's house as they passed.

Yingying called out directly, "Let's get Xu Xue and Xu Bai to join us!"

Xu Jing immediately brightened at the suggestion and eagerly knocked on the Xu Family's door.

"Xuexue, Bai Bai, it's me, your older cousin!" Xu Jing shouted. Before her voice even faded, Bai Bai's fluffy head popped out.

"Little aunt, big brother, why are you here!"

Shitou jumped in, "Come on, Big Brother is taking you out to dig up mushrooms! Where's your sister?"

"My sister's out in the fields with my parents." Bai Bai, still too young to do much work, stayed home to rest.

Hearing this, Yingying handed Bai Bai a basket to carry. She helped him and started heading toward the fields.

Yingying's group set off toward the field, quickly drawing the attention of many villagers.

Especially Dong Wenzhong, who looked at Yingying like he'd just seen a savior—he couldn't handle his miserable days anymore.

His expectant gaze fixed on Yingying, hoping she'd notice him.

Chen Yanran also looked eager. "Dong Zhiqing, is Yingying coming to see you?"

Dong Wenzhong desperately wished that were true.

But Yingying called out in the Xu Family's direction instead: "Third Uncle, let Xuexue come with us to the mountain to dig up mushrooms!"

Third Uncle Xu, hearing his niece, hesitated, glancing at his daughter's forehead, damp with sweat, before nodding. "Didn't you hear your cousin calling you? Go ahead."

Xu Xue looked at her mother, saw her nod, then dashed away.

The group arrived together and just as quickly turned to leave.

Dong Wenzhong panicked as he watched them go. In desperation, he pretended to clutch his head, his face contorted in discomfort.

Chen Yanran caught on immediately, crying out in alarm. "Dong Zhiqing, what's wrong!"

"Captain! Dong Zhiqing fainted!"

Dong Zhiqing lay on the ground, his face pale, actually feeling a little dizzy this time. He hadn't eaten well in days, never quite filling his stomach, all while hauling himself through heavy work daily. His body couldn't take it anymore.

Yingying's group also saw the scene. Chen Yanran bit her lip and called out to Yingying, "Yingying, Dong Zhiqing has fainted!"

Dong Wenzhong, lying on the ground, heard Chen Yanran call Yingying, his ears instantly perking up. He wanted to know what Yingying would do.

He didn't believe the woman who'd been chasing him for nearly two years could suddenly change just like that.

As Chen Yanran's cries attracted attention, every gaze shifted to Yingying.

Yingying calmly accepted being the center of attention.

"If he's feeling bad, he should see the doctor. Chen Zhiqing, why are you calling me? I'm not a doctor," she said dismissively, turning and walking away.

Dong Wenzhong lay there, his heart sinking halfway to the bottom.

Did Yingying really mean it this time, or was she trying to pressure him into marrying her?

He believed it was the latter.

The thought of marrying Yingying made him uneasy.

Yingying led her group to the mountain, where the soil was still slightly damp.

"System, it's time for you to shine!" Yingying teased.

"Host, rest assured! The system will perform up to your expectations. Should we activate the exploration function? It costs one point," the system replied.

"Activate it." Yingying wasn't stingy when it counted.

The system detected her thoughts. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really don't mind spending one yuan for this."

She wasn't losing anything here. The exploration function could locate just about anything nearby and even simulate the surrounding environment.

With exploration turned on, it was like Yingying had an unfair advantage. Everywhere she went was stocked full of goods.

Before long, Xu Jing had half her basket filled with mushrooms, including ones most villagers wouldn't dare pick. With Yingying's explanations, though, she finally felt confident enough to gather them.

Mushrooms were edible, but some were highly toxic. Villagers generally stuck to what they recognized, avoiding unfamiliar varieties.

This left plenty for Yingying to scavenge—a trove of delicious and even rare mushrooms.

Xu Jing fully trusted her cousin's guidance because Yingying was a bookworm. She never worked in the fields, spending her free time with her nose buried in books.

Xu Jing had seen her doing this several times during visits to the Xu Family.

"Yingying, can this one be eaten?" Xu Jing pointed to a mushroom nearby.

"Yes, but the ones next to it can't," Yingying said.

"Little aunt, how about this one?"

"No, it's inedible."

"Auntie, eat? Can we eat it!"

"No, Hu Zi, we can't," Yingying responded patiently.

"Cousin, what about this one?" Xu Xue asked as she joined the group. She'd recently become quite fond of her cousin, who was not only beautiful but knowledgeable and, more importantly, gentle in her speech now.

"You can eat it." As Yingying answered, she spotted several wild chickens on the map. She immediately gestured for silence.

"What's going on?" Xu Jing asked curiously.

Following Yingying's pointed direction, she noticed a flock of wild chickens strutting proudly.

Xu Jing's eyes lit up, and she swallowed hungrily.

Her decision today was absolutely correct. Spending time with Yingying naturally brought good luck—this girl was clearly someone blessed.

Looking at the flock, Yingying picked up several stones from the ground. "System, it's your time to shine. Activate the Eye-Blocking Technique."

"Got it!" came the system's reply.

Yingying pulled out a blade and stones from her space and hurled them at the chickens.

The group watched as Yingying picked up stones, tossed them powerfully, and managed to bring down several wild chickens.

Their eyes filled with shock, admiration quickly replacing it. In that moment, they all became her biggest fans.