The scorching sun blazed overhead, and the midsummer heat only grew more intense after several days of torrential rain. A gentle breeze occasionally swept across the lush green reed marsh, causing the leaves to sway up and down before finally touching the water’s surface, sending ripples spreading outward.
Hot! Numb! Painful!
These were Cheng Fangqiu’s first sensations upon regaining consciousness. She let out a soft hiss, hurriedly reaching out to rub her calves, which had gone numb and itchy from crouching too long. Her brows furrowed tightly into a knot. When she finally managed to recover, she was shocked to discover that she was in the middle of a reed marsh, with a bottomless deep pond just one step away.
Just a moment ago, she had clearly been in a photography studio discussing a shooting plan with a top luxury designer—so how had she ended up in this godforsaken place in the blink of an eye? This was simply too fantastical!
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she carefully scanned her surroundings. Soon, she spotted a human figure in the shallow water ahead to her right. This person was the only other human in the area besides herself, so despite her fear, she couldn’t help but cast a curious gaze toward him.
The distance between them wasn’t exactly close, so she instinctively squinted to get a clearer look. That glance nearly made her choke on her own saliva.
The water was neither too deep nor too shallow, reaching just up to the man’s lower abdomen, leaving his well-defined upper body entirely exposed. His sun-kissed wheat-colored skin looked healthy and seductive. With broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall, well-built physique, his body was adorned with just the right amount of firm, toned muscles, exuding an undeniable sense of strength—one look was enough to tell he exercised regularly.
He raised an arm to wipe his body, seemingly intending to finish quickly, so his movements were swift and efficient. But at the same time, this only made his muscles appear even more pronounced—more and more tempting.
Cheng Fangqiu covered her eyes, muttering under her breath, See no evil, see no evil!
Yet, deep down, she couldn’t stop herself from making a conclusion—
Even if she couldn’t clearly see his face, this man was definitely a top-tier hunk. This was a judgment based on her extensive experience in admiring handsome men. If the current situation weren’t so inappropriate, and out of professional respect, she would have definitely rushed over to ask if he was interested in a career as a male mo—no, as a model!
Of course, a handsome man wasn’t the most important issue right now. The real problem was—why had she suddenly appeared here?
Just as this thought crossed her mind, a blinding white light flashed before her eyes, and a flood of foreign memories surged into her mind. The abrupt intrusion sent her body into a moment of weakness, causing her to let out an uncontrollable gasp. She lost her balance and fell straight into the river.
With a loud splash, she plunged into the water, and her heart sank along with her.
Good news: This fashionable queen had now officially joined the ranks of those who had transmigrated into a novel.
Bad news: She had transmigrated into a notorious cannon fodder villainess.
In every novel, the male and female protagonists always encountered a few big shots who aided them on their inspirational journey. And in this book, the biggest figure with the most screen time was none other than the male lead’s biological older brother.
In terms of career, he paved the way for the male lead, giving him unwavering support and pushing him toward success.
In terms of romance, he and the original host of this body formed the perfect contrasting backdrop for the main couple, doing their utmost to serve as a foil.
While the male and female leads enjoyed a harmonious and loving relationship, he and his wife were as distant as strangers, practically enemies.
While the male and female leads worked hand in hand to create a business empire, he and the original host were an ill-matched pair, dragging each other down.
While the male and female leads eventually had a house full of children and grandchildren, he ended up alone, and she—dead.
The original host played an indispensable role in shaping this tragic outcome. In fact, their marriage itself had begun with one of her despicable schemes.
The so-called “big shot” was originally a promising technician at a major corporation. During a rural aid mission, he had the misfortune of catching the original host’s attention.
She seized the perfect opportunity—waiting until he finished his work and went alone to bathe in the river—before pouncing on him. The two of them, drenched and tangled together, were instantly spotted by several people who arrived later.
A scene like that—there was simply no way to talk one’s way out of it.
Although the original host had cried pitifully and played the victim, winning quite a bit of sympathy and trust, the big shot wasn’t stupid. How could such a lowly trick possibly fool him? He would rather ruin his own future than marry her.
However, during that particular era, a damaged reputation didn’t just affect an individual—it could implicate an entire family. With no other choice, he was forced to bow his head.
After marriage, their relationship was purely in name. The big shot had a home he refused to return to, choosing instead to squeeze into a crowded dormitory day after day.
The original host had indeed achieved her dream life in the big city, where she had food to eat and clothes to wear. However, human greed only grows insatiable. As time passed, she gradually became dissatisfied with the situation. When her attempts to pester the big shot into fulfilling his marital obligations proved fruitless, she secretly began an affair with a man outside the compound.
But paper cannot contain fire1 “Paper cannot contain fire” (纸包不住火) – A Chinese idiom meaning that the truth cannot be concealed forever; lies or scandals will eventually be exposed.. When the affair was discovered, the big shot decisively took drastic measures to end the marriage. Terrified of his retaliation, the original host fled south overnight with her lover, only to be abandoned halfway through the journey, ending up in a miserable state.
Cheng Fangqiu had become “Cheng Fangqiu.” A poverty-stricken, backward 1970s setting, an explosive plot…
Every piece of information pushed Cheng Fangqiu closer to the brink of collapse. What had she done to deserve such suffering and hardship in this world?
She might as well just die.
As soon as this thought surfaced, a suffocating sensation spread through her entire body. Instinctively, she opened her mouth to call for help, but the river water immediately flooded into her nose and mouth, shocking her into holding her breath as she frantically paddled toward the water’s surface.
She truly wanted to die, but she couldn’t actually die.
Who knew if dying would send her back to her original world? If she couldn’t return, wouldn’t it be a wasted death? She cherished her life too much for that!
With this in mind, Cheng Fangqiu struggled even harder to swim upward. She knew how to swim, and her skills were decent, but her legs were still numb from crouching too long. At this moment, she simply couldn’t muster any strength and could only flail in place. Just as despair began to creep in, a pair of strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist.
Panic caused her to instinctively struggle, but the other person’s grip was as firm as an iron wall, holding her securely. After several futile attempts to break free, she finally realized—belatedly—that this person was saving her. Letting out a silent sigh of relief, she obediently allowed him to guide her toward the surface.
The moment she resurfaced, Cheng Fangqiu gasped for air, greedily savoring the sensation of being alive.
“Comrade, are you okay?”
A deep, concerned male voice rang in her ears. Cheng Fangqiu shook her head while using her free hand to wipe her face. As her vision cleared, she finally got a proper look at her rescuer.
A trace of astonishment flickered through her heart—her guess had been correct. He was indeed a stunningly handsome man, with a body and face that were exceptional even among thousands. With sword-like brows and starry eyes, his rugged features still carried a refined elegance. His short, wet hair dripped water, and droplets slid down the sharp contours of his face before disappearing into the rippling waves below.
As he spoke, his eyelids lowered slightly, making his entire expression appear cold and indifferent.
Cheng Fangqiu swallowed hard, realizing that she had been staring at him for too long. Feeling a bit rude, she quickly lowered her head and stammered, “Thank you, I’m fine.”
The moment she finished speaking, she suddenly became aware of their current posture—far too intimate. Her eyes widened in shock, and she almost choked on her own saliva.
To pull her out of the water, he had reached under her armpit with one arm, an unavoidable contact that left them pressed closely together. Cheng Fangqiu could distinctly feel the scorching heat of his firm chest against her softness. Her long lashes trembled violently, and her gaze swept over his slightly flexed arm, where veins and muscle lines intertwined—an image of ultimate seduction.
With their drenched clothes clinging to their bodies, their figures were practically molded together. Her full, round curves pressed right against his collarbone. If she were just a bit taller…
Having read many steamy novels before, Cheng Fangqiu’s mind was instantly invaded by a string of inappropriate images. Her face flushed a deep red, and the handsome man in her arms suddenly felt like a burning hot potato. She was just about to release him when a burst of laughter and chatter came from not far away.
“Brother Huai should be done washing by now, right? Let’s hurry up too. We still have a meeting tonight.”
“It’s all your fault for dawdling. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be in such a rush.”
Brother Huai? Why did that name sound so familiar?
A flash of realization struck Cheng Fangqiu’s mind. She looked up at the man before her in disbelief.
Could he be the big shot from the novel, Zhou Yinghuai?
Was this moment the exact scene where the original host had schemed against him?
Had she, without even realizing it, inadvertently pushed the plot forward?
If someone saw them in this compromising position now…
The thought of the original host’s miserable fate sent a shiver down Cheng Fangqiu’s spine. She didn’t have time to think further. Immediately, she put on a pitiful expression, blinking her innocent, doe-like eyes, her gaze filled with pleading and fear. Lowering her voice, she begged, “Please, think of a way… If someone sees us like this, I might as well be dead.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yinghuai looked at the girl in front of him. She was soaked from head to toe, her long hair hanging messily around her waist, with a few strands drifting on the water’s surface, occasionally brushing against his skin, sending a tingling sensation through him.
She seemed utterly terrified—those bright, wide eyes shimmered with moisture, her red lips trembled slightly, and her normally bold and striking features now appeared soft and pitiful.
There was no need to elaborate on how important a woman’s reputation was in this era—everyone understood it well. If someone saw them like this, even if it were purely accidental, it would undoubtedly lead to misunderstandings.
However, what puzzled him was—why was she alone at this hour, appearing here of all places, and even falling into the water?
Suppressing the doubts in his heart, Zhou Yinghuai swept his gaze around their surroundings. Just as he was about to suggest that she hide in the reed marsh for now, he suddenly felt a pair of delicate, boneless hands clutching onto his shoulder and neck. His entire body stiffened, and when his deep eyes met hers, all he could see was pure innocence.
“My legs are numb…” The original host had crouched in the reed marsh for a long time to take him by surprise, and now her legs were genuinely numb—it wasn’t an act. If she didn’t hold onto him, she probably wouldn’t last long in the water.
Cheng Fangqiu pressed her lips together with slight embarrassment, trying her best to create some distance between them. However, she was unaware that the more she moved, the more the water currents intertwined between their bodies, making every sensation even more pronounced.
Zhou Yinghuai took a deep breath, his Adam’s apple rolling slightly as he quickly lowered his voice and said decisively, “I’ll get you up there. Hide inside and don’t make a sound.”
That was exactly what Cheng Fangqiu had in mind, so she quickly nodded. He was a strong swimmer with great strength, so he effortlessly carried her toward the shore and then used his body as support to lift her up.
At this moment, Cheng Fangqiu had no time to worry about her image. She grabbed onto the wild grass at the riverbank and climbed up with both her hands and feet.
As soon as Zhou Yinghuai looked up, his gaze landed directly on the curve of her barely concealed backside. The soaked fabric clung tightly to her skin, and her bent-over posture made the roundness completely “exposed,” appearing even fuller and firmer. Below that were a pair of long, straight legs, and above was a section of dazzlingly fair waist. Her waistline was delicate and slender, like a willow branch—soft and perfectly proportioned.
Having spent years surrounded by men, Zhou Yinghuai had never encountered such a scene before. At this moment, he was as flustered as an inexperienced young man, hurriedly shutting his eyes in an attempt to maintain his composure. However, the subtle increase in his breathing betrayed the turmoil within him.