A fat man who was reborn from the dead? He transforms into a perfect male god in a week.

In the afternoon, there were even more people.

Not only did people from this village come, but people from the neighboring village also rushed over upon hearing the news.

The courtyard was packed with people, like a bustling market.

Jiang Chen's grandparents, maternal grandparents, parents, and everyone else were all beaming with joy.

"Oh, I'm not that good. I just got lucky and won a few first places."

"It's not certain whether Tsinghua or Peking University will be chosen, but there's hope."

"The newspaper? Oh, it was just a casual report, nothing to mention."

"A 40,000 yuan bonus? That's just the school encouraging the kids, it's not much at all."

These people were incredibly humble, but their smiles were as bright as chrysanthemums.

Especially when someone praised, "Jiang Chen is truly a literary star descended to earth, and the Jiang family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke," the old men smiled so broadly that their eyes disappeared.

Jiang Chen felt a warmth in his heart as he watched this scene.

He knew that his parents, grandparents, and maternal grandparents had been talked about behind their backs for a long time because of him.

"That Jiang family kid is short, fat, and has poor grades. What will become of him?"

"I heard he was at the bottom of his class in school, and probably couldn't even get into high school?"

"Wang Xiulian and Jiang Jianguo are also unlucky to have such a son."

Although no one said these things to their faces, they must have been widely circulated behind their backs.

Now, he has finally made his family proud.

Looking at his parents' straight backs and the undisguised pride on his grandparents' and maternal grandparents' faces, Jiang Chen felt that all his efforts during this period had been worthwhile.

……

Of course, while I was moved, I was also genuinely exhausted.

From afternoon to evening, the Jiang family courtyard was never quiet.

One group of people left, and another group arrived.

Jiang Chen was forced to be a "tourist attraction" for a day, being watched, asked questions, asked to be patted on the head, and asked for advice on study methods...

It will be 8 p.m.

He felt like his soul was about to leave his body.

"Mom, can I..." Jiang Chen tried to ask for help.

Wang Xiulian was chatting enthusiastically with several neighbors, not even turning her head: "Son, hang in there a little longer. They're all here to see you, so you have to treat them well."

Jiang Chen: "..."

He glanced at the system panel.

[Current Amazing Value: 800 points]

In one day, it rose from 500 points to 800 points, a net increase of 300 points.

Logically, I should be happy.

But he really couldn't laugh.

These 300 points were earned through a day of mental torture.

My hard-earned money!

……

At nine o'clock in the evening, the last group of neighbors finally left.

Jiang Chen slumped in the chair, feeling completely drained.

"Son, are you tired?" Jiang Jianguo poured him a glass of water.

"Tired..." Jiang Chen said weakly.

"It's all worth it, even if it's tiring!" Wang Xiulian said, her face beaming. "You didn't see it today, but look at the expressions on the faces of those people who used to gossip behind my back...tsk tsk, so satisfying!"

Grandma beamed, "My little grandson is so promising! I'm sure even more people will come to see him tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen almost slid off his chair.

"Grandma, will you come again tomorrow?"

"Of course!" Grandpa tapped his pipe. "This is just the beginning; the news hasn't even spread yet! By tomorrow or the day after, people from several neighboring villages will probably be coming!"

Jiang Chen's vision went black.

No.

We have to run away.

If this continues, he'll be driven to a mental breakdown by being "visited."

……

The next morning, before it was fully light.

Jiang Chen got out of bed and quietly packed his things.

"Son, what are you doing?" Wang Xiulian asked, peeking out from the next room when she heard the noise.

"Mom, I want to go to my classmate's house to play today," Jiang Chen said in a low voice.

"Classmate? Which classmate?" Wang Xiulian was taken aback.

"It's... Tang Ruoxi," Jiang Chen said.

"Ruoxi?" Wang Xiulian's eyes lit up. "Good, good, good! Go ahead! Remember to come back late!"

The speed of her change of attitude stunned Jiang Chen.

He thought he would have to use a lot of words, but it went so smoothly.

"Um... Mom, won't you ask a few more questions?" Jiang Chen asked tentatively.

"Why ask?" Wang Xiulian smiled meaningfully. "Ruoxi is such a good girl. You two grew up together and have a deep bond. It's only right that you visit each other more often."

Jiang Chen: "..."

Why did he feel like his mother's words were implied?

But I can't worry about that now, all I need to do is get away.

……

When Grandpa and Grandma got up, they heard that Jiang Chen was going to find Tang Ruoxi, and they had no objections.

"Ruoxi is such a lovely girl! She's beautiful and does well in her studies. She's a perfect match for our Xiaochen!" Grandma said with a smile.

"Exactly! They were betrothed since childhood, and now they're both so successful. They're a match made in heaven!" Grandpa nodded in agreement.

Jiang Chen almost choked on his saliva.

A childhood betrothal?

What era are we living in? How can this saying still exist?

However, he was too lazy to explain, so he just slung his bag over his shoulder and left.

If they stayed any longer, he feared the elderly folks would even have already decided on names for their grandsons.

……

Jiang Chen breathed a long sigh of relief after leaving the courtyard.

become free!

Finally, I don't have to be looked at like a monkey anymore!

He took out his phone and sent a message to Tang Ruoxi:

[Da Tang, are you back in your hometown? I'd like to come visit you!]

A few seconds later, the reply came:

Hey there! Where are you? I'll come pick you up.

"No need, I'll ride my motorcycle there."

Okay, I'll wait for you~

Jiang Chen put away his phone and rode an old-fashioned motorcycle outside the yard.

In rural areas, motorcycles are more convenient than cars.

……

Twenty minutes later, the motorcycle stopped at the entrance of Qingshan Village.

Tang Ruoxi was already waiting there.

Today she wore a light blue knit sweater with a white long skirt, her long hair flowing down her shoulders. Standing in the morning mist, she looked as pure as a gardenia.

When she saw Jiang Chen, her eyes curved into crescent moons:

"Old Chen!"

Jiang Chen stopped the car and took off his helmet: "Have you been waiting long?"

"Not long after," Tang Ruoxi walked over, looked him up and down, and suddenly burst out laughing, "I heard you were surrounded by the whole village yesterday?"

Jiang Chen's face darkened: "How did you know?"

"How could I not know?"

Tang Ruoxi laughed so hard her shoulders were shaking. "Early this morning, people in our village were saying that Haichi Village has produced a genius, who looks like a celebrity and has ridiculously good grades. The whole village is treating him like a tourist attraction..."

Jiang Chen sighed, "Stop talking, I have PTSD."

"PTSD?" Tang Ruoxi blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Post-traumatic stress disorder," Jiang Chen sighed, "In short, being afraid of being stared at."

Tang Ruoxi laughed even harder: "Serves you right! Who told you to be so famous?"

"I didn't want to either," Jiang Chen said helplessly. "I just went home, who knew the news would spread so fast."

"That's just how it is in the countryside."

Tang Ruoxi said, "Even the smallest thing can travel ten miles, let alone something as important as this matter under the influence of the God of Literature."

Looking at her radiant smile, Jiang Chen suddenly felt a stirring in his heart:

"And what about you? You were always the 'model child' since you were little, never the center of attention?"

Tang Ruoxi's smile faded slightly: "Of course I do! Every time I do well on a test, neighbors come to ask me for study tips and ask me to tutor their kids... It's exhausting."

"We're both in the same boat," Jiang Chen said with emotion. "That's why I came to you for refuge."

"Seeking refuge?"

Tang Ruoxi raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you afraid I'll sell you off? If I take you to the village now, I guarantee there will be another crowd watching."

"No!" Jiang Chen quickly waved his hand. "I ran away because I didn't want to be watched. Don't try to trick me."

Tang Ruoxi laughed: "Just kidding, I'm not that wicked."

She glanced at the motorcycle behind Jiang Chen: "Where do you want to go today?"

"Whatever, as long as no one's around," Jiang Chen said.

"How about... Meihuadong Reservoir?" Tang Ruoxi suggested. "The scenery there is beautiful, and there are fewer people."

"OK!"

……

The two got on the motorcycle.

Tang Ruoxi sat in the back seat and naturally put her arm around Jiang Chen's waist.

Jiang Chen's body stiffened slightly.

Although he had given her a ride before, he was still chubby back then, and when Tang Ruoxi hugged his waist, it felt like hugging a bucket, so she didn't feel anything.

But now...

He could clearly feel the soft touch coming from behind him.

And Tang Ruoxi's faint fragrance wafted into my nose on the wind.

It has a light and sweet taste, like jasmine or gardenia.

"What are you spacing out about?" Tang Ruoxi asked in his ear.

The warm breath tickled my earlobe.

Jiang Chen quickly composed himself: "It's nothing, just sit tight."

The motorcycle started and drove out of the village.

……

The road to Meihuadong Reservoir is a cement road, but it is very narrow, with farmland on both sides.

Early April is the season when rapeseed flowers bloom.

Looking out, the mountains and fields are covered in golden yellow, like a huge oil painting.

Motorcycles travel through the sea of ​​flowers, the air filled with the fragrance of rapeseed blossoms.

Tang Ruoxi, with her arm around Jiang Chen's waist, looked at the scenery on both sides and suddenly whispered:

"Old Chen, do you remember when we were little? We used to come here to play all the time."

"I remember," Jiang Chen said. "You were quite mischievous when you were little. Even though you were afraid of water, you still insisted on coming to play by the reservoir."

"Wasn't that all because of you?" Tang Ruoxi muttered.

"Because of me?"

"Yes, because you're a great swimmer, I feel less afraid with you around."

Jiang Chen laughed: "But one time you went to play by yourself by the water and fell right in, splashing around and almost drowning. I was the one who pulled you out."

Tang Ruoxi was silent for a few seconds when this was mentioned.

Then, she tightened her grip on Jiang Chen's waist.

"Old Chen, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for saving me back then."

Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "That happened so many years ago, why bring it up again?"

"I have to mention it," Tang Ruoxi said softly, "that was the first time we met, and also... the first time you saved me."

Jiang Chen glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

Tang Ruoxi had her head down, so her expression was not visible, but the tips of her ears were a little red.

He suddenly remembered that it seemed that ever since that time, Tang Ruoxi had been following him around like a little tail every day.

Back then, he was a chubby little boy, short and round, and his whole body jiggled when he ran.

But Tang Ruoxi never disliked him; on the contrary, she thought he was "chubby and cute."

Looking back now.

Perhaps it was because of that life-saving grace?

……

Ten minutes later.

The motorcycle was parked by the Meihuadong Reservoir.

The reservoir is very large, and the surface of the water is as calm as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding mountains.

On both sides of the reservoir, the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, a golden expanse that is breathtakingly beautiful.

Jiang Chen parked the car and walked slowly with Tang Ruoxi along the dirt road beside the reservoir.

"The weather is so nice today." Tang Ruoxi opened her arms and took a deep breath.

The sunlight shone on her, giving her a golden halo.

Jiang Chen stared at her, suddenly lost in thought.

His childhood sweetheart has truly grown up.

The little girl with two pigtails who used to follow him around when he was a child has now grown into a graceful and beautiful young woman.

Especially her eyes, clear and bright, like crescent moons when she smiles, and like stars when she looks at people.

"What are you looking at?" Tang Ruoxi turned around and found Jiang Chen looking at her, her face blushing slightly.

"Look at you," Jiang Chen said honestly, "Da Tang, you're getting more and more handsome."

Tang Ruoxi blushed even more, and lowered her head, kicking at the pebbles at her feet:

"Glib-tongued."

"I'm serious," Jiang Chen walked up to her, "all the school beauties in our school pale in comparison to you."

"Including Su Qingyao?" Tang Ruoxi suddenly asked.

Jiang Chen was taken aback.

Su Qingyao...

He hadn't thought of that name for a long time.

"Her?" Jiang Chen smiled, "I've long forgotten about her."

Tang Ruoxi looked up at him and asked, "Really?"

"Really," Jiang Chen said earnestly, "I used to be blind, but now my eyesight has returned."

Tang Ruoxi chuckled, "Why are you so sarcastic?"

"To be honest..."

Jiang Chen shrugged. "Besides, I've realized that childhood sweethearts are the best. You know them inside and out, and they won't lie to you."

Tang Ruoxi's heart skipped a beat.

She turned her face away, pretending to admire the scenery: "Who knows if you're lying again?"

"I would never lie to you, no matter who else I lie to," Jiang Chen said. "You are my savior."

"When did I ever save you?"

"You forgot?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "When I was little, I was chased by the village geese, and you rescued me with a stick."

Tang Ruoxi remembered and couldn't help but laugh: "That's what you call saving a life?"

"Why doesn't that count?" Jiang Chen said seriously. "That goose was fierce. It chased me for two miles. If it weren't for you, my butt would have been pecked raw."

"Serves you right! Who told you to steal goose eggs?"

"I was just thinking of baking it for you, wasn't I?"

The two chatted back and forth about embarrassing things from their childhood, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

……