The male supporting character was actually myself.

Just as the matchmaker entered the courtyard and started speaking loudly, Li Tiantian and Liao Yuzhou heard the commotion. Looking out through the crack in the window, Li Tiantian pointed at Jiang Chen with a bewildered expression, "He, he... how could it be him?"

"What's wrong with him?" Liao Yuzhou looked him up and down, her face immediately turning red. "Are you sure you haven't asked the wrong person? Isn't he... isn't he very handsome?"

Li Tiantian lowered her voice and explained softly, "He's not He Yongqiang! He's He Yongqiang's neighbor, the one who talked to me and reminded me! Tsk tsk, look at him, now that's what you call good-looking."

Wait a minute! Shouldn't the matchmaker have brought He Yongqiang here for the blind date?

Why did you bring him here?

The two were whispering to each other when Li Tiantian's mother-in-law pushed open the door and waved her hand, signaling them to be quiet.

"I think something's not quite right." She lowered her voice and whispered, "If Tiantian isn't mistaken, the matchmaker is definitely trying to switch the bride with someone else. They'll find someone good-looking to come over for a date, and then switch them out after the wedding banquet."

Although such things are not common, they do happen. You should pay close attention and ask questions carefully later, so as not to fall for a scam.

Of course, if Tian Tian has mistaken him for someone else, and he really is He Yongqiang, that would be for the best! At least the young man is efficient and energetic, and his speech and actions seem quite proper to me.”

Li Tiantian glanced at her best friend with concern. "I think the matchmaker is behind this. I was chatting with this guy yesterday, and he was dressed so poorly, all patched up. He doesn't look like someone who can afford such nice clothes. Yuzhou, they're all working together to scam you!"

This was the first time Liao Yuzhou had encountered something like this, and he was filled with anxiety and unease.

"What are you being shy about? This is how it is when young men and women meet. Liao, I've brought her over to you, come out and meet her!"

The matchmaker sat in the middle room, and after waiting for a while without seeing anyone, she laughed and raised her voice to call out to the next room.

"Let's go. Later, you can ask to sit alone for a while and have a good talk. Question them thoroughly and see if they're telling the truth," Li Tiantian's mother-in-law suggested, then patted her shoulder to reassure her.

The little white cat had already jumped onto its host's shoulder, hugging, kissing, and telling the important gossip it had witnessed.

"Host, this female lead is so beautiful! I think she's your type, let's just snatch her away!" The fluffy ball of fluff suggested while licking its paws. "If Liao Yuzhou doesn't get married soon, she might really be unable to escape Wu Jiande's clutches. You didn't see how disgusting that bald, lewd man was, meow, we can't let him have even the slightest chance..."

The little white cat was chattering away when the curtain was lifted and Li Tiantian's mother-in-law came out with a smile. Li Tiantian, holding Liao Yuzhou's hand, followed her out.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow immediately upon seeing this;

When Li Tiantian's eyes met his, she also gave him a meaningful smile;

On the contrary, Liao Yuzhou stood to the side with her head down and eyes lowered, her face slightly flushed as she secretly sized up Jiang Chen sitting next to her.

"This is He Yongqiang, whom I told you about. Just call him Qiangzi!" The matchmaker stood up with a smile and pulled Liao Yuzhou's hand, asking her to sit opposite him. "See? The man's appearance and family background are both excellent!"

"Qiangzi, what are you being shy about, young man? Say hello to Liao, so he doesn't think you're mute."

This was the first time in her life that Jiang Chen had participated in a matchmaking event, and she was even replacing the male lead to find the female lead. Jiang Chen felt a sense of absurdity, almost like a farce.

He couldn't help but smile and greet him politely.

Liao Yuzhou looked at the other person intently, and smiled slightly. The bright sunlight made his white shirt look like it was shining. He had sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and a complexion that was not as pale as usual, but much fairer than the farmers he usually saw. He also had a scholarly air about him, like a cultured person who had read books.

In an environment where free love is extremely rare, arranged marriages are merely a matter of choosing someone. As long as they are not stupid, dull, disabled, or bald, and are presentable enough, they can make do. Personality, temperament, and values ​​can be gradually adjusted after marriage.

After just one quick glance, Liao Yuzhou thought that marrying such a person would be quite nice.

Everyone loves beauty, and she was no exception.

Anyway, there's not much opportunity to slowly pick and choose now, so the requirement for a partner's appearance is definitely that the more handsome the better.

"Well? You've met, so you should at least give your opinions, right?" The matchmaker, fearing that things might change if she waited too long, got up to leave. "I have to tend to the fields these next few days, and I'm busy at home too. If you think it's a good match, then we can finalize the marriage and pick an auspicious day to hold the wedding banquet."

If you don't find someone you like, please let me know. Marriage is something that can't be rushed; you can find the right person eventually!

Liao Yuzhou pursed her lips and suggested, "Since we've come all this way, a little longer won't hurt. I'd like to sit down and chat with He Yongqiang for a few minutes. Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so we can't be careless."

The matchmaker glanced at Jiang Chen subconsciously, giving him a look as if she wanted to refuse outright.

"Exactly, it's better to let young people talk about it themselves."

Li Tiantian's mother-in-law chimed in, "Look at my son and Tiantian, they're dating on their own. It's a new era, and Liao is a well-traveled young man from a big city. Let them talk it out."

Without consulting the matchmaker, she looked directly at Jiang Chen and smiled, "You don't need to be shy. This is how everyone has grown up. Men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. You have to choose your own spouse to be satisfied. You can always work in the fields, so it doesn't matter if you take a little extra time."

"His aunt, let the two kids sit in the east wing for a while. You can sit down, have some water, and we can chat."

The matchmaker was worried that if she kept deflecting the request, it would arouse suspicion, so she could only smile and agree. Then she gave Jiang Chen a look, telling him to be flexible.

Chapter Eleven: Confession

"Go ahead, go ahead, you two have a good talk!"

Li Tiantian lifted the curtain to let the two out of the middle room, then pushed open the door of the east wing and looked at Jiang Chen with a smile, emphasizing, "He Yongqiang, you'd better seize this opportunity."

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh when he saw her threatening expression and went inside.

"You..." Liao Yuzhou's first blind date turned out to be a case of the opposite of what she expected. Her heart was pounding with nervousness, and she didn't know what to say. She closed the door and stood there without daring to look at the other person.

He looked around and saw that the room was very clean, then picked out a round-backed chair and gestured, "Sit down and let's talk."

Liao Yuzhou walked in with his head slightly lowered, sat down in a chair, and looked up at him. "You are..."

“I’m not He Yongqiang, I’m He Jiangchen, his cousin.” Jiangchen said frankly, “His parents felt that their son was not good enough and were afraid that he would ruin the marriage, so they asked me to impersonate you and trick you into going through with it.”

Liao Yuzhou was shocked by his directness and confession, her last hope shattered.

"I had been hoping that Tian Tian had mistaken me for someone else..." She forced a smile and sighed, "It seems I really have no way out now."

"Are you having any difficulties? Since you're just killing time anyway, why don't we chat? Maybe I can help?"

Whether it was because the other person's eyes were too bright, or because their voice was too gentle and gave people a sense of security, or perhaps because he had nowhere to confide his frustrations, Liao Yuzhou sighed and recounted how he went to Wanjiazhuang in the countryside and how he cleverly avoided Wu Jiande's entanglements time and time again.

"The only solution I can think of is to get married."

Her eyes were slightly red as she said softly, "Going back to the city is impossible. My family is also having a hard time. They can't find a way to transfer me back. Wu Jiande has lost his patience. I can tell that he didn't want to push things too far at first, but he doesn't want to wait any longer after dragging it out for so long."

Several times, he tried to break into my room through the window at night.

Fortunately, I'm quite timid, so every night I lock the doors and windows and barricade them with a stool and a table. He was afraid of making noise that would alert the neighbors, so he didn't dare to force his way in.

This time, Tiantian helped me get six days. Once I get back to Wanjiazhuang, Wu Jiande will definitely make his move immediately!

I... I'd rather die than give myself to him. But I can't find a suitable partner to marry... I can't escape, I can't hide, what should I do?

After a moment's thought, Jiang Chen realized that, given the historical context of the mission world, unless she had someone with even greater power protecting her, marriage was indeed the only option she could take.

"So all you need now is a local resident, no matter who the other person is or what their family background is. Once the two of you agree to go home and get married, you can register your household and get rid of Wu Jiande."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "If that's the case, it's not difficult. I'm here on this blind date on behalf of He Yongqiang. To be honest, if you marry into his family, you'll be jumping into a fire pit and never be able to climb out. How about..."

Jiang Chen glanced at the door subconsciously, then lowered his voice even further, "How about we make a gentleman's agreement?"

"What gentleman's agreement?" Liao Yuzhou looked at him, blinking his beautiful big eyes, somewhat bewildered.

He patiently explained, “You need a man to protect you, and I don’t want to watch you jump into a fire.”

Since that's the case, why don't we have a fake marriage? Under the guise of marriage, I'll register your household at my place. From then on, you'll be a resident of Qilizhuang and won't be under the jurisdiction of the educated youth organization. If Wu Jiande dares to lay a finger on me again, I'll chop off his claws!

Since it's a sham marriage, you don't need to worry about any other issues.

To the outside world we're husband and wife, but in reality we live separately. You can always come back to the city if you have the chance, or you can come with me to the village and live a simple life. It's up to you."

Is it possible for a marriage to be fake?

Liao Yuzhou blushed. In her mind, marriage was marriage; it couldn't be a matter of superficial marriage and actual marriage...

"I'm just making a suggestion. If you find it difficult, then forget it." Jiang Chen shrugged helplessly and said, "Anyway, if you're determined to marry He Yongqiang, you should be mentally prepared."

He's my cousin, and I've never seen him do even the slightest bit of work in all his years.

He doesn't even know how to pick up a fallen oil bottle at home. He eats well, sleeps soundly, and runs around playing everywhere. If you marry him, you'll most likely become a maid and be bullied by his parents, who are my uncle and aunt.

My parents have been abusing me ever since they passed away.

This family has no character; you need to think carefully about how you're going to survive all these years.

Now I'm a grown man, and being bullied by them is a thing of the past. If you're willing to come back with me, I can protect you from the wind and rain. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can at least ensure you're well-fed, clothed, and have someone to rely on.

With no way forward and wolves behind, Zhang Yongqiang on the left is definitely a trap, while whether He Jiangchen on the right is also a trap remains to be seen.

Jump with your eyes closed!

No matter what happens in the future, at least I'll be with him because he's handsome and speaks politely!

Maybe, just like Tian Tian, ​​fate will bring her a wonderful marriage.

Liao Yuzhou gritted her teeth, made up her mind, and nodded, "Okay! I'm willing to marry you!"

"Congratulations, host! You've completed the mission!" The little white cat hopped over, wagging its fluffy tail with a smug grin. "As expected of the host I chose, your reading comprehension is perfect!"

The task was divided into two parts. The first was to go on a blind date in place of He Yongqiang, which the host accomplished.

Secondly, the mission requires the female lead to agree to the marriage, but it doesn't specify who she should marry. This creates a loophole, doesn't it? Hehehe, in other mission worlds we have to wait a long time, but this time a wife is delivered right to our doorstep! Host, your luck with women is truly amazing!

Jiang Chen gave it a strange look, as if it were an excuse that he had married many wives...

"Don't look at me like that." The fluffy ball of fluff scratched its paws and tilted its head indignantly. "Hmph! You've just forgotten because of the folded memories, but the soft and cute little kitten hasn't forgotten! You manage to get the prettiest girl as your wife in almost every mission world, and you've had so many weddings of the century."

Just because you don't remember doesn't mean it didn't happen!

"Host, don't act so innocent! Every single one of your missions involves you having a wife!"

Jiang Chen: ...

What the heck? I have absolutely no recollection of this.

The Horcrux records so much information, why doesn't it remember that I was married?

The two whispered as they discussed the details, when the matchmaker, who had been sitting still for a while, came out from the middle room and stood in the courtyard, shouting, "How did it go? If you two are really interested, there'll be plenty of time to talk after the wedding. We're in a hurry now, so why don't you head back first?"

Liao Yuzhou, blushing, pushed open the door and came out, placing all her hopes on Jiang Chen as she looked at him affectionately, "Then, I'll wait for your news."

"No problem, don't worry." Jiang Chen nodded with a smile, already planning how to persuade the matchmaker to directly steal the lead actress from him.

The matchmaker glanced at the two of them, and seeing that they didn't seem to have been exposed, she immediately felt relieved.

"Auntie, we're heading back now. Come visit us at our village another day!" she said politely to get rid of Jiang Chen, then turned to ask Liao Yuzhou what he thought.

Chapter Twelve Intercepting the Spoilers

Having made up her mind, Liao Yuzhou nodded with a blush, "I'm willing to marry him. There's no need to prepare a dowry or anything, just hurry up and get the paperwork done and register my household."

The matchmaker slapped her thigh and grinned from ear to ear, "How about that? I told you you'd be satisfied, right?! It's settled then. I'll go back and discuss the wedding arrangements with Yongqiang's mother."

It's about settling down here. You need a letter of introduction from the village to get your marriage certificate, so it can't be rushed.

Okay, I'll try to find out as quickly as possible. Actually, according to the village rules, whether or not you have a marriage certificate doesn't matter. If you're in a hurry, let's just hold the wedding banquet first. The villagers only recognize the wedding banquet, not the marriage certificate.