Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Fancy Coaxing
’Not one to play along with people? Is he saying he’s not good at acting?’
Ji Huan thought she understood what the man meant.
"It’s fine. You don’t need to act much. Your very presence is all the cooperation I need. You won’t have to deal with any of the people or problems outside."
To put it bluntly, she just needed a mascot.
"During this time, your food and lodging are covered. When you’re ready to leave, I’ll prepare as much travel money as you need. How about it? Just think of it as a job where you get paid in Silver Coins for doing nothing. Aren’t you tempted by such great benefits? There’s no time like the present!"
’This should do it,’ Ji Huan thought.
Unexpectedly, the man still wouldn’t agree. He just kept staring at her, and she had no idea what he was thinking.
Ji Huan felt a little defeated and anxious. When these two emotions collided, her temper started to flare.
"If you don’t agree, then you can take care of your own food and lodging from now on. Your injuries are healed anyway, so I don’t owe you anything anymore. We can go our separate ways."
The man’s brow suddenly lowered—a clear sign of extreme displeasure.
But Ji Huan was even more displeased than he was.
Her displeasure wasn’t really aimed at the man. She knew perfectly well that he was under no obligation to help her. ℴ
It was just that if he didn’t agree, her plans would be ruined, and she would be forced back into a difficult position...
Ji Huan gritted her teeth and decided to be selfish.
"If you’re in a hurry to leave, then just pretend I never said anything. But if you’re not planning to leave anytime soon, then I don’t care. You *will* be my fake husband."
She spoke so forcefully because she held a trump card that could make him yield.
"I’ve actually known your identity for a while now."
Ji Huan suddenly leaned in close to the man, staring intently into his eyes.
"You’re a soldier, aren’t you? But your wounds aren’t from the war with Beiliang. Based on the timing, they must have happened after that. Since they weren’t sustained in the line of duty, it was likely due to infighting or a private feud.
"Whatever the reason, you haven’t returned to your unit for so long, so you’ve probably been listed as a deserter, right? Tell me, do you think there’s a reward for turning in a deserter? Dafeng Village isn’t close to the barracks, but it isn’t too far, either..."
The man’s eyes flickered slightly before returning to normal. He didn’t show much surprise or alarm, but his expression turned a little cold.
It was unclear whether this coldness was because his identity had been exposed or because he understood the threat hidden in Ji Huan’s words.
’He must be very disappointed in me...’ Ji Huan thought.
It was her first time doing something so malicious, and she felt quite guilty herself.
But she had already started down this path; she might as well see it through.
"Either you do as I say today, or I’ll go to the barracks and report you. Then you’ll be dragged back for punishment, and I’ll collect the reward money."
After spitting out the vicious threat, Ji Huan held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
The man didn’t fly into a rage as she had imagined, nor did he accuse her of being ungrateful.
Other than the heavy atmosphere around him and his cold expression, he was remarkably calm.
’Could it be—he’s not a deserter?’
’No, that’s impossible. Based on all the little pieces of information I’ve gathered, he must have come from the army.’
’His alertness, self-discipline, incredible physique and recovery speed, the calluses between his thumb and forefinger and on his middle knuckle, and that art of war book... But the most crucial clue is the feeling he gives off.’
Ji Huan couldn’t quite describe it. If she had to put it into words, it was the aura of a battle-hardened soldier.
That was why no matter how frightening his appearance was, Ji Huan inexplicably felt at ease and safe around him.
This was also why she preferred to drag him into this mess rather than go out and buy a husband—she was certain he would never harm her or Dabao.
Besides, he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon, so she wouldn’t be wronging anyone. She had also promised him all sorts of benefits. No matter how you looked at it, it was a great deal. Why wouldn’t he agree?
Even if the title of a live-in husband was unsavory, it wouldn’t be for a lifetime. Once he left Dafeng Village, everything that happened here would be like a passing cloud, and no one in his hometown would ever know.
Ji Huan had played her trump card, but it was like punching cotton.
’I don’t get it. Did he see right through my bluff?’
*Sigh.* ’Expertise doesn’t cross professions. I’ve never been a bandit, so I can’t even succeed at kidnapping a man to be my husband.’
Well, if threats didn’t work, maybe bribery would.
Ji Huan switched tactics, getting into character in a second.
"I was just kidding with you. Please don’t take it to heart. Even if you were a deserter, I would never report you... Let’s get back on topic. You’re not agreeing because you think the benefits aren’t good enough? What if I told you I could heal your face?"
She wore a friendly smile that bordered on fawning. The man only glanced at her before turning his head and looking away.
’Anyone with disfigurements would be ecstatic at the slightest chance to restore their appearance, right?’
’He’s not even interested in that...’
Ji Huan understood. He was a hopelessly oblivious guy who’d probably never been in a relationship; it was normal for him not to understand the importance of a man’s looks.
So, Ji Huan kindly explained to him the direct relationship between a man’s face and his ability to find a wife.
Unexpectedly, after listening, the man retorted, "Is a woman marrying the man, or his face?"
Ji Huan was at a loss for words. "Well, you can’t really put it that way..."
In this era, people couldn’t just fall in love freely. A marriage was often decided after a single meeting. The so-called "satisfaction" of both parties was basically equivalent to love at first sight.
And what is love at first sight, if not love for a face?
"No girl doesn’t want a handsome husband. No matter how deep or charming your personality is, a woman will only want to get to know you better after she takes an interest in your face. As you are now, how many good women would be scared off at the first hurdle...?"
Ji Huan had given up hope, but unexpectedly, she seemed to have moved him this time.
His gaze returned to her, his expression complicated. "Is that true?"
Ji Huan thought he was asking if she could really heal his face.
To be honest, her claim was a huge exaggeration.
It was true that she knew of a formula for treating old scars, but it didn’t come from any ancient medical texts or authoritative medical journals. She had just happened to glimpse it once in a documentary about traditional Chinese medicine. It was described as a folk remedy from a certain dynasty, and she’d noted it down because she found it interesting.
It was useless for her real job, so she’d never had a chance to test it clinically. When she mentioned it to a colleague in surgery, he just said it was ridiculous. It was clear the remedy had no solid basis.
So she wasn’t very confident at all. Otherwise, she would have treated him long ago instead of delaying until now.
"I can try..."
The man cut her off. "I was asking about what you said before that."
’What I said before that?’
Ji Huan immediately said with conviction, "Absolutely! Just try to put yourself in a woman’s shoes. It’s easy to understand then, right? Believe me, no matter how much your future wife likes you, her affection will diminish when she sees your face. It’s not necessarily that she demands beauty—you don’t have to be handsome—but the main thing is not to be too scary, right? Of course, if you want to be a bachelor for life, then just ignore me."
The man’s brows furrowed again. He remained silent for a long time, as if deep in thought.
Ji Huan waited patiently, only to be met with another merciless rejection.
He looked at Ji Huan, his tone grave. "The union of a man and a woman from two families is a solemn affair. It should not be used as a transaction, nor should it be treated as a game. It should be with someone the heart desires..."
Ji Huan felt utterly defeated by him.
"I know it should be with... but I’d need to have someone my heart desires for that to happen, wouldn’t I?"
If she had someone like that, would she need to find a man for a fake marriage?
"Song Jing."
Hearing this name suddenly come from the man’s mouth, Ji Huan was a bit slow to react.
’How does he know about Song Jing?’
’No, that’s not the point. The point is, how does he know about me and Song Jing...’
Ji Huan, who hadn’t stopped talking until now, was suddenly speechless.
The man’s gaze darkened as he took the initiative to spell it out.
"That pouch you’re carrying. You embroidered it for him."