Chapter 24: Rolling into Trouble

Qin Li never imagined that the seemingly endless pasture could have an abrupt edge. By the time she realized something was wrong and tried to hit the brakes, it was already too late. The tractor, with her in it, hurtled down a steep slope.

Her screams echoed through the countryside as she braced for the worst. She was certain her life was flashing before her eyes.

Luckily, instead of a barren cliff, the slope was covered with tightly packed grapevines, which cushioned the tractor's descent and saved her life. The machine came to a jarring halt, wedged awkwardly between rows of grapevines.

Up on the hill, Yan Sen's heart leapt as he saw the tractor tumble down the slope. His instincts kicked in immediately, but even his long legs couldn't outrun the machine. Helplessly, he watched it crash into the vineyard.

With the agility of someone who'd spent his life in the countryside, Yan Sen descended the slope. Reaching the tractor, he climbed to the lower side where it was tilted toward the ground and peered inside.

Qin Li was slumped over, unconscious, her head resting awkwardly against the seat. Unable to assess her condition, Yan Sen banged on the window and called out her name.

The sharp sound startled Qin Li awake. Her eyes darted around in panic before finally landing on Yan Sen's face. Tears welled up as she stammered, "I...I..."

"Relax. I'm here," he said, his voice calm and steady.

But his reassurances didn't do much. Her voice quivered as she cried, "Is it going to slide further? Am I going to die?"

Yan Sen's brows furrowed. Raising a finger to his lips, he shushed her firmly. "Stay calm."

The commanding tone cut through her panic. She took a shaky breath, willing herself to stop spiraling into fear.

"Pull the handbrake first," he instructed. "Then unbuckle your seatbelt, climb over to the passenger side, and open the door. I'll catch you."

There was no room for hesitation. Trembling, Qin Li followed his instructions, inching toward the open door. Peering out at the slope, she hesitated and whispered, "I'm trusting you with my life here."

Her voice cracked with nerves, and Yan Sen couldn't help but chuckle softly. His calm demeanor was almost maddening. "I'll catch you," he assured, pounding his chest twice for good measure.

Closing her eyes tightly, Qin Li steeled herself and jumped.

Yan Sen caught her, but her momentum sent them both tumbling backward. Down the slope they rolled together, like a pair of mismatched boulders, until they finally came to a stop at the bottom of the hill.

When the world stopped spinning, Qin Li found herself sprawled on top of Yan Sen, gasping for breath. Before she could even process what had just happened, he flipped them over, pinning her beneath him.

The move was so abrupt, so raw, that it took her breath away. His hard chest pressed against hers, and their legs tangled together. The proximity was electrifying—her heart pounded wildly as her mind raced with thoughts she couldn't control.

This was the kind of scene straight out of a drama: all the right elements for a perfect kiss. But instead of leaning in, Yan Sen simply pushed himself up, brushed off his clothes, and walked away without a word.

Leaving.

Qin Li lay there, dumbfounded. What just happened?

Wasn't this the part where they were supposed to fall for each other? What kind of man could resist such a situation?

Her thoughts spiraled. Could he be...not into women?

Snapping out of her stupor, she scrambled to her feet and ran after him. "What now?" she asked, still flustered.

"Go home," Yan Sen replied curtly. "I'll call a tow truck."

His face was unreadable, leaving Qin Li unsure if he was upset. She felt a pang of guilt. It wasn't like she'd meant to wreck his tractor. Gathering her courage, she offered, "I'll pay for the repairs."

His lips curled into a small smirk. "You'll pay?"

She nodded earnestly. "It's my fault the tractor got damaged."

He hummed noncommittally, pulling out his phone to make a call. Then, without another word, he started climbing back up the hill.

Qin Li hesitated. She didn't know the way back to the farmhouse, and walking there on her own wasn't an option. Grumbling under her breath, she followed him, clawing her way up the steep slope.

The climb was grueling. By the time she reached the top, her arms and legs ached, and her back felt like it was going to give out. 

Yan Sen was already seated on a boulder by the roadside when Qin Li finally made it back up the slope. Sweat dripped from her forehead, her legs felt like jelly, and her breath came in short, ragged gasps. Without a word, he tossed her a bottle of water from his toolbox.

She eagerly twisted it open and took a sip, only to pause mid-swallow as the odd taste hit her tongue. Qin Li frowned and squinted at the label, her mind racing to decipher it.

Before she could question it, Yan Sen appeared in front of her, carrying a small first aid kit. Without asking, he plucked the bottle from her hands, poured its contents onto a piece of gauze, and began dabbing her forehead.

"Wait…" Qin Li started, realizing her mistake. "That wasn't for drinking?"

Yan Sen didn't respond. His focus was solely on cleaning the small cut on her head, and his silence left her teetering between embarrassment and irritation.

Could he not explain before she drank it? Would it kill him to say a few extra words? she thought bitterly, glaring at his impassive face.

When he finished, he placed a band-aid neatly over the scrape. His actions were efficient yet oddly gentle, leaving Qin Li unsure whether to thank him or scold him.

The guilt she'd been nursing about crashing his beloved tractor evaporated as she watched him calmly pack up the first aid supplies. Yan Sen's quiet demeanor didn't mask the fact that he had a talent for making her feel ridiculous.

Over an hour later, a tow truck rumbled onto the scene, breaking the monotony of their wait.

A spry old man, all white hair and wiry muscle, hopped out of the driver's seat with surprising agility. His voice boomed as he asked, "Who's got the stranded tractor?"

"That would be mine," Yan Sen replied, his tone as unhurried as ever.

The old man squinted down the slope at the tangled mess of vines and machinery. After a long pause, he gave an amused snort. "Well, why didn't you just park it in the sky while you were at it?"

Qin Li flushed bright red, feeling the man's joke hit a little too close to home. Yan Sen turned slightly to glance her way, his eyes glinting with faint amusement.

Ignoring her mortification, he handed the man a business card with a handwritten address on the back. "Take it to this repair shop. Send the bill here."

The old man inspected the card and nodded. "Alright, I can manage that. Need a lift back to town?"

Yan Sen immediately shook his head. "No, we'll walk."

Qin Li, still desperate to escape the awkwardness, simultaneously answered, "Yes, please."

The two froze, staring at each other.

Yan Sen arched an eyebrow. "Fine."

Qin Li rolled her eyes. "Forget it."

When Qin Li got home, Qu Dani rushed to meet her, nose wrinkling in exaggerated disgust. "Where have you been? Did you fall into a manure pit or something? You stink!"

Qin Li sighed, a look of utter exasperation crossing her face. "It's been a day straight out of hell, that's all I can say."

Sensing gossip, Qu Dani's eyes lit up. She followed Qin Li upstairs, her curiosity bubbling over. "Spill the tea! What happened? Did you and Yan Sen make progress? What stage are you at? Kissed yet?"

Rolling her eyes, Qin Li shoved Qu Dani out of her room. "No progress. Not even a little hand-holding. Now, will you please let me shower in peace? We'll talk after."

Once Qu Dani was out of the way, Qin Li stepped into the bathroom. After a much-needed long shower that washed away the day's grime and embarrassment, she changed into fresh clothes and let herself collapse onto the bed.

The events of the day played over in her mind like a chaotic montage. Life as a pseudo-farmer—or more accurately, a farmer's potential bride—was nothing short of a whirlwind. She couldn't imagine spending a lifetime stuck here in the countryside. The one-month timeline couldn't end soon enough so she could return to her student life abroad.

Too drained to dwell on her predicament, Qin Li's exhaustion pulled her into the embrace of sleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Somewhere in the haze of sleep, Qin Li became aware of the sound of footsteps entering her room.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she was startled to see Yan Sen standing at the foot of her bed, dressed in a flamboyant floral shirt that screamed not his style.

She wanted to sit up, to ask him what he was doing, but her body felt oddly heavy, as if held down by an invisible force. Yan Sen's dark eyes seemed to pierce through her as he slowly approached.

There was something in the way he looked at her—an intensity that bordered on smoldering.

"In the mood for me?" he asked, his voice lower and softer than usual.

Caught off guard, Qin Li found herself nodding. "Yes."

"Then come here." His words were both a command and an invitation.

Wait, what's going on? Why can't I control myself? Qin Li's thoughts screamed, but her body didn't listen.

She sat up and reached out, gripping the front of his shirt. With one strong tug, she pulled him down toward her, her lips seeking his in a kiss that felt as if it could set the room on fire.

Yan Sen responded in kind, deepening the kiss as his hands trailed to the buttons of his shirt. One by one, he undid them, the fabric sliding off his shoulders and revealing a sculpted, muscular chest beneath.

As they paused to catch their breaths, Qin Li blurted, "Aren't we moving a little too fast?"

"Efficiency saves time," Yan Sen replied, deadpan.

"But we barely know each other's interests!" Qin Li protested weakly.

He tilted his head, his lips brushing against her neck. "I enjoy farming and herding cows. You?"

"Reading novels, listening to music," she whispered, the words tumbling out.

"Likes and dislikes?" he murmured against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"Cooking—good. Exercise—bad," she said. "You?"

"Exercise—good. Reading—boring," he replied before taking her earlobe between his lips.

Qin Li gasped, her senses overwhelmed, as she noticed him reaching for his belt. Panic—or anticipation—surged through her, and she yelled, "Wait!"

Yan Sen froze, looking at her with raised eyebrows.

Her hand shot out to stop him. "I have to do it!"

Taking charge, she grabbed his belt and yanked it free with one swift motion. The leather slipped through the loops with a satisfying snap.

Her hands moved to his pants, tugging them down. Her breath hitched at the sight before her: defined abs, a smooth V-line disappearing into his boxers.

Qin Li licked his lips, whimpered, and pulled his underwear down!

Then ...