As the sun sets, the sky is painted crimson and gold. Lu Yun pedals furiously down the uneven country road on his iron-assisted bicycle—the half-bag of wheat strapped to the back sways wildly, as if dancing a spirited performance. "Miss Xiao San is becoming more difficult by the day," Lu Yun mutters. "This time alone, she's taken me for nearly an hour—drained me dry!" Lu Yun is thirteen years old and hails from Cheng Taijian Village in Qingping County. After losing both parents at a young age, he has lived with his uncle ever since. To be precise, Lu Yun isn't actually the biological son of his father, Lu Feng. When Lu Feng married at twenty-five, he didn’t have any children until he turned forty-five—neither due to his wife’s infertility nor because of any lack of effort on his part. Rather, it was Lu Feng himself who had lost his vitality long before battle even began, like a defeated soldier already collapsing under the weight of anticipation. Truly, no shame for the village named "Cheng Taijian"—a place that has always prided itself on its reputation for loyalty and diligence! In China’s traditional philosophy, “filial piety” takes many forms; among them, having offspring is paramount. Lu Feng and his wife had discussed this issue repeatedly and finally decided to purchase a baby boy from an agency—though not their own biological child, they believed that once he grew up, he would surely care for them in retirement. So, with two full thousand yuan, they bought a newborn infant—the very one who is now Lu Yun. From the moment Lu Feng and his wife laid eyes on him, they fell deeply in love with the boy—he was held like a precious treasure, carefully cherished as if it might crumble at any moment. By the time Lu Yun turned two, life had settled into harmony for the family of three. Yet fate intervened—during one trip to the county town, Lu Feng and his wife were driving home in their tractor when it overturned into a five-meter-deep ditch. In that tragic accident, both parents and several young men who had happened to be riding along perished instantly. Now, Lu Yun—the child once sold by his own parents—has lost not only his parents but also his step-parents, becoming an orphan. Fortunately, neighbor Zhao, the uncle, kindly took him in as if he were his own blood. He ensured Lu Yun’s education and nurtured him through school years until now, when at age thirteen, Lu Yun has just been accepted into the town's secondary school—brilliantly surprising even the modest and humble Zhao. The half-bag of wheat slung on Lu Yun’s seat is his weekly supply of food. A soft *pfft* sound—a sudden puff of white steam emerges from the rear tire. The bicycle slows immediately. Lu Yun jumps off, gazes at the deflated tire, and curses: "You're out to get me, aren’t you? This old iron donkey—this very act is meant to drive me crazy!" With a thunderous thud, he throws the already weathered bike onto the ground. The journey from Cheng Taijian Village to the town’s secondary school spans over fifteen kilometers—the distance covered so far barely reaches half of it. Does that mean he must walk the rest of the way? Lu Yun sits on the ground, feeling both frustrated and weary. He glances at the sky—no more than thirty minutes until evening class starts! Today's lesson is the one taught by his strict teacher, Mr. Li—the very man whose methods are known for being particularly demanding. Thinking of Mr. Li’s sharp tongue, Lu Yun feels ready to burst into tears. "Ah, Lu Yun! What are you doing here? It’s almost time for class—don’t you see? If you don’t hurry, I’ll certainly give you a dressing-down!" Just as Lu Yun is hunched over, his head bowed in resignation, a voice soft and melodious echoes from behind. His spirit lifts immediately. "Xiao Ying! You’ve come at the perfect time," he exclaims, springing up with relief. "My tire has burst—I can’t move anymore. Would you be so kind as to give me a ride?" He looks at the girl in front of him with helpless innocence. This young woman is Lu Xiao Ying—the daughter of Lu Binglin, head of the village committee—and also thirteen years old, someone Lu Yun has known since childhood. Not only does she look fresh and vibrant, but academically, too—over the past six years at elementary school, she’s consistently been his superior, serving as class monitor. Xiao Ying frowns slightly: "You’re quite heavy, I can’t carry you comfortably. And what about your bicycle?" "I’ll manage it," Lu Yun replies earnestly. "Please help me—otherwise, Mr. Li will absolutely make sure I suffer." "Alright then," Xiao Ying says with a bright smile. "But let’s make this agreement: if I can’t handle you, you won’t insist that I carry you!" Lu Yun beams, eyes sparkling: "Of course! How could I ask the school’s very first beauty to work so hard?" He lifts his bicycle and quickly mounts it behind Xiao Ying’s seat. "Whoa—be careful!" Xiao Ying gasps as the handlebars shift, nearly tipping over. Thanks to Lu Yun’s tall frame and long legs, which stretch out straight like pillars of strength, he steadies himself immediately. Smiling confidently, he reassures: "Monitor, don’t worry—you’re safe with me, Lu Yun is here!" Xiao Ying turns back at him with a mock scowl: "You're such a braggart—get off now!" She carefully mounts the bicycle and begins to ride forward. They say that one smile can turn a woman into enchantment—the way Xiao Ying turns her head, her eyes wide in amusement, is truly breathtaking. How did I never notice this before? Lu Yun finds himself gazing at her back, utterly transfixed. In summer, even with wind, the heat is unbearable. Xiao Ying wears a pure white short-sleeve shirt—revealing the delicate pink lace of her undershirt beneath. At thirteen, she's entering adolescence—not only in spirit but also in body. Lu Yun suddenly finds himself imagining something more intimate: if he were to follow the scenes from television dramas and lay her down in a field of crops, would she be brave enough to tell her father at home? "Are you really that heavy?" Xiao Ying breathes heavily, her face flushed with exertion. Unaware that behind her, Lu Yun is quietly admiring every curve of her form. "I can manage," he says, still smiling as he watches the way she gently sways and shifts in the seat—her hips moving sensuously. "The comfort should be just as good as Miss Xiao San’s." "Never! This is a brand-new bicycle my father just bought for me. If you're going to handle it so clumsily, I’ll have to replace it!" She’s already drenched in sweat, her body radiating the subtle scent of a maiden's freshness. "By the time we arrive at school, you owe me an ice cream," she insists. "Absolutely!" Lu Yun replies with cheerful enthusiasm—before he can stop himself, his face presses gently against her back, and her buttocks stir in response. *Clunk!* The bicycle hits a deep depression and jolts violently. Lu Yun yelps out loud! "What’s wrong now?" Xiao Ying turns to him, startled. "Just a bit of discomfort," Lu Yun replies, holding his lower abdomen with both hands, gritting his teeth. "I just felt it press against me." "Really? But your hand—your fingers are clearly pressed over there…" The girl stops the bicycle and sees how Lu Yun’s hands now cradle his crotch, face twisted in pain. Her cheeks flush crimson as she suddenly realizes what's going on. "Lu Yun," she says with a blush, "did you just… did you have any intentions toward me?" Lu Yun is startled—his body trembling—and quickly pulls his hands away, swearing: "By heaven and earth! I’m only grateful for your kindness. How could I possibly harbor any such thoughts of yours?" "Even if you had the courage," Xiao Ying replies with suspicion, her gaze lingering on him as she hesitates before finally saying, "Lu Yun—do you actually have a connection with Miss Xiao San?" What now? Lu Yun thinks anxiously—is it possible that his relationship with Miss Xiao San has already come to light? "Ah… what kind of connection exactly?" Lu Yun asks, trying to keep his calm. "Well…" Xiao Ying fumbles slightly, then waves her hand dismissively. "I don’t need to explain anything. But my father mentioned you’re not quite a perfect person—he advised me to stay away from you." Oh! The village committee head—so unexpected! How did Miss Xiao San know about this? Now the old man has dared to tarnish my reputation. I’ll surely find a way to expose his stories—the very ones involving the village widows—to every household in Cheng Taijian Village! **Rural Beauty, Chapter 1, Scene 1: Lu Yun vs. Lu Xiao Ying — Updated and Complete!**