Farming boy with a magic ring

"Pfft, look at you four." Zara Night sneered, pointing at the group slumped over the table. "All that talk about drinking, yet none of you could hold your liquor better than Wood. Don't go around saying you know me — I'd be too embarrassed!"

The others gave awkward smiles, but Leo was different. He and Ethan had been at odds for a while. If he couldn't outdrink Ethan, he'd just show off his wealth. That was his real trump card.

With a smug look, Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek red box, slamming it onto the table. "Hah! What's the point of drinking? In this world, it's all about money if you want to impress a woman. Vegetable seller, do you even know what this is?"

He sneered. "Listen carefully. Inside this box is an ice-type jade ring — market price, 880,000 yuan. Hmph! If I could've found a glass-type jade, I would've bought that instead."

Leo glanced at Zoe, eyes glinting. "When Uncle Han calls me up later, I'll propose to Zoe with this ring. What about you, vegetable farmer? Bringing her a cart of cabbages and radishes?"

Wendy let out an exaggerated laugh, pushing her glasses up her nose.

Ethan had no interest in getting involved with Zoe's marriage situation, nor did he care for Leo's antics. But when he saw the pain in Zoe's eyes, something shifted in him. Alright, Leo — you asked for it.

Ethan glanced at the red box on the table. Two meters away. Perfect.

With a flick of his will, the contents of the box vanished into his ring space. Ethan's eyes darted around inside his mystical storage until they landed on something fitting. Pig dung. A whole lot of pig dung from his bamboo forest.

He smirked. "Don't look down on pig dung, Leo. This stuff is special — mixed with spirit water, it doesn't stink and is pure organic fertilizer. Honestly, if you hadn't brought that ring, I wouldn't even be willing to gift you this."

Then, he eyed the jade ring floating inside his ring space. Ice-type jade, huh? Leo made it sound like it wasn't even top-tier. Let's see what a little soak in spirit water could do. Ethan poured half a basin of spirit water and dropped the ring in.

Just then, the emcee stepped onto the platform, tapping the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention! Today, we celebrate Old Mr. Night's eightieth birthday, and Young Master Leo will formally propose to Miss Zoe. Please give them a warm round of applause!"

Leo stood, puffing his chest out. He grabbed the red box from the table, completely unaware of its new contents. Turning to Zoe, he sneered. "Hear that? Time to seal the deal. Unless you want your family to lose everything?"

Zoe's face turned pale. Anger, helplessness, and sadness flickered across her features. She clenched her fists, her eyes brimming with tears.

Ethan felt a pang in his chest. He didn't know why, but seeing Zoe like this made his heart ache. He clenched his jaw. No matter what, he was playing the role of her boyfriend tonight — he'd see it through.

"Wait." Ethan stood. "I'll go with you."

Zoe shook her head bitterly. "Thank you, Ethan, but you've done enough. Maybe this is just… my fate."

Ethan scoffed. "Fate? No one decides my fate but me. Come on." He wrapped an arm around Zoe's waist, pulling her close. "Since I'm your boyfriend, I'll walk this path with you."

Zoe gasped as he led her forward, her heart pounding.

"Wow, Ethan is so bold! So romantic!" Yuyu squealed, stars in her eyes. Without a second thought, she latched onto Ethan's other arm, squeezing her soft body against his. "I can't take it. I want a man like this too!"

Zara slapped her forehead in disbelief. "Seriously?! Ethan's helping Zoe, and you're trying to squeeze in? Do you even know what you're doing?" She stared after them, a strange sourness rising in her chest. Her nose tingled. What was this feeling? She shook her head, confused.

"You like him, don't you?" Wendy's quiet voice broke through Zara's thoughts.

"W-What? No! Don't talk nonsense!" Zara's face turned crimson. "Besides, I'd never steal a man from my sister!"

The crowd murmured as the trio walked toward the stage, drawing all eyes.

"My God…" An older man gawked. "What's going on? Is this some kind of love square?"

"No, no." A middle-aged woman shook her head. "It's simpler than that. Leo loves Zoe. Zoe loves that pretty boy. And the Tang girl? She's just here for fun."

"So… does that mean Leo is screwed?" someone asked.

An elderly man chuckled darkly. "Not necessarily. Unless Han is willing to throw away the Yu's family's wealth, Zoe has no choice. That's the life of the rich."

He sighed. "Didn't my wife and I marry the same way?"

The crowd hushed as Ethan, Zoe, and Yuyu reached the stage, ready to face whatever came next.