Xu Cheng could sense the storm brewing from Jiang Yao's imposing aura.
Zhou Yun had truly stirred up trouble with her words! It was clear Jiang Yao hadn't known about Jiang Chi and Xu Changxia's past relationship! If this escalated into a public scene at the entrance, being laughed at by neighbors would be the least of their worries – the real concern was the Jiang family losing face!
He grew increasingly agitated, breaking out in a cold sweat on his forehead within mere seconds.
"Jiang Yao…" He hesitated briefly before steeling himself and approaching Jiang Yao, gently pulling him aside: "You…"
"I've already discussed this matter with Jiang Chi. There's no need to hide anything from Brother Jiang Yao – I confessed everything to him last night." Xu Changxia suddenly spoke up calmly from the side.
"Ah?" Xu Cheng and the others were stunned by this revelation.
Xu Changxia knew secrets couldn't remain buried forever. With so many people aware of the situation, it was only a matter of time before it reached Jiang Yao's ears. That's why she decided to tell him herself.
She just hadn't had time to explain the details of the relationship or why she went out with Jiang Chi the night before last, as Jiang Yao had left for the Troops shortly after.
If Zhou Yun continued spouting nonsense here, Jiang Yao might suspect she still had feelings for Jiang Chi. So she decided to clarify everything in front of everyone.
Before she could continue, Zhou Yun interjected with a furrowed brow: "What I meant was, if he knew you went out alone with Jiang Chi the night before last…"
Zhou Yun abruptly stopped mid-sentence, slapping her thigh in frustration: "Oh, look at my big mouth! Jiang Yao, this is our fault as elders for not keeping better watch over Xiaxia. If you're angry, direct it at us!"
Jiang Yao wore a faint, ambiguous smile as he stared at Zhou Yun.
He maintained his gaze until Zhou Yun grew visibly uncomfortable before speaking calmly: "Do you have some grudge against Xiaxia? Why are you so eager to see her embarrassed?"
Zhou Yun grew flustered and defended herself: "What kind of question is that? Xu Cheng and I only have this one niece! How could I not want what's best for her?"
"Indeed. You clearly witnessed her going out to meet Jiang Chi and knew it was inappropriate behavior. Why didn't you stop her then?"
"I…" Zhou Yun was momentarily speechless.
Zhou Yun had never lost an argument in her life, yet Jiang Yao had rendered her speechless with just two sentences.
Beside them, Xu Changxia felt a secret thrill watching Zhou Yun's discomfited expression.
"Explain why you met with Jiang Chi." Before she could savor the moment fully, Jiang Yao turned his attention to her.
Xu Changxia thought for a moment before replying: "He's been pestering me. For the past month, he's been loitering near my home, waiting to intercept me. If you don't believe me, you can ask Uncle."
"That's right! It wasn't just me – some neighbors saw it too!" Xu Cheng immediately chimed in: "Our Xiaxia definitely didn't initiate contact with him!"
As he spoke, he glanced toward several neighbors who had gathered outside the door unnoticed: "You all…"
"I know." Jiang Yao interrupted before he could finish: "That's exactly why I asked Xiaxia to meet him once before the engagement banquet to make things clear."
"What! You're the one who told them to meet?!" Zhou Yun blurted out in shock.
"Is that so strange?" Jiang Yao raised one eyebrow slightly.
Beside them, Xu Changxia stared wide-eyed at Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao turned back and met her gaze for a few seconds before reaching out to take her hand: "So this is how Aunt and the others misunderstood you. It seems I was at fault here."
Xu Changxia followed him to his side, suppressing the urge to speak.
Why did she feel that Jiang Yao was deliberately giving her a chance to clear her name in front of so many people?
“Then it’s settled! Everything’s clear now!” Xu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, turning to greet the neighbors at the door. “Look at all this fuss—it was all a misunderstanding! Since you’re here, take some wedding candy back with you. My nephew-in-law went out early this morning to buy it himself!”
“I’m not here for wedding candy!” one of the women replied with a frown. “I’m here to find Zhou Yun!”
Seeing the woman’s aggressive demeanor, Zhou Yun couldn’t help but look a bit guilty. She stepped forward, grabbed the woman’s arm, and whispered urgently, “Let’s talk about our matter later! My nephew-in-law is a high-ranking official. Have some wedding candy first to calm down!”
The woman hesitated for a moment before saying, “Alright then! I’ll wait a bit out of respect for Xiaxia!”
Jiang Yao had no interest in listening to their petty squabbles. He turned to Xu Changxia and said calmly, “Let’s go. I’ll take you out for a bite to eat, and we can also book the restaurant for the Hui Men Jiu.”
“No need, no need! I’ll take care of it!” Xu Cheng insisted politely.
“Uncle, you don’t know my parents’ tastes. I’ll handle it,” Jiang Yao firmly declined.
Xu Changxia actually wanted to stay home for the breakfast her mother, Xu Fangfei, had prepared, hoping Jiang Yao could taste her mother’s cooking. Xu Fangfei’s Chicken Soup Wonton was truly exceptional.
But seeing Jiang Yao’s lack of enthusiasm, and with Xu Fangfei smiling and urging them, “That’s fine, you two go together as a couple!”
Xu Changxia hesitated for a moment before replying, “Alright, Brother Jiang Yao can book the restaurant, and I’ll go to town to fetch Third Uncle.”
She then turned to Xu Cheng and said, “Uncle, can I borrow your bicycle?”
“I’ll take you after breakfast. The town is quite far from here,” Jiang Yao interjected.
Xu Changxia glanced back at him. Jiang Yao’s expression didn’t seem like mere politeness.
Riding a bicycle to town would take at least an hour and a half each way—over three hours round trip. It was already 8:30, and they might not make it back in time for the Hui Men Jiu.
Besides, they were practically married now. If he didn’t mind the trouble, she wouldn’t stand on ceremony either.
“That works,” she nodded in agreement.
As they finalized their plans, Zhou Yun pulled the female neighbor into a room, muttering something indistinct. The neighbor’s voice grew louder, clearly angry.
“How could you do this to a neighbor you’ve known for twenty or thirty years?! Are you even human?”
“Shall we go?” Xu Changxia was still straining to eavesdrop when Jiang Yao called out to her.
“Coming,” Xu Changxia quickly followed.
Before leaving, she whispered to Xu Fangfei, “Mom, go listen to what’s going on and tell me later.”
“Okay,” Xu Fangfei nodded.
Xu Fangfei might be gentle-natured, but she wasn’t foolish. She had tolerated Zhou Yun’s bullying in the past, but now that Zhou Yun had targeted her daughter, she would remember it!
Jiang Yao reached the end of the alley and stopped, noticing Xu Changxia hadn’t caught up.
“Come here,” he said softly.
His gaze held a tenderness she had never seen before.