That was exactly what Su Nian’an wanted them to think.
Now that the neighbors were left with the impression that the Su family had treated her terribly — whether the Fu family stepped in or not — anyone with a shred of sense in the Gu family would never grow close to the Su family again. Unless the Gus truly despised her?
And Su Nian’an was confident: with her quick wit and capable hands, the Gu family would never come to hate her.
By then, even if the Su family watched the Gus rise to prominence again and tried to cozy up to them, it would be far too late.
“So… will you still beat me?” Su Nian’an asked, looking utterly pitiful.
Su Aiguo knew full well his daughter was putting on an act, but with outsiders watching, he dared not lose his temper. He swallowed his fury and forced himself to say:
“No more beating. If anyone dares lay a hand on you, I’ll be the one to deal with them!”
Those words turned Liu Cuilan’s face a shade of livid green.
She was about to snap back — but one sharp glance from Su Aiguo silenced her completely. Not a single peep escaped her lips.
In the Su household, everyone ultimately answered to Su Aiguo.
“Thank you.” Su Nian’an lifted her head, gazing up at him with a look of heartrending vulnerability.
She was actually thoroughly enjoying this performance!
Su Nianxi kept out of sight the whole time. She was terrified that, if provoked further, Su Nian’an might blurt out the truth: that she was not truly a daughter of the Su family at all.
She still had a good marriage to secure — and there were plenty of fine families in the capital city to choose from.
If word got out she was merely an adopted daughter, no matter how dearly the Su family doted on her, those respectable families would surely think twice before taking her in.
Let that wretched Su Nian’an gloat for now. Once she was sent down to the countryside, her days of hardship would truly begin.
When Su Nian’an first arrived at the Su home, she had seemed timid and withdrawn.
But the moment she learned she had been brought to the city solely to take Su Nianxi’s place in an arranged marriage — she changed entirely. She had become like a woman possessed, ready to fly into a rage at any moment.
Su Nianxi had her own theory: at first, Su Nian’an had likely pretended to be meek and frail just to make her parents feel guilty. Once she realized her parents clearly favored Su Nianxi, she could keep up the pretense no longer — and simply dropped the act.
Now it seemed Su Nian’an had decided to throw caution to the wind — to drag everyone down with her.
Su Nianxi felt rather proud of her own cleverness. She was no fool. Best not to provoke Su Nian’an today.
Satisfied she had seen through Su Nian’an’s little scheme, Su Nianxi walked over to Liu Cuilan and called her softly.
“Mother…”
“Hmm? My precious girl, what is it? Just wait — once we lock the doors, I’ll teach that little wretch Su Nian’an a lesson she’ll never forget!” Liu Cuilan murmured, leaning close to her ear.
“Mother, please — do not!”
Just recalling the sheer strength Su Nian’an had displayed that morning filled Su Nianxi with dread. She had no desire to relive that terror.
Her mother was just like her — pampered and privileged since birth. How could she possibly match that coarse, country-bred savage Su Nian’an, who possessed the strength of an ox?
Worried her mother might get hurt, Su Nianxi added: “Mother, let us just endure this one more night. Tomorrow morning, Father will send that wretched girl straight to the train station.”
Liu Cuilan looked at her daughter in genuine surprise. “You… are choosing to hold your tongue?”
She knew her daughter’s temperament better than anyone. For Su Nianxi to swallow her pride was worse than death. It was precisely why she had never gotten along well with the other girls in their neighborhood.
And yet, here she was — choosing to tolerate Su Nian’an?
“Mother, you simply do not understand. Su Nian’an spoke one true thing: being sent down to the countryside is nothing like living there freely. Once she marries into the Gu family, endless days of suffering await her. There is no need for us to fight her merely for a moment’s satisfaction.”
Liu Cuilan beamed with relief, seeing her daughter had finally grown sensible.
“Xi’xi, you are truly the clever one. Your mother was nearly tricked by that conniving little wretch!” Liu Cuilan hissed.
“Exactly! Su Nian’an is far too cunning. I suspect she is deliberately provoking us. I would not be surprised if she has no intention of going to the countryside at all — and plans to run off with the money and tickets!”
“How dare she! That settles it — I shall speak to your father at once. We must keep a close watch on her!”
With that, Liu Cuilan hurried off to find Su Aiguo.
Meanwhile, Su Aiguo remained with Su Nian’an, ever vigilant lest she run outside and air the family’s dirty laundry in public.
“Nian’an,” he said, his voice cold and steady, “a deal is a deal. I have already given you the money and ration coupons. Yet here you are, causing yet another scene. Is this not rather unfair of you?”
He stared at her intently, and for the first time he found himself wondering: was it truly wise to marry off a woman who harbored such resentment toward the Su family into the Gu household?
What if she turned the Gu family against them?
But then he reconsidered. In the Gu family’s current straits, the Su family had every intention of keeping their distance. The Su family had paid a high price in the past to avoid being sent down to the countryside — and wanted nothing more to do with them.
Besides, if the Gu family remained distant, they would surely never come seeking help once Su Nian’an was gone.
And then there was Gu Qingyu — a man of such stern, unyielding character. Su Nian’an would have her work cut out for her.
Gu Qingyu had not even spared Su Nianxi — beautiful, renowned throughout the neighborhood as she was — a single glance of interest. He had always treated her with cool indifference.
Su Aiguo refused to believe Gu Qingyu possessed such poor taste as to reject Su Nianxi — and favor instead this gaunt, frail-looking girl from the countryside.
Even if the Gu family accepted Su Nian’an as their daughter-in-law, she would surely live a life of hardship there.
With that thought, Su Aiguo shed every last pretense of affection for his own daughter.
If she refused to show the Su family any respect, then he saw no reason to pretend either.
“Su Nian’an, let me make one thing perfectly clear,” he said icily. “You accepted that money and those coupons — and in exchange, you will do as the Su family bids. Do not mistake yourself into believing you are the only option for this marriage. I have more than enough means to ensure your obedience.”
Su Nian’an stood frozen a moment — surprised he had finally dropped the charade.
Fine by me, she thought. Truth be told, she had long grown sick of his sickening “loving father” routine.
Did he truly believe she was oblivious to his motives? He wanted her to remain grateful to the Su family — so that one day, should they ever need anything from her, she would feel honor-bound to help.
Su Aiguo had been a merchant in his day — selfish, calculating, driven entirely by profit.
Even with a daughter he cared nothing for, he had felt compelled to feign affection before she left — to build a false bond.
Wearing a mask and pretending to care had always disgusted her.
This was far better — laying their cards on the table, no more emotional manipulation.
“I intend to honor our agreement,” Su Nian’an replied calmly. “But I ask you — keep your wife and your daughter under control. Do not allow them to harass me. Who truly started this trouble today? You know the answer perfectly well in your heart.”
Her voice remained steady, unshaken — not the slightest trace of fear in the face of his threats.