“And a lot of people saw Zhong Yao carry you back home today. You can’t ruin the reputation of us female educated youths!” Meng Zhiqing said, glancing at Zhong Yao before adding, “And… didn’t you have a bit of a crush on Zhong Yao before?”
At her words, Zhong Yao straightened his back, and Shen Suyu, even more surprised, turned her cold gaze on Meng Zhiqing.
“See how sensible Xiao Meng is? A woman’s life, she’ll marry whoever she wants! If you ruin your reputation, the outside world will call you a shameless slut!”
Hearing that Shen Suyu had once shown interest in Zhong Yao, the women’s director became increasingly eager. “And Zhong Yao is willing to take responsibility. Otherwise, women like you in the past would have been paraded through the streets! Since you like Zhong Yao, I say this matter is settled!”
The women’s director spat out words full of disdain and crude insults. One sentence alone hit every one of Shen Suyu’s eight rage points. She finally snapped.
“What kind of woman am I? I haven’t stolen, I haven’t cheated! What kind of woman do you think I am?” Shen Suyu lifted her head abruptly, her beautiful eyes sharp as they locked onto the women’s director.
“You’re the director, and this is how the so-called ‘modern woman’ is supposed to think? Don’t think I don’t know your little schemes!” Shen Suyu’s calm aura shocked the director, who stammered, “I… I have no schemes?”
What’s with this girl? She remembered the old Shen Suyu as gentle and timid, even unable to look people in the eye. Where did this commanding presence come from?
“There are always more men than women on this island in the fishing village. Instead of investigating how many baby girls drowned because of feudal thinking, you meddle for political points, matchmaking recklessly and harming people. You deserve to be women’s director?” Shen Suyu sneered, arching her brows beautifully. Locking eyes with the director, a threatening cold smile curved her lips.
“I remember a girl in the neighboring village jumped into the river because of your meddling. If the Discipline Inspection Commission found out, would your position as women’s director be safe?”
“You!” The director’s face turned pale, full of guilt. If her deeds were exposed, she wouldn’t just lose her post—she could even end up on the cold bench in prison! Shen Suyu was unexpectedly a hard case.
“Hmph! Good intentions taken for granted! I won’t concern myself with your matters anymore!” The director, anxious, turned to leave, her flabby face trembling with anger.
Meng Zhiqing panicked. “Director! Don’t go! Shen Suyu doesn’t speak for herself, and you still need to arrange her marriage!”
“Besides, Xiao Yu’s clothes are soaked. She just came out of Zhong Yao’s house, still unaware of what happened! If you don’t handle this, wouldn’t her purity be wasted?!” Meng Zhiqing grabbed the director, shouting at the top of her lungs. People in neighboring yards peeked out in curiosity.
Seeing this, Meng Zhiqing shouted even louder: “Xiao Yu’s purity is gone! How is she supposed to live her life?”
“Live her life? Hah! You know how to live? Spreading rumors about your own sister without distinguishing right from wrong, what a fine tea you brew!” Shen Suyu mocked, her voice resonant, cutting off Meng Zhiqing’s hypocrisy.
At first, she thought Meng Zhiqing was just naive and trying to smooth things over. But now, her words not only implied a secret relationship with Zhong Yao but also intended to broadcast it for all to hear—pushing Shen Suyu straight into a fire pit.
Meng Zhiqing froze, seemingly unable to process that the “soft” Shen Suyu was now mocking her. Shen Suyu, on the other hand, kicked the wooden door open with a loud “clang,” pointing at the women’s director and Zhong Yao.
“Get out, or I’ll report you to the Discipline Inspection Commission first thing tomorrow!”
“Ungrateful! Hmph!” The director, guilty, slunk away with a reluctant Zhong Yao. Meng Zhiqing tried to argue, “Xiao Yu…”
“You go too!” Shen Suyu said coldly. Such a backstabbing “friend” was better off gone.
After sending the women’s director and the others away, Shen Suyu’s good mood was slightly affected. She ate a few bites, then strolled to the edge of the island.
The night breeze by the sea was gentle and cool, carrying the scent of salt. Shen Suyu felt a little comforted. She wandered along the shore, watching the stars, and sat alone on a rock, letting the sea wind brush over her. Most of the village’s lights had gone out, and the summer insects chirped in the night. Exhausted from the day, she even dozed off in the gentle breeze.
When she woke up, she shockingly realized she was trapped on a rock. The night tide had risen, icy seawater covering the rock, and the path she had taken was now submerged under a vast expanse of water.
“Ah no! Is anyone there?” Shen Suyu clung to the rock, a black line of worry crossing her forehead as she looked tens of meters toward the shore. Could she really die just after transmigrating? The shore was pitch black, the village lights all out—nothing could be seen, the vast water stretching endlessly, instilling terror.
The tide surged higher. Shen Suyu held the rock tightly as the frigid seawater rose over her body and neck. Her consciousness began to blur. She was so cold…
Just as the seawater reached her nostrils, she vaguely saw a dark figure leap into the water from the shore, swimming anxiously toward her.
“Shen Suyu! Comrade Shen…” A low, magnetic voice sounded beside her. Immediately, a strong hand wrapped around her slender waist, lifting her effortlessly and holding her tightly. Shen Suyu had never felt so safe and warm; drowsily, she instinctively clutched the man’s strong waist.
The man shivered slightly, holding her as he swam quickly to the shore.
“Cough! Cough cough!” Once ashore, Shen Suyu gasped out a mouthful of water and gradually saw the man’s face in the moonlight.
His features were sharp and stern, with a clean crew cut, high nose bridge, defined facial contours, thick eyelashes, and black eyes shining like obsidian. His thin lips were pressed into a line.
Looking downward, his healthy, tanned muscles were revealed beneath a wet olive-green military vest, the lines of his body faintly visible beneath the fabric…
“Captain Gu…” Shen Suyu murmured, dazed.
The man’s brows were furrowed seriously, a hint of anger in his voice: “Shen Suyu! Do you know how dangerous this is?”
“As a young educated youth sent to the countryside, you should take better care of yourself! Write a self-criticism report for tomorrow!”
Captain Gu’s voice was annoyed, but seeing Shen Suyu’s pale face, his expression softened. He reached out to touch her forehead.
“Do you have a fever?”
His hand was warm, but Shen Suyu frowned and pushed him away.
“I’m fine, just a slight cold. No need to trouble you, Captain Gu.” Shen Suyu steadied herself, trying to act tough and avoid him. However, when she said she didn’t need his help, the man’s expression changed slightly.
Shen Suyu staggered to her feet, but the next second, that strong hand suddenly blocked her waist.