Grateful that Qin Yan had saved her, Su Tian asked cautiously, “You don’t look like you’re from our village. You wouldn’t happen to be here today with my brother-in-law, would you?”
Qin Yan raised an eyebrow, suspicious, and glanced at her disheveled, tattered clothes. It was like a hot sensation hit him, and he quickly looked away, embarrassed to stare at Su Tian while picking up the most important clue from her words. “Brother-in-law,” she said—that should be his cousin, Guo Zhiwei. From what he had just heard, that scumbag seemed to have some connection with the prospective sister-in-law and, to take revenge, was planning to assault the person in front of him. Fortunately, he had arrived just in time. He hadn’t expected that by trying to hold back, he would accidentally uncover someone else’s secret.
Qin Yan had guessed Su Tian’s identity, and with an indescribable feeling, he expertly unbuttoned his shirt and handed it to her, carrying his body warmth: “Put this on.”
Su Tian wanted to refuse but looked down at her torn clothes. Blushing, she quickly took his shirt and wrapped it around herself, fastening every button. She hadn’t realized how large his shirt was. Once on, she felt like she was wrapped in a bedsheet, faintly carrying a scent of him. Thinking that this shirt had just come off his body and now she was wearing it—sharing the same piece of clothing—Su Tian’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“Thank you. I’ll change and wash it as soon as I get home,” she said, trying not to overthink it. Without his shirt covering her, being in just her vest would be awkward and embarrassing if anyone else saw.
“No need. Just give it back to me after you wash it. It’s the only one I have,” Qin Yan said, still facing away. “Are you leaving or not?” He had to drive and couldn’t afford delays—but he also didn’t want to leave her alone in case that scumbag wasn’t done.
Su Tian nodded, “Alright, alright. I know a shortcut that avoids the villagers. Follow me; I’ll lead the way.”
Qin Yan didn’t refuse and followed her steps. To make sure he kept up, Su Tian frequently looked back. Catching his slightly exasperated gaze, she smiled sheepishly, her bright eyes and soft expression a bit coaxing, which made Qin Yan’s chest tighten. His gaze unintentionally fell to the oversized shirt she wore. She was so petite, and in his shirt, she looked like a child sneaking into adult clothes.
While he was momentarily stunned, the little figure in front had already walked far ahead. Worried she might look back, Qin Yan hurried to catch up. They moved one in front of the other, avoiding villagers along a ridge path. Fortunately, with Su Lili’s grand wedding today, most villagers were out celebrating, so there was hardly anyone at home. Su Tian successfully slipped back home and had Qin Yan wait outside.
She was alone at home; Huang Guifei and the others had gone to help at Su Lili’s house, so she couldn’t bring him inside. Su Tian closed the door, changed clothes, and checked herself in the small mirror. Her hair was messy, scattered with bits of grass, and she looked a mess. Thinking of facing Qin Yan like this, she felt mortified. Finally, she reassured herself: he had already seen her and even worn his shirt—there was nothing to be embarrassed about. After all, he wasn’t her boyfriend, so no need to care too much about appearances.
Su Tian fixed her hair, and since he was still outside waiting, she handed him the clothes she had taken off, smiling gratefully: “Here’s your shirt. I was going to wash it first.”
“No need,” Qin Yan said, glancing at her. After washing her face and tidying her hair into two neat braids, Su Tian looked clean and pretty, with red lips, white teeth, and bright eyes. Her smile was like a flower. No wonder that scumbag had wanted to take advantage of her—she was indeed easy to corrupt.
Qin Yan accepted the shirt, shook it out, put it on efficiently, smoothed the wrinkles, and headed toward the lively Su Lili’s house.
Su Tian knew he was cold and unsociable, so she didn’t mind his aloofness. She watched him go until he was a safe distance away, making sure he didn’t get lost, then turned her attention elsewhere.
Meanwhile, at Su Lili’s, she had been waiting for Su Tian to appear. Left and right, no sign of her coming, and Su Lili realized that Chen Xiaojun was probably done for. If that were true, it was double joy for Su Lili. First, she had successfully stolen Su Tian’s engagement and married Guo Zhiwei, becoming a city wife, rich and carefree. Second, she would watch the scumbag and the scheming girl torment each other—one facing domestic abuse, the other incapable of producing an heir—eliminating two big problems at once.
By the time the wedding feast started, Su Tian finally showed up. Su Lili’s eyes widened like copper bells as she saw Su Tian in a fresh set of clothes. She almost laughed, unable to hide her gloating—this time, it looked like they were done for! In this life, they couldn’t escape, forever struggling in the mud!
Su Tian looked at the gleeful Su Lili and smiled as she approached. “Why are you laughing? You don’t really think Chen Xiaojun and I have anything, do you?”
Su Lili’s smile faltered. “You two don’t, but why did you change clothes?”
Before Su Tian could explain, Su Lili reassured her: “I know, I won’t mind. We’re in the past now. Even if you married Chen Xiaojun, I wouldn’t say anything. Just consider it gone. Actually, he’s a good guy—you wouldn’t lose out by marrying him.”
Su Tian, with a half-smile, replied, “It’s because someone tried to grope me and I ended up with blood-stained clothes. That’s why I changed. Didn’t you get that?”
“Ah?” Su Lili was dumbfounded. That useless Chen Xiaojun—when he abused her, every punch landed with full force—how could he get beaten by a woman in front of Su Tian?
“If you don’t believe me, you can go see for yourself,” Su Tian said openly.
Su Lili didn’t dare question her. Thinking of such a golden opportunity—the useless man missing his chance, letting Su Tian escape—she realized it would be much harder for Su Tian to scheme against her in the future.
“Su Lili, don’t go too far—be careful of karma,” Su Tian thought to herself, seeing through Su Lili’s scheming mind. She wouldn’t stoop to revealing Su Lili’s true nature right now to ruin the wedding. She would let Su Lili reap the consequences of her own actions and experience the result of trying to steal a fiancé.
Su Lili glanced guiltily at her and feigned innocence: “I don’t understand what you mean. I didn’t do anything. How was I supposed to know Chen Xiaojun is that kind of person? I’m marrying into the city anyway, so Chen Xiaojun has nothing to do with me now.”
Su Tian just snorted, and that said it all.
Su Lili married Guo Zhiwei, following the same process as last time when Su Tian got married. At noon, they held a wedding banquet at the Su family home. After the banquet, they went to the city, where another evening banquet was held, inviting friends and relatives to celebrate.
At the Su family banquet, Huang Guifei didn’t notice Su Tian coming over to meet anyone. Seeing the cousins chatting, worried the good food would be eaten by others, she urged Su Tian to go eat quickly.
Su Tian nodded and followed Huang Guifei, scanning the crowd. Her gaze briefly landed on the groom, Guo Zhiwei, who was surrounded by attention, like a star at the center of the universe. Then, at the table for the groom’s family, she spotted that tall, cold figure—Qin Yan.
Su Tian took over the task of serving dishes from his mother, carrying a plate of braised pork toward Qin Yan’s table. She placed it in front of him with a bright smile: “Excuse me, the braised pork is here—enjoy your meal.”
Hearing the gentle, serene voice, Qin Yan looked toward the sound. Su Tian’s lips curved in a smile, her eyes sparkling, and she looked straight at him. Their eyes met, and her smile grew even brighter. She winked at him—cute and radiant—but fearing others would see, she quickly composed herself.
After setting down the bowl of braised pork, she used the tray to shield her movements and deftly slipped something into Qin Yan’s chest pocket.
Qin Yan: “……”