Yao Zhenzhen never expected Qin Ziqi to disregard the reputation of both the Yao and Lu families and say everything so bluntly. When she saw the gossiping look in Auntie Zhang’s eyes, she hurriedly spoke.
“Ziqi, what are you talking about? Hurry up and go. Don’t delay getting your injury treated.”
As a thirty-year-old soul, how could Qin Ziqi fail to see through the thoughts of this young girl in front of her?
“Did I say anything wrong? Didn’t I see you kissing Lu Chenghua upstairs? Or did you not push me and make me fall down the stairs?”
After saying that, she gave Auntie Zhang a meaningful glance before turning around and walking away without looking back.
Yao Zhenzhen clenched her fists tightly, cursing Qin Ziqi repeatedly in her heart.
But when she turned around, she put on an aggrieved and helpless expression.
“Auntie Zhang, Ziqi hit her head and is upset with me right now. Chenghua and I didn’t do anything. I just accidentally twisted my ankle while walking, and Chenghua helped me. Ziqi misunderstood us. When I was explaining things to her, she lost her balance and fell down the stairs.”
Auntie Zhang didn’t believe Yao Zhenzhen at all.
Although that Qin girl usually acted rather high and mighty, her character was actually fine. Yao Zhenzhen, on the other hand, had the manner of a white lotus, just like her mother—always acting coy and coquettish. She was clearly no innocent person.
“Auntie Zhang understands. Auntie Zhang won’t spread anything around, so don’t worry, Zhenzhen.”
That was what she said aloud, but in her heart, Auntie Zhang was already planning to find her old friends and have a good chat about the gossip surrounding the Yao sisters.
At this point, Yao Zhenzhen no longer cared whether Auntie Zhang believed her.
It probably wouldn’t take long before everyone in the neighborhood who knew them heard about the conversation between her and Qin Ziqi.
After all, Auntie Zhang was famous around here for being a gossip.
Yao Zhenzhen hurried home.
No, she had to discuss this with her parents. She also had to find Lu Chenghua and the Lu family. They needed to resolve the matter before it became more serious.
Following the original owner’s memories, Qin Ziqi arrived at the hospital. She had the wound on her head disinfected, treated, and properly bandaged again before wandering into a state-run restaurant.
Since she was already here, she might as well accept her fate.
Qin Ziqi estimated that her original body had probably died in the car accident. By now, her body had either been taken to the morgue or cremated. There was no way she could go back.
Besides, the original owner had probably died from falling down the stairs as well.
Better to live shamelessly than die honorably.
Living with such a beautiful face might not be so bad.
However, according to the historical development of Z Country, a family like the original owner’s would sooner or later run into trouble.
With a capitalist background, even though the original owner’s grandfather had been classified as a patriotic capitalist, Yao Zheng was the deputy director of a candy factory. The family also had four children, and they clearly lived comfortably.
Following the historical trajectory, either the children would eventually be sent to the countryside or the entire family would be sent down.
After all, Yao Zheng and Zhao Xinhua did not have particularly good reputations. On top of that, they lived in a garden-style Western house and maintained a bourgeois lifestyle.
It seemed she needed to find a way to separate herself from this family.
Even if she had to go to the countryside herself, that would still be better than being sent down with the entire family.
She ordered one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and a bowl of rice.
Oh, wow.
Braised pork ribs were this delicious in this era?
Perhaps she was simply starving. The original owner had been unconscious for almost a day.
Qin Ziqi quickly finished all the food.
Then she began searching through the original owner’s memories.
She would never have thought of it if she hadn’t looked, but once she did, she was shocked.
The original owner’s grandfather had actually left behind an abandoned old residence, where he had hidden so many valuable things for her.
And then there was the money and property left behind by the original owner’s mother.
She had really struck it rich.
But moving so much money and property would be difficult.
What a headache.
She would just have to take things one step at a time.
For now, she would go home and deal with those people first.
Qin Ziqi wiped her mouth, stood up, and walked home.
When she opened the door, besides the three people who had already been there earlier, the entire Lu family of three was also present.
The moment Lu Chenghua saw Qin Ziqi walk in, he sprang to his feet.
“Ziqi, I—I can explain. Zhenzhen and I, we…”
“No need to explain. You two were just kissing. It’s not a big deal.”
Qin Ziqi raised a hand.
Whoever wanted to listen to a scumbag’s excuses could listen to them. She certainly had no interest in hearing them.
Given the original owner’s personality, it was impossible for her to forgive a cheating man and Yao Zhenzhen.
And Qin Ziqi herself had no intention of having anything to do with them either.
“Yes, yes, exactly. Ziqi is so understanding. They were just momentarily confused. It’s nothing serious. Let’s just let the matter go. I promise Chenghua won’t do it again.”
Lu Chenghua’s mother, Tao Juxiang, had originally been wondering how to deal with Qin Ziqi.
Who would have thought it would be this easy?
Yao Zhenzhen anxiously tugged at Zhao Xinhua’s sleeve.
How could they just let it go?
What would that make her?
Once Auntie Zhang spread the story around, her reputation would be ruined.
Moreover, her goal was Lu Chenghua.
The Lu family was a dual-income household. His father was a workshop supervisor at a steel factory, while his mother was a director at the supply and marketing cooperative. Lu Chenghua was the Lu family’s only son, with only a younger sister.
As long as she could secure Lu Chenghua, she wouldn’t have to worry about finding a good job, and she would be able to avoid being sent to the countryside.
Qin Ziqi didn’t even have a job yet.
If her father hadn’t had such poor connections at the factory, how could she have missed out on this round of recruitment?
“We can let it go. We’ll cancel our engagement and let Lu Chenghua marry Yao Zhenzhen.”
Qin Ziqi poured herself a glass of water.
The food at the state-run restaurant had been substantial. It was just a little salty.
“That Auntie Zhang next door heard Yao Zhenzhen personally admit that she kissed Lu Chenghua. By tomorrow, everyone in this neighborhood will know.”
“If the two of them don’t get married, both families will lose all face.”
Qin Ziqi looked around the room.
According to the original owner’s memories, both the Lu family and Yao Zheng cared enormously about their reputation.
Sure enough, Yao Zheng’s expression changed.
“Dingbang, since Chenghua and Ziqi don’t think they’re suitable for each other anymore, I think he and Zhenzhen are actually quite well matched.”
Lu’s father, Lu Dingbang, narrowed his eyes but didn’t immediately respond.
Lu’s mother also disliked Qin Ziqi as a prospective daughter-in-law.
She acted so high and mighty, had the face of a seductress, and couldn’t do a single household chore.
But what could they do?
Her mother was wealthy.
Marrying her was like marrying into a treasure chest.
Yao Zhenzhen, on the other hand, was merely a stepdaughter brought into the family. What could she possibly have?
Still, they couldn’t afford to disregard their son’s reputation.
But Qin Xueman had died when Qin Ziqi was still young. It was entirely possible that all those assets were in Yao Zheng’s hands.
Given how much Yao Zheng doted on Yao Zhenzhen, he probably wouldn’t shortchange her.
Tao Juxiang discreetly nodded at Lu Dingbang.
As the saying went, birds of a feather flock together.
What Tao Juxiang was thinking was exactly what Lu Dingbang had in mind.
“Since the children have all agreed, then let Ziqi and Chenghua cancel their engagement. It simply means they weren’t meant for each other.”
Lu Dingbang spoke with an air of righteousness.
“Chenghua, go register your marriage with Zhenzhen tomorrow. Then pick a date and hold the wedding.”
To silence the gossip, the only option was to make their relationship official as soon as possible.
Lu Chenghua looked at Qin Ziqi’s cold expression.
Then he remembered how distant she had always been toward him.
He turned to Yao Zhenzhen.
She gave him a shy smile.
That was fine too.
Qin Ziqi had always been too cold toward him. She wouldn’t even let him hold her hand.
Zhenzhen, on the other hand, was warm and affectionate.
Thinking of Yao Zhenzhen’s soft lips and graceful body, Lu Chenghua agreed without hesitation.
“I understand, Dad.”