She tilted her head back, her beautiful face right under his gaze, features like a painting, dark eyes shimmering, long lashes curled. In just a single day apart, her skin seemed so tender it could almost leak moisture.
The fragrance around her seemed to intensify, so rich it made one dizzy, almost hallucinating.
Excessive yang energy? Yin and yang combining?
After watching all that yesterday, she had only learned this?
The man remained silent, his deep eyes scanning her inch by inch, and Yutao suddenly felt that her words might have been a little too flirtatious.
But the words were already out, and she could only grit her teeth and continue the act. She blinked and said, “Doctor Lu, am I wrong?”
“Your pulse is rapid, your skin is burning, and…” He paused, his gaze sweeping lightly over her face. “Your eyes are reddened, your complexion and ears flushed. This is heat syndrome!”
After speaking, she saw the corner of his mouth twitch slightly. The next moment, he withdrew his gaze and quickly stood up.
Then he looked behind him and said softly, “Grandpa.”
Yutao’s body stiffened at the sound, her disbelief making her rise and turn. Sure enough, she saw the Lu Family’s elderly patriarch entering through the door carrying a basket.
The Original Owner’s marriage arrangement with Lu Yunyang had been agreed to by Grandpa Lu, who usually treated her kindly. Her extreme way of renouncing the engagement had surprised him greatly.
And now, this person who had startled him once again came to find his grandson, taking advantage of a moment when no one else was around…
Yutao thought he probably wasn’t pleased with her presence.
Her nerves tightened, and she stepped forward, ready to find any excuse to leave.
But things unfolded differently from her expectations. The Lu Family patriarch saw her and simply smiled, “Yutao, are you looking for Yunyang?”
Yutao exhaled in relief. His face carried a smile, gentle and benevolent, the warmth in his eyes showing no trace of dislike.
Her thoughts shifted. Apparently, this elder was not resentful of her over the broken engagement. If she could maintain a good impression, it might benefit her in the future.
She was about to speak when the man beside her said, “Hmm, our matters are concluded. She’s now preparing to go home for lunch.”
Yutao froze.
She hadn’t said that at all.
By now, the sun hung overhead, and those who had gone to work were likely returning. Lu Zhijun had originally intended to ask her to stay and say a few words, but upon hearing this, he abandoned the idea.
“Alright, then, you should go home quickly.” He looked at the girl with a gentle smile. “Your mother and the others should be returning soon.”
And just like that, Yutao was sent home.
Before leaving, she even caught a faint smile at the corner of the man’s lips.
The smile irritated her, but with noon approaching and Grandpa Lu already home, the rest of the Lu Family would likely return soon.
She glared at him and then left the Lu Family home.
By noon, the Su Family returned. The elder lady, seeing her idle, immediately ordered that she start working in the fields the next day. At this time, the production team distributed food based on work points. No work meant no points, and at the end of the year, no rations.
Having rested for several days, Yutao grew bored. She thought she could not keep living off free meals, so the next morning she went to work with the Su Family.
It was shortly after the Grain in Ear solar term, and the busy farming season had officially begun. Along the way, they encountered several members of the production sub-team.
Yutao hadn’t gone out much for several days, and their expressions revealed surprise at seeing her.
An aunt asked, “Yutao, are you fully recovered now?”
Yutao noticed one of the women, surnamed Wang, had been eager to have her son take over this work ever since Xie Wanzhen’s incident.
Her acting instinct surged.
“No, I still get dizzy frequently, feel short of breath,” she said, pressing her chest. “I also often dream at night of hanging myself—it’s terrifying.”
Her eyes reddened, her expression showing fear.
Zheng Chunling took her words seriously. “If you’re not well, you should have told us directly. Why act brave?”
Yutao twitched her lips. “It’s fine, Mother. Staying at home all day is boring. Going out for some fresh air might even help me recover faster.”
Aunt Wang shouted at her. “You’re too naive! You used to be so close to her, yet she still coaxed you into doing this.”
Yutao looked at everyone. “I said it before: Xie Wanzhen is the best at pretending. And you all accused me of targeting her intentionally. Now, see?!”
Someone responded, “Sigh, I thought she was always obedient and sensible. Who knew she was like this? We misjudged her.”
“But tell me, did she really like Yunyang?” someone asked Yutao. “I never noticed.”
Yutao forced a regretful smile. “Brother Yunyang is so outstanding, who wouldn’t like him?”
Grandma Su inevitably became upset. “Then why didn’t you want to marry him?”
Before Yutao could answer, someone spoke for her: “You can’t blame Yutao entirely. Xie Wanzhen intentionally deceived her. If not the first time, there’s a second.”
“Exactly, the worst one is Xie Wanzhen!”
“Bad people are one thing, but good people hiding ill intentions are far worse!”
“By the way, with such selfishness, how could she continue the production team work?”
“I want to know too…”
They walked while chatting, soon reaching the production team worksite. Yutao immediately saw Xie Wanzhen standing next to the team leader, apparently helping with work distribution.
Sensing her gaze, Xie Wanzhen looked up and smiled calmly, as always gentle. But Yutao felt the smile was sinister, like a hidden knife.
Work was quickly assigned. The sun rose higher, and the team stopped chatting to begin labor.
Men plowed the fields, women fertilized corn and potatoes, weeded, and tilled the soil.
Nearly half-meter-high weeds were everywhere. Watching the others work efficiently, Yutao thought the task didn’t seem difficult, but after just an hour, her arms were nearly exhausted.
The others were considerate, seeing her drenched in sweat and pale, fearing an accident, and directed her to rest in the shade.
Yutao didn’t hesitate to move aside.
Once seated, she drank some water and caught her breath, noticing a figure approaching under the blazing sun, carrying something.
The face resembled Xie Wanzhen too closely. Yutao recognized her immediately as Xie Wanzhen’s younger sister, Xie Wanyan.
Not wanting to meet the Xie Family, she planned to shift her spot, but the little girl stopped her, voice soft and calm: “Sister Yutao, do you want some mung bean porridge?”
The girl’s smile was gentle, her tone tender, clearly well-intentioned.
Given the Original Owner’s close relationship with Xie Wanzhen, Yutao understood the sister perfectly.
She glanced at the aluminum lunchbox in the girl’s hands and laughed lightly, declining directly: “I won’t.”
Unexpectedly rejected so firmly, the girl showed a flash of surprise, then lowered her head, a look of grievance spreading across her face. “Sister Yutao, is it because of my sister that you won’t even talk to me?”
Yutao rolled her eyes inwardly. “Guess.”
Hearing her contemptuous tone, Xie Wanyan became upset, but her purpose wasn’t fulfilled. “I don’t know about you and my sister’s matter. I didn’t come here to talk about that. I just want to offer porridge.”
Yutao’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “I just said no. Didn’t you hear me?”
“You must be blaming me too.” Xie Wanyan looked at her with exaggerated grievance. “Sister Yutao, I didn’t know my sister would do that. Don’t take it out on me.”
Seeing her mix of dislike and helplessness, Yutao snorted lightly. She was only thirteen; her mind couldn’t compare to her sister’s depth.
She turned to leave but noticed two figures approaching behind Xie Wanyan.
Pausing, she smiled at Xie Wanyan. “Are you really going to make me drink that porridge?”
Xie Wanyan hesitated, then nodded, “Really!”
Yutao laughed, eyeing the lunchbox. “You didn’t put anything in it, right?”
“Of course not!” The girl trembled internally, how could she guess so easily?
Seeing the unease on her face, Yutao smirked. “Then drink it here for me.”
Xie Wanyan nearly panicked but gritted her teeth. “There isn’t much left. If I drink, it’s gone.”
“If you don’t drink, that’s poisoning!” Yutao snapped. “You want to kill me?”
Her voice was firm, cold, making Xie Wanyan jump. “You’re lying! I didn’t poison it!”
“Fine, if you won’t drink, I’ll take it back for myself.” She turned to leave.
Yutao grabbed her instantly. “Take it back? No, give it to me to drink.”
At last, Xie Wanyan caught on. She shook off Yutao forcefully. “I’m not giving it to you. Let go.”
Yutao didn’t loosen her grip, holding the lunchbox tight.
Their short struggle drew attention. Both the Xie Family and the production team leader came over, asking what happened.
Yutao recounted the situation briefly.
Xie Wanyan hurriedly defended herself. “No! It’s cool here. I just came to rest and eat. Why would I give my porridge to her?”
“See, I’m standing here quietly. Why would I harm her?”
Despite her young age, she tried to twist the blame, making Yutao smirk coldly. She handed over the lunchbox. “Then drink it now. If you’re fine, I’ll compensate you.”
Everyone watched Xie Wanyan.
The porridge contained a laxative; consuming it would quickly cause diarrhea. Xie Wanyan slowly took the box, too afraid to eat.
Everyone observed the situation and understood immediately: Yutao was safe, but Xie Wanyan’s hesitation proved the box was problematic.
“What’s going on?” The production team leader frowned at Xie Wanzhen’s mother. “What is your family trying to do?”
Grandma Su, furious, said, “I want to know too! After trying to harm my granddaughter once, now a second time!”
The Xie Family parents were bewildered, unaware of what their little girl had done, struggling to make sense of it.
Xie Wanzhen glared at Xie Wanyan, wishing she could slap her.
This fool, doing such a stupid thing at this moment, and being discovered immediately by Su Yutao—infuriating!
A bystander, seeing Yutao unharmed, tried to downplay it: “Wanyan is young and immature. Making a mistake in impulse is understandable. Since Yutao didn’t eat it, let her apologize and let it go.”
Yutao anticipated this response. All her effort dealing with Xie Wanyan was not for these words.
“Yes, I agree Wanyan is young and immature.” She looked up at Xie Wanzhen in the crowd. “But giving me poison—surely you taught her that?”
Her words reminded everyone. Soon, someone said, “Right, Wanyan is only thirteen. Where did the medicine come from? Was it given by you adults?”
Xie Wanzhen’s expression changed drastically. She realized why Su Yutao was so intent on this issue—it was really aimed at her.
“Su Yutao, you’re insane!” She glared, her face twisted. “I never taught Wanyan such a thing! How dare you slander me!”
“Because you once tricked her into attempting suicide!” Aunt Wang seized the chance. “You’re too cruel. People like you in the propaganda team are dangerous. If you had selfish intentions, what would have happened?”
Yutao’s lips twitched. Clearly, Aunt Wang coveted Xie Wanzhen’s position.
Indeed, the propaganda team had little work, but the stipend was tempting: over two hundred extra points a year, plus occasional tickets or vermicelli.
“Yes… that’s true…”
“With such ill intentions, why should she continue this work?”
People whispered among themselves.
Xie Wanyan was dumbfounded. How did this involve her sister?
“This medicine came from my home. My sister didn’t teach me.”
“Stop spreading false accusations!”
Her words were ineffective; the family knew the truth.
The production team leader’s expression darkened. Aunt Wang’s warning made sense: a person with growing selfishness might secretly engage in improper actions. Such a person shouldn’t hold team benefits.
“Then…” He looked at Xie Wanzhen. “Pause your propaganda team work. Take care of family matters first. I’ll inform the party secretary to find someone to replace you temporarily.”
His meaning was clear: Xie Wanzhen was suspended.