The consequence of talking too flirtatiously was being served a “stay-away order.” At a moment like this, Yutao naturally did not cling around; before the next patient arrived, she turned and left the clinic.
Yet her mood did not sour, for the man had not thrown back her insufficiently qualified affection. That could be taken as tacit approval!
She returned to the lobby, where Lin Lifang eagerly stepped forward and asked, “Cousin, are you alright? What did Doctor Lu say?”
“Doctor Lu said I’m fine.” Yutao smiled at her. “Sister Lin, I’ll come visit you in a few days.”
Seeing her so cheerful, Lin Lifang’s heart lifted with delight. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye on Doctor Lu for you.”
Yutao bade her farewell and went to collect her medicine.
After leaving the hospital and finishing her shopping for the day, she went to the school. Though classes had already ended, Yutao had seldom been here before and had no idea which dormitory Su Yuqing stayed in. She only asked the gatekeeper to find her.
After waiting for over ten minutes, a girl hurried over.
Seeing her, Yutao was slightly surprised.
Su Yuqing’s complexion was somewhat dark, her features resembling those of the Su family—coarse and defined. When she had first arrived, Yutao had noticed that the Original Owner did not resemble them, but since her impressions of Su Yuqing had been vague at the time, she had reserved judgment.
Now, seeing her, she realized her previous assumption had been correct.
“Sister!” The girl clasped her hand tightly, her eyes scanning Yutao. “You… you’re alright, right?”
Yutao: ???
Before she could respond, the girl continued, “I only just found out about the broken engagement. You really…”
She stopped mid-sentence, her expression hesitant. Yutao quickly understood. “Really, it’s over. I’m fine now.”
When Su Yuqing had first heard from the commune team that her sister had attempted suicide, she had been genuinely shocked. Though the matter was resolved, the engagement with the Lu family seemed to have been called off. She felt a tinge of regret; Lu Yunyang would no longer become her brother-in-law.
“Sister, Brother Yunyang is really nice.” She spoke carefully. “Whatever happens, we’ll talk it through. Don’t do anything foolish again.”
Thinking of Lu Yunyang, Yutao also felt regret. Such a handsome man had almost been within reach, yet he had slipped away under her nose. But there was no point dwelling on it. She hummed affirmatively and took money from her pocket, handing it over. “Here, this is from Mother. She said you have exams soon, so do your best!”
Su Yuqing took it naturally, then returned two cents. “This is for you.”
Zheng Chunling had only given Yutao one yuan today. Yutao looked at the returned coins, slightly puzzled. “Why are you giving me money?”
“To share with you,” Su Yuqing said with a smile, her mood light.
“What would I do with your money?” Yutao asked, surprised. “You have exams coming; keep it for yourself and aim for a good score.”
Su Yuqing hesitated for a moment, suddenly sensing something unusual. Previously, she had always taken a small share whenever taking money from home. Why suddenly refuse it now? Moreover, her attire today seemed especially beautiful, something she hadn’t done before.
Su Yuqing did not probe further and nodded. “I’ll do well on my exams!”
She wanted to enter Medical School, so she could work in a hospital like Brother Yunyang. But she did not say this aloud, fearing her sister would scold her.
Unaware of Su Yuqing’s thoughts, Yutao left the school. Although she considered returning to the hospital to inform the man she was leaving, luck seemed to favor her: upon reaching the street, the village bus heading back was just about to depart.
Yutao checked her packages and, thinking of the over-an-hour trek, boarded without hesitation.
The bus traveled slowly, the ride smooth. By the time it reached the Honghe Village entrance, the high sun had softened somewhat.
Carrying fragile ceramics from today’s shopping, Yutao carefully hurried home, only to unexpectedly encounter the Xie family sisters.
Since the previous poisoning incident, the Xie family had completely broken ties with the Su family. Naturally, the two sisters looked upon her with disdain.
Yet as the female lead, Xie Wanzhen managed her expression better. She lightly stepped aside for Xie Wanyan and said coolly, “You first.”
Yutao raised an eyebrow, leaving with a faint smile under Xie Wanyan’s glaring stare.
Once she was out of sight, Xie Wanyan stomped angrily. “Sister, why did you let her pass? Look at her! She’s caused you to lose your job!”
Xie Wanzhen gritted her teeth. Su Yutao’s recent disruptions had indeed overwhelmed her, but the college entrance exam was approaching. Even without a job, once she entered university, she could still succeed. Perhaps Lu Yunyang would even notice her more then.
“She’s a troublemaker! Look at her sway as she walks—she might as well fall and break herself!” Xie Wanyan was red-faced with fury.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Xie Wanzhen snapped. Public opinion was not in their favor; they had better say nothing, lest someone accuse them of harming Su Yutao.
Hearing the reprimand, Xie Wanyan felt wronged. “But she’s swaying… her chest… she must be pregnant!”
“Sister, Aunt said only pregnant women’s chests grow. She’s immoral!” Xie Wanyan insisted. “And look at her makeup—her lips like that, she definitely went to see that scoundrel today!”
“Let’s report her!” she suddenly said excitedly.
Though it sounded absurd, it was like cold water poured over Xie Wanzhen’s head. She had long found Su Yutao odd but could never pinpoint why. Now she finally realized!
Su Yutao’s character had changed, and even her body had transformed within a month.
“Don’t spread unverified claims.” Xie Wanzhen had sensed the change, but without proof, speaking out would only backfire. “Don’t end up like last time—gaining nothing and losing instead.”
Xie Wanyan immediately fell silent.
After a while, she muttered resentfully, “Sister, don’t you think Su Yutao is strange?”
Xie Wanzhen certainly did. She now suspected this woman was merely a lookalike of Su Yutao.
Although young, Xie Wanyan was not naive. She knew everything that had occurred over the past month. “She was so close to you before, and now she treats you as an enemy. You should watch her!”
“I know.” Xie Wanzhen’s eyes were icy as she looked in the direction Yutao had gone.
Meanwhile, Yutao arrived at her door. Remembering Wu Xiaofeng’s prior opposition to her making rouge, she peered around and, seeing no one in the courtyard, carried her packages inside.
She laid out the day’s purchases and sorted the ingredients according to the formula.
The most crucial step in making rouge was extracting the base color oil. A bottle’s color depended on the oil’s quality, typically steeped in a cool place for half a year. But half a year was far too long for her, so she soaked the ingredients in olive oil in a sealed jar, placed it on the windowsill under the sunlight, and accelerated the process to about ten days.
Other herbs needed to be ground into powder. The finer, the better. Dried flowers could be quickly crushed by hand, but whitening powders like white poria and white atractylodes roots required more effort. Luckily, the Su family courtyard had a grinder she could use. To avoid unnecessary questions, she ground the herbs while others were away.
Over several days, she had nearly finished grinding both formulas. Having run out of some materials, she consulted Wu Xiaofeng about beeswax and was told the Qin family might have it.
By July, the sun was scorching. Yutao wore a hat and set off for the Qin family. On a narrow path, she unexpectedly met Xie Wanzhen.
The latter seemed prepared, blocking Yutao’s way.
Their eyes met.
Xie Wanzhen observed the woman’s graceful figure, fair and delicate skin glimmering subtly, her chest showing clear changes, straining her clothing slightly. Her amber eyes shone with an inexplicable charm, like a fox from a story.
Having grown up together, Xie Wanzhen knew almost everything about Su Yutao and should have immediately noticed any changes. But recent troubles had distracted her, and now she realized—this woman was not Su Yutao.
Su Yutao’s skin had never been so perfect, her figure never so supple, nor would she play such games or betray her.
“Xie Wanzhen, do you need something?” Yutao asked coldly, noticing the blatant stare. “If not, I’m busy.”
Xie Wanzhen stepped forward, smiled lightly, and said, “Nothing. I remember borrowing some books from Educated Youth Xu before and wanted to return them. Are you available?”
Yutao did not recall the Original Owner borrowing any books. She had never been fond of reading and found no Xu Wencai books while organizing the room. This was likely a test.
Yutao pressed her lips, narrowing her eyes.
The girl’s smile was calm, her eyes deep and dark, as if hiding secrets, baiting her like a fish. Truly the female lead, so natural in her act.
But Yutao was no ordinary person. Having lived a thousand years, she had seen too many pretenders; no matter how good the performance, it seemed clumsy to her.
“I burned the books.” She smiled faintly, eyes filled with disdain. “If you want them, find them in the stove yourself.”
She brushed past Xie Wanzhen, haughtily victorious. The latter felt exposed and humiliated, as if stripped bare before the world.
Hearing footsteps recede, she called out, “Su Yutao, stop!”
Yutao barely frowned, ignoring the shouting, but suddenly someone grabbed her wrist from behind.
She turned sharply, flinging off the hold, eyes cold. “Xie Wanzhen, do you want to test my patience?”
Xie Wanzhen sneered, “Su Yutao, stop pretending. You’re not the one I know!”
Her words caught Yutao off guard. “What’s the matter?”
“You were clever before, catching me off guard. Now I don’t obey you, and you pretend not to know me?”
Xie Wanzhen’s sarcasm was clear, eyes fixed on every flicker of Yutao’s expression. “Isn’t that right?”
“I grew up with you; I know your personality, every mole on your body. Do I need to list your bodily changes now?”
Yutao was frustrated; her body had changed—skin better, chest larger, waist slimmer. Many clothes no longer fit properly, some even tight. She had anticipated someone noticing, but never expected Xie Wanzhen to confront her first.
Stepping close, barely five fingers apart, she asked with a smile, “So, what’s it to you?”
Xie Wanzhen had expected excuses, yet her response was crude.
“Just as I thought,” she gritted her teeth. “You’re guilty—you’re not Su Yutao!”
Yutao had little patience for arrogant, irritating people. Eyes narrowing, she was about to respond when she heard a familiar male voice approaching.
She froze, quickly gathered her composure, tugged at her hair a few times, and with an “ah,” collapsed to the ground in front of Xie Wanzhen.
“Sister Wanzhen, why did you push me?” She looked up with reddened eyes, face suddenly innocent and weak, like a Sichuan opera mask changing.
Xie Wanzhen was stunned, unsure why Su Yutao had fallen. By the time she realized, Yutao lay stably on the ground, tears streaking her cheeks.
“You’re crazy!” she shouted, furious. “Why fall on your own?”
Yutao did not respond, only sobbing softly. “Sister Wanyan poisoned me; the production team has already confirmed it. There’s nothing you can do. I can’t help you. Go to the production team leader and stop bothering me.”
“Su Yutao!” Xie Wanzhen tried to lift her, but Yutao raised her hand and quietly cried, “Don’t hit me.”
“Xie Wanzhen, what are you doing?”
Suddenly, Xie Wanzhen felt played. She was about to speak when someone called her name.
She froze and slowly turned—Lu Yunyang and production team leader Lu Weirong appeared behind her.
Lu Yunyang lowered his eyes. The girl on the ground had messy hair, reddened eyes, a face full of grievance and weakness.
Facing her, the girl’s expression was cold, ferocious, and terrifying.
“I…” Xie Wanzhen glanced at Yutao still on the ground, pale with shock. Su Yutao had set a trap!
“Did you hit her?” Lu Weirong groaned. Since Yutao’s suicide attempt, the Su and Xie families had been in constant conflict. The Su family was easier to reason with; the Xie family, not so much.
“I didn’t hit her!” Xie Wanzhen’s voice trembled. She had been too focused earlier to notice anyone approaching. Now Yutao had outmaneuvered her.
“She fell herself! I didn’t touch a finger!” She looked at Lu Yunyang, whose eyes were cold, yet chilling, and said, “Brother Yunyang, really, it’s not my fault.”
Lu Yunyang said nothing, only watched the girl on the ground.
“Why would Yutao fall herself?” Lu Weirong, recalling the previous incidents, no longer believed Xie Wanzhen. “Last time you incited her foolishly, fine. Now you’re causing trouble again?”
“Does the Xie family think the world owes them? Why can’t you leave the Su family alone and let everyone live their lives?”
Xie Wanzhen felt unprecedented hostility from him, clenched her fists, voice trembling.
“Uncle Rong,” Yutao slowly rose from the ground, stammering, “this… it’s not Sister Wanzhen’s fault. I lost my balance and fell. Please don’t scold her…”
Lu Weirong looked at Yutao. She seemed hurt, eyes red, hands trembling, covered in dust. The embarrassment and grievance were plain.
Xie Wanzhen was furious at her pretense but held back in Lu Yunyang’s presence. “I didn’t push her; she fell herself.”
Her tone was sharp. Lu Weirong found her unreasonable. “Yutao is speaking nicely—can’t you speak nicely to her?”
“And everyone saw your sister give her poisoned porridge! What more do you want?”
“We’re all on the same team. Look up, look down—we should coexist, not make enemies…”
Silence spoke volumes. Yutao kept her head down, biting her lips, stifling tears.
Having explained, the rest was out of her control.
Xie Wanzhen knew further explanation was futile. She looked at Lu Yunyang, eyes stinging. “Brother Yunyang, I really didn’t push her.”
“She just fell after our conversation…”
Yutao smirked quietly. Xie Wanzhen wasn’t foolish; she expected Lu Weirong not to believe her and sought his intervention.
Though they hadn’t seen her fall, her act seemed plausible.
“Su Yutao…”
Hearing her name, Yutao paused, looked up. Lu Yunyang’s gaze was intense, piercing.
“Come here…”
His voice fell like a hammer, heavy and commanding.
Yutao’s heart skipped a beat. She met his sharp, predatory eyes and bit her lip. “Doctor Lu… what do you intend to do?”