Xie Wanzhen was stunned by the sudden words. Under the gaze of everyone present, she quickly regained her composure and hurriedly pressed Su Yutao’s hand twice to warn her: “Yutao, don’t talk nonsense.”
“I’m not talking nonsense.” Yutao shook off her hand, tears beginning to well in her eyes as she looked at her. “You said it yourself. As long as I pretend to hang myself, my grandmother would feel distressed, and the Lu Family would surely be unhappy. Then the engagement wouldn’t go through.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks like rain. “Sister Wanzhen, I trusted you so much, but even if you cared about my fiancé, that wouldn’t be a reason to trick me into courting death!”
Upon hearing this, Xie Wanzhen’s expression changed drastically. It was true that the hanging stunt had been her idea, but how did Su Yutao find out about her feelings for Lu Yunyang?
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Her face flushed red, and she absolutely could not admit this now. “Yunyang is just like a brother to me. You’re usually willful, fine, but why make such accusations now?”
“I’m not talking nonsense.” Yutao cried even more pitifully. “I was foolish before and couldn’t understand why you were so keen, but after going through the gate of the underworld, I realized everything.”
She bit her lip and spat out a lie effortlessly: “You even said that if this engagement fails, next time I should jump into the river.”
“No, I never said that!” Xie Wanzhen was so furious she felt she might vomit blood. When had she ever told Su Yutao to jump into a river? It simply never happened.
Both stuck to their versions, leaving everyone exasperated.
Yutao had only just caught her breath from the hanging incident. Her face was still pale, tears clinging to her cheeks, and the previous spoiled, willful demeanor was gone, replaced by a pitiful expression.
Caught in the mentality that the weak are always right, everyone turned their eyes to Xie Wanzhen and asked in unison—
“Wanzhen, is what Yutao said true?”
“You also like Yunyang, so you tricked Yutao into doing such a foolish thing?”
“You two grew up together, why must it come to this?”
“Xie Wanzhen, how can your heart be so cruel!” Mother SuZheng Chunling believed her daughter immediately and tried to pull Xie Wanzhen forward, only to be stopped by the old matriarch.
“Wanzhen, you explain clearly, what exactly happened?” Grandma Su also showed emotion. Yutao was usually a bit willful, but she was timid and afraid even of worms. If no one had deceived her, how could she have done such a thing?
All eyes were on Xie Wanzhen, and she reacted quickly, raising her hand with an air of grievance. “I swear I didn’t. Yutao is my sister. I even advised her to discuss things properly with her family before. How could I have done such a thing?”
Everyone knew Xie Wanzhen’s usual character, so they shifted their gaze back to Yutao.
Yutao had never expected Xie Wanzhen to admit anything so quickly, but thanks to the Original Owner’s memories, she wiped her tears and gave a smile more unpleasant than crying. “It’s alright, Sister Wanzhen. When Yuqing returns from school, she can confirm my words.”
Xie Wanzhen paused, almost forgetting that when they had discussed this in the room, Su Yuqing might have overheard something.
No matter what, as Yutao’s sister, she would surely side with Yutao!
Xie Wanzhen wanted to explain further, but her mind went blank, leaving her speechless.
Her expression said it all. Everyone’s gaze on Xie Wanzhen turned astonished.
She had always been obedient and well-liked, known for getting along with everyone. She currently managed publicity for the production team, was favored by the party secretary, and was even expected to run for “model student” this year.
But now, this Xie Wanzhen seemed to have two faces!
Accusations erupted instantly—
“Wanzhen, you’ve gone too far. How could you trick Yutao into doing this?”
“Exactly. If she had died, you’d have killed her!”
“You really like Yunyang, huh?”
“Even if you like him, you can’t do this. Was all your previous behavior just an act?”
“I say forget the model student award and resign from the production team to save face!”
“Yes, better go talk to the party secretary yourself before it’s too embarrassing!”
As the crowd heaped blame and scorn upon her, Xie Wanzhen felt her head spin, nearly suffocating from the rush of emotions.
These women clearly believed Su Yutao’s words. All the years she had worked to maintain her image were about to be ruined! If Lu Yunyang actually heard these rumors, how would he view her?
She could not admit it!
“I never said those things to Yutao,” Xie Wanzhen argued angrily. She looked at Su Yutao, surprised by her change, and threatened, “Yutao, if you think this way of me, can we still be sisters?”
Su Yutao’s personality was not likable nor mature, and very few wanted to be her friend. Xie Wanzhen believed that if she threatened her, Yutao would fear losing a friend and show some restraint.
But instead of yielding, Yutao’s usually downturned lips curved slightly in delight.
“What do you think?” Yutao’s tear-filled eyes carried a hint of coldness. “We were such good sisters. Why don’t you wish me well, but instead try to take my fiancé?”
“Do you want everything you like, no matter whose it is, for yourself?”
These words hit like a splash of cold water. Everyone could sense the implication.
Their daughters were around Yutao’s age. Young girls liked to gather together and had decent relationships. But if Xie Wanzhen ever set her sights on their daughters’ fiancés and tricked them into jumping into rivers, what would happen?
Her character was a serious problem!
Everyone’s attention sharpened. They remembered the saying: better to tear down ten temples than to ruin a single marriage. But Xie Wanzhen seemed intent not only on destroying others’ engagements but also threatening lives!
Mother Su, unable to restrain herself, grabbed Xie Wanzhen’s wrist and marched her toward the courtyard. “Come on, I’m taking you to your mother!”
“Chunling, don’t rush.” The other women followed. “Let’s talk calmly, don’t get angry…”
Grandma Su was also furious but worried her daughter-in-law might overstep, so she called her son, Su Dahe, to follow along.
Before leaving, everyone thought one thing: Yutao had not wanted to break the engagement herself; Xie Wanzhen had deceived her. That Xie Wanzhen was too deceptive and not a good person. Their daughters should stay far away to avoid being trapped too.
Left alone with Grandma Su, Yutao curled her lips into a faint smile. The Original Owner was dead; at least Xie Wanzhen suffered a bit, satisfying her.
Her reputation had been damaged, she had envious colleagues, and Lu Yunyang’s side would no longer entertain her intentions.
Now, only she and Grandma Su remained in the main hall. She quickly suppressed her smile, returning to the sorrowful expression she had shown earlier.
Grandma Su noticed that Yutao, who usually got along with Xie Wanzhen, now gave her no face in front of everyone. Her eyes were swollen from crying, yet the old woman couldn’t bring herself to scold further. “Stop crying, wipe your tears, and go back to your room to rest.”
Though knowing it was unlikely, Yutao asked, “Grandma, will the engagement still go through?”
Grandma Su snorted, “As you wish. I’d be exasperated if it weren’t true. Go back to your room.”
Though she spoke in frustration, Yutao felt her grandmother’s concern for the Original Owner, so she obediently returned.
Meanwhile, Zheng Chunling, fuming, dragged Xie Wanzhen along, followed by several onlookers toward the Xie Family.
Having nearly been scared out of her wits, her anger had reached its peak. Finally with a target to vent at, she did not hold back and confronted the Xie Family immediately.
The Xie Family would not be passive, allowing themselves to be slandered, and the two families clashed fiercely.
The commotion drew a great deal of attention, eventually prompting the production team leader and party secretary to mediate. Though the fight ended, the incident spread through the village that night. Naturally, the Lu Family also learned of it.
But knowing changed nothing. Lu Yunyang promptly confirmed the engagement’s termination with the Su Family.
Yutao was not surprised. Though breaking off the engagement was regrettable, she could still see him easily, for example, visiting his house for a follow-up tomorrow.
With this little plan in mind, she enjoyed the less-than-stellar dinner more than usual.
The Su Family regretted the engagement’s end, but seeing Yutao’s subtle smile, they did not dare say anything, fearing she might attempt self-harm in anger.
Unaware of their worries, Yutao had already exhausted herself and, needing a follow-up tomorrow, lay down. When she awoke, it was the next day.
The room was quiet, with summer insects and birds chirping outside. Yutao relaxed briefly before getting up.
Yesterday’s meeting with the man had been humiliating. Today, she intended to turn the tables. She chose the only dress in her wardrobe, originally wanting to do her hair, but lacking accessories, she kept it simple.
The Original Owner had been petite with a slim waist and flat chest, but seeing the six-point resemblance in the mirror, Yutao felt satisfied.
Early summer farm work kept people busy. Su Family members had already gone to work, but breakfast remained in the pot for her.
After a few bites, Yutao set out toward the Lu Family, encountering no one along the way.
Luckily, her memory was accurate. She arrived at the Lu Family to find the courtyard gate wide open and a girl holding a hoe, seemingly about to leave.
Yutao hesitated to greet first when the girl looked up abruptly, her eyes flashing with intensity.
“Su Yutao!” The girl slammed the hoe into the ground, radiating fierce energy. “What are you doing at my house?”
The girl was Lu Yunyang’s younger sister, Lu Yunzhao, three years younger than the Original Owner. Previously, they had no particular relationship, but seeing the current scene, Yutao sensed things might be different.
“I’m here for a follow-up,” she said, stepping inside, glancing toward the main hall. “Is your brother home?”
“No.” Lu Yunzhao’s anger showed. “You’re awake now; if you need a follow-up, go to the hospital. Why are you here?”
Her brother had always been the admired child, many girls wishing to marry him. Had it not been for Su Family’s help years ago, the grandfather would never have agreed to the engagement.
But now Su Yutao had forced a breakup through feigned death.
With the engagement ended, everyone viewed her brother as pitiful—Yutao had refused to marry him even under threat of death!
Annoying, wasn’t it?
Yutao studied her and smiled. “In my heart, no one’s medical skills surpass your brother’s. I only trust him now.”
Though Yutao knew her brother, Lu Yunzhao, was aware of this, hearing her flatter her brother so earnestly made it feel incredibly sincere.
Seeing her move toward the main hall, she suddenly realized and followed. “Su Yutao, my brother isn’t here; he went to the hospital—”
As if to expose her lie, her words were cut off when Lu Yunyang emerged from the room.
Seeing the two together, Lu Yunyang looked puzzled. “What’s going on?”
Lu Yunzhao, embarrassed, glared at him and left in a huff.
Lu Yunyang found her behavior baffling. After a moment, he focused on Yutao. “The engagement breakup was settled last night. What else do you want?”
The early summer sunlight was gentle. The man’s eyes were bright and deep, his upper body clad only in a vest, broad shoulders and narrow waist exposed. Tanned muscles glistened with beads of sweat rolling down.
Yesterday he had looked like a refined doctor in clothes, but now he exuded a wild, wolfish aura that made one want to conquer him.
Overwhelmed by his masculinity, Yutao felt dizzy, her pale cheeks flushing pink. “It’s not that. I’m just here for a follow-up.”
Her sudden blush puzzled Lu Yunyang. “Where do you feel unwell?”
Yutao pressed a hand to her chest, her eyes bright with concern. “I don’t know why, but since waking yesterday, I feel dizzy, weak in my legs, my chest tight, and I can’t breathe properly…”
Her voice trembled, anxious. “Doctor Lu, is this… some kind of aftereffect?”
Lu Yunyang looked at her closely.
Today she wore a white dress, cool and smooth, highlighting her fair skin. Her rosy complexion resembled blooming camellias.
Though she appeared healthy, the worry and fear in her eyes made it difficult for him to discern truth from pretense.
He gestured to a chair for her to sit and took her pulse.
Her pulse was as steady as a strong ox.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, then looked up at her. “Tell me if there’s anywhere else that hurts.”
Meeting his gaze, Yutao felt the depth of his dark, clear eyes, like an ancient pool hiding enticing secrets.
“My neck also hurts…” she said, tilting her chin slightly toward him. Biting her lip softly, she asked, “Doctor Lu, can you check if something got hurt yesterday?”