Clearly light words struck like a slap, and Xie Wanzhen felt a burning pain across her face.
She realized instantly that no matter what she said or did now, Su Yutao would remain unmoved.
She would no longer be easily appeased like before, no longer follow instructions. Moreover, Su Yutao’s intentions toward her were now blatant.
She had completely changed.
Seeing the glimmering light in Su Yutao’s eyes, Xie Wanzhen gritted her teeth tightly. “So, no matter what I do, you still think last time was deliberate on my part?”
“It’s not a misunderstanding.” Yutao stepped forward and looked at her, her gaze mocking. “Don’t play innocent—you deliberately wanted me to die.”
Then she looked at Song Yonglan beside Xie Wanzhen. “Ask your sister if she’s willing to give up her work. If she is, I’ll forgive her.”
After saying this, she left, swaying her waist, leaving the two still reeling behind her.
Song Yonglan snapped back to reality, but Su Yutao’s words lingered persistently in her mind.
When she had first gone to the countryside, suffering from various discomforts, Xie Wanzhen often came to see her. At the time, she had just thought this girl was genuinely kind-hearted. But now, reminded by Su Yutao, she recalled that Xie Wanzhen would always exchange a few words with Xu Wencai whenever she visited.
She had known that few people were aware of Xu Wencai, but if Xie Wanzhen approached her merely to see him, that was extremely hypocritical.
Moreover, she was delicate and weak, having never done farm work before. Since going to the countryside, she had done all the hard labor in the fields and mountains. In just one year, her body had developed multiple ailments. If she could now transfer to a lighter job, it would be a salvation.
Would Xie Wanzhen, who kept claiming to treat her as a good friend and sister, really want Su Yutao’s forgiveness enough to give up her work for her?
After pondering, she turned her gaze to Xie Wanzhen and swallowed lightly.
Her hesitant look made Xie Wanzhen’s heart skip a beat. “Yonglan, you don’t really believe what Yutao just said, do you?”
“She’s been emotional lately. Don’t believe everything. From the start, when I went to the Educated Youth Site, it was just to take care of you. I never intended to use you.”
Regarding Xu Wencai, Song Yonglan could not discern truth from falsehood based solely on Su Yutao’s words, especially since almost a year had passed. By now, people at the Educated Youth Site were friendly with Xie Wanzhen; who would remember what had happened back then?
“I understand,” she said lightly, looking at Xie Wanzhen. “So, do you still plan to ask Su Yutao’s forgiveness and give up your work?”
From this question, Xie Wanzhen knew that she had absorbed Su Yutao’s final remark.
Xie Wanzhen was not naive; even if she gave up the work, her relationship with Su Yutao could never return to what it had been. Doing so could even reinforce the accusation that she had incited Su Yutao to suicide.
“Yonglan, she thinks I did it on purpose. Nothing I do will matter,” she explained patiently. “Her words just now were meant to make us quarrel.”
Su Yutao had deliberately said those words for Song Yonglan to hear, just as she had told Xu Wencai that she liked Lu Yunyang—everything was to manipulate the relationships around her.
“You never try, so how do you know it won’t work?” Song Yonglan smiled lightly, her gaze carrying a hint of strangeness. “If it really worked, would you be willing?”
The slight arrogance in her smile made Xie Wanzhen feel mocked.
Indeed, she could never give up the work, but she hadn’t expected Song Yonglan to fall under Su Yutao’s influence so quickly.
The person opposite her did not speak, yet her inscrutable gaze made Song Yonglan understand her decision.
Indeed, if she really weren’t afraid of losing her work, she might have come to “negotiate” with Su Yutao today.
Although Su Yutao’s words were not benevolent, what kind of good person would incite a friend to suicide to achieve her own goals?
“Forget it, you don’t need to think about it,” she said, her eyes unreadable. “Don’t worry, I was just saying. I definitely won’t take your work.”
“Yonglan, I didn’t mean that,” Xie Wanzhen thought irritably. How could someone be so easily swayed?
“Su Yutao…”
“I don’t want to get involved in your matters with Su Yutao anymore,” Song Yonglan interrupted. “It’s almost lunch time. I need to go back and cook.”
Xie Wanzhen instinctively said, “Then I’ll go with you.”
“No need.” Song Yonglan, though a little doubtful of Su Yutao’s words, couldn’t help but jab slightly: “Educated Youth Xu probably hasn’t returned yet. Even if you go, it won’t matter. The Educated Youth Site isn’t far; I can go back myself.”
Xie Wanzhen was speechless at this.
Watching Song Yonglan leave hurriedly, her inner anger flared like adding fuel to fire.
When had Su Yutao ever been this clever?
She had even learned to manipulate and sow discord.
Before, Xu Wencai had already doubted her over Lu Yunyang; now Song Yonglan also harbored resentment toward her.
She clenched her teeth, drew in a breath, and slowly calmed herself.
What exactly was happening?
Could it be that Su Yutao had also dreamed a premonition of the future like she had?
Xie Wanzhen could not help but recall.
About three months ago, she had a high fever. Upon waking, she retained an unusual memory, like a dream, detailing her romantic life.
She had dreamt of being with Xu Wencai from the city, taking the college entrance exam together, moving to the big city, and marrying after years of dating.
The courtship was sweet, but married life diverged from her expectations.
The Xu family was wealthy, and the matriarch had many complaints about her as a daughter-in-law. Her younger sister-in-law was spoiled and looked down on her for coming from the countryside.
Perhaps because of them, or perhaps because of time, arguments between the couple became more frequent. Though every conflict was eventually resolved, it was exhausting.
In the dream, she felt suffocated, as if someone was strangling her, ready to kill her at any moment.
She eventually woke up.
The dream interwove fragments involving other people connected to them, the scenes incredibly real. At first, she didn’t take it seriously, but later some events coincided with reality, including Su Yutao’s feelings for Xu Wencai.
Then there was Su Family’s proposal to the Lu Family.
In that dream, Lu Yunyang became the youngest accomplished attending physician at Imperial Capital People’s Hospital. When she encountered him, his reputation was excellent, and he was unmarried.
Although Xie Wanzhen knew she shouldn’t take dreams literally, the Xu family’s events were so realistic that she decided to choose Lu Yunyang upon waking.
Coincidentally, Su Yutao disliked Lu Yunyang. Su Family refused to withdraw their engagement. Eventually, Xie Wanzhen gave her suggestion, and the Lu Family withdrew the engagement.
But unlike the dream, after the withdrawal, Su Yutao not only stopped lingering on Xu Wencai, she also manipulated her relationship with Song Yonglan. Worse, the malice in her eyes toward Xie Wanzhen was unbearable.
Xie Wanzhen had taken the dream seriously, but now, some force seemed to be altering the trajectory of the events.
She felt anxious. If Su Yutao had also dreamed of the future, even after the engagement withdrawal, she would surely choose Lu Yunyang!
Lu Yunyang was such a good person—how could Su Yutao deserve him?
Xie Wanzhen felt unwilling to accept it.
Yutao, unaware that her words had already taken effect, held the medical book the man had given her and returned home swiftly.
The Su Family had all returned. They had been busy these past days and hadn’t noticed Yutao’s lack of fuss or any unusual behavior.
After lunch, Yutao went to her room to study the medical book, considering which questions she could ask the man.
The book combined Chinese and Western medicine. From the table of contents, it was clear. Some pages were yellowed, densely filled with notes.
The handwriting was neat, smooth, and forceful, exuding elegance.
Yutao had initially thought she would not understand such complex material, but after careful reading, she seemed to grasp some of it, especially regarding acupuncture points and pulse diagnosis, thanks to her past palace experience observing imperial physicians treat concubines and princes.
After spending the afternoon studying pulse positions, when the Su Family returned in the evening, she secretly pulled Wu Xiaofeng into her room and began taking her pulse.
Wu Xiaofeng immediately realized what she was doing and felt uneasy.
She had been married to Su Yufeng for nearly a year without conceiving. Many villagers would tease her about when she planned to have children. Though Zheng Chunling and the matriarch had not pressed her, she knew they wished she were pregnant.
Thinking Yutao might help gather information, Wu Xiaofeng quickly withdrew her hand and glared. “You don’t know anything—what are you feeling for?”
Yutao, unaware of her thoughts, pulled her hand back. “Don’t move, I’ll be done soon.”
Seeing her seriousness, Wu Xiaofeng couldn’t help but say, “It’s useless, I’m not pregnant.”
Yutao froze for a moment, then laughed. “Sister-in-law, you misunderstood. I’ve just been home idle these days and decided to learn pulse-taking by myself.”
Wu Xiaofeng was surprised and scrutinized her. “Why are you learning this? Want to become a barefoot doctor?”
Yutao didn’t tell her she intended to verify today’s study with Lu Yunyang tomorrow. She just smiled. “Guess.”
Big Sister-in-law usually had short-lived interests, so Wu Xiaofeng thought she wouldn’t stay interested long and didn’t bother guessing.
Before sleeping, Yutao reviewed her studies to feel reassured.
The next morning, after dressing up, she quietly checked that no one else was home at the Lu Family except Lu Yunyang before entering.
The courtyard was silent, birds chirping.
Although she had just seen him in the main hall, Yutao couldn’t spot him upon entering.
As she wondered if she had been mistaken, she turned and saw him lying on a corner bench.
His vest clung to his body, outlining perfect muscles, his long legs stretched straight, resting on a small stool, swaying gently.
He held a book, flipping through it leisurely, radiating ease.
Yutao’s lips twitched, suppressing the surge of emotions, then bit her lip and called softly.
The man lazily looked up, their eyes meeting midair.
He seemed unsurprised by her arrival, his expression calm.
Yutao stepped forward, her voice gentle. “Doctor Lu, I studied the pulse-taking from the book you gave me yesterday. Could you examine me?”
Lu Yunyang raised an eyebrow.
She had taken a complex, dull medical book yesterday. He expected it to be returned quickly. Now, hearing her question, it seemed different.
Seeing his doubt, she added, “I really did. I spent the whole afternoon and evening studying pulse-taking.”
Worried he wouldn’t realize her effort, she continued, “You know, for someone like me with no foundation, the medical book feels like reading heavenly script. It’s very challenging, so you should help me.”
Lu Yunyang remained silent, contemplating, then finally met her gaze. “And?”
And? Of course she wanted him to examine her pulse!
Yutao lowered her eyes, her dark, moist pupils shining. “So I’d like to try taking your pulse. If I’m wrong, you can correct me—how about that?”
Lu Yunyang’s brow twitched slightly but didn’t respond immediately.
Noticing the slight hesitance in his calm gaze, she quickly added, “I just started learning. I’m afraid others would laugh, and I can’t let a third person know. Today’s the weekend, and you’ll return to the hospital later, so I have no choice but to trouble you.”
Her eager, sparkling eyes made refusal seem like a great sin.
Lu Yunyang put the book aside, his gaze calm. “You read the book?”
His tone carried doubt. Yutao stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them. “All afternoon and evening. Don’t believe me? Test me.”
As she drew near, her unique scent wafted into his senses. He put the book aside and straightened, preparing to dismiss her casually.
He withdrew his legs, placing his hand on the edge of the bench. “Then try.”
She sat on the small stool beside him, her fingertips lightly on his wrist.
From his perspective, she looked like a tiny, obedient figure, her head lowered, earnest and serious.
Her fingers, tentative, hovered unsurely, brushing against his skin like ants crawling, sending a ticklish shiver through him.
The warmth spread gradually, and Lu Yunyang instinctively withdrew his hand, glancing at her coldly. “If you can’t find the position, it means your reading isn’t thorough. You should leave.”
Yutao understood his dismissal, but she had just arrived. She couldn’t leave within a minute of pulse-taking.
“I’m a beginner self-studying,” she said, her small, flushed face pouting, glaring playfully. “Doctor Lu, are you always this impatient with students?”
She raised her brows, her eyes defiant, pulling his hand back.
“Don’t do things halfway,” Lu Yunyang said. Her fingers re-placed on his wrist. “Just a little longer.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining silent, not withdrawing his hand.
Fearful of losing contact again, she quickly found the correct pulse position.
Though she had memorized much of yesterday’s material, reality was different from theory. She could feel his pulse but could not identify the pattern.
After a while, his voice broke the silence. “Finished?”
“Wait, not yet,” she instinctively replied.
Suddenly, the quiet room felt even quieter, an unspoken awkwardness surrounding them.
She retracted her hand subtly, pretending nothing had happened, cleared her throat, and met his gaze. “Your pulse seems off!”
“Off where?” His voice was slightly hoarse, the tail drawn out teasingly.
Yutao racked her brain, recalling her morning studies. Though unsure how to reconcile theory and reality, she wasn’t concerned.
She looked at him, smiling, eyes sparkling like falling stars. “Your pulse is flooding—it indicates heat!”
“Hm?” He touched his wrist, eyes bright with interest. “And?”
She scoffed lightly, drawing closer. “It’s a sign of excessive Yang energy.”
Lu Yunyang’s gaze paused.
Yutao lightly lifted her chin, eyes gleaming. “Doctor Lu, you need a balance of Yin and Yang.”