Yuan Xia did not notice Fu Shiyue’s unusual emotions and continued speaking on his own.
“The Fu family is really ruthless. For money, they even dare to kill people.
Even after failing, they still try to harm Miss Xue.
Sigh, Miss Xue really drew the short end of the stick, ending up with such a family. It’s bad luck for eight lifetimes.”
Yuan Xia said whatever came to mind and sighed. “Three hundred taels… no wonder they were tempted. I’ve never even seen that much money before.
With that amount, the Fu family is probably going to get rich.
Honestly, twenty taels is too little. They should return all three hundred taels to Miss Xue—that money originally belonged to her.
The Fu family is too greedy, not even willing to give twenty taels. They’re probably still arguing about it now.”
No one actually knew the exact amount of the pension. It spread from person to person, growing larger each time.
It wasn’t just three hundred taels anymore—some nearby villages even believed it was four hundred, five hundred, or even eight hundred taels.
After speaking, Yuan Xia sighed deeply. Only then did he notice Fu Shiyue hadn’t said a word. Thinking he disliked gossip, he awkwardly smiled and focused on driving.
Along the way, Fu Shiyue’s mind was filled with images of Xue Zhi being surrounded and bullied.
Half an hour later, they finally arrived at Fu Family Village.
Usually, under the big tree at the village entrance, men and women would gather to chat. But today, there was not a single person.
Yuan Xia noticed Fu Shiyue’s gaze and immediately understood. “They’re probably all over at the Fu house watching the drama.”
Fu Shiyue immediately quickened his pace toward Fu Dàyong’s home.
Soon, he saw a crowd gathered. He pushed through and spotted Xue Zhi with her head lowered and crying.
His pupils shrank. He stepped beside her and asked softly, “Miss Xue… are you alright?”
The villagers were surprised.
“Scholar Fu?”
“Why are you here?”
“Is there a break from school?”
The village chief glanced at him, a headache forming. “Shiyue, what are you doing here?”
Xue Zhi raised her head at the familiar voice. Surprise flashed through her eyes.
Fu Shiyue?
Why was he here?
Was it because of the clothes?
Before she could think further, Li Honghua pretended to be aggrieved. “Village Chief, I really can’t take out that much money. How about ten taels?”
The village chief snapped, “Enough! Stop bargaining. We agreed on twenty taels yesterday—twenty taels, not a single coin less.”
Just yesterday they agreed, yet today she tried to back out. This situation was becoming exhausting.
He then turned to Fu Dàyong. “Dàyong, what do you say about this?”
Fu Dàyong looked troubled. “Village Chief, I just got back. I don’t really know what happened.”
Now that his daughter-in-law had money and status, he was acting arrogant and no longer feared the village chief.
Village chief? Nothing important.
His daughter-in-law was the daughter of a general.
A general!
Thinking this, Fu Dàyong glared at Fu Qiang, furious at the trouble he had caused.
Fu Qiang lowered his head guiltily.
The village chief frowned. “Enough nonsense. Fu Dàyong, bring out the remaining fifteen taels, or I’ll take this to court. Then it won’t be just this amount.”
Hearing this, Fu Dàyong trembled slightly. After hesitating, he decided to give in.
He turned to leave.
Li Honghua quickly stopped him. “You can’t give it! That money belongs to us!”
Fu Dàyong pushed her away. “If we don’t pay, do you want Fu Qiang to be expelled from the village?”
Li Honghua froze.
She hesitated.
Deep down, she even thought it wouldn’t be so bad if Fu Qiang left. He was useless and troublesome.
But she quickly changed her mind—she couldn’t let him leave or Fu Dàyong would suspect her.
In the end, she reluctantly let go.
Fu Dàyong returned with a box and took out twenty taels, then threw it toward Xue Zhi.
Fu Shiyue quickly caught it and placed it into Xue Zhi’s hands. “Hold it properly.”
Li Honghua sneered. “Count it carefully. Don’t come crying later if it’s missing.”
Xue Zhi calmly counted it in front of everyone and nodded.
The village chief said, “Since the money has been paid, this matter ends here. Everyone disperse.”
The crowd slowly left, still reluctant.
After most people were gone, the village chief asked Fu Shiyue, “Why did you come back?”
Fu Shiyue repeated the excuse about forgetting a book.
The village chief nodded. “Then hurry back.”
Fu Shiyue and Xue Zhi walked side by side.
Then Xue Zhi suddenly said, “Scholar Fu… you lied just now, didn’t you?”
Fu Shiyue stiffened.
“…Hmm?”
“You didn’t really come back for the book,” she said, staring at him intently.
Fu Shiyue tried to deflect. “How do you know?”
“You’re not careless. If you really forgot something, you would’ve come back earlier,” Xue Zhi said calmly. “You also didn’t mention it the first time we met. So you were lying.”
She stepped closer. “Am I right?”
Fu Shiyue’s heartbeat suddenly went out of control.
“…You’re right.”
Xue Zhi’s eyes lit up. She leaned in slightly. “Then let me guess… you came back because of me. Right?”
Boom.
Something exploded in Fu Shiyue’s mind.
His body froze completely. He didn’t dare look at her.
Too close.
She was too close.
He could almost hear his own heartbeat.
“…Mm.”
Xue Zhi immediately confirmed it in her heart.
He really came back for her.
And then she noticed his ears were completely red.
She suddenly stepped back and changed the topic. “I’ve already mended your clothes.”
Fu Shiyue blinked, as if suddenly losing something warm. “…Ah?”
“What ‘ah’?” Xue Zhi said innocently. “Weren’t you here to pick up your clothes? Let’s go.”