Su Jinle’s eyes widened. For a moment, she genuinely felt Chen Chunxin was a rare good girl—surely what happened before had just been a misunderstanding.
But Chen Chunxin’s next sentence stunned her.
“I’ve already talked to my parents. You won’t need to provide bride price or a house. Just come live with my family. My dad’s small department store can be handed over to you—you can mind the shop, and we’ll live a good life together…”
The words were painfully direct. Even though Chen Chunxin had gathered all her courage to say them, her face still flushed red. She twisted the hem of her clothes and looked at Su Yi’an.
The young man was tall and lean, wearing a white shirt that made him look even cleaner and more refined. The Su siblings were both good-looking. During their blind date, she had fallen for Su Yi’an at first sight, which was why she had hurried her parents to arrange the marriage.
Who could have predicted that he would get injured? His life was saved, but he was left with a limp. After that, how could her parents possibly agree?
So she had come up with this plan. There were three daughters in her family, and their circumstances were ordinary. If they wanted a live-in son-in-law, they’d have to find someone with particularly poor conditions. Compared to that, Su Yi’an’s limp wouldn’t matter so much.
She had come today behind her parents’ backs. She wanted to fight for her happiness just once. If Su Yi’an agreed, she could persuade her parents afterward.
Before Su Yi’an could speak, Su Jinle exploded. Her small face flushed red, and in her anger she forgot to stutter.
“What nonsense are you talking about? My brother will not be a live-in son-in-law! Take your things and leave! You only met once—nothing was settled. Don’t come here ruining my brother’s reputation!”
It was the first time she had spoken such a long stretch without stumbling. She was truly furious.
Chen Chunxin’s face alternated between red and pale. She was an unmarried young woman; coming here today had already taken immense courage. Her parents had arranged another match for her, leaving her no choice but to act.
She had thought Su Yi’an would certainly agree. Instead, she was rejected by this little girl first.
Her temper flared. “I’m not even嫌弃 your brother being crippled. How am I ruining his reputation?”
“Leave!” Su Jinle clenched her fists.
She was even angrier than she had been with Gu Jingxiu or Yang Muqing. She pushed Chen Chunxin toward the door and even tossed the pastries she’d brought outside. There was nothing timid about her now.
Humiliated, Chen Chunxin stomped her foot. “Then let your brother be a bachelor forever! I was even thinking that after marriage we could have two sons—one could take the Su surname! Let’s see if your family can ever find him a wife!”
She felt she had already lowered her standards enough. If she hadn’t been unable to forget Su Yi’an’s handsome face, why would she marry a cripple?
Only the siblings were home. The commotion was loud. Chen Chunxin covered her face and ran off.
It should have been a minor incident.
But after the rain passed, rumors began swirling the very next day.
“The Su siblings’ marriages have both fallen through. Who would marry them now?”
“They’re just too picky. One’s crippled, the other stutters. They should be grateful anyone wants them.”
“Old Su nearly cried over twenty yuan in docked performance pay, and those two still sit at home eating for free. The Su family’s about to be too poor to keep the pot boiling!”
Lin Yun was furious. “Why are their tongues so long? My children don’t eat their food!”
Su Weihua pulled her back. “Forget it. Who are you going to argue with?”
The gossip was always behind people’s backs. Was she going to fight the entire residential compound? Besides, Lin Yun’s temperament was just like Su Jinle’s—soft and timid. Making a scene would only provide more entertainment.
Plenty of people were waiting to see the Su family fall—especially after Su Jinle had turned down even Teacher Gu. Did she really think she was some rich young lady?
Su Jinle’s eyes were red too.
In her previous life, she had been naïve. Even as Gu Jingxiu’s substitute, she never lacked food or clothing. She had been a silent “mute housekeeper,” and the worst she endured were his cold words and condescending airs.
Now she understood—money meant everything.
When her brother was in the army, people said the Su family was blessed. After his injury, those same people distanced themselves, afraid they might be asked for a loan.
That night, Su Jinle drew designs for a very, very long time.
After the rain, the weather grew hotter. She didn’t wait for afternoon—early the next morning, she slung her bag over her shoulder and went to her usual stall spot.
The egg-selling auntie was already there. She beamed when she saw her.
“Girl, so early today?”
Su Jinle smiled shyly. “More… things today.”
She had two dresses to sell, along with hair ribbons, keychains, and small fabric pouches.
The egg auntie leaned over and gasped. “Goodness, did you go stock up at the supply store? So many little items! Oh, this little lamb is cute—how much is this?”
“Gift. For you,” Su Jinle said generously.
“No, no, I’m not someone who takes advantage,” the auntie waved her off. “I’m not too busy with eggs anyway. Tell me the price—I’ll help you call customers over.”
Su Jinle thought for a moment. “This… fifty cents.”
The hair ribbons and keychains were fifty cents each, the small fabric pouches eighty cents. The two dresses remained twenty yuan each.
But today’s dresses weren’t simple one-pieces—they were matching sets.
The top was a short-sleeved blazer-style piece with two colorful fabric buttons and even small shoulder pads. The bottom was an A-line skirt, with a large bow sewn at the back waist.
In this era, it was boldly fashionable.
Su Jinle suspected she probably wouldn’t sell out today—especially the two sets. Conservative young girls likely wouldn’t dare to buy something so eye-catching.
Still, she laid them out carefully under the brightening sky.