Su Qingran didn’t answer her. “Comrade Zhang, I’d like to ask you a favor. Could you keep an eye on Comrade Qiao’s movements for me? If you notice any unusual behavior from her, please let me know.”
Zhang Ping was taken aback. So she didn’t trust Lu Jingxuan either. But if she didn’t trust him, why was she still with him? What was so good about such a man that she’d want to keep him?
However, upon second thought, Comrade Su had liked Lu Jingxuan so much before, even to the point of discussing marriage. It was normal that she couldn’t let go of him immediately.
“Alright, I’ll notify you as soon as she makes any moves.”
“Thank you.” Su Qingran pulled two pieces of White Rabbit Cream Candy from her pocket. “Have something sweet.”
Zhang Ping’s eyes widened. White Rabbit Cream Candy! She had only tasted this treat as a child, when her wealthy uncle specifically bought some home to show off to everyone. Being a girl, she wasn’t supposed to get any, so she sneaked into her grandmother’s room and stole one piece. She was later discovered and beaten for it, but she had never forgotten that fragrant, sweet taste.
“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Zhang Ping beamed with delight. Only a fool would refuse. After all, Comrade Su was asking for her help—eating two pieces of candy was nothing, right?
“Don’t mention it.” Su Qingran was also pleased. She had come today specifically to add fuel to Qiao Manxue’s fire, never expecting it to go so smoothly. Based on her understanding of Qiao Manxue, she would likely make a move soon. With Zhang Ping watching closely nearby, this time she would definitely make sure both of them were thoroughly disgraced, never to recover!
……
“Little sister, why did I hear people say you’ve already reconciled with Lu Jingxuan? And that you’re going to marry him?” Su Junze had just returned from work and rushed to find Su Qingran for confirmation.
“Who did you hear that from?” Su Qingran tilted the knife in her hand and forcefully slapped the cucumber segments with the back of the blade, smashing them into large chunks.
“People at the Zhiqing Point, and they said you said it yourself!” Su Junze’s brows furrowed deeply. “That bastard Lu Jingxuan even came over earlier to help Mom and Dad with work, and called me ‘second brother’! Who the hell is his second brother? What bad luck!”
“Hey, little sister, you still haven’t answered. Is it true or not? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t reconcile with him? Before Comrade Shi left, he said both he and Comrade Xie saw Lu Jingxuan acting improperly with that Qiao Manxue. How could you…”
Su Yuanfeng patted his shoulder. “Second brother, don’t get so worked up. There must be more to this.”
Lin Jiahui laughed. “Second brother is so concerned he’s not thinking clearly.”
“So what exactly is going on?” Su Junze pressed.
Su Qingran explained her thoughts.
Su Qingshu looked astonished. “Little sister, when did you become so shrewd?”
“Stop that! When has your little sister ever not been shrewd?” Zhao Lanzhi smacked her displeased.
Lin Jiahui asked, “Qingran, then how do you know Qiao Manxue will…”
“Third brother-in-law, if you were Qiao Manxue, and you found out Lu Jingxuan was going to marry me, what would you do?”
Lin Jiahui thought about Qiao Manxue’s current situation, then seemed momentarily stunned. “Try to secure Lu Jingxuan and marry him. Other than that, there doesn’t seem to be any other option.”
Qiao Manxue’s reputation in Su Family Village was too poor. Even if Lu Jingxuan’s career prospects were completely stalled after their marriage, he would still be her best choice.
In her previous life, Qiao Manxue hadn’t suffered so miserably. After the cliff-jumping incident, through her deliberate efforts, she even became friends with Su Qingran. When others criticized her as a capitalist’s daughter, Su Qingran would defend her.
Gradually, the villagers stopped commenting. Later, after Lu Jingxuan got promoted, he arranged for her to join the military unit, and her life became even more comfortable.
Huang Cuicui also chimed in, “If I were her, I’d cling to Lu Jingxuan just like Qingran said. Could things get any worse than they are now?”
Su Junze clicked his tongue in amazement, “Qingran, you’ve really impressed me, little sister!”
Su Qingran smiled faintly. She simply understood Qiao Manxue well. In her previous life, even though Qiao Manxue had lived smoothly throughout, she still felt discontented. How much more so now when she was suffering so bitterly?
“Let’s wait and watch the show.” Su Qingran finished dishing out the food. “Dinner’s ready.”
“Qingran, did you go up the mountain again today?” Su Hongshan frowned at the braised pheasant with mushrooms on the table.
“Dad, the autumn harvest is in about ten days. You all need to eat more nourishing food to build up your strength, otherwise how will you endure? Besides, I have good luck—I can catch game even at the foot of the mountain. Nothing will happen.”
Su Junze nodded in agreement. “Last time I went up the mountain with Qingran, a wild rabbit charged straight toward her, and its eyes were glowing! Isn’t that strange?”
Zhao Lanzhi glared at him. “Don’t talk nonsense outside, or people will think we’re promoting superstitions!”
“I’m not stupid. Of course I won’t say anything.”
Su Hongshan thought for a moment with a furrowed brow. “Then from now on, Qingran doesn’t need to give money to the family. These pheasants and wild rabbits are more than enough.”
No one objected. They all understood clearly which was more important—a little money or having meat to eat every day.
Only Huang Cuicui felt uneasy inside. Qingran had earned dozens of yuan selling blueberry jam. Was she really going to keep all that money for herself without giving any to the family?
…
As soon as Lu Jingxuan returned home, Li Lan and Lu Yunxi surrounded him. Even Grandpa Lu, who rarely left his room, was sitting on the long bench in the main hall watching him.
“Mom, what’s all this about?”
Lu Yunxi stepped closer and grabbed his arm, her face full of anticipation. “Brother, I heard you and Qingran made up? Is it true?”
Heaven knows how she had endured this period. Before, Su Qingran would often bring her snacks and drinks, but now there was nothing. She had to work in the fields every day on an empty stomach—it was pure misery! She even felt her complexion had turned sallow!
Li Lan also looked hopeful. Lately, countless people had mocked her for picking up a sesame seed only to drop a watermelon, saying their family had offended the Brigade Leader.
Those who used to flatter her because of the Brigade Leader had all changed their attitudes. Although Su Hongshan hadn’t made things difficult for their family after the broken engagement, her heart had been constantly anxious.
“Who told you that?” Lu Jingxuan was surprised. He had gone to the county town yesterday and just returned, so he knew nothing about what had happened.
“Qingran said it herself.” Lu Yunxi, sharp-eyed, noticed the items in Lu Jingxuan’s hands—she thought she saw clothes and printed fabric. “Brother, are these for me? You’re so good!”
She reached for the bag, but Lu Jingxuan moved it away. “These are for your Qingran.”
Lu Yunxi’s face fell. “Brother! Sister Qingran treated you so poorly, why are you still buying clothes for her? And you’ve never bought her anything before! This dress…”
Being criticized by his own younger sister, Lu Jingxuan’s expression also darkened.
He thought to himself: Had he really been that terrible to Su Qingran before?
“This dress is for her. Don’t touch it.” Lu Jingxuan was still pondering his sister’s earlier words. “What did you mean when you said those things came from your Sister Qingran herself?”
Not getting the dress made Lu Yunxi unhappy. She pouted, “She said it herself, that’s all.”
Lu Jingxuan frowned. “Yunxi!”
Although Li Lan also felt somewhat pained seeing her son spend so much money on clothes and shoes to please Su Qingran, she still maintained some rationality. She understood the principle that one must spend money to make money.
The Su family doted on Su Qingran so much. Once her son married her, the future benefits would far exceed the value of these few pieces of clothing.
Thinking this, she glared at her daughter. “Shortsighted girl, why aren’t you telling your brother everything?”
Grandpa Lu also coughed meaningfully.
Seeing the whole family pressuring her, Lu Yunxi felt even more wronged, but she had no choice but to relent. “I heard it from Shuiqin. She said Su Qingran herself said at Zhiqing Point that you two had reconciled and were getting married soon.”
“Good, that’s truly wonderful!” Li Lan covered her mouth, her face beaming with joy.
Lu Jingxuan, however, found it somewhat strange. Why hadn’t Su Qingran mentioned any of this to him, even though she was saying such things outside?
Moreover, when he tried to ingratiate himself with the Su family yesterday, they still seemed as unwelcoming as before. Could it be that Qingran was too shy to bring it up directly, so she used this method to hint to him?
“Brother, since you and Sister Qingran have reconciled, does that mean you don’t need to give her this dress anymore?” Lu Yunxi stared fixedly at the shopping bag, not even blinking.
This time, Li Lan didn’t stop her. She figured that since the two had already made up, there was no need to give the gift anymore. It would be better to let her daughter dress up nicely—who knows, she might even attract a wealthy suitor!