Cai Xiaolan wasn’t anxious at all and began painting a rosy picture for her mother. “Mom, although this seems bad, looking at it from another angle, it’s actually good. Now that everyone knows about our situation, the Su family can’t avoid taking responsibility even if they want to. My marriage into the Su family is practically guaranteed.”
Upon hearing this, Cai’s mother’s dull eyes instantly lit up.
She did a complete about-face, her face breaking into a satisfied smile as she actively helped apply medicine to Cai Xiaolan’s wounds.
“Then we must protect this face well. Whether you can marry into the Su family entirely depends on it.”
Sister-in-law Cai stroked her pregnant belly and sneered. She had already trampled her dignity underfoot for everyone to step on—what use was there in protecting her face now?
However, Cai’s mother didn’t see it that way. She said, “My Xiaolan is still the most capable. Although her reputation isn’t great, being able to marry into the Su family makes it all worthwhile.”
Cai Xiaolan wore a proud expression. “I told you long ago that if you just give me sister-in-law’s job, I’d definitely bring you all a pleasant surprise.”
Sister-in-law Cai: …
Pleasant surprise? More like a nasty shock.
Today when she went out, people kept pointing and whispering at her. She didn’t need to guess what they were talking about—she had completely lost face.
It seemed she better not go out anymore in the future.
Each of them had their own thoughts and calculations, but this didn’t hinder the spread of the gossip.
After fermenting all afternoon, everyone in the cotton mill had heard about it. During work breaks, people were all discussing it.
“Hey, have you heard? Our Propaganda Department’s Su Jincheng and Cai Xiaolan got together.”
“Heard it, heard it. Apparently it was in that abandoned temple—the two of them were going at it naked in front of the statue for three hundred rounds. The scene was really intense.”
“Exactly! I heard there was even blood. The woman’s lower body was nearly torn apart.”
“Really? That Su Jincheng is that powerful?” An older woman with bobbed hair had a gleam in her eyes.
A middle-aged man scolded angrily, “No matter how powerful he is, you won’t get any. Go home, you disgraceful creature.”
The crowd quickly dispersed. Standing not far away, Ruan Fu and Big Brother Ruan both had dark expressions on their faces.
They had only been away for a few days, and upon returning they heard such shocking news. They had no idea what the situation was like at home.
Big Brother Ruan said angrily, “I’m going to beat that guy to death. How could he treat Tangtang like that?”
But Ruan Fu stopped him. “Don’t be impulsive. Let’s go home.”
They should ask about the situation first. After all, the Su family wasn’t to be trifled with.
When the two arrived home, Ruan Mu was preparing dinner. Seeing them return, she quickly brought a basin of water.
“You’re back. It’s so hot—hurry and wash up. Dinner will be ready soon.”
After Ruan Fu washed his face, he wiped it while glancing toward Ruan Tang’s room. It was pitch dark inside as if no one was there.
Big Brother Ruan grew anxious and followed Ruan Mu to the kitchen. “Mom, where’s Tangtang?”
Ruan Mu continued chopping potatoes without looking up. “She took the bottle to get soy sauce. It’s been quite a while—why hasn’t she returned yet?”
Upon hearing this, Big Brother Ruan rushed out. When he reached the Supply and Marketing Cooperative entrance, sure enough, he saw Ruan Tang surrounded by a group of aunts and older women, all asking about today’s scandal.
He quickly pushed through the crowd and rescued Ruan Tang.
Ruan Tang wiped sweat from her forehead. “Whew, I almost died from the heat. They’re so nosy—they just wouldn’t let me leave.”
Under the dim streetlights, Big Brother Ruan turned to observe Ruan Tang’s expression. After restraining himself repeatedly, he finally asked, “Tangtang, are you very upset?”
“What?”
Ruan Tang was momentarily dazed before she reacted, then said, “Why should I be sad? He’s not worth it.”
Now it was Big Brother Ruan’s turn to be stunned. “But he’s your fiancé! The person you were supposed to spend your life with. Now that he’s betrayed you, aren’t you even angry?”
“Aren’t you sad at all?”
Ruan Tang’s tone turned slightly cold. “I was indeed furious at the time—I wanted to tear them apart. But now that we’ve called off the engagement, I don’t care anymore.”
Big Brother Ruan was completely shocked. He had only heard about Su Jincheng fooling around with Cai Xiaolan, but he hadn’t heard that his sister had broken off the engagement!
What exactly was going on?
It seemed the rumors outside weren’t entirely true!
When they returned home, Ruan Mu was also telling Ruan Fu about the day’s events.
“What Su Jincheng did was truly excessive. But now the engagement is called off, and the compensation has been paid. Maybe we should just let it go and not cause any more trouble. It’s not worth it.”
“What if we anger them and Su Zhenghua deliberately targets us?!”
“Better to avoid trouble than invite it.”
Seeing them return, Ruan Fu interrupted Ruan Mu. “Let’s eat first. We can talk after dinner.”
Ruan Mu sniffled. “Alright, I’ll serve the rice right away.”
Everyone had something on their minds, and the meal was eaten with mixed emotions.
In contrast, Ruan Tang, with her simple outlook, ate with the most relish.
After dinner, Ruan Tang and Ruan Mu began clearing the table and cleaning up.
Ruan Fu lit a cigarette, his brow furrowed as he took one drag after another.
He had already learned what happened, and it was indeed Su Jincheng’s fault.
Su Jincheng’s promiscuity had wronged Tangtang, and it pained him too.
But his wife was right—better to avoid trouble than invite it.
The engagement was off, the compensation paid. He had to let it go and focus on the next matter.
Whether Tangtang should go to the countryside or get married.
If she went to the countryside, unfamiliar and isolated, and happened to be bullied, they wouldn’t be able to help from afar. Ruan Tang’s life would likely be ruined.
Marriage, then, seemed the best option for now.
Once they finished cleaning up, Ruan Fu had everyone sit down and shared his thoughts.
Big Brother Ruan was the first to disagree. “Little sister is still young. Why must she get married? That Jiang Ye isn’t much better than Su Jincheng. Rather than jumping from one pit of fire into another, it’d be better to find a job first and consider marriage later.”
Ruan Tang chimed in appropriately, “Brother, every job is taken. It’s hard to find work in a short time.”
And that was indeed the reality.
Even spending money might not secure a job promptly.
But Big Brother Ruan still felt marriage wasn’t the only way—there had to be other solutions.
After a moment’s thought, he added, “How about I go to the countryside in Tangtang’s place and give her my job?”
“Even though I’m just an Apprentice Driver, it’s still a job. We could swap with someone eventually and find a suitable position for little sister.”
But he didn’t expect his suggestion to be opposed by both parents simultaneously.
“You’re twenty-one already—it’s time you got married. If you go to the countryside now, what will Li Lin do?” Ruan Mu’s face was full of worry. What if she called off the engagement?
Besides, she was looking forward to holding a grandchild.
Ruan Fu said, “That Apprentice Driver job is something many people want. I spent money and effort to secure it for you. How can you just discard it like that!”
Seeing Big Brother Ruan about to say more, Ruan Tang feared their father would get angry and quickly spoke up.
“Big Brother, getting married is a decision I made after careful consideration, not some reckless whim.”
“I’ll get married, you focus on your work properly, and neither of us will go to the countryside.”
Ruan Fu nodded, “Your sister is right. Although that Jiang Ye seems somewhat unreliable and appears lacking in responsibility, his family is beyond reproach. His mother conducts herself with integrity, so Jiang Ye’s character probably isn’t majorly problematic. Perhaps he’ll improve after they marry.”
As the head of the household, once Ruan Fu expressed agreement, Big Brother Ruan had no choice but to compromise.
Naturally, Ruan Tang also breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want her brother to do anything irrational because of her.
Going to the countryside truly wasn’t a wise choice.
Moreover, Li Lin was the woman her brother cherished deeply. She didn’t want to affect their relationship because of herself – that was a responsibility she couldn’t bear.
Before going to bed, Ruan Mu said to Ruan Fu: “I gave Tangtang twenty from the compensation money the Su family paid. The remainder we’ll save for now. Xiang Bei will graduate next year, so we need to start making plans for him early.”
“Tangtang is a girl – she can avoid going to the countryside by getting married. But if Xiang Bei wants to stay in the city, he must have a job.”
After thinking it over, Ruan Fu agreed.
Early the next morning, the three Ruan family members went to work at the factory, while Ruan Tang stayed home waiting for Jiang Ye.
Yesterday’s note had mentioned that Jiang Ye was giving Ruan Tang one day to consider. If she truly didn’t want to marry him, he would respect her decision.
However, in the end, Jiang Ye had still expressed his strong desire to marry her.
But before Ruan Tang could wait for Jiang Ye, Jiang Mother arrived first.
Along with her notice to go to the countryside.