“Just don’t ask about it. Let’s pretend it never happened!”
“No way! If that Jiuliang dares to do something like that, then I’ll definitely…”
“Brother, I’m begging you!” Jiang Tangyuan frantically grabbed Jiang Wuren’s arm, on the verge of tears. “Brother, let’s go, let’s go…”
If anyone else found out that Jiu Liang had been spying on her whilst she was bathing, her reputation would truly be ruined!
She could accept it if the peeping Tom had been Xiao Changhe, but she simply could not accept it being Jiu Liang!
“Stop right there.” Jiang Fuseng reached out to block her path.
“Sister Laidi, what more do you want?” Jiang Tangyuan looked as though tears were streaming down her face, appearing utterly pitiful.
“Don’t rush to cry. I’m not stopping you; I’m telling your brother to stop.”
“What for!” Jiang Wuren’s face darkened.
“The matter has been cleared up, but you haven’t apologised to Aunt Xiao and Brother Changhe yet!”
“Why on earth should I apologise!”
Jiang Fuseng planted her hands on her hips and declared sternly, “Because you falsely accused Brother Changhe and had this place ransacked. You’re the one who started all this!”
“I… I misunderstood.”
“Does a misunderstanding mean you don’t have to apologise? ” Jiang Fuseng pressed her further, “In any case, you must apologise, or you’re not leaving!”
“Why are you being so pedantic?” Jiang Wuren scratched his head, looking thoroughly exasperated.
“That’s just how I am! Besides, this is a matter of right and wrong, not being pedantic!” Jiang Fuseng tilted her head back, looking as though she was ready for a fight.
Seeing this, Jiang Tangyuan had no choice but to let go of Jiang Wuren’s hand. She hurried over to Xiao Changhe and said through her tears, “Brother Changhe, I’m apologising on my brother’s behalf. He was just worried about me; it’s my fault. If I hadn’t misunderstood, my brother wouldn’t have come to cause you trouble. I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…”
As she spoke, she bowed deeply; seemingly overcome by her sobs, she swayed as if about to collapse.
Xiao’s mother, watching from the side, felt a pang of sympathy. “Never mind, never mind. Since it was a misunderstanding, clearing it up is all that matters.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fuseng withdrew the arm she had used to block her.
“Brother Changhe, please forgive me, I, I…” Jiang Tangyuan sobbed so hard she could barely catch her breath. A dark gleam flashed in her eyes as she feigned dizziness and suddenly collapsed towards Xiao Changhe.
According to her plan, since Brother Changhe was willing to help her catch the peeping Tom, he certainly wouldn’t stand by and watch her fall.
“Brother Changhe, thank you—” Jiang Tangyuan’s voice trailed off abruptly when she lifted her head and saw who was holding her; her face turned an even uglier shade than dog shit.
“No need to thank me!” Jiang Fusheng raised an eyebrow, her arm wrapped around Jiang Tangyuan’s waist, a cryptic smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Sis Tangyuan, your constitution’s not up to scratch, is it? So frail and delicate—a mere breeze could knock you over.”
Trying to fall into her man’s arms? That’s a nice little fantasy!
She’d grown thoroughly tired of that trick!
A flicker of disgust crossed Jiang Tangyuan’s eyes as she quickly stood up. “Thank you, Sister Laidi. I must have been crying too hard, so I felt a bit dizzy for a moment.”
“You’re a grown woman now. Stop crying all the time, and don’t collapse onto a married man—it gives a bad impression.” Jiang Fuseng hummed in agreement, adopting the air of a superior as she lectured her, as earnestly as could be.
What a crybaby and a drama queen! Annoying!
“I didn’t mean to!” Jiang Tangyuan’s face flushed red as she looked up at Xiao Changhe with pleading eyes. “Brother Changhe, I didn’t mean to fall into your arms. Sister Laidi has misunderstood me, Brother Changhe…”
That look of hurt would usually make any man’s heart ache.
However, Xiao Changhe was no ordinary man.
His expression remained stern as he spoke: “If there’s nothing else, leave.”
“Brother Changhe…”
“Tangyuan!” Seeing his little sister in this state, Jiang Wuren could not fail to understand her feelings. Furious, he stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. “Come on, let’s go home.”
“I won’t! Brother, let me ask one more question.” ” Jiang Tangyuan shook off Jiang Wuren’s hand and looked at Xiao Changhe with a look of defiance. “Brother Changhe, tell me—did you really marry Jiang Laidi?”
“How could that be a lie? Don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on my man?” Jiang Fusheng stepped in front of Xiao Changhe, looking every bit the protective older sister.
Jiang Tangyuan’s eyes were red-rimmed as she shot Jiang Fusheng a jealous glare. “Yes! I like Brother Changhe!”
Jiang Fusheng: Oh dear, a rival has appeared!
“Tangyuan, what are you saying…” Jiang Wuren was dumbfounded too. The little sister he’d looked after since childhood actually fancied someone like Xiao Changhe!
Everyone in the village believed the Xiao family were monsters in disguise; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so tall and strong.
Jiang Tangyuan paid no heed to her own brother, but fixed her gaze firmly on the taciturn Xiao Changhe. “Brother Changhe, tell me—have you already registered your marriage with Jiang Laidi?”
“Whether I have or haven’t, what does it have to do with you?” Xiao Changhe replied coldly.
“It does!” Jiang Tangyuan wiped the corner of her eye fiercely. “If you haven’t registered yet, I still have a chance! As long as I can persuade my parents to agree, I can marry you. I—”
“Wait, wait, wait…” Jiang Fusheng closed her eyes, tilted her head, and raised her hand to stop the agitated Jiang Tangyuan. Opening her eyes, she said, “Haven’t you woken up properly yet? Even if you want to marry him, Brother Changhe has to be willing to marry you first!”
“Why wouldn’t he? Jiang Laidi, you’re a discarded woman no one wants—how can you compare to me? I’m a woman of impeccable virtue!”
“Stop calling me a discarded woman. It’s true you’re virtuous, but how do you know I’m not?” Jiang Laidi flared up, her expression darkening instantly.
“You? Ha. “The whole village knows you were cast out of the Qian family because you couldn’t bear children. What ‘innocence’ do you have left? If you know what’s good for you, step aside at once. Only I am worthy of being Brother Changhe’s wife!”
Jiang Fuseng: ?
Mother Xiao: “……” Why hadn’t she realised before that her son could actually be fought over?
Xiao Changhe: “……” Madwoman.
“Right, right, right.” Jiang Fusheng pursed her lips and nodded. Gathering her composure, she turned and threw herself into Xiao Changhe’s arms, lightly pounding his chest with her tiny fists before burying her face against his chest. “Brother Changhe, she said I’m not worthy of being your wife. She called me a loose woman. She… Waaah, Brother Changhe, I’m so upset. I don’t want to leave you. What should I do…?”
Ouch! My hand hurts!
This fellow’s muscles are far too stiff!
Xiao Changhe seized her hand, rubbing it against his lips, whilst his left arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. A budding tenderness flickered in his eyes. “I won’t let you go.”
She’d come to him of her own accord; there was no way he was going to let her go so easily!
“But Jiang Tangyuan’s going to fight me for you…” Jiang Fuseng sniffed sharply, her body trembling as she sobbed.
“Jiang Laidi! Let go of Brother Changhe! He’s my Brother Changhe!” Jiang Tangyuan was infuriated by Jiang Fuseng’s theatrics. She stepped forward, grabbing hold of the latter’s clothes and trying to pull her away.
Xiao Changhe’s expression darkened abruptly. With a forceful shove from his right hand, he snapped, “Get lost!”
“Ah!”
Jiang Tangyuan was knocked to the ground by his brute strength. The pain caused cold sweat to break out on her forehead, and finally, with a thud, she passed out.
“Tangyuan!” Jiang Wuren hurried forward to pick her up, glaring furiously at Xiao Changhe. “You Xiao scum, if anything happens to my sister, I’ll never let you off the hook!”
Watching Jiang Wuren carry her away, Jiang Fuseng muttered under her breath, “At last, some peace and quiet.”
The gossip and commotion in a rural village were truly something else; there wasn’t a single moment of peace.