Xu Cheng could sense the storm brewing in Jiang Yao’s demeanor—a palpable tension that felt like the calm before a tempest.
Zhou Yun had just stirred up a hornet’s nest! It was clear Jiang Yao knew nothing about the past between Jiang Chi and Xu Changxia! If a scene erupted right at the doorstep, being laughed at by the neighbors would be the least of their worries—the real disgrace would fall on the Jiang family!
Xu Cheng grew agitated, breaking into a sweat on his forehead within mere seconds.
“Jiang Yao…” He hesitated, then steeled himself and stepped forward, gently tugging at Jiang Yao’s sleeve. “You…”
“I’ve already discussed this matter with Jiang Chi. There’s no need to hide anything from Brother Yao—I confessed everything to him last night,” Xu Changxia interjected calmly from the side.
“Huh?” Xu Cheng and the others were taken aback.
Xu Changxia knew that secrets couldn’t stay buried forever. With so many people aware of the situation, it was only a matter of time before it reached Jiang Yao’s ears. So, she decided it was better to tell him herself.
However, she hadn’t yet had the chance to explain the details of the relationship or why she went out with Jiang Chi the night before last—Jiang Yao had left for the military base before she could.
If Zhou Yun continued spouting nonsense here, Jiang Yao might suspect she still had lingering feelings for Jiang Chi. In that case, she would clarify everything in front of everyone.
But before she could continue, Zhou Yun furrowed her brows and cut in, “What I meant was, if he knew you went out alone with Jiang Chi the night before last…”
Zhou Yun stopped mid-sentence, slapping her thigh in frustration. “Oh, look at my big mouth! Jiang Yao, this is our fault as elders—we didn’t keep a close enough eye on Xiaxia. If you’re angry, take it out on us!”
Jiang Yao wore a faint, almost mocking smile as he stared at Zhou Yun.
He held her gaze until she squirmed uncomfortably, then asked coolly, “Do you have a grudge against Xiaxia? Are you that eager to see her humiliated?”
Zhou Yun grew flustered and retorted, “What kind of talk is that? Xu Cheng and I only have this one niece! Of course, I want what’s best for her!”
“Really? Then why didn’t you stop her when you clearly saw her going out to meet Jiang Chi and knew it was wrong?”
“I…” Zhou Yun was momentarily speechless.
Zhou Yun had never lost an argument in her life, yet Jiang Yao had shut her down in just two sentences.
Beside them, Xu Changxia felt a secret thrill watching Zhou Yun flounder.
“Explain why you met with Jiang Chi,” Jiang Yao said, turning his gaze back to Xu Changxia before she could savor the moment fully.
Xu Changxia thought for a moment and replied, “He’s been pestering me. For the past month, he’s been loitering near my house, trying to corner me. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Uncle.”
“That’s right! It wasn’t just me—some of the neighbors saw it too!” Xu Cheng quickly chimed in. “Our Xiaxia definitely didn’t provoke him!”
As he spoke, he glanced toward the door, where a few neighbors had gathered unnoticed. “You all…”
“I know,” Jiang Yao cut him off before he could finish. “That’s exactly why I told Xiaxia to meet with him before the engagement banquet and make things clear.”
“What! You told them to meet?!” Zhou Yun blurted out in shock.
“Is that so strange?” Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow slightly.
Beside him, Xu Changxia stared wide-eyed at Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao turned back, met her gaze for a few seconds, then reached out and took her hand. “So, this is how Aunt and the others misunderstood you. It seems I’m the one who made a mistake.”
Xu Changxia followed him to his side, holding back from speaking.
Why did she feel that Jiang Yao was deliberately giving her a chance to clear her name in front of so many people?
“Then that’s settled! It’s good that everyone has cleared things up!” Xu Cheng let out a long sigh of relief, turning to greet the neighbors at the door: “Look at all this fuss—it was all a misunderstanding! Since you’re here, take some wedding candies back with you. My nephew-in-law went out early this morning to buy them himself!”
“I’m not here for wedding candies!” one of the women replied with a frown. “I’m here to find Zhou Yun!”
Seeing the woman’s aggressive demeanor, Zhou Yun couldn’t help but look a little guilty. She stepped forward, grabbed her, and whispered, “Let’s talk about our matter later! My nephew-in-law is a high-ranking official. Have some wedding candy first to calm down!”
The woman hesitated for a moment before saying, “Alright then! I’ll wait a bit out of respect for Xiaxia!”
Jiang Yao had no interest in listening to their trivial matters. He turned to Xu Changxia and said calmly, “Let’s go. I’ll take you out for something to eat, and we can also book the restaurant for the return banquet.”
“No need, no need! I’ll take care of it!” Xu Cheng politely declined.
“Uncle doesn’t know my parents’ tastes. I’ll handle it,” Jiang Yao firmly refused.
Xu Changxia actually wanted to stay home and have the breakfast Xu Fangfei had prepared, letting Jiang Yao taste her mom’s cooking. Xu Fangfei’s chicken soup wontons were truly exceptional.
But seeing Jiang Yao’s lack of enthusiasm, and with Xu Fangfei smiling and urging them, “That’s fine too. You two newlyweds can go together!”
Xu Changxia hesitated for a moment before replying, “Alright, Brother Yao can book the restaurant, and I’ll go to town to fetch Third Uncle.”
As she spoke, she turned to Xu Cheng and said, “Uncle, can I borrow your bicycle?”
“I’ll take you after breakfast. The town is far from here,” Jiang Yao interjected.
Xu Changxia glanced back at him. Jiang Yao’s expression didn’t seem like he was just being polite.
Riding a bicycle to town would take at least an hour and a half, and the round trip would be over three hours. It was already 8:30, and they might not make it back in time for the return banquet.
Besides, they were practically husband and wife now. If he didn’t mind the trouble, she wouldn’t stand on ceremony either.
“Alright,” she nodded in agreement.
While they were making arrangements, Zhou Yun pulled the female neighbor into a room, muttering something unintelligible. The neighbor’s voice was louder, sounding very angry.
“How could you do this to a neighbor you’ve known for twenty or thirty years?! Are you even human?”
“Shall we go?” Xu Changxia was still straining to listen when Jiang Yao called out to her.
“Coming,” Xu Changxia immediately followed.
Before leaving, she whispered to Xu Fangfei, “Mom, go listen to what’s going on and tell me when you get back.”
“Alright,” Xu Fangfei nodded.
Xu Fangfei was gentle by nature, but she wasn’t foolish. She could tolerate Zhou Yun bullying her in the past, but now that Zhou Yun was bullying her daughter, she would remember it!
Jiang Yao walked to the entrance of the alley and stopped, turning to see that Xu Changxia hadn’t caught up.
“Come here,” he said softly to her.
The look in his eyes was softer than ever before.