“I’m here.” Qi Xiaoyuan quickly spoke up.
He had only accidentally wandered here and strolled around casually, thinking that maybe Su Man might not have gone to sleep yet.
But it was late at night, and a man lingering outside a young woman’s door was never appropriate. Only now did he realize how improper his behavior had been.
Just as Su Man was about to ask what Qi Xiaoyuan needed, she saw him pull out a box of fruit canned goods. “I came to talk to you about Yang Su.”
Qi Xiaoyuan fully relayed Regiment Commander Zhou’s words.
Su Man remembered Regiment Commander Zhou, whom she had seen that afternoon. He looked like a serious and quiet man, yet she hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful.
Fruit canned goods were a rare luxury in this era. Sending an entire box was a generous gift, clearly showing how much Regiment Commander Zhou cared for and protected Yang Su.
Su Man accepted the canned goods. “Alright. I was planning to go see Yang Su tomorrow anyway. We’ll probably be working together in the future.”
Qi Xiaoyuan didn’t ask further. Su Man had her own plans. He only suddenly remembered that since that meal a few days ago, he hadn’t seen Su Man for several days.
The night was dim. The courtyard gate stood half open. Behind Su Man, under the eaves of the house, the lamp Qi Xiaoyuan had replaced was glowing. Through the courtyard gate, one of them stood in the darkness while the other stood in the light and shadow. The atmosphere was quiet.
Su Man couldn’t clearly see Qi Xiaoyuan’s expression, nor did she know what he was thinking. She coughed lightly. “Is this really that urgent? Why come at night?”
Qi Xiaoyuan froze for a moment before reacting. “Sorry. I forgot it was already late.”
“We already called off the engagement. If someone sees this, there will be gossip again, and it will affect your reputation.” Su Man spoke directly.
Qi Xiaoyuan’s voice was dull. “I don’t care.”
“I care!” Su Man blurted out.
Last time at the guesthouse, she told Ye Aihua that she was Qi Xiaoyuan’s arranged fiancée because at that time she hadn’t yet met or understood the male lead in the book. She had been worried he might directly drive her away. If word got out, it could at least put some pressure on him so she could stay.
But after meeting Qi Xiaoyuan and realizing they had already met before and interacted a few times, she understood she had been overthinking.
Even if Qi Xiaoyuan didn’t like her or didn’t want to marry her, he wouldn’t do something like that.
Later, Su Man learned that rumors had already spread wildly—that Qi Xiaoyuan had looked down on his arranged fiancée, ruthlessly abandoned her, and even dumped her trouble onto the soldiers under his command.
Now Su Man truly understood how powerful gossip in this era could be. If people kept spreading nonsense and ruined Qi Xiaoyuan’s reputation, affecting his future, what then?
If Qi Xiaoyuan earned less money in the future, then when they divorced, wouldn’t her share also be reduced?
So she really did care about it.
What Qi Xiaoyuan thought, however, was different. She cared—did that mean she was worried it would affect her matchmaking in the future?
A sense of irritation rose in his chest. He wanted to ask: you already have housing and work, why must you still go to matchmaking?
But the words stuck in his throat. What was wrong with wanting to marry and find someone? Besides, someone like Su Man—so likable—men and women alike would probably like her. She would surely live a very happy life.
Qi Xiaoyuan dropped a sentence. “Got it. It won’t affect your matchmaking.”
Then he turned and left.
Su Man stood there for a long while before realizing what Qi Xiaoyuan had misunderstood.
So he thought she cared about her reputation being damaged and it affecting her future matchmaking.
Looking at his departing figure, Su Man said nothing and slammed the courtyard gate shut.
This man was really awkward.
If he didn’t have a mouth, then let him suffer on his own.
Qi Xiaoyuan heard the sound of the door closing. His steps paused for a moment. Suddenly, he changed direction and walked into the darkness—not toward the dormitory.
The next afternoon, Su Man brought Aunt Xu and Li Qingqing to Yang Su’s home again.
Yang Su’s eyes brightened the moment she saw them.
Although she still didn’t talk much, she responded more than before. She just wasn’t good at initiating conversation.
Only when Su Man proposed inviting her to work at the bakery did she become troubled, finally understanding why they had come these past two days.
“I’m afraid I’ll cause you trouble. You all know my background isn’t good.”
Su Man didn’t care at all. “The organization approved Regiment Commander Zhou marrying you, which means there’s no problem. You’re a military wife, and you’re educated—you fit the bakery’s hiring requirements very well.”
Yang Su lowered her head. “You don’t understand. People will gossip. You should find someone else.”
“I’ve already chosen you!” Su Man said firmly. “Aunt Xu and Qingqing feel the same. We all believe you can do it.”
Yang Su looked up at them, somewhat moved.
“Yang Su, you can’t live based on what others think. For yourself—and for those who love you—you have to live well. That’s what will make them happy.”
Yang Su thought of her parents, her gaze drifting far away, her voice choked with emotion. “I think of my parents suffering while I’m not there with them. I feel like I don’t deserve to live well. I also feel sorry toward Zhou Zheng. I’ve dragged him down because of my background. It’s my fault.”
Su Man held her hand. “Your parents would only feel relieved if they knew you were doing well. You still have to wait for them to be rehabilitated and come back.”
Tears shimmered in Yang Su’s eyes as she trembled. “Will they really come back?”
Su Man knew the course of history, and she had also heard from Aunt Xu about Yang Su’s parents’ background. She squeezed Yang Su’s hand. “They will.”
Yang Su didn’t know why Su Man was so certain, but there was a steady confidence about her that made people instinctively want to believe her.
Aunt Xu wiped Yang Su’s tears. “You poor child. Su Man is right. Your parents will definitely come back. You must wait for that day properly.”
Li Qingqing was also moved, her eyes red as she nodded.
Su Man said: “Don’t be afraid of what those people say. They’re just jealous of you. The more fearless you are, the more upset they get. If you back down, they’ll only feel satisfied—you can’t let them have the last laugh.”
Yang Su smiled faintly. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll go ask Zhou Zheng then, even though he probably won’t care.”
As she spoke, a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes.
“How could Regiment Commander Zhou not care? He cares about you so much.” Su Man guessed the couple must have a misunderstanding, so she told them about Regiment Commander Zhou finding Qi Xiaoyuan. “He even sent me a whole box of fruit canned goods.”
Aunt Xu and Li Qingqing nodded as well; Su Man had already shared some of the canned goods with them earlier that morning.
Yang Su froze. “He… he didn’t tell me.”
Seeing their confusion, Yang Su didn’t feel embarrassed and continued: “Actually, we’ve always been quite distant. We don’t talk much every day. Zhou Zheng doesn’t like me, but he’s not bad to me either. I don’t cook—he takes me to the canteen, and he helps with housework too.”
Aunt Xu, as someone experienced, cautiously asked: “Then… what about your married life in that aspect?”
Yang Su nervously twisted her fingers, her voice barely audible. “We… we sleep in separate rooms. Nothing happens.”
Su Man was shocked.
That was a big problem.