Old Master Gu let out a sigh and looked at Shen Qinghe. “Qinghe, Linchuan didn’t get that punch for nothing. I feel wronged on your behalf too. Qingsong was right to hit him.”
“But I truly like you, child. You and our Linchuan are the best match. Are you really going to give him no chance to make amends just because he made one mistake?”
Shen Qinghe didn’t buy it. She replied firmly, “Grandpa Gu, Linchuan came back to Shenjia Bay this time to discuss the marriage. Since something like this has happened, it means Heaven doesn’t want this marriage to succeed. We shouldn’t go against fate.”
“Ah…”
With things said to this point, Old Master Gu knew the marriage was completely off. Leaning on his cane, he said, “Let’s go home.”
“Dad!” Zhang Manfang was anxious. How could this just be dropped like that?
Shen Qinghe was the best catch in all of Shenjia Bay—pretty and capable, doted on by her family. If they married, how much dowry would there be? What was so good about that Lin Yingxue anyway? A fallen capitalist heiress—once you got involved with her, you’d never get free! Her son had really lost his mind!
What worried her most was offending people today. The Shen family’s standing in Shenjia Bay wasn’t something an outsider family like theirs could compare to. Her husband had died early, leaving no one to back her up. Not being able to marry into the Shen family wasn’t the worst thing—given her son’s conditions, he might even find someone better in the army. She was just afraid the Shen family would make things hard for them in the future.
Her son was promising, but he rarely came home during the year. Aside from sending some money, he couldn’t help much. There were plenty of twists and turns in farming village life!
Gu Yuhua also panicked. “Brother, say something! Anyway, I want Sister Qinghe to be my sister-in-law!”
Shen Qinghe sneered inwardly. In her previous life, after she’d been locked into a mental hospital, Gu Yuhua had visited her once. Back then, she was haughty and arrogant. Well, as the biological sister of a high-ranking officer, she did have the capital to be proud.
At that time, she’d looked at Shen Qinghe with utter contempt and said, “My sister-in-law will only ever be Sister Yingxue. Know your place and hurry up and divorce my brother. Give the position of Mrs. Gu to Sister Yingxue!”
“Let’s go! Stop embarrassing yourselves here!” Old Master Gu still carried great authority in the Gu family. Even though Zhang Manfang and Gu Yuhua were unwilling, they could only follow along.
“Alright, we won’t see you off,” Shen Xingqing said as he sent them away. “Take your things back with you as well.”
Even the old master had accepted that the marriage was off, and her son was stubborn as a mule. Zhang Manfang had no moves left. She forced a smile and tried to curry favor with Shen Xingqing. “Brother—uh, Captain, let these things stay so Qinghe can nourish her health. Even if our families can’t become in-laws, Qinghe is still a child I watched grow up.”
Zhou Chunfeng smiled falsely. “No need to be so polite. Our Old Shen wouldn’t dare accept such expensive gifts. Besides, Linchuan is injured—better keep them for him to recuperate.”
Old Master Gu knew exactly what Zhang Manfang was thinking and felt thoroughly embarrassed. He said curtly, “Take the things.”
Sigh… Zhang Manfang couldn’t go against him and had to carry everything away.
Before leaving, Gu Linchuan took one long, deep look at Shen Qinghe.
After the Gu family left, Shen Qingsong looked Shen Qinghe up and down in amazement. “Little sister, you really opened Second Brother’s eyes today! After being soft for so many years, you finally stood your ground!”
Liu Lanying shot her husband an annoyed glare. “What nonsense are you talking?”
“It’s the truth!”
Shen Xingqing looked at Shen Qinghe seriously. “Girl, listen to me. Your mother and I both think that although Gu Linchuan is a top marriage prospect for a rural girl, we don’t have big ambitions. We don’t ask for a son-in-law to be all that capable—so long as he treats you well, that’s enough. It’s a good thing this marriage didn’t work out. From now on, just stay home and don’t overthink things, understand?”
“Mm.” Shen Qinghe felt warmth spread through her heart.
……
Evening.
When Lin Yingxue returned to the educated youth compound, her expression wasn’t very good. Although Shen Qinghe and Gu Linchuan’s engagement had fallen through, Gu Linchuan still hadn’t agreed to marry her.
She didn’t want to take care of the Gu family elders, but as long as she endured until Gu Linchuan was promoted to battalion commander, she could follow the army. By then, what could the Gu family do to her? She was, after all, the young miss of the Lin family. How could she resign herself to being a mistress?
“Where did you just go?”
Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard someone speak.
She looked up, irritation flashing in her eyes. “Educated Youth Liu, where I went has nothing to do with you.”
Liu Yun sneered. “I saw it. You were just now in the woods behind the compound…”
“Shut up!” Lin Yingxue was startled and hurriedly said, “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m warning you—don’t slander me!”
“I haven’t even said anything yet. How do you know I was going to slander you?” Liu Yun laughed mockingly. “Could it be you have some shameful secret?”
Only then did Lin Yingxue realize Liu Yun was bluffing. She might really have seen her coming out of the woods, but hadn’t seen that she was with Gu Linchuan. Thinking this, Lin Yingxue let out a sigh of relief.
“What secret could I have? You know I’m not used to the compound’s toilets. Sometimes I go to the woods instead.” It was an excuse she’d used before.
“Is that so?” Liu Yun didn’t quite believe it, but Lin Yingxue was too slippery—she couldn’t pry out anything more.
“Of course.”
Looks like she’d have to find another place to meet Linchuan in the future.
“Liu Yun, why are you talking to her?” A female educated youth at the doorway called out. “Hurry over here—don’t get infected with capitalist-style conduct.”
“I know, Sister Zhang Nan,” Liu Yun said dismissively, casting a scornful glance at Lin Yingxue. “I’ve got nothing to do with this capitalist heiress.”
Seeing the mocking, disdainful, and wary looks from the other educated youths in the compound, Lin Yingxue dug her nails deep into her palm. Sharp pain surged through her, yet a smile spread across her face.
So what if I’m a capitalist heiress? One day, I’ll make every single one of you kneel and apologize to me.