“Comrade Xu, regarding Jiang Zhun’s future development, there are things you can’t even imagine. I had to summon a great deal of courage to agree to a fake marriage with you. I really am helping you, but it’s unfair to the person I love. So if you give the job opportunity to her, it would also make up for—”
Xu Suyu cut him off coldly.
“Comrade Han, if you like someone, go marry her. Don’t stand in front of me acting like entering a fake marriage with me is some enormous favor. If you want to play the living bodhisattva, that’s your business—not mine. No matter what Jiang Zhun’s future holds, since I, Xu Suyu, chose him, even if the road ahead is hellish, I’ll crawl through it on my knees. I don’t need you, an outsider, meddling.”
She stepped past him, but Han Shumo blocked her again.
Wanqiu didn’t have much time to wait for a job opportunity, but Xu Suyu did, so—
“If you give this opportunity to Wanqiu, give me a few months and I’ll find another job for you. All right?”
“No.”
“You—”
Not far away, Qin Wanqiu had just approached, catching only the last part of their conversation.
She walked up to them, standing beside Han Shumo. Looking at Xu Suyu, her voice carried grievance and bitterness.
“Comrade Xu, once you marry into the Jiang family, you’ll have General Jiang backing you. You can get opportunities whenever you want—why must you fight me for this one?”
Xu Suyu replied coolly,
“You and Grandpa Jiang have no relation. When did he ever promise you the position he obtained through his personal connections?”
“I…” Qin Wanqiu hadn’t expected such a direct attack. “If you hadn’t come competing for it, Grandpa would’ve given it to me.”
“You’re wrong. Grandpa never planned to use his favor at all—it was Jiang Zhun who wanted it used on me, so Grandpa agreed. The opportunity had nothing to do with you in the first place. The fact that I’m willing to take it out and let you compete fairly is already giving you face for Aunt Sun’s sake. Why are you here pretending to be a victim? ‘Sense of propriety, justice, integrity, and shame’ are good virtues, Comrade Qin. You might consider learning them.”
Qin Wanqiu’s eyes reddened instantly.
“Comrade Xu, how can you insult me like this just because you’re General Jiang’s future granddaughter-in-law? I… never mind. I have no backing, no support, no one who loves me. If people call me shameless or lacking proper virtue, what can I do?”
Tears fell one after another as she turned to leave.
Seeing the always-delicate “little white flower” cry like this made Han Shumo uncomfortable.
“Wanqiu, wait—”
He grabbed her arm and then glared sharply at Xu Suyu.
“Comrade Xu, you have no right to humiliate others like that. Please apologize to Comrade Qin.”
Xu Suyu laughed. “Comrade Han, and you have no standing to demand an apology from me.”
Qin Wanqiu tugged on his sleeve and shook her head tearfully.
“Forget it, Shumo. It’s not a big deal. Haven’t I been slandered often in the compound? Comrade Xu only called me shameless—that’s not even the worst I’ve heard.”
“She doesn’t have to give up the job opportunity, but she cannot insult someone. Even if she weren’t insulting you, I’d respond the same way.”
Han Shumo turned to Xu Suyu again.
“Comrade Xu, you’re not some shrew from the marketplace. You received proper education. When you do wrong, you should apologize, shouldn’t you?”
Xu Suyu let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“I offered a fair competition, yet you block my path and scheme against me. Is that how people with propriety and virtue behave? You did wrong—yet want me to apologize? If you’re sick, treat it. Don’t go spreading the madness outside.”
She turned to leave.
Han Shumo’s frustration deepened.
Ever since he had rejected the marriage with Xu Suyu, everything seemed to move in a direction he disliked—
Especially her attitude.
Xu Suyu had always been well-mannered, gentle, and kind.
How could she be arrogant and sharp-tongued?
This wasn’t the Xu Suyu he knew.
She wasn’t supposed to have any blemishes.
Today, even if he had to force it, he would make her apologize.
“Xu Suyu!” He stepped in front of her.
“Even though your grandfather severed ties with you, it doesn’t change the fact that you were born a capitalist’s daughter. In this environment, you should be cautious in speech and behavior—not arrogant and reckless. You—”
Slap.
Xu Suyu’s hand struck his face.
Han Shumo froze.
Qin Wanqiu rushed forward, gently touching his cheek, crying even harder.
“Oh my god, Shumo, are you all right? Comrade Xu, it’s one thing for you to insult me, but why would you hit innocent Shumo?”
Han Shumo stared at Xu Suyu’s face — staring straight at him with hatred.
His heart jolted.
Shock and anger faded.
He shouldn’t have mentioned her background.
Those words were basically calling her filthy because of her birth, telling her to keep her head down forever.
But her grandfather had spent his life doing good—he was a true patriotic capitalist…
“Suyu, I’m sorry, I—”
Xu Suyu didn’t want to hear another word. She turned and left.
Han Shumo moved to chase her, but Qin Wanqiu held him back.
“Shumo, your cheek is red with finger marks. It must hurt…”
“I’m fine.”
He looked at Xu Suyu’s disappearing figure.
Her eyes just now…
Something in his chest tightened in a way that frightened him.
“Shumo, what did you mean earlier? Is Comrade Xu… really a capitalist’s daughter?”
Han Shumo pulled his gaze away and looked at Qin Wanqiu.
Her eyes were full of concern.
“Does General Jiang know? If she marries Jiang Zhun… will it hurt the General? He’s such a good man…”
“Don’t worry. General Jiang knows everything. Nothing will happen. As for her background—treat it as if you never heard it. When is your assessment?”
Qin Wanqiu, always good at reading faces, knew he didn’t want to dwell on that topic.
Although shocked, she didn’t press further.
“Aunt said we have about a week to prepare.”
“That’s enough. I’ll tutor you.”
In the previous life, although Xu Suyu never worked in a formal hospital, from 1972 onward she trained and saw patients in Anhe Hall, a nearby traditional medicine clinic. Even after the director retired, she worked until age 70. Her skills and reputation were excellent.
But now it was the 1960s.
Xu Suyu hadn’t trained at Anhe Hall yet. Her knowledge was only what she learned at home. Her university studies might not be as solid as Wanqiu’s.
If he tutored Wanqiu a little, the job would surely be hers.
But what about Xu Suyu?
He had never seen her so angry.
He truly didn’t know what to do.