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Qin Yunfeng was already fuming.
When Bai Ruolin suggested that Su Yi might be stealing both items and a child, he found it somewhat suspicious.
Su Yi had just arrived in the courtyard and didn’t know anyone. It was puzzling how she could be so close to someone else’s child.
Seeing the child holding candy, it all became clear to him.
“Su Yi, stop right there! I didn’t expect you’d go to someone else’s home to steal things and a child. You must be out of your mind!”
Hearing this, Su Yi paused in her tracks, looking back at the pair with astonishment.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
Seeing that Su Yi seemed ‘guilty,’ Bai Ruolin quickly moved to block her path.
“Comrade Su, this is the courtyard; you can’t get out. You’d better hand over the child now!”
“Even if you’re desperate, you shouldn’t resort to stealing and selling children. It’s better to stop now and have a lighter sentence!”
Su Yi’s care for the two children was known only to a few nearby families in the courtyard. Most of the others, especially the single men living in the dormitory, were unaware.
Seeing the growing crowd and their accusations, Bai Ruolin felt even more pleased with herself.
She wondered how the Commander would reward her if he knew she had saved the child from human traffickers.
As they continued to surround Su Yi, Ye Xiaowu, who had just finished school, dashed over. “Sister Su, Nuannuan, what are you doing here?”
Qin Yunfeng and Bai Ruolin exchanged puzzled glances. “Sister Su?”
Bai Ruolin snapped back to attention. “Xiaowu, don’t be afraid. Did this woman threaten you while the Commander was away? Tell us the truth, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
Ye Xiaowu shot her a look that clearly said, “You’re crazy.”
He pulled Su Yi and Ye Nuannuan away, heading back home.
Su Yi watched the spectacle with a calm smile, not bothering to argue, curious to see what these two oddballs would come up with next.
And this was all they had?
As the three were about to leave, Qin Yunfeng and Bai Ruolin stirred the crowd to encircle them.
Feeling a bit tired of the game, Su Yi decided she no longer wished to entertain them. “Get out of the way!”
“Whatever you’re scheming, I’ve already given you what you wanted. Why are you still clinging to me?”
Bai Ruolin sneered, “Comrade Su, if you don’t let go of the two children, we’ll have no choice but to hand you over to the police.”
Just as she was about to make a move, a voice rang out from a distance, “Stop—”
Su Yi saw that it was Auntie Yao and Auntie Zheng who had arrived.
The two women had come to see what the commotion was about and, upon hearing a few things, realized that this troublesome couple was again making trouble for Su Yi. They were even publicly accusing her of stealing children?
“You two, did you hit your heads on the doorframe when you left this morning?”
“If Comrade Su were really stealing children, why would she head towards home instead of fleeing the compound?”
After scolding them, Auntie Yao and Auntie Zheng explained Su Yi’s situation, making it clear that Su Yi was only taking care of the children.
“You should blame these two for not doing their jobs properly, causing Comrade Su to be forced out of her home!”
“Anyway, thanks to Comrade Su, everyone has been saved from Liu’s deceit. Otherwise, everyone would have been fooled while she mistreated those two children behind our backs!”
Su Yi seized the opportunity to garner more goodwill, “The three of us are in the same predicament. Fortunately, Commander Zhou is a very kind person, and most of the comrades in our compound have compassionate hearts!”
Except for these two!
After hearing Auntie Yao and Auntie Zheng’s explanation and seeing how affectionate the children were with Su Yi, the crowd quickly understood the situation.
“So that’s the case. It seems like a win-win solution!”
Everyone knew the situation of Ye Xiaowu and Ye Nuannuan. Whenever their well-being was involved, nobody dared to say anything against Su Yi.
Seeing the shift in the crowd’s attitude, Qin Yunfeng and Bai Ruolin could only retreat in disgrace.
Su Yi followed Auntie Yao and Auntie Zheng back to their place and showed them the fabric she had bought.
“I just need two sets of clothes for myself, and I want to learn how to make two outfits for the children.”
Auntie Yao looked at the fabric and said, “The colors you chose are too plain. You’re young and pretty; why not get some floral fabric to make a dress?”
Su Yi smiled and replied, “Wearing a dress isn’t very practical when I’m busy with household chores and cooking.”
Auntie Yao nodded, “That makes sense. Since it’s going to be hot soon, I’ll make you one long-sleeve and one short-sleeve shirt. For Nuannuan, we’ll make a puff-sleeve dress, and for Xiao Wu, a short-sleeve shirt. That should be enough!”
Xiao Wu was pleasantly surprised and excited to hear that Su Yi had bought fabric for him too.
It was getting late, so Su Yi left the fabric with Auntie Yao and went back home to cook. They agreed to discuss the sewing plans together in the afternoon when they had time.
—
On the other side, Qin Yunfeng and Bai Ruolin had fled to a secluded spot, disheartened by the public’s reaction.
Fortunately, everyone was busy heading to the cafeteria, so no one noticed the two of them.
“Brother Qin, isn’t this the first time Su Yi has come here? How did she end up getting close to Commander Zhou?”
Qin Yunfeng sighed, “I don’t know either, but didn’t we just hear that she helped save those two children?”
Hearing this, Bai Ruolin clenched her fists in frustration.
She had originally wanted Su Yi to end up on the streets instead of staying in the guesthouse, but it seemed her plans had backfired and inadvertently helped Su Yi instead!
“I don’t think she’ll hand over the divorce papers willingly. Brother Qin, we should find a way to send her back to her hometown!”
“I don’t want to see her here. Her presence doesn’t do any good for our reputation!”
“We need to send her back so we can get the divorce papers back on the road.”
Qin Yunfeng thought for a moment and then nodded, “I’ll go talk to her privately. You should stay away to avoid provoking her.”
Bai Ruolin bit her lip and said, “I’ll listen to you. Hurry up and come back quickly!”
“By the way, Brother Qin, did Su Yi also take the cloth tickets you promised to gather for me?”
Qin Yunfeng paused for a moment and nodded, “I understand. I’ll get them back.”
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Qin Yunfeng hurried over to Zhou Jinchuan’s quarters.
As he knocked on the door, he couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable.
What was he supposed to make of the fact that his former fiancée was now living in someone else’s home?
When the door opened, Qin Yunfeng was momentarily taken aback by the face before him, and his tone softened.
“Su Yi, let’s have a proper talk,” Qin Yunfeng said.
Seeing him at the door, Su Yi immediately blocked it with her foot. “If you have something to say, spit it out quickly. I’m cooking something in the pot and don’t have time to waste on you!”
Qin Yunfeng caught a whiff of the aroma from inside and was tempted to stay for a meal but worried that Bai Ruolin might get angry if she found out. He remembered how, back in the village, Su Yi would always save the best food for him.
He felt a twinge of disappointment. “I remember when we were in the village, we were very close. You used to follow me everywhere. It’s only been two years, and everything has changed.”
Su Yi reached to close the door. “If you keep being so repulsive, just get lost!”