Chapter 7

Fu Chunian and Lu Lanlan both glanced at Gu Yu inside the house. Lu Lanlan rolled her eyes speechlessly—was Gu Yu incapable of learning her lesson without getting beaten?

As soon as she rolled her eyes back, she saw that Fu Chunian had already pushed open the other half of the door beside her and walked straight into her room.

Lu Lanlan stared in confusion as Fu Chunian approached Gu Yu, unsure of what he was up to.

“From now on, Lu Lanlan is my girlfriend. If I find out that anyone is bullying her or ruining her reputation, whether openly or in secret, I won’t let them off. And don’t expect me to go easy on girls.”

Fu Chunian issued his warning directly.

Gu Yu didn’t take his words seriously at all. Instead, she sneered, “Since she’s your girlfriend now, make sure to keep an eye on her. Don’t let her cheat on you behind your back.”

Fu Chunian retorted without hesitation, “A filthy mind sees everything as dirty. Before you talk about others, maybe take a good look at yourself first.”

His words left Gu Yu speechless. She had always judged Lu Lanlan with prejudice—she knew it wasn’t right, but every time she started to change her view of Lu Lanlan, something would happen to confirm her bias.

Now, she wasn’t sure if it was just her prejudice or if Lu Lanlan was truly that kind of person.

Seeing how protectively Fu Chunian stood by her, Lu Lanlan blinked. This guy switched roles fast—he was already acting like a real boyfriend.

When Fu Chunian saw that Gu Yu had nothing to say, he turned to Lu Lanlan and spoke gently, “If anyone bullies you in the future, just tell me. As long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Lu Lanlan looked at the serious way Fu Chunian was playing along. Well, since he was being so professional, she should at least show some respect to her acting partner.

With a sweet smile, she replied, “Got it, Chunian.”

Hearing her call his name, Fu Chunian froze for a moment, but quickly regained his composure and smiled. “Good. Let me know if anything happens. I’ll head back now.”

After saying that, he left Lu Lanlan’s room, afraid that if he stayed any longer, she would notice the redness creeping up his ears.

Once Fu Chunian was gone, Lu Lanlan shut the door and walked up to Gu Yu.

“Gu Yu, I’ve tolerated you several times because we’re both far from home, alone in an unfamiliar place. But don’t keep pushing me.”

“What? Acting pitiful in front of a man to get him to defend you, and the moment he leaves, you show your true colors?” Gu Yu mocked.

Lu Lanlan frowned. This girl had issues—there was no reasoning with her. Maybe she should just give her a good beating?

Just as she was about to raise her hand, she pulled a sore muscle and winced in pain.

Forget it. Lucky for Gu Yu today.

“Fu Chunian was right—people with dirty minds see everything as dirty,” Lu Lanlan said as she walked back to her bed and sat down.

“Let’s hope you’re not actually a filthy person yourself,” Gu Yu retorted before storming out of the room.

Lu Lanlan ignored her and carefully wrapped up the written promise Fu Chunian had given her, sewing it into her luggage bag.

There was still time before her agreed meeting with Fu Chunian, so she locked the door and took a nap.

—-

When Xu Jianguo’s mother returned home, she immediately asked him, “What’s going on between you and that new girl, Lu Zhiqing?”

“What do you mean?” Xu Jianguo asked.

“The villagers are saying you’re dating. That you even went to the clinic together. What’s going on?” his mother questioned. “She’s only been here a day, and she’s already seducing people? That kind of woman must never be brought home as a wife!”

“Mom, what are you talking about? Seducing? That’s nonsense. Lu Zhiqing and I aren’t dating—that’s just people gossiping,” Xu Jianguo explained.

Hearing that, his mother was relieved—until her son added:

“But I do like Lu Zhiqing. I’m pursuing her.”

The relief disappeared instantly. “Son, you can’t pick a wife just based on looks.”

“I know, Mom. But Lu Zhiqing is a good person,” Xu Jianguo replied.

“She’s only been here a day and a half, and you already know she’s a good person?” His mother rolled her eyes. “Anyway, whoever you marry has to be someone I approve of.”

“I understand. But I believe you’ll like Lu Zhiqing too,” Xu Jianguo said, coaxing his mother.

—-

In the afternoon, when Gu Yu joined the fieldwork, several village women gathered around her, asking about what happened at the clinic.

“Gu Zhiqing, is it true that Lu Zhiqing is dating the village head’s son?”

Hearing this, Gu Yu lowered her eyes.

“Gu Zhiqing, tell us the truth—what exactly did you see? Don’t worry, we won’t spread it around. And we won’t say it was you who told us.”

“That’s right. Just tell us. We swear we won’t betray you.”

“The moment I saw that Lu Zhiqing, I knew she was no good—she looks just like a vixen.”

“See? She’s only been here a day and already clinging to the village head’s son.”

Gu Yu glanced at the woman calling Lu Lanlan a vixen.

See? She wasn’t the only one who thought Lu Lanlan was that kind of person.

“Gu Zhiqing, did you see them doing something shameless? Is that why you’re hesitant to say anything?”

“It must be. That Lu Lanlan looks like she can’t keep herself in check.”

“So shameless—doing such things at the clinic.”

“She’s probably pregnant already.”

Hearing them go more and more overboard, Gu Yu quickly intervened.

“Ladies, that’s not what happened. Lu Zhiqing and Comrade Xu were just talking to the doctor. I was in a hurry and misunderstood. Later, both of them explained—they’re not dating.”

She might dislike Lu Lanlan, but she wouldn’t let rumors spiral out of control, especially if they started from her. Otherwise, no matter what, people would assume she had spread them.

“Really? You’re not just covering for them?”

“Yes, really. Even the doctor can vouch for them,” Gu Yu insisted.

The women exchanged glances.

“Gu Zhiqing, you shouldn’t spread false rumors—it could ruin lives.”

“Exactly. As a girl yourself, you should know how important a woman’s reputation is. How could you say such things?”

“This could destroy someone’s future.”

The women looked at Gu Yu with disapproval.

Gu Yu hadn’t expected them to turn on her so quickly. Angrily, she said, “Weren’t you the ones making things up just now, saying she was shameless and even had a child already?”

The women’s faces stiffened.

“Well, we were misled by you! You city girls may look proper, but inside, you’re rotten—trying to ruin Lu Zhiqing’s reputation like that.”