Chapter 20: Rumors

Unlike the harmonious atmosphere in the Xiao family, chaos reigned in the Jiang household.

Du Wanqiu had handed her child over to Aunt Wang to be delivered to the Jiang family, then left without a trace!

Seeing her tear streaked face as she left, people couldn’t help but wonder if she was going to do something reckless.

“Wanqiu said Comrade Jiang would certainly take good care of the child, so she told me to bring him to your home,” Aunt Wang explained.

Suddenly finding a red faced, wailing infant in her arms, Mother Jiang was about to lose her mind. “This child has no relation to our Jiang family! Why bring him here?”

“That, I don’t know. The child’s mother insisted on it, and I was just helping out. The rest isn’t my responsibility.”

“Then you can take him back just as you brought him here. Don’t even think about leaving him with us.”

But Aunt Wang wasn’t about to accept this hot potato.

“Look, you’d better go find her quickly. I saw her heading toward the mountain. If anything happens to her, Jiang Chuan will be in big trouble.”

Mother Jiang’s face darkened. “What do you mean by ‘big trouble’? Whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with my son. Don’t go pinning everything on him!”

“Well, the rumors wouldn’t have started if Comrade Jiang hadn’t gone to find her, right?”

Mother Jiang had heard about what happened earlier in the day. She was still figuring out how to clear her son’s name when Du Wanqiu stirred up even more trouble.

This was already becoming a big mess how were they supposed to clean it up?

The more anxious she became, the harsher her tone grew. “What do you mean, he went to find her? He was delivering money to her! After all the trouble he went through to help, now it’s somehow his fault?”

“Look, telling me won’t help. She’s a widow. A single accusation could ruin her. Even if nothing happens now, how will she remarry later? Jiang’s comrade has practically ruined her life.”

Mother Jiang trembled with rage. “She’s a troublemaker! If she wants to die, let her die! At least it’ll be over!”

If she hadn’t restrained herself, she would’ve tossed the baby out by now.

If she was going to die, why didn’t she take this little brat with her?

Jiang Chuan didn’t understand how things had turned out this way.

He had only been trying to help Du Wanqiu, so how had it turned into ruining her life?

With someone’s life at stake, there wasn’t much time to ponder. Jiang Chuan shot up. “I’ll go find her.”

Without another word, he dashed out like a gust of wind.

Mother Jiang stood in the doorway, wanting to call him back, but also fearing that if Du Wanqiu really did die, the entire Jiang family would be ruined.

Not just her son, but also the child’s father everyone would get dragged into it.

“Wahhh!”

“You’re still crying? You’ve got the nerve to cry!”

The child, too young to understand the anger in her words, only cried louder.

Aunt Wang, her mission complete, quickly added, “I’ll be off now. Your family will just have to look after this child for the time being.”

With that, she dashed off quicker than a rabbit.

Father Jiang came home from work to find his wife holding a crying baby, looking completely puzzled. “What’s going on? Where did this child come from?”

“It’s Du Wanqiu’s.”

“How did her child end up here?”

With a look of suspicion, he asked, “Did our son bring him home?”

Mother Jiang recounted the recent events, leaving Father Jiang standing there, seemingly processing everything.

After a moment of silence, he burst into anger. “I wanted to deal with him earlier, but you held me back. Now look at the mess he’s made!”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We don’t know what’s happened yet. Let’s wait until our son brings her back.”

Father Jiang’s anger only simmered hotter. He had thought Jiang Chuan would learn caution after the broken engagement, but his son’s actions only grew more reckless.

Du Wanqiu had her own pension what reason did he have to give her money?

If he kept making these kinds of thoughtless decisions, he’d be sure to cause an even greater disaster!

After pacing a few steps, he glanced at his watch. “How long has he been gone?”

“Nearly an hour.”

With the sky beginning to darken, Father Jiang feared something had gone wrong. “I’ll get someone to help look for them.”

“Bringing in a search party will only blow things out of proportion.”

“Do you think that not looking will keep it contained?”

In a community like theirs, even the slightest hint of scandal would spread quickly.

Mother Jiang understood there was no hiding this.

From now on, their whole family wouldn’t be able to hold their heads up in public.

She couldn’t help but cry again. Why did their family have such awful luck this year, with one disaster after another?

“Crying won’t solve anything. Just take good care of Du Wanqiu’s child and make sure nothing happens to him. We don’t want any more trouble.”

Mother Jiang nodded repeatedly. She understood, or else she would’ve thrown this little brat out a long time ago.

“Hurry and find them. It’s getting dark, and the mountain is dangerous.”

Just as Father Jiang was about to leave, Jiang Chuan returned with Du Wanqiu.

They were both in a sorry state, covered in mud.

Jiang Chuan dropped to his knees before Father Jiang with a loud thud.

His father’s brow furrowed as he asked in a deep voice, “What’s the meaning of this?”

Mother Jiang chimed in, “Talk it out. Kneeling like this what are you doing? Get up.”

Kneeling straight, Jiang Chuan’s gaze was bleak, void of the usual spark.

With difficulty, he swallowed and spoke, “Dad, Mom, I intend to marry Comrade Du.”

The parents were both stunned.

Marriage? What was going on?

“Marriage is a lifelong commitment. You can’t decide this rashly! Son, don’t worry. These rumors will die down soon. Don’t make a foolish decision.”

“I know what I’m doing, Mom. Please, stop trying to talk me out of it.”

Mother Jiang’s eyes burned as she glared at Du Wanqiu. “Did you threaten my son? Did you tell him you’d die if he didn’t marry you?”

“Auntie, I didn’t,” Du Wanqiu whispered, shrinking back, avoiding eye contact.

Jiang Chuan shifted slightly to shield her. “This has nothing to do with her, Mom. Don’t blame her.”

“How could it have nothing to do with her? If she hadn’t caused such a scene, left the housing area sooner, would you be marrying her?”

“I’m doing this willingly.”

His lack of consideration had led people to gossip about Du Wanqiu behind her back.

He could ignore the rumors, but he couldn’t expect Du Wanqiu to do the same.

He was the one who had ruined her reputation, so it was his responsibility to make things right.

Father Jiang looked at his kneeling son. “Have you made up your mind? You’re sure you want to marry Comrade Du?”

His throat felt tight, but Jiang Chuan forced out a reply, “Yes, I’m sure. I want to marry her.”

“Fine. You’re an adult now, responsible for your own actions.”

Mother Jiang wanted to argue, but Father Jiang stopped her. “Once you’re married, go to your workplace to request housing. Move out. This child is your responsibility your mother and I won’t be involved. Whatever happens in your life will be on you two alone.”

Hot tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

“Dad, Mom, I’m sorry.”

“You owe more than just us an apology!”

Father Jiang’s hand trembled. He owed an apology to Qingru, too.

He realized now that even if the engagement with Qingru hadn’t been broken, his son would’ve gotten involved with Du Wanqiu eventually.

Maybe it was for the best. Qingru was a good girl who shouldn’t be dragged into this mess.

Mother Jiang wept silently. How had it come to this?

The daughter in law she had envisioned was Qingru.

With this marriage, their childhood friends would never have a second chance.

If only she had urged her son to marry Qingru sooner, none of this would’ve happened.