The young student blushed awkwardly. Despite Jiang Zhonglin’s calm tone, she felt uncomfortable under the watchful eyes and quickly deleted the photos and videos, saying softly, “Sorry, sorry. I’ve deleted them.”

Jiang Zhonglin nodded and thanked her. A few others who had also taken photos saw this and quietly deleted them as well.

After this incident, Yu Yao felt many eyes on her. Although the looks weren’t hostile, they were still uncomfortable. With Jiang Zhonglin beside her, few dared to approach her, especially the younger ones. However, several senior professors came over to speak with Jiang Zhonglin, and in the process, also exchanged a few words with Yu Yao, most of them being understanding and sympathetic.

“Don’t worry about other people’s opinions. This is your private matter as a couple. As long as you two can accept it, that’s what matters,” an elderly lady with a kind smile patted Yu Yao’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile.

An elderly man with glasses then remarked to Jiang Zhonglin, “It’s good that you have someone by your side in your old age. You won’t be lonely anymore.”

The hall, which had been in chaos for a moment, quickly returned to calm. The only people present were the members of the association and their families.

Nie Lei sat on the side, looking uncomfortable and as though he wanted to say something but was holding back. He was the kind of person who usually would have approached Yu Yao with endless questions in such a situation. However, remembering what he had just said, he realized it was inappropriate. If Jiang Zhonglin had been the same old Jiang who had lost his wife many years ago, Nie Lei’s remarks wouldn’t have been a big deal. But now that Yu Yao’s identity was revealed, speaking like that in front of her was definitely a mistake. If this were back in his hometown, his wife might have hit him over the head.

Nie Lei was restless and lost his appetite. Eventually, he couldn’t help but approach Yu Yao and said, “Look, I really didn’t know you were Old Jiang’s wife. I was just babbling. Please don’t take it to heart. Don’t let it cause any trouble between me and Old Jiang. Otherwise, I’d be in big trouble!”

Yu Yao smiled and replied, “It’s alright. I actually need to thank you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known that my husband has such an old friend.”

Jiang Zhonglin paused with his chopsticks.

Nie Lei broke into a sweat. Oh no, was Yu Yao joking or serious?

He looked at Jiang Zhonglin, who had put down his chopsticks and adjusted his glasses, staring at him seriously, saying, “Nie Lei, go sit over there and enjoy your meal.”

Oh no, he used my full name! Nie Lei quickly scurried away and didn’t dare approach again.

Jiang Zhonglin looked at Yu Yao hesitantly and said, “Nie Lei is unreliable and often speaks thoughtlessly. Don’t pay too much attention to him.”

Yu Yao seemed unfazed and replied, “Oh, I understand. Eat quickly. After we’re done, let’s go check out the lotus fields.”

Seeing that she didn’t want to discuss it further, Jiang Zhonglin picked up his chopsticks again and continued eating. He wondered if she was planning to throw him into the lotus fields.

What was Yu Yao thinking? She was extremely angry.

Well, Jiang Zhonglin, if there’s no old lady at home, you have one outside! She trusted Jiang Zhonglin’s character, but it was another matter whether she could swallow this old vinegar. Even though she knew Jiang Zhonglin wasn’t likely to have any romantic entanglements with anyone else, it still bothered her.

If Jiang Zhonglin had been the young Jiang, she would have kicked him into the lotus fields. A shallow lotus field wouldn’t be more than knee-deep, which might add a bit of couple’s jealousy fun. But now, if she did that, it could turn into an accident rather than playful jealousy, so she had to hold her anger in.

She was so angry she lost her appetite, feeling as if she might vomit from being too full.

Yu Yao took a deep breath and put down her half-eaten meal. Jiang Zhonglin looked at her bowl with concern, knowing his wife was definitely upset.

But he really didn’t know how to explain. The kind of rumors and gossip that float around can’t be easily disproved. It’s a huge challenge to prove that something isn’t true.

Moreover, he understood that the issue wasn’t with others but with the two separate rooms they had been in for the past two months.

He sighed inwardly, finished his meal quietly, and walked with Yu Yao to the lotus fields.

The lotus fields were arranged in square patches like a chessboard, with narrow paths crisscrossing. Walking along the paths, the waist-high lotus leaves were within reach.

The vast lotus fields had scattered lotus flowers, with fist-sized green seed pods standing tall among the swaying green lotus waves. Walking through them, one could smell a fresh and strong lotus fragrance.

Yu Yao walked in silence for a while, gradually calming down amidst the fragrance. She suddenly spoke, “I know you didn’t.”

Jiang Zhonglin, who was following her, was taken aback. Yu Yao continued, “But I’m still unhappy.”