Chapter 34: She’s Definitely Up to No Good

That shameless aunt…

Now, everyone in the residential compound was gossiping about Xia Ruanruan behind her back—all because of Director Jiang.

To Director Wang’s wife, this was the perfect opportunity to befriend Xia Ruanruan.

They were both victims of the same person.

They shared a common enemy.

They should join forces.

So, one evening, Director Wang’s wife, Song Xiangxiang, purposely waited by the staircase.

Xia Ruanruan had just returned from school and hadn’t even stepped inside her home when Song Xiangxiang blocked her way.

Standing at the staircase, Song Xiangxiang immediately put on a warm smile.

“Xiao Xia, you’re back!”

Even though Xia Ruanruan had lived here for a while, she still couldn’t recognize most of the neighbors—except for Director Jiang.

Sensing her confusion, Song Xiangxiang helpfully introduced herself.

“I’m from Director Wang’s family. My last name is Song.”

Judging by her age, Xia Ruanruan sweetly greeted her, “Auntie Song.”

Song Xiangxiang beamed. “Aiyo, Xiao Xia, where are you coming from?”

“School!”

“School?”

“Mhm.” Xia Ruanruan nodded. “I’m still young. I figured I shouldn’t just muddle through life, so I decided to study a bit.”

“And… Doctor Huo is okay with that?”

Xia Ruanruan nodded again. “Of course! Not only does he support me, but my in-laws do too. Everyone is very encouraging!”

Song Xiangxiang nodded in understanding.

Everyone in the compound knew about the drama between Huo Beiqing and Xia Ruanruan—how they ended up married.

It was common knowledge that Xia Ruanruan wasn’t a good match for Huo Beiqing.

So, it made sense that she wanted to improve herself, to make their marriage seem more fitting.

The Huo family’s support was understandable too—if Xia Ruanruan became more refined, the Huo family’s reputation would also improve.

With that thought, Song Xiangxiang asked, “So, when you go out at night, is it also for school?”

If that were the case, she could use it to slap Director Jiang in the face.

Hearing the question, Xia Ruanruan frowned slightly.

“Auntie Song, you…”

Before she could finish, Song Xiangxiang grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

Lowering her voice, she whispered, “Xiao Xia, it’s not that I like gossiping behind people’s backs, but I really can’t stand them.”

“They’re just bullying you because you’re young.”

“They?”

Realizing she might have said too much, Song Xiangxiang hesitated before adding awkwardly, “Xiao Xia, I’m telling you this, but you must promise not to tell anyone it came from me, okay?”

Xia Ruanruan nodded. “Don’t worry, Auntie Song. I can keep a secret.”

Hearing that, Song Xiangxiang glanced around cautiously.

She seemed to want to speak but hesitated.

Xia Ruanruan took out her keys and unlocked the door. “Auntie Song, if there’s something you want to say, let’s talk inside.”

Song Xiangxiang immediately nodded and followed her in.

Since only Xia Ruanruan and Huo Beiqing lived in their home, the place was particularly spacious and tidy.

The setting sun had yet to fully disappear, casting a warm orange glow through the windows.

The entire room felt cozy and inviting.

Taking a quick glance around, Song Xiangxiang complimented, “Xiao Xia, you really keep this place neat and clean.”

Xia Ruanruan shook her head. “Not really. It’s just that without kids, it’s easier to keep things tidy with just the two of us.”

As she spoke, she put down her belongings and asked, “Auntie Song, would you like some water?”

Song Xiangxiang waved her hand. “No need, I just came from home—I’m not thirsty.”

Since she declined, Xia Ruanruan didn’t insist.

Instead, she gestured for Song Xiangxiang to sit on the sofa before taking a seat herself.

“Alright, Auntie Song, what did you want to tell me?”

Song Xiangxiang glanced at the closed door, then finally spoke.

“Ai, you don’t know… it’s all because of that Director Jiang. She’s been telling people—”

Song Xiangxiang hesitated again, looking disgusted.

“That woman looks respectable on the surface, but she’s got no morals at all!”

Lowering her voice even further, she continued, “She’s been spreading rumors that since Doctor Huo has been working late these past few days, you’ve been sneaking around outside at night.”

“She says you always come home in the dead of night, carrying big bags—and that you must be up to no good!”

Xia Ruanruan: “…”

Huo Beiqing didn’t notice it first, but someone with red-eye disease (jealousy) did.

The place where Xia Ruanruan set up her stall wasn’t too far from here. And as more and more people came to listen to her sing, she didn’t think she could keep it a secret for long.

Besides, since setting up street stalls was now allowed, Xia Ruanruan simply admitted, “Yes, I go there after dinner every day. I set up a stall under the overpass.”

“A stall?” Song Xiangxiang was genuinely shocked.

Many of the older doctors’ wives had no education or skills and mostly stayed home as housewives. But since their husbands earned decent incomes, none of them ever considered setting up a stall or anything like that.

Hearing that Xia Ruanruan had started one, Song Xiangxiang was immediately concerned. “Did something happen?”

This question left Xia Ruanruan momentarily stunned.

Before she could answer, Song Xiangxiang grabbed her hand with a sympathetic expression. “Xia, listen to me. No matter what a man thinks before marriage, once you give him a child, he won’t make things too difficult for you for the child’s sake.”

Xia Ruanruan: “…”

“Ah, oh,” she responded blankly, not sure where this conversation was going.

Song Xiangxiang continued holding her hand with a look of pity. “It’s okay. Just talk sweetly to Dr. Huo. Once you have a child, things will get better.”

In her mind, the only reason Xia Ruanruan was setting up a stall was that she had no money.

And why didn’t she have money? Because Dr. Huo wouldn’t give her any, of course!

And why wouldn’t he give her money? Because he didn’t care about her!

But that didn’t matter. Once she had a child, even if he didn’t care about her, he’d still have to provide for their daily expenses for the child’s sake. Then she wouldn’t have to work so hard.

Song Xiangxiang originally came to complain about Jiang Zhuren and get Xia Ruanruan to confront her, but seeing how pitiful Xia Ruanruan was, she patted her hand and said, “Xia, remember what I told you.”

“And if you ever have any difficulties, just come to me. We all live in the same building, so if I can help, I will. Don’t hesitate to ask.”

Xia Ruanruan nodded again.

Song Xiangxiang let go of her hand. “Alright, I’ll head back now.”

Xia Ruanruan nodded once more. After seeing her off, she was still trying to figure out why Song Xiangxiang had suddenly looked at her so sympathetically.

Was it because of the stall?

But what was so pitiful about that?

She was making a living with her own hands. As long as she wasn’t scamming or stealing, what was there to pity?

Unable to understand, she just chalked it up to a generation gap and didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she started tidying up—she still had tapes to sell!

Though the profit margin on tapes wasn’t huge, the volume was decent. In the past few days, she had already made nearly 300 yuan.

In modern times, this amount might not be much, but in an era where the average monthly salary was just a few dozen yuan, it was definitely not small change