Chapter 18

Although what had been said before coming here was different, Li Cuilan did not object.

After all, if this matter were true, the engagement would have to be canceled.

Her silence was like granting Wang Guihua a sword of authority, giving her even more confidence.

“Cuilan, don’t misunderstand, Yao Yao is not that kind of person…”

Zhang Qiufeng’s eyes reddened with emotion. She also wanted to break off the engagement with the Li family, but definitely not under these circumstances.

If this accusation was confirmed, Ye Yao’s life would be ruined!

“Mom, don’t worry. They don’t have the authority to do this. If they want to call off the engagement, let Uncle Li or Li Cheng come to me personally!”

Ye Yao comforted Zhang Qiufeng, then spoke sharply.

“Pah! Who do you think you are, demanding they come to you personally?”

Wang Guihua spat on the ground, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ye Yao didn’t get angry but instead smiled, a smile that sent chills down one’s spine.

“If no one from the Li family comes, the wedding will proceed as planned!”

“You—”

Wang Guihua jumped up from the edge of the kang, curse words on the tip of her tongue, but before she could utter them, Li Cuilan grabbed her arm.

“Guihua, let’s go back first.”

For some reason, looking at Ye Yao’s assertive demeanor, Li Cuilan suddenly doubted whether the accusation was true. After all, while the girl hadn’t denied it outright, she hadn’t admitted to it either.

Wang Guihua’s expression twisted in frustration, but she couldn’t ignore Li Cuilan’s words.

Zhang Qiufeng wanted to see them out, but Ye Yao directly stopped her.

“Yao Yao, should we go to the Li family now and clear this up?”

“Mom, did you know all along?”

Now that only the mother and daughter remained in the room, Ye Yao’s voice turned low.

Zhang Qiufeng stared at her. “Know what?”

“My relationship with Li Yukun.”

Ye Yao recalled when she had asked her mother why she had suddenly gone to the Li family. At that time, her mother’s expression had been strange—she didn’t seem unaware but rather unable to speak about it.

And now, seeing her reaction, if Ye Yao still couldn’t piece things together, she’d truly be a fool.

Zhang Qiufeng’s face changed dramatically, panic creeping into her features.

“What nonsense are you talking about? You have nothing to do with that boy!”

She clearly remembered that after Ye Yao had fallen into the water, she had lost all memory of this matter.

“So, you did know.”

Ye Yao affirmed her suspicion. No wonder Grandma wanted her to break off the engagement with the Li family—it was because she knew that Ye Yao had feelings for someone else.

But Grandma surely didn’t know that Li Yukun was merely using her. He was the one who had encouraged her to approach the Li family and even suggested they “elope” together!

Zhang Qiufeng avoided her gaze in guilt. “I… I… Yao Yao, what exactly are you thinking now?”

How could she not have known?

A few months ago, her daughter had suddenly started mentioning a boy’s name frequently, talking about how wonderful he was all the time.

At first, she was worried, afraid that the boy wasn’t sincere. But as time passed and their relationship remained sweet, she started to relax.

After all, besides this rundown house, their family had nothing.

The boy was from a neighboring village and came from a poor family. Seeing how devoted he was to her daughter, Zhang Qiufeng thought maybe this was fate’s way of giving her daughter a good marriage.

But then, half a month ago, something changed. Out of nowhere, her daughter brought up the childhood engagement with the Li family, an arrangement that had almost been forgotten…