Gu Jiaojiao: …

I didn’t say that. Whether they’re good or bad people, if they mess with me, I’ll beat them up.

“I won’t fight with others.” I’ll just use my feet.

“That’s right. You’ve been frail since childhood, so you must never fight with others. If anyone bothers you, just ask Shuoci to deal with them.”

Mother Gu said matter-of-factly.

Mother Su immediately chimed in: “Yes, Jiaojiao’s mom is absolutely right. If anyone bothers you, just come to us, and we’ll handle it.”

“Jiaojiao, and me too. If anyone dares to mess with you, I’ll definitely beat them up, no matter if they’re a woman or not.”

Second Brother Gu said firmly, looking eagerly at Gu Jiaojiao, hoping for her approval.

The others also looked at Gu Jiaojiao, hoping she would agree. Gu Jiaojiao had no choice but to nod: “Don’t worry, if anyone bothers me, I’ll come to you.”

With that, the Su family happily chatted while working—some counting money, some chopping meat, some kneading dough, and some picking green onions.

Outside the Su family’s courtyard, the noise was already overwhelming because Sheng Shiwu had shouted loudly when calling for Mrs. Dong (Ren Xiaofang).

As soon as Ren Xiaofang stepped out, she was followed by a crowd of people eager to see the commotion, and more joined along the way.

Even though this was a time when people could already watch TV dramas, it couldn’t stop their restless curiosity for gossip.

Especially when they ran into the neighborhood’s women’s director, Mrs. Song, on the way. “Director, are you going to see the commotion this late?”

“We’re just going to the Su family to see if they need any help.”

“The director is so kind! Their family is in complete chaos right now and could really use some help.”

Mrs. Song: …

Help with what? We’re actually going to ask Mr. Gu about the divine doctor, but my father-in-law said we can’t let this get out.

Seeing the women’s director fall silent, everyone assumed she was also there to see the commotion and handle some matters.

So they quickened their pace: “Director, we’ll go ahead and scout the situation. You can take your time.”

Walking with the director made them uncomfortable, so they tacitly passed Mrs. Song and her husband.

“Honey, is something really happening at the Su family? Look at how many people are heading there,” Mr. Song asked uncertainly.

“Mom, Dad, let’s hurry and see. There are so many people heading toward the Su family.”

After saying goodbye to Gu Jiaojiao in the afternoon, Song Zijie went back to wait for his parents and told them his illness could be cured.

He only mentioned that Mr. Gu knew a divine doctor at the farm, but he didn’t say it was Gu Jiaojiao who would treat him.

He trusted Gu Jiaojiao, but his parents might not.

This news thrilled Mr. Song and his wife, and they quietly informed Old Master Song.

As the saying goes, “Ginger gets spicier with age.” Old Master Song said that as long as there was a sliver of hope, they shouldn’t give up. He asked who among them was willing to donate a piece of their liver.

Mr. Song, his wife, and their youngest daughter, Song Qianqian, all said they were willing to donate a piece of their liver to Song Zijie.

Although Song Qianqian was afraid of the pain, she didn’t hesitate to say she would donate a piece of her liver to her older brother.

The actions of the second branch of the Song family greatly moved Old Master Song, and he immediately gave orders.

“Don’t let this get out, and especially don’t let the eldest branch know. Go find the Gu family right away.

Don’t doubt the existence of the miracle doctor. Experts are on the farm—there’s more talent there than you can possibly imagine.”

Mr. Song and his wife felt as if they had been given a reassurance pill, and they headed to the Su family with boundless hope.

Along the way, they overheard that the Dong family’s youngest daughter and the Zhou family’s eldest daughter had gotten into a fight over Su Shuoci.

This was serious. Gu Jiaojiao was no longer just the fake daughter of the Sheng family; she was now the real daughter of the Gu family.

Old Master Gu was highly respected and had students everywhere—his connections were formidable.

Now that the Song family needed the Gu family’s help, they couldn’t afford to offend Gu Jiaojiao.

So Auntie Song hurried to the entrance of the Su family’s courtyard, where the two girls had already been pulled apart by their families.

But they were still hurling accusations and insults at each other, their faces swollen like pig heads and their hair disheveled—it was truly a sight to behold.

“What are you all doing? Instead of watching TV at home, you’re out here causing a scene? Everyone, disperse, right now!

Do you have no self-awareness? Our hero is in poor health and needs to rest early.

If you want to fight, go to the square. Don’t disturb our hero’s rest. If you don’t leave, do you want to go feed pigs on the farm?”

“We’re leaving, we’re leaving right now,” the onlookers said reluctantly as they walked away.

“We’re not going to feed pigs on the farm! Let’s go.”

“What has the world come to? Girls these days are openly fighting over a married man!”

“…”

“Watch your mouths! Who’s fighting over a cripple? My Yuanyuan already has a fiancé.”

Ren Xiaofang was so angry she could spit blood. To protect her daughter’s reputation, she blurted out a lie.

“I haven’t heard about Yuanyuan having a fiancé. Who is it? Tell us, and we’ll believe you.”

One of Sheng’s mother’s subordinates was the first to jump in and question her. She worked in the cultural troupe under Sheng’s mother, and her husband was under Sheng’s father.

“Exactly, if she has a fiancé, why keep it a secret? Tell us, and we’ll believe you.”

“Maybe there’s no fiancé, and Mrs. Dong is just lying to cover up the truth.”

Although the Dong family was powerful, the law couldn’t punish everyone, and with so many people, they weren’t afraid of being targeted.

Besides, the Dong family was still a step below the Sheng and Song families, and now Director Song was clearly siding with the Su family.

Ren Xiaofang was left speechless by the crowd. She was about to throw a tantrum to try and muddle through.

“Yuanyuan is my fiancée. Her fight with Zhou Mei was for other reasons. Don’t spread rumors.”

He Aiguo, the eldest son of the He family, declared firmly. After speaking, he went to support Dong Yuanyuan.

No one in this world doesn’t want to be deeply loved, and Dong Yuanyuan was no exception. “He Aiguo and I are in a relationship.”

Compared to others, He Aiguo’s qualifications weren’t bad.

Not only was he Dong Yuanyuan’s classmate, but they had also grown up together in the same neighborhood.

He worked in the government and, despite his young age, was already a key figure in Qingcheng, with exceptional abilities.

The only thing Dong Yuanyuan disliked about He Aiguo was his height—he was only about 1.7 meters tall.

Although he had a clean and scholarly appearance, he wasn’t the ideal white knight in Dong Yuanyuan’s heart.

When she learned that Su Shuoci’s legs were permanently disabled, Dong Yuanyuan considered accepting He Aiguo’s advances.

The two had been corresponding and were almost ready to discuss marriage.

But as soon as Dong Yuanyuan returned, she heard about Su Shuoci’s marriage and couldn’t accept it, which led to her coming to make a scene.

Having been spoiled since childhood, Dong Yuanyuan was undoubtedly impulsive, which led to this uncontrollable situation.

When He Aiguo arrived and saw Dong Yuanyuan, disheveled from fighting over another man, he couldn’t help but gasp, his heart tightening in pain and anger.

But he loved Dong Yuanyuan deeply and had long known about her feelings for Su Shuoci, so he was willing to clean up her mess.