Chapter 16: Encountering the Scumbag on the Road

“Your noodles are here~”

“Please enjoy.”

The proprietress, her face weathered with time yet warm with smiles, placed two steaming bowls of vegetable noodles in front of Qiao Nian and Ping’an.

Qiao Nian smiled and thanked her, then gently pushed one bowl toward Ping’an and said, “Eat up. Once we finish this bowl of noodles, let’s leave all the unpleasantness behind. It’s time to embrace a brand-new future.” In her past life, she had become immune to such motivational words, but when used on a child, they were surprisingly effective.

After a good cry, Ping’an had clearly relaxed. His smile was noticeably brighter as he nodded earnestly and began eating in big mouthfuls.

Back at home, they only ever had white noodles during festivals. Perhaps it was because his heart was lighter now, but Ping’an found this bowl of noodles just as delicious as last night’s wild chicken stew.

Qiao Nian thought to herself, Silly child, I was afraid today’s joy and sorrow would be too much for you to handle, so I secretly added a drop of spiritual spring water into the bowl when I handed it over.

Though the vegetable noodles were simply seasoned with salt, they were made from refined white flour—unlike the coarse dark flour at home, which still contained bran and husks that scratched the throat even when made into noodles or steamed buns. Despite the bland taste, Qiao Nian finished every bite.

After the meal—eight wen per bowl—Qiao Nian paid sixteen wen in total. The two of them then gathered their belongings and prepared to catch the ox cart.

Just then, a man dressed in a scholar’s robe approached from the other end of the street. His expression shifted the moment he saw Qiao Nian, and he rushed forward to block her path.

“Nian Nian, I finally found you. Please, let me explain.”

It was none other than Chen Ming—the former fiancé who had indirectly caused the original Qiao Nian’s death. He looked at her with his slanted, almond-shaped eyes brimming with emotion, and in the next moment, a hint of grievance surfaced, as if Qiao Nian were the one who had betrayed him.

Chen Ming hadn’t shown up in person when his family came to break off the engagement a few days ago. The original Qiao Nian never even got the chance to confront him. And now, here he was, acting like some heartbroken romantic. Just the sight of him made Qiao Nian feel sick. Her tone was sharp as she said, “And who might you be? Stopping a young woman in broad daylight—are you trying to play the role of some street scoundrel?”

By now, the people eating at the noodle stall had started glancing their way, even pausing their meals to watch.

Chen Ming looked as though he couldn’t believe what she’d just said, his face full of hurt. “Nian Nian, I know you’re angry with me, but please let me explain. None of this was my intention. Things aren’t how you think.”

Qiao Nian had no patience left for his nonsense and certainly didn’t want to stand there like some spectacle for passersby. She hoisted her belongings onto her back, took Ping’an’s hand, and tried to leave. But Chen Ming was clearly determined not to let them go and stepped forward again to block their path.

Ping’an was livid, his little face contorted with fury. He gritted his teeth and snapped, “Chen Tongsheng, breaking off the engagement wasn’t your wish? Then why don’t you tell everyone here what really happened?

You were already engaged, yet you still rolled around with our cousin. How do you explain that?

Our cousin has been seriously unwell these past few days. Instead of going to check on her, you came here to stop us. Does she know what you’re doing?

And another thing—your Chen Family already broke off the engagement. What exactly are you trying to pull now?

Do you mean to have both my elder sisters marry you at the same time? Because if that’s your plan, I’ll go ask the academy’s teacher if this is how all scholars behave!”

His words were sharp and well-structured, clearly laying out the core of the matter in just a few sentences. If it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, Qiao Nian would have applauded her younger Brother right then and there.

The bystanders’ curiosity was immediately piqued. A small crowd had already begun to form around them, whispering and pointing as they speculated about what was going on.

Someone recognized the uniform Chen Ming wore—it was that of a student from Songhe Academy. The more gossip-inclined among them showed no restraint in voicing their thoughts.

“If what they’re saying is true, then Songhe Academy’s moral standards really are questionable. I’d better not let my kid study there—don’t want him to be led astray.”

“My child studies under Old Master Li. I think it’s quite good, and the tuition is much cheaper than Songhe Academy’s too.”

“Ai, how does Songhe Academy keep producing such disgraceful students these past years? Last year there was that Chen Kun—abandoned his wife and daughter for money. And now this Chen Tongsheng. Say, could the two of them be from the same family?”

“Sounds likely. I’ll ask around later and find out.”

The crowd’s discussion grew louder and louder. Chen Ming’s face had already turned the color of pig liver. The “Chen Kun” they were talking about was indeed his cousin. He had never thought his cousin was in the wrong. Any scholar, after all, wanted to rise in the world. Those who criticized him were just jealous.

But the truth was, Chen Ming did have ulterior motives. That was why he hadn’t shown up when the engagement was broken off. He had assumed Qiao Nian was a soft-hearted girl. Once everything was settled at home, he planned to coax her back—maybe even enjoy the fortune of having two women at once.

Besides, Qiao Laoda was at least half a hunter. Their family might have savings. Seeing Qiao Nian and her Brother eating in town only confirmed that suspicion. So he hadn’t thought twice before coming over.

But what he didn’t expect was that even after lowering himself like this, Qiao Nian still dared to act aloof. And that brat—utterly humiliating him in public. If this incident reached the ears of the academy teacher, he might not even get a spot in next year’s provincial exam.

“What nonsense are you spouting? I’m a Tongsheng. How dare you slander me like this? Do you want me to take you to the authorities?” Chen Ming finally dropped the act. No matter how much he wanted the Qiao Family’s silver, he couldn’t afford to ruin his reputation.

Qiao Nian almost laughed out of sheer anger. A scumbag like this had the nerve to call himself a scholar?

She reached out and pulled back Ping’an, who was about to argue further, then raised her voice. “Great! The county yamen is just over there. Let’s go now and have the magistrate judge this matter. Bring my ‘dear cousin’ too. We’ll confront each other face-to-face and see who it was that secretly got involved without a proper matchmaker, who broke the engagement in betrayal—and who’s now here putting on a pathetic show of affection. It’s disgusting—utterly disgusting.”

Someone in the crowd shouted in agreement, “Yes! Let’s all go! Let’s find out if this Tongsheng really did something so shameful.” The moment the words landed, many others chimed in, saying they would come along.

Now Chen Ming truly panicked. He was so furious that his face turned from red to purple. Inwardly, he cursed Qiao Nian as a vile woman and regretted his rashness. This kind of matter should never be brought to light. He should’ve just followed the siblings discreetly and waited until they were in a less crowded area to approach. Then things wouldn’t have turned out like this.

Seeing most of the crowd clearly enjoying the spectacle, their eyes lit with mischief, Chen Ming shot Qiao Nian a venomous glare and said nothing. Then, pushing through the crowd, he fled in a hurry.

His retreat sparked a round of teasing and jeering. Some even called after him, telling him not to run—they were still waiting to hear the magistrate’s verdict. All kinds of comments filled the air.

Qiao Nian didn’t particularly enjoy being the center of attention, but since most people were speaking in support of her and Ping’an, it was clear there were still good-hearted folk around. She smiled and thanked the crowd, then quickly took Ping’an’s hand and left.

“What a rotten day. Running into a person like that—let’s not tell Grandmother when we get back. No need to make her worry.” Once they were away from the crowd, Qiao Nian couldn’t help but mutter.

Ping’an nodded and wanted to comfort her, but when he saw that A-Jie’s expression held only mild annoyance and not the slightest hint of sadness, he changed his tone and said, “Got it, A-Jie. I won’t say a word to Grandmother.”

But he could tell someone else… like his dear cousin…