Chapter 49.1

Seeing Jiang Suihan finally relent, Wang Lijuan eagerly said, “I know you are acquainted with Principal Cai. I would like to ask you to clarify to Principal Cai that there is nothing between me and Deputy Commander Xu. The rumors are all false, and I am also a victim. Please ask her to find out the truth.”

After pausing, she looked at Jiang Suihan meaningfully, “The best solution would be if you could speak up in person. Once you vouch for it, those rumors will naturally fall apart.”

It was a beautiful thought, but she might as well be dreaming.

Actually, she was dreaming now.

Jiang Suihan rested her chin on one hand and said casually, “I’m not aware that I know Principal Cai. Comrade Wang, you’re overestimating me. I only met Principal Cai on the day of the exam. If that’s what you consider knowing someone, then I suppose it’s a loose acquaintance.”

“As for the favor you’re asking for, I’m afraid I can’t help. The truth will reveal itself with time. The more you explain, the more it looks like you’re hiding something.”

If you insist on claiming your innocence, fine, let time prove it. Eventually, everyone will see what kind of person you are.

Wu Guihua, who had been listening, finally understood the purpose of the Wang sisters’ visit to the Xu family.

She frowned, realizing that the Wang sisters were bullying Xiao Jiang in Xu Zhao’s absence. She couldn’t stand by and watch Xiao Jiang being mistreated.

“Wang sisters, don’t make things difficult for Jiang Suihan. It’s impossible to clear up this kind of situation completely. If you really want to resolve it, you should handle the mess you’ve created yourself. Besides, Xiao Jiang is right—these rumors will fade with time and will eventually be forgotten.”

Wang Lijuan knew well what Wu Guihua was suggesting, but the problem now was that there wasn’t enough time. If she waited any longer, she would lose her job. No one would believe her explanations. Only if Jiang Suihan agreed to help could she have any chance. Today, she had to persuade Jiang Suihan to agree.

She was anxious, afraid of unforeseen complications, and determined that nothing should deviate from her expectations.

“Comrade Jiang, you can’t just stand by and do nothing. You’re a woman too, marrying a stranger is really painful. I believe you can understand me. I swear, I have absolutely no feelings for Deputy Commander Xu.”

Jiang Suihan stared intently at Wang Lijuan, causing her to feel a bit uneasy. She slightly turned her head, avoiding direct eye contact.

Jiang Suihan thought to herself that oaths are merely words. Who would believe such nonsense?

“Well then, I think something written down is more reliable. How about you write it down—saying that you have no romantic feelings towards Xu Zhao, and that you will have nothing to do with him in the future? Otherwise, you’ll end up alone and dependent on others for the rest of your life.”

Wang Liying immediately lost her temper and glared at Jiang Suihan in anger: “How can you be so malicious? What has my sister done to deserve such a curse from you?”

Jiang Suihan ignored Wang Liying and simply continued to watch Wang Lijuan, waiting for her response.

Isn’t this what you wanted? I’m giving you a chance to perform.

Wang Lijuan took a step back, pretending to be hurt: “Comrade Jiang, you still don’t believe me. I already said that what happened that day was a misunderstanding and just rumors. What else do you want me to do to make you help me?”

As expected, the result of her probing was what she anticipated.

Jiang Suihan sneered, her gaze filled with disdain: “As I said, if you write it down and sign it, I might consider helping you talk to Principal Cai.”

Wang Lijuan bit her lip, hesitating. If she followed Jiang Suihan’s suggestion and wrote a guarantee letter, signing her name, people would surely bring up today’s matter in the future if she married Xu Zhao. She would lose face.

But if she didn’t comply, Jiang Suihan definitely wouldn’t help. Without help, she would lose her job and have no reason to stay at her sister’s house—another dead end.

Under pressure, Wang Lijuan’s eyes flashed with a dark glimmer as she gritted her teeth and said with embarrassment, “Fine, I’ll write it.”

Wang Liying grabbed Wang Lijuan’s arm, looking at her with frustration: “What are you writing for? She’s clearly toying with you, enjoying watching you suffer. If you write this nonsense, how will it affect your reputation in the future? Will you ever marry?”

She glared angrily at Jiang Suihan: “Don’t get carried away. You blame my sister for your own problems with your husband. Is this how unreasonable you are? Just because you have a pretty face, you got Xu Zhao to marry you. Using your looks to get what you want isn’t a long-term solution. I’m waiting to see the day you grow old and get abandoned.”

She was so exasperated that she could barely contain her frustration. If it weren’t for the situation, Wang Liying would have wanted to shake her sister awake. Her sister was too weak and only made others think she was easy to bully.

Jiang Suihan shrugged nonchalantly, spreading her hands: “I was just joking with you. Don’t take it so seriously. I’ve made things clear, so please leave now. I have to prepare lunch.”

Wang Lijuan stepped forward, blocking her path, and asked anxiously, “What about talking to Principal Cai?”

Jiang Suihan smiled wryly: “I’m sorry, I’m unable to help with that. Please leave.”

Wang Lijuan refused to let Jiang Suihan go, pleading: “You wanted a guarantee letter, right? I’ll write it. I’ll do it right now.”

She anxiously searched for a pen and paper, eager to write the guarantee letter immediately.

Jiang Suihan avoided Wang Lijuan’s outstretched hand, her expression darkening: “I said it was just a joke. You don’t need to take it seriously. I trust Xu Zhao and I trust myself. I don’t need any external guarantees for our relationship.”

She leaned closer to Wang Lijuan and whispered, “What isn’t yours won’t become yours, even if you take it. Isn’t that right?”

She looked intently at Wang Lijuan, who quickly glanced away, her face showing a hint of guilt before she quickly regained her composure.

Wang Lijuan felt uneasy, avoiding Jiang Suihan’s gaze, wondering if Jiang Suihan had discovered something. Did Jiang Suihan also dream of the future events like she did?

She was the protagonist in the book, and Jiang Suihan was just a minor character who appeared briefly. No one could take her place.

Distracted, Wang Lijuan shouted at Jiang Suihan, “No, Xu Zhao is mine!”

The moment she said this, everyone present was stunned and stared at Wang Lijuan in shock.

It was completely unexpected. She had been trying to clear her name just moments ago, and now she had exposed herself!?

Compared to the astonished and disdainful expressions of others, Jiang Suihan remained the calmest, raising an eyebrow and looking at Wang Lijuan with a thoughtful expression.

Wang Liying’s face turned pale, then flushed red with anger, wishing she could pry open Wang Lijuan’s head to see if it was filled with straw. Could a young woman really say such things, especially in front of so many people? Did she ever want to marry?

She suspected her sister’s mind was malfunctioning. Liking a married man was already shameless enough, but publicly admitting it? What else could it be but madness?

Feeling utterly embarrassed and ashamed, Wang Liying pulled Wang Lijuan behind her with a flushed face and said, “She’s unwell today, she was just talking nonsense. Please don’t take it seriously. We have other matters to attend to, so we’ll be leaving now.”

Today, coming to the Xu family was a mistake, causing such a scandalous and embarrassing scene.

Gripping Wang Lijuan’s wrist, Wang Liying dragged her away unsteadily, fuming with anger and reproaching her: “Are you out of your mind? What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Come home with me now, and you’ll see how I deal with you when we get back.”

Wang Lijuan knew she had made a mistake with her words. Her mouth opened and closed, her mind a blur, unable to come up with a way to rectify her earlier statements.

She was extremely frustrated but also felt a bit of dark satisfaction, unable to resist glancing at Jiang Suihan to see her reaction.

Jiang Suihan, however, merely glanced over with a blank expression, her demeanor calm and untroubled. There was no sign of the anger or anxiety Wang Lijuan had expected—she seemed unaffected, as if she hadn’t heard a word of what Wang Lijuan had just said, appearing entirely composed.

Wang Lijuan’s face twisted momentarily. She hated Jiang Suihan’s nonchalant demeanor, which seemed so indifferent and pretentious. Even with the challenge posed by a rival, Jiang Suihan remained aloof, as if she were deceiving someone.

Wang Liying quickly covered Wang Lijuan’s mouth, fearing she might blurt out something even more alarming. Her heart was still racing from the shock, and she couldn’t handle another fright.

Wu Guihua shuddered, swallowing hard, and stammered, “Did I hear that right? Is what Wang Lijuan said true?”

Good heavens!

Today’s revelation was the most shocking news she had heard in months.

What are these young girls thinking these days? Their audacity is astounding!

It’s one thing to have feelings for someone, but challenging moral boundaries is wrong. Wang Lijuan had the gall to say such things right in front of Jiang Suihan. It was utterly shameless.

Was she deliberately provoking the original partner, trying to sow discord between Xu Zhao and Jiang Suihan, hoping to take advantage of the situation?

This girl must be extremely scheming. Who would have thought that the rumors circulating around the compound were actually true? She had previously defended Wang Lijuan, thinking she might have been misunderstood. It now seemed she had been naive.

“Probably.”

Jiang Suihan hadn’t expected Wang Lijuan to crack so easily under such minimal pressure and reveal her true feelings.

Wu Guihua sighed in relief, thankful that she was the one who came today. If it had been Chen Xiaohong or someone else, the matter would have been all over the compound by now.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Jiang, I won’t say a word about this. I’ll keep it to myself. When Xu Zhao returns, don’t be angry with him. As you said, being exceptional attracts attention. Wang Lijuan is likely to realize she has no chance and will eventually back off.”

Jiang Suihan smiled faintly, “I understand. I won’t have any disputes with Xu Zhao.”

However, regarding Wu Guihua’s comment about backing off, Jiang Suihan was skeptical. Wang Lijuan seemed very confident she would succeed, her declaration of “Xu Zhao is hers” was made with such certainty, as if she already foresaw the future.

What gave her such confidence?

Jiang Suihan pondered, considering a bold guess that might explain everything.

Rebirth? Time travel?

She had seen similar plots in the novels she read before. It was a possibility, but she had no way to verify this theory right now.

Should she come up with a way to test Wang Lijuan?