Chapter 18: Sun Dafu

From just those two short lines of dialogue, Wen Lan managed to analyze a wealth of information.

First, she believed the reason Meng Qiancheng hadn’t shown up to elope with Lin Furong that night was because the Meng family had been monitoring his movements.

Second, she suspected that those slanderous things said about Lin Furong might have come from the Meng family, not Meng Qiancheng himself—especially since Lin Furong had never personally heard him say them.

Naturally, much of Wen Lan’s interpretation came from the portion of Lin Furong’s memory now residing in her mind. Lin Furong had truly fallen for Meng Qiancheng.

When love is betrayed, the only way to ease the pain is often to make excuses for the one who hurt you.

It was only human nature.

And Wen Lan hoped Lin Furong’s love hadn’t been wasted. Otherwise, for someone who had already vanished from the world, it would be too pitiful.

Back at Meng Qiancheng’s table, he asked Sun Dafu, “So how did that hunter meet Lin Furong?”

“Seems like they didn’t know each other at all—it was that matchmaker who made the connection.” Sun Dafu took a gulp of tea, smacked his lips, and said, “That Lin Furong sure got lucky. She was about to be married off to that crooked old Wang for just a sack of rice, and in the end…”

Sun Dafu paused and gave Meng Qiancheng a glance, a mysterious smile curling on his lips.

Wen Lan subtly shielded her face with her hand and scrutinized Sun Dafu’s expression. She sensed something hidden behind that smile.

Seeing Meng Qiancheng didn’t respond, Sun Dafu smirked and continued, “Meng Qiancheng, you had me bully Lin Furong so you could play the hero and win her heart. I thought you truly liked her. But in the end, you pulled that stunt—what, do you have a grudge against her or something?”

Huh? What did he just say? Wen Lan leaned in even more, eager to hear Meng Qiancheng’s response.

“It’s because my family didn’t approve,” Meng Qiancheng said, raising his teacup to his lips, but his eyes clearly avoided Sun Dafu’s.

Sun Dafu let out another sly chuckle, even more unsettling than before.

“Don’t try to fool me. That night Lin Furong was supposed to elope with you, I saw you sneaking off to find her during the day. And right after, you went to the neighboring village with Yin Susu to watch a play. If you didn’t have a grudge against her, why would you lure her out and then let your family ‘catch you in the act’ with her?”

At this, Meng Qiancheng’s expression grew darker.

He glared at Sun Dafu and said coldly, “Brother Dafu, you shouldn’t say such things. I’m already married to Yin Susu now, and Lin Furong is about to become someone else’s wife. There’s nothing between us anymore.”

“No connection, huh? Then why’d you drag me out to lunch the moment I told you Lin Furong was marrying that hunter from the mountains?” Sun Dafu grinned. “Meng Qiancheng, we grew up in the same village—I know exactly how scheming you are.”

“What scheming?” Meng Qiancheng asked, but his voice clearly lacked conviction.

Sun Dafu dropped the act and spoke plainly. “You wronged that girl. Now that she’s marrying some hunter who people say can kill a bear with one hand, you’re afraid he’ll come after you, aren’t you?”

“What would I be afraid of?” Meng Qiancheng retorted stubbornly.

“Oh yeah?” Sun Dafu leaned forward. “If you’re so fearless, maybe I should go back and tell the whole village how you paid me to bully Lin Furong. Then we’ll see if people still believe she seduced you. At the very least, your family won’t be able to smear her name so easily.”

At those words, all the color drained from Meng Qiancheng’s face. He stared at Sun Dafu, his lips trembling, and after a long moment finally asked, “Brother Dafu, what do you want?”

“I don’t want much.” Sun Dafu finally dropped the mask and revealed his true greedy nature. He rubbed his fingers together in front of Meng Qiancheng and said, “I’ve been short on money lately. Figured I’d borrow a bit from Young Master Meng.”

Meng Qiancheng understood immediately. He reached into his waistband and handed over a few pieces of broken silver.

Sun Dafu looked at the silver with dissatisfaction. “That’s it? That hunter took in the girl you ruined, and all you’re giving me is this? If you don’t believe I’ll go tell him what you did tonight, just wait.”

Meng Qiancheng hurriedly added two more pieces.

Only then did Sun Dafu seem content.

With Sun Dafu finally quiet, Meng Qiancheng stood up and made an excuse to leave the tavern.

Naturally, Sun Dafu followed him out.

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