Chapter 19: Heard They’re Already Engaged

When Su Tangxue successfully took two yuan from the house, Wang Xifeng was so furious that she slammed the door and started smashing things.

“Mom, you actually gave her those two yuan?”

Sun Hong was heartbroken. Her daughter didn’t understand and even blamed her, which immediately triggered her anger. “Didn’t you see just now? That Su Tangxue has a sharp tongue—how could I not give it to her?”

“But Mom, you can’t just let them walk away like that! I haven’t even gotten revenge yet!”

Wang Xifeng didn’t have any real ability. Once something went wrong, she would only complain at home—forgetting it was her parents who had cleaned up the mess she caused.

“We were in the wrong. What else could we have done besides letting them go? Fight them? You think your dad and I can take on a soldier? Or maybe you can? Every day you bring trouble home.”

Wang Xifeng pouted in dissatisfaction. Not only had she been beaten, but she had also lost two yuan in the process. In the end, she got nothing.

In contrast, Su Tangxue had both Brother Qinglin and the moral high ground, while she herself had nothing.

How could she swallow this bitter pill?

“Mom, then what should I do? Just let Su Tangxue keep living her best life? And I’ve lost my Qinglin too.”

Sun Hong glared at her silly daughter, disappointed. She tapped her finger on Wang Xifeng’s forehead. “Are you stupid? Lu Qinglin and Su Tangxue are only engaged, not married yet. They’re not husband and wife. If you work hard during this time, maybe you can still win him over. Who can say how feelings will turn out?”

“And another thing—you don’t even know how to properly teach someone a lesson. You caused a scene at their home, of course they had every right to hit you! You should’ve tricked her into coming out, find a place with no one around, and settle it quietly. That way, even if she cries foul, she has no proof.”

Upon hearing this, the unhappiness on Wang Xifeng’s face vanished instantly, replaced with joy and admiration for Sun Hong.

“Mom, you really do love me!” Wang Xifeng hugged her mother’s arm, acting spoiled.

Seeing her daughter behave that way, Sun Hong’s attitude softened. “If only your brain worked half as well as mine.”

“Well, that’s what you’re here for, right? Why should I worry?”

……

Back home, Lu Qinglin had boiled hot water for Su Tangxue. She quickly rinsed off and got into bed. Not long after, Lu Qinglin came in too.

“Got any plans for tomorrow?”

Thinking she wanted to go to the town, he paused before saying, “Tomorrow won’t work. I have to go up the mountain again.”

Su Tangxue was confused by his logic. “What won’t work? And why go up the mountain again? Didn’t you already go today?”

“I thought you were talking about going to the supply and marketing co-op. Tomorrow I have to bring down the firewood I chopped. If I don’t, someone else might take it.”

Su Tangxue thought of her snack stash—there were only a few egg cakes and milk candies left. They’d be gone in a day.

“Fine then, but you have to be quick. My egg cakes are almost gone. If you just take me once, I’ll be able to go by myself next time.”

“Got it. Now go to sleep early.”

Su Tangxue still wanted to say something, but Lu Qinglin had already closed his eyes, so she sensibly kept quiet.

A good night’s sleep.

The next morning, Su Tangxue greeted Grandma, who was sunbathing in the courtyard, and then started eating the breakfast Lu Qinglin had prepared for her.

These days back in the village, Lu Qinglin had been taking care of her—cooking, doing laundry, everything. Su Tangxue felt like a pampered parasite.

By noon, Lu Qinglin hadn’t returned yet, so Su Tangxue and Grandma had the leftover egg pancakes for lunch.

But the pancakes were cold and had a strange, fishy taste, which made Su Tangxue start thinking about learning to cook. She’d been goofing off for days; it was about time she picked up a skill. Otherwise, when Lu Qinglin returned to the army, she’d probably starve.

She decided to tell him that evening she wanted to learn cooking.

“Little sister(Xiaomei), you home?”

Just as she was about to go back to her room for a nap, a familiar voice stopped her—it was her fourth brother.

Bored at home, she quickly ran over and opened the door.

“Fourth Brother, what are you doing here? Don’t you have to work today?”

“Work? Nah, happiness is the most important thing today! Come on, I’ll take you out for fun.”

Lu Shan reached out to pull her away.

“W-wait! Didn’t Second Uncle beat you yesterday?”

Lu Shan rubbed his nose awkwardly.

Of course he got beaten. His father whipped him with a belt twice last night—his butt still hurt!

“That’s not important. Taking my little sister out to have fun is what matters.”

Su Tangxue didn’t believe him. Lu Shan was about the same age as her, prime years for goofing off.

“Fourth Brother, be honest—do you want to go out and play, or are you just worried I’m bored?”

“Hmm… both. Let’s go already, Little sister, or the sun will set soon!”

“Hey, Fourth Brother…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Lu Shan had already dragged her several meters away. Since Grandma was already asleep, it didn’t feel right to knock and say anything.

Lu Qinglin was smart—he should be able to guess she went out to play with her fourth brother, right?

Noon. The sun was scorching. The people working in the fields had gone home for lunch. Some who lived far away just sat under the trees and ate boxed meals.

As Su Tangxue walked by, she could feel all eyes on her. Some people even called her name, and she had to awkwardly greet each of them.

Just greeting wasn’t enough—her expression couldn’t be too stiff either. Otherwise, they’d say she was putting on airs and gossip behind her back.

Walking through the fields felt like walking a red carpet. Su Tangxue had to keep smiling and responding like a celebrity.

“Hey, is she with that orphan from the Lu family?”

“Not sure, but I heard they’re already engaged.”

“They look pretty good together though—handsome guy, pretty girl. I approve.”

“Shush! If Wang Qiang’s girl hears this, she’ll go nuts again.”

“I’m just saying—Wang Xifeng’s way too petty. Look at her fierce temper. It’s a miracle if that Lu boy actually likes her.”

As Su Tangxue walked through the fields, she overheard several groups discussing her and Lu Qinglin. Who knew where the rumor came from?

But their chatter didn’t really affect her. Let them talk. Eventually, the gossip would die down.

“What? Xiaoxue is dating Lu Qinglin?”

Li Sui was still upset over what happened yesterday and had sulked at home all day. When his mother came home and dropped this bomb on him, he was completely panicked.

“No way, Mom! Who told you that? Whoever’s talking nonsense, I’ll go shut them up. Su Tangxue is your future daughter-in-law!”

Wang Yan looked at her son’s dramatic reaction with disdain. “I don’t know who started the rumor, but I do know there’s no chance between you and Su Tangxue.”

“Impossible! Xiaoxue said she wanted to marry me!”

“Oh, get lost. Don’t go spreading that or you’ll be a laughingstock.”