Chapter 11

Actually, Su Nian was feeling quite unsettled inside.

She never expected that her former fiancé—the one who had given up his job post for her—was also stationed in that godforsaken army corps in the middle of nowhere.

What a coincidence, huh?

She hadn’t really thought about her future before, but now, wasn’t it just being laid out right in front of her?

She, Su Nian, had given up her city job, traveled thousands of miles to this remote, harsh province to be a sent-down youth—all to repay Fu Tingchuan’s kindness and fulfill both of their mothers’ wishes.

Just saying it out loud would move people to tears.

Most importantly, Fu Tingchuan was a highly responsible military man. Maybe, for the sake of their past engagement, he’d even marry her. That would make her… little aunt to Fu Mingjun and Su Yue!

Fu Tingchuan had a high salary, a high position, and he was also going to be a martyr soon.

Then she’d be the richest widow of the 1970s!

A widow with a house, with money, with freedom—it was everything she ever dreamed of! And as a bonus, it’d really disgust Fu Mingjun and Su Yue. Truly perfect!

Only question was, would Fu Tingchuan be easy to win over?

While Su Nian was lost in her own chaotic thoughts, she didn’t realize that Fu Mingjun, sitting opposite her, had been staring at her the whole time.

Su Yue noticed and turned livid. “Fu Mingjun, are you regretting marrying me? Are you finding Su Nian pretty now?”

Fu Mingjun nodded honestly. “She is quite pretty.”

That was the final spark that lit the fuse. Su Yue, already fuming all day, exploded. She lunged at Fu Mingjun and started hitting him with no concern for appearances.

The loud quarrel brought Su Nian back to reality. Seeing the two of them fighting, she calmly pulled out some sunflower seeds and munched while watching the drama unfold.

Qiao Qiqi followed her lead, pointing and whispering to others: “That Su Yue really has no class. A daughter of a mistress can’t be expected to behave well.”

Hearing that, Su Yue lost it and hit even harder.

On just the first day of travel, Su Yue and Fu Mingjun had already staged a full-blown domestic spat. Their fame spread quickly—not only among the youths headed to the same province, but also to those going to other provinces. After all, who wouldn’t be curious about a couple sent to the countryside together who were already brawling?

In the end, it was an older woman seated farther away who had enough and called the train security to separate them.

Looking at Fu Mingjun and Su Yue’s bruised and bloodied faces, Su Nian shook her head and said, “Tsk! And here I thought your love ran deep. You’re not even off the train yet and you’re already fighting.”

Su Yue trembled with rage, her fingers clawed like a chicken’s foot.

“This is all your fault, you bitch! I hate you, Su Nian! Everything was going perfectly… it was all mine! Why couldn’t you just behave? Why—why…”

Su Nian was speechless.

“Su Yue, are you sick in the head? I didn’t let you bully me and that’s why you’re acting like this? If so, you better be prepared. I have a sharp tongue and might just say something worse next time.”

Su Yue gasped and fainted.

Su Nian’s sunflower seeds spilled all over the floor. “Oh dear! Is this a scam? I don’t have money to pay for her! Who knows if she’s got some genetic illness—don’t you all try to blame me!”

People who had been watching quickly backed away.

Su Yue’s trembling, lopsided mouth, and claw-like hands earlier were indeed terrifying. No one wanted to get involved in a possible lawsuit—better stay clear.

Of course, Su Nian knew it was just an extreme reaction from being too angry. She’d seen videos of it before.

But that didn’t stop her from stirring up fear with a few ominous words!

Regardless, from that point on, everyone in the train carriage kept their distance from Su Yue.

When Su Yue finally woke up the next day, everyone was having lunch. She saw the red-braised pork in Su Nian’s lunchbox and immediately recognized it—Su Gang had given her that one.

That brat was her biological brother and never gave her even a single piece of meat.

Yet now he’d given an entire lunchbox to Su Nian. As his full-blooded sister, how could Su Yue possibly accept that?

“Some people really are shameless. You always thought my brother was dumb and looked down on him. Now that someone’s taken a liking to him and offered him a good job, you’re suddenly cozying up!”

Su Nian calmly picked up a chunk of pork and held it up for Su Yue to see before putting it in her mouth.

“Well, you’re not wrong. That’s exactly how this dear big sister of yours acts. No wonder Su Gang treats me, his half-sister, better than he does you.

He even said he’ll send me money and ration tickets every month. What a sweet and thoughtful boy!”

Qiao Qiqi thought Su Nian didn’t catch the insult and helpfully clarified: “Su Nian, are you dumb? She’s cursing you—you seriously didn’t realize?”

Su Nian waved her hand and “accidentally” knocked over her tea mug. The hot water spilled right onto Qiao Qiqi’s leg.

Qiao Qiqi jumped up in pain, still managing to yell: “You did that on purpose, didn’t you, Su Nian?”

“I didn’t. You were yelling at me, and I got a little flustered. That’s why I accidentally knocked it over. Ask the people around us if you don’t believe me!”

Everyone stared at Qiao Qiqi with mocking eyes.

She had just acted on instinct, calling Su Nian names like she used to in school. Su Nian never used to talk back or fight back, so she figured if she pushed her far enough to slap her, she’d just cry on the spot—then all the other youth on the train would know Su Nian’s true character. That way, Fu Tingchuan wouldn’t be fooled by her looks.

But Su Nian wasn’t playing by the old rules anymore.

Su Nian thought to herself:

Trying to push me into hitting you in front of everyone? It’s not the right time yet. My delicate hand’s still sore from yesterday’s accident. Just wait until it heals—then I’ll beat the crap out of you!

Su Yue was about to say something again when Fu Mingjun pulled her back.

“Su Yue, enough! What’s wrong with you? What happened to the gentle, understanding girl I used to know? You’re acting like some crazy shrew—this is so embarrassing!”

The disappointment in Fu Mingjun’s eyes made Su Yue momentarily come to her senses.

She had indeed been overwhelmed by the chaos and betrayal of recent events. What she needed to do now was hold onto Fu Mingjun tightly.

As for the family? That could be handled gradually.

After all, hadn’t she tricked Su Daqiang and Su Gang for years? As long as she used some clever tactics, things would go back to the way they were. So what if Su Nian was prettier and smarter now? She was still the daughter of a capitalist.

With that, she pinched the inside of her thigh, forcing tears to fall instantly.

“Mingjun, I’m sorry. I let you down.

You don’t understand how awkward it is to be a daughter in a blended family. I had to work so hard to get my stepfather to love me. I couldn’t just act out like my sister could.

I finally earned a bit of fatherly affection, and now, because of how much I love you…

It was my impatience. I’ll apologize to Dad—I’ll keep trying until he understands and accepts us.”

Fu Mingjun was a cowardly man, but he had a soft spot for vulnerable women.

He knew his mistakes had caused Su Yue to bear the consequences. He also knew Su Daqiang must be furious with him.

Seeing Su Yue willingly take the blame, his heart softened again.