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"Didn’t expect to be misunderstood by others?" Luan Xiaoxiang’s lips trembled with anger, "You know it was you who ssed up, you know how this misunderstanding would affect , yet you act like nothing happened, and just watch as people point fingers at . How can you bear it?"
"Xiaoxiang, it’s not like I feel at ease, really, I haven’t felt good these past days either, especially when I hear people talking about you. I really want to rush up and explain.
But whenever I think of my dad’s temper, I get scared. Xiaoxiang, just hit , hit to release your anger, okay?" Luan Dai said as she shrugged her shoulder towards Luan Xiaoxiang.
"What’s the use of hitting you?" Luan Xiaoxiang glared at her hatefully, "If it were sothing else, I might cover for you, but this matter, absolutely not. You have to clear my na."
"Xiaoxiang, you’ve already separated from Wang Zhu, even if it’s clarified now, he won’t get back together with you. Why not help , I’ll rember this favor, and I’ll definitely repay you in the future." Luan Dai shook Luan Xiaoxiang’s arm, "I’ve always treated you as my own sister, and you could bear to watch your sister fall into a pit of fire?"
This Luan Dai was really shaless to the extre, Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong stepped out from behind the pile without a word, just standing behind Luan Xiaoxiang.
Luan Dai glared angrily at Zhang Jiabao: "You’re saying you’re helpless, it’s because of those two, right?"
Zhang Jiabao’s eyes flickered, but he stayed silent.
"You’ve gone mute?" Luan Dai shoved Zhang Jiabao hard, "My parents said you were unreliable, I always spoke up for you, I told them you’re not like what rumors say, you’re just a bit outgoing.
But how do you repay ? You can’t move your legs when you see a pretty girl, and you blab about everything? I really misjudged you!"
Zhang Jiabao’s lips moved slightly, but he still said nothing.
Luan Dai felt her previous words were proven entirely correct, leaving Zhang Jiabao speechless. Suddenly, her face turned very unpleasant; she couldn’t accept this outco.
At the age of twenty-sothing, regardless of the era, people are extrely hopeful about love, hoping to be the sole focus of the other’s eyes, to always have them at their side. Any deviation makes everything beautiful seem broken.
Luan Dai’s crestfallen expression didn’t evoke Zhang Jiabao’s sympathy; instead, it provoked disgust. Of course, he wouldn’t admit it, but with Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong there, the rustic Luan Dai beca unacceptable to him.
"Dai, wrong is wrong, if you make a mistake, you must admit it. I’ve already agreed with Xiaoxiang to clear her na, whether you agree or not, that’s how it’s going to be.
If I can’t find a wife in the future because of this, it’s my fate. Anyway, I can’t ignore others’ lives just for my sake. I hope you’ll think it over; Xiaoxiang is your sister after all."
Luan Dai looked at Zhang Jiabao incredulously, even though she was disappointed in beautiful love, she couldn’t accept the sudden flip and heartlessness of her partner. If his words monts ago surprised her, now they led to despair.
This man who used to say repeatedly that she was the only one in his heart, who would never lay eyes on another woman, who would protect her no matter what – how could he change so suddenly?! Her gaze wandered towards Luan Xiaoxiang, her lips moved, but not a word ca out.
Luan Xiaoxiang felt a little pity, but recalling what the other party had done to her before, she shifted her gaze away.
"You all..." Luan Dai’s tears fell, "How can you bully people like this?"
"Bully people?" Luo Xiaoqiong smiled as she looked at her, "When you did those things to Xiaoxiang, why didn’t you call it bullying? Now just getting you to reveal the facts is called bullying?"
Luan Dai protested loudly, "The Wang family was going to break the engagent anyway!"
"Breaking the engagent is one thing; having a bad reputation is another. If you had to carry such a burden, would you be willing?"
"I would!"
"It’s easy to say when you’re not in that position. You know perfectly well Xiaoxiang wouldn’t let you shoulder such a burden..." Luo Xiaoqiong shook her head speechlessly, "Your selfishness, it has redefined shalessness for ." She then turned to Chuxia, "That’s right, isn’t it?"
"Yes." Chuxia nodded with a suppressed smile, "Xiaoxiang, you said you wanted to witness her behavior yourself, now you’ve seen it, what will you decide?"
Luan Xiaoxiang hesitated, not speaking.
"We won’t influence your decision. This matter should still be decided by you and your uncle and aunt. We’re just here to assist." Chuxia emphasized.
"I’ve made my decision." Luan Xiaoxiang looked firmly at Luan Dai, "I give you two choices, either go to the brigade’s loudspeaker and apologize to imdiately, or let Granny live at your house from now on."
Luan Dai’s brow furrowed; she couldn’t accept either option because no matter what, it ant her father would know what she had done. She remained silent, refusing to respond.
"Do you still want to talk to her?" Chuxia asked Luan Xiaoxiang.
"No." Luan Xiaoxiang turned around, smiled at Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong, and said, "Go back and tell my parents to discuss it with Eldest Uncle and Eldest Uncle’s Wife."
The three of them then ignored Luan Dai, who was standing there, and looked at Zhang Jiabao.
"I’ll go with you guys," Zhang Jiabao quickly said, murmuring internally that he dared not go with them; if that man’s big fist really hit his head, half his life would be gone.
...
Luan Qingshu and Lin Baojuan returned ho and busied themselves with building a fire and cooking. Even though their family conditions were poor, they sincerely wanted to entertain their niece and nephew-in-law well.
As soon as the younger generation arrived, they took Xiaoxiang out to see the scenery, which delighted them greatly—this ant their niece and nephew-in-law didn’t mind their cooking and were willing to stay.
They opened several cans brought by their niece and nephew-in-law, plated all the stir-fry-able vegetables from the house, and took out the frozen at to make stewed pork, along with frozen chicken and pork rind jelly, and filled the table completely.
The couple had just finished setting out the dishes when the latch sounded. Turning their heads, they saw Chuxia and her group had returned.
"These kids, they ca back just in ti." Lin Baojuan glanced again, her eyebrows furrowing unintentionally, "Why did they bring Zhang Jiabao?"
Luan Qingshu’s brow furrowed too; the Zhang family’s reputation in the village was bad, and he was extrely displeased with Zhang Jiabao. For any reason, he didn’t want to be associated with the Zhang family.
"Uncle, Aunt, I need to talk to you..." Zhang Jiabao, well aware of his reputation in the village, went straight to the point upon entering without waiting for anyone else, detailing the actions of him and Luan Dai.
Once Zhang Jiabao finished speaking, Luan Qingshu’s face took on a purple hue. He never expected his niece to commit such acts. If it weren’t for Chuxia and the others, his family would have been kept in the dark for who knows how long.
Luan Xiaoxiang repeated her previous proposal to her parents regarding Luan Dai, hoping they would support her decision.
"No!" Luan Qingshu decisively told his daughter, "There’s no need for two choices; your reputation is more important than anything. Make Dai apologize; that’s the only option."
Lin Baojuan quickly responded, "That’s right, Xiaoxiang. No matter what, you can’t bear such a burden unjustly, regardless of whether you find a husband’s family from here.
To put it bluntly, if you do find a good husband’s family, would they dare take you in upon hearing such rumors? If Granny Luan wants to make a fuss at our place, let her; we’re used to it anyway."
After a slight hesitation, Luan Xiaoxiang continued to persuade, "Dad, Mom, the truth will prevail, but I still hope Granny could stay at Eldest Uncle’s house. We can provide elder care fees; it’s not that I’m unfilial, it’s that Granny Luan is used to bullying you all. She’s much more tolerant with Eldest Uncle.
Now with at ho, it’s manageable, but if I leave and Dajiang isn’t around, you’ll be tornted by her daily; how could you live like that?"
"If our peaceful days co at the expense of your reputation, we might as well be dead." Luan Qingshu said, forcefully banging his head against the wall, "It’s all my fault for being useless, letting my daughter suffer such grievances..."
"Dad! Dad!..." Luan Xiaoxiang forcefully pulled Luan Qingshu back, "Why are you doing this? I’ll listen to you, okay?"
Chuxia looked at Zhou Mikang, who nodded at her.
...
Chuxia and the others only got ho at 9 PM; Second Aunt’s family had long left, with Old Master Zhao, Old Lady Zhao, Lin Baohe, Zhao Yulan, and Lin Wenbin sitting in the west room.
"My parents went back?" Luo Xiaoqiong asked in surprise.
"Your Grandpa and Grandma went to find your Dad and Mom went along," Zhao Yulan said hurriedly, looking at Chuxia, "Did your Aunt and Uncle know about Xiaoxiang’s situation?"
Lin Baohe also looked worriedly at Chuxia, clearly the closest ones already knew about Luan Xiaoxiang’s damaged reputation.
"Yes, they know, and it’s settled now. Luan Dai and Zhang Jiabao announced the truth through the village loudspeaker. From now on, Granny Luan will live at Eldest Uncle’s house, and Aunt and Uncle just need to pay an allotted elder care fee each month..." Seeing Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan’s imdiate worry upon hearing about the elder care fee, Chuxia quickly added, "Don’t worry, the amount is definitely reasonable and absolutely within Aunt and Uncle’s capacity."
"That’s good..." Zhao Yulan sighed in relief, then puzzledly asked, "How did Xiaoxiang’s Eldest Uncle beco so compliant? Apology, elder care, that’s not their family’s usual way; what did you do?"
Chuxia raised her eyebrows, "We didn’t do anything; it’s just that Zhou Mikang ntioned calling the commune to report Eldest Uncle’s family’s issues to the commune leaders, and Eldest Uncle very readily agreed to handle everything as discussed, absolutely promising not to go back on his word." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please feel free to cast recomndation votes and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile readers please visit m.qidian to read.)
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