Fusu Yu stood firmly, while Liu Niannian's accusing gaze landed on Xie Jiajiao.
"Jiajiao, everyone used to say things about you," Liu Niannian's eyes flicked down to the hands clasped between Xie Jiajiao and Jiang Ye. Seemingly mindful of their sisterly bond, she didn't dare speak too harshly, afraid of hurting Jiajiao. "I didn't believe it before, but now, Jiajiao, you really disappoint me."
"How can you be chasing after Su Zhiqing on one hand, and still be tangled up with other men on the other?"
"Besides, even if you hate Su Zhiqing out of love, you can't let your man get physical with him. Su Zhiqing's a cultured man, physically weak. How can he stand up against a farmer who's out digging fields every day? What if something happens?"
Xie Jiajiao's nature was simple and straightforward. She didn't catch the hidden meaning in Liu Niannian's words—that she was two-timing—and that Liu was deliberately bringing up her love-turned-hate for Su Zhiqing to plant a seed in Jiang Ye's mind: that even though Jiajiao was with him now, it was just out of spite, and in her heart, she had no feelings for Jiang Ye at all.
Jiang Ye caught the implication and raised an eyebrow. Looking at Jiajiao beside him who hadn't noticed any of it, he thought silently, "She's a bit naive."
With a cousin like this setting traps, it's no wonder things go wrong.
But from now on, anyone who tries to scheme against him will pay the price.
Hearing Jiang Ye's subtle glance, Xie Jiajiao didn't take it to heart and replied lightly, "What's the big deal? If something happens, I'll handle it. It's not like I can't afford the medical bills."
Even though she couldn't confirm whether the events in her dream were true, seeing Su Yu and Liu Niannian — the couple most likely responsible for the misery that could ruin her life — she had no mood to be polite. Not cursing was already a sign of her good upbringing; expecting her to say anything nice was just wishful thinking.
Her casual words ignited Liu Niannian's pent-up resentment.
Money — always money!
Both were daughters of the Xie family, yet treated like night and day. In the city, all eyes were always on Xie Jiajiao. Who cared about the poor girl living under someone else's roof?
Though Auntie and Uncle claimed fairness, it was always Jiajiao who got picked on first. Whatever she refused, only then was it left for Liu Niannian.
They had the power to keep her from going to the countryside, yet insisted on moral righteousness, saying she couldn't disobey orders. If she really wanted to stay in the city, they would have found her a local match.
But what kind of match was that? Some poor-quality guy, five generations crammed into one small house, talking about how he was a good catch and soon to get his own place. They clearly looked down on her, thinking Liu Niannian deserved only that kind of lowly man. They wanted to try sending Jiajiao away — she doubted they'd willingly marry her off under such conditions.
If they wouldn't help her, she wouldn't hesitate to drag their precious daughter to the countryside with her, forcing her to marry the village's poorest landlord's son.
"Jiajiao, how did you change so much after going to the countryside?" Liu Niannian said, her face full of heartbreak and fury. "Auntie and Uncle are so disappointed that you won't admit your mistakes and try to settle this with money."
Before, when she saw Liu Niannian acting like she cared, Jiajiao felt she was being selfish and causing her cousin worry.
Back then, she listened to everything her cousin said.
But now...
She said coldly, "My parents can decide how they see me. You don't need to."
On this, Jiajiao was confident. Between her and Liu Niannian, her parents would definitely choose her.
Liu Niannian's expression stiffened as if thinking of something, then changed the subject: "Jiajiao, don't be so stubborn. Don't just marry anyone to spite Su Zhiqing."
"Well then, I won't marry," Jiajiao said defiantly, trying to bait her.
Liu Niannian snapped, "Jiajiao, no!"
Feeling the heavy, gloomy stare above her, Jiajiao linked fingers with Jiang Ye to soothe herself, blinking her big eyes with curiosity. "Why, cousin? Weren't you the one advising me?"
Caught off guard by Jiajiao's counter-question, Liu Niannian hurried to steady herself and returned to the worried, sisterly act. "But, Jiajiao, you can't just do whatever you want. Now that everyone knows you're seeing Comrade Jiang Ye, you can't just toy with his feelings because he seems honest!"
"Oh." Jiajiao replied coolly, "But who said dating means we have to get married?"
Liu Niannian was momentarily stunned by Jiajiao's bold retort. Su Yu, however, hearing Jiajiao's words, regained the confidence he'd just lost.
Hmph, he knew Jiajiao was just using Jiang Ye to spite him.
After all, Jiajiao loved him so much — how could she marry another man?
Su Yu pushed up his broken glasses with his index finger, pretending everything was fine.
"If Jiajiao and Jiang... Jiang Ye, right? Are just dating, and it's not what everyone thinks, then let's just leave it at that."
Hearing this, Liu Niannian clenched her fists so tightly her fingertips dug into her palms, unwilling to waste all her effort on something so ineffective. But no matter what, just having Jiajiao and Jiang Ye alone in a room wasn't enough to make any conclusions.
What kind of person was Jiang Xiu after all?
She'd repeatedly hinted to Jiang Xiu to get the stronger pig-breeding potion ready. When everyone barged in to catch them disheveled and tangled together, no one could deny the scandal. With Jiajiao's soft heart, she wouldn't want Jiang Ye to get in trouble for "misbehaving" and would surely marry him afterward.
Once they were married, she could say a few things in front of Jiajiao, and that foolish girl would continue chasing Su Yu.
A married woman neglecting her husband and child, instead running after other men. Ha.
She wanted Jiajiao to be spat on by the entire village.
But now, all of that was ruined.
Liu Niannian shot a sideways glare at an equally confused Jiang Xiu, cursing her incompetence in her heart.
Jiang Xiu didn't understand what was going on either, but she knew they couldn't just let this go. Otherwise, Jiajiao would be on guard next time, making things harder.
She babbled, "We farmers aren't like city folk. When we love, we love for life."
"Xie Zhiqing, you can't just bully us because we're simple countryside people, or else—"
"Or else what?"
Suddenly, a stern voice came from the back of the crowd. Hearing that familiar voice, Jiang Xiu instinctively shrugged her shoulders.
She stared blankly for a moment, then timidly called out, "Dad?"
Jiang Tao glanced at Jiang Xiu with a faint look that made her heart tighten.
"Why are you all standing around with nothing better to do?"
"Middle of the day and no one's going home to eat? If you've got so much energy, go hoe two more rows in the field."
With Jiang Tao's commanding voice booming, full of authority, the curious villagers quickly scattered.
After the onlookers had left, Jiang Tao shot a sharp glance at Xie Jiajiao and Jiang Ye and scolded, "If you're dating, then date properly. It's not something to be ashamed of, so there's no need to sneak around."
Having said that, he didn't linger, turning to walk away.
After a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
"Jiang Xiu, why are you still standing there? Aren't you leaving?"
"Why? Everyone's gone, but I still haven't held your hand enough," Jiang Ye's rough voice rang out above Xie Jiajiao's head.