Fu Yang was taken aback for a moment.
Then he scoffed, "So you're saying she pretended not to see me on purpose? Trying to get my attention? This woman’s schemes are getting more elaborate. Too bad for her—no matter how much she bribes others, she won’t get another chance."
The driver was stunned. "Young Master, do you think Miss Si Nian came here after asking someone about your whereabouts?"
Fu Yang replied as if it were obvious, "Of course. How else would she know I’d be here today?"
The driver fell silent for a moment before hesitantly saying, "Maybe... she was just here to catch a ride."
Fu Yang narrowed his eyes. "Uncle Liu, what are you implying? That I’m being delusional? Or has Si Nian bribed you to speak up for her?"
Uncle Liu thought so but didn’t dare say it outright. At the latter accusation, he felt a headache coming on and quickly defended himself, "I was just guessing, Young Master. Please don’t misunderstand."
Fu Yang snorted through his nose, his earlier good mood completely ruined.
An hour later, Si Nian returned to Xingfu Village, her arms laden with bags.
It was nearly six in the evening, the time when villagers returned home after a day’s work in the fields.
Naturally, they crossed paths with Si Nian.
Seeing her carrying so many purchases, some were envious, while others were resentful.
Word had already spread through the village about the city-bred young lady who had come to the countryside to marry Zhou Yueshen.
Now, watching Si Nian splurge so soon after arriving, the frugal villagers couldn’t help but disapprove.
One woman, her yellowed teeth untouched by a toothbrush for twenty years, approached and said, "Zhou’s wife, aren’t you being too extravagant? You’ve only been here a few days, yet you’re spending so recklessly. Must be nice when it’s not your own money."
Another chimed in, "Our Xiao Zhou may earn well, but that doesn’t mean you should waste it like this. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you really don’t know how to manage a household."
"You can’t bring your city habits to the countryside."
Si Nian smiled faintly. "You’re right, Auntie. Except I spent my own money."
The woman didn’t believe her. "A young girl like you has that much money? Don’t lie."
"Auntie, who says girls can’t have money? I graduated high school and worked as a radio broadcaster in the city. I earned more in a month than your whole family does. Why wouldn’t I have money?"
The woman’s retort died in her throat.
A broadcaster?
That was a golden job!
The villagers might not know much, but many owned radios. They’d heard the voices on those broadcasts—those were the broadcasters.
Most rural girls Si Nian’s age were already married, cooking for their husbands and raising children, with little to no income.
But city life was different—much better.
In an instant, the way the villagers looked at Si Nian changed.
Humiliated, the woman stormed home and ran into Aunt Liu. She asked, "Sister Liu, do you know anything about that Si Nian?"
The two were close, often chatting about village gossip.
Aunt Liu also helped the Zhou family with childcare.
Aunt Liu frowned. "Si Nian? Why do you ask?"
The woman exaggeratedly recounted her encounter with Si Nian.
Hearing this, Aunt Liu’s eyes burned with jealousy.
She knew better than anyone how generous Zhou Yueshen was.
Si Nian had been here for days without working—how could she claim to be a broadcaster?
If she really had such a job, why would she come to this backwater village?
She immediately concluded that Si Nian was lying and must be spending Zhou Yueshen’s money.
Aunt Liu had been waiting for Zhou Yueshen to come begging for her help, hoping to negotiate a raise.
But not only had he not shown up, now she heard Si Nian was squandering his money.
She couldn’t sit still. She rushed toward the Zhou household but then changed direction—heading straight for the farm instead.
At the Fu Family residence, Fu Qianqian returned home in high spirits, humming a tune, only to run into her gloomy older brother.
Startled, she asked, "Brother, why are you glaring at me like that?"
Fu Yang narrowed his eyes and demanded coldly, "Fu Qianqian, what did you say to Si Nian today?"
Fu Qianqian blinked. "Nothing much."
"Nothing? You didn’t tell her I’d be at the station?" Fu Yang’s voice rose in anger. "How many times have I told you not to reveal my whereabouts to anyone, especially the Si family? Do my words mean nothing to you?"
"Brother, what are you talking about? I never told anyone your schedule!"
Fu Qianqian was furious at the baseless accusation.
Fu Yang frowned slightly. "You were the only one who interacted with Si Nian today. If not you, who else would’ve told her I’d be at the station?"
Fu Qianqian gaped at him, stunned by her brother’s arrogance. "Brother… you don’t actually think Si Nian went to the station to stalk you, do you?"
Fu Yang’s eyes darkened. "Explain."
Fu Qianqian burst out laughing. "Brother, you’re so full of yourself! She went to the station because she needed to go home! There’s only one station in the city—it’s not like you own it. Are you feeling okay?"
She reached up and patted his forehead. "No fever… so why the nonsense?"
Fu Yang’s face turned stormy.
Seeing his expression, Fu Qianqian stifled her laughter and said seriously, "Brother, relax, I really didn’t say anything. Besides, how would I even know you were going to the station? You never told me. She was just going home. Did she actually confront you there or something?"
She tilted her head curiously.
If not, why was he so worked up?
Fu Yang paused, his expression shifting awkwardly.
Si Nian… hadn’t actually approached him. She’d just been there.
Now that he thought about it, it was strange.
If she’d really come to see him, would she have been so calm, even stopping to eat?
Realizing he might have misunderstood, Fu Yang’s face twisted as if he’d swallowed a fly.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Si Nian finally arrived home.
Outside, Zhou Yuedong sat on a small stool, washing clothes by the door.
The family dog, Da Huang, lay drowsing nearby.
The moment Si Nian stepped inside, Da Huang perked up, wagging his tail—clearly hungry.
Zhou Yuedong froze when he saw her, then scrambled to his feet, wiping his hands on his clothes.
Yaoyao, who had been out playing all day, was thrilled to see her brother. She let go of Si Nian’s hand and wobbled toward him.
Zhou Yuedong caught his little sister in his arms.
"Ah! Ah!" Yaoyao shoved her candy-coated hawthorn stick toward his mouth. Though she couldn’t speak, her expression clearly said, It’s delicious! Try it!
Zhou Yuedong gently pushed it away. "You eat it, Yaoyao. Brother doesn’t want any."
Yaoyao took another lick of the candied hawthorn, which had started to melt a little, but she savored it with delight. Her beautiful eyes crinkled into crescents, her face glowing with contentment.
Si Nian glanced at her briefly before stepping inside the house.
Inside, Zhou Yuehan was hunched over the desk, working on his homework. When he saw her return, he immediately straightened up. But when he noticed his younger sister wasn’t with her, his eyes widened in alarm.
