The reason Su Qing didn’t hold grudges was simple: she settled scores quickly and moved on once they were dealt with.
Now that she had secured both money and a job, Su Qing rubbed her chin, contemplating how best to reveal the truth and let the Su family experience the humiliation of public disgrace.
Though she hadn’t gone far today—barely even stepped out—the neighbors’ gazes were loaded with insinuation.
As Su Qing passed by, a group of elderly women and men exchanged knowing glances, silently gossiping about her right in front of her face.
If not for Wang Cuifen’s presence, many would’ve openly mocked her.
In this era, public disgrace carried far heavier consequences than in later years.
In the future, if someone embarrassed themselves in front of relatives or neighbors, they could simply buy a train ticket and flee far away, leaving the gossip behind.
But now, without an official introduction letter, escape was impossible. Worse, they had to face the same neighbors daily—whether going to work or buying groceries.
A single scandal could haunt someone for a lifetime.
Even at the Xie family’s wedding banquet, some couldn’t resist making snide remarks.
“Wasn’t your sister the one engaged to Xie Jianhua? How did it end up being you? You’re quite something, aren’t you?”
“You educated youths really know how to seize opportunities. Take a short leave, get married, and enjoy city life forever.”
Su Qing, who had intended to play the innocent victim, found herself unable to maintain the act in front of these people. Annoyed, she rolled her eyes. “What’s it to you? Mind your own business. Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Oh, look at her—guilty conscience and still so fierce!”
At the Xie family’s banquet, Wang Cuifen and the others were busy entertaining relatives, leaving Su Qing, the bride, with little to do.
The nosy crowd, assuming Su Qing would be the easiest to crack, swarmed around her. When they realized she wouldn’t spill anything, they left in disappointment, dragging their children along.
As they walked away, they lectured their kids, “Don’t talk to her. She’s a bad woman, a fox spirit.”
The original host of Su Qing’s body had endured the same treatment during her wedding—only worse, since she was less quick-witted and had burst into tears on the spot.
But Su Qing acted unfazed, casually grabbing a handful of melon seeds to snack on.
Munching on the seeds, she strolled over to Wang Cuifen and said breezily, “Mom, I’m going out to use the restroom.”
“Go ahead, be careful.” Wang Cuifen, mid-conversation with relatives, glanced at her and asked, “Where’s your little red flower?”
“Oh, I lost it earlier.” Su Qing had torn it off herself—wearing a bright flower only made her more conspicuous.
Wang Cuifen didn’t scold her, only sighed regretfully. “It’s my fault for not preparing better. I should’ve gotten you a red dress in advance. The timing was just too rushed.”
“No worries, I’ll find it and put it back on later.” Su Qing quickly slipped away.
She made a stop at the public restroom, confirming that half the stalls were occupied. After washing her hands, she circled to the back wall and, pitching her voice higher, dropped a juicy tidbit for the gossipmongers.
“Good heavens, Su Xue is really pregnant?! You’re lying!”
“Why would I lie? Don’t you see it’s Su Qing marrying Xie Jianhua today? To shut the Xie family up, the Su family not only handed over a daughter but also a job and a pile of dowry…”
Su Qing was about to reveal more when she noticed someone approaching. She immediately shut her mouth and casually walked back to the bridal chamber.
Once inside, she took a sip of hot water to steady her nerves. “Doing this in person is way too thrilling. No wonder there are countless keyboard warriors online but so few who dare confront others face-to-face. Without anonymity, mischief really sends chills down your spine.”
But given the circumstances, Su Qing had no choice but to resort to stealth.
As the victim, she could’ve blasted the truth openly with a megaphone.
But she’d already taken the compensation. Exposing everything now would make her seem untrustworthy, and no one would dare deal with her in the future.
Meanwhile, the eavesdroppers in the restroom, their legs numb from squatting too long, reluctantly stood up once they realized no more secrets were forthcoming.
As they washed their hands, they couldn’t help but chatter.
“Did you hear that just now?”
“Yeah. It sounded believable.”
“I think so too. Wang Cuifen mentioned Su Qing’s dowry includes a bicycle! A whole bicycle! The Su family gave it to Su Qing, meaning Su Lei won’t get to ride it. That doesn’t sound like He Laidi’s style at all.”
“Su Qing’s looks? She’s nowhere near as pretty as her sister. If they hadn’t forced her into Xie Jianhua’s bed to make it a done deal, the Xie family might not have agreed. If Wang Cuifen had kicked up a fuss, things would’ve gotten messy.”
“But isn’t Xie Jianhua… you know, incapable? If he can’t even ‘cook the rice,’ how did they ‘make the meal’? Su Qing’s basically signing up for a life of loneliness. Why would she agree?”
“If you’re so curious, go ask them.”
“I don’t dare.”
Xie Jianhua was a soldier with martial arts training—not someone to provoke. Wang Cuifen had a sharp tongue and a history of winning fights—also best avoided.
As for Su Qing, the crowd had already tested her during the banquet. She was tough to crack, and even though she was a new bride—usually an easy target—she had Wang Cuifen and Xie Jianhua backing her.
With no way to verify the rumors directly, people could only speculate in private.
In a scandal like this, with both sides telling conflicting stories, explanations wouldn’t necessarily be believed anyway. Su Qing had no intention of drowning in endless self-justification. She just needed to plant the seed of doubt, letting people know there was another side to the story.
By the time Su Xue rushed into marriage and her pregnancy became obvious, the truth would speak for itself—no defense needed.
Su Qing, knowing the full picture, remained calm. The gossipers, however, left with only half the story, were left itching for more.
As soon as the Xie family’s midday banquet ended, someone sidled up to Wang Cuifen with fresh news about the Su family.
“Did you hear? The Su family’s celebrating twice today—they just married off their eldest daughter and now their youngest is engaged.”
“What does the Su family’s double celebration have to do with me?” Recognizing the bait, Wang Cuifen refused to bite.
Having taken hush money, she had more integrity than Su Qing.
Though she rolled her eyes at the mention of the Su family, her disdain was obvious—but she kept her lips sealed on the crucial details.
“Of course it concerns you. The man engaged to Su Xue is thirty, divorced, and the neighbors all say they’re mismatched. But He Laidi keeps hinting it’s all Su Qing’s fault. If Su Qing hadn’t stolen the job and ruined Su Xue’s reputation by breaking off the engagement, Su Xue wouldn’t have to marry such a man.”
Before the first wave of mudslinging could even settle, another was already being hurled.
Even though she knew the messenger had ill intentions, Wang Cuifen couldn't hold back her anger and shouted, "He Laidi is turning the tables on me. I’m going to settle this with her!"
"I'll take you there, I'll take you. I know where she is right now."
