Chapter 10: Complicated Emotions

Chapter 10: Complicated Emotions

Lu Zhaodi, having confirmed that Lu Xiang was not a reborn person, felt her initial warmth towards her almost completely dissipate. Without an apology, she turned and left. Lu Zhaodi still harbored resentment towards Lu Xiang for her loose tongue in front of Li Yucai.

Returning from the backyard to the front, she saw Fu Qinhui still standing there. "Brother Qinhui," Lu Zhaodi began, "Sister Xiangxiang is still upset." As she spoke, her eyes welled up, as if she had a thousand unspoken words.

"I know," Fu Qinhui replied.

Lu Zhaodi cast a deeply emotional glance at him. Though Fu Qinhui was disgusted by Lu Xiang's deception—her failure to inform him immediately—he was even less inclined to be pleasant to Lu Zhaodi.

The Fu family had finished dinner early. Noticing Fu Qinhui's absence, they immediately sent someone to find him. Third Sister Fu went out and, upon inquiring, learned that Lu Xiang was refusing to return with Fu Qinhui, and they were still at an impasse. On her way, Third Sister Fu also spotted Lu Zhaodi, who was being held back by others.

Everyone knew Third Sister Fu was a gossip, so they urged her to stay and share the Fu family's side of the story. While the general details were known, the villagers were eager to hear how the discovery was made, finding the whole situation dramatic. Villagers loved gossip and were all ears.

Third Sister Fu, however, was on a mission. Her mother-in-law, Xiao Cailian, had instructed her to bring the fourth son and his wife back, promising her a spoonful of honey as a reward for success. The honey, a genuine wild variety from Xiao Cailian's family, was hard to come by—you risked bee stings to get it, and money couldn't buy such a treasure. Xiao Cailian guarded it fiercely, only occasionally giving it to her grandchildren. Her own sons rarely got any, and her daughters-in-law were completely out of luck. If Third Sister Fu could coax the couple back, she would be the first daughter-in-law to taste the honey—a bragging right for weeks.

Not in the mood for small talk, Third Sister Fu felt a surge of annoyance when she saw Lu Zhaodi. "If you didn't want to marry him, you should have said so earlier. Who could force you? Look at the mess your family has created—I'm embarrassed for you all."

Lu Zhaodi was so chastised that tears welled up again.

Though the bystanders understood the situation, they still sympathized with Lu Zhaodi. "It's not her fault. It has nothing to do with her!"

"Exactly, she's still just a child."

Third Sister Fu, never one to mince words, retorted, "Oh, please! She's old enough to get married; no one treats her like a child anymore. When something like this happens at home, she should at least tell someone. Instead, she kept it completely under wraps." She continued, "She even went out to wash clothes this morning. Our neighbors asked why we'd let a new bride do laundry! She ruined Lu Xiang's life and caused so much trouble, yet she just shrinks her neck and pretends not to know. Do you think you're the only clever one in the world?"

Lu Zhaodi clenched her fists in anger but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. She grew even more disgusted with the village. As an unmarried woman, she couldn't engage in a shouting match with a married woman. Ever since that dream, everything around her felt profoundly unsettling; she yearned to escape this suffocating village as soon as possible.

Third Sister Fu's sharp words silenced Lu Zhaodi and sent her scurrying away. The onlookers, sensing Third Sister Fu's considerable anger, kept their distance.

From afar, she saw Fu Qinhui standing by Lu Xiang's small, dilapidated shack. Third Sister Fu, who had treated him like a younger brother since marrying into the Fu family, called out loudly, "Qinhui, your mother wants you both to come back. She saved some bread for you. Where's your wife?"

Fu Qinhui hesitated, glancing at Lu Xiang's door. He wanted to say something, but with so many people watching, he ultimately remained silent.

Unfazed, Third Sister Fu pulled Fu Qinhui along and knocked on Lu Xiang's door, calling out, "In-laws... please open the door."

The door opened to reveal Lu Xiang's mother. Third Sister Fu, completely at ease, led Fu Qinhui inside. The room was dimly lit—such shabby houses were rare in the village and couldn't compare to the Fu family's newly built, gleaming home.

Lu Xiang's parents were honest, decent people who felt somewhat at fault regarding the situation with the Fu family. They had endured as much anxiety inside as Fu Qinhui had standing outside.

Third Sister Fu said, "Uncle, Auntie, I'm Fu Qinhui's third sister-in-law. Now that this has happened, we need to find a solution."

Lu Danian remained silent for a long time before finally moving his lips to say, "We have wronged Lu Xiang and your Fu family."

Third Sister Fu then nudged Fu Qinhui forward. "I'm not boasting, but my brother-in-law is the most handsome man in ten villages. He's a genuine college graduate and works as an accountant at the supply and marketing cooperative. They say fate ties people together, and it's true. I think we should just make the best of it and forge a good marriage."

Fu Qinhui added, "This is the 300 yuan my mother asked me to give you!"

At his words, Lu Danian and Lu Xiang's mother brightened, taking it as a sign that the old lady approved of their union.

But Lu Xiang said, "I'm sorry, but I don't want to marry anymore." After all that had happened, she doubted anyone would force her to marry. Instead, she could help her family earn some money and improve their living conditions.

Third Sister Fu had already heard that Fu Qinhui had been standing outside for a long time and guessed Lu Xiang would react this way. She led Lu Xiang to her small room and said, "Come, let me talk to you."

She advised, "Don't be foolish, girl, why hesitate over such a good match? Qinhui's qualifications are clear—even his boss's daughter wanted to marry him. My mother-in-law wanted someone from the village whom she knew well. We women can't compare to men; men can find partners anytime, but it's not the same for us."

She continued, "I'm telling you this because I see you as a sister. I know you're embarrassed by the village gossip, but people will talk regardless. We have to live our own lives. If we listened to every bit of nonsense, we'd never live peacefully. My mother-in-law may have wanted to hit you this morning, but she was just angry. She's all bark and no bite—usually, she's quite kind."

Lu Xiang replied, "Thank you, Third Sister-in-Law, but my mind is made up."

Third Sister Fu was frustrated that her earnest persuasion had failed to move Lu Xiang. She then asked Fu Qinhui to go in and talk to Lu Xiang while she went to speak with Lu Xiang's mother.

Lu Xiang's room was small but meticulously clean, and Fu Qinhui could smell a faint, fresh scent from the bed when he entered. Fu Qinhui's feelings for Lu Xiang were complicated. He saw her as a little liar who had deceived everyone with the marriage swap. He was angry with her, yet he didn't want her to leave and become the subject of village gossip.