Chapter 73: Misunderstanding Her

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Misunderstanding Her

"That’s impossible." Aunt Liu stomped her foot. "I heard you slam into the courtyard gate."

"But I really didn’t enter the courtyard last night, and I certainly didn’t hear you talking with Xiangju." Su Wan’s expression looked sincere.

Aunt Liu frowned. "If it wasn’t you, then who was it?"

Su Wan instinctively glanced toward the kitchen. "Should I go ask Lu Zhengchuan and Xiao Yun?"

"No need. I’ll ask them." Fuming, Aunt Liu stormed right in. When she saw the two of them cooking, she planted her hands on her hips and fired off her question.

Lu Zhengchuan looked up, confused.

Zhang Yun’s face went pale with fright, and she guiltily hid behind Lu Zhengchuan.

Lu Zhengchuan stepped aside, then turned to glare at her, frowning. "Did you cause trouble again last night?"

That one sentence was all it took for Aunt Liu to turn on her. "Zhang Yun, was it you who heard me talking to Xiangju last night?"

Zhang Yun thought Aunt Liu looked ready to eat her alive. She stammered, "Y-yes, it was."

"Aha! So it was you! If you heard us talking, why didn’t you say anything when I called out? Why didn’t you answer when I knocked?" Aunt Liu was furious. She hadn’t slept a wink last night because of this.

On one hand, she felt Su Wan wasn’t the type to be a busybody; even if she had overheard, she wouldn’t have said a word.

But on the other hand, the guilty way the person refused to open the door made it impossible for her to be sure, and she couldn’t help but worry.

When she got up in the morning, she’d heard people in the compound gossiping about Xiangju.

Before Aunt Liu could even get angry, Xiangju, who must have gotten up at goodness knows what hour, came back from outside, sobbing.

When Aunt Liu asked what was wrong, she learned that Xiangju had fought with Song Feng.

Apparently, the news of Liu Xiangju visiting the sick Liu Lang that morning had already spread throughout the entire military compound.

The moment Aunt Liu heard the news, her first suspect was Su Wan.

She had been so disappointed in Su Wan.

Now that she was sure Zhang Yun was the culprit, she breathed a sigh of relief. But while she felt guilty toward Su Wan, her anger at Zhang Yun grew even stronger. ’How can this girl be so infuriating?’

"I... I was scared." Zhang Yun was trembling, her face a miserable mask. "Auntie, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad. I wasn’t thinking straight. I was just afraid you’d find out I’d overheard you, since you said not to tell anyone. I figured it would be best to just pretend nothing ever happened."

Aunt Liu was so incensed that if Lu Zhengchuan hadn’t been there, she would have slapped Zhang Yun across the face.

"Pretend nothing happened? Do you have any idea that the news of Xiangju visiting Liu Lang has spread all over the compound?"

"What? It’s all over the compound? I had no idea! I haven’t even stepped outside since last night," Zhang Yun said, aghast.

Su Wan couldn’t believe it. ’Zhang Yun almost got me into trouble again.’

For a moment, she was speechless. "Lu Zhengchuan, with a cousin like yours... I really don’t think I can keep her around."

"...Neither do I," Lu Zhengchuan muttered, looking at Zhang Yun like she was a real piece of work.

In contrast to the couple’s silent disdain, Aunt Liu was much more blunt. "With a brain like yours, you probably let it slip without even realizing. It’s only because Wanwan has such a good heart that she’s kept you around, letting you hold her back."

The criticism drove Zhang Yun to tears. After all, it was hard to be cheerful when you were being called stupid.

Aunt Liu couldn’t be bothered with her anymore. She turned, took Su Wan’s hand, and apologized. "Wanwan, I’m so sorry. I completely misunderstood you."

"It’s alright, Auntie. You were just worried. I understand. The fact that you’re willing to trust me is enough for me." Su Wan knew better than anyone how precious trust was.

Hearing this made Aunt Liu feel even more guilty.

"Wanwan, I heard you’re going to the Capital for university. My big brother has lived in the Capital for over twenty years. He’s a truck driver, so he can always get his hands on hard-to-find items. Here’s his contact information. If you ever need anything, just give him a call and tell him I sent you." Aunt Liu’s gratitude was heartfelt.

Su Wan took the address and phone number, which Aunt Liu had just jotted down with a pen, and opened her mouth to decline.

Aunt Liu gave her no chance to refuse. "Zhang Yun, you’re coming with me to explain things to Song Feng."

With a miserable look on her face, Zhang Yun didn’t dare struggle and could only agree, feeling utterly wronged.

"Auntie, wait, don’t be so hasty," Su Wan called out, offering a strategy. "Song Feng might not be angry just because Xiangju went to see Liu Lang. It’s probably because of all the gossip spreading through the compound."

"After all, nobody wants to be a laughingstock."

’Especially a man. Who would be happy about being seen as a cuckold?’

"How can I not be in a hurry? If that girl Xiangju breaks up with Song Feng, she can forget about ever finding another match in the Southwest Army. Anyone who married her would become a laughingstock!" Aunt Liu was consumed with worry over her daughter’s marital prospects.

Su Wan understood the older generation’s mindset. She didn’t agree with it, but she respected it.

Besides, there was no need to let Liu Xiangju’s situation get any more complicated.

"Auntie, you know gossip better than anyone. Explanations are useless. If you want to kill a piece of gossip, you have to bury it with an even bigger piece of gossip."

Su Wan’s words made Aunt Liu perk up. She grabbed Su Wan’s hand and patted it. "Wanwan, you’re brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?"

"I’ll get right on it."

Aunt Liu turned to leave.

Zhang Yun asked apprehensively, "Auntie, do I have to go?"

"Hmph! You have to come with me. You still need to come explain things to Song Feng in person. Even though you didn’t spread the rumor, we haven’t found the person who did, so you’re still coming with me."

Zhang Yun looked pleadingly at Su Wan and Lu Zhengchuan.

Lu Zhengchuan scowled. "Go with Auntie, now. If you can’t use your head, then just listen to her. I’ll have Xiao Li buy your train ticket home."

"I understand, Cousin." Zhang Yun left, looking miserable.

After Aunt Liu and Zhang Yun left, Lu Zhengchuan led her into the main room of the house.

"Let’s eat breakfast first."

"After breakfast, you can figure out what you need to pack. The train tickets are for ten days from now. If you can’t find what you need at the commissary, we’ll go to the county town to buy it."

Su Wan realized she had run out of a lot of things. "Let’s go to the county town, then," she said. "I’ve never been. I can look around a bit."

"Alright."

While Su Wan and Lu Zhengchuan enjoyed a moment of tranquility...

...Aunt Liu was dragging Zhang Yun around the compound, spreading a new rumor. This one was about Zheng Zhizhi having spent all of Liu Lang’s money, leaving him so broke he couldn’t afford a caretaker. As a result, only his comrades-in-arms and subordinates came to visit him from time to time.

Liu Lang watched as a swarm of wives from the compound burst in. He froze in his chair where he’d been recuperating.

"Liu Lang, is it true Zheng Zhizhi took all your money?"

"She’s barred from the military base now, so who’s going to take care of you?"

"Are you stupid? Why didn’t you demand your money back?"

"If you ask me, you’re just too soft. Spending that much money on a woman you weren’t even married to. No wonder she got so greedy."

The crowd of women didn’t care one bit how Liu Lang felt hearing all this. They just let him have it, pointing fingers and passing judgment.

No matter how good Liu Lang was at bottling things up, even he was starting to get annoyed.

Aunt Liu pushed her way through the crowd, her voice ringing out high and clear. "Liu Lang, my daughter only brought you some fruit out of pity! Don’t you go getting any funny ideas!"