I really cannot tell whether people these days are so pure-minded that they don’t recognize a schemer like Xu Manman when they see one, or if they are simply too kind-hearted, believing that a fiancé is something one can just hand over for a sister’s use whenever the need arises.
"Sister, please don't be like this," Xu Manman wept. "Brother Chengxu has been so good to you; please don't break his heart. As for my injury, I can see a doctor myself."
She turned to him. "Brother Chengxu, you don’t need to worry about me anymore. It’s just a minor injury, it’s nothing. The doctor said today would be the last dressing change, so there shouldn’t be any big problems. You should go keep your sister company! I’ll tell my mother later that it wasn’t your fault you couldn't take me to the hospital; she shouldn't hold it against you."
So, it was the future mother-in-law who had asked this future son-in-law to escort his sister-in-law. In that case, there was nothing more to be said.
In this day and age, those caught in illicit affairs were severely punished; a stint in jail was a light sentence, and in serious cases, one might even face a firing squad. Most people wouldn't dare step over that line. Therefore, no one really suspected that there was anything going on between the two.
On the contrary, it was Xu Qinghuan, the sister, who seemed to be the one in the wrong. How could she suspect her own fiancé and her sister like this? Wasn't she just ruining both their reputations?
An older woman said earnestly, "Comrade, I think your sister is quite sensible, and this young man’s words make a lot of sense, too. A man so cautious about marriage would never do anything improper. You’ve overthought this; you’re the one in the wrong."
Is that so? If she hadn't discussed the contents of the book with her best friend, and if she hadn't read the book herself, Xu Qinghuan might have actually believed the two were truly innocent.
Lin Xialan was seething. She realized that, two against two, they were losing miserably.
Xu Qinghuan was caught off guard, too. She finally understood a truth: when someone with boundaries clashes with someone without shame, they are destined to suffer a crushing defeat.
Seeing Xu Qinghuan frowning in silence, Jiang Chengxu sighed. "Qinghuan, I don't mean to blame you. It’s my fault for not explaining things clearly. Manman was injured because of me, and from a moral standpoint, I cannot just ignore her. Rest assured, once she recovers, I will keep my distance."
"Jiang Chengxu," Lin Xialan snapped, "are you deaf? Huanhuan already said it has nothing to do with her what you two do. I hope you stop pestering her!"
Jiang Chengxu’s expression darkened, his eyes sharpening. "Lin Xialan, this is between Qinghuan and me. We are engaged."
Lin Xialan was trembling with rage and about to charge forward, but Xu Qinghuan held her back. "Comrade Jiang, if that’s the case, and you are truly innocent, then I am willing to believe you. As you said, we are engaged."
She continued, "You mentioned wanting to get married—that isn't out of the question. There's no time like the present, and since I have some time today, why don't we find a place to discuss the wedding date?"
Jiang Chengxu was stunned, then overjoyed, unable to hide his excitement. "Qinghuan, are you serious? You’re willing to marry me?"
Xu Qinghuan sneered inwardly, while the onlookers, delighted to witness such a happy union, were ready to burst into applause.
The kind-hearted older woman nearby clapped and smiled. "That’s it, that’s it! I told you they were such a well-matched pair; that’s just how it should be!"
"Exactly! Once a misunderstanding is cleared up, everyone takes a step back. That’s how you should live your lives after you’re married..."
Before the woman with the faint eyebrows could finish her sentence, Xu Manman clutched her forehead, closed her eyes, and tipped precisely into Jiang Chengxu’s arms. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jiang Chengxu caught her, almost by pure reflex.
"Manman, what’s wrong? What happened?"
Anyone who didn’t know the situation would have thought Xu Manman and Jiang Chengxu were the actual couple. Even the onlookers who had been cheering, seeing that something seemed amiss with Manman, found themselves at a loss for words. After all, the girl's own sister was standing right there, yet this woman insisted on swooning into her future brother-in-law’s arms—no matter how you looked at it, it was strange.
Lin Xialan’s jaw dropped in shock; it was just too coincidental!
Xu Qinghuan, however, knew exactly what was in Xu Manman’s heart. She hurriedly stepped forward, looking panicked. "Cousin, are you alright? Are you okay?"
She pressed her fingers into an acupoint on Xu Manman’s body. With a slight flick of force, Manman yelped and sprang up, swinging a hand at Xu Qinghuan. "Xu Qinghuan, have you lost your mind?"
Xu Qinghuan stepped back, dodging the blow while looking at Manman’s raised arm in disbelief. "Cousin, what’s wrong? Why are you hitting me?"
Her eyes welled up with tears, looking truly heartbroken. "I was only worried about you. Does this mean only your future brother-in-law is allowed to care for you, and I, your sister, am not?"
At this point, who couldn't see that Xu Manman’s fainting spell was an act?
The crowd’s expressions turned complex. The people who had been so talkative a moment ago were now as tight-lipped as clams. So much for the "innocence" they had been so vocal about—it turned out there was nothing innocent about it at all!
Xu Manman realized she had been played. She began to cry even harder than Xu Qinghuan, tears flowing like a rushing river. "Sister, I felt dizzy and my vision went black—I wasn't feeling well to begin with! Why did you pinch me?"
Jiang Chengxu also spoke up, annoyed, "Qinghuan, this is where you are wrong. Manman had already fainted, and you actually laid a heavy hand on her!"
Xu Qinghuan laughed coldly. "Pinched you? If you were really unconscious, and I was able to pinch you awake, then I must have used quite a bit of force. Where exactly did I pinch you?"
Xu Manman couldn't say. In truth, the pressure Xu Qinghuan had applied to the acupoint hadn't been strong, but it had hurt so much her soul felt like it was trembling.
"Right here!" Xu Manman gestured vaguely, sobbing to Jiang Chengxu, "Brother Chengxu, my sister used a lot of force; there might even be bruises."
Xu Qinghuan nodded. "True. If you were unconscious and I was able to wake you, then the force must have been significant. You’ve been delicate and sickly since childhood, prone to bruising at the slightest touch. Why don't we let everyone see if there’s actually a bruise?"
Another trap!
Xu Manman’s face alternated between blue and white. She couldn't understand how Xu Qinghuan’s mind had become so sharp and her tongue so quick.
Lin Xialan chimed in happily, "Yes, yes, yes! Let’s have a look and see if there’s any bruising!"
Xu Manman wept even more bitterly. "Brother Chengxu, if I’m seen by others, where will my reputation be? How can I go on living? This is clearly trying to force me to my death!"
Sure enough, many people began to look at her with sympathy, some even feeling indignant.
Xu Qinghuan knew that those who don't feel the blade themselves cannot feel the pain, so she didn't care about the opinions of others.
"You are my sister, after all," she said sadly. "You may be heartless to me, but I could never be unrighteous to you. How could I ever force you to lift your clothes in public? Let’s just have this auntie and this lady over here take a look. If it’s serious, we can go see a doctor later. Wouldn't that be better?"
The kind-hearted woman and the faint-eyebrowed auntie, who had been playing the arbiter, suddenly felt the fires of gossip burning in their eyes. They urged, "Comrade, we’re both women. It’s just a patch of skin. Let us take a look—it’ll help clear your names."
Xu Manman clutched her clothing. "No, no, no, it’s not necessary! I’m fine. I’ll just apply some ointment when I get back."
The spot she had mentioned was on her waist—exactly where Xu Qinghuan had pressed the acupoint.