The purpose of their trip was all about the child in Su Xue's belly.
If the matter hadn’t blown up, it might have been manageable, but once exposed, the child would be undeniable proof of the affair. Without the child, they could still make excuses—claiming illness or some other reason.
When she heard the child was gone, Su Qing was first shocked, then relieved. She asked, "Is Su Xue alright physically?"
They couldn’t go to the hospital, and there were no underground clinics available. Trying to terminate the pregnancy secretly would surely harm her body.
Having suffered the consequences and now feeling regret, He Laidi replied with disdain, "She’s already drinking brown sugar water. What could be wrong? Back when I gave birth to you, I didn’t even get such treatment."
Wang Cuifen’s disgust for Su Xue—and the child in her belly—was palpable.
"That little bastard should’ve been taken care of long ago. Su Xue had the audacity to get pregnant before marriage, bringing shame to everyone. Instead of disciplining their child, your family covered it up. Disgraceful, the lot of you."
He Laidi, humiliated and furious, snapped, "Wang Cuifen! Say another word, and I’ll tear your mouth apart!"
"You did it, yet you can’t stand others talking about it?" Wang Cuifen, relentless in her righteousness, looked down on He Laidi and her husband’s actions.
When it came to the Su parents’ parenting skills, Su Qing had plenty to say.
Her younger sister, Su Xue, was a beauty, and Su Qing herself had delicate features. With proper care, she could’ve been a lovely girl too.
But during Su Qing’s adolescence, He Laidi had neglected her entirely, never bothering to make her proper clothes. From puberty onward, Su Qing had hunched her shoulders, her demeanor timid. When Su Xue developed, it was Su Qing who taught her about physiology, at least ensuring Su Xue didn’t end up a carbon copy of herself.
Su Xue knew well that their parents wouldn’t spare a thought for their eldest sister, let alone her. If she didn’t take matters into her own hands, she’d end up like Su Qing—sent to the countryside when she came of age.
She took the wrong path, and He Laidi and her husband, seeing benefits for the family, turned a blind eye. The whole family had strayed from the right way.
Su Qing tugged at Wang Cuifen’s sleeve, urging, "Mother-in-law, since the child’s already gone, there’s probably nothing left to settle. I don’t want to stay in the Su household a second longer. Let’s go home."
With Su Qing saying so, what could Wang Cuifen do but indulge her? She stopped arguing with He Laidi and quickly agreed, "Let’s go, let’s go home."
On the way back, Wang Cuifen kept grumbling, "He Laidi’s lost her mind, but at least Su Xue has some sense. She knew that child couldn’t stay and took care of it herself. Saves us the trouble of arguing."
They assumed it was Su Xue’s own decision, but Xie Jianhua suddenly added, "It was probably her fiancé’s idea. A friend saw them meeting yesterday. Both looked grim—likely discussing the child."
"You had someone watching them?" Su Qing turned to him, surprised.
Xie Jianhua feigned innocence. "No. A friend just happened to see them."
Su Qing didn’t buy it. "What a coincidence."
Being cornered in that room, subjected to gossip and pointing fingers—Su Qing wasn’t the only one affected. Xie Jianhua was just as much a victim.
This ordeal with the Su family had, in a way, worked out for Su Qing—she’d gained advantages from it. But she still held a grudge, returning every bit of the rumors she’d endured.
She’d vented her anger and felt better. Xie Jianhua, however, was still simmering.
Compared to her, he’d gained nothing—pure loss. Of course he’d hold a grudge.
In their past life, Xie Jianhua had probably mistaken Su Qing for the mastermind. Once married, there was no way to retaliate, so he’d left in silent resentment.
This time, with Wang Cuifen exposing the scheme early, Xie Jianhua had a clear target. Revenge was inevitable.
Xie Jianhua didn’t look like the obedient type. Su Qing pulled him aside, whispering, "Was it you who had those big-character posters put up?"
"No."
"Really?" Her eyes narrowed skeptically.
Xie Jianhua reminded her, "Our own marriage process wouldn’t hold up under scrutiny."
If he wanted to stir trouble, this wasn’t the angle he’d take.
"You really didn’t do anything?" Su Qing pressed, unconvinced. "I know you did something."
Xie Jianhua stayed silent.
A day ago, he wouldn’t have said a word. But now, seeing Su Qing as an ally, he relented once they were alone. "Your younger brother Su Lei didn’t come home last night. He went gambling in the outskirts, lost all night, and wrote several IOUs."
If Su Qing had pleaded for her brother, he might’ve gone easy on him—for her sake.
But instead of stopping him, she nearly applauded. "You’re amazing! That’s so satisfying. Who did you get to do it? Can I help?"
Su Lei was one of the main schemers—in fact, he’d benefited the most.
The original Su Qing had doted on her brother, yet he’d betrayed her without hesitation. Though Su Qing didn’t have dirt on him yet, she hadn’t forgotten his role.
Compared to her, Xie Jianhua—a local who knew the ins and outs—acted faster and harsher.
A faint smile tugged at Xie Jianhua’s lips. He admired Su Qing’s straightforwardness, her refusal to sugarcoat vengeance.
Still, he gently pushed her away, feigning indifference. "Don’t talk to me like that. It won’t work on me."
He wasn’t like Wang Cuifen, easily swayed by sweet words and empty flattery.