Chapter Twelve: Caught Speaking Ill of Others
The farce had ended, and Su Wan was preparing to escort Jiang Mochen home, but when she turned around, she found he had already disappeared. Amid the chaos earlier, he must have gone home by himself.
With the task nearly completed, Su Wan was in high spirits, her steps light and brisk. When she returned home, Su Chen had just finished cooking and was laying the dishes on the table.
Su Wan washed her hands and sat down to eat, while Su Chen handed her a bowl with a disgruntled look. “You’ve got a sharp nose, just follow the scent and you’ll arrive.”
Su Wan, in a good mood and not inclined to argue, pulled some money from her pocket and placed it on the table. “Wang Luo repaid me; check how much is still missing.”
Both at the table paused at her words. Su Chen, surprised and delighted, exclaimed, “He actually paid you back?!”
He immediately picked up the money on the table and started counting.
The old man frowned slightly. “What’s going on?”
Su Wan took a bite of rice. “Last time, didn’t we get the bracelet back? Wang Luo came to settle accounts with me.”
“That doesn’t add up!” Su Chen’s temper flared instantly at her words. “This money isn’t nearly enough!”
“No way, I have to go find him!”
He was about to leave when Su Wan hurriedly stopped him, “Wait, let me finish.”
“He said he’d return it double.”
Upon hearing this, Su Chen, who had been fuming, instantly calmed down and returned to the table. “That’s more like it.”
Su Wan then recounted Jiang Mochen’s injury, and instructed Su Chen to make some extra food later so she could bring it to Jiang Mochen’s house.
“He lost a lot of blood and needs proper nourishment. I’ll slaughter a chicken, and you cook it to take to Jiang Mochen,” the old man, who had been silent, suddenly said.
Su Wan nodded.
Once they finished eating, everyone busied themselves with their own tasks.
Su Wan washed the dishes, Su Chen cooked anew.
By the time the old man had finished preparing the chicken, Su Chen had already set out the clay pot for stewing.
He took the chicken with a complicated expression. “Grandpa, why are you suddenly being so nice to Jiang Mochen?”
The old man glared at him. “It’s just a chicken. He got hurt saving your sister. What’s wrong with you, stingy and petty, can’t even act like a man?”
“That’s not what I meant, I just worry…” Su Chen trailed off, unable to finish.
Could Jiang Mochen really become his brother-in-law?
His mind was tangled, and he turned to see Su Wan bringing out a handful of red dates and wolfberries.
Her eager manner made Su Chen’s heart sink halfway.
Once the chicken was stewed, Su Chen volunteered to grab the basket. “Sis, let me go.”
Su Wan was surprised, eyeing him suspiciously. “Before, you always dodged chores, why so diligent today?”
“Is there a plot?” She snatched the basket back warily.
Su Chen quickly seized it again. “What plot? If you’re worried, let’s go together!”
No chance for the two to be alone—today, he had to keep a close watch on Su Wan.
Though puzzled, Su Wan didn’t press further and simply took the red dates and headed out.
The siblings arrived at Jiang Mochen’s house. Su Chen glanced at the dilapidated gate and immediately frowned.
Inside the yard, it was worse: barren and empty, a patch of withered cabbage drooped in the center, obviously malnourished.
The houses were shabby, some even missing windows.
After surveying it all, Su Chen felt thoroughly disheartened.
With conditions like these, what on earth did Grandpa and Su Wan see in him?
He turned to gauge Su Wan’s expression, but she seemed oblivious, calling out Jiang Mochen’s name toward the interior.
She called for a long while, but no one emerged. Instead, the neighbor from next door hurried over.
“You’re here to see young Jiang, aren’t you?”
“He came home at noon, then took a hoe and headed to the fields.”
Su Wan turned to see it was the old lady who had mocked Aunt Wang that morning.
“He’s wounded, why is he still working?” she exclaimed.
“That’s right, the lad is too hardworking,” the old lady responded, casting a curious glance at the basket in Su Chen’s hands. “Are you bringing him food?”
When Su Wan confirmed, the old lady’s face lit up with joy. “Ah, he’s steady and industrious, bound for great things.”
She glanced meaningfully at Su Wan. “What do you think?”
Su Wan was about to reply when Su Chen interrupted, “She doesn’t think much of it.”
“Jiang Mochen helped us today; it’s right we thank him. We’ll leave the food here, please let him know for us.”
At his words, the old lady’s smile faded. “Aren’t you going to wait for him?”
She looked at Su Wan again. “I’ll call him back so you two can have a proper talk.”
Su Chen’s face darkened further. “No need. We’re just here to thank him; we’re not close, there’s no need for talk. You carry on.”
He dragged Su Wan away.
Once out of Jiang Mochen’s house, Su Wan couldn’t help but ask, “What was that about? We’re already here, why not wait?”
Su Chen’s face was grim. “Wait for what? If we wait any longer, gossip will start!”
“Can’t you be more cautious? With his family’s conditions, what good is it to get close?”
Su Wan looked confused. “What conditions?”
Su Chen was nearly beside himself with anger. “Just look at the house—so poor it rings out! How can you not see?”
She stared at Su Chen’s flushed face and suddenly began to understand. “You’re overthinking it!”
“My engagement with Wang Luo hasn’t been annulled yet!” She did harbor intentions, but with the divorce unresolved, nothing was certain.
Su Wan was about to say more when she saw Su Chen’s face suddenly change.
Following his gaze, she turned and saw Jiang Mochen standing behind them, apparently having overheard their conversation.
Caught gossiping about someone, with the subject hearing it, both siblings fell silent, feeling guilty.
Su Wan forced a laugh and walked over. “You’re injured; why aren’t you resting instead of working?”
“We stewed a chicken for you, eat to recover, and leave the rest to me and Su Chen.”
Jiang Mochen’s expression was calm, almost indifferent. “No need, it’s nothing. I would’ve done the same for anyone.”
“Take the chicken back. I usually eat coarse food; chicken makes me uncomfortable.”
He headed toward his house.
Su Wan hurried after him. “Don’t mind us, my brother and I meant nothing by it.”
Jiang Mochen suddenly stopped, and Su Wan almost bumped into him. She quickly took a step back, about to speak, but Jiang Mochen turned coldly and said, “I told you, I just wanted to repay you for saving me from the river that day. Nothing else.”
Su Wan was speechless. She hadn’t implied Jiang Mochen had any other intentions!
Could it be he saw through her thoughts and was firmly rejecting her?
“I only wanted you to rest more and recover quickly,” Su Wan said, feeling a bit aggrieved.
A trace of coldness flickered in Jiang Mochen’s eyes. “I said there’s no need.”
“If you don’t want entanglements, don’t want your fiancé to misunderstand, then don’t come looking for me again.”
“You saved me; I helped you. We’re even.”