Chapter Sixteen: Settling Scores

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Su Wan dressed neatly and followed the old master to the Wang family to annul the engagement.

Su Chen, meanwhile, was tasked with finding the village head to serve as a witness.

When the two arrived at the Wang household, they found the family of three seated around the table, having breakfast.

Usually, upon seeing the old master, Wang Luo's parents would greet him with enthusiasm, but today was different. It was as if they were glued to their seats—even as the old master approached their table, they made no move to stand.

It was Wang Luo who hurriedly put down his bowl and fetched a stool for the old man.

Wang’s father took a bite of his steamed bun, glancing sidelong at Su Wan. Just days ago, he’d thought well of her, but ever since meeting Chen Wanjun yesterday, everything about Su Wan seemed off. She was too plump, not well dressed; though cleaner and a bit slimmer than before, she was nothing compared to Chen Wanjun. It was as if heaven and earth lay between them.

And this old man—always with a stern face, as if everyone owed him something.

True, he’d accepted some money and goods from their family, but did the old man have to lord it over them?

“Ah, the old master is here! Please, sit down and have a bite,” he said with a smile, then took another bite of bun.

“Yes, do sit and eat with us!” Cui Juan chimed in, picking up food for herself with her chopsticks, warmly inviting him.

No one acknowledged Su Wan, nor did anyone fetch the old master a pair of chopsticks.

The old master glanced at the stool but did not sit. Instead, he instructed Su Wan to place a bundle on the dining table.

“We’re here today to discuss annulling the engagement. Here’s the betrothal letter and the gifts your family gave us years ago.”

At these words, Wang Luo’s parents, who had been calmly eating breakfast, immediately shifted in their seats. They rose quickly, no longer stuck to their benches.

Wang’s father stepped in front of the old master. “What are you saying? Why annul the engagement now, when everything is fine?”

Cui Juan reached out and grabbed Su Wan’s hand. “Good girl, your aunt cares for you. I’ve been hoping for you to marry Wang Luo—how can we call off the engagement?”

Su Wan lowered her head. “Aunt, I want Wang Luo to be happy, to marry the girl he loves.”

“Who does he love? He doesn’t love anyone! I’ve set my heart on you,” Cui Juan exclaimed, patting Su Wan’s hand.

Unsure what to say, Su Wan turned her gaze to Wang Luo.

Wang Luo, who had always opposed marrying Su Wan, now sat in silence as if struck dumb.

Su Wan was surprised. This wasn’t right—had Wang Luo’s character changed overnight?

The old master, seeing Su Wan looking at Wang Luo, thought she was wavering. He quickly pulled her behind him. “You saw it yourself yesterday morning; since the children don’t agree, as elders we shouldn’t force them. After all, it’s their lives.”

“They’re just being childish—he doesn’t disagree!” Wang’s father said, turning to kick Wang Luo. “Say something!”

But Wang Luo remained silent, head down.

Wang’s father tried to smooth things over. “He’s just shy! After yesterday’s scene, he regretted it the moment he got home.”

The old master, seeing Wang Luo’s silence, was puzzled. Normally, Wang Luo would speak his mind, but today he was uncharacteristically quiet. Could he really have had a change of heart?

If Wang Luo truly regretted his behavior, perhaps things could yet be salvaged. After all, Su Wan liked him, and the old man had invested too much in this, not to mention the blow to Su Wan’s reputation if the engagement was broken.

Seeing her grandfather hesitate, Su Wan quickly spoke up, “Wang Luo, do you really no longer like Chen Wanjun?”

At this, Wang Luo suddenly looked up. “No, I still like Wanjun!”

He truly lived up to his role as the devoted hero. Su Wan was delighted, secretly giving him a big thumbs up in her heart.

But on the surface, she feigned shock and sorrow. “I thought you’d changed your mind.”

The old master snorted and looked at Wang’s father. “In that case, let us part on good terms.”

As they spoke, Su Chen arrived with the village head in tow.

Su Chen, ever perceptive, brought chairs for both elders.

The old village head led the old master to sit. The old master opened the bundle he’d brought and showed it to the village head. “This is the betrothal letter and gifts from the Wang family. I’ve never touched them; now I return them to their rightful owners.”

Inside the bundle lay a gold-flecked red letter, two pieces of embroidery, and an old box containing a white jade bracelet.

The Wang family had once been landowners and still had some fine things. The embroidery was Su embroidery, and the jade bracelet was of excellent quality.

Wang Luo’s father, literate and skilled in calligraphy, had written the betrothal letter himself. At the time, eager to curry favor with the old master, the family had given their best items.

Moved by their sincerity, the old master had agreed to the match and, over the years, had spared no effort in supporting their family.

Cui Juan, seeing her treasures, was nearly beside herself with longing to snatch them back. The bracelet had been her mother’s dowry, and the embroidery had been painstakingly stitched by her mother, who had gone blind from the effort.

The old master slowly drew a notebook from his pocket. “Here’s an account I kept. It records all the money spent helping your family over the years, and the things taken by your relatives.”

At this, Wang’s father broke into a sweat. “Oh, old master, what are you doing? We’re all family…”

The old master gestured for him to stop. “Since we’re ending the engagement, it’s best to settle things clearly.”

He handed the notebook to the village head, who flipped through it, occasionally asking clarifying questions.

When all was tallied, aside from land and what could be returned, the Wang family owed the Su family over a thousand.

At that time, a thousand was like a hundred thousand in twenty years.

Included in this sum were the costs the old master had incurred to pull strings for Wang Luo to get a job, funeral and medical expenses for Wang Luo’s grandmother, as well as money for building a house, buying a bicycle, furniture—every expense.

Su Wan watched, her mouth agape. Over the years, it seemed the entire Wang family had been supported by the old master alone!

She couldn’t help but feel that her grandfather truly doted on her, willing to spend so much for her sake.

Today, she was determined to reclaim everything, principal and interest.

Cui Juan was equally shocked by the sum. “And here I thought you were so good to us. I’ve always remembered your kindness, but to think you kept such detailed accounts!”

“All that effort for such meticulous bookkeeping!”

Su Wan bristled at this. “Aunt, all these years, you’ve farmed our land and eaten what you grew, haven’t you? You’ve used our things, saved yourselves the trouble, haven’t you? And after Wang Luo got a job, he made money, didn’t he?”

“We haven’t even counted all that!”

Cui Juan had never expected Su Wan to talk back. Compared to being suppressed by the old master, Su Wan’s defiance made her even angrier.

Her face flushed deep red as she leapt up. “Where are your manners? Raised without a mother, is this how you speak to your elders?”

Born of a mother, but not raised by one—the words hung in the air like a grenade yet to explode, and the entire room fell instantly silent.