It's always awkward to talk about someone behind their back and have them overhear.
Before Cheng You could react, Jiang Wanrou, brimming with anger, stepped forward, wanting an explanation.
"What did you mean just now? You don't approve of me being with Dazhi?"
Cheng You didn't know how to respond. She wanted to find some tactful words to gloss over the matter.
"Cousin, I didn't say I don't approve of you two. It's just that Comrade Qian Dazhi mentioned earlier that he still wants to find stable work before marrying you, so I was saying that perhaps you two won't be getting married anytime soon."
Her second aunt quickly walked over and pulled Jiang Wanrou aside.
"That's right, that's exactly what Cheng You meant. Don't misunderstand. We're all sisters, don't be angry."
Jiang Wanrou shook off her hand. "That's not what she meant at all. I heard her just now. Her words all implied that Dazhi would never marry me."
If Cheng You hadn't been afraid of escalating the situation, she would have clearly told her that Qian Dazhi really might not marry her.
Someone like him was probably just playing around.
Of course, this was just her subjective assumption.
"Cousin, you've misunderstood."
After thinking it over, she had nothing else to explain except this one sentence.
Jiang Wanrou snorted coldly. "I haven't misunderstood at all. I think you have bad intentions. We haven't been in touch for so many years, and you only show up now to claim kinship. Dare you say you have no ulterior motive?"
Even Cheng You found it strange. "What motive could I possibly have?"
She had always been concerned about Grandpa, and only wanted to resolve Cheng Tianhua's matters before coming.
That was all.
Jiang Wanrou sneered, "You're just being bullied at home, so you thought of my grandfather, wanting him to support you!"
Cheng You didn't confirm or deny. "He's my maternal grandfather, my mother's father. Is it wrong for me to seek support from my maternal grandfather?"
"Your mother isn't my grandfather's biological daughter. Don't make it seem like we're close!"
As soon as she said this, even Grandpa's face darkened.
"Say that again!"
Jiang Wanrou was startled and stood frozen in fear, not daring to speak.
She had spoken impulsively, revealing what was on her mind.
But what could she do? In the past, only she knew about the girl in the family. Now that Cheng You was here, Grandpa only talked about Cheng You, day in and day out.
It was as if she no longer existed in his eyes.
The thought of this made Jiang Wanrou feel that Cheng You was detestable.
Her second aunt, who had just received so many gifts from Cheng You, was furious at her daughter's words.
"How could you say such a thing? Cheng You is your sister. Go and apologize to her."
"She was the one badmouthing me behind my back. Why should I apologize!" Jiang Wanrou refused to back down.
Cheng You quickly said, "Second Aunt, it was indeed my fault for speaking carelessly. Cousin is right to be angry. I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry, Cousin."
Jiang Wanrou sneered, "As if you're being genuinely kind."
With that, she left without even eating, running out.
Qian Dazhi glanced at Cheng You and quickly followed.
The atmosphere became tense.
Cheng You sat down and sighed.
"It was my fault for being too talkative."
Her second aunt smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright. Let's eat. Don't take it to heart."
Cheng Wenyu whispered in her ear, "Sis, why did you think Brother Zhi wouldn't marry Cousin?"
Cheng You chuckled. "His father is Qian Dingzhong. I have a preconceived bias against him."
Cheng Wenyu had only learned a few days ago that Qian Dazhi was Qian Dingzhong's adopted son.
However, he already saw them as separate individuals.
After the meal, Cheng You prepared to leave with Qi Chengyan.
Qian Dazhi and Jiang Wanrou had left and never returned.
Before leaving, she reminded Grandpa Jiang, "Grandpa, I don't think Qian Dazhi and Cousin are a good match."
Grandpa was a better judge of character than she was and naturally knew.
He nodded and said, "I'll have your second uncle keep an eye on this matter."
However, children often didn't listen to their parents. If she was determined to be with Qian Dazhi, there was nothing they could do.
Cheng You said no more and got into the tractor with Qi Chengyan, heading home slowly.
"I'm a little worried about Wenyu."
Qi Chengyan looked at her. "Worried about what?"
Cheng You didn't know how to explain it to him. She couldn't possibly say she had a dream, could she?
Although she had indeed had a dream, otherwise she would still be being deceived by Cheng Tao and Song Yulian.
"I just feel that Qian Dazhi isn't a good person, but Wenyu seems to trust him a lot."
Qi Chengyan patted her head. "Wenyu will know how to distinguish for himself."
Cheng You mumbled, "I'm just afraid he won't, and will end up harming himself."
Qi Chengyan didn't comment, but he kept the matter in mind.
However, as soon as they returned to the village, Qi Chengyan was assigned to help repair the dike.
This was actually a task that everyone vied for. It included two meals and a few jiao of wages, as well as work points.
But the only person who could drive a tractor was Qi Chengyan, so he had to go.
Cheng You pouted. "It's a bit far. Will it be very tiring?"
Qi Chengyan smiled. "The thing I fear least is hardship."
The missions in the wilderness were thousands of times more arduous than this.
He wasn't afraid of those, let alone this.
"Then will you not be able to come back every day?"
"Not necessarily. I'll try my best to get back."
Cheng You nestled in his arms, petite and lovely.
"If it's too tiring, then don't come back."
Hearing her words, Qi Chengyan forgot about sleeping and rolled over on top of her.
"Then I'll have to make up for all the time missed."
...
The next day, when Qi Chengyan left, Cheng You naturally didn't get up to see him off.
She had planned to sleep until noon, have lunch, and then go to Uncle Li's house.
Who knew she would be woken up by Cheng Tao's voice.
"Cheng You, still not up at this hour. Do you have any sense of being a wife?"
Cheng You yawned and leaned lazily against the door.
"I'm not your wife, what business is it of yours."
"Does Qi Chengyan tolerate you being like this?"
Cheng You couldn't be bothered to reply and walked in to wash up.
Cheng Tao followed her in. "I want to borrow money from you."
Since there was no movement from Song Yulian and Cheng Tianhua, she had to swallow her pride and come to Cheng You.
If she was willing to lend it, then she wouldn't have to go through certain detours.
Cheng You felt she was being too presumptuous. "I refuse."
Cheng Tao said, "You have to lend it to me."
"What if I don't?"
"Cheng You, I don't want to be your enemy. I snatched your fiancé, and you've hurt me too. We're even now. When Yunlin becomes successful in the future, I'll help you as much as I can."
Cheng You let out a cold laugh. "I've told you many times that I don't care about Zhao Yunlin, and I never liked him in the first place. The only thing is that you two are hypocritical. You were clearly involved with each other, yet you wanted to pin the blame on me. What you suffered was retribution, not harm from me."
Looking at Cheng Tao's ashen face, Cheng You continued, "I don't want to interfere with your relationship with Zhao Yunlin. Whether you live well or badly is irrelevant to me."
Cheng Tao gritted her teeth. "You'll definitely regret this! Lend me a few hundred yuan, and when we have money, I can return it to you double!"
"You should find someone else for such a profitable deal."
Cheng Tao didn't beg her anymore, but as she left, she muttered, "You'll definitely regret this!"