Chapter 14: Chunjiu Town

Page 1 of 3

Ye Rui was neither a petty girl nor one to jump to conclusions, but the events involving Xu Xiaoni that day had taken root in her heart, stirring unease. She pressed her lips lightly, exhaled, and recounted the happenings of the day, including the shadow she had seen last night by the lotus pond, to Chunxing.

At the end, she furrowed her brows slightly and whispered, "I feel it’s really strange."

Chunxing’s expression darkened after hearing everything. She snorted coldly, "Strange? More than strange—she definitely has ill intentions!"

Ye Rui’s long lashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze.

"Xiao Rui, I understand everything you said!" Chunxing gritted her teeth. "And if you ask me, Zhou Qingyuan’s side is not clean. Isn’t that obvious?"

Ye Rui looked at Chunxing. "Go ahead, say it."

When it came to her best friend’s lifelong happiness, Chunxing would not hold back. She carefully analyzed the situation, "Xiao Rui, let’s start from the beginning."

"Last night, you met Zhou Qingyuan at the lotus pond and saw a petite figure near him. But when you approached, the figure vanished. When you asked him, he said it was 'an aunt from town.'"

"But if you think about it carefully, that doesn’t make sense!"

Chunxing continued, "Considering how the aunts in our town love gossip and stirring up fun, if they saw Zhou Qingyuan and then saw you, wouldn’t they stick around to tease you and make you blush before leaving? So why did the figure disappear just as you reached the pavilion?"

As Chunxing finished, Ye Rui’s mind swirled.

She bit her lip and softly urged, "Chunxing, go on."

Chunxing nodded firmly, suppressing her anger as she methodically continued, "This morning, you went to the Zhou family’s place pretty early, around seven. But Xu Xiaoni was even earlier. You saw Xu Xiaoni and Zhou Qingyuan talking under the tree right at the gate."

"When you asked what was going on, Zhou Qingyuan said Xu Xiaoni wanted to catch a ride to the county with you guys. What does that mean? It means Xu Xiaoni not only knew you were going to the county today but also roughly when you’d leave. That’s why she arrived early to find Zhou Qingyuan."

"But how did Xu Xiaoni know? Someone must have told her!"

The more Chunxing analyzed, the more her anger flared. Her brows rose sharply. "The only person who could have told her is Zhou Qingyuan. Doesn’t this prove they’re secretly in contact?"

Young men and women in town having private affairs behind others' backs was one thing, but for a man to hide it from his fiancée—that was unacceptable!

Chunxing’s face darkened at the thought.

An outsider sees clearer than one involved.

Chunxing, fiery and sharp-minded, laid out the facts convincingly.

"Zhou Qingyuan and Xu Xiaoni must have a secret connection. Otherwise, how could she know so much? Plus, you said the figure you saw at the lotus pond looked a lot like Xu Xiaoni."

"On top of that, when you were choosing gold jewelry with Zhou Qingyuan at the shop, why did she suddenly make those nasty remarks for no reason? Clearly, she dislikes you and couldn’t help but pick a fight."

"Listen to what she said—‘she’s unwilling to spend money on it’? Does she think she’s the epitome of thrift while you’re recklessly wasting?"

"Though I didn’t realize she’s quite a tea aficionado, so good at brewing tea that her tea jars must be piled high."

Breathing out, Chunxing paused briefly but didn’t stop. She snorted in displeasure and continued, "You and Zhou Qingyuan are buying the three pieces of gold for the two families’ engagement. What does it have to do with her? She’s an outsider acting up, making a fuss."

Chunxing gritted her teeth. "So, Xiao Rui, is it possible Xu Xiaoni doesn’t see herself as an outsider at all?"

Ye Rui’s lashes trembled, her breath faltered.

"Your feeling isn’t wrong at all. Maybe the figure you saw by Zhou Qingyuan last night was indeed Xu Xiaoni!"

Her best friend’s words sank deep into Ye Rui’s heart with weight.

Her voice hoarse, she asked, "Chunxing, do you think Zhou Qingyuan and Xu Xiaoni have a relationship behind my back?"

Chunxing looked at Ye Rui’s pale cheeks and felt pangs of sympathy.

But with their wedding approaching and the engagement gifts ready, Chunxing’s mind raced with cautious thoughts.

Though everything seemed clear in analysis, there was no solid proof.

If they were wrong and Zhou Qingyuan and Xu Xiaoni were innocent, it would only embarrass Ye Rui and damage both families' reputations.

This was serious; Chunxing couldn’t speak too decisively, nor did she want to disturb her friend’s mind unnecessarily.

Still, in her heart, Chunxing believed there was definitely something fishy.

Taking a deep breath, Chunxing gently touched Ye Rui’s cold hand and thoughtfully said, "Xiao Rui, when I go to the Xu family’s oil mill, I’ll try to probe Xu Xiaoni, see if she accidentally reveals anything."

Hearing this, Ye Rui pressed her dry lips together, lowered her eyes, and nodded.

—

Ye Rui stayed in Chunxing’s room for a while, calming her tangled thoughts.

Remembering that Chunxing had to get up early for work at the distillery tomorrow, she didn’t stay longer.

She rose and softly said to Chunxing, "It’s late now. You should rest early. I’ll head home."

But Chunxing looked at her, worried her mind was still unsettled, and quickly said, "Xiao Rui, let me walk you home."

Ye Rui understood her concern and smiled gently, her eyes warm and peaceful. "Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m not a child anymore."

Chunxing blinked, looking closely at her friend’s fresh, pretty face and seeing no obvious distress.

She exhaled in relief and asked, "Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you?"

Ye Rui smiled again. "No need. You rest early."

Hearing that, Chunxing nodded and stopped insisting. "Alright, I’ll see you out."

With that, Chunxing linked her arm with Ye Rui’s, and they left the room together.

After bidding farewell to Grandma Lin, the two crossed the courtyard and headed out.

Ye Rui waved goodbye to Chunxing and turned to leave the way she came.

Chunxing’s gaze lingered on her friend’s departing figure without moving.

Ye Rui wore a pale yellow blouse with a lotus leaf collar and jeans, the hem tucked slightly into her pants, outlining a slender waist.

Her graceful figure, long legs, and slender waist were captivating even from behind—a truly outstanding and fresh young lady.

So when thinking of Zhou Qingyuan, Chunxing couldn’t help but curse silently, "Zhou Qingyuan, if you dare betray Xiao Rui, I’ll skin you alive!"

Page 2 of 3

On the other side, Ye Rui walked home under the night sky.

Though her expression was normal, her thoughts drifted back to the conversation with Chunxing, leaving her somewhat distracted.

In that moment of distraction, she failed to notice a stone on the dirt road.

Her foot caught on it; she swayed and nearly fell.

Ye Rui furrowed her brows, intending to keep walking, but as she took her left foot forward, pain shot through her ankle.

She gasped softly—it was clearly sprained from the stumble.

She looked down at her left foot, trying to move it, but the pain flared with each step.

Whether from the pain or the turmoil over her fiancé, her heart felt heavy with unspeakable grievance.

She sniffled and slowly crouched down to rest before continuing.

Lowering her head, she gently touched the aching ankle, her eyes clouded with sadness.

At that moment, a calm, steady male voice called out, "Ye Rui."

She pursed her lips and instinctively looked up to see a man walking briskly through the night toward her.

They closed the distance.

Huo Fang’s brows tightened imperceptibly. "Why are you crouching on the ground?"

Ye Rui was startled—she hadn’t expected to meet her fiancé’s eldest brother.

She kept crouched, lifting her head to look past his long legs and flat, firm waist to his face.

But Huo Fang was tall and upright, easily over six feet tall.

She strained to see his expression but could only notice the sharp Adam’s apple in his neck as he spoke.

Ye Rui sniffed and lowered her head again, quietly answering, "Brother, I twisted my ankle and wanted to rest a bit before going home."

Huo Fang looked down at her crouched form.

Her black, silky hair fell on her slender shoulders, her small frame curled inward. He could lift her with one hand.

His voice was low. "Let me take you to the clinic to have it looked at."

Ye Rui reflexively refused, "No, no need. It’s nothing serious. I’ll rest at home."

She tried to stand using her uninjured right foot, but after crouching, her legs felt numb and wobbly.

Huo Fang frowned and reached out to steady her arm.

His dry, warm palm was firm through the thin shirt.

Ye Rui steadied herself, exhaled softly, and whispered thanks.

But the pain in her ankle still made her wince unknowingly.

After briefly holding her, Huo Fang withdrew his hand and silently observed the girl in front of him, her nose pink and brow furrowed.

He quietly asked, "Shall I carry you back?"

Ye Rui blinked, surprised.

Then she saw the tall man turn his back and half-squat, offering his broad shoulders.

Huo Fang’s Adam’s apple moved as his large, knuckled hand beckoned steadily, "Want to get on?"

The night was clear. Ye Rui bit her lip, looking hesitantly at her fiancé’s brother’s back.

The pain in her ankle made refusal impossible, and embarrassment was forgotten.

Her lashes fluttered, and she softly replied, "Okay."

She stretched out her arms and carefully looped them around "Brother’s" neck.

She pressed herself cautiously against his back.

Growing up, only her father had ever carried her.

Now, leaning on Huo Fang’s solid, warm shoulders, with their special relationship, she felt both embarrassed and nervous.

Her heart pounded, and her body weakened, powerless.

She softly exhaled, her cheeks flushed, voice barely audible, "Brother, I’m settled."

Unaware, she rested her head near his shoulder.

When she breathed out gently, her soft breath brushed against the man’s sun-kissed neck.

Huo Fang’s eyes darkened; he hummed lowly as his strong arms supported her weak calves, walking steadily onward.

Ye Rui pressed her lips together and whispered, "Brother, thank you."

Huo Fang’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly. "How did you twist your foot?"

Ye Rui explained, "I just left Chunxing’s house and wasn’t paying attention on the way back. I tripped over a stone."

She tilted her head, curious. "Brother, what are you doing here?"

Huo Fang replied, "After dinner, I had nothing to do, so I took a walk around town."

Hearing this, Ye Rui nodded knowingly.

She also noticed that carrying her, the man showed no sign of fatigue, his breathing calm and steady.

In contrast, since leaning against his broad back, her heartbeat and breathing had become erratic with nervousness.

—

After about ten minutes, Huo Fang carried Ye Rui to the Ye family’s doorstep.

The latch wasn’t fastened, the door ajar.

He carried her inside the courtyard.

Ye Rui glanced toward the main room and called out, "Ye Tang."

Ye Tang, finishing his homework and packing his schoolbag, heard his sister’s voice and hurried out.

But when he saw his sister being carried by a tall stranger, he was stunned, frozen momentarily.

Ye Rui said, "Xiao Tang, this is Qingyuan’s older brother—big brother."

Ye Tang blinked and called out, "Big brother!"

The siblings resembled each other, their exquisite features revealing their blood ties.

Huo Fang smiled faintly.

Ye Tang asked, "Sister, what happened? Why is big brother carrying you?"

Huo Fang explained, "Your sister twisted her ankle."

Upon hearing this, Ye Tang frowned deeply, his features scrunching in concern.

"Sis, you were fine when you left. How did you twist your foot?"

Then he yelled loudly into the house, "Mom! Mom! Come quick! Sister twisted her foot!"

The loud fuss made Ye Rui, perched on Huo Fang’s back, feel slightly embarrassed and amused. Her cheeks flushed.

She whispered, "My brother is very lively."

Huo Fang’s strong, warm arms firmly supported her legs as he carried her into the main room.

His tone was normal, "Your brother cares about you."

Indeed, the siblings had always been close. Ye Rui smiled faintly.

Inside, Ye Tang thoughtfully brought a wooden chair with a backrest.

Huo Fang looked down. "Shall I put you down?"

Ye Rui nodded.

In the next moment, the man adjusted his hold, placing his broad hand on her waist.

Their bodies pressed close as he set her gently onto the chair.

Ye Rui sat quietly, lowering her head, exhaling softly with a hint of awkwardness.

At that moment, Wang Fang heard the commotion and quickly came out.

Seeing her daughter’s left leg stretched unnaturally, she ordered Ye Tang, "Quick, go to your sister’s room and get her slippers."

Ye Tang nodded and dashed off.

Though meeting Huo Fang for the first time, Wang Fang easily guessed his identity.

She looked up at the tall man and smiled, "You’re Huo Fang, right?"

Huo Fang smiled and nodded, "Aunt, that’s me."

Wang Fang said, "You just got back to town last night and already drove Xiao Rui and Qingyuan to the county this morning. Thank you for your hard work."

Huo Fang replied, "I came back for the wedding. It’s my duty—no trouble at all."

Wang Fang smiled warmly, while Ye Tang returned carrying Ye Rui’s slippers.

He placed them by her feet.

Wang Fang watched her daughter and urged, "Since you twisted your foot, take off your shoes and socks so I can see."

Ye Rui obediently nodded and bent down to remove her slippers.

Ye Tang, concerned, said, "Sis! Does your foot hurt? You’re slow. Let me help!"

Ye Rui was speechless.

With her fiancé’s brother present, how could she let her little brother take off her shoes?

She said firmly, "No, I can do it myself."

"Why not? It’s not like I haven’t helped before. Now that your foot’s twisted, what’s the harm?" Ye Tang muttered.

His words made Ye Rui’s cheeks flush red.

She bit her lip and quickly removed her shoes and socks.

She inhaled gently, placing her delicate left foot on the slipper.

Her toes were small and elegant, the instep smooth and fair with a subtle plumpness—quite charming.

But her ankle was swollen and red.

Wang Fang frowned with concern, "It’s so swollen. Did you fall?"

Ye Rui sniffed, "No, I tripped over a stone on the dark road."

Wang Fang scolded, "You’re about to get married. How can you be so careless walking?"

She turned to Ye Tang, "Go to your father’s and my room. There’s a bottle of tea oil under the bed. Bring it here."

The tea oil was homemade, used by the family to soothe pain and treat bruises.

Ye Tang, familiar with its use, nodded and ran off.

Soon, he returned with a glass bottle half-filled with brown tea oil.

Wang Fang sat on a small stool by Ye Rui’s feet, took the oil, and said, "Stretch out your foot. I’ll massage it for you."

Ye Rui shyly declined, "Mom, I can rub it myself."

Wang Fang didn’t listen. She lifted Ye Rui’s leg onto her lap and gave her a stern look, "Your hands are weak. If I don’t rub it, you might not be able to walk tomorrow!"

She poured some oil into her palm and began massaging Ye Rui’s ankle.

The warmth and tingling, mixed with pain, radiated from her ankle throughout her body.

Ye Rui bit her lip to endure, not making a sound.

But her delicate instep involuntarily curled, and her small, round toes clenched like a clam.

Huo Fang’s eyes darkened as he glanced over.

His Adam’s apple moved as he spoke calmly, "It’s late. Aunt, I’ll go now."

Wang Fang smiled, "Alright, go ahead. I won’t keep you."

Huo Fang nodded and strode away.

As Ye Rui watched him leave the room, she gasped, no longer able to hold back.

Her voice softened into a whine, "Mom, please be gentle. It hurts."

Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, the man’s footsteps paused briefly before he turned and left without looking back.