Volume One, Chapter Three: The Engagement Was Set

Without a second thought, Shen Qingran stepped forward and grabbed her mother’s arm.

“Mom, don’t shout.”

Shen’s mother shot a glare at her wayward daughter—who was she doing all this for?

That foolish girl, always cowardly when it really mattered, always relying on this old woman’s strength.

She gripped Shen Qingran’s arm tightly. “Go stand aside. I’ll make sure this matter is handled properly.”

Turning to Madam Huo, she declared, “Elder sister, the whole village saw this. If your son doesn’t marry my daughter, I’d hang myself right at your family’s doorstep before I let her suffer injustice.”

Madam Huo’s heart ached dully. Her eldest son had a bright future; if he married a village girl, especially one so disgraceful as this, how could life ever be good?

She looked at Shen Qingran’s fair, delicate face and felt no fondness—only the image of a seductive temptress.

Anger turned to fury, and Madam Huo slapped Huo Tingxiao hard across the face, disappointment written all over her features. “Are you out of your mind?”

Watching his mother’s outburst, Huo Tingxiao’s face remained cold, but his heart churned uneasily.

“Mom, you can’t blame big brother—it’s this woman—”

“That’s enough, second brother!” Huo Tingxiao shot a sharp look to silence Huo Tingzhou.

Huo’s father, a seasoned leader, immediately sensed something suspicious.

At this critical moment, neither the eldest son nor their family could afford mistakes.

His piercing gaze swept over Shen Qingran’s face with a weighty pressure.

Their eyes met, and Shen Qingran nodded politely.

Looking into those clear, honest eyes, Huo’s father was slightly surprised—one could not deceive through the eyes.

This girl was not so despicable.

“Since you’ve made your choice, then report the marriage.”

Madam Huo’s eyes widened, her face contorted with anger.

“Do as you please. I’m done with this.”

With that, she stormed out, leaving the courtyard heavy with awkward silence.

Shen Qingran looked at the Huo family before her—this was it, truly over. She had fallen headfirst into the gutter, beyond any chance of washing clean.

Huo Tingxiao’s face remained cold, his brow furrowed, exuding an unsettling tension.

“Since I agreed to marry you, I won’t back out. But remember what I told you before.”

Noticing his sour mood and the barely concealed sarcasm at the corners of his eyes, Shen Qingran felt her cheeks burn.

Softly, she replied, “Okay.”

There was no escaping it; everything had started wrong.

Even if it wasn’t her doing, now that she had taken over the original body, she had to bear the consequences.

Her mother tried to step forward to argue, but Shen Qingran shook her head, holding her back.

“Hmph, Shen Qingran, you’re even more disgusting than I imagined.”

Huo Tingzhou kicked over a bucket in anger and ran after Huo Tingxiao and their father.

Shen Chaoxi followed suit.

The Huo family arrived in a rush and left just as quickly.

Among the gathered villagers, some whispered with envy, “Well, congratulations! Qingran is going to be an officer’s wife now!”

Shen’s mother marched to the gate and brashly retorted, “Sour grapes for those who can’t have them! Mind your own business instead of fretting over others!”

After being rebuked, the crowd finally dispersed.

Exhausted, Shen’s mother sat down on a bench by the door.

She sighed, watching Shen Qingran’s distracted expression.

After all, she was her own flesh and blood; no matter how wayward, she was still family.

“Mom knows you like that Huo Tingzhou, but that boy looks slick and untrustworthy. Isn’t his older brother steadier? Handsome, strong and reliable. Listen to your mother—stop pining for the younger one.”

Knowing her daughter’s stubbornness, she feared Shen Qingran might hatch another scheme and entangle herself further with the younger brother.

Shen Qingran’s mind was a chaotic mess.

She knew no explanation would help; she simply nodded obediently. “I understand, Mom.”

“That’s good. Now go back and rest. The eldest son of the Huo family is a soldier; after marriage, he’ll be deployed. I’ll ask the village women what to bring.” With that, Shen’s mother gently pushed her inside.

A pang of sourness struck Shen Qingran’s heart. In her past life, her parents divorced, and she was raised by her grandmother. After her grandmother passed, she grew like a wild weed by the roadside. She had struggled to get into medical school and worked her way up to deputy director, only to die unexpectedly.

Perhaps because she had never felt such deep motherly love before, her eyes stung with tears.

Her mother’s methods were flawed, but the love behind them was undeniable.

“Mom, I’ve thought it through. I won’t be reckless.”

Hearing this and seeing no resentment on her daughter’s face, her mother smiled faintly, a hint of redness in her eyes. She patted her hand gently. “Go check what you need to bring. If anything’s missing, tell me—I’ll buy it for you.”

Meanwhile, Shen Chaoxi chased after the Huo family to the village entrance, bowing repeatedly in apology.

“Brother Tingxiao, Brother Tingzhou, Uncle Huo, I’m sorry. It was my sister’s fault. I truly apologize for today.”

Huo Tingxiao replied, “It’s not your fault.”

“Yeah, it’s not your fault. Why apologize?”

“Just be careful in the future and avoid her as much as possible, so you don’t get hurt.”

Seeing the Huo family’s disdain for Shen Qingran, Shen Chaoxi finally felt relieved.

As the Huo men walked away, a curious village woman approached.

“Chaoxi girl, what were you saying to the Huo family? I saw you bowing and apologizing.”

Shen Chaoxi’s eyes reddened, seeming nervous.

“Aunt Zhao, you misunderstood.”

Aunt Zhao, always fond of gossip, eyes spinning with curiosity, wondered if something was amiss with the Shen family’s marriage.

“Chaoxi, your sister found a good family. Why are you crying?”

Shen Chaoxi sniffled quietly. “No, nothing. I wasn’t matchmaking with the Huo family...”

Aunt Zhao was dumbfounded.

“Do you mean Qingran stole your fiancé?”

Shen Chaoxi shook her head frantically. “Auntie, no! Don’t say that.”

Seeing her evasive manner, Aunt Zhao covered her mouth in shock.

“My goodness! How could Shen Qingran do something like stealing a fiancé? Chaoxi girl, you really let her off easy?”

Shen Chaoxi grew anxious. “Auntie, my sister didn’t steal anyone. If you say that again, beware of my eldest aunt tearing your mouth.”

With that, she turned and ran.

Facing the wind, the satisfaction shining in her eyes could not be suppressed.

Shen Qingran, all this is what you owe me.