Volume One, Chapter Four: No Intention to Tangle with This Person

The next day, Shen’s father returned from work in the county town and entered the village. Seeing a crowd gathered chatting, he was about to greet them when he overheard whispers.

“That’s Shen Dashan’s daughter. You’d never guess it just by looking.”

“How could you not? She’s had that sly, seductive look since she was a child.”

“Girls like that used to be dunked in pig cages back in the day. Such audacity.”

“Just trying to live well. Selfishness rules the world; she’s capable of anything.”

Confusion clouded Shen’s father’s eyes. He wanted to step forward and ask, but then a woman’s voice came from within the group.

“Of course she’s bold—she even stole her sister’s fiancé! I heard they almost ended up sleeping together, tsk tsk.”

“Oh my, who would’ve thought she had such nerve. Maybe they’ve been secretly sleeping together…”

The women gossiped animatedly, oblivious to the sharp glance cast their way from across the circle.

“Sleeping with who?”

The woman who spoke was startled, turning to look at Shen Dashan with a hint of guilt and awkwardness.

“Oh, Dashan, you’re back from working outside?”

Shen Dashan frowned deeply. “What are you saying about my daughter?”

The woman tried to mask her embarrassment. “Oh, nothing really. Qingran is a fine girl. She’s about to become an officer’s wife, after all.”

Shen Dashan was momentarily stunned, about to inquire further when a clear voice interrupted.

“Dad, you’re back? Why didn’t you come home?”

Seeing his daughter, Shen Dashan’s stern face softened into a smile.

“Qingran, Aunt Zhao said you’re going to be an officer’s wife and that you stole your sister’s fiancé. I came to ask you about it.”

Aunt Zhao shifted uncomfortably. “There’s some family business, I can’t talk about it.”

Shen Qingran stepped forward, blocking Aunt Zhao’s path.

“Auntie, did you see me steal my sister’s fiancé?”

Aunt Zhao’s face darkened. “Oh, I only heard it from others. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Auntie, you know I’m about to get married. My fiancé is an officer, so I’ll be a soldier’s wife. Do you know what it means to slander a soldier’s family?”

Qingran’s tone was calm but carried an unspoken weight.

Aunt Zhao shivered. “I didn’t say anything wrong. It was Shen Chaoxi who said you stole her fiancé.”

Shen’s father wanted to speak but was tugged gently by Qingran’s arm.

“Auntie, let’s ask Chaoxi together. She was interested in the second son of the Huo family. They didn’t match, but I liked the eldest son of the Huo family. What’s wrong with that?”

The crowd murmured in surprise. Aunt Zhao’s face turned pale.

Quickly, she said, “Oh Qingran, I must have heard wrong. It’s all a misunderstanding. Congratulations on finding a good match.”

“This is fate. I always said Chaoxi doesn’t have your luck.”

Qingran raised an eyebrow. “Glad you’re not mistaken anymore.”

With that, she took her father’s hand and headed home.

“Dad, don’t ask now. Let Mom explain when we’re home.”

Back at their house, Shen’s mother was ready to soften the story, but Shen’s father’s dark expression forced her to tell it plainly.

“You old fool, I’m doing this for our daughter. What’s that look on your face?”

Shen’s father sighed. Just as he was about to speak, a knock came at the door.

A young officer stood there.

“Hello, I’m Corporal Sun, Captain Huo’s orderly. I’m here to deliver the betrothal gifts.”

Shen’s mother’s face lit up. “Where are the gifts? Let me see.”

Corporal Sun extended the items wrapped in red paper. Shen’s mother’s face fell.

The corporal, feeling awkward, said, “The gifts have been delivered. I’ll leave now.”

He was also surprised when he received the gifts.

What might be acceptable in a rural setting was utterly meager for the Huo family—a family of stature.

It was almost a disguised insult.

Sure enough, the villagers’ gazes shifted, and some secretly smirked.

Closing the door, Shen’s father’s expression darkened.

Shen’s mother was on the verge of tears. “I’m going to ask the Huo family what this means. After all, he’s an officer. Who are they trying to insult?”

Shen’s father clutched his chest in discomfort. “Enough. If you care about our daughter’s dignity, stop making a scene.”

“How can I not? They’re blatantly slapping our Qingran’s face.”

Shen’s father sighed deeply. “Isn’t this shameful enough? It’s because you spoil her so much.”

“Marriage should be about mutual affection. If you scheme like this, how can anyone truly love her? How can the couple live in harmony?”

“Are you helping her or hurting her?”

Shen’s mother bit her lip, silent.

Qingran looked at her parents, feeling as if something was choking her heart.

She didn’t care about the gifts themselves, but her parents still had to maintain appearances.

They would surely be the subject of village gossip.

She knew she shouldn’t resent the Huo family, but still felt a heavy ache in her chest, as if her tears were about to spill.

She forced a smile to comfort Zhang Hong and Shen Dashan.

“Mom, Dad, the Huo family has been sent down. They have little wealth. Huo Tingxiao probably didn’t bring much money back this time. Maybe we’re overthinking.”

“See? These gifts wouldn’t raise an eyebrow in our village, right?”

Shen’s mother wiped her tears. “Right, Qingran is right. Marriage is a joyous occasion. We should be happy.”

But the forced smiles in the Shen household’s courtyard were heavier than ever.

Shen Chaoxi, knowing about the Huo family’s betrothal gifts, nearly burst into laughter. Compared to what she had received before, this was far inferior.

It seemed the Huo family despised Shen Qingran and openly humiliated her.

She felt a peculiar sense of satisfaction, as if a weight of resentment had lifted from her heart.

After finishing his business, Huo Tingxiao was ready to leave when his orderly approached.

“Corporal Sun, accompany me to the state-run store to buy some things. By the way, what betrothal gifts do you usually send?”

The corporal was taken aback. “Captain, your mother asked me to deliver the gifts today.”

“Delivered?” Huo Tingxiao paused, voice low. “What did she send?”

The corporal hesitated. “A few pastries and a small piece of meat.”

“What?” Huo Tingxiao had been reclining with his legs crossed in the back seat.

Hearing this, he straightened up, unbuttoning the collar of his white shirt. His long fingers tapped his knees. He hadn’t expected his mother to do such a thing.

He didn’t like Shen Qingran, but having promised to marry her, he had no intention of tormenting her or treating her disrespectfully.

“Take me to Xiaoqingshan Village.”

Huo Tingxiao strode to the Shen family home but then hesitated.

He worried his presence might be misunderstood by the woman inside as a sign he had feelings for her.

Turning to leave, voices sounded from within.

Huo Tingxiao’s expression darkened further, his sharp eyes cold and unforgiving.