[116: Intentional Actions]

Su Hanyan's lips twitched slightly, her thoughts crystal clear.

Lin Zhiqiu was waiting for her here, indicating that tonight's dinner would be lively again!

"Since your future aunt said so, why don't you thank her?" Wei Guiqin couldn't help but feel a bit disdainful seeing her granddaughter acting so absent-minded. "She's already a big girl, why is she so clueless?"

"Mother-in-law, don't say that, she's still young!" Lin's mother hurriedly interjected.

Su Tong lowered her eyelids and murmured softly, "Thank you."

Su Hanyan frowned and glanced at Su Jingheng and his wife. The couple was engrossed in eating and didn't seem to care about this matter at all.

She silently felt sorry for Tongtong. How did she end up with such parents!

The two families lived close by, just a few courtyards apart in the same alley. Lin Zhiqiu soon returned with two bags of fruits.

She placed the apples and pears on the table, which immediately drew a reproach from Lin's mother: "You child, you should pick better fruits to give! Look at this batch, how can you present these? Did you quietly keep the good-looking ones?"

Lin Zhiqiu bit her lip. "Mom! These are from the factory's New Year goods! I brought them all, I didn't keep any!"

"Oh! So your factory's New Year goods are really not up to par!" Su Chanjuan remarked.

"I..." Lin Zhiqiu hesitated, glanced at Su Hanyan, then smiled and said, "Actually, I exchanged them with someone else!"

"Why?" Su Chanjuan pressed, "You traded good ones for inferior ones? How could you think like that?"

"Qiu'er has always been kind since childhood!" Lin's mother sighed, "But such kind people are often taken advantage of!"

"It's okay! It's fine like this!" Wei Guiqin warmly took the fruits, "Qiu'er is blessed! If she suffers now, heaven will surely make it up to her in the future!"

"Exactly!" Su Jingrui, always the generous one, chimed in at the opportune moment, "Our factory also distributed fruits! They gave us oranges, which I don't like! I'll bring them over to you later!"

"Okay." Lin Zhiqiu nodded with a smile.

"From now on, don't be silly and exchange things with others! You never know if they appreciate it!"

"Got it." Lin Zhiqiu smiled at Su Hanyan.

"Hey hey! Look at Third Brother spoiling his wife!" Li Baojun teased.

"I'll set an example for you, spoil me a bit more in the future!" Su Chanjuan took the opportunity to say.

Li Baojun glanced at her and chuckled, "If you look as heavenly as an immortal, I'll spoil you to the core!"

"Alright, enough from both of you!" Wei Guiqin gave her son-in-law a stern look, then suddenly remembered something, "Oh? Qiu'er and Hanyan work at the same factory. If Qiu'er has New Year goods, do you have any?"

"Yes! Of course I do!" Su Hanyan replied.

"How's the quality of your New Year goods?" Wei Guiqin asked casually.

"Great! They're really good! The apples are big, round, and crispy, and incredibly delicious!" Su Hanyan said.

"Why are yours so good?" Su Jingrui asked.

"Why can't mine be good?" Su Hanyan knew what Lin Zhiqiu was thinking, but deliberately didn't say it.

"You also got New Year goods, why didn't you say so? Just eating others'?" Wei Guiqin urged.

"Sorry! I forgot to bring them!" Su Hanyan grinned, "Forgot them in the company dorm!"

"You did it on purpose, didn't you?" Wei Guiqin glared at her.

Su Hanyan smiled again. Yes, she did it on purpose!

"Forget it, let it go. What's the big deal whether she did it on purpose or not?" Su Dajiang defended his younger daughter, continuing, "Even if she ate them herself, there's nothing wrong with that! Stop watching her every move and getting into conflicts with her!"

[love u daddy dajiang]

[117: Provocation]

"I don't get along with her?" Wei Guiqin muttered unhappily.

"Let's eat, today is just about eating! No more idle gossip!" Su Dajiang wanted to have a peaceful meal. He spoke up, not allowing these kids to cause any trouble.

The dishes today were quite lavish, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat all present. Su Jingrui carefully selected the best pieces for Lin Zhiqiu to eat.

Lin Zhiqiu smiled brightly as she accepted them and ate slowly. While eating, she brought up a new topic, "Aunt Wei, we're on holiday tomorrow. I was just thinking of taking you and my mom to the mall! It's almost New Year's, and I want to buy you both some new clothes!"

"You see, this child is thoughtful, which is precious!" Wei Guiqin's face lit up with joy. "It's kind of you, but I don't need clothes."

"That's okay!" Lin Zhiqiu said, "I've been paid, I have enough! I heard from a few of the logistics girls that they set up stalls at the South City Night Market at night, selling hair accessories and scarves to earn some extra money! I plan to go with them after the New Year and make some pocket money!"

"Oh, how can that be allowed?" Wei Guiqin hurriedly stopped her. "Things are chaotic outside now. After nine o'clock at night, there are hoodlums everywhere! Girls need to be careful!"

"Okay!" Lin Zhiqiu nodded, "I'll listen to Aunt Wei... Oh, by the way, Yanyan, you shouldn't go out at night so often either. It's really dangerous!"

This reminded Su Jingrui of something. He asked Su Hanyan, "I heard you go out every night after work. Where do you go?"

With this question, everyone's eyes focused on Su Hanyan.

"Why do you care where I go?" Su Hanyan rolled her eyes. "I have my own business, okay!"

"What? A young girl like you running around everywhere!" Wei Guiqin was furious as soon as she heard that Su Hanyan was running around at night. "Su Hanyan, tell the truth. Are you sneaking around outside the factory every night?"

"Wei Guiqin!" Su Dajiang shouted in a low voice. "Can you clarify things before jumping to conclusions? Are you going to tarnish your own daughter's reputation like this?"

"I haven't done anything!" Su Hanyan didn't intend to mention her tutoring work.

Dealing with reasonable people might lead to a conversation, but facing someone like Wei Guiqin, who was ready to pick faults with her, explaining was futile.

In the future, when she remembered the tuition fees, would this commotion ever end?

"You haven't done anything, then why are you always going out at night?" Su Jingrui continued to question her. "Which days do you go out?"

"Why should I tell you?" Su Hanyan was irritated, raising her eyebrows at Su Jingrui.

"Yanyan, tell Dad, are you really going out every night? What's the reason?" Su Dajiang also asked seriously.

No matter the reason, a young girl shouldn't be out frequently at night. If something went wrong, in this age where gossip could destroy lives, her future and life would be ruined.

"Dad, you believe I haven't done anything wrong! I'll explain to you later privately!" She wanted to quietly explain to her father, the only one who wouldn't care about her money.

"Yanyan!" Lin Zhiqiu spoke softly, "You might resent me for being nosy. Earlier, your eldest brother and I talked about this issue. Girls shouldn't go out at night too often! After all, if people see it, they will gossip behind your back... You don't even have a boyfriend yet, and let that kind of talk affect you... It might delay your important matters in the future!"

[lmao u should be more concerned of urself wanting to get on two boats at the same time]

[118: Splashing Her Face with Water]

"Zhiqiu? What do you mean by that?" Wei Guiqin's face turned serious as she tightly grasped Lin Zhiqiu's arm, pressing for answers.

Clearly, there was more to her words than met the eye.

"Lin Zhiqiu, what exactly do you mean?" Su Hanyan slapped her chopsticks on the table with a loud clatter, causing the dishes to rattle. "Are you never going to stop? If you have something to say, just say it directly instead of beating around the bush to insinuate negative things!"

"I didn't mean that, Yanyan. You've misunderstood." Lin Zhiqiu, upon hearing this, put on a pitiful expression. "I really am looking out for your best interests."

"Zhiqiu!" Lin's mother seized the opportunity to intervene. "You've said too much! Excessive words will only lead to trouble!"

"Looking out for me?" Su Hanyan sneered. "Hah! None of you need to use 'looking out for me' as an excuse to defame me. If you have something to say, say it clearly. There's no need to throw out suggestive remarks intentionally!"

Since Lin Zhiqiu was so eager to show her true colors, Su Hanyan wouldn't hold back!

Trying to act like a saint in front of her? She'd tear off that facade!

"Sorry if I've hurt you. I apologize... I just thought since we'll be family in the future, I should remind you." Lin Zhiqiu said tearfully, her appearance tugging at the heartstrings of those around her.

Su Hanyan couldn't bear to look at her face. She wished she could scratch her right then and there!

Fake!

So fake!

"Su Hanyan, are you bullying Zhiqiu like this? She's going to be your future sister-in-law!" Su Jingrui couldn't stand by quietly anymore. Lin Zhiqiu was like his own eyes; no one could touch her.

"Shut up!" Su Hanyan snapped back angrily. She was talking to Lin Zhiqiu now; Su Jingrui had no right to interfere.

"Since you asked for it, I'll say it... Yanyan, don't blame me..." Lin Zhiqiu bit her lip, looking hesitant yet compelled to speak. "Yanyan goes to the leader's house at the factory every night... People have seen her coming and going, and the leader even gives her things and money... Everyone says she... is with an older man outside, that her heart is dirty and her body is impure."

As soon as Lin Zhiqiu finished speaking, Su Hanyan lifted her hand and splashed the water from her cup directly onto Lin Zhiqiu's face.

Lin Zhiqiu was stunned, as was everyone else at the table.

Then, Lin Zhiqiu realized what had happened. Her eyes lowered, lips curling slightly, tears the size of beans rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. She couldn't help but sob pitifully, "Yanyan, how could you do this to me? I've treated you like family!"

Seeing this, Lin's mother's face also changed. Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, "Her father isn't here! If you leave, it's just me and Zhiqiu alone, a widow and orphan! How could you let others bully her! She hasn't even crossed the threshold, and she's been splashed with water. What kind of omen is this..."

Su Jingrui exploded with anger. He immediately wrapped his arms around Lin Zhiqiu's shoulders, protecting her in his embrace. "Dad, Mom! Did you see that? This is what Su Hanyan does! She bullies her sister-in-law like this! If I can't get married because of this, I won't forgive her!"

"I splashed her because she deserved it!" Su Hanyan shouted loudly. "Where did she see that? On what basis did she say that?!"

"This isn't my words!" Lin Zhiqiu cried, her tears like raindrops. "Everyone is saying this, and I only heard it from others, so I just wanted to remind you, afraid that you'd be at a loss."

Chapter 119: Seeing through the Heart

"Who are 'they'? Who exactly are 'they'?" Su Hanyan clenched her words tightly.

"People from the logistics department are saying this..." She sobbed harder after finishing, breathless.

"The logistics department? Aren't they your people?" Su Hanyan raised her voice, "If you knew they were setting me up, why didn't you stop them from spreading rumors? Did you? No! What did you do? You joined them in badmouthing me, and at such a time! What are your intentions? You still talk about being family? If it were your mother being targeted, you'd probably rush to confront them! Don't pretend to be courteous in front of me if we're not really family!"

"Lin Zhiqiu, don't think I'm unaware of your little schemes! Today, deliberately picking a fight at the dining table, wasn't it because of those rotten apples? What, you wanted to talk about it so badly? Fine, let's talk about it! Deliberately giving me a basket of rotten ones, secretly keeping the good ones for other men! What were you thinking? Let me ask you, is Zhou Ningkai from the Technology Department, my future sister-in-law, exceptionally handsome and talented, shining like a university star, that you're hiding good things for him!"

As she spoke, Lin Zhiqu's face suddenly turned pale.

She thought she had hidden her feelings so well, but the most secret corner had been unexpectedly exposed by Su Hanyan.

Su Jingrui's gaze instantly turned towards her, carrying a mix of astonishment, scrutiny, and disbelief.

Lin Zhiqu knew things were turning bad, so she immediately pulled out her trump card—tears!

"Hanyan, you can't accuse me like this."

"Accuse? I never falsely accuse anyone! Dare you swear in front of Su Jingrui? If you dare, I'll believe you. If not, heh."

Lin Zhiqu didn't dare. She was guilty.

"I can't curse myself like that!"

"Then you do have something to hide! I swear with a clear conscience!" Su Hanyan finished speaking and stared at Lin Zhiqu.

Su Jingrui's gaze remained fixed on Zhiqu for a long time without moving. "Qiu'er, is this true?"

Seeing this, Lin's mother hurriedly said, "How could Qiu'er possibly do such a thing? How has she been treating you these days? You can't bully her like this! It's only because she treats Hanyan as family that she would act like this. Otherwise, she could have stayed quiet and not offended anyone before even getting married!"

"If you don't believe me, then... let's call off the engagement?" Lin Zhiqu stood up and said, ready to leave.

"Don't go!" Wei Guiqin hurriedly stopped her, "Qiu'er, I believe you! Let me handle this troublesome girl!"

The more Wei Guiqin spoke, the angrier she became, ignoring whether her in-laws were present or not. She threw down her chopsticks and slapped Su Hanyan's face.

"You filthy-faced girl! Why do you insist on staying at the factory's house? Are you messing around with an old man out there? You are shameless! How did our Su family raise such a shameless daughter? If you don't have any shame, fine! But bullying Qiu'er, you're really asking for trouble! Watch me, I won't let you off!"

Wei Guiqin ranted like a madwoman, waving her hand as if she were going to hit Su Hanyan.

Seeing this, Su Hanyan hurriedly dodged.

"Guiqin!" Su Dajiang endured for a long time and finally couldn't take it, "The matter hasn't been clarified yet, and you're already hitting your daughter! Is this how you've been treating her all these years since I haven't seen you?"

120: Outrage from Shame

Wei Guiqin saw that Su Hanyan had dodged and she hadn't landed a hit, so she became even more uncontrollably angry. She stormed into the inner room and grabbed a feather duster from the wall, then rushed back towards Su Hanyan like a whirlwind.

"Have you gone mad, Wei Guiqin?" Su Dajiang thundered.

"Mind your own business!" Wei Guiqin yelled, "She's too unreasonable. It's bad enough she doesn't behave outside, now she's letting my future daughter-in-law be bullied before even entering the family. If word gets out, they'll say I haven't disciplined my daughter properly!"

As she spoke, she swung the feather duster at Su Hanyan.

Su Hanyan seized the opportunity and grabbed the feather duster before it could strike. She held onto it tightly, refusing to let go!

"Let go!" Wei Guiqin shouted.

"No way!" Su Hanyan countered, equally defiant. "Let go so you can hit me again?"

Even her own parents in real life wouldn't dare touch her. Why would she come here and let someone hit her?

"Let go!"

"I won't!"

Mother and daughter tugged at each other, locked in a stalemate.

Wei Guiqin was furious and exerted more force to wrest the feather duster from Su Hanyan's grip.

Seeing her chance, Su Hanyan suddenly let go.

Wei Guiqin, still holding the feather duster, staggered back a few steps and fell backward in a sprawled position, legs up in the air. It was as ungraceful as it could get.

Infuriated and embarrassed, Wei Guiqin tried to get up but felt a sharp pain in her waist.

She yelled loudly, "Are you all stupid? Come help me!"

Su Chuanjuan and her husband, who had long been bewildered, rushed to assist Wei Guiqin.

[apologies but i'll be using Chanjuan and Chuanjuan interchangibly because i'm not sure which is the correct romanization]

Eldest son Su Jingheng and his wife remained indifferent, staying out of it as much as possible.

"Serves you right!" Su Dajiang angrily scolded, "Look at what kind of mother you are!"

"Su Dajiang, you always spoil her! Look at how she's become so arrogant since you came back!" Wei Guiqin slowly stood up with her eldest daughter's help.

"Hanyan, you're such a grown girl, why can't you behave?" Su Chuanjuan seized the opportunity to interject, "Look how upset you've made your mother!"

"Shut up!" Su Dajiang growled, "You're just afraid the world won't be chaotic enough!"

Su Chuanjuan, scolded, looked embarrassed.

The room was in chaos. Lin Zhiqu, the instigator, suddenly covered her face and burst into tears, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it! I just wanted what's best for Hanyan... I didn't expect it to turn out like this! I think I shouldn't have come here. I should leave!"

"It's not your fault!" Su Jingrui hurriedly hugged her shoulders, comforting her gently, "Luckily you warned us in time! Otherwise, if she had given birth to illegitimate children, it would have been even more embarrassing! She just ruined herself, so she bites anyone."

Listening to this, Su Hanyan decisively grabbed a bowl from the table and fiercely smashed it towards Su Jingrui.

This pig-headed fool deserved a beating!

After all, she was his sister. Look at how he talked about her!

As a junior, she couldn't directly hit Wei Guiqin. As long as she did, all the charges would be on her head.

What a disgrace, lack of respect for elders, and so on...

With such accusations spreading, even if it wasn't her fault, she would still be criticized by others!

Unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn't confront Wei Guiqin directly!

But others couldn't! If they wanted to bully her, they had to consider whether she was willing to take it.

Full of anger and unable to find a target, Su Jingrui just happened to come to her door.