088, Expose Them and Send Them Back!

“Fiancé?” Wang Chunhua couldn’t help but exclaim.

The women washing clothes nearby heard her outburst and immediately cast curious glances at both Wang Chunhua and Jing Qingxin. A woman standing closer to Wang Chunhua asked, “Chunhua, what’s going on? Why are you shouting? What about a husband?”

Wang Chunhua instantly realized she’d been too startled and lost her composure. Her thoughts raced as she cleared her throat and said, “I just remembered something really funny, that’s all.”

“What is it?” the woman beside her asked with interest, clearly catching the scent of gossip.

“Yes, what’s so funny? Tell us so we can all have a good laugh!” another woman chimed in loudly.

Soon, all the women by the river gathered around, eager to hear the amusing story.

Jing Qingxin quietly washed clothes, a faint smile playing at her lips as she watched everyone bombard them with questions. Though she couldn’t quite understand Chunhua’s sudden change of topic, she remained silent and listened.

“Everyone’s heard about that commotion in the village a few days ago, haven’t you?” Wang Chunhua smiled, steering the topic.

At once, all the women cast awkward glances at Jing Qingxin, who stood behind Wang Chunhua, unsure what Chunhua was getting at. After all, the subject of the gossip was right there! Though they loved their gossip, they weren’t so brazen as to discuss it in front of the person involved.

The woman closest to Wang Chunhua shot her a series of meaningful looks, clearly anxious and clueless about what had gotten into her.

No one wanted to offend Jing Qingxin. After all, last night, seventy to eighty percent of the households in the village had tasted some meat, and in families with more mouths to feed, even if not everyone got a piece of meat, they’d at least had potatoes cooked in meat broth! What’s more, it was said that the soldier recuperating at her house had already recovered from his leg injury and could even go hunting on the mountain again—proof enough of their abilities. If they offended her, who knew if there’d be meat to eat next time?

Gossip was one thing, but when it came to their husbands’ and children’s interests, these women knew where to draw the line.

“Who hasn’t heard about it? There’s probably not a soul in the village that doesn’t know. Even my own husband’s heard it. Who knows which gossipmonger’s been running their mouth,” one woman quickly followed Wang Chunhua’s lead.

Clearly, this quick-witted woman saw the opportunity to smooth things over—after all, she hadn’t started the rumor.

Wang Chunhua gave a satisfied glance at Mrs. Li Gang, laughing heartily as she said, “Exactly! I only heard it from the aunt next door. Who knows who started it—what nonsense! Didn’t everyone see yesterday that the soldier’s leg is already healed? It was just care and treatment, nothing more. How did people manage to twist it into something else?”

“That’s right. I think the one spreading the rumor must have a dirty mind,” Mrs. Li Gang echoed.

Wang Chunhua beamed and declared, “You probably don’t know yet, but that soldier and Xiao Jing are actually engaged! She came all the way from the city to the countryside to take care of her fiancé—what’s more proper than that?”

“What? Fiancée?” The women were surprised; they hadn’t imagined that connection. After all, when Jing Qingxin was first introduced, it was only said she was a relative. But then again, a relative could also mean this!

Wang Chunhua rolled her eyes: “How could I make this up? Xiao Jing is a city girl. She came to the countryside to look after an ill man. Of course, she should live as well as she can. She has the means to live a good life—why should she endure hardship just to appease others? Whoever spread those rumors just can’t stand to see others well-off and is eaten up with jealousy!”

On hearing this, the women were taken aback but clearly agreed with Wang Chunhua. They felt a wave of self-reflection: someone with the ability to live well shouldn’t have to give that up just to suffer like the rest. Envy and exclusion because of that were simply wrong.

To be honest, when they first heard the news, they had felt a bit of a pang, but that wasn’t Jing Qingxin’s fault—it was just a sign of their own limitations. No use blaming anyone else.

With this thought, they relaxed. After all, their own comments had only been idle chatter, nothing malicious, and they’d never deliberately spread rumors. It would have been awkward to face Jing Qingxin and Gao Shen otherwise. It was always better to befriend capable people; after all, who could guarantee they’d never need help in the future?

Wang Chunhua was very pleased with their response. These women were close to her and knew right from wrong.

Soon, everyone was asking each other where the rumor had started, each trying to trace the source. Eventually, they concluded that it had come from the educated youth area.

Jing Qingxin sneered inwardly—just as she’d suspected!

She hadn’t interacted with many people in the village. Most villagers, though a bit fond of gossip, had no grudge against her and wouldn’t bother stirring up trouble about her and Gao Shen. They’d kept to themselves at the foot of the mountain, harming no one.

Except for Liu Fangfang—the educated youth who had picked a fight with her both times they’d met!

Seeing everyone’s excitement, Jing Qingxin said softly, “I mostly stay home taking care of Gao Shen. I hardly know anyone in the village. I can’t imagine why I’d have offended the educated youth. I’ve never even been to their compound, except I know a girl named Liu Fangfang, and we’ve only met twice.”

“Liu Fangfang? How did you meet her?” Wang Chunhua asked, her curiosity piqued.

Jing Qingxin simply recounted the key points of their unpleasant encounters, making sure to emphasize that Liu Fangfang had picked trouble for no reason, while she herself had done nothing wrong.

After listening, the women exchanged knowing glances and, based on Jing Qingxin’s description, agreed that Liu Fangfang must be the source of the rumors.

“Ladies, I’ve finished my washing and will head home now. No matter who started the rumors, I believe in the saying, ‘A clean hand needs no washing.’ I have nothing to fear! But thank you all for your concern!” Jing Qingxin said earnestly, leaving behind a righteous and composed farewell before heading home.

On the way back, Jing Qingxin felt quite amused. As the saying goes, “Women hold up half the sky”—how true! See how resourceful they are? She hadn’t even begun her performance, and they’d already filled in the gaps themselves!

Since Liu Fangfang wanted to smear her and Gao Shen’s reputation, it was time she got a taste of her own medicine.

—Author’s Note—

Thank you, dear readers, for following the story, for all your comments, votes, and support! My greatest joy every day is reading your messages and feedback.

To respond to some comments: this is not a “strong female lead” novel, nor is it a high-stakes, scheming, or dramatic revenge story. What I want to write is a gentle, heartwarming tale of companionship—though there may be bumps along the way, at its core it’s about trust, gratitude, and happiness.

If you don’t care for this kind of protagonist or story, please leave quietly—no need for negative comments. Let’s all respect one another!

My writing isn’t currency; I don’t expect everyone to like it! Love to all of you reading right now—many thanks!

This book was first published on Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not reproduce!