Chapter 234: Leave no stone unturned

In Song Jingyu's heart, Hao's mother, after all, is a respected old political commissar; even if he wanted to promote a relationship between himself and Hao Manru, she shouldn't do anything too outrageous.

But he remained vigilant in his heart, daring not to relax in the slightest, thinking he would just sit a while and leave.

After entering, Song Jingyu saw wildflowers placed on the dining table, and the whole tent was filled with a rich floral fragrance.

Song Jingyu didn't much like the scent, but he only frowned slightly and said nothing.

Song Jingyu casually handed the wild rabbits the soldiers had hunted to Hao's mother; he thought it improper to come empty-handed for a meal.

Hao's mother warmly took the rabbit and called for her daughter to come out; after calling twice, Hao Manru emerged.

Unlike last time, Hao Manru this time wore a red dress, had makeup on her face and applied thick powder, yet even so, she could not hide her pallid complexion.

But Song Jingyu merely glanced at her and said nothing; since he knew Hao Manru harbored other feelings toward him, he would not say anything that might mislead her.

Seeing her daughter come out, Hao's mother warmly greeted the two to sit, then picked up the wine jug and, while pouring wine for Song Jingyu, said:

"What happened before was my fault; marriage ultimately depends on fate, it cannot be forced, so I shouldn't blame you for it."

"Fortunately, Manru has now seen reason, so I came today especially to apologize to you; Jingyu, can you forgive me?"

Having said all this, and being an elder, Song Jingyu naturally had no reason not to forgive her.

Moreover, in Song Jingyu's heart this matter was nothing at all; as long as Hao Manru truly understood and stopped pestering him, that would be fine.

So Song Jingyu also went along with her words and said a few sentences.

Hao's mother instantly beamed, poured Song Jingyu a few more cups, then filled her own cup as well, raised her glass and said:

"Jingyu, I know you're a good kid, enterprising, upright, and kind; I and your Uncle Hao really like you—it's just that our Manru lacks the fortune to marry you."

Song Jingyu immediately said: "Please don't say that; Comrade Hao Manru is so outstanding, she will surely meet a better partner than me in the future."

Hao Manru's eyes instantly flashed with a hint of gloom: "Why am I so good, yet Brother Jingyu just doesn't like me?"

Noticing her daughter's change in mood, Hao's mother immediately said: "Let's not talk about this; since you can't become husband and wife, being like siblings is fine—since you'll both be in the army, Manru, please trouble yourself to look after her a bit more."

Song Jingyu didn't know whether Hao's mother's words were merely polite or had another meaning, so he just nodded and didn't respond.

Hao's mother could see that Song Jingyu was deep‑cunning; every answer was watertight, yet there was little genuine feeling in them.

She didn't say anything more, just kept serving him dishes and urging him to drink more wine.

Song Jingyu knew his own alcohol tolerance; he knew that even if he finished the whole jug, it wouldn't be much.

But at this moment, after only a few cups, he actually began to feel dizzy.

Moreover, the rich floral scent in the room made his consciousness increasingly blurred, causing him to see double when looking at people.

The vigilance honed over many years let him instantly realize something was wrong.

Song Jingyu had thought that Hao's mother inviting him to eat wasn't simple, but he hadn't expected her to use such despicable means.

After all, a daughter's chastity and reputation are paramount; yet Hao's mother, in order to make him marry Hao Manru, actually disregarded those.

Song Jingyu clenched his fists, his gaze turning icy, but only for an instant before it became hazy again.

"I'm not feeling well; I'll take my leave for today." Song Jingyu said, ignoring Hao's mother's reaction, immediately stood up and staggered out.

But at this point, everything he saw was double; though the distance was only two or three steps, he actually took five or six steps before reaching the tent entrance.

Seeing Song Jingyu unsteady on his feet, Hao Manru immediately stepped forward to support him.

Song Jingyu's wobbling body finally found a point of support, but his body instantly grew hot from Hao Manru's touch.

Song Jingyu tried to push Hao Manru away, but his two attempts both failed.

Hao's mother shouted from behind: "Oh dear! Jingyu, what's wrong with you? Did you drink too much? Manru, hurry and send him back."

"No need!" Song Jingyu said coldly, but the two acted as if they hadn't heard him at all.

Hao Manru supported Song Jingyu as they walked out; this close contact with the man she liked made a flash of shyness cross her face, but thinking that after tonight she could marry Song Jingyu, her heartbeat quickened.

Hao's mother watched the two recede, a complex feeling flickering in her heart; but as soon as she thought that her daughter's period had been delayed for several days, that hesitation vanished instantly.

She would absolutely not let that night's incident ruin her daughter's whole life; since the daughter's predicament arose because of Song Jingyu, he should bear responsibility for her.

Hao Manru supported Song Jingyu all the way to his tent; the distance wasn't far.

But this was the longest walk of Hao Manru's life; she felt both excited and apprehensive.

Song Jingyu several times tried to shake off Hao Manru but couldn't; he wanted to call for help, but it was night and there was no one on the road.

As he was about to reach his own tent, Song Jingyu knew that if he and Hao Manru entered it today, his life would be over—he was destined to have to marry Hao Manru for the rest of his life.

Regardless of whether he actually touched Hao Manru, he would fall into the trap set by Hao Manru and her mother; even with eight mouths he couldn't clear himself.

If he had not met Su Ruo, marrying anyone would be the same for Song Jingyu; but after meeting Su Ruo, in his heart he had already decided that he would marry no one but Su Ruo.

Therefore, at this moment Song Jingyu's heart felt extreme disgust toward the behavior of Hao Manru and her mother.

He gathered all his strength and, before Hao Manru could help him into the tent, shoved her away.

Hao Manru, who had been smiling, fell straight to the ground unprepared.

She looked at Song Jingyu with a face full of surprise, seemingly not understanding why he would do that.

But when her eyes met Song Jingyu's gaze full of disgust, Hao Manru instantly recalled that night's experience and her face turned deathly pale.

But while Hao Manru was stunned, Song Jingyu had already run far away, exerting all his strength toward Su Ruo's tent; at that moment, in his heart, only Su Ruo could help him—or rather, Su Ruo was his sole hope.