Chapter 65: Life Story

Hearing Su Xueya’s words, I gave a bitter smile. Zhang Fengnan actually wanted to see me. She had specifically told me before to stay away from her daughter, and now that she knew about this, she would probably beat me to death, but I had to face it eventually.

"Do you have any money on you?" I asked San Ge, who was standing to the side.

"You're overthinking it. Do you think I have money?" San Ge looked terrified and immediately hid to the side.

I quickly ran over to him and snatched his wallet. As San Ge chased after me, I opened it, took out a few bills, handed the wallet back to him, and said, "Borrowing it for now, I'll pay you back later!"

"Damn it, that’s Laozi’s hard-earned money! Are you even human?" San Ge clutched his wallet and cursed in distress.

"Forget it. Didn't some young married woman give that to you? You had your fun with her and she even gave you money—you have the nerve to call that hard-earned money!"

"Damn it, isn't that hard-earned money? I worked myself to the bone to satisfy them; isn't it only right that they pay up?"

I simply ignored San Ge’s words and turned to leave with the money. After all, I couldn't go to Su Xueya’s house empty-handed tonight, and I couldn't ask Su Xueya to borrow money, so this was my only option.

When school let out that evening, Su Xueya walked out with her bag, limping. I looked at her, reached out to take her bag, then crouched down and said, "Let me carry you!"

"Who asked you to carry me? And give me my bag!" Su Xueya snatched the bag from my hand and glared at me.

I gritted my teeth—if I was going to get scolded, so be it. I didn't care anymore. I scooped Su Xueya up. She was startled and instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck. "What are you doing?"

I didn't speak, just walked forward carrying her. Su Xueya struggled, but as a small girl, she was no match for me; it was completely futile. "Asshole, put me down!"

"Stop, what are you doing?"

"Are you an idiot? You’re going the wrong way, go that way!"

I awkwardly turned around. Su Xueya pleaded, "Fine, I was wrong, okay? Put me down quickly. It’s so embarrassing if people see us. I promise to let you carry me, is that enough?"

"You said that yourself, I didn't force you!"

Su Xueya gritted her teeth in anger and said, "I know, put me down now!"

I slowly set her down and then gently crouched. Su Xueya was still shy and hesitant, but thinking of the terror from earlier, she could only slowly climb onto my back, wrapping her arms around my neck. She looked slightly shy and didn't say a word.

We walked a stretch of the road in silence like this.

When we reached the small shop at the entrance of the village, I put Su Xueya down. She looked at me suspiciously and asked, "What’s wrong? Are you tired?"

"No, I’m buying something!"

An auntie at the shop saw the situation, smiled, and said to Su Xueya, "Xueya, you brought your boyfriend back this time? I bet your mom will be overjoyed when she sees this!"

"It’s not like that, Auntie Zhao. He’s not my boyfriend, please don’t misunderstand!" Su Xueya hurriedly explained.

Auntie Zhao wore an "I understand" expression. "It’s fine, it’s fine, Auntie Zhao understands. I’ve been through it, I get it!"

Seeing this, Su Xueya became a bit anxious. *You understand? You get it? You don't get a damn thing!* But she didn't want to explain, as explaining would likely just make it look worse.

I picked out some fruit and gifts and carried them. I wanted to carry Su Xueya again, but she refused point-blank. Auntie Zhao, noticing Su Xueya’s physical state, gave me a meaningful look and said, "Young man, show some restraint. Look at what you’ve done to our Xueya!"

"Auntie Zhao, what nonsense are you spouting!" Su Xueya’s face turned red enough to drip water.

Auntie Zhao laughed heartily. "I’ll say no more, I’ll say no more. You two lovebirds can handle your own business!"

Su Xueya quickly pulled me away from that spot. When we arrived at Su Xueya’s home, I saw that Zhang Fengnan had already prepared the meal. Seeing us arrive, Zhang Fengnan didn't offer a smile, but coldly told us to take our seats.

I sat nervously, watching Zhang Fengnan’s reaction. Zhang Fengnan noticed Su Xueya’s condition and said with a cold face, "You two have already done it, haven't you?"

"Auntie, I’m sorry, I!"

Before I could finish, Su Xueya interrupted me: "Yes, we have!"

"Then what do you plan to do?" Zhang Fengnan watched my reaction with a cold face.

I lowered my head and thought for a long time. Neither of them urged me, but Su Xueya couldn't stand it and was about to speak, but Zhang Fengnan glared at her and said, "I wasn't asking you!" Su Xueya swallowed the words she was about to say.

I gritted my teeth, took a deep breath, and looked at both of them. "Auntie, I will take responsibility for this. In the future, I will work hard at school and work to take care of you both!"

Hearing my words, Su Xueya hurriedly said, "Mom, you can't blame him for this. It was those people who drugged me in the first place. You acting like this makes us look!"

"Shut up! Did I tell you to speak?" Zhang Fengnan glared at Su Xueya.

Su Xueya lowered her head, feeling wronged and not daring to speak. It was clear that Su Xueya was usually very respectful toward her mother.

Then Zhang Fengnan nodded at me and said, "Hmm, I can see you’ve thought about this seriously and aren't just giving me a perfunctory answer. I believe you, but you have a lot of trouble following you right now. Do you think you’re qualified to take care of her? This has already happened twice. Do you want her to live her whole life in fear with you?"

"I’m sorry, Auntie. I know that no matter how many pretty words I say, they are useless, but I can guarantee that as long as I am alive, I will never let Xueya come to harm!" I said firmly.

"If you had an engagement, would you still marry Xueya?"

"Huh? An engagement? How is that possible? I’m an orphan, where would an engagement come from?"

"I’m saying *if*! If one day you found your parents, and your parents had already arranged an engagement, what would you do?"

"If that were really the case, that’s an engagement they arranged, what does it have to do with me? I have my heart set on Xueya!"

"Hmm, alright then. Remember what you said. Let’s eat!" Zhang Fengnan didn't continue the topic and told us to eat.

The sudden end to the topic left me feeling a bit uncomfortable. I had expected Zhang Fengnan to talk about a lot more, like life ideals or goals, but there was none of that. Had I really passed the test so easily?

I ate nervously, and after a long while, I realized the topic really had stopped. We barely spoke throughout the meal. What I found strange, however, was that Zhang Fengnan didn't ask about my situation, and what did she mean by my parents? Did she know some inside story?