You want him dead, don’t you?

It was only at this moment that Su Wan finally had the time to take a good look at the young boy before her.

He was about the same height as Su Wan, tall and sturdy, with a round, youthful face. His eyes were large and bright, and when he spoke, a pair of small, mischievous canine teeth peeked out, making him look particularly playful and endearing.

This must be the original Su Wan’s younger brother, Su Chen.

Noticing Su Wan’s silence, the boy suddenly felt a wave of unease. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Su Wan glanced at the gathering onlookers and shook her head. “Let’s talk at home.”

While the siblings exchanged words, the man who’d been rescued fainted again.

Just then, the village chief arrived. He instructed a few middle-aged men to carry Jiang Xiaolang to the small village clinic, while he stayed behind to keep order.

He’d already heard a rough account of what had happened on his way over, and seeing Jiang Xiaolang safe, he understood that Su Wan was blameless.

But Aunt Wang was relentless, clinging to the village chief and refusing to let him leave. “Oh, village chief, you must stand up for my nephew Wang Luo! Su Wan was riding that opera performer, pressing down on him, kissing him—she clearly has no respect for our Wang family!”

Su Wan was utterly stunned. Had she not simply performed first aid on a drowning man? How could it be twisted like this?

She scrutinized Aunt Wang closely. The woman had sharp, triangular eyes, a gaunt face, and thin lips—her demeanor harsh and critical.

Aunt Wang smacked her lips, her gaze sweeping up and down Su Wan’s drenched clothes with obvious disapproval. “Village chief, look at her! Soaking wet in broad daylight. In the old days, she’d have been dunked in a pig cage for this!”

In truth, Su Wan wore thick clothing—nothing indecent could be seen even when wet.

But with those words, the expressions of the crowd turned strange, and the village chief quickly averted his gaze.

Su Chen hurried to step forward, trying to shield Su Wan with his own body. But Su Wan reached out and pushed him aside, standing tall and composed before everyone.

“What’s all this talk about the old days, Aunt Wang? Are you so fond of the past that you’re dissatisfied with current policies?”

The words were like a bucket of cold water thrown over Aunt Wang; the bluster in her instantly vanished. It hadn’t been long since freedom of speech was restored—she dared not speak recklessly.

“What nonsense are you spouting! I didn’t mean anything like that,” she protested, stealing a wary glance at the village chief. Seeing he made no comment, she regained her arrogance. “Don’t try to change the subject. This is about you and that opera singer. Speak clearly!”

Su Wan smiled. The more she explained, the more it would seem there was something between her and that man.

Yet saying nothing would make others think she was tacitly admitting it.

“Aunt Wang, do you have a grudge against that opera singer? Were you hoping he’d die?”

With deft precision, Su Wan tossed the question back at Aunt Wang, refusing to explain further and insisting she’d only been saving someone.

At once, all eyes fixed on Aunt Wang.

She began to stomp her feet in agitation. “You wicked girl! How can you spout such nonsense? When did I ever want him dead?”

“Then why are you so bothered that I saved him?” Su Wan blinked innocently, feigning confusion.

Aunt Wang was left speechless.

She’d only wanted to seize an opportunity to assert her authority over Su Wan, to frighten her a little.

She’d never expected Su Wan to slap such a huge accusation on her. How would the villagers look at her now?

Flustered, Aunt Wang faltered, “Look at you, girl. I’m just speaking to you as your elder. I’m Wang Luo’s aunt, practically your future mother-in-law.”

Su Wan frowned but didn’t rush to argue. Instead, she nodded obediently. “You’re right, you do have the right to speak to me. But why are you doing it? Is it because I saved Jiang Xiaolang?”

Ha! Old crone, trying to divert the conversation? Not a chance!

A dozen pairs of eyes remained locked on Aunt Wang.

She had never faced such a scene before. Her face turned pale, and her legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

Her lips moved, but for a long moment, no words came out.

At the crucial moment, the village chief stepped in to mediate. “Enough.”

“I’ve already learned what happened on my way here. Su Wan acted bravely and should be commended. Aunt Wang, stop stirring up trouble. Everyone, disperse.”

The chief was tactful—Aunt Wang was elderly, after all, and her dignity needed some protection.

But Aunt Wang didn’t see it that way. She’d lost face in front of a younger generation—how could she face the villagers in the future?

The village chief must have taken some benefit from the Su family, she thought. Otherwise, why would he take their side? The real problem was her own family’s lack of money; they couldn’t bribe the chief like the Sus.

Shaking with fury, she glared venomously at the Su siblings. “Fine, Su Wan! We have a long road ahead. You’ve crossed me today—don’t think you’ll have an easy life from now on!”

After all, Su Wan was supposed to marry Wang Luo, and Wang Luo listened to his aunt above all. She would make sure he beat Su Wan three times a day—only then would her anger be appeased.

Hearing this, Su Chen instinctively wanted to apologize to Aunt Wang.

Ever since Su Wan’s engagement to Wang Luo, Aunt Wang had grown inexplicably domineering, constantly showing their family a sour face. Even their grandfather suffered her ridicule.

Fearing that Su Wan would be bullied after marrying into their family, he and their grandfather always treated Aunt Wang with excessive politeness.

He was about to speak when Su Wan suddenly gripped his arm, signaling him to stay silent.

“Let’s go home,” Su Wan said sternly, pulling Su Chen away.

Aunt Wang had been waiting, chin raised, for the siblings to apologize. Seeing them leave, she erupted into curses. “Shameless brats! Just wait till you marry in—I’ll make you suffer!”

Su Chen grew even more fearful at her words. He tugged at Su Wan’s sleeve and whispered, “Sis.”

Su Wan didn’t even look back. “Ignore her.”

The Su family home was large, a small multi-story building made of bricks.

As soon as the two entered the courtyard, Su Wan saw a wiry, energetic old man busying himself with chores.

He looked up and immediately noticed the bump on Su Wan’s forehead. His gaze grew sharp. “What happened?”

Startled by his piercing look, Su Wan instinctively grew nervous, worried he’d noticed she wasn’t actually his granddaughter.

“I asked you, what happened to your head?” the old man repeated.

Su Wan breathed a sigh of relief and was about to answer when Su Chen interjected, “It was that Wang Luo! He made my sister angry, and she hit her head against the wall!”

“Aunt Li said my sister was unconscious for ages before she got up. Wang Luo just stood by and watched—didn’t even help her.”

Su Wan: “…”

The old man’s expression froze. He turned in silence to Su Wan.

Feeling embarrassed, Su Wan quickly lowered her head. “He said he wanted to break off our engagement.”

Su Chen exploded at this, jumping up. “Shameless! Has Wang Luo forgotten how he begged Grandpa for this engagement in the first place?”

“All these years, look how much he’s taken from us! Grandpa missed out on so many good opportunities because of his background!”

“Now he wants to back out? Where was this before?”

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. “Come on, let’s go and take back everything he’s ever gotten from our family!”