Chapter 165: The Love Story That Shook the Village

Sister-in-law Sun showed up a bit late, but that didn’t stop her from catching all the gossip—and when it came to spreading rumors, she was an authority.

When she heard the conversation turning to Lu Chuan and his wife, she quickly cut them off: “Oh, come on, stop talking nonsense. That couple is doing just fine. So what if they’re having kids a bit later? Lu Chuan is still in school—they’re planning their family. What are you all guessing about?”

Every word she said was in their defense.

But knowing Sister-in-law Sun’s character, this wasn’t what anyone expected. The others piped up, “That’s not right, Sun’s wife. Since when are you so protective of them? Did Lu Chuan and Fang Yuan give you some kind of benefit?”

Sister-in-law Sun thought to herself, What do you know? You gossip about everyone, but do you really understand that couple? I’m actually doing you all a favor—just look at what happened to Gong Er.

For the first time in her life, Sister-in-law Sun felt the weight of silent responsibility. In that moment, she felt she’d transcended the ordinary, that these people were just common folk—not on her level.

Thinking back to her involvement in yesterday’s events, she felt a lonely hero’s pride.

She refused to join in their gossip anymore, gave them all a disdainful look, and left.

The group was left bewildered. “What’s up with Sun’s wife? Did she take the wrong medicine? It’s not a real gathering without her.”

Everyone was puzzled, and soon the topic shifted to revolve around Sister-in-law Sun.

Li Meng found her especially annoying—she’d ruined the whole lively atmosphere.

As for Gong Er’s situation, it clearly wasn’t going to blow over. On the first day of the New Year, the two families started discussing the wedding.

Gong Er was unwilling—he’d never planned to marry Da Mei. His dreams were elsewhere.

His parents were even less happy. Their son was still in school, determined to get out and find a city girl. How could this be happening? They looked down on Da Mei, a village girl.

Gong Er’s mother even shouted in the village, “Our Gong family isn’t like the easy-to-push-around Lu family. Their son goes to college and still marries a country girl—what’s the point of getting out if you’re just going to marry a villager?”

Poor Mother Lu, minding her own business at home, was dragged into the mess. The Gong family was using her son and daughter-in-law as a doormat.

But before the Lu family could say anything, the villagers drowned the Gong family in spit. Everyone spat, “What makes you better than the Lu family? Kindness, decency, virtue—you’ve got none of it.”

“If you didn’t want your son to marry a village girl, why did he date one? How did the baby happen?”

“The Lu family’s son is more decent than yours. The Lu couple is so kind, you can’t compare. And you still have the nerve to drag them into this?”

In the village, Da Mei’s family was also a big household—they weren’t having it.

Da Mei’s family didn’t have anyone particularly tough, but there were always strong voices in the village. Someone said, “If he won’t marry Da Mei, then Gong Er’s just a scoundrel. This should go to the authorities.”

As for school, Da Mei’s family didn’t even bother anymore. If he couldn’t go to school, it was his own loss.

When Gong Er’s mother heard Da Mei’s family’s stance, she immediately stopped making a fuss. She didn’t dare let the authorities get involved—her son might not just lose his chance at school, he could lose his freedom. Why had she been so stupid, running her mouth and ruining her son’s future?

She regretted it deeply, and after giving Gong Er a few punches, she obediently took gifts to Da Mei’s family to propose marriage.

She apologized profusely to Da Mei’s mother, bowing and scraping, watching her face for any sign of forgiveness. Serves her right.

But Da Mei’s family still refused. “With a family like yours, my daughter would only suffer if she married in. We insist on going through the authorities—your family’s character can’t be trusted,” Da Mei’s mother said. The commotion was intense.

All this gossip was relayed by Lu Xiaosan, who had connections in the village and always knew the latest news.

Mother Lu was furious at home: “That Gong Er is no good, and his mother’s even worse. How dare they drag us into this? What’s wrong with our family? Kindness! Second son, you’d better make us proud and treat Fang Yuan well.”

Lu Chuan was especially annoyed. “Our marriage is good because we love each other—it’s got nothing to do with ‘making you proud.’”

Fang Yuan hadn’t paid attention to any of this. She was more curious: “Who was so clever to come up with the idea that forced the Gong family to give in? Who was it?”

Lu Xiaosan hadn’t noticed either. “Half the village is surnamed Zhang. What Gong Er’s mother said basically offended everyone. With everyone chiming in, someone was bound to say something useful. Not sure exactly who it was.”

Fang Yuan was impressed. “Whoever it was, they’re smart—smarter than me.”

With Fang Yuan’s admiration, Lu Chuan didn’t even want to be an anonymous hero anymore.

Meanwhile, Mother Lu was lecturing Lu Chuan: “Gong Er is a warning—if you don’t behave, you’ll end up like him, hated by everyone.”

Father Lu added, “You have to have virtue.”

Zhu Xiaosan summed it up: “You have to treat my second sister-in-law well.”

Lu Chuan felt like Gong Er’s whole story was just a cautionary tale for him, a play put on for his benefit. He looked at Fang Yuan with aggrieved eyes—he wasn’t that kind of person.

That night, Lu Xiaosan came home especially late—apparently half the village was outside listening to the gossip.

The marriage talks between Gong Er and Da Mei’s families had broken down several times. It was rare to see such a bumpy road to marriage.

Zhu Xiaosan sighed, “If they really get married, how will Da Mei live? Maybe it’s better if it doesn’t happen.”

Fang Yuan asked, “So is it better if they get married or not?”

Who knows? It depends on what they want. Mother Lu said, “She’s already pregnant—if they don’t get married, what can she do? If we had a daughter, we’d have to teach her not to let anyone take advantage of her, to be sharp.”

Father Lu said, “Or have more sons ahead of time, so they can protect their sister.”

Their expectations were really quite simple. Fang Yuan even nodded along—it all made sense.

Lu Chuan looked at them speechlessly. Did they really think things could go however they wanted?

That night, Lu Xiaosan ran out again, and when he came back in the middle of the night, his feet were frozen numb.

Mother Lu scolded, “Out so late just to listen to gossip—what’s the point?”

Lu Xiaosan grinned, “It’s fun! There were so many people outside watching the drama, everyone was warming themselves by the fire. Half the village was out—when was the last time it was this lively?”

Lu Chuan admired the villagers’ enthusiasm. There was really no need to be so invested. Gong Er had truly become a local celebrity—maybe it was worth it.

Fang Yuan leaned in, wanting to hear the gossip. “Was it really that lively?”

Lu Xiaosan replied, “There’s nothing fun to watch in the village all year. The last big drama was at our house, and that was six months ago. No wonder everyone’s out watching.”

Lu Chuan, hearing his own family’s past jokes, felt uncomfortable all over. He turned to Zhu Xiaosan and said, “This is a bad habit.”"