I really don't know whether to say that people nowadays have pure thoughts, like how there are few people as scheming as Xu Manman, or to say that people are too kind-hearted, letting their fiancé be available at any time for their sister's use.
Xu Manman cried, "Sis, don't do this, Brother Chengxu really treats you well. Don't break his heart. As for my injury, I can see a doctor by myself.
Brother Chengxu, you don't have to worry about me. This little injury is no big deal. The doctor also said that today is the last time to change the dressing, it shouldn't be a big problem. You should accompany my sister! I'll tell my mom later that it's not because you didn't accompany me to the hospital, my mom shouldn't mind."
So it turns out the future son-in-law was accompanying the sister-in-law on the orders of the mother-in-law. That makes it even more acceptable.
These days, being caught in a scandal would lead to severe punishment; a brief stint in jail would be light, and in serious cases, people would face harsher consequences. Generally, people dare not overstep their bounds.
So, there really wasn't any suspicion of anything inappropriate between the two of them.
Instead, it was Xu Qinghuan, the elder sister, who looked bad. How could she doubt her fiancé and sister like this? Wouldn't that ruin their reputations?
An aunt spoke with a concerned tone, "Comrade, I see that your sister is quite reasonable, and this gentleman's reasoning also makes sense. A person who takes marriage so seriously would never do anything improper. You're overthinking it, and you're in the wrong."
Is that so? Had her best friend not discussed the book's content with her, if she hadn't read the book herself, Xu Qinghuan might have believed these two were truly innocent.
Lin Xiaolan was furious to the point of bursting, because she realized that in a two on two, they had lost terribly.
Xu Qinghuan was also caught off guard. She finally understood a truth: when someone with principles confronts someone shameless, they are destined to lose miserably.
Jiang Chengxu saw Xu Qinghuan frowning without speaking and sighed, "Qinghuan, I don't mean to blame you. It's my fault for not explaining clearly. Manman was injured because of me, so from a personal moral standpoint, I can't just ignore it.
Don't worry, once she recovers, I will keep my distance from her."
Lin Xiaolan angrily shouted, "Jiang Chengxu, can't you understand human language? Huanhuan already said that whatever happens between you doesn't concern her, so please don't bother her!"
Jiang Chengxu's expression soured, and his gaze turned harsh, "Lin Xiaolan, this is between Qinghuan and me. We are an engaged couple."
Lin Xiaolan was so angry her whole body shook and was about to rush up to fight. Xu Qinghuan pulled her back, "Comrade Jiang, since that's the case, you're innocent and I am willing to believe it. As you said, we are an engaged couple.
You wanted to get married, right? It's not impossible. We may as well pick a date today while I have time and discuss the wedding date."
Jiang Chengxu was both surprised and delighted, unable to contain his joy, "Qinghuan, are you serious? Are you willing to marry me?"
Xu Qinghuan sneered internally, while the onlookers almost wanted to applaud for witnessing such a good match.
The kind aunt nearby clapped her hands and laughed, "That's good, that's good. I told you they looked like a perfect couple. This is how it should be!"
"That's right, as long as any misunderstandings are resolved, everything will be fine. Compromise a little bit, and this is how you live after getting married..."
The aunt with vaguely painted eyebrows hadn't finished speaking when Xu Manman held her forehead, closed her eyes, and accurately fell into Jiang Chengxu's arms. In front of everyone, Jiang Chengxu reflexively caught Xu Manman.
"Manman, what's wrong with you, what's going on?"
People who didn't know better thought Xu Manman was the one who was with Jiang Chengxu. Even if those cheering noticed something seemed off with Xu Manman, they couldn't voice it.
After all, when your own sister stands in front, yet this lady insists on falling into the future brother-in-law's arms, it's undeniably strange.
Lin Xiaolan was so shocked that she couldn't close her mouth. Could it be any more coincidental?
Xu Qinghuan, however, understood Xu Manman's intentions all too well and hurried forward with feigned panic, "Cousin, are you okay? Are you okay?"
She pressed her fingers on one of Xu Manman's acupuncture points and applied slight pressure, causing Xu Manman to suddenly jump up in pain, swinging a slap towards Xu Qinghuan and angrily shouting, "Xu Qinghuan, what the heck are you doing?"
Xu Qinghuan stepped back, avoiding Xu Manman's swing, incredulously looking at her raised arm, "Cousin, what's wrong with you? Why would you hit me?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, showing obvious sadness, "I was only concerned about you. Can't I be concerned about you as your sister, just like your future brother-in-law?"
At this point, who couldn't tell that the fainting was all an act by Xu Manman!
The expressions on everyone's faces became quite interesting; those who were usually verbose now clammed up like mussels.
So much for being outspoken about innocence; it turns out they weren't so innocent after all!
Xu Manman now realized she had been tricked and cried even harder, tears streaming down like an endless river, "Sis, I was feeling dizzy just now, my body already wasn't well, why did you pinch me?"
Jiang Chengxu was also angry and said, "Qinghuan, you are in the wrong. Manman fainted, and yet you could still harm her!"
Xu Qinghuan coldly laughed, "Pinch you? If you fainted and I could wake you with a pinch, then I must have applied significant force. Where did I pinch you?"
Xu Manman couldn't say because Xu Qinghuan's application of pressure on the acupuncture point was not strong, yet it hurt her to the core.
"Here!" Xu Manman randomly pointed to a spot and cried to Jiang Chengxu, "Brother Chengxu, Sis really used a lot of force; it might even be bruised."
Xu Qinghuan nodded, "Exactly, you fainted and I was able to wake you up with a pinch, so the force was indeed not small. You've always had a delicate body; a gentle touch could bruise you. So now, let's see if it's really bruised?"
Caught again!
Xu Manman's face turned pale with anger, confused about how Xu Qinghuan's mind and tongue had become so sharp!
Lin Xiaolan shouted joyfully, "Yes, yes, yes, let's see if it's really bruised!"
Xu Manman cried harder, "Brother Chengxu, if someone else looks at me, how can I still have any dignity? How can I live? This is clearly trying to drive me to death!"
Indeed, many people looked at her with expressions of pity, and some even appeared indignant.
Xu Qinghuan knew all too well that unless one experiences the pain themselves, one cannot feel it. Therefore, she was indifferent to the judgmental gazes around her.
She spoke sorrowfully, "You're still my sister. Even if you're unjust to me, I can't be unrighteous to you. How could I let you lift your clothes in front of so many people? Let this aunt and that lady have a look. If it's serious, they can also take you to see a doctor later, can't they?"
The kindly aunt and the straightforward lady, whose eyebrows were almost nonexistent, were immediately ignited by the flames of gossip and urged, "Comrade, we're both women. It's just a piece of skin, let us see so we can clear your names."
Xu Manman clutched her clothes, "No, no, no, there's no need. I'm fine, I'll just apply ointment when I get back."
She had pointed to her waist before, to where Xu Qinghuan had applied pressure.