CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: USING FAVOR FOR PERSONAL GAIN

Wang Shufen also joked playfully, filling the room with a joyous atmosphere.

During the meal, Su Miao came over, staying very calm, and even smiled as she congratulated everyone, not showing any hint of displeasure. Later, she left with her father.

Sun Chan also felt it was a bit strange, but didn’t think much of it. After all, she would be leaving the village soon. What kind of tricks could she play?

At night, when it was time to sleep, Sun Chan was arranged to stay in the small house in the western side courtyard. Since they were only engaged, living together wasn’t appropriate.

The small house was a bit damp from not being used by anyone, so Mrs. Wang brought a lot of firewood to burn outside.

Wang Shufen helped by wiping with a cloth for a long time. She said apologetically, "I originally wanted you to sleep in my room, but my son fell asleep, and it’s not easy to wake him up. This place is more spacious."

"It’s okay, I can sleep here. It’s quite spacious," Sun Chan said with a smile as she smoothed the bedsheet, which was the most common red and white checkered pattern with a few patches, just like back home.

Gu Junming came over with a new quilt.

Sun Chan quickly took it and laid it on the kang. The two of them looked at each other happily.

Wang Shufen pursed her lips and smiled, walking out.

Sun Chan and Gu Junming finished making the bed on the kang together. She looked around, at the mottled walls, the cabinet in the corner, the single dim yellow bulb on the ceiling, sitting on the edge of the kang, with a slightly blank expression.

"What are you thinking about?" Gu Junming asked while wiping the dust with a cloth. It wasn’t actually that dirty; he just felt uneasy doing nothing.

Sun Chan smiled and said, "The house I lived in before had the same layout. The walls were also covered with newspapers, even the window color was the same, but there wasn’t a bulb in the room, and the kang mats were worn out."

"You lived too hard in the past," Gu Junming said in a low voice, standing in front of her: "I’ve always been thinking, maybe one day, I could bring the girl I love to see where I live and tell her, this is where I live. This wish has finally come true."

Sun Chan looked up and could see his handsome face; he was very close. Silence engulfed them, and each could hear the other’s breathing and feel the intense gazes. She suddenly became flustered and lowered her head.

Luckily, Gu Junming just stood there briefly and then said with a smile, "You should sleep, we’ll talk tomorrow."

"Okay." Sun Chan’s face turned red as she saw Gu Junming off, feeling all flustered inside.

Gu Junming also felt a little awkward earlier, but figured that since they’d eventually be married, looking wasn’t a crime and calmed down. The village night was quiet, with only a few dog barks. His parents’ room had also turned off the lights. As Gu Junming prepared to return to his room, he suddenly heard a rustling sound near the main gate.

Though it was very quiet, Gu Junming, being a former scout, immediately asked warily, "Who’s there?"

His first reaction was that Ding Quan had returned, instinctively raising his fists, ready to rush over and hit someone.

"Don’t hit, big brother. It’s me!" came the delicate voice of Su Miao from behind.

She looked anxious; under the moonlight, dressed in a floral shirt, Su Miao looked particularly charming and graceful. She looked at Gu Junming with timid eyes, brimming with watery light, truly a delicate flower mirrored on water, evoking pity.

Su Miao was quite confident in her appearance, thinking she couldn’t fail to attract him.

But Gu Junming didn’t notice her looks at all and frowned, "Didn’t you leave with your father? Why did you come back?"

"I just want to ask you, are you really going to marry her? She’s an orphan, with no father or mother. In the village, that’s practically considered a widow. People may not even want to marry her home, yet you are willing to marry her? Is she really that great? She’s not even as good as me!"

She was pretty, from a good family, and even went to junior high, so how could she not compare to Sun Chan?

Su Miao stepped forward, firmly saying, "Do you feel sorry for her? You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice your whole life, do you?"

"What exactly do you want to say?" Gu Junming stifled his urge to slap her: "Sun Chan is great. We have a lot in common and we will definitely marry. It’s late, better go back, otherwise being seen won’t be good for your reputation."

He turned and left.

Seeing Gu Junming’s back, Su Miao couldn’t hold back any longer, she hugged Gu Junming’s waist from behind. Who knew he would forcefully shake her off, causing Su Miao to stumble from the strong impact.

Gu Junming’s eyes were full of coldness: "What are you doing?"

Su Miao was so aggrieved she almost cried. The most sought-after flower of ten miles, pursued by countless suitors, yet Gu Junming alone treated her this way. She had humbled herself to this extent, and he still wouldn’t accept her. How could she not feel cold?

"I like you so much..."

"Stop saying that," Gu Junming said coldly, "I’m already engaged. Just take care of yourself. I won’t tell anyone about this. We live in the same village, and I wouldn’t say anything unpleasant. Respect yourself."

"But I’m not reconciled..."

"Su Miao, as long as I shout loudly, all the neighbors will wake up, and by then your face will be gone. Do you not want to get married in your lifetime?"

Su Miao bit her lip, thought for a moment, then made up her mind: "Before I leave, I want to say something important."

Gu Junming didn’t speak but didn’t rush her away either.

"No matter what, I once saved your nephew’s life. Doesn’t your Wang Family owe me a favor?"

Gu Junming frowned slightly, not knowing what she was up to, but what she said was true, so he nodded and said, "And so?"

"I want you to find me a good job in the city," Su Miao said seriously, "Don’t worry, I don’t want something too good, just enough to make a living, as a way for your Wang Family to repay my favor. Actually, when I saved him that year, my dad said to have you engaged to me. Under those circumstances, your father probably would have agreed, right? But I thought we’d take it slow, now that you don’t like me and are with someone else. Since that’s how it is, I’m not forcing it. If you repay this favor, then we won’t have any ties in the future."

Gu Junming felt this woman was trying to use her favor for benefits, but she had indeed saved his nephew, so it wasn’t unreasonable for her to ask for a reward, and he agreed.

"Alright, but jobs in the city aren’t easy to find, at best it might just be a temporary job," Gu Junming couldn’t guarantee.

"It’s okay! I’ll work hard," Su Miao responded. As long as there’s a chance, she will cling to a man to climb up, even if it can’t be Gu Junming, she can find a man of good standing. Considering her ability and looks, staying in the village as a farmer’s wife was really beneath her. How could the villagers possibly be good enough for her?