Eighties Sweetheart Wife
Chapter 236 Climbing up the High Branch_1

Chapter 236: Chapter 236 Climbing up the High Branch_1

Qin Zhong and Lu Zhenguo were once again shocked on the scene.

"What do you mean, Old Mr. Zheng was paralyzed in bed without Little Nuan?"

How could this sound so unrealistic?

Had they not fully woken up today and were actually dreaming?

Lu Zhenguo and Qin Zhong exchanged glances. It seemed today was not a good day to go out, as everything was going wrong.

Their reaction was definitely faster than the first time.

Of course, they did not dare to make assumptions, to avoid humiliating themselves.

Despite their disbelief, they could not help but suppress their doubts. Lu Zhenguo asked with concern, "Old Master Zheng, I heard that you went out to seek treatment recently, could it be related to Little Nuan?"

Old Mr. Zheng glanced sideways at Lu Zhenguo, and then spoke gently, "Whether it’s related or not, your family’s Lu Feng has already dissolved the engagement with Little Nuan, so why ask about it?"

Lu Zhenguo choked.

He felt his face burning hot.

Old Mr. Zheng said, "My leg was cured by Little Nuan’s Second Grandfather, who is Old Master Ji from Beidu Medical College. The reason it was kept quiet is that Old Master Ji did not want to be disturbed. Now, if you’re not too busy, help me water the flowers. If you are, you’d better hurry on with your own business."

The two men looked at each other again.

How did Old Mr. Ji become Song Yunuan’s Second Grandfather?

Song Yunuan, was it still the same Song Yunuan they knew?

It couldn’t just be a case of the same name, could it?

There were tens of thousands of questions at the bottom of their hearts, but now Lu Zhenguo was in no position to ask. Being put on the spot by Old Mr. Zheng and having real business to attend to, he excused himself and hurried home.

Qin Zhong shamelessly helped Old Mr. Zheng water the flowers.

Old Master Zheng said, "I always knew that Old Master Ji referred to Little Nuan’s grandfather as ’old brother,’ though what exactly their relationship is, I have no idea. I might add, didn’t you agree not to have any contact to avoid trouble? Little Nuan hasn’t actively sought you out, nor asked for your help with anything. Just go about your business and don’t cause any more trouble..."

Old Master Zheng spoke very tactfully. No matter what Qin Zhong thought inside, he could not cause trouble for Little Nuan.

After Qin Zhong finished watering the flowers, he slowly walked home, suddenly remembering that he needed to remind Old Lu about a lot of things.

He wondered if Old Lu would tell Cai Jie to keep her mouth shut. Thinking of this, Qin Zhong hurried along even faster.

When Qin Siqi learned the whole story, she incredulously widened her eyes.

However, the adults in the room were all wearing gloomy expressions on their faces, and even though Qin Siqi was full of envy, she held back her mockery and simply said, "The Song family is truly a family of peasants, always living in Erdao River Village. Of course, this hasn’t always been the case; they used to live within the pass, but later fled to Beiquan Province due to famine. But... Old Master Song once said that the Song family weren’t always peasants; a long time ago, their family had members who were high-ranking officials, but they were beheaded after the emperor ordered their family’s execution..."

Everyone in the room laughed mockingly in unison.

This somewhat eased the tense atmosphere.

Cai Jie said, "That’s utterly preposterous. Siqi, it’s clear that Old Man Song was just entertaining you kids. Throughout all the dynasties, how many members of the Song surname were high officials?"

Lu Zhenguo glared at her, "How come there aren’t any? You can check the history books; if you don’t know, don’t talk nonsense."

A thought occurred to Qin Siqi.

She remembered Song Mingsheng’s capabilities.

It seemed like she had an answer in her heart.

Perhaps it was Song Mingsheng who discovered some antiques for the two old men, and that’s how they were connected.

Thinking about it, Song Mingsheng was like a golden baby.

With him, just being taken to Hats Alley in Beidu could overnight turn someone into the wealthiest person.

No one would get up early without any benefit.

If there was no improper relationship between Song Yunuan and Old Mr. Hu, then it must be a matter of interests involved.

Apart from antiques, there could be nothing else.

She wanted to speak out, but considering Cai Jie’s loose lips and Song Yunuan’s threats, she forced herself to hold back.

She blinked her eyes, "It’s said that the only descendant who escaped has been living incognito. I once asked, but even Old Master Song himself didn’t know what the original surname was."

Lu Zhenguo stood up and said, "I have to go to my unit now. Since Song Yunuan has not been found, just pretend we don’t know anything about it. You all should be careful too, remember that trouble comes from careless talk, and neither Old Mr. Hu nor Old Mr. Lin are pushovers."

Cai Jie glanced at her absent-minded son, remembered the forbidden mention of the engagement, and snorted disdainfully. ’Don’t mention it then,’ she thought, ’Do you think I like talking about it? No wonder they’ve cut ties with my son so decisively. They must have climbed up the social ladder.’

She sneered, "They act so self-righteous as if they’re something special, but they still depend on others. If they had real ability, they wouldn’t need anyone—that’s what true talent is."

Xue Min didn’t want to speak.

She didn’t want to listen to Cai Jie either.

She couldn’t bring herself to join in on the badmouthing of Little Nuan.

But in her heart, there were grievances too.

Ever since she left, it seemed there hadn’t been a single day of peace.

With a heavy heart, Lu Feng said, "Little Nuan has changed, she’s not like before. She changed too fast."

Cai Jie glared at her son, "Don’t mention her again."

Qin Siqi said, "I’m not familiar with her. Was Song Yunuan always like this before?"

Lu Feng, crestfallen, replied, "No, she wasn’t like this at all, not the slightest bit. It’s as if she’s become a different person."

Qin Siqi blurted out, "Could it be that someone has impersonated her, and the real Song Yunuan has been gone for a long time?"

Everyone was suddenly stunned, looking at Qin Siqi in shock.

Xue Min said, "What nonsense are you talking about? She’s just a village girl—why would anyone want to impersonate her? Besides, wouldn’t your father and I know if she wasn’t Little Nuan?"

Qin Siqi wasn’t angry though, "You can never be too sure. After all, I’m not acquainted with her. Whether it is her or not, only you would know. Right, Auntie Cai, you should know too."

Lu Zhenguo and Qin Zhong exchanged glances.

Both had always been on the same side, like grasshoppers on a string.

But they also found the idea preposterous and didn’t take it to heart.

Qin Siqi was just talking off the cuff.

But clearly, Lu Feng had something he wanted to say to Qin Siqi.

Qin Siqi went out with him, standing under the elm tree on the roadside. With a gloomy expression, Lu Feng said, "Everything you’re saying is wrong; it’s not what you think."

Lu Feng felt a pang in his heart. No wonder she had changed so much—it turned out she had aimed for higher branches.

Qin Siqi said, "I don’t understand her, but since I’ve come back, I’ve heard quite a lot, and the girls in the compound have said plenty. You’ve had a close relationship with her since childhood; you should know her best. I just think that even if someone changes, they shouldn’t change so quickly, so I thought she still wanted to be with you. But now it seems I was wrong, I’m sorry."

Lu Feng hadn’t expected Qin Siqi to say that.

Unable to say what he wanted, he had no choice but to leave disheartened.

Qin Siqi’s eyes flickered; she really wanted to tell these people, maybe it wasn’t Song Yunuan’s ability; perhaps it was Song Mingsheng’s talent.

Only that it was Song Yunuan who had taken all the credit.

But she dared not say so.

Even Uncle Lu was at fault, not knowing to find a safe place for his indiscretion.

Yet, how did Song Yunuan come to know about it?

No matter how hard she racked her brains, Qin Siqi couldn’t figure it out.

-----------------

Meanwhile, Old Mr. Hu and Old Mr. Lin had gone together to look for Song Yunuan.

They were discussing the matter of Qin Zhong and Lu Zhenguo’s visit to Old Mr. Hu that morning.