My Childhood Sweetheart Is a Crazy Beauty
Chapter 89: All Rumors

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: All Rumors

Gu Nanzhi, with her lips swollen like sausages, squatted in a corner without daring to make a sound, her plight shared by equally blabbermouthed Zheng Duoqing.

Not far from them sat Gu Beihuai and Tang Jianjun, along with the just-returned and tired-looking Father Tang and Madam Tang, as well as Mrs. Gu, who had dropped by for a visit.

It was rather miraculous.

Tang Chuxia sat beside Madam Tang, looking demure and adorable, nothing like her previously arrogant self.

No one spoke. Those who were drinking tea drank tea, those who were watching the drama watched, those who were glaring glared, and even the pair in the corner simply drew circles in the dirt, though no one knew who they were cursing.

Weird yet harmonic!

"Cough, cough... Let’s hear it, what exactly happened?"

Still somewhat tired, Father Tang pinched the bridge of his nose and asked.

Sadly, no one answered.

Father Tang was also frustrated but knew that without calling anyone out by name, no one would utter a word. So, he turned to the corner where Zheng Duoqing was still drawing circles and cursing someone, saying, "Zhaocai, you tell!"

Zheng Duoqing: ...

He thought Uncle did it on purpose.

Knowing how much he hated that nickname and still asking him like that.

But he couldn’t just not answer.

He started to stand up to answer but then heard Father Tang say, "Stay squatting!"

Zheng Duoqing could only squat down again, feeling aggrieved, and recounted the events succinctly.

If not for the presence of so many younger family members, Father Tang would have surely burst out laughing.

Father Tang struggled to contain himself, and Madam Tang fought hard to keep a straight face, their fatigue seemingly vanishing in a moment, but as they tried their best to hold back, Mrs. Gu burst into hearty laughter.

She showed no semblance of elder-like demeanor.

"All this over that?"

Mrs. Gu asked Gu Nanzhi.

Gu Nanzhi nodded vigorously: "I didn’t do anything wrong; it was only because cousin said he liked my brother that I got so worked up!"

She demonstrated with her fingers, barely an inch apart: "I was only this tiny bit excited!"

Mrs. Gu laughed and said, "I think a different word might be more appropriate!"

Now understanding the whole story and knowing it wasn’t a conflict between Gu Beihuai and Tang Jianjun but pure irritation needing an outlet—just boys being boys—she could understand.

Mrs. Gu said to Madam Tang, "Look at the fuss this has caused, nearly made you guys laugh at us!"

Madam Tang pinched the palm of her hand, "How could we laugh at such a thing!"

Such nonsense!

Tang Chuxia could see that both mothers were trying to divert attention; otherwise, they wouldn’t engage in such pointless banter.

But as a junior, she dared not interject and could only watch.

Once the adults had finally calmed down enough not to lose their composure, the Gu siblings were taken away by Mrs. Gu. Before leaving, she said to Tang Chuxia, "Xiaxia, make sure you take care of yourself, and don’t let Zhizhi lead you astray!"

Tang Chuxia smiled and agreed.

Gu Nanzhi was indignant, but her mother was firm, promptly shutting down any resistance.

As the courtyard door closed behind them, Madam Tang grabbed Zheng Duoqing by the ear and gave him an earful, "You rascal, of all people to provoke, you had to go after that little disaster, you did it on purpose, didn’t you?"

As an aunt, Madam Tang had always been willing to lay down the law with her nephews.

Zheng Duoqing hopped on the spot in pain but didn’t dare to pull away, "Aunt, it’s not what I wanted; I mean, with me being so popular, it’s distressing, right? If my cousin hadn’t said that Zhizhi liked me and I might hurt her feelings, why would I bother, huh?"

Why is he acting all aggrieved now?

Madam Tang snorted coldly, "Don’t push the blame onto Xiaxia here. As an older brother, how can you be so thick-skinned? Hurry up and find yourself a wife to settle down with, or you’ll have me to answer to!"

She let go of her nephew’s ear and sighed, "You kids, always messing around and never getting anything done!"

She glanced at her second son, about to give him a piece of her mind, then suddenly remembered he was only home on leave and couldn’t be lectured.

Her gaze then fell upon Tang Chuxia, her precious darling, whom she couldn’t bear to scold even more.

Finally, her eyes settled back on Zheng Duoqing, "And you! What are you doing all day? Why do you even come here?"

Zheng Duoqing gave a look of innocence, pointing to some fruits and canned goods on the table, "Auntie, you’re being too harsh. I just wanted to visit my cousin, and besides, I do have a job, okay? I work in the quality inspection department; I’m busy!"

Madam Tang was speechless when it came to Zheng Duoqing’s job.

"You have the nerve to talk about it, the quality inspection department? Inspecting what? Just the situation in the textile factory, do you even need to inspect anything? Your mother told me all the factory girls and married women have had their souls hooked by you, they don’t work, just fight all day!"

Tang Chuxia gave Zheng Duoqing a thumbs-up.

Big shot, huh!

Not everyone could pull off what he had.

Even Tang Jianjun next to him felt somewhat envious; as a man, who wouldn’t dream of having three thousand beauties in their harem, to walk among the flowers without a single leaf sticking to him. What was even more fatal was that although they fought fiercely among themselves, they couldn’t bear to hurt Zheng Duoqing.

Men, huh!

Could they get any more arrogant?

Madam Tang looked at Zheng Duoqing’s carefree demeanor and felt irritation building up inside her.

She knew it was pointless to say more; after all, even this nephew’s own father couldn’t sort him out.

Madam Tang truly felt weary. After a few words of admonishment, she sent them out; they still needed to rest.

The three siblings walked out and sat down at the corner of the alley to bask in the sunlight.

A group of old men sat on stools in the corner, some smoking dry tobacco, some chatting idly, and others talking about recent events.

It was mostly about the big earthquake that wouldn’t vanish from public discussion anytime soon.

"Hey girl, have you heard?" asked an old man to Tang Chuxia. Everyone in the alleyway was familiar with each other. Tang Chuxia was always sweet, warmly calling them grandpa and grandma, and they all liked her for her pretty face.

"Grandpa, please tell me!"

Tang Chuxia was both humble and intrigued, which pleased the old man immensely.

"I heard that you made quite the impression in the disaster area?"

Tang Chuxia chuckled awkwardly, "Oh, not at all. It’s just been exaggerated a bit. I happened to be there and people saw, that’s all! It’s not like I didn’t have a lot of help."

Really no need to boast about such things. After Tang Chuxia finished speaking, the old man nodded, "You’re grounded, girl. You know what’s important. But did you really shatter a huge rock with one punch? Into smithereens, that sort?"

Tang Chuxia shook her head, "I couldn’t do that; please don’t let the rumors get out of hand!"

The old man was still skeptical, "But everyone’s talking about it as if they saw it themselves!"

Tang Chuxia waved her hand, "There are also rumors that I’m madly in love with Gu Beihuai and we’re getting hitched. Do you believe that?"

The old man waved his hands dismissively, "Of course not. It’s true that nowadays, people who spread rumors are just not reliable; how can they say anything at all?"

As if afraid Tang Chuxia wouldn’t believe him, the old man added, "I may be old, but I’m not easily fooled!"

"Beihuai, that kid, even if it’s the end of the world and you’re sleeping under one blanket, nothing would happen!"

Tang Chuxia: ... I think you could be a little less absolute in your judgment, sir!

Then she thought about that night when in the same blanket, indeed... nothing... really happened!

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