Chapter 547 - 546: Rumors

Of course, according to Yang Xiangyun, she hadn’t seduced him and was completely wronged. But this claim held no water, given that she had secretly met with the senior many times behind Miao Zhi’s back.

Miao Zhi had been a complete wreck over the affair. Father Miao was furious, and the two of them had a major falling out. In the end, she went to her maternal grandmother’s house to recover, which was when she was kidnapped.

Before she was kidnapped, it felt like her world had ended. She’d nearly given up on life.

But for the Miao Zhi who had been reborn through the ordeal of her kidnapping, looking back on it now, she just felt a speechless sort of disgust. And that was all.

That senior, along with the village chief’s son, had shattered all her faith in love and men.

The senior she had once been head over heels for was now, in her eyes, just a piece of trash. She didn’t care anymore.

She cared so little, in fact, that he mattered even less to her than Yang Xiangyun did.

Yang Xiangyun was, after all, a friend of many years. When Miao Zhi was rescued, Yang Xiangyun, in her capacity as both a friend and a nurse, had stayed by her bedside for three days and nights without rest until she woke up.

Miao Zhi’s heart had softened, so she didn’t cut ties with Yang Xiangyun.

Unfortunately, over time, Miao Zhi found that she and Yang Xiangyun had less and less in common.

Miao Zhi could tell that Yang Xiangyun was genuinely remorseful, but she just couldn’t agree with some of her friend’s perspectives and attitudes. And she certainly couldn’t bring herself to wish that senior and Yang Xiangyun well.

Yet Yang Xiangyun was still desperate for Miao Zhi’s forgiveness, constantly insisting they weren’t together anymore and defending herself. Every time Miao Zhi heard it, she grew more and more annoyed.

Thinking about all this, Miao Zhi sighed again.

"I’m heading to the Imperial City tomorrow. I need to get back to school and prepare for classes." With Little Tang Mo present, she couldn’t very well tell Su Li about all the sordid details, so she skimmed past them.

"If you feel you’re ready, then you should go back," Su Li said, following her lead and looking her straight in the eye.

"But Miao Zhi, if you’re not, don’t force yourself."

"I know." Miao Zhi smiled, but her eyes betrayed a deep-seated pain.

Lately, she had rarely left the house. She said it was to recuperate, but a large part of it was to escape the prying eyes of others.

Just as she’d feared, after her safe return, people started gossiping behind her back, wondering if "something" had happened to her.

Miao Zhi had a sensitive stomach and had thrown up once, which even led to rumors that she might be pregnant.

In any case, those gossipy stares, while not necessarily malicious, were deeply unsettling.

Some of her classmates had probably heard the rumors, too. Going back meant she would definitely have to face them, but Miao Zhi knew she couldn’t run away.

She couldn’t just stop going to school because she was afraid of what was waiting for her.

She had worked so hard to get into this university, the one Father Miao was so proud of. She couldn’t let anything jeopardize that.

"If anything happens, you can always call me," Su Li said, noticing the flicker of pain in Miao Zhi’s eyes. "If you need help with anything, I’m here. Beating someone up, cursing someone out, whatever you need."

Miao Zhi immediately broke into a smile. "Okay, now that’s what I like to hear!"

"Same goes for you two. We’re good friends now, and good friends are ride-or-die. If you ever need anything, just call me. Beating people up or cursing them out? That’s a given. I’m the type to side with my friends, right or wrong."

Su Li let out a chuckle. "Everyone else says you should side with reason, not with your friends. And here you are, proud of doing the opposite?"

"Hey, that’s just the kind of person I am," Miao Zhi said with a grin.

’Yep, that’s just who I am. I’m used to it!’

Miao Zhi slung an arm around Little Tang Mo’s shoulders. "You too, Little Mo! You’re my friend, too!"

"Mhm," Little Tang Mo nodded emphatically.

Watching from the side, Su Li was suddenly filled with emotion.

’Who would have thought that she and Miao Zhi would become friends, able to chat and talk just like this?’

After all, when she’d first arrived at the family compound, Miao Zhi had been hostile from their very first meeting, and they had clashed several times after that.

’And yet, here they were...’

’The twists of fate in this world truly are wonderfully mysterious.’

Just as Su Li was lost in her thoughts, Miao Zhi suddenly remembered something and nudged her arm.

"Su Li, let me tell you something. I don’t know if you’ve heard..." Miao Zhi trailed off, glancing at Little Tang Mo before falling silent.

"Am I not supposed to hear this?" Little Tang Mo asked. "If not, I won’t listen."

Just as Little Tang Mo was about to cover his ears, Miao Zhi waved her hand. "It’s fine, you can listen. You’re a big boy now."

’Thinking about what Little Tang Mo had accomplished before,’ Miao Zhi mused, ’ten adults couldn’t hold a candle to him. He could definitely be treated like a grown-up.’

After a moment’s thought, Miao Zhi continued, "I’m not sure when it started, but there’s a rumor going around. It says that because Wu Sheng is such a good catch, you sold Little Mo just so you’d be worthy enough to marry him."

"When I first heard it, I thought it was completely insane. But I never expected... that some idiots would actually believe it. They’re still talking about it in private. I have no idea who started it."

At first, Su Li was a little baffled. ’Isn’t this the ridiculous nonsense Qin Shanshan spouted before? Why is it coming from Miao Zhi now?’

But as she heard the rest, she was left utterly speechless.

"That’s... to be expected, I guess. People love to spread that kind of gossip because they think it makes more sense."

"I’m only bringing this up to give you a heads-up. I mean, think about it—neither you nor Wu Sheng are even here, and this rumor is spreading. I’m worried it’ll be even worse in the Imperial City... I was afraid you’d suddenly hear it and get furious, so..."

Miao Zhi threw up her hands.

"I understand what you mean," Su Li nodded. "I won’t get angry. And I’ll be on the lookout for it."

Little Tang Mo, having heard everything, couldn’t help but pout and let out a long, deep sigh.

Seeing his expression, Su Li couldn’t help but laugh. She patted his head. "Don’t be angry, Little Mo."

Little Tang Mo let out another sigh, then asked Su Li a serious question. "Mom, are the people who believe this kind of thing... stupid?"

Su Li: "..." She let out a snort.

’That was probably the most vicious thing Little Tang Mo had ever said.’

"Yes, they’re stupid. You’re absolutely right, Little Mo. They’re just plain stupid."

Miao Zhi burst out laughing beside them, nodding in vigorous agreement.

In the midst of their laughter, Father Miao returned from work, and the house instantly became more lively.

Su Li and Little Tang Mo returned to the Imperial City that afternoon. She didn’t pay much mind to the absurd rumor Miao Zhi had mentioned, but unexpectedly, she received a phone call that evening.

A very unexpected phone call.

It was from Wu Sheng’s friend—the one whose formal name was Qian Shengli but went by Qian Duoduo.

"Hello, is this Su Li?" a polite voice asked as soon as the call connected.

"Yes, this is Su Li. May I ask who’s calling?" Su Li didn’t recognize the voice; after all, she had only met him once.

"It’s Qian Shengli—Qian Duoduo? Wu Sheng’s friend. Do you remember me?"

It took her a second, but then it clicked. "Oh, yes, I remember! Hello. Is something wrong?"

Qian Shengli: "Er, yeah, there is something. I’m here with Ocean, Feitian, and Li Chong."

’So all four of Wu Sheng’s friends she’d met last time—the "Zhao Qian Sun Li" group—were there?’

Confused and curious, Su Li asked, "You’re all together? What’s going on? Is Wu Sheng... Is he okay?"

"Wu Sheng’s fine, don’t worry," Qian Shengli replied instantly. "Sorry if we scared you. We were just discussing something and thought we should probably talk to you about this rumor."