Chapter 372: Sordid Thoughts

Heh, she was starting to understand. ’A classic case of a hero saving a damsel in distress!’

Only, that hero already had a fiancée. And this "damsel"? She was pining for the hero, so of course she was hostile toward his fiancée!

"There is indeed a connection between Zhao Nuanyue and me that you don’t know about," Wu Qiaoqiao said with a small smile. "Instead of wasting your energy guessing what that connection is, you should probably think about how you’re going to get by after leaving your home and family behind."

"Heh..." This time it was Guo Dongmei’s turn to laugh. Right or wrong, she had to test Wu Qiaoqiao. "And here I thought the second daughter of the Wu Family was so high and mighty. Turns out you’ve also set your sights on a man who’s already taken! I don’t know what connection you have with Zhao Nuanyue, but I know exactly what you two have in common: you both like the man I cast aside."

"You’re talking nonsense!" Wu Qiaoqiao flew into a humiliated rage. She hadn’t expected Guo Dongmei to be anything but an idiot, a fool, yet she had actually guessed her special feelings for Hua Yusen. "Just because you have a filthy mind doesn’t mean you can paint everyone else with the same brush!"

If Wu Qiaoqiao hadn’t flown into a rage and had instead remained calm and indifferent, Guo Dongmei might not have been so sure of her guess. But Wu Qiaoqiao’s current fury was all the proof she needed that her speculation had been correct.

At that thought, Guo Dongmei gloated inwardly.

"Haha, you call me filthy? You’re even more shameless. You clearly like him but don’t have the guts to admit it." Guo Dongmei sneered, looking at Wu Qiaoqiao’s ugly expression. "Since you won’t admit it today, then let’s see you prove it by never making a move on Hua Yusen. Only then will I believe you’re not shameless, not despicable, not filthy! Haha..."

"You..." Wu Qiaoqiao watched Guo Dongmei’s arrogant smile. She was about to give chase, but Guo Dongmei was already on the train. All she could do was mutter a few curses at her retreating back. "With a mouth that venomous, you deserve to never be loved by a man!"

Guo Dongmei boarded the train and sat down by a window. Seeing Wu Qiaoqiao on the platform, her expression dark and her composure shattered, the last of Guo Dongmei’s own lonely sorrow vanished, replaced by a great mood.

’That Wu Qiaoqiao is no good, and Zhao Nuanyue is even worse. Now that they both like Hua Yusen, I’ll just sit back and watch the tigers fight. Let them tear each other to pieces.’

As the train pulled away, a dejected Wu Qiaoqiao left the station. She had originally come just to see Guo Dongmei’s miserable downfall and, at the same time, stir up even deeper resentment in her toward Zhao Nuanyue.

But she never expected Guo Dongmei to see right through to her deepest secret. Wu Qiaoqiao seethed with hidden resentment.

’Thankfully, Guo Dongmei has left Jincheng City. For now, there shouldn’t be any nasty rumors spreading around.’

Wu Qiaoqiao began to scheme. She believed that as the cooperation between the Wu Family and the Gu Family deepened, their interactions with the Hua family would inevitably increase as well.

When that time came, many viable solutions would naturally present themselves.

Wu Qiaoqiao reflected silently. ’From now on, I can’t be so reckless. And I can’t just assume I’m the smart one and everyone else is an idiot.’

Although Zhao Nuanyue was Hua Yusen’s fiancée, Wu Qiaoqiao believed she had a significant advantage herself.

But the thought of Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen getting married so soon filled Wu Qiaoqiao with vexation. She cursed herself for not meeting Hua Yusen earlier. If she had been in Guo Dongmei’s shoes, she would never have broken off the engagement, no matter what.

Ever since Hua Yusen had saved her, Wu Qiaoqiao had been paying close attention to him, and by extension, she had learned about Zhao Nuanyue’s situation.

Wu Qiaoqiao understood that Hua Yusen genuinely liked Zhao Nuanyue. Compared to Hua Yusen’s engagement to Guo Dongmei, she felt Zhao Nuanyue would be a much more difficult opponent.

Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue were getting married soon. Wu Qiaoqiao felt she didn’t have enough time to prepare.

As she walked, Wu Qiaoqiao mulled things over. She had just taken control of a portion of the Wu Family’s influence; she could make something happen with that.

Guo Dongmei didn’t even wait to reach her destination before she started writing a letter. She wrote it right there on the train, and the very first thing she did after getting off at her stop was mail it.

This time, she wouldn’t just frame Zhao Nuanyue and her family; she would also pin the whole affair on the Wu Family. That way, it would have nothing to do with her!

Then Wu Qiaoqiao and Zhao Nuanyue would be consumed by hatred, jealousy, and endless fighting over a man, and she could sit back and comfortably enjoy the show.

Oh, just thinking about it was so satisfying!

Zhao Nuanyue was completely unaware of the turmoil and schemes brewing outside. She was joyfully preparing for her wedding with Madam Sun.

In particular, Madam Sun had personally sewn two Descendants Quilts for Zhao Nuanyue, hoping that she and Hua Yusen would have a harmonious marriage, live a long and happy life together, and be blessed with a son soon.

Zhao Nuan Yang and Little Red Carp were also thrilled, beaming with joy every day and helping their sister with whatever they could.

Since they were about to be married, tradition dictated that the bride and groom shouldn’t meet. So when Hua Yusen wanted to see Zhao Nuanyue, he could only come secretly at night.

The excitement of their impending wedding, combined with the warmth of their time together, filled Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen with sweetness. They were completely lost in their affection for one another, never wanting to be apart.

Madam Sun and Sun Haoran had prepared a generous dowry for Zhao Nuanyue, which they packed away in her chests.

Of course, these precious items couldn’t be brought out into the open; they could only be treasured in secret. They could be taken out and used later, once the policies changed.

"Madam Sun, the things you and Master have prepared are too valuable," Zhao Nuanyue said as she put away the bracelets, jade pendants, and the Four Treasures of the Study. They were all antiques and extremely precious.

"These few things are nothing. You are your master’s final disciple. In the future, you will inherit his legacy and carry on the Sun Family’s medical arts. You’re no different from our own child," Madam Sun said slowly, lovingly helping Zhao Nuanyue organize her things. "Marriage is the most important event in a woman’s life. Having a dowry of your own will always give you more confidence. Even though things aren’t like the old days, since we have these things, you should take them. There’s no need to marry empty-handed and be looked down upon by others."

Actually, Zhao Nuanyue wanted to tell her that they had found several chests of gold, silver, treasures, antiques, and paintings in the cave by the small lake in Nianqiao Village.

But on second thought, Madam Sun was right. This was a token of her master’s and Madam Sun’s affection. If she refused to accept it, they would surely be heartbroken.

Since that was the case, she would accept it.

Later on, when the economic policies loosened and weren’t so restrictive, Zhao Nuanyue would gradually take things out from the chests. She would give them to her master and Madam Sun as gifts during holidays or on their birthdays to repay their kindness.