Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable-Chapter 1104 - 1014: Those Years 24
Arranging Zhou Meijuan’s clothes, Fang Damei earnestly said to her, "Comrade Xiao Zhou, listen to my advice. If you’re dating Lin Laoer, then date him properly and don’t sneak around.
If you don’t want to continue with Lin Laoer, then break it off cleanly with him. Don’t get entangled, it’s harmful to both parties, and won’t help you find someone else in the future."
Fang Damei said this with good intentions. Whether or not Zhou Meijuan was truly wronged, her reputation was ruined, and Fang Damei’s words seemed to assume that Zhou Meijuan and Lin Laoer were an item.
But by saying this, Fang Damei was actually giving Zhou Meijuan two options: to be with Lin Laoer, or to break up as suggested. After all, we’re not in the old days anymore when even divorces were permitted, not to mention dating.
Fang Damei had thought it through. Although she also suspected that Zhou Meijuan might be really dating Lin Laoer due to her suspicious behavior.
But just in case Zhou Meijuan was telling the truth, binding her to Lin Laoer would be extremely inhumane, so Fang Damei offered this solution. Though meant to downplay the issue, it indirectly protected Zhou Meijuan a bit.
Even though Zhou Meijuan had always been a bit foolish, she was smart enough this time not to continue shouting that Lin Laoer raped her. Instead, she followed Fang Damei’s words, sobbing and saying, "I’m not dating Lin Laoer."
Everyone around understood that Zhou Meijuan meant to clear any relationship with Lin Laoer. Although everyone had their own thoughts, no one made any snide remarks.
Too much gossip about such matters could genuinely drive someone to despair. Even though people thought poorly of Zhou Meijuan, no one was cruel enough to push her to a dead end, so everyone kindly decided to let this matter pass.
Just when a drama seemed to be starting, it was over. Lin Qianqian was dumbfounded. She expected this to turn into a big mess, with Zhou Meijuan’s reputation ruined. If things became worse, Zhou Meijuan might have been forced to marry the rogue Lin Laoer.
Unwillingly, Lin Qianqian wanted to say something, but couldn’t open her mouth. Lin Qianqian wasn’t stupid. Now, if she remained silent, Zhou Meijuan would escape unscathed, her reputation shattered. At the very least, Zhou Meijuan wouldn’t dare pursue Qu Chengdong again.
If she were to rub salt in the wound now, people might sympathize with Zhou Meijuan if she appeared too pitiful. So people have a soft spot for the weak.
Reluctantly, this farce didn’t play out, and the incident passed quickly. The plan to dig for bamboo shoots was ruined.
After saying a few words initially, Lin Laoer remained silent. He didn’t mind the outcome; getting a wife cheaply would be ideal since no decent girl would marry him anyway.
If not, it didn’t matter. Lin Laoer’s lifestyle was to live one day at a time, eat well today, and worry about tomorrow’s meals tomorrow.
On leaving, Lin Qianqian glared fiercely at Lin Laoer, frustrated that the plan didn’t follow through, wasting her fifty yuan and a hundred pounds of grain tickets.
If Zhou Meijuan had been caught doing the act, she wouldn’t have gotten off so easily.
Lin Laoer ignored Lin Qianqian’s malicious gaze. He was a greedy rogue but not an idiot, nor a fool.
He only left Zhou Meijuan half-naked today and didn’t do anything serious, so he could escape unscathed.
If he had done something terrible to Zhou Meijuan, Fang Damei wouldn’t have resolved it so smoothly for just some money and grain tickets. It wasn’t worth taking such a risk to help Lin Qianqian vent her anger.
Lin Qianqian thought she orchestrated today’s events flawlessly, believing no one would know what she did. However, she didn’t notice when Zhou Meijuan, usually too shy to look up, quickly glanced at her with resentment.
Zhou Meijuan had no evidence to prove it was Lin Qianqian plotting against her, but after careful analysis, she concluded it could only be Lin Qianqian.
Using Qu Chengdong to trap her must have been because she knew Zhou Meijuan fancied Qu Chengdong. And only someone close to him, like Lin Qianqian, could have noticed this.
Also, Lin Qianqian’s earlier scream was unusual. It wasn’t a timid reaction or to quickly move away but seemed deliberately intended to draw attention.
Therefore, Zhou Meijuan was sure that Lin Qianqian knew of her feelings for Qu Chengdong and was using this evil method to retaliate.
Filled with hatred, Zhou Meijuan felt ruined, convinced no man would fancy her now. Not just Qu Chengdong, but any man, barring a rogue like Lin Laoer.
Zhou Meijuan clenched her teeth in rage, almost spitting blood, and vowed that she’d repay Lin Qianqian for all she suffered.
Despite the madness of her hatred, Zhou Meijuan appeared outwardly weak, sobbing softly, entirely unaware of why she ended up in such a situation.
Back home, Wen Shuangshuang began processing the mushrooms they collected. Aunt Qi was helping, threading mushrooms and hanging them to dry while Wen Shuangshuang shared Zhou Meijuan’s story.
Aunt Qi listened with deep emotion. Zhou Meijuan had been too dramatic before, so Aunt Qi was unsure if the current incident was true or if Zhou Meijuan was being framed.
However, Zhou Meijuan wasn’t well-liked, so people were more inclined to believe she was genuinely involved with Lin Laoer and just didn’t plan to commit to him.
This matter was too embarrassing, and the thought of facing future rumors left Zhou Meijuan in despair.
That night, Zhou Meijuan fell sick, her fever leaving her delirious, muttering nonsense. Since she lived alone, no one noticed at first.
Eventually, other educated youths realized something was wrong and went to check, finding Zhou Meijuan feverish and nearly unrecognizable and taking her to the health clinic.
