"How could such things be spoken of?" Ah Chen replied to Jiang Maohua, "Second Brother, do you think that when you stumble upon such a scene, you should go around spreading it? The man isn’t married, the woman isn’t married, so they must be dating, right? They just happen to like using the ground as their bed and the sky as their quilt. This doesn’t concern me, right? Besides, they are from the neighboring Ruyi Village. It has even less to do with me."

Among the Jiang Family, apart from Jiang Maohua, who was focused on figuring out how to help Su Man, everyone was taken aback by Ah Chen’s phrase "ground as bed, sky as quilt".

Indeed, it was a very apt description, and though it didn’t sound vulgar, everyone understood the situation.

Is this the benefit of reading more books? Chen Xiuying thought proudly of her three children; aside from the second son who wasn’t good at academics, the eldest and the youngest daughter both graduated high school. If not for the current inability to take college entrance exams, perhaps the family could have had two college students. No, her eldest son’s wife was impressive too; they might have had three college graduates.

"Such matters are indeed not for a young girl to talk about recklessly; isn’t that gossiping about others? It doesn’t concern our family, and it’s not like they’re married, disrupting another’s family. Moreover, if Little Sister goes around talking about this, it wouldn’t be good for her either," Jiang Maochuan said, turning his stern gaze to Jiang Maohua, "Conversely, Second Brother, you’re actually claiming responsibility for this and want to marry Su Man. What exactly is going on? Since we’re discussing it here, aren’t you going to offer an explanation today?"

If Little Sister hadn’t accidentally seen Su Man and Gu Lingfei together, they probably wouldn’t believe Second Brother would keep such a matter from the family.

Given the Jiang Family’s situation, everyone would likely feel deeply guilty, thinking Second Brother has done something disgraceful.

The Su Man’s parents are not good-tempered people. This matter will surely escalate, and by then, the Jiang Family will lose face.

Not only Jiang Maochuan realized this; the other Jiang Family members did too.

Jiang Aiguo’s face darkened; he was still the team leader. If Second Brother confessed to this, one can imagine what trouble would follow. Given the Su Family’s temperament in Ruyi Village, they might make a big scene. If it were the Jiang Family’s fault, it might be bearable, but it clearly wasn’t.

Is Second Brother’s head not quite right?

Chen Xiuying didn’t have much patience. When she thought about the potential consequences, she stood up and stormed over to Jiang Maohua, grabbing him by the ear: "Jiang Laoer, you’ve got some nerve, haven’t you? Taking this upon yourself when you haven’t done anything; is your brain made of tofu? Shouldering blame for things you haven’t done, do you think you’re a god or a saint? Do you know how much impact this will have on our Jiang Family if it gets out?"

Jiang Maohua, having been hit with a feather duster on his leg earlier, now got his ear pulled, leaving him feeling terrible.

His mom hadn’t hit him since he was sixteen; he was yelping in pain.

After Chen Xiuying let go, his ear was bright red, and he was covering and gently rubbing it with both hands.

Jiang Aiguo’s voice sounded: "Second Brother, explain what’s going on. We need to clear this up today."

Jiang Maohua knew he could no longer hide it and had to tell the truth.

"I couldn’t help it; if we don’t find a way to resolve Su Man’s situation, it won’t stay hidden for another two months." Noticing the Jiang Family’s gaze, Jiang Maohua shrank his neck and continued, "Gu Lingfei, that kid somehow went back to the city, and we can’t find him now..." His voice gradually weakened, feeling insecure under the scrutiny. "I can’t just stand by and do nothing, can I? Considering Su Man’s parents’ temper, it’ll be a disaster if this breaks out, and she won’t have a way out."

The Jiang Family also knew Gu Lingfei, he was an educated youth who came to the countryside. That young man was particularly handsome, and it wasn’t just the girls from the neighboring Ruyi Village; even the girls from their Jixiang Village liked to watch him.

Jiang Aiguo and Chen Xiuying instinctively glanced at Ah Chen, feeling relieved. Their youngest daughter hadn’t mentioned Gu Lingfei, and since she caught him with Su Man, she likely wouldn’t have any thoughts about him. Fortunately, Gu Lingfei’s handsome face was indeed deceptive.

Did he really go back to the city? Probably got a job there and pulled some strings. It wasn’t impossible, especially since the policies had been relaxed in recent years.

"Since it was Gu Lingfei’s doing, whether he’s in Ruyi Village or back in the city, the responsibility is his. What’s it got to do with you?" Jiang Aiguo said coldly. "Why are you getting involved? What’s it to do with you?"

Jiang Maohua shrank his neck, whispering, "Now that Gu Lingfei can’t be found, we can’t just let Su Man be gossiped about, right? What will she do if her parents find out? Mom, Dad, please agree. After all, I’m the one marrying a wife, and I don’t mind."

Su Man was really pitiful.

That Gu fellow wasn’t a man; after doing such a thing, he just ran off, leaving Su Man alone in the village, unsure how she would get by. If he didn’t help Su Man, no one would. He couldn’t just watch and do nothing.

"If I don’t help her, she won’t be able to survive."

"Who is to be blamed for that?" Chen Xiuying sneered, "To do such things before marriage, they’ll have to bear the consequences. Do they think that as long as the man walks away unscathed, there won’t be any aftermaths?"

Jiang Aiguo coughed twice, giving Chen Xiuying a slight nudge.

Chen Xiuying rolled her eyes, "The door is closed, no one outside can hear. Let the younger ones in the family hear this, so they don’t make rash mistakes."

"Jiang Laoer, I’m making it clear today, don’t even think about marrying Su Man. It’s something Gu Lingfei did; what’s it got to do with you? Don’t put all the blame on yourself. It’s bad enough to dirty your own name, let alone bringing the whole Jiang Family into it!" Chen Xiuying said sternly. "Su Man may be good-looking, but she doesn’t fancy you. If it weren’t for the child in her belly and no father to be found, would she come to you? Asking you to hide the matter clearly means she wants you to take the blame. Su Man’s intentions are as opaque as a lotus root; I will not agree to her marrying into the Jiang Family."

"I oppose this too," Jiang Aiguo added, "By the way, every time we introduced someone to you, you either declined or found something unsuitable. Was it because of Su Man?"

Jiang Maohua didn’t expect this outcome. He glanced at Ah Chen with some resentment, thinking if Little Sister hadn’t mentioned this, Mom and Dad probably wouldn’t oppose.

He had initially planned everything, aiming to marry Su Man as quickly as possible.

Now that Mom and Dad disagreed, he didn’t know how to explain this to Su Man.

"That’s really not possible," Jiang Maochuan chimed in, "I suggest finding someone for Second Brother sooner."

"Certainly, we should arrange for that," Chen Xiuying said, "Regardless, it can’t be someone like Su Man, who has too many ulterior motives."

"This wasn’t Su Man’s idea!" Jiang Maohua quickly said, "I came up with it; it has nothing to do with Su Man."