Chapter 22: Reported

Huo Yanxiu watched Ruan Tang intently as she spoke. Even without an explanation, he could sense the profound difficulty behind the phrase "severing family ties."

He took Ruan Tang’s hand and placed it against his heart, his expression turning solemn. "From now on, you have me."

Ruan Tang’s heart skipped a beat; the hand he held felt scorching hot. She bit her lip, wanting to pull away slightly, but he only held on tighter.

Huo Yanxiu stared deep into her eyes. "Don't you trust me?"

Ruan Tang’s gaze trembled. When she met his intense, burning eyes, she couldn't help but look away. Her face flushed with heat as she murmured, "I do, but could you please let go first—"

Huo Yanxiu immediately released her hand, looking somewhat chagrined. "I apologize."

Ruan Tang felt a wave of relief, though she still felt a bit awkward as she crossed her arms. "It’s fine."

In all her years, this was her first time being in such close proximity to a man. After steadying her pounding heart, she cast a secret glance at Huo Yanxiu, only to find that he was watching her as well.

As their eyes locked, the already delicate atmosphere grew even more ambiguous. Ruan Tang felt flustered and at a loss, so Huo Yanxiu cleared his throat and turned to the side. "Let's go inside."

Ruan Tang rubbed her nose and obediently walked through the door. Huo Yanxiu felt a ripple in his heart, his gaze lingering on her back with a tenderness he didn't even realize he possessed.

That night, as Huo Qingqing slept in his arms, she suddenly opened her eyes and said, "Auntie Ruan is not a bad person, Daddy. You should trust her." She had made a promise to Auntie Ruan, and she believed in her.

Huo Yanxiu was stunned for a moment, not expecting Huo Qingqing to speak up for Ruan Tang. But since she accepted Ruan Tang, it meant Ruan Tang was truly not the person the rumors made her out to be. Besides, he had his own eyes and could see and feel things for himself.

Over the next few days, the rumors fermented quickly, to the point where even Village Chief Ruan felt compelled to visit. He sat opposite the Ruan family, a steaming cup of tea before him. The domestic harmony was clear at a glance, yet the Village Chief wore a complicated expression, looking at Ruan Tang as if he had something to say but hesitated.

Ruan Tang looked at him and blinked. "Uncle Chief, please speak your mind."

The Village Chief sighed. "Many people are saying you’re having an affair and were taken to the police station for fraud. I was worried, so I came to check on you."

Ruan Tang understood immediately; it seemed the Huo family was up to their old tricks again. She smiled to reassure him. "Those are just rumors. Look at Yanxiu and me—we are doing very well. You are a perceptive man, Chief; you can surely distinguish the truth from lies."

The Village Chief nodded. "That may be true, but whoever is spreading these rumors must hate you deeply to be so unscrupulous. I fear you’ll be attacked by the masses." In the village, such things were taboo. Within a week, Ruan Tang’s reputation would be ruined across the region, and she would be ostracized, where even a single spit from someone could drown her.

Ruan Tang realized the gravity of the situation and looked at Huo Yanxiu. He caught her gaze and seemed to understand. He stood up and nodded to the Chief. "May we have a word in private?"

After a moment of hesitation, the Village Chief followed Huo Yanxiu to a corner. Ruan Tang felt a sense of relief, realizing she and Huo Yanxiu had a surprising amount of unspoken rapport.

Holding Huo Qingqing, who was playing with a Barbie doll, Ruan Tang’s expression softened. She gently pinched the girl’s soft cheek, her heart feeling warm.

Nearby, Huo Yanxiu pulled a pack of Red Plum cigarettes from his pocket and placed it into the Chief’s hand with practiced ease, his expression calm. The Village Chief was startled, his hand trembling as he held the cigarettes. He looked up at Huo Yanxiu, frowning. "What is this for?!"

Huo Yanxiu shook his head. "I didn't buy them; a colleague gave them to me." He didn't have a great need for cigarettes—he would smoke if someone offered, but he never sought them out, same with alcohol.

The Village Chief was silent for a long moment before asking, "What do you want me to do?"

Huo Yanxiu smiled. "You misunderstand, Chief. I just want to know a few things I ought to know."

The Village Chief realized there must have been more to Huo Yanxiu’s resignation and return home, so he nodded. "Go ahead. For the sake of the girl, I’ll help you." He handed the cigarettes back. "Keep these. I don't smoke."

Huo Yanxiu felt moved. He nodded and, without further ado, gave a rough summary of the situation. The Village Chief listened, his eyes filled with surprise. It was no wonder Ruan Datong didn't want to sever ties with Ruan Tang—with a son-in-law who could earn money and had such a good temperament, who would want to cut those ties?

The Village Chief shook his head. From what Huo Yanxiu described, it was obvious someone had reported him. He had lived through the era where reporting others was common, and such amateur tactics were all too familiar. He pondered and asked, "Have you offended anyone?"

Usually, such situations stemmed from envy or hatred. Those who were unhappy in their own lives couldn't stand seeing others do well; such people had the darkest hearts and were most prone to these actions.

Huo Yanxiu frowned. "Offended someone?" He hadn't paid much attention to that, but being fired immediately after his promotion and transfer without cause certainly fit the Village Chief’s assessment.

He turned the thought over in his mind but couldn't identify anyone, leaving him looking distressed.

The Village Chief shook his head. "Don't bother. If they dared to do this, they aren't afraid of being found out. Even if you know someone reported you, you won't know who it is."

Huo Yanxiu looked somewhat defeated, his fists clenching involuntarily. If the path of white-collar work was blocked, he would carve out his own way. His mindset shifted in an instant. He wasn't the type to get stuck in a dead end; if one road was blocked, he would take another. There were so many paths—surely they couldn't all be blocked by someone?

He pursed his lips, deciding to let that go and focus on Ruan Tang’s question. "Village Chief, do you know who is spreading these rumors in Ruan Village?"

Rumors stop with the wise, but it was clear everyone was playing dumb, waiting to laugh at Ruan Tang. It wasn't for any other reason than their lives being too comfortable, fueled by someone fanning the flames. Huo Yanxiu narrowed his eyes.

The Village Chief thought for a moment. Although he had heard it from his wife, it didn't mean he couldn't find out. Since he knew Ruan Tang was being framed, he was happy to help clear her name. He nodded. "Give me a few days. I’ll look into it."

Huo Yanxiu nodded and pressed the cigarettes into the Chief’s hand again. The Village Chief hesitated for a moment before finally accepting them. Money for services rendered was only natural, and it made things easier for both sides.

Huo Yanxiu watched the Chief leave and turned to see Ruan Tang and Huo Qingqing standing at the door. His eyes softened. "Why did you come out?" He walked toward them.

Ruan Tang smiled. "Qingqing wanted you to hold her." She lifted the girl, who reached out to him with an innocent expression.

Huo Yanxiu sighed in resignation, took the girl, and pinched her little nose with indulgence. "You little cutie."

"Well! Flirting in front of everyone? Er-ge, don't tell me you don't know that Ruan Tang has already been in bed with Wang Binghuan from next door? Don't you find that disgusting?"