"Really?"
"Is it truly to repay a favor?"
"No wonder, I said Iâve never even heard of this Ruan Family."
Upon hearing this, everyone started discussing it noisily.
Duan Sishu was initially a bit surprised, looking towards the woman who said this, about to ask who had said this, since even she hadnât heard of it. But before she could ask, she was pulled aside by Feng Nianian.
Seeing her daughter, she immediately excitedly grabbed her and asked: "Nianian, have you heard? Your cousin actually married Ruan Jiaojiao to repay a favor."
Feng Nianian looked at the stage; anyone could see that Duan Xiâs heart was full of only Ruan Jiaojiao. She pretended to be surprised and said, "Really? I didnât know."
"I didnât know about this either, but thinking about it, itâs not impossible. My brother has always been sentimental, and if itâs the Ruan Family pushing him, and he was too embarrassed to refuse, afraid that they would make a scene and ruin his reputation, it could happen." Duan Sishu chatted away, feeling increasingly justified as she spoke, as if she had found the truth.
Feng Nianian appeared indifferent, but deep in her eyes lurked amusement. No one knows better than her the power and spread of rumors. Back when she was in Xin Miaoâs body, people saw her change too quickly and soon spread the news of her having a mental illness throughout all of Beidu.
And now, in just a few days, the story of Duan Xi marrying Ruan Jiaojiao to repay a favor had spread throughout Beidu.
"Hey, why didnât your uncle tell me about this?" Beside her, Duan Sishu was unaware that this was all her daughterâs handiwork and continued talking sporadically, finally sighing regretfully.
Upon hearing this, Feng Nianian became alert but smiled calmly: "Naturally, Uncle wouldnât say anything like this. You said yourself heâs kind. If such things were to get out, it would certainly harm the Ruan Familyâs reputation, so donât ask him, okay?"
"How can it be the same? Weâre direct siblings." Duan Sishu shook her head but had already decided in her heart to find Duan Qianyang later and ask him clearly.
"Mom..." Feng Nianian frowned, her expression turning cold.
"Alright, alright, I get it." Duan Sishu grew impatient, thinking this daughter was even more nagging than her deceased husband, often telling her not to do this or that. To avoid further nagging, she pretended to listen and nodded: "I wonât ask."
Seeing her relent, Feng Nianian finally felt at ease.
But she did not realize how sharp Duan Xiâs hearing was. In just this moment, despite the noisy scene, he heard everything everyone said clearly, naturally including theirs.
If it were before, Duan Xi might not have cared, as long as it didnât directly harm Ruan Jiaojiao. But having been in this world for ten years now, he fully understood the power of words. Even for reputation, he had to guard it.
He looked in the direction of the mother and daughter, his gaze instinctively chilling.
Ruan Jiaojiao sensed his atmosphere becoming icy and followed his gaze, seeing Duan Sishu and Feng Nianian. Recalling the incident Duan Sishu caused on Duan Xiâs birthday last time, she tugged on Duan Xiâs arm.