Liu Ling chimed in, "I didn't sleep either."

Xue Fu: "What's wrong?"

However, considering that it's Li Jing's wedding day, it's understandable that everyone is having trouble sleeping.

Zheng Peipei hesitated for a moment, but still asked Xue Fu tactfully about her relationship with Gu Chong.

In the past, Cheng Pei-pei was not very supportive of educated youth dating and marrying rural people.

In her opinion, nothing was more important than returning to the city.

But seeing Li Jing's wedding today undoubtedly had a huge impact on her.

Li Jing seems quite happy; He Luosheng treats her very well.

Moreover, the He family was considered well-off in the village. He Luosheng's father was the secretary of the commune, his eldest brother was an officer in the army, and his second sister married into the city and received a government-subsidized job. He Luosheng himself was one of the few educated people in the village, a high school graduate.

To be honest, with these qualities, you'd be one in a hundred to find a partner in the city.

Aside from the fact that the He family has a rural household registration, there's really nothing else to criticize.

Zheng Peipei thought that accepting this matter was not as painful as she had imagined.

Actually... it's a good choice, and she doesn't need to be so opposed to it.

Besides Li Jing, Xue Fu was the only one in their educated youth settlement who had a slightly better relationship with the villagers.

The relationship between Xue Fu and that cold-faced Gu Chong could hardly be described as 'good'.

It was obvious to the naked eye that their relationship was 'too good'.

What is the relationship between Xue Fu and him?

Zheng Peipei felt that they were dating because Gu Chong was so good to Xue Fu, bringing her breakfast every day.

Gu Chong was even more considerate and heartwarming than those who were in relationships.

Cheng Pei-pei thought so, but after carefully observing Hsueh Fu's condition, she felt something was wrong.

Xue Fu doesn't look like she's in a relationship.

This feeling arose because Xue Fu acted too openly and frankly, without any of the shyness one might expect from someone in love.

They hadn't dared to ask this question before. But since Li Jing was getting married today, they wanted to find out, so that next time they wouldn't be caught off guard by the news of her getting married without any time to process it.

Xue Fu's breath hitched, and she was speechless.

But it's easy to figure out why Cheng Pei-pei asked that question.

She heard Liu Ling chime in, asking, "Are you two dating? Don't worry, Xue Fu, we're tight-lipped and won't tell anyone."

Liu Ling spoke very sincerely, which actually made Xue Fu feel a little guilty.

She licked her lower lip: "Ah...this..."

To be honest, when asked, the answer is no, we didn't talk about it.

But Xue Fu also felt that this answer was not very convincing.

Xue Fu finally uttered that awful line: "No, we're just friends."

"So, do you date?" Cheng Pei-pei asked curiously.

Zheng Peipei was about the same age as Xue Fu, and she was also curious about romantic relationships.

Liu Ling, who is four years older than you, reminded you from the side: "If you two are not dating, you should find a chance to clarify those rumors in the village, otherwise it will not be good for your reputation."

Although their partnership was officially approved by the team leader and was a legitimate partnership.

But some people, having nothing better to do, like to talk about these random things.

In addition, Gu Chong and Xue Fu sometimes did get too close, which looked ambiguous.

Xue Fu usually worked at the fishpond, so she rarely heard any gossip.

Normal people wouldn't gossip in front of the person in question.

But when they talked about these gossips and rumors, they didn't care about Zheng Peipei and Liu Ling, the two educated youths.

Zheng Peipei and Liu Ling heard quite a bit about it as well.

This is a question that Xue Fu has thought about many times.

She hasn't reached a conclusion yet.

Therefore, Xue Fu did not hide her attitude.

She said, "I don't know."

"All right."

Zheng Peipei and Liu Ling did not ask any further questions.

Finding the answer to this question is Xue Fu's business; asking further would be overstepping her bounds.

Two days later, the conversation between Xue Fu, Liu Ling, and Zheng Peipei that night turned out to be prophetic.

On the day of Li Jing's wedding, Gu Chong was seen carrying the drunk Xue Fu back to his home.

Furthermore, since it happened to be the wedding day of another female educated youth, the timing inevitably led to much speculation.

In no time, rumors and gossip spread like wildfire throughout the village.

At first, the news didn't reach Xue Fu's ears. She just felt that the way the villagers looked at her was strange when she passed by, but she didn't think too much about it.

It was after she returned to the educated youth settlement that night that Zheng Peipei quietly reminded her.

“There are rumors going around that you and Gu Chong are dating. Xue Fu, do you think you should clarify this?” Zheng Peipei said with some concern.

Xue Fu was surprised: "Huh? How come it's spreading again?"

She thought her gossip with Gu Chong was old news, so why is it being reheated?

Do you guys have nothing better to do?

Seeing Xue Fu's blank expression, Zheng Peipei remembered what she had overheard. Zheng Peipei's ears turned red, and she gritted her teeth as she asked Xue Fu, "On the day Li Jing got married, did Gu Chong carry you back to his house?"

Xue Fu instinctively replied, "How did you know?"

A flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but before Zheng Peipei could continue, Xue Fu understood.

Zheng Peipei understood from Xue Fu's reaction that this was not unfounded.

Xue Fu and Gu Chong were unfortunately spotted by someone.

Xue Fu was somewhat annoyed and muttered to herself, "Ugh... how did I get seen..."

Cheng Pei-pei kindly reminded her: "Find an opportunity to clarify things, or talk to the team leader. Otherwise, if you keep dragging it out and waiting for everyone to talk about these things, it won't be good for your reputation."

Zheng Peipei didn't say those harsh words, but Xue Fu could probably guess what people outside were saying about her and Gu Chong from her unspoken words.

Things like having casual relationships with men and women.

Xue Fu thanked her and nodded, "Yes, I'll consider it. Thank you, Peipei."

However, we still need to ask Gu Chong for advice on how to deal with Xue Fu, and see if he has any ideas.

Xue Fu is a bit spoiled.

Children who grow up surrounded by praise and compliments are actually less able to handle being stigmatized.

Although 'reputation' is, to be honest, an extremely intangible thing, even if her reputation in Qingtang Village is really ruined, it won't affect her much when the college entrance examination is reinstated next year and Xue Fu leaves to take the exam.

But the thought that someone had deliberately attached those foul words to her made Xue Fu feel disgusted.

And it's not just her who's being ruined; Gu Chong is affected too.

Ultimately, this is where he grew up. It has a greater influence on him.

Xue Fu didn't care much before because the message wouldn't reach her ears.

But hearing this made her uncomfortable.

The next day, Gu Fei brought her breakfast.

Xue Fu stared at the child for a moment, then quickly came to her senses, took the lunchbox, and asked casually, "Xiao Fei, where's your brother?"

Gu Fei scratched the back of his head and explained, "My brother was suddenly called away. Brother Zhouzhi had something to discuss with him."

"Zhou Zhi?" This was the first time Xue Fu had heard this name. She searched her memory and remembered that no one in Qingtang Village had this name.

Who is this?

Gu Fei obediently replied, "Brother Zhouzhi is from the neighboring Hongtang Village, and he is my good friend."