Feeding the fish is a simple task and doesn't take much time.

Xue Fu watched Gu Chong silently scattering fish food, but he didn't seem to be concentrating. She didn't even notice that a few specks of fish food had gotten onto his sleeve.

Xue Fu rarely saw Gu Chong in this state.

She naturally asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

He looked over and gave a low, nasal hum: "Hmm?"

"You seem strange."

Xue Fu carefully observed his expression: "Is something not going well?"

Gu Chong shook his head: "No."

He just didn't know where to begin.

He could actually talk about those rumors openly and honestly.

The problem is that he can't do it openly and honestly.

The content of those rumors, to some extent, resonated with his unspeakable thoughts.

He found it difficult to be at ease and have a clear conscience.

Gu Chong continued scattering fish food, then brought up the morning's events that she had just asked about: "I had something to do this morning. I went to the county town to discuss business with someone."

"I need to go out again at the end of this month. It won't take long, about seven days, just like last time."

The goods they bought last time from the south were all sold off quickly, and they made several times their initial investment.

This was the most money Gu Chong had ever made since he started this reselling business.

In the past, Gu Chong might have been satisfied.

But now, he feels it's not enough, it's not good enough.

At the end of the month, trucks will pass through here, and he and Zhou Zhi can hitch a ride south once more.

With the money they earned this time, their initial capital was even greater, and Gu Chong was looking forward to doing an even bigger business.

"Ah..." Xue Fu paused upon hearing this, somewhat worried, "Will it be as dangerous as last time?"

She still remembered the last time he was injured.

Gu Chong also remembered this, and he curled his lips into a smile: "No, didn't I already promise you?"

His expression softened, but his tone remained firm: "There won't be a next time."

Xue Fu glanced at him a few times, her expression unreadable: "That would be best."

Because of this topic, the atmosphere between the two became somewhat intimate.

"Xue Fu." He suddenly called out, and Xue Fu turned to look at him: "Hmm?"

Her eyes weren't a deep color; under the sunlight, they were amber in color, clear and sparkling.

Gu Chong's gaze traced her features carefully, finally settling on her watery eyes. Thankfully, he didn't see any disgust in her.

The question that had been weighing on my mind was finally asked: "Would you mind?"

Xue Fu asked, bewildered, "Huh? What do you mind?"

"Those gossips... rumors that are bad for you."

Gu Chong lowered his eyes to the surface of the fishpond. The fish food that had just been scattered in attracted a group of small fish to hunt it, creating ripples.

Even the mildest rumor is still a rumor.

Despite the rumors and gossip, Gu Chong himself didn't care at all.

They were all unimportant people, and he didn't care what they said.

But Xue Fu is different.

He didn't want to hear anyone say a bad word about her.

Xue Fu immediately realized what was happening and subconsciously looked at him.

When faced with Gu Chong's dark and calm eyes, Xue Fu couldn't tell a lie.

She answered honestly, "A little."

At first, Xue Fu didn't think it was a big deal because she hadn't heard those unpleasant words.

But after today's experience, Xue Fu thought that she might still be a little sensitive.

“Okay,” Gu Chong paused for a moment, “I will explain it to them again, it won’t affect you.”

In fact, Gu Chong really wanted to say something like, "Don't care what they think, let them say whatever they want."

He even tried to say in a grand and respectable way, "The innocent are innocent."

He secretly wanted to use this method to include her in his own territory, preventing others from showing interest in or coveting her.

But the words stuck in his throat. Looking into her clear, trusting eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say them.

He swallowed his malicious thoughts and then, with a sanctimonious air, began to discuss a 'solution' with her.

Gu Chong found his own hypocrisy laughable.

How are you going to clarify this?

Xue Fu actually wanted to endure it and adjust her mindset.

But when she heard Gu Chong say that he could clarify things, she widened her eyes slightly and stared at him intently, trying to see what he was thinking and how he planned to resolve the situation.

Gu Chong looked defiant, and Xue Fu thought he would resort to some tough methods, but she heard him say, "I'll talk to them one by one."

Xue Fu was amused by his honest remark, her eyes crinkling into a smile: "You want to reason with them?"

Seeing her smiling happily, Gu Chong mumbled, "Mm."

It's not that he couldn't just go for it and act recklessly. He just wanted to make a good impression on her.

After all, she seems to prefer cultured people. Aren't cultured people known for their etiquette and their tendency to reason?

But Xue Fu realized a blind spot.

She stopped laughing, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.

"But if I continue to eat at your house, they don't seem to believe it."

As long as she continues to visit the Gu family and contact Gu Chong, isn't it just like trying to hide something obvious?

Clarification is pointless.

Gu Chong remained silent for a moment.

He closed his lips, a little nervous.

"Are you still coming?"

His question put Xue Fu in a difficult position.

Honestly, she wanted to go.

Just Gu Chong's culinary skills alone are enough to make anyone's mouth water.

Besides, she had been eating and drinking with the Gu brothers for so long that they had long since gotten used to each other's diets, so she didn't have many concerns, which was much better than the educated youth settlement.

At the educated youth settlement, she ate communal meals, meaning she couldn't cook for herself or decide what she would eat for her next meal.

This is unpleasant.

If Xue Fu had to choose, she would naturally choose Gu Chong.

The question of choosing Gu Chong leads us back to the very beginning.

With so many rumors and gossip, can her fragile heart withstand it?

If she had never heard anything unpleasant before, Xue Fu could have mentally won over and not take it seriously.

However, since these words had already reached her ears, Xue Fu could no longer ignore them or pretend not to know.

Xue Fu felt awkward, but when she looked up and met Gu Chong's equally hesitant and nervous gaze, her heart skipped a beat.

My thoughts were in a state of flux.

Just as Xue Fu was about to nod in agreement, the aunt who usually brought fresh fodder to the fishpond arrived at this time.

"Xiao Xue! Is Xiao Xue here?"

Her aunt's loud voice called from afar, interrupting Xue Fu's words and diverting her attention.

"Hey! Aunt Liu, I'm here!"

She subconsciously shouted back in response.

Aunt Liu came over from the other side carrying hay.

She needed to confirm today's work with Xue Fu, lest the scorekeeper say she hadn't come today.

There was a row of willow trees by the fishpond. I couldn't see them clearly because of the willow leaves. Aunt Liu walked around the trees and finally saw the young couple standing together.

Xue Fu looked at the smiling Aunt Liu, but to her surprise, Aunt Liu immediately said, "Oh my, the Gu family boy is here too, how thoughtful of him."

Xue Fu: "!"

She wanted to interrupt, but Aunt Liu kept talking.

"Here you are again, helping your soon-to-be wife with chores."

Xue Fu: ......