Zhao Mingyue returned home with light steps, feeling exceptionally cheerful. Shen Xuyue had actually helped her investigate this matter; he was truly thinking of her.

She lit the oil lamp, opened her English textbook, and began to read. But the English letters on the page seemed to dance, failing to register in her mind. Zhao Mingyue's thoughts kept drifting to Shen Xuyue. Why did he stand up for her and investigate this matter? Was it because he couldn't stand it, or did he have feelings for her? Thinking of this, Zhao Mingyue shook her head, deciding that she was overthinking things.

Zhao Mingyue, her cheeks cupped in her hands and a smile playing on her lips, gazed at the flickering lamplight like a young girl in the throes of first love. The orange flames burned quietly, occasionally stirred by a gentle breeze, swaying slightly before quickly returning to stillness. After what seemed like an eternity, the lamplight flickered softly, and someone knocked on the door. Startled, Zhao Mingyue exclaimed, "Who is it?"

The person outside the door spoke after a while: "I am Cheng Yonggang."

Zhao Mingyue frowned. Why was he here? And why did he come to her house? She didn't want to talk to him at all, so she remained silent. The other person said from outside the door, "Could you open the door? I have something to tell you."

Zhao Mingyue turned her head and sighed, "Go away. What are you doing at my house? I don't even know you."

Cheng Yonggang said, "Mingyue, I heard about the report against you. I know you were wronged. You are a good girl. Someone must be jealous of you and that's why they framed you and made you suffer. I believe you are innocent."

Zhao Mingyue thought to herself, "Whether I'm wronged or innocent is none of your business. Mind your own business." She said irritably, "If you stay away from me, I'll be cleared of all charges."

Cheng Yonggang said, "Mingyue, I'm really sorry. I didn't know I would cause you such trouble. If you're willing, I'll have someone come to propose marriage again tomorrow. I don't care about those malicious rumors."

Zhao Mingyue felt goosebumps rise on her skin. He actually dared to call her by her name directly! He really thought too highly of himself. Was he trying to take advantage of her vulnerability by bringing this up now? Did he think she would agree to his proposal? He was dreaming! Even if she never got married, she would never have anything to do with Cheng Yonggang. She said coldly, "No need. You can leave. My affairs are none of your business."

Cheng Yonggang said, "Mingyue, why are you doing this to yourself? I really don't care about any of that." He didn't think that after something like this, many people would still want to marry Zhao Mingyue. He felt sorry for her and worried that these rumors would ruin her and that she would end up marrying someone else casually.

Zhao Mingyue thought to herself, "Does the hell he even understand human language? What does it matter to me whether you care or not? My affairs are none of your business. Besides, we don't know each other at all, so don't call me by my name like that. You have no right to. Hurry up and leave, or if someone sees us, I'll be in deep trouble."

"Alright then, I'll leave. I won't cause you any trouble. I'll have the matchmaker talk to you tomorrow," Cheng Yonggang sighed.

Zhao Mingyue was incredibly irritated; he was like a piece of chewing gum, so annoying. She stood up, walked to the door, and said to Cheng Yonggang through the door, "Cheng Yonggang, are you still there?"

Cheng Yonggang was overjoyed. This was the first time Zhao Mingyue had called him by his name: "Yes, I'm here."

Zhao Mingyue paused for a moment: "Listen carefully, even if I, Zhao Mingyue, never marry, I will never marry you. You go your way, I'll go mine, and we'll have nothing to do with each other forever."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yonggang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. After a long while, he finally said, "Why? Am I that hateful to you?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "Yes, I get annoyed just looking at you. Don't bother me anymore, and don't put your heart into me. I can't take it."

"Is it because I'm not from the city?" Cheng Yonggang said confidently, "I will become a city person in the future and give you a good life."

Zhao Mingyue sneered: "Am I, Zhao Mingyue, that kind of vain person? Even if you become an official in the central government in the future, it has nothing to do with me. There will never be a possibility between us."

Cheng Yonggang gritted his teeth: "I don't understand why you hate me so much, not giving me any chance at all, and just sentencing me to death?"

Zhao Mingyue sneered. Why? Because you once personally sent me to the underworld. "There's no point in saying more. You know my attitude, so don't waste your time on me. Hurry up and leave; my parents will be back soon."

Cheng Yonggang was heartbroken. It was the first time he had ever wholeheartedly loved someone, and this was the result. He had gathered all his strength, but before he could even use it, someone poured cold water on him, leaving him completely devastated.

After a long while, Zhao Mingyue heard that there was no more movement outside, and finally realized that Cheng Yonggang had left. She sat back down in her chair, feeling helpless. So much had happened today. What kind of day was this?

The next day, when Chengmei went to work at the banquet hall, she saw Zhao Mingyue and asked with a smile, "Mingyue, didn't you go to the movies again last night? I looked for you several times but couldn't find you."

"Sister-in-law Meilai, is there something you need? I wasn't feeling well last night, so I went home first," Zhao Mingyue told a little lie.

Cheng Meilai smiled and said, "Of course it wasn't me who asked you to go; someone else asked you to go to the movies."

Zhao Mingyue asked casually, "Who is it?"

Cheng Meilai waved to her, and Zhao Mingyue walked over. Cheng Meilai whispered in her ear, "That's my cousin, the one who came to your house to propose last time. I think this young man is quite good; he doesn't believe the rumors. Do you want to reconsider?"

Zhao Mingyue shook her head: "Forget it, I feel like I'm not good enough for him. Sister-in-law Meilai, please don't give him any more advice in the future, or you'll delay him from finding a suitable girl."

"I don't think there's any issue of whether you're marrying above your station or not. The key is whether you're willing to do it. If you're willing, everything will be easy."

Zhao Mingyue looked at Cheng Meilai and said with difficulty, "Sister-in-law, let's just forget about this. I don't want to."

Cheng Meilai was a smart woman, and she understood immediately: "Alright, I won't interfere anymore. Do as you please. But my cousin is still quite sought after. Recently, someone asked my aunt to act as a matchmaker." Cheng Meilai raised her eyebrows in Wang Qiulan's direction.

Zhao Mingyue glanced over and saw Wang Qiulan chatting animatedly with someone about last night's movie. She shrugged and said, "That's none of my business."

Zhao Mingyue secretly observed Wang Qiulan's expression. Sure enough, she looked radiant, her eyes crinkling with smiles; she seemed to be in a very good mood. Was she finding it particularly satisfying to see her ridiculed? But even if she rejected Cheng Yonggang, he might not even be interested in Wang Qiulan.

This pair of adulterers are a perfect match, but if they were to get together, wouldn't that be too good for Wang Qiulan? These two scumbags should be tortured to death to appease her hatred.

Zhao Mingyue noticed that within two days, the woman's smile vanished as if a mask had been ripped off; she must have suffered a setback with Cheng Yonggang. Zhao Mingyue also noticed that Wang Qiulan's gaze towards her had become exceptionally fierce, as if she wanted to devour her whole. "That bitch is so pretentious, always shifting all the blame onto others."