Chapter 174 Let's get this straight

"I clearly promised to keep that a secret for you, so why are you framing me instead? I've been completely open and honest with you, and this is how you treat me?"

Qiao Wanyin was stunned, her pupils contracted slightly, and she was full of question marks.

She frowned and stared at Fang Wanyu, a strange chill rising in her heart.

What nonsense is this little fox spouting?

What "that thing"?

She was completely baffled.

"Wanyu, what did she ask you to keep hidden?"

Song Yazhi became alert and looked sharply at Fang Wanyu. "Don't be afraid, Auntie is here. Tell the truth. Whoever did something wrong must take responsibility. I will not be biased."

Fang Wanyu looked panicked, like a small animal driven to the brink of despair. Her voice was extremely low, yet tinged with urgency: "Aunt Song, Sister Wanyin... she forced me not to tell anyone that her 'friend' from Hong Kong also came to the military region. She said if I dared to tell anyone, she would make sure I couldn't stay in the military region anymore!"

"They've been secretly contacting each other lately, passing notes using coded signals, and even arranged to meet at the old warehouse behind the mountain... In fact... they met secretly just before you arrived! I saw it with my own eyes; the man was wearing a Hong Kong-style trench coat and sunglasses, acting suspiciously..."

Well, I really underestimated this guy who's pretending to be innocent!

Her usual pitiful and gentle appearance completely fooled everyone; even I was almost deceived by her innocent eyes.

Her gaze suddenly turned cold, like a frozen lake in the dead of winter, exuding a chilling aura.

She walked towards Fang Wanyu step by step, her high heels clicking crisply and heavily on the cement floor, as if each step was on the other's heartbeat.

"Sister Wanyu is really 'concerned' about me, isn't she?"

Her tone was soft, yet laced with intense sarcasm, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Are you expecting to follow me around every day? Your house is three blocks away from mine, yet every time I go out, you 'coincidentally' appear nearby. Is it a coincidence? Or was it premeditated?"

What are you trying to gain by following me?

She took a step closer, her voice lower but sharper, "Isn't it all to break me up with Maidong? Do you think I don't know what you've been up to behind my back? Secretly passing notes, faking illness to take leave, even suddenly appearing when Maidong and I are on a date, acting all weak and helpless—do you think I'm blind?"

Fang Wanyu felt guilty under her gaze, her face turned slightly pale, and she subconsciously took half a step back, her steps a little unsteady.

Her fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white, yet she still managed to keep her voice from trembling.

"What...what nonsense are you talking about!"

She bit her lip, her voice trembling but defiant, "I didn't follow you at all! You're making baseless accusations!"

"Then why don't you go work for the performing arts troupe?"

Qiao Wanyin sneered, her voice suddenly rising with an aggressive tone, "Always hanging around my house?"

This morning I went out to buy fried dough sticks, and you were at the alley entrance; I passed by the market on my way home from work, and you were there 'coincidentally' carrying a basket; even when I went for a walk in the park with Maidong, you managed to 'bump into' us… Isn't this just too much of a coincidence?

"If you have nothing to hide, why make it so obvious?"

She stared coldly at Fang Wanyu and said, word by word, "Do you think everyone is a fool? Do you think you can hide your little schemes?"

Song Yazhi stood to the side, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper, her originally gentle expression replaced by doubt.

She finally couldn't hold back any longer, turning her cold gaze to Fang Wanyu, her tone so serious it was almost accusatory.

"Wanyu, what exactly happened?"

Her voice was steady, yet it carried an undeniable pressure: "If you don't give me a reasonable explanation, don't blame me for not showing sisterly affection in the future."

Although she disliked Qiao Wanyin, she also disliked people who liked to gossip and spread rumors behind people's backs.

To say one thing to someone's face and another behind their back—this kind of hypocrisy is utterly disgusting.

She has always believed in living an upright life, preferring to offend people with her frankness rather than be a scheming and petty person.

Fang Wanyu's face flushed, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.

Her voice trembled slightly as she tried her best to appear innocent: "Aunt Song, I really just happened to run into her. I wasn't deliberately following Sister Wanyin. If you don't believe me, you can ask the people on the street. I was on my way to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy fabric today, and I just happened to see her when I passed by..."

"happen?"

Qiao Wanyin sneered, her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes as cold as frost.

She crossed her arms and looked down at Fang Wanyu. "Sheng Qi lives a long way from the military region, separated by three alleys and a main road. Isn't your 'coincidence' a bit too perfect? ​​How did you happen to run into me, right in front of Sheng Qi's house?"

Suddenly, Song Yazhi grabbed Qiao Wanyin's wrist with such force that she almost left a mark.

Her face was ashen, her lips pale, and her voice trembled slightly: "Your man is called Sheng Qi? Hmph, he's definitely not a decent man! I've long heard that the Lin family has a dirty past, and their men are all philanderers and heartless. Now it's your turn to be tainted with that dirty reputation!"

Qiao Wanyin was stunned. Her wrist was gripped so tightly that it hurt, but she endured it and did not break free.

She hurriedly explained, her voice tinged with anxiety: "Mom, listen to me, it's not what you think... Sheng Qi and I are just old acquaintances, our meeting today was purely accidental. I haven't done anything to betray the Fu family, and I certainly haven't had any improper relationship with him behind Mai Dong's back..."

"Shut up!"

Song Yazhi abruptly interrupted her, raising her voice so loudly that it seemed to shake the dust on the roof beams.

Her chest heaved violently, burning with rage. "I won't listen to the excuses of a petty thief like you! My Fu family has an impeccable reputation, and we won't tolerate a woman like you tarnishing it! Get out of here now! Leave this house immediately! Don't wait until my son comes back and embarrasses us!"

The room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The air seemed to freeze; the wind outside the window had stopped, and only the ticking of the old-fashioned wall clock could be clearly heard.

Fang Wanyu lowered her head and secretly glanced at Qiao Wanyin, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes.

Qiao Wanyin took a deep breath, her chest heaving, forcing herself to calm down.

She slowly straightened her back, as if trying to suppress all the humiliation and anger into her bones.

Her eyes were slightly red, but her gaze was firm, without the slightest hesitation.

"Mom, I won't leave."

Her tone was firm, her voice not loud, but each word was powerful, like nails hammering into the floor: "I am Fu Li'an's lawfully wedded wife, brought into the family with great ceremony. I am not an outsider who can be driven away by a single shout. If he wants me to leave, he has to tell me personally, in front of me, and make it clear."

She didn't want to be the kind of spineless person who would run back to her parents' home at the slightest provocation.

My mother-in-law glared at me, then turned and ran away, crying and begging for protection—that's not like her.

Qiao Wanyin has been stubborn since childhood; once she's made up her mind, nothing can change it.

Moreover, she and Fu Lian now have genuine feelings for each other.