After speaking, Deputy Factory Director Jiang turned to Su Wenshan. "Director Su, I was too abrupt tonight. I should have informed you in advance. Look at how things have turned out…"
He paused, then added, "How about this—I'll choose another auspicious day and properly discuss the marriage between Su Yun and my son, Guangzong?"
Chen Xiue raised her voice immediately.
"Deputy Director Jiang, that doesn't make sense! Everyone in this courtyard knows that your son's partner is He Hua! Why are you discussing marriage with our Old Su instead of going to talk to He Hua's family?"
Su Wenshan also spoke up. "Deputy Director Jiang, my daughter Su Yun has already said she's not interested in your son. Her mother and I respect her decision."
Jiang shook his head in disapproval. "Director Su, since ancient times, marriages have been decided by parents and matchmakers. How can you let a child make such decisions on her own?"
Su Wenshan, however, had his own principles.
He had already learned from Xia Xingguo that Jiang had interfered in the recent model selection process, and he had been dissatisfied ever since. Hearing Jiang's words now, he simply lowered his head and tapped his pipe, remaining silent.
The meaning was clear: this matter was not open for discussion.
Chen Xiue understood her husband's stance, but considering Jiang's position, she restrained herself from speaking too harshly.
"Deputy Director Jiang, our Su Yun and your son are not meant to be. You'd better look elsewhere."
Seeing this, He Hua's jealousy and resentment toward Su Yun intensified.
She had not expected things to develop this way—yet the Jiang family was still proposing to Su Yun!
Why?
What did Su Yun have that she didn't?
A sudden idea struck her. She stepped forward and loudly declared, "Jiang Guangzong cannot marry Su Yun! I am the one who should become part of the Jiang family! He said it himself—he fell in love with me at first sight. When he invited me to the movies, he… he…"
She faltered, then gritted her teeth. "Anyway, if he refuses to take responsibility, I'll report him to the police for taking liberties with me!"
In an instant, everyone present was stunned.
This era was not like the future—such accusations were serious crimes, potentially punishable by death.
The neighbors' gazes toward the Jiang family changed immediately.
If Jiang Guangzong were arrested for such a crime, Deputy Director Jiang would certainly be implicated, possibly even dismissed from his position. What was there left to fear?
Jiang's wife realized this as well. Ignoring her husband's earlier warning, she snapped at He Hua, "So that's your game! No wonder you kept sticking to my son that day at the steel factory film screening—like you had no bones, always bumping into him! I'm telling you, as long as I'm alive, you'll never enter the Jiang family! I'll make sure of it!"
Jiang Guangzong's face turned ashen. Pointing at He Hua, he shouted,
"You're lying! You ugly thing—have you even looked at yourself in the mirror? Anyone who sees you would think they've seen a ghost! I'd have to be blind to take liberties with you!"
Wang Damao folded her arms and sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, that's not necessarily true. Even if He Hua isn't pretty, once the lights are off, everyone's the same. Who knows—maybe some young men get desperate and take liberties, then refuse to admit it."
The "young men" she referred to clearly meant Jiang Guangzong.
She gave him a disdainful look and added,
"Besides, you're not much better looking yourself. How dare you look down on her?"
Her words left Jiang Guangzong and his mother furious.
Deputy Director Jiang clenched his jaw silently. The insult extended to him as well—after all, Guangzong was his son.
It was true, Jiang himself was not handsome. He had risen to his position through family background, flattery, and his usual polite demeanor.
Widow He, quick-witted as ever, seized the opportunity. She grabbed her daughter and began wailing loudly, "Oh, my poor Hua! You've been wronged by your partner, and you didn't even tell your mother! If you had, I would've stood up for you!"
He Hua caught on immediately, adopting a pitiful expression. "Mom, I've suffered so much… Jiang Guangzong deceived my feelings and took liberties with me. Now his family pretends nothing happened and comes here to propose to Su Yun. I… I refuse to accept this! I'm going to report him to the police…"
Widow He nodded firmly. "Report him! We'll go to the police station tomorrow—I'll go with you. Let's see if the son of a deputy factory director can escape punishment for such a crime!"
Hearing this, Jiang Guangzong panicked and looked desperately at his father.
Deputy Director Jiang's eyes darkened slightly as he stepped forward to calm them.
"Comrade He, everything can be discussed. Don't act rashly—there must be some misunderstanding here."
But He Hua shook her head resolutely.
"No, Mom—I'm going to the police first thing tomorrow… No, I'll go right now! There must be officers on duty. I'll report him immediately and have him locked up tonight!"
With that, she made a move to leave.
Jiang Guangzong broke out in a cold sweat. His mother hurriedly blocked her path.
"Stop! You're not going anywhere!"
At that moment, He Cheng, who had been inside the house, suddenly dashed out, pushing past everyone as he ran toward the courtyard gate. "Mom! Hua! I'll report it for you—I'll go bring the police here!"
"Stop! Don't go! You can't!"
Jiang's wife nearly lost her soul in panic, urging Jiang Yaozu to chase after him.
Moments later, Jiang Yaozu returned, disheveled and teary-eyed.
"Mom… he's not a good person. He hit me and kicked me back…"
"He ran too fast—I couldn't catch him…"
He Hua's mother looked triumphant. He Hua covered her face, secretly revealing a satisfied smile.
Without even trying to hide it, He Hua's mother turned to Deputy Director Jiang and declared: "My son will bring the police here any moment. You have two choices—either let my daughter marry into your family, or let your son face the consequences. Choose."
Deputy Director Jiang nearly lost his composure.
Jiang Guangzong and his mother glared at her with blazing anger.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiue and the others watched the drama unfold. Su Yun also came forward with great interest, followed by Su Baoguo and the group of children.
Wang Damao, still holding a grudge over Jiang's wife cursing the children earlier, sighed theatrically, "Oh dear, what a mess. It's obvious Jiang Guangzong and He Hua are a couple—he gave her food, took her to the movies, and she's even wearing the clothes he bought. How can he deny it now?"
"Surely it's not because Su Yun is prettier that he wants to abandon He Hua after starting something with her?"
"When the police arrive, I'll make sure to speak up. No decent person would do something so shameless!"
Jiang Yuling chimed in, "Exactly. The situation is obvious. Everyone here knows the truth—it's not something you can deny."