Chapter 127

"What do you think you're doing?" Su Nuan grabbed Li Yuan's wrist with such force that the other girl winced in pain.

Li Yuan yanked her hand free, sneering. "Oh, what? Feeling protective now?"

Su Nuan stepped in front of Lin Xiaoyu, her gaze sharp. "If you have something to say, say it properly. Resorting to violence just shows how weak you are."

"Please, spare me the act," Li Yuan scoffed. "Where was your righteous intervention when she stole my boyfriend?"

Lin Xiaoyu tugged at Su Nuan's sleeve, her voice barely audible. "Nuan, just let it go..."

"Let it go?" Su Nuan shot her a glare. "You're going to take this kind of bullying lying down?"

A crowd of curious onlookers had gathered, murmurs rippling through them.

"Did you hear? Li Yuan got cheated on..."

"Serves her right—she’s always been so arrogant..."

Li Yuan’s face darkened. Suddenly, she raised her hand to strike.

Su Nuan reacted instantly, seizing her wrist. "Don’t you dare!"

"Let go!" Li Yuan struggled but couldn’t break free.

"Apologize," Su Nuan’s voice was icy. "To Xiaoyu. Now."

"Why should I?" Li Yuan spat through gritted teeth.

Su Nuan tightened her grip. "Because you just tried to hit someone for no reason."

Li Yuan paled from the pain and finally forced out three reluctant words: "I’m... sorry."

Only then did Su Nuan release her, pulling Lin Xiaoyu away without another glance.

Behind them, Li Yuan shouted furiously, "Su Nuan, you’ll regret this!"

"Anytime," Su Nuan called back, waving dismissively without turning around.

At the corner, Lin Xiaoyu suddenly hugged her. "Nuan... thank you."

Su Nuan patted her back. "Silly girl, don’t be such a pushover next time."

"But..." Lin Xiaoyu hesitated.

"But what?"

"Li Yuan’s family has connections..."

Su Nuan smirked. "So what?"

She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Hey, big brother. Someone’s threatening your little sister..."

A deep chuckle came through the line. "Who’s stupid enough to do that?"

Su Nuan’s lips curved. "A girl named Li Yuan. Apparently, her family has some pull."

"Got it." The voice on the other end turned cold. "Leave it to me."

Hanging up, Su Nuan winked at Lin Xiaoyu. "Done."

Lin Xiaoyu gaped. "Your... your brother is...?"

"Shh—" Su Nuan pressed a finger to her lips. "That’s a secret."

Meanwhile, Li Yuan was on the phone, sobbing. "Dad, someone’s bullying me..."

After a pause, an enraged shout erupted from the receiver. "Out of all people, you had to provoke someone from the Su family?!"

Li Yuan froze. "The... Su family?"

"Apologize immediately!" The command was absolute. "Right now!"

Under the setting sun, the two girls’ shadows stretched long across the ground. Lin Xiaoyu glanced at Su Nuan’s profile and suddenly realized how dependable her usually carefree best friend could be.

"Nuan..."

"Yeah?"

"You were... really cool back there."

Su Nuan burst out laughing and slung an arm around her shoulders. "Of course! Come on, let’s get ice cream!"

From the shadows of the school building, a tall figure watched them walk away, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Soap?"

Emily Johnson pulled out an exquisitely wrapped bar from the drawer, and Amy Bright's eyes instantly widened.

"This... this is too precious!" Amy waved her hands frantically, her cheeks flushing red. "I can't accept it."

Emily pressed the soap into her hands without hesitation. "I bought too many last time. I don't care for this scent."

"But..." Amy clutched the soap awkwardly. Such luxuries were rare—few families in the village could afford them.

"If you won't take it, I'll have to take back the yarn." Emily pretended to reach for the ball of yarn on the table.

"No!" Amy hugged the yarn protectively, stamping her foot in protest. "Fine, I'll take it!"

Only then did Emily smile in satisfaction. "Then I'll trouble you with this."

Amy stole a glance at the soap in her hand, thinking to herself: Why does my sister-in-law act like she's guarding against thieves, as if afraid I'd lose out?

"Sister-in-law, should I add any patterns to the sweater?"

"No need." Emily shook her head. "What use do men have for fancy designs?"

She then prepared another steaming bowl of powdered milk and insisted Amy finish it before letting her leave.

"I'll head back now." Amy cradled the yarn as if it were treasure.

Watching the young girl's retreating figure, Emily sighed in relief. She could have easily bought a ready-made sweater, but that would have been too ostentatious. Even the clothes she'd bought for the children were the plainest styles available in this era.

In the Bright family's courtyard, Grandma Bright sat on the doorstep, sewing shoe soles.

"Grandma!" Amy rushed in excitedly. "Look!"

She presented the soap and a piece of floral fabric to her grandmother like prized offerings.

"Oh my!" Grandma Bright's eyes lit up. "This soap smells wonderful!" She brought it closer to inhale the fragrance. "And this fabric is perfect—just right for making you a new padded jacket."

"Sister-in-law said she didn't like it..." Amy explained softly.

Grandma Bright patted her granddaughter's head. "Your sister-in-law is a good person."

Amy nodded vigorously. "I'll wash my hands right away and start knitting her sweater!"

......

"Sister-in-law! Are you home?"

Emily was reading when she heard a familiar voice calling from outside.

"Ethan?" She opened the door to find the boy holding a bundle of dirt-covered objects.

"Sister-in-law, guess what this is?" Ethan held them up proudly.

Emily examined them closely. "Yams?"

"Yes!" Ethan said excitedly. "Much easier to handle than kudzu roots—just peel and eat!"

Emily smiled and nodded. "Exactly. You can steam them or stir-fry them. Just be careful when digging so they don't break—they store well."

Since there was no fieldwork to do, Ethan had taken to exploring the mountains daily, always returning with some wild harvest.