Sold immediately after wearing it? I took my family and fled the famine.

As soon as the carriage left Lanting Villa, Chen Xiaoxiao and Chen Sumei remained silent in the corner, creating an eerie atmosphere throughout the carriage.

"I really didn't see it clearly back then," Xu Yun said in a low voice, still wanting to explain.

Chen Sumei sat opposite him, her eyes gazing out of the carriage curtain, her face expressionless. She didn't respond to him. Xu Yun glanced at her, then at Chen Xiaoxiao, his heart feeling heavy and choked, as if someone had stuffed a damp cotton ball into it.

"Sumei, let me finish. The situation was too chaotic. I heard someone shout that Miss Chen had fallen into the water, and when I saw the color of her clothes, you were the only person I could think of. If I had known it was Xiaoxiao, I wouldn't have..."

Chen Sumei turned her head sharply, her eyes still red, but her voice was cold and flat: "Xu Yun, how many times do you need to say it? So what if you know it was her? If my sister fell into the water, would you just stand on the shore and watch? It's your duty to save her, but you shouldn't have held her like that. Didn't you see what those people were seeing? Are you trying to tell me you regret saving her?"

"That's why I said your jump harmed Xiaoxiao." Chen Sumei said this and then stopped looking at him.

Chen Xiaoxiao just felt cold, as if a chill was seeping out from her very bones.

When they arrived at the gate of the Chen family compound, Chen Sumei got out of the car first, and Xu Yun jumped down as well, wanting to lend a hand. However, Chen Sumei glanced at him and then awkwardly withdrew her hand.

The three entered the courtyard. Madam Hu was in the main room, playing with Tianci. Hearing the commotion, she came out to greet them. Seeing that Chen Xiaoxiao wasn't wearing the same clothes she'd worn that morning, her expression immediately changed: "What happened? Weren't you going to the literary gathering? How did you end up like this?"

Granny Chen also came out of the house. Only then did Chen Sumei look at Xu Yun and say, "Tell my grandmother and mother what happened today yourself."

Xu Yun stood there, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet. He looked at Madam Hu, then at Granny Chen, and finally lowered his head to recount the events of the literary gathering in detail.

The more Hu listened, the paler her face became, while Granny Chen remained silent.

After Xu Yun finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the main room. Seeing that neither of the two elders expressed their opinion, Chen Sumei took a soft breath and said, "Mother, Grandmother, in this situation, putting everything else aside, Xiaoxiao's reputation is probably ruined. Xu Yun hugged her and looked at her in front of so many people. How will she get married in the future? Who would want her?"

Madam Hu was always quick to speak, but this time she was also in a dilemma. Granny Chen glanced at Chen Sumei and slowly said, "So what do you think?"

Chen Sumei looked up, as if she had made up her mind: "Xu Yun must marry Xiaoxiao. Only in this way can we shut up the gossip. I... I'll pretend nothing happened."

Xu Yun suddenly looked up: "What did you say?"

"Haven't I made myself clear enough?" Chen Sumei looked into his eyes, her own eyes reddening again, but her tone was terrifyingly steady: "Either you marry Xiaoxiao, or your marriage to me is off. I absolutely cannot let Xiaoxiao bear this reputation alone. You are her future brother-in-law. Now that something like this has happened, if you don't take responsibility, her life is over."

"This is outrageous!" Xu Yun's face turned pale, and his voice trembled. "When I saved her, I only thought it was you who had fallen into the water. If I had known it was Xiaoxiao, I... I would never have done that. You want me to marry Xiaoxiao? What kind of nonsense is this? I'm engaged to you, how can I turn around and marry your sister?"

Chen Sumei stared at him: "That's why I said the marriage is off. You don't need to feel awkward."

Finally, Madam Hu could no longer sit still. She shoved Tianci into Granny Chen's arms, stood up, and said, "Sumei, have you thought this through? How can you just call off such a serious matter as marriage? Xu Yun didn't do it on purpose. Can't you come up with a way that satisfies both sides?"

Granny Chen nodded in agreement: "This matter needs to be considered carefully. We can't let a moment of impulse ruin the lives of both children."

Chen Sumei bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes: "I did it all for Xiaoxiao! If it weren't for Xiaoxiao, I wouldn't have asked for this today. Xu Yun, just give me a straight answer."

Xu Yun looked at her, then at Chen Xiaoxiao, who was huddled in the chair. Chen Xiaoxiao hadn't looked up since the beginning.

His mind was in complete turmoil, his head felt like it had been hit with a copper hammer. He felt that everything in front of him was absurd, like he had stepped into a dream and couldn't wake up no matter what.

At that moment, Chen Xiaoxiao slowly raised her face.

She looked at Xu Yun, then at Chen Sumei, and finally at Granny Chen. Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear: "Grandma, I'll listen to you. I'll listen to what you and Mother decide."

Chen Sumei had expected Xiaoxiao to cry, make a fuss, and hide away as usual. She hadn't expected Xiaoxiao to say those words. She was slightly taken aback, then felt a sense of relief.

Listening to one's elders' arrangements is no different from accepting one's fate. Xu Yun remained standing for a long while before finally saying in a hoarse voice, "I can't make that decision. I have to go back... and ask my parents."

Granny Chen sighed and said, "It's right to ask. Your Xu family should come up with a plan. Our Chen family won't force you to agree on the spot." Madam Hu nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, such a big matter needs to be discussed properly by both families."

Xu Yun walked out of the Chen family home, looking utterly dejected.