Chapter 507
Peng Huijing couldn’t quite tell if she’d heard wrong, but something about Su Xiaoxiao’s words felt heavy with underlying threats. It made her heart race as though it might stop at any moment.
“It’s good that they’re caught. People like that should be exposed as soon as possible,” Peng Huijing forced a sincere expression, trying to distance herself from her earlier slip-up.
But Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t buying it, and the Zhang family was already well aware of what kind of person she was. None of them bothered to respond to her.
Grandpa Zhang and Granny Wang even took Su Xiaoxiao’s hand and led her inside the yard.
Just as they entered, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly let out a small, “Ah,” and her face shifted to one of nervousness and regret.
Even Jiang Yexun was startled.
“What’s wrong?” He stepped forward, his voice gentle and concerned.
“I spoke too quickly earlier. I forgot that the leaders said this matter shouldn’t be mentioned. They were worried about retaliation from the spies, but it’s been over a month and nothing has happened, so I forgot,” Su Xiaoxiao said, sounding remorseful.
Jiang Yexun, who had been anxious before, relaxed slightly after hearing her. He lowered his long lashes, hiding the flicker of light in his eyes.
“It’s fine. When it happened, only our families knew, and now it’s just Grandpa Zhang’s family. It should be fine,” he reassured her softly.
Grandpa Zhang nodded seriously, his face somber. “We won’t speak of this, but you all must be cautious. Those spies and other informants are very petty people. Their revenge could come years or even decades later.”
“I trust you both, Grandpa Zhang and Granny Wang. It’s just…” Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze subtly shifted toward Peng Huijing.
Peng Huijing, who had been pretending to be uninvolved, suddenly snapped.
“What are you looking at me for? Are you suggesting that if something happens, it’s my fault? I didn’t ask you anything! You’re the one who brought it up first and now you’re trying to blame me?” Peng Huijing was livid, almost yelling.
Zhang Zhiyuan, who had been silent, glanced at her coolly. “What kind of attitude is that from a senior? If it really has nothing to do with you, no matter how much it’s investigated, it won’t implicate you.”
Peng Huijing opened her mouth, trembling with fury, but no words came out.
How could she not know the difference? If anything happened to the Su family, it would be her first to be investigated. She couldn’t afford to have the spotlight fall on her.
She had been tangled in so many questionable activities over the years, some of which she could barely even remember. She had always been able to cover them up, but what if this time was different?
Not to mention, how could Zhang Zhiyuan, who sat in his position, not realize that those who were reported never came out clean when the Disciplinary Office started investigating?
Peng Huijing was fuming inside, but she knew better than to show it. She had to keep a calm front under the probing eyes of the Zhang family. She forced a smile and turned her attention back to Su Xiaoxiao.
“Xiaoxiao, don’t worry. I’m not someone without discretion. Important matters like these, I would never tell anyone,” Peng Huijing reassured her with a smile that almost looked like it hurt.
“Thank you, Aunt Peng,” Su Xiaoxiao said sweetly, her tone unchanged from before, as though nothing had happened.
Peng Huijing, who had been ready to get under Su Xiaoxiao’s skin, could feel the heat rising in her chest. She had planned to be on good terms with Su Xiaoxiao today, but every time she tried, the girl made her lose her temper. It felt as though they were born to clash.
Her thoughts turned dark. Her son was soon to be sent away, and she had exhausted all the methods she could think of, but nothing had worked. Now, all she could rely on was Su Xiaoxiao. However, every time Su Xiaoxiao showed her any kind of kindness, it always felt insincere. Yet, the moment she showed any ill intent, the girl would immediately strike.
By the time they had finished their meal, Peng Huijing felt as if she had been handling a porcupine, each move causing her pain.
As Su Xiaoxiao was called away by Grandpa Zhang, Peng Huijing’s mask finally slipped, and the malice on her face could no longer be concealed.
But when she turned to look at Jiang Yexun, who had been sitting quietly, she froze. His eagle-like gaze was fixed on her, sharp and penetrating.
She recoiled involuntarily, her body shuddering. Quickly, she hid her anger and forced a calm expression, standing up to help her aunt clear the table.
Once in the kitchen, she slammed the chopsticks into the sink, frustration bubbling up. How could it be? How had a teenage girl trapped her like this? And the worst part—she had been intimidated by a young man just a few years older than her, simply through a look!
“What’s going on?” Grandpa Zhang asked curiously, noticing the odd noise from the kitchen.
“Nothing,” Su Xiaoxiao smiled, shaking her head.
By the way, did Jiang’s mother not come with you this time?” Granny Wang asked, still curious. She had been planning to gauge Su Xiaoxiao’s future mother-in-law during this visit.