Chapter 2: The Tragic Broken Engagement

Su Chunlin and his wife knew they were in the wrong for hiding their daughter’s mental deficiency from their future in-laws, so they lacked confidence when facing Ding’s questioning. However, at the thought of Su Tai’s performance just moments ago, their spines straightened a little.

Han-shi glared at Ding and the others indignantly. "What kind of talk is that? My daughter has been in this village for so many years; who said she was stupid? If she were truly stupid, how could we have hidden it for so long! I think you’re just looking for trouble because you didn't get any advantage from today's events. Shameless!"

Su Tai’s condition was a thorn in Han-shi’s side. She couldn't stand hearing others disparage her daughter, and her tone was extremely blunt.

Ding hadn't expected Han-shi to be so self-righteous and twist the facts even now. She stomped her feet in anger. "I’m speaking the truth! So many people saw it. If she isn't stupid, how could she be grinning and pushing her way to the front while others were fighting! Stop trying to turn black into white!"

"Try insulting my daughter again!" Han-shi was furious. She grabbed a shoulder pole from against the wall, ready to fight Ding to the death.

At the critical moment, a nondescript man behind Ding stepped out and shielded her. "Auntie Su, we are here to reason, not to fight. Although my aunt’s words are unpleasant, she isn't speaking without cause. Su-guniang’s strange behavior today has already spread. It’s only been half a day, and half the village has gone to my house to watch me become a laughingstock. My aunt was truly too angry to bear it, so she brought me here to resolve this."

Su Chunlin, who had been standing to the side, hadn't intended to speak, but seeing Xiong Kai step forward, he could no longer remain silent. He asked expressionlessly, "How do you intend to resolve this?"

He had already decided that if Xiong Kai demanded Su Tai make a trip to Ximen Village, he would go along with her; it wasn't a big deal.

Xiong Kai bowed respectfully to Su Chunlin and said sternly, "This junior hopes that Uncle will agree to dissolve the engagement between me and Su-guniang."

"What did you say?" Su Chunlin stood up in a rage.

Han-shi was faster than him; she swung the shoulder pole and struck Xiong Kai directly on the forehead.

Xiong Kai was caught off guard and took the blow squarely.

Ding screamed in terror and cursed.

The people from Ximen Village were so angry they were ready to strike.

"Stop!" Village Chief Su Changxi arrived in a flurry with a group of people just in time.

Seeing this, the group from Ximen Village wisely held back, though they didn't retreat in the slightest, believing they were in the right.

"The Su Chunlin family deceived our Xiong family first, and now they’ve hit and injured Xiong Kai. If you intend to favor them, don't blame us for making a scene. Let’s see which village will dare to marry a girl from Dongmen Village in the future!"

Su Changxi pursed his lips and stepped forward to examine Xiong Kai’s condition. Seeing him clutching his forehead with no blood or swelling, he felt reassured. He nodded unhurriedly, "This matter was indeed an impulsive act by Chunlin’s family. Afterward, I will have Chunlin go to Ximen Village to offer an apology."

The Xiong family members hadn't expected Su Changxi to be so reasonable, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Xiong Kai’s face was livid. He stared straight at Su Chunlin and said loudly, "Uncle, this blow today counts as me settling what I owed you. You’ve hit me, so this anger should be vented. Can you agree to my request now?"

"You—" Han-shi was about to strike again.

Su Chunlin stopped her and glared fiercely at Xiong Kai. "What if I don't agree?"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Xiong Kai looked deeply at Su Chunlin, sneered, stood up from the ground, and rudely brushed the dust off his backside. "If Uncle doesn't agree, there’s nothing I can do. But our Xiong family is poor and truly cannot afford to raise a fool. If Uncle insists on sending Su-guniang to our Xiong family, we can only let her fend for herself."

"Is that even human talk?" Han-shi was so angry her eyes rolled back.

Xiong Kai acted like a rogue who had nothing to lose. "Our family is just an orphan and a widow; the situation is clear. If Auntie doesn't believe me, you can go ask around. When the time comes and Su-guniang isn't living well, don't blame me."

"Exactly! Our Xiong family isn't a wealthy household. If you insist on clinging to our Xiong Kai, it just goes to show that your daughter really is a fool who can't get married off!" Ding insisted that Su Tai was a fool.

Han-shi could bear it no longer. She threw the shoulder pole and lunged at Ding. "I’ll fight you!"

Xiong Kai blocked for Ding and shoved Han-shi.

Su Chunlin now had a reason to act and immediately rushed forward. Su Zhan saw his chance and went to help Han-shi.

The rest of the Xiong family wanted to join in, but with the Dongmen Village villagers watching menacingly from the side, they didn't want to get beaten up and could only watch anxiously.

Inside the house, Su Tai knew these people were ill-intentioned and worried her family would suffer. Just as she was about to go out, she felt her sleeve being tugged. She looked back to see Su Ming pulling her with a determined look on his face.

Su Tai felt helpless. She looked outside, then down at the little sprout Su Ming, and crouched down. She whispered to him in a slightly unfluent accent, "Go call Father in. I have something to tell him."

Su Ming’s mouth hung open. Su Tai quickly covered his mouth and made a shushing gesture. "Don't make a sound. Quietly call Father over."

Su Ming’s eyes widened as he nodded, then obediently went out to call him.

"Father! I pooped on the bed!"

Su Ming’s howl left everyone stunned. Seeing that the fight had reached its peak, Su Changxi hurriedly had people step in to separate them.

Su Chunlin’s face turned black. He grabbed the shoulder pole and chased Su Ming into the house. "You little brat, I’m going to beat your bottom to a pulp!"

By the time Su Chunlin chased him into Su Tai’s room, Su Tai grabbed the furious Su Chunlin and whispered to soothe him, "Father, don't be angry. I’m the one who had Little Brother trick you into coming in."

Su Chunlin froze, looking worriedly at Su Tai’s bandaged head. "Girl, listen to Father. Don't worry about what's happening outside. This marriage definitely won't go through. Father still has leverage over the Xiong family. If they really push me too far, no one will have a good time!"

Su Chunlin clenched his fists fiercely, looking determined.

Su Tai was moved, but she shook her head. "Father, forget it. Let’s just call off the engagement. That Xiong Kai doesn't look like a good person. If I really marry him, I definitely won't have a good life. Since they are the ones initiating the breakup, they are in the wrong. We can take this opportunity to demand benefits from them; that’s more practical."

Su Chunlin looked at Su Tai as if he didn't recognize her. "Daughter, why are you so open-minded about this?"

Su Tai muttered to herself: Any woman who isn't blind wouldn't marry such a shameless man; why wouldn't she be open-minded about it!

"Father, just don't ask. Even if Xiong Kai didn't want to break it off, I would have wanted to. We can't marry such a piece of trash."

This remark amused Su Chunlin. "Good! Since you’ve said so, Father will listen to you. I’ll definitely make sure to scrape a few pounds of meat off the Xiong family!"

Su Chunlin went out happily.

Su Tai took the opportunity to close the door. It would probably be noisy outside for a while, so she could use this chance to study the Gate of Time and Space.

Yesterday she had only taken a rough look. Entering it today, she discovered three buttons in the top right corner of the transit station screen: one for checking her virtual currency balance, one for automatic trading, and the last for purchasing medium tools.

She clicked on each one to read the instructions and finally understood the purpose of this transit station.

The entire Gate of Time and Space transit station could be understood as a trans-dimensional trading post. She could sell any compliant and legal items to the automatic trading cabinet. As long as she placed the goods inside, the cabinet would actively identify the category and quality of the goods and provide an estimate. She could then choose to complete or terminate the transaction.

Successful transactions earned virtual currency. Once the virtual currency reached a specified amount, it could be used to open or upgrade the Gate of Time and Space. At the same time, the virtual currency could circulate in other dimensions and be exchanged at equivalent values.

The rules stated that as long as she accumulated fifty units of virtual currency, she could open a Gate of Time and Space. Currently, it seemed the dimensions behind these gates corresponded to their attributes. The Gate of Time and Space—Water; could it be a water world? That was exactly what she needed—lots and lots of water.

Only one thought remained in Su Tai’s mind—trade.

(End of chapter)