novellhall Chapter 222 His reputation was completely ruined
Chapter 222 His reputation was completely ruined
At the department store, Zhuang Qingxiang generously bought face cream and two sets of clothes, spending all her money and cloth coupons.
Back home, around dusk when everyone was about to eat, she and Lu Congyue had a big argument in the yard.
They had just moved into the government compound and hadn't interacted much with their neighbors yet. This commotion alarmed quite a few people.
This was, after all, a government family compound, and the people living here were all prominent figures who cared about their reputation. No one had ever argued so loudly before, and soon a crowd of onlookers gathered outside.
Zhuang Qingxiang wiped away her tears: "Lu Congyue, I only bought two outfits! Why are you throwing such a tantrum? When you wanted to marry me, you said you'd be responsible for earning money to support the family, and I'd be responsible for spending money on clothes. I just bought two outfits, sob sob... You broke your promise, you liar!"
Lu Congyue's face was ashen, clutching a blue woolen coat in his hand, looking utterly disappointed: "It's not that I don't want you to buy it, but you have to consider the family's situation, right? I've only just started working here, and I've already spent a lot of money on household necessities. The remaining money is for the baby's formula and living expenses. If you buy all these clothes, how are we going to live?"
The neighbors then realized that the new Director Lu's wife was such an unreliable person that she even spent the money meant for the baby's formula on clothes, which was just too much.
Immediately, a kind-hearted middle-aged woman came over to mediate the fight, siding with Lu Congyue and blaming Zhuang Qingxiang for not knowing how to manage a household.
Zhuang Qingxiang cried even harder. After arguing for a few minutes and failing to win, she got so angry that she ignored the child and ran away.
Xiao Qianyue was so frightened that she cried loudly and tried to chase after her, but Dai Hongying hugged her and coaxed her into the house.
Lu Congyue sighed dejectedly, apologized to everyone, persuaded them to leave, and then went back into the house with his head down.
Zhuang Qingxiang was terrified when she ran out of the compound, but she had to pretend to be heartbroken, wiping away tears as she walked.
However, she stopped after walking a short distance and waited in place. Sure enough, Lu Congyue came looking for her soon after, apologizing and coaxing her until she was persuaded to go home.
After the two figures disappeared, a figure appeared not far away, raised an eyebrow, and then vanished again.
Inside a house, the figure looked around and then slipped into a small courtyard.
Upon entering the house, the person inside stood up: "You're back? How was it?"
The speaker was about sixty years old, with graying temples and a fierce expression on his face.
"Master Lü, I followed that woman all day. She is indeed Zhuang Luping's daughter. She is just as vain as his other children. She couldn't wait to buy clothes after taking the money. The hundred yuan we gave her was not enough. She also spent all the living expenses that Lu Congyue gave her and even had a fight with Lu Congyue."
"What?" Master Lu frowned in displeasure. "What a shameless woman! Why is she arguing with that Lu guy over two pieces of clothing? What if they break up? What will happen to us then?"
"Don't worry, Zhuang Luping's daughter is indeed beautiful. That guy surnamed Lu couldn't bear to get really angry with her. After a couple of arguments, he coaxed her back. It seems the news we heard is true. It's true that even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. That guy surnamed Lu is over thirty years old, and this time he finally fell into Zhuang Luping's hands."
"Heh..." Master Lü laughed disdainfully. "The news from the capital says that he submitted a marriage application for this woman, which angered his father so much that he was hospitalized, and he even made a special trip to the capital to cause a scene at home. A man like that has no future; he'll die from a woman sooner or later."
"So when should we let her make her move?"
Master Lü thought for a moment: "Wait a little longer. They've just arrived and haven't settled in yet. Letting her steal anything now won't help. Let's find a way to send her some more money to keep her calm."
As he spoke, Master Lü pulled out two small yellow croakers from his pocket: "Take these and exchange them for money and tickets, give them to her! Once her appetite is fully inflated, and no amount of money can satisfy her, she will rack her brains to drag Lu Congyue down with her."
The two agreed to go about their business, and the next day Zhuang Qingxiang received another envelope containing another hundred yuan and several cloth coupons.
Dai Hongying clicked her tongue in envy: "These people are really rich. They just throw out a hundred, and then another hundred..."
She only earns 26 yuan a month now, so it would take her almost a year to save up 200 yuan. But they just gave it to her like that.
Zhuang Qingxiang was extremely worried: "Going to buy clothes again?"
"Buy it!" Dai Hongying said with a grin. "Sister Zhuang, you're so pretty, and you look so stylish and beautiful when you dress up. All the neighbors are secretly looking at you."
Zhuang Qingxiang had long since noticed the gazes of her neighbors.
However, they didn't envy them; they despised them.
Nowadays, people wear drab work clothes, black or navy blue clothes, and a red scarf is considered a striking color. She was wearing a pale yellow coat, which made her stand out from everyone else.
In most people's eyes, she has the air of a capitalist's daughter.
Zhuang Qingxiang sighed: Her reputation is already ruined as soon as she arrives...
However, she still had to buy what she needed to buy, so Zhuang Qingxiang went to the department store with the money in her pocket again. She bought a pair of lambskin boots and a delicate little leather bag, and then went home looking beautiful.
This time, they ran into Lu Congyue as they came out of the department store, and the two of them couldn't control their emotions and had another fight, which ended with Lu Congyue giving in.
That evening, Zhuang Qingxiang sighed as she ate, "If things continue like this, even if everything is over, I'll never be able to clear my name."
"It's okay, we'll vouch for you," Dai Hongying assured, patting her chest.
Zhuang Qingxiang gave a wry smile.
Even if they can vouch for me, so what? Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. Once your reputation is ruined, clearing it up is practically an impossible task.
But she quickly rallied: "I don't believe they can keep giving me money like this without me having to do anything. Let them give me more if they dare!"
"Sister Zhuang, my senior sister is probably coming to see you in the next couple of days. You two should go to the department store and continue shopping," Dai Hongying said quickly, remembering the news she had received that day.
"Okay, your senior sister is much more stylish than me," Zhuang Qingxiang replied with a smile.
Two days later, no one sent Zhuang Qingxiang any more money, but Ma Ting arrived.
They still sported their distinctive wavy hair and dressed more stylishly than movie stars. When the two of them walked out of the government compound arm in arm, they attracted a lot of attention.
"Guess what they're saying about us behind our backs?" Zhuang Qingxiang asked.
Ma Ting retorted arrogantly, "Why worry about so much? This is serious business!"
She snorted softly through her nose, then raised her voice slightly, grabbed Zhuang Qingxiang's arm and shook it: "Sister Zhuang, you promised me you'd never forget me when good things happened! Look at what you're wearing and using now... you're really rich now, so when are you going to help me get rich?"
Zhuang Qingxiang smiled and replied, "Don't worry, there will definitely be a lucrative business opportunity. As long as you behave well, I will definitely help you achieve great success."