My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 26 Part 2

Ji Taoyu sniffled and hurried to the window. "What’s suspicious?"  

His voice quivered from crying, making him sound especially pitiful.  

Huo Shu’s frown deepened.  

"Do you know what the rumors outside are saying?"  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together, unsure how to respond.  

Huo Shu answered for him: "They say you and You Lingxiao were overly intimate, crossing proper boundaries. Now, public opinion has completely turned. Those who initially sided with your family over the broken engagement are now speaking up for the You family. Don’t you find this too sudden? Doesn’t it seem like someone deliberately spread these rumors?"  

Though Ji Taoyu found the gossip unbearable, what Da Niu had reported matched Huo Shu’s words: "But who would be so malicious as to do this?"  

Huo Shu continued, "Then think, what would be the outcome if these rumors keep spreading?"  

Ji Taoyu didn’t hesitate: "My reputation would be ruined. No family would dare propose to me. It might even harm my cousins."  

Huo Shu said, "The village head and your uncles won’t let things escalate to that point. They’ll find a solution. What do you think their best course of action would be?"  

Ji Taoyu furrowed his brows, thinking. "They’d track down everyone who spread these rumors and identify the source."  

"The Ji family is a prominent family in the village. Even if they confront the gossipers, do you think anyone would admit to starting unverified rumors?"  

Ji Taoyu pondered. "That approach might not work. If so, the only way to silence the talk would be to make sure there’s nothing left to discuss. That would mean... begging the You family to reinstate the engagement—"  

Before he could finish, he realized the implication and abruptly looked at Huo Shu. "Brother Huo, you suspect the You family deliberately spread these rumors!"  

Huo Shu said, "I’m not outright accusing the You family. But the timing of these rumors is too convenient, and it’s no coincidence the Zhou father and son overheard them."  

"Your father is the village head. Ordinary villagers may not live entirely under his rule, but they know offending him won’t make life easy. Who in the village hates your family enough to pull such a sinister stunt? And who’s foolish enough to use the past engagement between the Ji and You families as fodder? Right now, the You family is at the height of their influence. Who would dare provoke two major families at once?"  

Ji Taoyu’s chest tightened. Huo Shu’s reasoning made sense, yet he couldn’t help but doubt:  

"But it doesn’t add up. When Father and Mother went to the You family to break the engagement, the You family didn’t resist much. If they truly couldn’t bear to lose this match, why agree so easily back then? Why go through all this trouble now, when everything’s already settled?"  

Huo Shu studied the face barely visible in the hazy moonlight, delicate features that undoubtedly belonged to a beauty. He sighed softly.  

"I don’t know the exact reasons or details. But when a man is arrogant, he assumes everything is under his control, as if those around him have no will of their own except to prioritize him. Yet when someone leaves, he thinks it’s just a tantrum—until he realizes they’re truly determined to cut ties. Only then does regret set in. Then comes envy, scheming, even underhanded tactics to reclaim what he believes is his."  

Ji Taoyu’s brows knitted tightly. Though his face was youthful, his gaze was firmer than ever.  

"Whether the You family is behind this or not, there’s no future between him and me."  

Having said this, Ji Taoyu wiped the tears that had gone cold on his cheeks. "But even if this reasoning makes sense, it’s still just speculation. What should we do?"  

"Tomorrow, go out and accidentally run into You Lingxiao. Gauge his reaction to this matter, see if you can uncover any clues."  

Huo Shu said, "Instead of hiding at home, face it head-on."  

Ji Taoyu nodded quickly.  

His family was in chaos, frantic with worry. Rather than crying in his room, he wanted to help resolve the trouble he had caused.  

"Since you understand, I’ll head back now."  

Ji Taoyu hurriedly lit the oil lamp on the table. The room was suddenly bathed in light.  

The warm glow also illuminated the tall figure standing by the window.  

"Brother Huo!"  

Ji Taoyu called out to him. "Your hand... does it still hurt?"  

Huo Shu paused. He turned back to look at Ji Taoyu, now fully visible under the lamplight. His eyes slightly swollen, the rims red.  

"I’m fine. But you, don’t cry anymore tonight."  

Ji Taoyu nodded obediently. "I won’t."  

After talking with Huo Shu, the seemingly unsolvable problem suddenly had a lead. With a sense of direction, his heart felt steadier, and his earlier distress had eased.  

"Brother Huo, thank you."  

Huo Shu’s expression shifted slightly. Gratitude wasn’t what he wanted from Ji Taoyu, but seeing his sincerity, it didn’t feel unwelcome either.  

Thinking of Ji Taoyu meeting You Lingxiao tomorrow, Huo Shu couldn’t help but worry. "Ji Taoyu, do you remember what I told you at Shili Textile Shop?"  

"Huh?"  

Ji Taoyu did remember, but Huo Shu had lectured him quite a bit back then. He wasn’t sure which part Huo Shu was referring to now.  

Huo Shu patiently repeated: "If that person looks at you with tearful eyes, pleading about his hardships and how he can’t live without you. At that moment, can you still stay as clear-headed as you are now?"  

Ji Taoyu met Huo Shu’s eyes, the same eyes that had once frightened him, then earned his respect, and now felt utterly dependable.  

"I might look back, but I will never go back."  

Huo Shu’s heart settled. "Good."  

With that, he turned and disappeared into the peach blossom trees. "I’m leaving."  

Ji Taoyu stood by the window for a long moment, watching the figure vanish beyond the courtyard wall, before finally returning to his room.  

The next day, Ji Taoyu woke up early. When he stepped out of his room, the sky was still dim.