Chapter Nine: The Grand Performance
Before the words had even fallen, Xu Damao pushed the door open and walked in by himself, looking at Qin Jingru as he spoke.
“Who are you?” Qin Jingru asked, surprised.
“I’m Xu Damao,” Xu Damao introduced himself. “We’re practically neighbors, living in the same courtyard house. We’ve run into each other a few times in the yard before, but never had a chance to greet properly.”
Xu Damao smiled warmly at Qin Jingru and continued, “By the way, I work in the same unit as your sister Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu. I’m the one in charge of screening films.”
Qin Jingru nodded lightly, her expression calm and her tone even. “Oh, I know you. My sister and He Yuzhu have mentioned you before.”
Hearing this, Xu Damao began to feel uneasy. Worried Qin Jingru might have a bad impression of him, he hurried to explain, “I guess your sister Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu must have spun some stories about me in front of you.” He sighed and added, “But you have to understand, that’s not the real me. You have to believe me.”
With that, Xu Damao took a few steps forward, reached out, and pulled Qin Jingru to a chair beside him, urging her to sit.
“Come, come, let’s sit down and talk this through slowly,” Xu Damao said enthusiastically.
Qin Jingru was a bit confused by his sudden actions but obediently sat down.
Xu Damao wanted to say more, but Qin Jingru grew impatient and waved her hand gently. “Enough, enough. Who you are doesn’t matter to me. There’s no need for us to discuss this.”
Seeing her attitude, Xu Damao realized it was pointless to persist and shifted the topic. “Alright, then let’s not talk about me. Let’s talk about you, about your relationship with He Yuzhu, and also your sister Qin Huairu’s relationship with him.”
At these words, Qin Jingru’s expression changed instantly.
“You mean He Yuzhu and my sister? We’re just neighbors. What else could there be?” Qin Jingru replied cautiously, glancing outside as if afraid someone might overhear.
Before her words finished, footsteps sounded outside. Qin Jingru quickly grabbed Xu Damao’s arm, pulling him toward the door. “My sister and the others are back. We should step outside and talk first, to avoid an awkward encounter.”
No sooner had they stepped out than they bumped into Qin Huairu and her group coming in the opposite direction.
“Well, if it isn’t Xu Damao. What are you doing here?” Qin Huairu said, surprised.
“Jingru, are you heading out?” Qin Huairu asked Qin Jingru.
“I—I was going to steam some buns and came to ask Jingru for some tips,” Xu Damao blurted out a casual excuse.
Qin Huairu frowned slightly, suspicion creeping into her mind.
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Time passed slowly; the sun had long set in the west, and the moon quietly climbed the branches.
Qin Huairu paced anxiously at home, but there was still no sign of Qin Jingru.
“Where on earth has that child gone? Why hasn’t she come back yet?” Qin Huairu fretted, walking back and forth.
“Should I go check Xu Damao’s place again?” Jia Zhangshi suggested.
“No need. I just came from there and didn’t see anyone,” He Yuzhu entered calmly.
In truth, He Yuzhu was perfectly clear in his mind—Qin Jingru had probably gone out for a stroll with Xu Damao.
But in these times, interactions between men and women had to observe proper boundaries. Even if he knew the truth, he couldn’t speak carelessly.
Seeing Qin Huairu so worried, He Yuzhu felt some guilt.
He had originally agreed to a blind date with Qin Jingru only to lure Xu Damao in, hoping Xu would approach her voluntarily and thus reveal his true colors to Lou Xiao’e.
Just then, the sound of a car horn shattered the night’s silence.
He Yuzhu knew it was Lou Xiao’e’s car arriving.
He silently anticipated the drama about to unfold.
Lou Xiao’e came from a wealthy family, but her background limited her choices in marriage, which was one reason she became Xu Damao’s girlfriend.
They had been seeing each other for some time, and Lou Xiao’e had visited the courtyard house many times.
“Master, you go back first. I’ll make a call, and then you can come get me,” Lou Xiao’e said, following He Yuzhu’s instructions and telling the driver to leave.
That afternoon, He Yuzhu had personally gone to Lou Xiao’e’s house, repeatedly urging her to come to the courtyard house tonight.
When asked why, he said nothing.
Lou Xiao’e had no intention to come but couldn’t resist He Yuzhu’s persistent pestering, even threatened to bother her every day.
Fearing He Yuzhu might really cause trouble, she reluctantly agreed.
As soon as Lou Xiao’e stepped into the courtyard house, she saw He Yuzhu walking toward her.
Seeing him, a flare of anger suddenly ignited in Lou Xiao’e’s heart.
“What exactly are you up to today? So secretive,” Lou Xiao’e snapped.
“Don’t rush. Later, you’ll thank me for calling you here,” He Yuzhu smiled mysteriously.
Earlier that afternoon, He Yuzhu had learned from Qin Huairu that Qin Jingru and Xu Damao had used steaming buns as an excuse but were nowhere to be found in the courtyard house.
He immediately realized this was a perfect chance to expose Xu Damao’s true nature.
So he decisively went to Lou Xiao’e’s house and invited her to witness the “show” at the courtyard house.
To ensure nothing went wrong, He Yuzhu even went to the courtyard house’s gate to confirm that no car from the Lou family was parked nearby before bringing Lou Xiao’e inside.
In the not-so-spacious courtyard of the Jia family, a bustling crowd gathered, packed tightly. On every face was written anxiety and anticipation.
“Everyone, don’t glare at each other like fighting cocks. Come, come, sit down and have some water. Let’s wait patiently,” He Yuzhu calmly said, seating himself at the table and pouring tea for everyone.
“No, no. My old bones can’t handle being served by such a busybody,” Jia Zhangshi said with displeasure, still resentful of He Yuzhu’s earlier refusal to help their family, which had cooled her attitude toward him.
“Jingru and Xu Damao haven’t shown up yet. How can I enjoy tea?” Qin Huairu frowned deeply, her face full of worry.
“Jingru? Who’s that?” Lou Xiao’e, standing nearby, looked puzzled and asked curiously.