Wu Pengpeng never expected Jiang He to speak up for her voluntarily. If anything, she was more shocked than touched.
After all, it was he who had put her in this passive situation. She suspected that every move he made now had an ulterior motive.
Zhao Bufan's thoughts were much simpler. Although Jiang He had also stepped in to defend them, protecting Pengpeng was surely the job of her bestie.
So, while Jiang He was still in a daze, she quickly took the blame upon herself.
"I posted Xinxin's news in the group without asking Pengpeng. Later, seeing how happy everyone was, Pengpeng was afraid of disappointing everyone, so she brought Xinxin here," she said as she stood up and bowed to everyone apologetically. "If you want to scold someone, scold me. Don't blame Pengpeng."
Wu Ju watched the two young girls standing there pitifully and waved his hand, signaling them to sit down.
Although he was disappointed that his eldest grandson had let him down, his little niece was still there. Wasn't there still hope for a grandson in the future?
He took the lead in playing the peacemaker. "Come on, the kids didn't do it on purpose. They meant well."
Zhao Bufan was initially overjoyed when Wu Ju came to their rescue, but her face fell when she heard him say "kids".
When would he ever stop treating her like a child!
However, before she could say anything, she heard Jiang Xinyu say sarcastically, "Yes, Pengpeng meant well. Your second uncle and I are getting old and eager to have a grandson. Only she understands our feelings. It's a pity..."
She didn't continue but glanced at Wu Junchen and Wu Junyu, her tone tinged with resentment. "Alas, now I don't know when we'll ever get to hold our grandson."
Wu Junchen: "..."
Why did this suddenly turn into a marriage - urging session?
Of course, Jiang Xinyu's words were not meant to urge marriage. She was subtly insinuating that Wu Pengpeng was scheming and knew how to play to people's preferences. If the matter of the baby hadn't been exposed, she would have used a child to control Wu You and even the entire Wu family. Her intentions were truly despicable.
Wu Pengpeng was caught off - guard by such a serious accusation and didn't know how to refute it for a moment.
Just as her mind was racing, she heard Jiang He say, "That child was entrusted to me by a friend. I was swamped with work at that time, and since the child was Pengpeng's godson, I sent him to her to take care of for a while."
As he said this, he glanced in Wu Pengpeng's direction and then smiled apologetically at everyone. "I didn't know Pengpeng had lost her memory. I'm really sorry for causing such a big misunderstanding. I've troubled everyone."
With his words, the conspiracy theory that Wu Pengpeng was using the child to control the Wu family was completely dispelled.
Jiang Xinyu had originally planned to play the emotional card. Even if she couldn't bring Wu Pengpeng down, she could at least sow discord between her and the Wu family members. However, her own nephew had cut off all her routes in one move.
She glared at Jiang He fiercely, and Jiang He calmly shifted his gaze.
The main part of the interrogation of Wu Pengpeng was over. Next, the elders took turns asking about her health. After repeatedly confirming that other than memory loss, she was fine, they finally let her go.
When leaving the Wu family, Zhao Bufan drove the car at breakneck speed, as if there were a flood or wild beasts chasing after them.
Wu Pengpeng guessed her thoughts and joked with a smile, "Slow down. The matter is resolved. They won't drag me back."
Zhao Bufan didn't slow down at all. If it weren't for the many curves on the mountain road, she could have driven like a world - class racing champion.
"Your family is so terrifying," she said with a shiver. "I never want to come here again."
Wu Pengpeng was amused by her exaggerated reaction. "You're even too scared to enter the Wu family's door. How can you still dream of becoming my third aunt?"
Just thinking about this made Zhao Bufan even more frustrated. Men were so hard to pursue, especially those in scientific research.
During this period, she had been constantly trying to get Wu Ju's attention. She brought him meals and showed concern for him every day, being more dedicated than raising a son.
One day, after she delivered a meal to the research institute and was about to leave, Wu Ju suddenly called her back and said he had something for her.
Zhao Bufan was so nervous that her heart almost stopped. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. She even thought about how she should say "I do" in what tone if Wu Ju took out a ring and proposed to her.
Soon, Wu Ju came out from the inner room, holding three thick books in his arms. The top one was "An Introduction to the Origin of the Universe and the Development of Aerospace".
Zhao Bufan took the books numbly, not knowing what expression to put on her face.
But Wu Ju looked very pleased and said to her with a smile, "I didn't know you were also interested in aerospace. Take these books back and read them first. If you don't understand anything, come and ask me."
Am I interested in aerospace? I'm interested in you!
Zhao Bufan swallowed back her complaints because of his last sentence and happily agreed, "Okay!"
Seeing her like this, Wu Ju was even happier. "Write a book report for me later."
Zhao Bufan had been a poor student in school and had never stayed up late for studying. But recently, for the sake of chasing a man, she had been burning the midnight oil every day. She really suspected that if she had had this kind of study spirit back then, she would have been admitted to Jin University.
"Hahaha, my third uncle's understanding is really something!" Wu Pengpeng laughed so hard that she could hardly catch her breath, clutching her stomach. "How on earth did he figure out that you're interested in aerospace?"
Zhao Bufan looked like "I have no idea". Men's minds were really hard to guess!
Wu Pengpeng laughed for a while longer, holding her stomach, and then gave her sincere advice. "Maybe you should just tell the truth to third uncle. Otherwise, he'll never realize that you're trying to pursue him."
Zhao Bufan sighed dejectedly. "Didn't you hear your third uncle say that he'll dedicate his whole life to the country's aerospace cause? And in an early interview, when asked about the age range of his ideal partner, he said within five years. If I just go and confess without getting enough of his attention, isn't that just asking for trouble?"
Wu Pengpeng was about to persuade her some more when the car suddenly stopped.
Zhao Bufan unlocked the door and jerked her chin out of the window. "Go!"
Wu Pengpeng turned her head and saw He Qianshan leaning against a car by the roadside, his expression faintly showing uneasiness.
When he saw Zhao Bufan's car stop, his eyes lit up, and he walked over in a hurry.
Wu Pengpeng opened the door and got out. Before she could say anything, He Qianshan pulled her over and carefully examined her.
Seeing that she had no visible injuries, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Are you okay?"
Wu Pengpeng gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine."
As for how the matter was resolved, she didn't say, and he didn't ask. "Let's go. It's time to go home."
Wu Pengpeng had just taken a step when a red sports car stopped beside her feet. Jiang He got out of the car. "Sister, wait a minute. I need to talk to you."
When He Qianshan saw him, his eyes darkened, and he instinctively stepped in front of Wu Pengpeng.
Jiang He sensed his hostility but didn't mind. He walked straight up to Wu Pengpeng and said, "Believe it or not, I never really wanted to harm you."
Wu Pengpeng said expressionlessly, "Whether you wanted to or not, you're the one who put me in this passive situation today, aren't you?"
After saying that, she took He Qianshan's hand and walked towards the parking space.
Soon, Jiang He heard the roar of the engine, and the car sped out of his sight.
He stood there for a while, then laughed at himself.
Just as he was about to get in the car, his phone rang. He didn't even need to guess who it was.
He ignored it and opened the car door to get in. As soon as he started the car, the phone rang again. He had no choice but to turn off the engine and answer the call. "Hello,小姑."
"You still remember I'm your aunt!" Jiang Xinyu scolded him without hesitation. "When you helped others against me today, did you even think of me as your aunt?"
Jiang He frowned, but his voice remained gentle. "I didn't mean to defy you. I just told the truth."
Hearing this, Jiang Xinyu was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She immediately flared up. "Jiang He, you've grown bold enough to talk back to me! If it weren't for me, your family would still be stuck in that poor mountain village!"
Here it comes again!
Jiang He rubbed his temples wearily. He had heard this sentence countless times since he was a child.
His family had once been like ants in a poor mountain village. Thanks to this "wild pheasant" who had made it big, the whole family had benefited.
As the beneficiaries, they should be grateful and follow her every word.
Seeing that Jiang He didn't say anything, Jiang Xinyu softened her tone. "Xiao He, tell auntie, why did you do this?"
Why?
Jiang He thought that perhaps it was because he wanted to live in the sunshine!
Jiang Xinyu didn't get an answer and flared up again. "Don't tell me you've fallen for that bitch!"