TEFSCBSS Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Stories of Huai Tree Village (Part 1)

As soon as the crowd heard the word “food,” they immediately rushed down from the high platform, scrambling to grab spots at the vendor stalls.

“Boss, one bowl of egg noodles, please!”
“I’ll take two servings of roasted garlic!”
“Add me a portion of spicy dumplings too!”

The small stall quickly became crowded with people jostling for space. Butcher Liu and Wang Qingmu almost came to blows fighting over a pair of chopsticks.

Watching this chaotic scene from the sidelines, Su Li was amazed. She couldn’t help but wonder: was this what people called a “pair of bickering soulmates”? They usually couldn’t stand each other, yet in situations like this, they worked together seamlessly. And how on earth did that long-suffering woman they always mentioned manage to put up with them?

Just then, Han Yueyi and Wang Bokao walked over to Su Li.

“Why don’t we head to a private room?” Han Yueyi suggested. “It’s been a while since we last caught up.”

Su Li briefly reviewed her memories of the original story. According to the novel, the original Su Li refused to give up her wealth and status, clinging to Han Yueyi obsessively. However, the truth was that their relationship wasn’t so bad. They’d grown up fighting but still had a bond, and with the emperor’s arranged marriage, it wasn’t entirely an uncalled-for entanglement.

If anything, without Su Yao and Prime Minister Su meddling, the two might have smoothly gotten married as originally planned.

With that thought, Su Li confidently followed them to the private room.

Once seated, they ordered a few new dishes. Han Yueyi poured Su Li a cup of hot tea. “It’s been years, and yet, you seem sharper than before.”

“And just as rebellious as ever,” Wang Bokao added with a chuckle.

“…Should I take that as a compliment?” Su Li wondered. Her initial anxiety about being discovered as an imposter dissipated instantly.

“But how did you leave the prime minister’s residence?” Wang Bokao asked, curious. “After your near-drowning incident a few years ago, you never left the estate. Rumors all over the capital said you were just bossing people around at home.”

“And now that the real daughter has returned, I thought you’d stick around and make the most of it—food, clothes, and a household of people to order around.”

Wang Bokao’s expression was full of curiosity. Knowing Su Li’s personality from childhood, he found her recent reputation hard to reconcile. While she had always been domineering, she used to maintain a facade of being the “perfect child” in front of others. So how had she gained such a bad name over the years?

Su Li smirked. “No big deal. I left to stay alive.”

Before they could ask further, she changed the subject. “Speaking of Su Yao, I heard she grew up in some remote mountain village. If she was switched at birth, she should have a family, right?”

“She’s been back for a month now, but no one’s mentioned where she used to live. All she says is she grew up in a little mountain hamlet. She hasn’t mentioned her adoptive parents’ names or anything about her family.”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit strange? Your Highness, with your connections, could you help me look into it?”

Wang Bokao raised an eyebrow. “Why? Are you planning to move back to the mountains and become a village girl?”

“Why not?” Su Li shrugged, her tone light and indifferent.

She had been puzzled while reviewing the plot. Usually, in stories about switched-at-birth scenarios, the real and fake daughters each had a clear family dynamic to contrast. But in her case, the original Su Li had died without meeting her birth parents, and Su Li herself had no information about them.

Her instincts told her there was a major secret behind it all. Yet in the vast capital, there were few she could trust. Han Yueyi, who shared her “short life expectancy,” seemed like a safer bet.

Han Yueyi nodded. “Sure, it’s a small favor.”

As Wang Bokao mulled over the situation, he suddenly blurted out, “So, Your Highness, who are you planning to marry?”

Han Yueyi’s expression darkened as he glanced at Su Li, who was trying hard to suppress a laugh. “Call me by my name properly!”

“Fine, fine—Han Yueyi, Third Prince, Your Highness.” Wang Bokao grinned mischievously. “But aren’t you curious?”

Han Yueyi glanced at Su Li, whose casual demeanor made him feel a bit frustrated. “When my father arranged the marriage, he specified Su Li’s name, not the Su family’s eldest daughter. Naturally, I’ll marry Su Li.”

Wang Bokao’s expression shifted to one of sudden understanding.

Su Li, however, sneered. “That’s not necessarily true.”

“You… don’t want to…?” Marry me? Han Yueyi didn’t get the chance to finish his question before commotion erupted downstairs.

“Boss Zhao! Boss Zhao! It’s time—let’s get started!”

Su Li quickly stuffed food into her mouth, motioned for the two men to follow, and dashed downstairs. She climbed onto the high platform and grabbed her small megaphone.

“Everyone! Please take your seats and settle down. I’ll explain the rules for the final round. Take this time to let your food digest.”

The crowd quieted, even Han Yueyi and Wang Bokao found seats near Butcher Liu.

“Our first-ever game from Xilou Script Shop is called The Stories of Huai Tree Village.“

“What is a script game, you ask?” Su Li’s voice rang out confidently.

“Each script involves a group of players, each assigned a character profile. For today’s story, four lucky participants will play different roles: the bride, the bride’s father, a friend of the groom, and a mysterious, eccentric Taoist.”

Cheers and murmurs of curiosity rippled through the audience. Su Li smirked, knowing she had them hooked.