On the third day of February, some villagers claimed to have seen Nan Feng and Liu Chang going up the mountain together, then coming back down in disarray. Liu Chang was noted to be extremely nervous, rolling and stumbling down the hill.
There were others who said that they had seen Liu Chang casting furtive glances at Nan Feng, even going so far as to block her way at the entrance of the village.
Regardless of the truth, gossip spread like wildfire. Rumors, once repeated enough, began to take on the sheen of truth.
Everyone in the village seemed to be privy to this gossip, everyone besides the individuals involved, that is.
Liu Chang and Nan Feng were the last to find out.
Upon hearing the rumors, Liu Chang vehemently denied them, insisting he hadn't been to the mountain that day but had been at the foot of it, engaged in a fight.
