Chapter 97: Making Things Difficult for You

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Making Things Difficult for You

"I don’t find it embarrassing at all. After all, even Captain He supports me running a small business to earn money for my child." Su Wan spotted Gao Qiang and cursed her bad luck. ’I can’t believe she’s back in the Capital. I didn’t hear a single word about this at the Southwest Military Region.’

Su Jue felt Gao Qiang’s hostility and narrowed his eyes, but he made no rash moves.

But he grew increasingly displeased. ’Is she from the Southwest Military District Headquarters?’

’Why is she picking on Wanwan for no reason?’

"Captain He only spoke up for you because you fooled him." The topic clearly angered Gao Qiang. She was back from the Southwest Military Region’s research institute because they had given her a month-long vacation.

The official reason was that everyone had worked hard on the new mine detector and deserved a break. New work assignments would be given out after the vacation.

But among the researchers she knew, some were secretly transferred to other locations the very next day. Others were given new assignments after only a three-day break.

Of course, she’d also heard that the longest leave granted was half a month, but that was only for research assistants and interns. She was the only one—a researcher on the verge of becoming permanent—who was forced to take a long vacation.

To make matters worse, right before her leave started, Dean Xu had called her into his office for a stern lecture on her conduct.

It was utterly humiliating, and she hadn’t dared to tell her family. So now, seeing Su Wan, the person she blamed for everything, she was naturally furious.

"Captain He? Qiangqiang, are you talking about He Rong?" Zhong Liu asked, tugging on Gao Qiang’s sleeve.

Gao Qiang nodded. "Yes, Auntie, it’s He Rong."

"Why would he help an outsider instead of you? You two grew up in the same military compound." Zhong Liu sounded displeased. She sized Su Wan up and down. Seeing no particular distinction in her clothing, she still asked cautiously, "I wonder where you live, miss? Perhaps I know your family."

"Auntie, don’t bother asking. She’s just a village girl who got lucky because she’s from the same village as Battalion Commander Lu. Who knows what tricks she pulled to marry him and live this cushy life." Gao Qiang’s words dripped with disdain for Su Wan.

Su Jue looked coldly at the two of them. "Wanwan, who is this? Why is she giving you a hard time?"

"Third Brother, this is Gao Qiang. I met her at the research institute in the Southwest Military Region. For some reason, she tried to push me, even though I’m pregnant. Because of that, she was officially reprimanded by her superiors and had to write a formal apology."

"Later, she even had another older woman come and cause trouble for me. The whole situation escalated until the military region leaders saw it for themselves."

"Actually, I’m quite curious myself," Su Wan said, her tone calm. "Gao Qiang, why do you despise me so much?"

But everyone nearby who heard this started pointing and whispering about Gao Qiang.

Even Zhong Liu looked at Gao Qiang in shock.

"Qiangqiang... you..."

Gao Qiang was extremely prideful. The moment her aunt found out what she’d been hiding, she flushed with shame and anger. She shot Su Wan a fierce glare, grabbed Zhong Liu, and fled.

And just like that, the confrontation was over.

"Wanwan, all this happened to you at the base, and you didn’t tell me?"

Su Wan had just let out a sigh of relief when Su Jue’s interrogation began.

’Oh, crap,’ she thought. But she recovered in an instant, hugging Su Jue’s arm and wheedling, "Third Brother, without you here, I couldn’t possibly get back at her. Besides, you have to be extra careful to follow the rules at the military district headquarters. Even the smallest act of revenge would be discovered immediately."

Su Jue frowned and was about to speak, but Su Wan cut him off.

"Luckily, Lu Zhengchuan and the higher-ups were there. I was fine, and she was the one who got punished."

Su Jue pressed his lips together. "I’m going to the restroom. Xiao Zhang, Ah Hong, pack up our things and watch Wanwan. I’ll be back in a bit."

"Got it, Big Bro. Don’t you worry. With us here, no one would be foolish enough to bully our sister Wanwan."

Su Wan opened her mouth to stop him.

But Su Jue had already hurried away.

Meanwhile, Zhong Liu caught up to the fast-walking Gao Qiang and stopped her. "Qiangqiang, you tell your auntie what really happened."

"Auntie, I... I didn’t mean to hide it from you... I... I was wrong."

"You silly girl, why didn’t you tell your elders you were being bullied?" Zhong Liu gave her a light smack on the head.

"Getting bullied by some village girl, honestly." Zhong Liu was exasperated with her.

"Auntie, you’re not angry?" Gao Qiang breathed a sigh of relief, clinging to her aunt’s arm and pouting.

"What’s there to be angry about? You’re a child of the Zhong family. If I don’t protect you, am I supposed to protect an outsider?"

"Then aren’t you curious about why I tried to push her in the first place?" Gao Qiang hadn’t expected her aunt to instinctively defend her instead of scolding her. Her own mother would have definitely given her an earful.

Zhong Liu waved a dismissive hand. "I don’t need to ask why. You’re my niece. If I say you’re right, then you’re right. Come on, let’s go home. I’d like to see what kind of backing this Su Wan has that makes her bold enough to bully you, my dear Qiangqiang."

Gao Qiang followed Zhong Liu out gleefully.

As they passed the public restroom, the contents of two bottles rained down on them from above, splashing all over them.

"AH!"

"Who was that!"

"Who has no decency, throwing sewage around like this!"

"AHHHH, Auntie, it stinks so bad!"

"I’m going to find the person who did this..." Before Zhong Liu could finish, Gao Qiang pulled her away.

"Auntie, don’t bother. They’re long gone. Let’s hurry home and change. SOB SOB SOB, it stinks so much! What if someone sees us like this?"

The equally prideful Zhong Liu froze. In the end, the aunt and niece paid a hefty sum to find a nearby bathhouse. They bought two new sets of clothes and, under the disgusted glare of the bathhouse attendant, furtively washed themselves clean before finally heading home.

「The next morning.」

Su Wan had just woken up and was getting out of bed, planning to go with Su Jue to sell more goods.

They had sold most of their inventory yesterday, leaving only a little bit left to clear out.

"Wanwan, you don’t need to go. Just stay here in the courtyard and rest. I’ll have Xiao Zhang and Ah Hong handle it. Besides, don’t you still have to visit Professor Wang? Since you have time today, I’ll go with you. We can bring the gift and head over early."

Ever since learning that Gao Qiang was harassing Su Wan out of jealousy over Dean Xu’s admiration for her, Su Jue had been hoping Su Wan could win the favor of more influential figures. If she were given an important position, the state would naturally assign people to protect her.

Lu Zhengchuan had gone to his unit the day before and hadn’t returned. He had only sent a message saying something had come up and that he’d be back as soon as he was finished.

Su Jue didn’t feel at ease leaving her alone, so he insisted on going with her.

Su Wan felt resigned, but she knew the visit couldn’t be delayed, so she nodded in agreement.

Just then, as Su Wan finished preparing the gift and was about to leave with Su Jue,

A knock sounded at the door.

Su Jue went to open it. A soldier was standing at the entrance.

"Who are you looking for?" Su Jue asked, his tone calm, assuming it was someone sent by his brother-in-law, Lu Zhengchuan.

The soldier spoke up. "Hello, does a Ms. Su Wan live here? I am Hu Jun, an aide to Mr. Gao. Mr. Gao would like to ask Ms. Su Wan to come see him."

"Mr. Gao? Looking for my Wanwan? Is he here to apologize?" Su Jue rattled off the questions, his tone anything but friendly.