B5SB -Chapter 119 Pranking the Mother-in-Law

2:00 PM

After lunch, Gu Yihan strolled slowly toward Zhao Ju’s family apartment.

Wen Juan was taking a walk downstairs and, upon spotting Gu Yihan, smiled and greeted her:
“Wife of Regiment Commander Lu, are you here to see Zhao Ju?”

Gu Yihan smiled faintly at Wen Juan. “Yes.”

Wen Juan then looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated, opening her mouth without speaking.

This puzzled Gu Yihan, and she asked curiously: “Is something going on at Zhao Ju’s place?”

Wen Juan gave her an awkward look and said, “Nothing really, it’s just that Zhao Ju’s mother-in-law is here.”

Inwardly, Gu Yihan thought, Zhao Ju’s mother-in-law is here again?

She smiled and chatted casually with Wen Juan: “Thanks for letting me know, Sister Wen Juan.”

Wen Juan was momentarily stunned. Usually in the military housing, residents address each other based on their husbands’ rank and age. She never imagined this wife of the regiment commander would know her name—and even call her “sister.”

Feeling pleased, Wen Juan reminded Gu Yihan: “Better go upstairs quickly. Zhao Ju’s confinement period is almost over, and she must be so bored being alone.”

Gu Yihan said goodbye and went straight to the second floor.

Before reaching Zhao Ju’s door, she already heard the moaning of Shi Jianguo’s mother.

Several military wives were standing in the hallway, whispering: “Ever since that old lady came, this floor has never been quiet.”

Another wife deliberately shouted, fearing Shi Jianguo’s mother wouldn’t hear: “Exactly! The kids at home can’t even sleep at night because of all the noise.”

“Probably karma catching up to her for all the cruel things she’s done,” someone muttered.

At that moment, Zhao Ju’s door suddenly opened.

Shi Jianguo’s mother, looking haggard, came out angrily shouting: “Do you women have any sympathy at all?!”

The wife who had been shouting back at her retorted: “Sympathy? You think you’re so considerate? You make noise all day, so that the men on this floor can’t rest properly—how about considering us?”

“Hmph! And you? Sleep like a pig all day and make a fuss at night!”

Shi Jianguo’s mother’s face flushed red. She was so angry she couldn’t speak, pointing at the women: “You…!”

Taking advantage of the argument, Gu Yihan quietly slipped into Zhao Ju’s apartment.

Zhao Ju was sitting on a wooden sofa, drinking brown sugar water. Upon hearing footsteps, she turned around and brightened: “Xiaohan! You’re here!”

Gu Yihan gave her a quick once-over, noting her healthy complexion: “How come your mother-in-law is here again?”

Zhao Ju got up and pulled Gu Yihan to sit beside her.

She said happily: “Let her come! That way, I get a free helper for chores.”

Gu Yihan raised an eyebrow at Zhao Ju: “Have you forgiven her?”

Zhao Ju sneered at her. “Forgive her? Impossible. Since she’s so good at pretending, why can’t I?”

She leaned close to Gu Yihan and whispered: “Shi Jianguo’s mother loves wearing other people’s clothes. I pretend not to notice and let her wear them. But I smear wild peach fuzz from the mountains onto her underwear, and sprinkle water soaked with yam skins onto them.”

Gu Yihan shuddered at the thought of the peach fuzz.

Zhao Ju, seeing her reaction, couldn’t help laughing: “Hahaha, she scratches so much in those… places that she even draws blood. I’ve done it to all her underwear.”

“At night, even if she wears a new pair, it doesn’t help—just makes it itchier. She scratches all night, calling out.”

“The family apartments have thin walls, so now she’s offended everyone on this floor.”

Listening to the argument outside, Gu Yihan whispered to Zhao Ju: “Don’t get caught. What if she goes to see a doctor?”

Zhao Ju thought of her son who had passed away, and said coldly: “I even encouraged her to go. Too bad she thinks that area is too private and is too embarrassed to go.”

“Xiaohan, you wouldn’t believe it… both her buttocks are scratched raw. She can’t even tell her son, so she just acts out at home all day.”

Then Zhao Ju held Gu Yihan’s hand and smiled at her: “Since this life is destined to be spent with Shi Jianguo, if his mother can pretend, so can I. I’ll let her grow old in loneliness, estranged from her son.”

Gu Yihan wasn’t much for comforting words. Seeing Zhao Ju’s expression—smiling yet almost crying—she could only hug her and pat her back gently: “You don’t have to smile if you don’t want to.”

Zhao Ju’s eyes gleamed as she leaned into Gu Yihan’s neck and said with a smile: “Xiaohan, see? Shi Jianguo only believes what I say now, even if it’s a lie. I’m living so well, so freely. And I even have a free housemaid—what could be better?”

As Gu Yihan chatted with Zhao Ju, Shi Jianguo’s mother limped in.

Seeing Gu Yihan on the wooden sofa, she pretended not to notice and went straight to her bedroom.

A cold gleam flashed in Zhao Ju’s eyes, then she turned back to chat warmly with Gu Yihan.

By the time Gu Yihan left Zhao Ju’s, it was getting late. After walking for a short while, the sky suddenly opened up with a torrential downpour.

Gu Yihan had no choice but to duck under the eaves of the nearest small courtyard to avoid the rain.