B5SB -Chapter 384 Changing the Pension Beneficiary

Before they knew it, the day had come to bring Mother Lu to the family compound.

After buying breakfast, Haohao returned, chattering away as he helped Lu Huailin distribute the porridge.

“Dad, the cafeteria auntie asked me in that sarcastic tone again if Mom hasn’t gotten up yet.”

“Oh? And what did you say?”

Lu Huailin asked casually.

Haohao lifted his little eyes proudly and vividly mimicked his father’s reaction at that moment.

“I just suddenly screamed and pointed at her eye corner, saying, ‘Auntie, you’ve got wrinkles at the corner of your eyes. Are you worrying too much?’”

After finishing, Haohao covered his mouth and laughed: “And then her face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.”

Lu Huailin paused for a moment at this and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Gu Yihan had gotten up early. Still yawning, she went downstairs and heard the laughter of the father and son.

Her lips curved slightly. “What’s got you two so happy?”

Haohao, hearing his mother’s voice, ran over to her side and said in a spoiled tone, “Mom, I was telling Dad a joke.”

Lu Huailin looked at Haohao with a smile in his eyes, thinking that his love for this son was well-placed.

At least he knew not to say things that would affect his wife’s mood in front of her.

“Wife, I’ve tidied up the bedroom on the first floor,” he said. “When Mom and her caretaker come, they can stay together. That way, if anything happens, we can get her medical help immediately.”

Gu Yihan asked, “Do you want me to come with you to pick Mom up?”

Lu Huailin raised his eyes to look at her, smiling as he shook his head. “No need. You just go to work. I’ll be fine handling Mom.”

Gu Yihan nodded.

Even though she didn’t want to go, it was polite to at least ask.

Since Lu Huailin said no, she let it go without pressing the matter.

After finishing breakfast, Gu Yihan grabbed her handbag and went to the service station.

Upon entering, she saw Liu Yufang waving at her. Gu Yihan paused, then hurried over.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked.

Liu Yufang pulled Gu Yihan close, leaning toward her ear.

Quietly, she said, “Yesterday, Zhang Yue was broken off by her fiancé.”

Gu Yihan paused for a moment, then smiled. “From the matchmaking to engagement, nothing went smoothly. I suspect her fiancé jinxed her.”

Liu Yufang rolled her eyes and snorted lightly.

“It was Director Chen’s son who came back and caused a huge scene at Zhang Yue’s fiancé’s family home.”

“The boy’s parents thought she was unfaithful and improper, so they wouldn’t let their son marry a ‘damaged’ girl.”

After saying this, she covered her mouth and whispered with a laugh: “Because Zhang Yue got dumped, the Zhang family became the joke of the whole compound.”

“Her two married older sisters were so angry when they found out that they came back to scold her for bringing shame to the family and called her loose.”

Gu Yihan frowned at Liu Yufang’s words—constantly calling Zhang Yue “loose” and a “flirt.”
She didn’t like hearing this.

She didn’t see being broken off as shameful.

Moreover, the male side broke the engagement after Director Chen’s son caused a scene, proving Zhang Yue’s fiancé was not suitable for a lifelong commitment.

Gu Yihan knew her thinking was out of step with these people.

Not wanting to argue, she waved to leave, but Liu Yufang grabbed her arm.

Gu Yihan’s face darkened. She glanced at Liu Yufang’s tightly grasping hand and tried to pull away but couldn’t.

Liu Yufang whispered in her ear, “Zhang Yue’s reputation in the compound is already ruined. It won’t be easy for her to find a good match later.”
“Don’t get too close to her, lest she comes to you for help when she hits rock bottom.”

“Besides, she’s on bad terms with Director Chen now; it’s hard to tell if he might make things difficult for her.”

“If you stick with her, you’ll be dragged down too.”

Sighing, she added, “I mean, why not just date Director Chen’s son properly and get married? Why go through all this trouble? Now the ship has capsized!”

Gu Yihan felt a flash of impatience at Liu Yufang’s seemingly “helpful” tone badmouthing Zhang Yue.

She interrupted sharply: “Who said dating someone has to mean marriage?”

Liu Yufang froze, then blurted, “If you don’t marry, Director Chen’s son is foolishly giving work indicators to Zhang Yue.”

Annoyed, Gu Yihan said, “That’s between Director Chen’s son and Zhang Yue. One’s willing to hit, one’s willing to be hit. It has nothing to do with us.”

She yanked her arm free, didn’t even look at Liu Yufang, and walked away.

She had no interest in hearing people call Zhang Yue loose—this wasn’t ancient times.
Why should all the mistakes fall on the woman when men quarrel?

Liu Yufang stared blankly at Gu Yihan’s retreating back, not understanding why she suddenly got upset.

Back at the daily supplies counter, Gu Yihan glanced at Zhang Yue. She looked listless, her eyes dark—obviously hadn’t rested well.

Zhang Yue noticed the look and met Gu Yihan’s concerned gaze. Her nose tingled, and all the pent-up grievance surged up. Tears fell one by one.

Gu Yihan said nothing, simply taking out a clean handkerchief and handing it to her.

Before she could soothe her further, many military wives came in to shop.

Some looked at Zhang Yue with disdain; others didn’t speak but stared at her meaningfully.

Zhang Yue lowered her eyes, sitting quietly, letting them observe her without saying a word.

Meanwhile, Lu Huailin first went to the landlord’s house to inform them they would no longer rent Mother Lu’s apartment and that it would be collected this afternoon.

He then drove to the street office to see the staff responsible for issuing Mother Lu’s pension and explained her paralysis situation. He also requested a change in the pension proxy.

The staff glanced at Lu Huailin in his military uniform and refused, saying, “Changing the pension proxy requires the person’s consent.”

Lu Huailin nodded. “I know.”

“My mother is paralyzed and cannot come in person to agree to the change. I’d like you to take the trouble to verify it in person.”

The staff was taken aback for a moment, thought for a while, then said, “Comrade Lu, please wait. I’ll consult the director.”

Without waiting for a reply, the staff ran off.

Ten minutes later, he returned, smiling: “The director agreed. I’ll go with you.”

After saying this, he picked up the relevant documents and headed to Mother Lu’s residence with Lu Huailin.

Lu’s eldest brother and Fang Yi, wanting to quickly get Mother Lu out of the house, both took leave that day with perfect timing.

When Lu Huailin and the street office staff arrived at the small courtyard, the two were arguing over who would change Mother Lu’s diaper.

Fang Yi shouted, “A debt has a debtor. Whoever’s mom it is, takes care of her. If it’s really impossible, hire a nurse.”

“Anyway, she didn’t give birth to me or raise me, so if she dies, it’s none of my business.”

Lu’s eldest brother glared at Fang Yi. Ever since Lu Huailin last visited, he reminded his brother to check in on Mother Lu regularly.

Fang Yi had since given up, refusing to serve her. When she couldn’t avoid it, she deliberately made excuses to quarrel with him.

She even demanded a yuan from him before entering the bedroom to help take care of Mother Lu.