B5SB -Chapter 77 Rumors

Sister Li returned to the military housing compound, put down the things she had bought, and went straight to where the army families gathered.

“Sister Li, didn’t you say you were busy making a skirt for your little sister-in-law and didn’t have time to come chat?” one army wife asked, puzzled.

Sister Li didn’t respond but looked at another neighbor of Gu Yihan, Lan Cao, the wife of Deputy Battalion Commander Wang, and said, “Have you ever seen Colonel Lu’s wife?”

Lan Cao looked at her in confusion. “I went back to my parents’ home yesterday, so I didn’t see her.”

Sister Li slapped her thigh, found a stone to sit on, and exclaimed, “I’ll tell you! Tsk tsk, Colonel Lu’s wife… she’s a real spendthrift woman!”

The army wives around her leaned in and asked, “What happened? What do you know?”

Their eyes gleamed—they usually liked to gossip about other people’s families.

Sister Li immediately became aggrieved, tears rolling down her cheeks. “She’s such a shrew! She can curse without even using swear words.”

“I was kindly advising her to buy a 28-inch bike—it would be convenient for her husband at home too.”

“She just scolded me, saying I was meddling too much. I mean, in our entire housing compound, who even buys a ladies’ bike? I was just looking out for her!”

People tend to sympathize with the weak. Seeing Li Zhengwei’s wife—usually so strong-willed—cry like this, the other army wives all thought Colonel Lu’s wife was just too domineering.

However, several of the wives only listened and didn’t dare comment—they couldn’t afford to offend Sister Li.

But they also didn’t dare say anything about Colonel Lu’s wife. Their husbands were still serving under him, so even if they didn’t care about others, they had to consider their own men.

Deputy Battalion Commander Wang wasn’t under Colonel Lu’s command, so Lan Cao dared to speak more freely than the others. “Sister Li, I heard that Colonel Lu’s wife is from the countryside.”

“Maybe she used some shady means to force Colonel Lu into marrying her.”

“Just like that one… Commander Wen’s wife. She jumped into the river, and Commander Wen saved her. Next thing you know, they’re married.”

“Lan Cao, really, don’t get involved in other people’s business like that!” Zhao Jusheng said angrily.

She had been bored at home and went out for a walk. When she arrived here, she overheard these army wives slandering Gu Yihan.

A trace of disgust flashed in Lan Cao’s eyes as she looked at Zhao Jusheng. “Isn’t it true? Who knows what underhanded tricks she used?”

Zhao Jusheng looked at Lan Cao with disdain. “Who do you think you are? Just a middle school graduate, only qualified to teach first graders.”

“Look at you, always showing off. Your job exists only because you’re a military wife; otherwise, the school wouldn’t even take you. How can you compare yourself to Colonel Lu’s wife, Gu Yihan?”

“She can just move her fingers a little and publish two articles, earning more than your whole salary. You really think you’re some city elite?”

Saying this, she clutched her stomach and prepared to leave. As she turned, she looked back at Lan Cao. “Don’t blame your mother-in-law; blame yourself for not being able to have children, you rotten-hearted thing.”

Children were Lan Cao’s greatest concern. She had been married for three years but had never gotten pregnant. Her mother-in-law constantly scolded her, calling her a “hen that doesn’t lay eggs.”

Zhao Jusheng’s words pierced her heart, and Lan Cao’s anger flared. She stood up and tried to push her, but one of the army wives grabbed her: “Are you crazy?”

Zhao Jusheng was also startled by Lan Cao’s furious move. She clutched her stomach and stepped back, supported by another army wife.

Once restrained, Lan Cao regained her composure, but now she hated Colonel Lu’s wife too.

She glared at Zhao Jusheng and said, “You defend Colonel Lu’s wife so fiercely for your Commander Shi, but it still depends on whether she even looks down on you.”

With that, she shook off the army wife holding her arm. “Mind your own business!” She pushed through the crowd and left.

Zhao Jusheng saw the army wife she had just pushed away—it was Wen Juan, the wife of Captain Cao from Commander Lin’s unit.

Zhao Jusheng looked at Wen Juan. “Thanks for helping just now. If you hadn’t, I probably would have fallen.”

Wen Juan smiled awkwardly. “It’s nothing. We’re all army wives. Helping each other is natural.”

Meanwhile, on her way home, Lan Cao happened to see Lu Huailin riding his bicycle with Gu Yihan, chatting and laughing. Their laughter reached her ears—it was sharp and grating.

Once home, Gu Yihan jumped off the bicycle and went straight to the kitchen to grab a thermos. She wanted to wash her face—it was filthy, all covered in dust.

Lu Huailin put the bicycle away and called to her from inside: “Wife, you rest at home for a bit. I’ll fetch the supplies we bought.”

Gu Yihan, applying cold cream, responded, “Got it.”

Knock, knock, knock.

Hearing the knock at the door, Gu Yihan went to the courtyard, opened it, and looked at the woman standing there, puzzled.

Lan Cao saw Gu Yihan wearing a floral dress and black shoes, her skin delicate, and a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes.

She smiled. “I’m your neighbor. My husband is Deputy Battalion Commander Wang under Commander Lin. You can just call me Sister Lan.”

Gu Yihan didn’t like the way this woman was sizing her up. “Do you need something?”

Lan Cao grabbed Gu Yihan’s hand on the doorframe and pulled her into the yard.

Caught off guard, Gu Yihan stumbled, regained her balance, and shook off Lan Cao’s hand.

Lan Cao didn’t mind and said, “Little sister, do you know Zhao Jusheng?”

Gu Yihan didn’t want to answer and said directly, “I have things to do at home and no time to entertain you.”

Lan Cao continued on her own, “Looks like little sister doesn’t know Zhao Jusheng.”

She deliberately gave Gu Yihan a solemn look. “Little sister, take my advice—stay away from Zhao Jusheng.”

“She’s spreading lies about you outside, saying you used underhanded means to force Colonel Lu to marry you…”

Gu Yihan didn’t want to hear this nonsense. Before Lan Cao could finish, she grabbed her arm, dragged her to the door, and shoved her out, slamming the door with a bang.

Lan Cao pounded on the door at Gu Yihan’s house, shouting, “Why bite the hand that feeds you? I’m only doing this for your good!”

Gu Yihan laughed at her anger. “Where did this mad dog come from? Seriously sick. You should see a doctor.”

As she turned around, she was startled by Aunt Chen, who had been perched on the wall watching the commotion.

Aunt Chen greeted Gu Yihan with a laugh from above. “Xiao Han, must be furious, huh? Haha…”

“Don’t pay attention to Lan Cao. Her mother-in-law is back in her hometown. Once her mother-in-law returns, Lan Cao will behave.”

Gu Yihan looked at Aunt Chen. “Aunt Chen, why are you up so high? Come down quickly—it’s dangerous.”

Yawning, she said, “Aunt Chen, you go on. I got up too early and am sleepy. I’ll lie down for a bit.”

Aunt Chen, having been young once herself, knew newlyweds sometimes lacked restraint. She looked at Gu Yihan warmly. “Go ahead, rest.”

After saying goodbye to Aunt Chen, Gu Yihan went straight back to her bedroom, changed into loose pajamas, and fell asleep.