B5SB -Chapter 97 Scheming (Part 1)

Wen Juan was chatting casually with the military wives across the hall when Qiao Shuhui’s sharp voice startled her.

Wen Juan stared at Qiao Shuhui, stunned, shaking her head in panic and babbling incoherently, “Sister-in-law Lin, it’s not what you think!”

The family apartment building wasn’t soundproof, and Qiao Shuhui’s voice was piercing.

Several households on the second floor quietly peeked through the cracks in their doors, eyes full of curiosity, watching the hallway.

As long as Qiao Shuhui and Wen Juan started arguing, tomorrow there would be gossip to talk about.

Seeing the situation, Qiao Shuhui quickly reined in her emotions. She had always been careful about her public image.

With a wistful expression, she spoke softly, “Sigh… you don’t know. Our Yifei is already a regiment commander at such a young age.”

“Many people, on the surface looking innocent, are actually scheming. They always want to put a label on Yifei.”

“If any of you notice a woman deliberately getting close to Yifei, make sure to tell me!”

The military wife beside Wen Juan’s side smiled, her eyes flashing. She said to Qiao Shuhui, “Regiment Commander Lin’s wife, what are you worried about? They all have families and won’t do anything improper.”

“If there really is a problem, you can just report them for having an affair.”

Wen Juan was truly frightened by this babbling military wife. She slapped the woman on the back and growled, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

She quickly turned to soothe Qiao Shuhui: “Sister-in-law Lin, don’t listen to her nonsense. Regiment Commander Lin isn’t that kind of person.”

Qiao Shuhui’s eyes showed disdain as she glanced at the meddling military wife.

Inwardly, she scoffed, “Does she really think I’m an idiot? Report them? Someday she’ll follow Lin Yifei to climb the social ladder, to become someone above others.”

“She’s counting on Yifei to soar high; there’s no way she’d do anything against him…”

“Hmph, she’s going to become someone admired by everyone.”

Her gaze swept over the military wives peeking through the door cracks, and she sneered, “Yifei treats me so well, how could I not know what kind of person he is?”

Proudly rubbing her still-flat belly, Qiao Shuhui bragged, “He doesn’t know how much he worries about me. At home and outside, he takes over all the work.”

“You all… just because you can’t have the grapes, you say they’re sour. Ever think about your own figure?”

“Built like a barrel from head to toe, and yet you try to stir up trouble in our marriage.”

Qiao Shuhui lifted her chin, straightened her chest, and scanned the military wives peeking through the door.

Seeing her gaze, they quickly ducked back and cautiously closed the door cracks.

Inwardly, Qiao Shuhui laughed to herself: “I didn’t expect it—Gu Yihan deliberately walks with Lin Yifei so others can see, then use their mouths to tell me.”

“All she wants is to provoke our marriage. She won’t succeed.”

She turned and opened the door to her own room, going back inside.

The military wife beside Wen Juan, seeing Qiao Shuhui retreat, stood in the hallway and vented, “Bah, what a thing.”

“Look at her, already so smug even before showing. I curse her to have a girl!”

“Suspicious of everyone herself, and then accusing us of sowing discord?”

Wen Juan rolled her eyes and glared at her: “Why didn’t you dare say that in front of Qiao Shuhui?”

“Now she can’t hear you. What are you babbling about?”

With that, Wen Juan slammed the door and returned to her own home.

Zhou Family, Gu Family Village

The Zhou elders sat neatly around the table, all in a row.

Zhou Jianguo pulled out the letters he had collected from the commune post office today and placed them on the table.

He coldly looked at Liu Zhaodi: “This is from the Kun City Military District. It says Gu Yihan married a regiment commander.”

“What? How does she get to marry a regiment commander?” Liu Zhaodi exclaimed in anger.

“Why? Because she graduated from a vocational school and is from the city,” Zhou Jianguo glared at her viciously.

Frightened by his harsh gaze, Liu Zhaodi shrank her neck, worried he might hit her.

The Zhou matriarch, now old, had grown frail since being beaten by Grandma Gu last time.

She replied perfunctorily: “No one in the village believes Gu Yihan is our child.”

“Whatever you two want to do is none of my business. I won’t enjoy Gu Yihan’s good fortune anyway.”

After saying this, she got up and returned to her room.

Ever since being beaten by Grandma Gu, no one at home came to help her. She realized that children and grandchildren, no matter how many, can’t really be relied on—raising them is pointless.

Zhou Er’Ya held her son, glanced at her parents across the way, and sighed: “Dad, my son is still young. I won’t get involved in these things.”

She picked up her child and returned to her room.

Suddenly, only Zhou Jianguo and Liu Zhaodi were left.

Zhou Jianguo looked at Liu Zhaodi, his eyes filled with malice: “A whole litter of losers, and you even sent away the most valuable one.”

Liu Zhaodi curled up on the stool, letting Zhou Jianguo lecture her.

But in his heart, Zhou Jianguo was thinking about the promises he’d been given and the ten big bills in his pocket.

If he could get Gu Yihan recognized as part of the Zhou family, he’d be given 700 yuan after the deed. He’d never seen so much money in his life.

Zhou Jianguo pondered for a long time before suddenly thinking of Gu Aidang. His eyes lit up—he had a plan.

Humming, he stood up and glared at Liu Zhaodi before leaving.

Frightened by him, Liu Zhaodi didn’t dare argue and could only watch him leave.

Walking along the muddy dirt road, Zhou Jianguo stamped his feet in disdain.

The thought of hundreds of yuan flowing in excited him.

“Gu Aidang! Gu Laer!” Zhou Jianguo shouted loudly from the village corner.

Gu Aidang looked up toward the voice, squinting against the bright sun, unable to tell who it was.

Seeing him frozen in place, Zhou Jianguo strode over.

Frowning, Gu Aidang asked in confusion: “What do you want?”

Zhou Jianguo noticed the workers looking at them.

He dragged Gu Aidang to a quieter spot, smiling: “Come over here, it’s good news.”

Once in private, he said, “Do you know Gu Yihan got married?”

Gu Aidang glanced at him: “Our own child. Do you think I wouldn’t know she got married?”

Zhou Jianguo was almost choked by the fool. He snapped at Gu Aidang: “I’m going to make you rich. Are you in or not?”

Gu Aidang didn’t trust him. He was broke himself and yet claimed he could make him rich?

Ignoring Zhou Jianguo, he turned to leave, but Zhou Jianguo grabbed his arm: “It’s true! After it’s done, I’ll give you 250 yuan.”

Amused and exasperated, Gu Aidang shook him off and mocked: “Aren’t you afraid the wind will blow your tongue? You’ve probably never seen 250 yuan in your life, yet you promise me?”

Zhou Jianguo, worried Gu Aidang wouldn’t listen, hurried after him, shouting anxiously: “Someone wants me to successfully get Gu Yihan recognized. They’re giving me the money!”