Chapter 164

Lu Weiguo pulled Shi Tingyu close and examined her wrist, which was red from the other woman’s grip.

He held Shi Tingyu’s arm up to Sister Lin’s face. “Is this what you call not laying hands on her?”

Seeing the red mark on Shi Tingyu’s fair wrist, Sister Lin was shocked. She had pulled hard to prevent Shi Tingyu from entering her courtyard, knowing there was a fierce dog inside that might be set on them.

Shi Tingyu looked up at Lu Weiguo, who now resembled a father defending his bullied child, ready to confront the other parents.

Sister Lin, seeing Lu Weiguo’s anger, quickly explained, “I meant no harm. I just wanted to ask Teacher Shi to take my son as an apprentice.”

Lu Weiguo, knowing his wife’s stance, replied coldly, “My wife doesn’t take on apprentices. If that’s all, you should go home.”

Had Sister Lin not grabbed Shi Tingyu, his attitude would not have been so harsh. Military families usually received more tolerance, but not at the expense of his wife’s safety.

Seeing she was outnumbered and glancing at the red mark on Shi Tingyu’s wrist, Sister Lin, although angry, dared not protest further and left with her things.

After she left, Lu Weiguo carefully inspected Shi Tingyu’s wrist, relieved to see it was just red and not bruised.

Mrs. Zhang gave her husband a meaningful look.

“See? Xiao Lu is feeling protective,” she whispered.

Zhang Jin cleared his throat. “Xiao Lu, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be heading home.”

With that, he led Mrs. Zhang away.

Lu Weiguo also took Shi Tingyu back inside.

Lu Weiguo cooked dinner that evening.

While eating, Lu Weiguo said, “I’ll talk to her husband tomorrow.” He doubted Sister Lin would let the matter rest.

Shi Tingyu smiled and agreed. When a man fights for you, encouragement is necessary.

Shi Tingyu’s encouragement was a sweet kiss.

Back at home, the more Sister Lin thought about it, the more upset she became, especially seeing the costly gifts she had bought.

Her resentment crept into her conversations, and soon she was venting to her neighbors.

The neighbors listened but only responded with a few noncommittal murmurs, offering no further comments.

Despite this, Sister Lin felt she had found sympathetic ears and continued complaining.

By the time she realized she might have said too much, the neighbors were already looking at her differently.

She laughed awkwardly and hurried home.

As soon as she left, the neighbors started talking.

“How arrogant! Everyone knows that Captain Lu’s wife is talented, but who really goes to her for lessons?”

“When Captain Lu’s wife published a book, someone did try to seek her out, but she didn’t agree either.”

“Exactly, look at Captain Han’s son; she didn’t take him on either.”

“If she were taking apprentices, it wouldn’t even get to her; those with good connections would have already secured the spot.”

So, many things are not unknown to people—they just choose not to understand.

Personal gain drives people’s hearts.

Before encountering a setback, they always think they might succeed if they try.

Sister Lin didn’t hide this matter from her husband. He supported her because, though he wasn’t young, his career had reached its peak, and he wanted to make plans for their child while still in the military district.

He wanted his son to join the military, but since the boy was spoiled as an only child, he couldn’t handle the rigors of military life.

His son was about the same age as Captain Han’s son, Han Wei, and seeing the latter’s success made the disparity with his own son even more apparent.

After discussing it with his wife, they decided to have their son become an apprentice.

They had heard how highly regarded Captain Lu’s wife was, almost causing a fight between the Women’s Federation and the elementary school to recruit her.

Captain Lin didn’t expect his wife’s mission to fail, only to find himself targeted by Lu Weiguo the next day.

Lu Weiguo reported to Captain Han, suggesting a competition between their units.

Captain Han and Lu Weiguo were battlefield comrades, understanding each other well. As soon as Lu Weiguo proposed it, Captain Han immediately approached the leader of the 721st regiment to discuss the competition.

Even though the competition had underlying tensions, it was ultimately beneficial as it boosted the soldiers’ morale.

The leader of the 721st regiment agreed to the competition.

On the battlefield, Lu Weiguo’s men fought with extraordinary vigor.

Even Lu Weiguo himself joined in.

Captain Lin had no choice but to participate.

The result was obvious—he was beaten badly.

At this point, he realized that Lu Weiguo was probably settling scores for his wife.

And there was nothing he could say about it because Lu Weiguo won fair and square.

This incident made Captain Lin give up on the idea of having his son become an apprentice.

Perhaps because this incident was quite significant, others who had similar thoughts also backed down.

With the arrival of April, everyone shed their heavy winter clothes and felt lighter.

One day, Shi Tingyu had the day off and planned to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some oil. On the way, she encountered Lu Wenchan, who was also heading to the cooperative.

Lu Wenchan was no longer as proud as when they first met.

Long hours of training in the arts troupe without being able to perform had left her deflated.

Lu Wenchan wondered if she was just not destined for it. She had hoped to perform on May Day this time.

However, in January this year, one of the leaders, the Premier, passed away.

Authorities suppressed the people’s mourning activities, causing widespread dissatisfaction among the populace. The grievances and resentment built up over the past decade exploded around the Qingming Festival.

Now, many people in Jinling were organizing spontaneous memorial activities, with poems and flyers everywhere.

Recently, the military district had even sent people to maintain order, fearing any incidents.

So, this year’s May Day performance was canceled.

Her chance to perform was indefinitely postponed.

When Lu Wenchan saw Shi Tingyu looking at her, she glared back and pedaled away quickly, soon disappearing from sight.

Shi Tingyu rolled her eyes.

As if she cared to ride alongside her.

But sometimes, people just can’t help but think about things.

After buying the oil, Shi Tingyu saw Lu Wenchan again from a distance.

Just as she was about to leave on her bike, she heard murmuring from a corner near the supply and marketing cooperative.

Thanks to the mystical spring’s influence, her hearing was better than most.

She seemed to hear them mentioning the city and taking action.

Given the recent frequent memorial activities in the city, Shi Tingyu felt uneasy.

She looked around, hoping to find someone she could ask for help.

Since they were near the military district, it would be great to spot a familiar soldier.

But as soon as she moved, the people in the corner looked her way.

Shi Tingyu calmly put the oil in her bike basket, avoiding their gaze.

They exchanged wary looks, not missing Shi Tingyu’s movements.

Her heart raced.

She gripped the handlebars, ready to ride away quickly.