Chapter 83.1

Hu Wanning grabbed the two pregnant women. “You two, step back a bit so you don’t get hurt.”

The two exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. After all, they were both expecting, and any accident could lead to a lifetime of regret. Meanwhile, Li Xiaoyue entrusted Gu Xi to them, rolled up her sleeves, and rushed over to help.

Wang Manman, standing across the courtyard behind the fence, found she couldn’t really do anything to Ruan Mingfu.

In her frustration, she picked up a stone from the ground and threw it over.

“Wang Manman!” Sister Lin barely dodged a stone that flew toward her, her expression turning serious. “Are you trying to kill someone?”

Wang Manman was fuming. Just seeing Ruan Mingfu’s face made her want to tear it apart. With both new and old grievances stirring within her, her actions grew more aggressive.

Old Lady Wang sensed that things were getting out of hand. Not wanting to escalate matters to the point of harming anyone, she quickly interjected.

“Manman, don’t be angry. We’re just having a little disagreement with Comrade Ruan, it’s not worth it.”

But the other elderly women did not share her perspective and immediately countered.

“Disagreement? Just look at what she’s done to us!”

The old lady pointed to her soaked clothes, filled with righteous indignation. “We’re of this age, and it’s freezing outside. If something happens, her cheap bones will never be able to pay for it—”

“Shut your mouths!”

These women were truly Old Lady Wang’s so-called friends.

“Manman, calm down,” she urgently grabbed Wang Manman’s hand. “Think of Xiao Qiao, think about your future…”

“Mom, don’t stop me!”

Today, she was determined to teach that arrogant woman, Ruan Mingfu, a lesson.

This wasn’t just a dispute between old ladies. It was about her dignity!

Seeing Wang Manman’s stubbornness, Old Lady. Wang had no choice but to say to Ruan Mingfu and her group, “Hurry up, you all go inside.”

Ruan Mingfu certainly wouldn’t listen to her.

However, Sister Lin and Sister Wang were sensible. With children and pregnant women around, it wouldn’t be good if anything happened. They didn’t give Ruan Mingfu a chance to react and quickly pulled her away.

“Sister-in-law, don’t pull me.”

Damn it!

Wang Manman had already insulted her before, and now she dared to throw her bag at her.

Did she really think Ruan Mingfu was someone to be trifled with?

Once they reached the front of the house, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Don’t bother with her,” Sister Lin gave Hu Wanning a knowing look, and they each grabbed Ruan Mingfu on either side, “We don’t need to stoop to her level.”

“Sister-in-law, look what she threw at me!”

Ruan Mingfu pointed at the scattered stones in the corner, her brows furrowing in anger.

“Calm down, calm down.”

Sister Wang poured her a glass of water.

“Just let it go,” Hu Wanning glanced at the scene not far away where Old Lady Wang was trying to persuade her daughter, “They’re also afraid of causing trouble.”

Ruan Mingfu took a moment to settle her emotions.

To be honest, after confronting Wang Manman, a lot of her pent-up frustration had dissipated.

“I can’t be bothered to deal with her!”

While things quieted down on their side, Wang Manman was relentless.

“Manman, your mother has been bullied to such an extent, how can you still endure it?” An old lady stirred up trouble and even brought it all to this point. “If it were my daughter, she’d be kicking down their door by now—”

Before she could finish, a sweeping broom came crashing down on her.

Old Lady Wang was furious, swinging the broom while shouting.

“I’ll let you talk nonsense, let you stir up trouble, I’ll beat you to death, you shameless old thing… Stop right there!”

She could mingle with these old ladies, but only if it didn’t interfere with her own interests.

Old Lady Wang was fuming, hands on her hips, glaring at her.

Being kicked out made that old lady lose face. To save her dignity, she huffed coldly.

“Being bullied to this extent, and you just sit there like cowards… you bunch of weaklings!”

“Man—Manman, where are you going?”

Old Lady Wang wanted to pull her daughter back, but Wang Manman glared fiercely and yanked her hand away, speeding out of the yard. She was clearly going to find trouble with Ruan Mingfu.

Old Lady Wang slapped her thigh in frustration.

“What a sin!”

How could she, such a smart and shrewd person, give birth to such a stubborn daughter?

Seeing that the provocative old lady was still grinning there, Old Lady Wang was so angry that she fell backwards.

“You get out of here! You all get out!”

The old lady refused to leave.

Who would miss out on the excitement? Only a fool would!

“Ruan Mingfu, get out here!”

Then came the loud sound of a kick on the yard door.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She was just about to let things slide, and now they were calling for her? Did they really think she was a pushover!

This time, no one could persuade her.

Ruan Mingfu rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight back, while several sisters couldn’t hold her back.

“Manman,” looking at the crowd peeking in, Old Lady Wang began to worry, “Stop making trouble and come home with me.”

“Mom, don’t stop me!”

Wang Manman’s rage felt like it would consume her whole.

At this moment, she couldn’t hear anyone’s words. She was not so easy to persuade.

Wang Manman shook off Old Lady Wang’s hand and kicked the yard door again.

“Mom, just leave me alone!”

Today, she was determined to teach that despicable woman, Ruan Mingfu, a lesson.

But Wang Manman was unlucky. The gate just opened when she kicked. She couldn’t control her strength and was thrown forward. Old Lady Wang was startled and tried to catch her.

But unexpectedly, Ruan Mingfu didn’t play fair.

She grabbed Wang Manman’s hair and slapped her several times across the face.

At that moment, Ruan Mingfu’s figure seemed to overlap miraculously with that of Mrs. Ruan.

The onlookers around started to wince.

Wang Manman was still in shock from the slap. By the time she realized what was happening and wanted to fight back, she had already lost the chance.

She could only lie on her back, reaching up to clutch Ruan Mingfu’s hand that was pulling her hair. Her once fair and delicate face quickly filled with red handprints.

“Manman!”

Old Lady Wang couldn’t bear to see her daughter being hit like that. She tried to help, but Ruan Mingfu pushed her away.

“Get lost!” Ruan Mingfu, using her strength, flushed with anger, “If you dare come closer, I’ll hit you too!”

The sisters-in-law who had just come out were stunned at the scene.

Wang Manman’s nose was bleeding, her eyes becoming dazed.

Seeing Ruan Mingfu’s fierce look, no one dared to point fingers or try to mediate. Even the old ladies who had previously been gossiping about her shivered in fear.

It was still Hu Wanning who couldn’t stand it any longer and pulled Ruan Mingfu away.

“Sister-in-law, enough, enough… if this continues, someone will get hurt…”

Ruan Mingfu felt a bit wronged, “Sister-in-law, she dared to kick my door!”

It had been years since she had faced such provocation; how could she hold back?

“Yes, yes, yes, it’s her fault,” Hu Wanning soothed her, “Don’t be angry, let’s not stoop to their level.”

“Yeah.”

Sister Wang couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of Wang Manman’s miserable state.

My goodness, that’s too harsh.

Maybe Ruan Mingfu was still inexperienced and lacked the skill of Mrs. Ruan. Although Wang Manman looked terrible, she was still in better shape than the mother and daughter duo.

The sisters-in-law around her couldn’t bear to watch.

…Honestly, why would she go and provoke her?

Wang Manman looked utterly disheveled, her hair a mess and her earlier elegance completely gone.

With one eye swollen, she shakily pointed at Ruan Mingfu.”Bitch, bitch, I…I will never let you go!”

Ruan Mingfu frowned and took a step forward.

Wang Manman instinctively recoiled, making Ruan Mingfu appear even more like a bully.

“What do you want to do?”

Old Lady Wang had somehow found a stick and, with red eyes, was ready to swing it at Ruan Mingfu.

The stick was about the thickness of a baby’s arm and nearly two meters long. It was dirty, and the end even had some rusty nails. Getting hit with that would be far worse than a slap.

She might need to go to the hospital for a tetanus shot. Who knew if vaccines existed in this era…

Ruan Mingfu was still lost in thought when Hu Wanning nearly broke into a cold sweat from anxiety.

“Sister-in-law!”

Wang Manman’s eyes were filled with excitement.

“Mom, kill her!”

There was no time to run now, so Ruan Mingfu braced herself to take the hit. Unexpectedly, a large hand reached out from the side and firmly gripped the stick.

Old Lady Wang turned pale when she saw who had come.

“Commander Xie…”

Hearing that name, Ruan Mingfu opened her eyes and saw the familiar figure she hadn’t seen in three days standing right in front of her. He looked a bit worn, with stubble on his chin, but otherwise was well.

Ruan Mingfu felt her eyes welling up.

Without thinking, she dashed into his arms.

“Old Xie, you scared me to death.”

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze softened, and he gently ran his hand through her silky hair.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m back.”

…

Old Gu sat behind his desk with a sullen expression.

His mood didn’t seem great, and he looked like he might explode at any moment as he glared at the couples standing in front of him.

“Bang—”

The loud bang of his palm hitting the desk startled Ruan Mingfu.

She instinctively glanced at Xie Yanzhao, who comfortingly squeezed her soft hand.

The old man who saw the whole scene: “…”

Damn it!

“What are you looking at? I’m scolding you!” Old Gu was originally 80% angry and 20% depressed. “As a regiment leader, you can’t even manage your family. In front of so many people… you’re still fighting!!”

“Isn’t that embarrassing?!!”

His voice grew louder with every word.

“Commander, please don’t scare her.”

Xie Yanzhao held Ruan Mingfu with one hand and looked at him with dissatisfaction.

Old Gu: “…”

I’m trying to scold people here!

Do you understand what scolding means?!

“Shut your mouth!”

Old Gu looked at Ruan Mingfu.

She had brightened up, curiously playing with Xie Yanzhao’s fingers, showing no sign of fear at all.

Old Gu: “…:”