Chapter 9: Provoking a Pain in the Neck

Lin Qingyue couldn’t help but giggle. It really was a case of one thing conquering another.

Lu Yicheng saw Lu Siyi and acted like a mouse seeing a cat.

“Brother wants Aunt Lin to make him a schoolbag!” Sisi’s soft voice rang out.

“Can’t we just buy one?”

“No! I want one that’s handmade!”

“Yicheng, don’t be silly. What’s the difference between a bought one and a handmade one? They both hold books,” Lu Yiming said, adopting the air of a little adult, earnestly advising his younger brother.

This child, so sensible it was heartbreaking.

“Your Aunt Lin has been working hard these past few days, I’ll buy you one.”

“Dad’s lying, she clearly slept until noon today.” Lu Yicheng stiffened his neck: “She’s not hard-working at all! There’s no lazier woman than her!”

Several women in the compound were chatting, and hearing the commotion, they cast inquisitive glances over.

A few who loved gossip gathered together, pointing and whispering about Lin Qingyue.

Lu Siyi pursed his lips, calmly watching Lu Yicheng, momentarily unsure how to answer the brat’s question.

Lin Qingyue felt like she had suffered a social death, afraid that these two would discuss this issue in public, she quickly said: “It’s just a schoolbag! I’ll make it for you.”

“You promised, you can’t go back on it, whoever goes back on it is a puppy!” Lu Yicheng held out his finger, wanting to hook pinky fingers.

“Okay!” Lin Qingyue managed a strained smile.

“When do you have time to make him a schoolbag?” Lu Siyi looked at her deeply, his meaning clear.

Lin Qingyue understood instantly, subconsciously supporting her waist: “We’re going to have three children in the future, your salary needs to be carefully managed. I see many children’s schoolbags are handmade by their families, I can just learn.”

Lu Siyi’s throat moved, attempting to persuade her, but before he could speak, she continued: “Our family will refuse extravagance and waste from now on, every penny must be spent wisely.”

The women around were still pointing and whispering at Lin Qingyue. He frowned, lifting his eyelids, and coldly glared at the women.

Lu Siyi was a high-ranking officer, with an air of commanding thousands of troops. A single glance was enough to shut them up, and they dispersed, bored.

Although they had opinions about Lin Qingyue, they really didn’t want to offend Lu Siyi.

Seeing the gossips disperse, Lu Siyi’s brows relaxed slightly. He easily picked up Sisi and led Lu Yicheng away.

Lin Qingyue looked at him questioningly: “Didn’t you say you’d be back tonight?”

“It was simple, already resolved.” Lu Siyi said concisely.

Lin Qingyue didn’t press further. Several officers and their families passed them, warmly greeting them.

“Captain Lu, out with your wife?”

“Captain Lu, picked up the children?”

“Hello Captain Lu, hello sister-in-law.”

She looked sideways at Lu Siyi, puzzled. Lu Siyi didn’t seem like a sociable person, and he was often on missions and away from the compound, yet he had such good relationships?

But soon, she understood.

Lu Siyi was a high-ranking officer; the people here would be eager to curry favor.

Just as the family was about to leave the gate, a woman hurriedly chased after them: “Xiao Lu, sister-in-law, wait a minute, I need to talk to you.”

Lin Qingyue turned around, a woman in her thirties, dressed simply, jogging towards them.

She searched her memory; this woman seemed to be called Wu Jianghua, an old military wife in the compound, known for taking advantage of others.

The other military wives didn’t like her; getting involved with her meant trouble.

In her previous life, the original owner had poor judgment, and Mrs. Wu had often tricked her out of things.

The original owner was also clueless, always thanking her profusely after being taken advantage of.

This time, she’s definitely up to no good.

The couple looked warily at the approaching woman.

“Mrs. Wu, you can come by tonight, I’m in a hurry to buy stationery for the children.” Lin Qingyue smiled pleasantly, inwardly disdainful.

“Oh, you two just got married, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to come at night, what if I interrupt your business?” Mrs. Wu was still catching her breath, already starting to stir up trouble.

“It’s not a big deal, just a few words.” Mrs. Wu looked at Lu Siyi and got straight to the point: “Xiao Lu, when you weren’t home, your wife often asked me for help, came over for a meal today, borrowed something tomorrow, how should we settle this?”

“Every household gets ration coupons every month, Xiao Lu, your monthly salary isn’t small, you wouldn’t not give it to your wife, would you?”

Lin Qingyue twitched her mouth, this old woman was clearly here to cause trouble.

Her memory was correct.

What she said about going to her house for a meal was actually Lin Qingyue being tricked into going.

She thought she was a kind older sister, but she was waiting for her here.

Lu Siyi’s face immediately darkened; the good feelings he had barely developed for Lin Qingyue instantly vanished.

“You really went to her house for a meal?”

“I thought, near neighbors are better than distant relatives, Mrs. Wu sincerely invited me for a meal, I was planning to tell you, and treat Mrs. Wu properly another day.” Lin Qingyue played it down, her words watertight.

Mrs. Wu choked, when did this girl become so sharp-tongued? Wasn’t this indirectly saying that her help to Lin Qingyue was motivated?

There’s no turning back, she said what she said, and couldn’t take it back. Mrs. Wu held up a finger: “Xiao Lu, I’m not unreasonable, I’m not trying to take advantage of you, every household has difficulties, right?”

“Give me a catty of meat coupons, and we’ll call it even, and if your wife wants to come to my house for a meal in the future, I’ll welcome her anytime.”

What is this woman thinking? A few meals for a catty of meat coupons? She might as well rob a bank.

Lu Siyi frowned without speaking, or rather, he didn’t know how to respond.

He could handle things at work perfectly, but getting along with these women in the compound, he was completely clueless.

Several passing military wives, having heard the gist of the matter, couldn’t help but chime in: “Mrs. Wu, what kind of good meal do you have? A few meals are worth a catty of meat coupons?”

“Who doesn’t know how precious meat coupons are? Mrs. Wu, this isn’t right, what’s the difference between this and blackmail?”

Several others said to Lin Qingyue: “Come to our house for a meal anytime, I won’t ask Xiao Lu for anything.”

Faced with the military wives’ ridicule, Mrs. Wu’s face turned livid. She immediately retorted: “It’s not like you’re feeding her, a bunch of armchair critics!”

Ah, she really had provoked a pain in the neck. It seemed that Mrs. Wu wouldn’t give up without causing trouble.

Lu Siyi stood there, looking like he was about to become a ninja turtle.

Lin Qingyue’s eyes lit up, preparing to fight fire with fire.