Chapter 29 – Zhao Juanjuan’s Humiliation

“What’s the use of being pretty? Anyone can see she’s not someone who knows how to live a proper life.” Zhao Juanjuan said indignantly.

“Oh my, whose vinegar jar just tipped over—it’s so sour in here.” Yang Xiuhua replied casually while wiping down the cabinet.

Zhao Juanjuan threw down her rag. “Who are you talking about?”

“Who else? I’m talking about you! What, just because Deputy Commander Huo refused a blind date with you, you have to stand here spitting sour words?” Yang Xiuhua planted her hands on her hips and fired back.

Zhao Juanjuan usually relied on being the director’s niece to slack off and bully the older employees. Yang Xiuhua had long disliked her. Today she decided not to swallow her anger—she was ready to fight it out.

There were still customers shopping in the supply and marketing co-op. Seeing the drama unfold, they forgot about buying things and stared with amusement.

After a few exchanges, Zhao Juanjuan realized her “combat power” was too weak; she couldn’t win against Yang Xiuhua at all.

With everyone’s eyes boring into her, she bit her lip, stomped her foot, and ran out crying. She would tell her aunt and have her uncle fire Yang Xiuhua!

Yang Xiuhua spat on the ground, feeling refreshed, then sat down to drink some water.

“Xiuhua, you’ve provoked Zhao Juanjuan. What if she complains to the director and makes things difficult for you?” one of the military wives working there asked worriedly.

“Let her complain. I, Yang Xiuhua, walk straight and sit upright—I’m not afraid of her.”

Zhao Juanjuan ran home crying the whole way, then threw herself onto her bed, sobbing nonstop.

Hearing her niece’s cries from the main room, Zhao Shuhui called out, “Juanjuan, what’s wrong? Who bullied you?”

Finding her pillar of support, Juanjuan rushed into her aunt’s arms, wiping her tears. “It’s that Yang Xiuhua again.”

Zhao Shuhui knew Yang Xiuhua—her husband’s subordinate—but couldn’t imagine what grudge she’d have with her niece. “Tell me what happened. If she dares bully you, I won’t let her off.”

“It was when Huo Tingwu and his wife came to buy things. She was fawning all over them, smiling and flattering, then said I deserved it when Huo Tingwu rejected me. We argued a bit… Aunt, you must stand up for me.”

She carefully left out the part where she insulted Ye Tao, instead putting the focus on the blind date. After all, it was her aunt who had arranged that failed match, and since then Zhao Shuhui disliked Huo Tingwu.

Zhao Shuhui’s face darkened. “Outrageous! Don’t worry. When your uncle comes home, I’ll tell him everything. How can we let outsiders bully us in our own place?”

She spoke as though the supply and marketing co-op was her personal domain, forgetting entirely that this was the military’s ground.

Meanwhile, Ye Tao, back at home, had no idea that after she left, a quarrel had erupted at the co-op because of her.

Huo Tingwu scrubbed all the ceramic basins clean and set them in the sun to dry.

Ye Tao organized the seasonings in the kitchen, then went out to the yard to pick mangoes.

Worried others might not be used to the flavor, she only picked two. She peeled them, sliced them into strips, and tossed them with chili.

Each piece of green mango was coated in fiery red chili powder, making one’s mouth water just by looking. She took a bite—sour and spicy flooded her tongue, followed by a lingering sweetness.

Huo Tingwu loved that tangy-spicy taste too. He immediately staked his claim: “When we invite guests in a few days, we can serve this.”

Ye Tao blinked. “We’re inviting guests?”

“Yes. Since our wedding feast was held back home, this time we’ll just invite a few close comrades here. If you don’t want to cook, I’ll order from the mess hall. It’s just a gathering.”

He wanted his wife to meet other military wives, so that if he went on a mission, she’d have someone to rely on.

Thinking of the canteen’s food, Ye Tao quickly agreed. “Let’s cook ourselves. But you’ll be my helper.”

“No problem,” Huo Tingwu said.

“Uncle Huo, my mom asked me to call you and Auntie to dinner.”

A small figure appeared at the door, drawing their attention.

“Ruirui, come here.” Huo Tingwu beckoned.

The boy’s eyes lit up when he saw food in Huo Tingwu’s hand. He ran over eagerly. “Uncle Huo, what are you eating? It looks so yummy and red!”

“You little glutton, this isn’t for you—it’s spicy. Did you forget how your lips swelled up last time you ate chili?”

At once, Ruirui covered his mouth, terrified of touching chili again.

“Taotao, this is Old Zhou’s son, Ruirui,” Huo Tingwu explained.

Ye Tao squatted down so she was eye-level with the boy and extended her hand. “Hello, Ruirui.”

It was the first time someone crouched to meet his gaze instead of towering over him. Usually his neck hurt from looking up.

“Auntie, hello!” Ruirui shouted loudly.

Ye Tao laughed and pulled a White Rabbit candy from her pocket, slipping it into his palm. “Here, have some candy.”

“Wow! Thank you, Auntie!” The boy shouted even louder.

Ye Tao asked Huo Tingwu to watch him for a bit while she packed their things into a basket.

Left alone with Huo Tingwu, Ruirui was intimidated by his stern face and sat stiffly, looking like he was on the verge of tears.

When Ye Tao returned, she saw his pitiful expression. “What’s wrong?”

Huo Tingwu shook his head—he had no idea either.

Ruirui tugged at Ye Tao’s leg, motioning for her to bend down. “Auntie, aren’t you scared of Uncle?”

What he thought was a whisper was loud enough for the whole room. Ye Tao suppressed a laugh and glanced at Huo Tingwu. “No, I’m not scared. Your uncle treats me very well.”

Ruirui shook his head earnestly. “Auntie, marry me instead. I won’t be like Uncle, always with a cold face. Look how cute I am—my mom always hugs me and says she likes me so much.”

Since Auntie gave him candy and was so kind, he wanted to save her.

Ye Tao burst out laughing, exchanging a silent glance with her husband.

【What did you do to him?】

【I don’t know o(╥﹏╥)o】

Huo Tingwu felt terribly wronged. He had no idea why the little brat suddenly wanted to steal his wife!

Auntie could tolerate it, but Uncle could not!

He hoisted the boy onto his shoulder. “Forget it, little man. Your auntie is my wife—she only likes me.”

As he said the last words, the tips of his ears reddened. Glancing sideways, he was relieved to see his wife hadn’t noticed.

But Ye Tao had, and it brightened her mood. “Your uncle’s right. Auntie only likes him.”

Rejected, Ruirui sighed like a tiny adult. “Fine, then Auntie can be my wife next time.”

Huo Tingwu smacked his bottom. “Already thinking about getting a wife at your age? Clearly you don’t have enough homework.”

The boy instantly clenched his bottom tight. Even though he was just in preschool, every day his mom already made him do homework after school.

But he wasn’t even five yet!

“I was wrong, Uncle! Please don’t tell my mom!” Ruirui begged.

Huo Tingwu chuckled coldly. “Too late.”

And so, Ruirui suffered his first taste of society’s cruelty: because of this, he had to do five extra math problems every day!