Chapter 45: I Didn’t Mean to Either 

The family of three simultaneously turned their heads toward the courtyard entrance. 

Su Wenbin walked in first, carrying a box of malted milk, while Su Wenyen followed behind with her head lowered, lost in thought. 

Li Xia glanced at Gu Weicheng, who explained, “I ran into Commander Su on my way to the afternoon meeting and mentioned that you were planning to work at the broadcast station.” 

“You were the only one who told him about it, yet his sister immediately went there herself. That’s too much of a coincidence—I don’t believe she did it unintentionally.” 

“Honestly, I don’t believe it either,” Li Xia replied.

Gu Weicheng said, “I just told him to discipline his sister properly—I didn’t ask them to come and apologize. If you don’t want to see them, just ignore them.” 

Li Xia really didn’t want to hear Su Wenyen’s insincere excuses, but since Commander Su had personally brought his sister over, shutting the door in their faces would make them seem petty. If word got out, people might criticize them for being narrow-minded. 

She didn’t care much herself, but she didn’t want any negative talk about Gu Weicheng. 

So, she said, “It’s fine, let them in. You and Commander Su are comrades. Since they’ve already come to our doorstep, turning them away would be rude.” 

“Alright, I’ll open the door. You just stay seated.” Gu Weicheng got up, washed his hands at the faucet, and went to open the door. 

Su Wenbin knew that Gu Weicheng was still upset, but he also understood that anyone in his position would think his sister had done it on purpose. It was only natural for him to be angry.

“Old Su, Li Xia, I really apologize for this. I just found out that Wenyen also got a job at the broadcasting station. What a coincidence, don’t you think? She originally wanted to apply as a broadcaster, but they weren’t hiring for that position anymore—only for the publicity department. She figured that was fine too and accepted the job. Who would have thought she’d end up taking Li Xia’s spot? That’s why I brought her here to apologize.” 

“Well, that really is quite the coincidence,” Gu Weicheng said, his tone icy. “It just so happened she was looking for a job. It just so happened she found one at the broadcasting station. And not during the day, but in the evening, right before they closed—right after I told you my wife wanted to work there. Commander Su, you’re a regimental commander. If you encountered a spy and they fed you a series of coincidences like this, would you believe them or not?” His voice was sharp and cold. 

He glanced at Li Xia, signaling for her not to worry—he would handle this.

Li Xia received his message loud and clear. She pressed her lips together and remained seated in the rattan chair without saying a word. It felt nice to have someone standing up for her. 

She glanced at Su Wenyen, who was standing behind Su Wenbin. Tsk, she had changed into yet another dress. 

Coming to apologize yet deliberately putting on a pretty dress—was she really here to apologize, or did she have other motives? 

“Old Gu, are you really convinced that Wenyen deliberately stole Li Xia’s job?” Su Wenbin asked helplessly. 

Gu Weicheng replied, “I never said that. Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, the person who did it knows best. I just don’t believe in such perfect coincidences.” 

Su Wenbin knew that, frankly, this was all too much of a coincidence. 

If Wenyen had applied at the broadcasting station before he found out about Li Xia’s job prospects, he could have at least defended her with some confidence. 

But the problem was, she went there at exactly that time.

“Wenyen, hurry up and apologize to Commander Gu and your sister-in-law!” Su Wenbin, unable to come up with an explanation under Gu Weicheng’s sharp words, turned to his troublesome younger sister and barked at her. 

Su Wenyen bit her lip and glanced at Li Xia, who lounged in the rattan chair, leisurely eating canned yellow peaches. 

The way Gu Weicheng shielded Li Xia made her feel miserable. 

This was supposed to be her life, yet Li Xia had taken it. 

Gu Weicheng let out a cold laugh. “Commander Su, if your sister isn’t here to apologize sincerely, then let’s not bother.” 

“Are you deaf?!” Su Wenbin, seeing Su Wenyen remain silent for so long, lost his patience and roared at her. 

Being scolded by her brother in front of Gu Weicheng didn’t embarrass Su Wenyen—it only made her even more frustrated and furious. 

But facing Su Wenbin’s darkened expression, she didn’t dare to disobey.

The moment her brother returned home, he questioned her with a dark expression, asking if she had gone to the broadcasting station on purpose after learning that Li Xia was planning to work there. 

If not for the fact that he had never mentioned this matter in front of her—if she had not only overheard him talking about it with her sister-in-law but had actual proof that she had done it deliberately—her brother would have sent her straight back to the labor farm without hesitation! 

That wretched place was unbearably harsh. She had no intention of going back. 

Besides, she hadn’t taken back what was rightfully hers yet. Why should she leave? 

Taking that job was just the beginning. In the future, she would take even more from Li Xia… 

With this thought in mind, Su Wenyen had no choice but to mutter reluctantly, “I’m sorry.”

Su Wenbin glanced at Gu Weicheng and saw that he merely raised an eyebrow, clearly dissatisfied. He snapped at Su Wenyen, “Your voice is too low—say it louder!” 

“Commander Gu, Sister Li, I’m sorry! I really didn’t do it on purpose!” Su Wenyen said loudly, though she didn’t believe it in her heart. 

She had gotten this job on her own merit—why should she have to apologize to Li Xia? 

Li Xia finally stood up from the rattan chair. “Whether it was intentional or just a coincidence, I only hope that there will be fewer of these coincidences in the future.” 

She glanced at the gift in Su Wenbin’s hand and continued, “Please take the gift back, Commander Su. And there’s no need to discipline your sister in our home. If outsiders heard, they might think we were the ones bullying her.” 

Her words were subtly pointed. Not only did she make it clear that she didn’t believe in their so-called “coincidence,” but she also exposed Su Wenbin’s act—he was making a show of disciplining his sister in front of them, appearing strict while in reality putting on a performance.

Su Wenbin’s face turned red, then pale. “Sister-in-law, rest assured—I guarantee this will never happen again.” 

He had indeed intended to make a big show without real consequences, but he hadn’t expected Li Xia to call him out so bluntly. The embarrassment made his skin burn. 

Just as Su Wenbin and Su Wenyen were about to leave, An An came running over, carrying a washbasin. “Mommy, time to wash your hands!” 

The next moment, his foot caught on something, and with a loud splash, the entire basin of water poured over Su Wenyen, soaking the dress she had carefully chosen. She stood there drenched, looking utterly miserable. 

Su Wenyen shrieked and turned on An An, scolding, “What are you doing?!” 

An An looked up at her without a trace of fear. He pursed his lips and said calmly, “I didn’t do it on purpose, either.”