Chapter 2: Comrade Wang Jianjun Who Died is Watching You

Lu Jiangting, furious, said, “Lin Yuyao, what exactly are you trying to stir up? Can’t you stop being so petty? I’ve already explained, Jianjun—”

Before he could finish, she interrupted, “Comrade Wang Jianjun was a good comrade. He gave his life for the country, and he deserves all of our respect.”

It’s a pity he befriended the wrong people.

“You don’t even know the amount. How will you repay it in the future? What would be the right amount to repay? I merely suggested counting how much money there was, yet one of you accuses me of insulting you, while the other claims I’m being unreasonable, even dragging a martyr into the conversation. I truly don’t understand—how am I being unreasonable?

I believe that if Comrade Wang Jianjun were still alive and asked you to borrow money, he would definitely count it in front of you. He wouldn’t think I was insulting him. If you feel my thinking is wrong, then let’s ask the brigade whether it’s appropriate to clarify the amount when borrowing money.”

Upon hearing her words, both of their expressions changed dramatically.

Because neither of them intended to repay the money, nor did they expect the other to.

They both knew perfectly well that no one borrows money without knowing the exact amount.

In the end, Fang Qing reluctantly set the money down, her face pale, forcing a smile that was more painful than crying.

“Then let’s count it.”

To avoid any mistakes while counting, Lin Yuyao even invited Fang Qing to help her count.

Both of them counted the money once, and finally confirmed the total was one thousand one hundred and thirty yuan.

“One thousand one hundred and thirty yuan, no issues with that, right?”

“No issues.”

Lin Yuyao grabbed a rubber band and wrapped it around the large wad of cash.

“Can I ask what it’s for?” Lin Yuyao knew, but she still wanted to ask.

Fang Qing replied, “I’m planning to open a hair salon. With Jianjun gone, I have to raise Chenchen on my own. I can’t rely on that bit of pension for the rest of my life.”

Lin Yuyao smiled, “Sister-in-law, you’re absolutely right. Relying on anyone else is never as good as relying on yourself. Being able to make your own money is the best.”

But she also knew that Fang Qing’s business wouldn’t last long, and that she would end up losing both the money she borrowed from Lu Jiangting and the pension left by Wang Jianjun.

“However, sister-in-law, next time you need to borrow money, don’t ask Jiangting for it.”

Huh?

Fang Qing turned pale and looked at Lu Jiangting.

Before either of them could respond, Lin Yuyao spoke again, “Jiangting has already said that from now on, I’ll be managing our family’s money. It’s no use asking him—he has no money.”

“I…”

Lu Jiangting was about to speak, but Lin Yuyao cut him off again.

“Besides, sister-in-law, you’re a woman. It’s inconvenient to ask another woman’s husband for help. Whether it’s my husband or someone else’s, it’s not appropriate. It would be better if you spoke to their wives. Wang Jianjun was a martyr, and if you really encounter difficulties, the organization won’t ignore you.”

Fang Qing was on the verge of tears, her eyes moist as she said, “Yuyao, you misunderstand, I…”

“Oh right, why did you shut the door earlier?” Lin Yuyao quickly cut her off again, not letting her explain.

Fang Qing: “…”

Lu Jiangting: “…”

“Sigh! It’s not like you’re doing anything inappropriate. So why close the door?”

“We… we didn’t think much of it, you shouldn’t overthink things either.”

“How can I not? Do you know why I barged in earlier? Because someone told me that the two of you, a man and a woman, were alone together with the door tightly shut. They said they didn’t know what was going on inside.”

The two were left speechless: “…”

“On my way here, you wouldn’t believe it, the neighbors were gossiping so much, saying all sorts of unpleasant things.”

Fang Qing swayed, nearly fainting.

Lu Jiangting was furious, “Lin Yuyao, what nonsense are you spouting? You’re just here to stir up trouble!”

“How am I spouting nonsense? I’m just telling the truth.” She got up, pushed the door open wider, and stood at the entrance, raising her voice, “If you don’t believe me, step outside and ask.”

Fang Qing lived in a communal apartment building—six floors, housing dozens of families.

“Besides, the soundproofing here isn’t great at this time.”

Fang Qing turned pale with fear, tears streaming down her face.

“Jiangting, I’m not that kind of person.”

Lu Jiangting replied, “I know.”

With that, he roughly pulled Lin Yuyao back and slammed the door shut.

“Do you have no shame? How is Fang Qing supposed to live after what you just said?”

Lin Yuyao chuckled, finding the situation amusing. They had done all sorts of shameless things, yet they accused others of having no shame.

Fang Qing sobbed, “Yuyao, I know you don’t like me, but how could you ruin my reputation?”

What? Me, ruin your reputation?

I’m not carrying that burden.

Lin Yuyao responded, “You’re mistaken. I’m not the one ruining your reputation—Lu Jiangting is.”

With that, Lin Yuyao swung her hand and slapped Lu Jiangting hard across the face.

Hmph, how dare he pull me roughly?

She had said it—she would not become that pitiful woman from her dreams, and she would never let herself be wronged again.

Lu Jiangting’s face instantly swelled and reddened. He held his cheek, staring at her in disbelief.

Fang Qing also stopped crying, equally shocked as she looked at Lin Yuyao.

Lin Yuyao calmly hid her hand behind her back.

It hurt like hell.

She was so furious that she had put all her strength into that slap.

Though Lu Jiangting’s face was now swollen, she suspected her own hand was probably red and swollen as well.

After all, she was just in her early twenties, and her skin was still soft and delicate.

Fang Qing froze for about two seconds before letting out a wail, rushing over to check Lu Jiangting’s face with distress.

“Jiangting, Jiangting, are you alright?”

“Yuyao, if you’re upset, take it out on me! How could you hit Jiangting? He’s a soldier, your fiancé, a man is like the sky—how could you strike him?”

The two of them looked like a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Lin Yuyao, furious, snapped, “Hmph, yes, I hit him. But I didn’t hit him for myself—I hit him for Wang Jianjun, for you, Sister-in-law.”

Huh?

What?

“Lu Jiangting, don’t you know how much trouble can stir at the door of a widow? Since Wang Jianjun’s sacrifice, Sister Fang Qing’s life has been hard enough, and now you come along to ruin her reputation.

Do you want to go outside and ask what they’ve been saying? Gossip is a blade that can kill—by tarnishing her name, are you trying to drive Sister-in-law to her death?

If Sister-in-law gets drowned by their spit, how could you ever face Wang Jianjun? While you two were locked in this room, did it ever cross your mind that Wang Jianjun is here, watching everything?”

When Lin Yuyao said this, Fang Qing felt a chill down her spine and shrank even closer to Lu Jiangting, nearly pressing herself against him.

This time, Lu Jiangting, unusually, stepped aside, but still glared at Lin Yuyao with anger.

“I have nothing going on with Fang Qing. If Jianjun were here, he wouldn’t think anything of it.”

“Ah, no, that’s not right,” Lin Yuyao suddenly exclaimed, as if she’d had a revelation. “Wang Jianjun died outside, didn’t he? With such a large door god pasted on the door, his soul probably couldn’t get in. He must be stuck out in the hallway, anxiously pacing back and forth. The more he can’t see, the more he’d be overthinking. Who knows what he might be imagining?”

Lu Jiangting: “…”

Fang Qing stammered, unable to find any words.

Lu Jiangting furrowed his brows deeply and said in a low voice, “It was careless of me. I really shouldn’t have closed the door.”

Fang Qing’s face turned pale, because she was the one who had closed the door.

She had done it precisely to stir up rumors and force Lu Jiangting to marry her.