Chapter 20: How does this look like a woman who has given birth?

Shen Sisi was worried about her daughter. If the child woke up and couldn’t find her, she would be anxious.

So she politely refused, “The baby is home alone, I’m not comfortable leaving her.  Next time!”

“A young child shouldn’t be left alone.  How about this…” Li Wenhui subtly glanced at the bowl in Shen Sisi’s hand. “Put the bowl down, I’ll bring it back later.”

Shen Sisi understood. Li Wenhui wanted to chat at her home later!

She smiled gently. “Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

After putting down the large porcelain bowl, Shen Sisi closed the door and left.

Back home, Niu Niu was still asleep. Perhaps because of the fish soup, her face was rosy and finally had some color.

Shen Sisi tucked the blanket around Niu Niu and boiled some water.  She had just finished brewing cloud mist tea when a visitor arrived.

“It’s me.”

Li Wenhui had followed her, arriving just minutes after Shen Sisi left.

Opening the door, Shen Sisi found that not only had Li Wenhui cleaned the bowl, but she had filled it with half a bowl of glutinous millet.

“Sister-in-law, what’s this…?”

Li Wenhui pressed the bowl into Shen Sisi’s hands. “Your child looks pale and thin. Make her some millet porridge.  If she eats it regularly, she’ll gain weight.”

Shen Sisi saw that the glutinous millet was golden, the grains large and round, of excellent quality. She knew Li Wenhui sincerely wanted to befriend her.

So she didn’t refuse.

“Then I’ll accept it for the child. Thank you. Come in and have some tea!”

Shen Sisi invited her to sit and peeled an apple for her.

During this time, Li Wenhui observed Shen Sisi, her gaze lingering on her soft, slender waist.

She didn’t look like a woman who had given birth!

“Sister-in-law, have some fruit.” Shen Sisi offered the apple.

Li Wenhui took the apple, her impression of Shen Sisi improving.

She was polite and refined, unlike the rumors of a promiscuous vixen.

“That…about this morning, don’t take it to heart,” Li Wenhui comforted her.

Shen Sisi’s expression didn’t change; she remained calm.

“Thank you, I’m fine…but I don’t understand some things. I’d like to ask Sister-in-law.”

Li Wenhui took a bite of the crisp, sweet apple. “Ask away.”

Shen Sisi put down the fruit knife, calmly cleaning the apple peel. “I’m new here and haven’t offended anyone. Why are Zhang Xiuhong and Yang Qiuxia targeting me? Who is spreading rumors about me?”

Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, Li Wenhui spoke, “I don’t know the specifics. I heard it from Zhang Xiuhong. She said you…”

She couldn’t bring herself to repeat the words.

Shen Sisi’s eyes darkened. “She said I’m a slut, an unwed mother, right?”

Li Wenhui nodded vigorously. “Yes, she’s been telling everyone, making it sound like she saw it with her own eyes.”

“As for why she’s targeting you…” Li Wenhui’s eyes flickered. “Let’s just say, your husband Gu was the battalion commander of the first battalion, and Zhang Xiuhong’s husband Zhou Tao was the battalion commander of the third battalion. They were competing for deputy regiment commander…”

Li Wenhui was clever; she stopped there, leaving the rest to Shen Sisi’s understanding.

Shen Sisi paused.  So that’s it…

No wonder Zhang Xiuhong disliked her and targeted her from the start; it was about the promotion.

If she fell for it and fought with Zhang Xiuhong, she would be kicked out of the compound.

With Gu Chengfeng’s temper, he might do something reckless.

At this sensitive time, Gu Chengfeng had brought her back despite the rumors. She couldn’t repay kindness with cruelty and harm her senior.

Seeing the glint in Shen Sisi’s eyes, Li Wenhui knew she understood the stakes.

She pressed on, “As for Yang Qiuxia, don’t be fooled by her cheerful demeanor. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, scheming and stirring up trouble, using Zhang Xiuhong as a pawn. Be careful.”

Shen Sisi nodded, worriedly looking at her. “Then, by helping me, aren’t you afraid they’ll target you?”

Li Wenhui’s face flushed with anger. “Since I came to the compound, she’s bullied me countless times. If it weren’t for your husband’s help, I would have been kicked out, and my Yongge would have been punished.”

Shen Sisi sighed. No wonder Li Wenhui dared to help.

It was because of Gu Chengfeng.

Gu Chengfeng had sown good seeds, and she was reaping the rewards.

Over tea, Li Wenhui and Shen Sisi quickly bonded.

Li Wenhui, as if a dam had broken, told Shen Sisi about life in the compound.

She carefully explained who was trustworthy and who to avoid, like sharing a precious secret, detailing various situations.

Shen Sisi listened attentively, filled with gratitude.

She told Li Wenhui that she would invite them to dinner when Gu Chengfeng returned.

Li Wenhui’s eyes lit up. After tasting the sugar-coated glutinous rice balls, she knew Shen Sisi was a skilled cook.

She readily agreed.

When the conversation turned to Shen Sisi’s daughter, Li Wenhui became curious.

Tilting her head, she softly asked, “Sisi, what’s the story with your daughter?”

Her tone was gentle, like casual conversation, without any offense.

Shen Sisi didn’t hide anything. “This is my daughter. She’s been a bit frail since she was little. I’ll tell you more later.”

Li Wenhui nodded, her gaze showing curiosity, but quickly returning to normalcy.

She knew what to ask and what not to ask.

Shen Sisi clearly didn’t want to discuss it, so why bother her?

She tactfully got up. “I won’t disturb you anymore.  Feel free to visit…”

After Li Wenhui left, Shen Sisi washed the teacups, pondering her words.

The rumors originated from Zhang Xiuhong.

Who told her?

She needed to find out who was behind it!

Afraid of being targeted again, Shen Sisi stayed home for two days.

On the third day, they ran out of food, and Gu Chengfeng was expected back.

She took Niu Niu out to buy a chicken for soup to welcome him home and to buy ingredients for medicinal oil.

At the gate, she saw a shifty-looking man stopped at the guardhouse, shouting to see Gu Chengfeng.

The man had a shaved head and half his left ear missing; he looked like trouble.

He was being restrained but wouldn’t stop, almost starting a fight.

Seeing this, Shen Sisi, holding Niu Niu, hid and watched the man from afar.