Chapter 24 Tough

Ever since learning how the story would end, Lin Suisui’s only expectation for Huo Changzheng was to peacefully coexist with him until the day of their divorce—and so far, she’d managed that quite well. As for Song Xiao, Lin Suisui adopted a strategy of avoidance. If she could stay out of her way, she would, just to avoid being hurt by her protagonist halo.

She turned to leave, but Song Xiao had clearly come specifically to wait for her and wouldn’t let her off that easily.
“Stop right there.” Song Xiao grabbed Lin Suisui’s wrist. “Do you know that Brother Changzheng is currently the most promising officer in our battalion?”

“No, I didn’t.”
Lin Suisui did know that Huo Changzheng would become very capable in the future, but she wasn’t exactly sure about how capable he was right now. Her answer was matter-of-fact, leaving Song Xiao momentarily speechless.

“…You don’t know? Then let me tell you: Brother Changzheng is definitely going to rise higher and higher. But for that, he needs a good wife who can support him—and clearly, that’s not you.”

Even if Lin Suisui was a bit slow, she understood what Song Xiao was implying—that only she, Song Xiao, could help Huo Changzheng reach greater heights.

Understanding was one thing. How to respond was another. Given her current situation, she couldn’t afford to lose Huo Changzheng as her protective shield, so of course she wouldn’t just hand him over to Song Xiao.

“He’s a rural boy with no background who’s gotten to where he is today through sheer hard work. This is the military, not some chaotic place. When someone gets promoted, it’s because of their ability. So are you insulting the organization, or do you think Huo Changzheng is only capable of riding on a woman’s coattails?”

“…”
Lin Suisui’s words left Song Xiao speechless. It was a rhetorical trap—whichever option she picked, she’d lose. She couldn’t insult the organization, nor could she claim the man she adored was just mooching off a woman.

Seeing that Song Xiao was too stunned to reply, Lin Suisui didn’t linger. Before she could recover, Lin Suisui had already walked past and slipped away.

“You… you…” Song Xiao stammered as Lin Suisui walked off. She wanted to argue but couldn’t come up with a single retort.

She’d thought Lin Suisui was just a brainless country bumpkin, never expecting her to be so sharp-tongued. She was left completely deflated.

Lin Suisui kept her back straight as she walked away, full of composure. It wasn’t until she turned a corner that she clutched her chest and let out a long breath.

Everything she had said to counter Song Xiao just now were phrases she’d heard back in the village when people criticized others. She’d just recycled them with slight tweaks—and hadn’t expected them to work so well.

But she hadn’t imagined Song Xiao would be so persistent. As soon as she got home, the woman showed up again.

“Lin Suisui, I’m not done talking to you!” Song Xiao stood with her hands on her hips, ready to hurl insults—only to be cut off by a cold male voice.

“Song Xiao, what are you doing here?”

Both women looked up and saw Guo Cheng striding toward them.

Today really was a bad day for Lin Suisui. With both Song Xiao and Guo Cheng—two people who didn’t like her—showing up together, she was seriously starting to suspect they’d waited for Huo Changzheng to leave on duty just to cause trouble.

“What I’m doing is none of your business. Get lost!” Song Xiao snapped back without hesitation.

Guo Cheng stood in front of her, hands on his hips, and snorted coldly. “Song Xiao, I know exactly what you’re thinking. I’m warning you—don’t cause trouble for Lin Suisui. Otherwise, when Changzheng gets back, you’ll have to face the consequences.”

“You—”
Song Xiao was furious and jabbed her finger at Guo Cheng’s nose. “If you tell Brother Changzheng about this, I won’t let you off!”

“If you dared to bully Lin Suisui and say things you shouldn’t, then I will tell Huo Changzheng.” Guo Cheng stood firm. “You’d better recognize your place, and hers—she is Huo Changzheng’s wife. A woman should have some self-respect. Don’t end up disgracing your own parents.”

Song Xiao had thought she could intimidate Lin Suisui. Instead, her plan had backfired, and Guo Cheng had butted in. She was nearly driven to tears with rage. In the end, she stomped her foot and stormed off.

Watching her disappear around the corner, Lin Suisui finally let out a breath of relief.

Although Guo Cheng clearly didn’t like her, she had to admit he’d helped her out today.
“Thanks for your help,” Lin Suisui said sincerely.

Guo Cheng still looked as annoyed as ever. “Don’t thank me. Thank Huo Changzheng. If he hadn’t asked me to keep an eye on you, I wouldn’t be meddling in your business.”

Lin Suisui blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected Huo Changzheng to go so far as to ask a good friend to watch out for her. Her feelings were suddenly mixed.

“Lin Suisui, Changzheng is a stubborn guy. Since you’re here, you’d better behave yourself.” Guo Cheng threw this line at her before turning and leaving.

Lin Suisui didn’t really understand what he meant, but she didn’t dwell on it. As long as Song Xiao was gone, she was fine.

The next morning, just after dawn, Fang Weiguo brought his team over to start building the shower room. With the materials and hammering, word quickly spread around the compound that the Huo family was having a shower room built.

“She’s not even a city girl—just some country bumpkin acting all fancy,” Ye Yuxia said with contempt when she heard the news. “We all go to the bathhouse just fine, but Lin Suisui’s too precious to go?”

“Exactly. She has everything we do. We’re all moms here—what’s there to be shy about? I think she’s just being dramatic,” Hu Xiuying added.

“Right, we’re all married women. How come her man treats her like a princess while ours treat us like workhorses?” Fang Qianqian sneered. “That’s life. Lin Suisui just has good fortune. You two are just jealous.”

“…”

Ye Yuxia and Hu Xiuying were silenced. They didn’t know why they were always so unlucky—every time they badmouthed Lin Suisui, Fang Qianqian was right there to catch them.

They dared not speak until she’d left, and then vented their frustration.

“That Fang Qianqian is so annoying. We weren’t even talking about her—why does she always jump in like that?” Ye Yuxia fumed.

“She’s clever,” Hu Xiuying replied. “She’s only been here a year and already knows how to work the social ladder. She’s just sucking up to Lin Suisui so she can get in good with her husband’s boss.”

“Exactly. Lin Suisui’s not any better. Birds of a feather, the both of them.”

Lin Suisui had no idea she’d stirred up so much hostility by doing nothing. Even if she did, she wouldn’t care. She’d developed thick skin against gossip back in the village.

Fang Weiguo’s team worked efficiently, finishing the shower room that very day. It would need a few days to dry before it could be used.

Over the next few days, more furniture was delivered in three separate batches. Lin Suisui was busy from morning to night—either working in the canteen or arranging the house.

Finally, after a week, everything was in place. The house was fully furnished and extremely comfortable.

That night, after putting Doubao to sleep, she stepped outside to close the windows—just as the front door swung open.

She looked up and saw Huo Changzheng standing at the door.