Chapter 27 Starting tomorrow, you and Aunt Tang don’t need to come here.

Fu Chen’s eyes began to sting.

Although the “bad aunt” didn’t speak gently, that embrace had felt incredibly comforting. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had been held like a precious child like that…

“Oh! Chenchen’s awake!” Director Wang quickly stepped forward—but paused instinctively at the sight of Yuan Meilin’s broad, bear-like figure and that heavily made-up face.

Oh dear, this woman was honestly a bit terrifying!

Still, seeing the child’s hand being gripped so tightly made her heart ache.

Fu Jingchuan, however, didn’t hesitate in the slightest. His patience with Yuan Meilin had long run dry. Maybe what Dacheng said was true—maybe this woman really had something wrong with her head?

With a long stride, Fu Jingchuan stepped forward and forcefully pried Yuan Meilin’s thick, black hand off the child.

“Comrade Yuan Meilin, what do you think you’re doing? Chenchen is still sick—how can a small child endure your strength?”

“I’m okay, Dad,” Fu Chen forced a crooked little smile. Though his head was foggy, he stubbornly held on.

Even though he’d passed out earlier, he hadn’t completely lost consciousness. He’d heard everything they said—and what that doctor auntie said too.

And this afternoon, when he played with that little brother and sister, he’d learned even more.

Grandma Tang and Auntie Yuan had been lying to them all along.

Saying things like eating meat would upset their stomachs, that porridge was healthy, that snacks weren’t allowed, and that going outside was dangerous—that Dad would worry. All lies!

Fu Chen clenched his tiny fists, tears glimmering in his obsidian eyes.

His small voice was hoarse, but firm: “Daddy, Auntie Jiang is right!”

“Grandma Tang and Auntie Yuan… they only let us drink coarse-grain porridge. They barely ever cooked white rice! And meat… we hardly ever saw it…”

cough cough cough “Also… they didn’t want me or Xiaoyan to go out to play. Said it was dangerous and would make you worry, Dad…”

“But today, Auntie Jiang took us outside, and it wasn’t dangerous at all…”

The small child had always tried to be strong, but now, sick and weak, he finally cracked. Tears began to fall down his cheeks.

“Auntie Yuan… Xiaoyan and I really liked you and Grandma Tang, so why did you do bad things… and lie to us…?”

Innocent children are born without malice. Human nature is kind at its root. And the guidance of adults is everything.

Seeing Fu Chen cry like that, sounding so wronged, made Jiang Wan’s heart clench hard.

She quickly stepped forward and gently scooped the little guy into her arms.

She felt his small body stiffen—but he didn’t push her away.

With a sigh, she softly coaxed him to lie back down.

Her voice was sweet and soothing: “Chenchen, be good.”

“You’re still sick, your body’s not well. Lie down and rest, okay? We’ll have Director Wang give you a shot and some medicine later.”

“As for everything else—Daddy and I will take care of it, alright?”

“…”

Fu Chen’s eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. The moment his head touched the pillow, he could hardly keep them open.

He gave a dazed little nod, his tiny hand still clutching the hem of Jiang Wan’s clothes.

As his eyes closed again, he murmured faintly: “Auntie Jiang… I’m sorry…”

Jiang Wan gently ruffled his soft hair. “Alright, alright, Auntie’s not mad.”

“Now go to sleep, okay?”

Watching the child drift off again, Jiang Wan finally stood up.

At that moment, Fu Jingchuan’s narrow phoenix eyes were dark as night—like the calm before a storm.

Children don’t lie. Everything Fu Chen said was true.

Just how careless and blind had he been—to let Tang Feng and Yuan Meilin live in his house all these years without noticing a thing?

He felt completely unworthy of being a soldier!

Where had his usual sharp instincts gone? Had a dog eaten them??

“Comrade Yuan Meilin, go home,” Fu Jingchuan said coldly, suppressing his anger for the child’s sake.

His voice was low and chilling, void of all warmth—making Yuan Meilin’s neck prickle with fear.

He pursed his lips and waved her off. “Starting tomorrow, you and Aunt Tang are no longer needed.”

“As for this month’s wages… we’ll settle it after Fu Chen is better.”

“Jingchuan-ge…” Yuan Meilin stood there like a withered eggplant, trembling.

No! This couldn’t happen!

She had just followed her mother’s instructions to try seducing Jingchuan-ge. She even went into town and spent money on a new dress and makeup!

He was supposed to fall for her today! How did things turn out like this?!

If she and her mother were kicked out of the Fu house—what would they do? Where would they find another job this easy and well-paid?

What would she do? No one would marry her!

“Comrade Yuan Meilin, I suggest you leave while I’m still calm enough to talk.”

Fu Jingchuan practically ground his molars as he spat out that final word: “Leave.”

Even Jiang Wan jumped at that!

She hadn’t expected this rough man to suddenly drop such a harsh line!

“If you don’t leave now, I’ll call someone.”

“Let’s see what’s thicker—your face or our unit’s rifles.”

His voice came through low and hoarse, like a wild beast growling in the wilderness. His pitch-black eyes were rimmed red.

Yuan Meilin couldn’t bear to look at him anymore—completely terrified, she burst into tears!

She stood frozen for half a minute, then suddenly wailed and bolted from the room.

Her heavy body thundered down the hallway, each footstep echoing like a drumbeat on the floor.

Jiang Wan couldn’t help but silently grumble in her heart: Please don’t break the hospital floorboards, Yuan Meilin…

“Good grief, Captain!” Just then, Li Baocheng came hurrying in with a huge military coat in hand, still looking alarmed.

“Captain, what the heck was that? That big fellow—uh, I mean, Comrade Yuan Meilin—what happened? Why was she crying?”

“That sister’s scary as heck! Captain, why’d you even let her come to the hospital?”

“If there are comrades still recovering in here—already emotionally fragile—and they get scared by her? That’d be a disaster!”

“Geez… what a sight. What kind of person even is that?!”