Chapter 12

He Bingning tilted her head, wearing an innocent expression, like a clueless little kitten. She truly had no idea when she had supposedly bullied Li Juanjuan.

Auntie Li was just about to flare up and scold He Bingning, but when she looked up and saw the tall man standing behind Bingning, the words she was about to say stuck in her throat. Instead, she quickly changed her expression to one of flattery: “Oh, Gu Huai!”

Gu Huai was the youngest and most promising officer in the entire military district, and also the man the Li family had once dreamed of as an ideal son-in-law. Naturally, her attitude toward him was different.

Gu Huai nodded indifferently, gently wrapped his arm around He Bingning’s waist, and said slowly, “If Bingning did something wrong, you can tell me directly. There’s no need to make such a big scene.”

His voice was calm, yet carried undeniable pressure.

Bingning looked up at him with bright, sparkling eyes. In her memory, Gu Huai was always so gentle, so indulgent with her, that she often forgot he had another side — he was a soldier, an officer who could lead troops into battle.

“She bullied our Juanjuan. How do you explain that? Everyone knows how obedient our Juanjuan is. Even if she’s bullied, she wouldn’t fight back. If I hadn’t seen her crying pitifully and asked about it, I wouldn’t have known what happened!” Auntie Li stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Bingning as she spoke.

Gu Huai pulled Bingning behind him protectively. His sharp gaze swept over Li Juanjuan: “Explain yourself. Why did Bingning bully you?”

Juanjuan, still in tears, lifted her head and met Gu Huai’s icy stare.

His eyes, filled with suspicion and scrutiny, sent a chill through her. She no longer dared to lie, but she couldn’t tell the truth either. The truth was, she was jealous — jealous of Bingning’s beauty, jealous of her happiness. That was why she had cried. But how could she admit that? If she said it out loud, what would everyone think of her? What would Gu Huai think of her…?

Juanjuan bit her lip and said stiffly, “Sister Bingning didn’t bully me. It was my own fault…”

“Are you sure?” Gu Huai raised an eyebrow.

Juanjuan quickly nodded, guiltily avoiding his eyes. “I’m sure… I…”

Auntie Li rolled her eyes, scolding her daughter harshly: “Juanjuan, just tell the truth. Don’t be afraid. I’ll stand up for you. Everyone here will stand up for you!”

“I… I…” Juanjuan looked pitiful, as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

“Juanjuan, whatever you have to say, just say it. After all, we’re all military families. I definitely wouldn’t lie, because that could affect my husband’s future. I don’t think you’d lie either, right? After all, in a few years, your father, Officer Li, will be retiring. This kind of thing can’t be taken lightly.” Bingning’s crisp voice carried a smile, but every word was sharp.

She wasn’t wrong. If a soldier’s family behaved improperly, it could tarnish the soldier’s reputation. Especially someone like Officer Li, who was nearing retirement. After serving his whole life, he deserved a stable, honorable retirement. If trouble arose before then, his lifetime of hard work could all be ruined.

Neither Juanjuan nor Auntie Li truly wanted to bring disaster upon themselves — they only wanted to make Bingning uncomfortable.

Juanjuan clenched her teeth and fell silent.

Her silence was enough to reveal the lie.

Bingning curved her lips into a smile and said slowly, “Alright, everyone, no need to crowd around anymore. I think this was just a misunderstanding. I put chili peppers in today’s dishes, and Juanjuan happened to be in the kitchen. Maybe she got teary from the peppers, and Auntie Li, without asking clearly, assumed I bullied her.”

Bingning wasn’t the type to hit someone when they were already down. Since everyone lived in the same compound, she didn’t want to make enemies.

Besides, Juanjuan’s schemes all came down to one thing — trying to steal her husband. Maybe another woman’s husband could be stolen, but never Gu Huai. He loved her. He only loved her.

Juanjuan said nothing, which was as good as admitting it.

Auntie Li’s pride took a hit. She knew she was in the wrong, but still tried to save face: “Then maybe don’t use so much chili. What if Gu Huai’s stomach can’t handle it?”

Gu Huai cleared his throat. “My stomach is very strong.”

Bingning had to stifle her laughter. She knew very well — her husband was strong all over.

Flicking her hair, Bingning put on the air of a proper hostess. With a smile to the crowd, she said, “Since the misunderstanding is cleared up, everyone can get back to what they were doing. We won’t keep you company any longer — my husband hasn’t eaten yet~”

With that, she took Gu Huai’s arm and led him inside, shutting the door behind them.

The onlookers were left staring at each other.

A man comes home and skips dinner for… other things. How could they be blamed for that?

That He Bingning really was a seductress!

Poor Gu Huai — he’d suffer under her for sure!

Since there was no more drama, everyone shook their heads and went their separate ways.

Outside the door, Auntie Li spat on the ground and cursed through gritted teeth: “Shameless!”

Juanjuan echoed her: “Shameless!”

Still angry, Auntie Li turned on her daughter: “And you’ve got the nerve to say that? You can’t even seduce a man properly. Useless girl!”

Juanjuan’s lips trembled, and she burst into tears again.

Inside, Bingning wrapped her arms around Gu Huai’s waist and said playfully, “Hubby, thank you for standing up for me~”

Gu Huai stroked her hair with a doting smile. “Life in the compound is monotonous, and the relationships are complicated. Next time someone bullies you, if I’m not around, call me right away.”

“Mm!” Bingning nodded, her cheeks flushed pink. “I know, Hubby. Now come taste the food I made for you.”

The couple sat sweetly at the table, eating together.

Bingning picked up a chicken drumstick for him and said obediently, “Hubby, try this. The cafeteria doesn’t make this Kou Shui Ji (mouthwatering chicken).”

Gu Huai nodded. “Mm, delicious.”

“Then I’ll make it for you every day!” Bingning said happily.

Gu Huai shook his head, his voice full of concern. “You already have your hands full taking care of the two kids during the day. Cooking on top of that would be too tiring. Let’s just eat at the cafeteria.”

Bingning blinked playfully. “But I want to. I like doing laundry and cooking for my husband~”

She loved this feeling — being able to care for him, to cook for him, to be a good wife and mother.

Gu Huai was amused by her proud little act. “But I can’t bear to see you overworked.”

Warmth filled Bingning’s heart.

Cupping his face in both hands, she leaned over and kissed him softly. “Then I’ll just make it for you once in a while~”

Gu Huai couldn’t resist anymore. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and kissed her deeply.

Later, in bed, Bingning’s cheeks were flushed, her hair in disarray. Leaning against his chest, she suddenly remembered something and murmured sweetly:

“Hubby, I want to visit my parents’ house tomorrow~”