Chapter 12 – The One Who Reported from Behind

I hope this will work, Lin Banxia thought silently.

When she returned to the compound, Lin Banxia was just about to unlock the door when Aunt Zhang, who lived across from her, spotted her and immediately greeted her with enthusiasm. “Banxia, you’re back! You haven’t had lunch yet, have you? I just steamed some meatballs at home. Wait right here, I’ll get you a few.”

As soon as she said that, Aunt Zhang quickly came out with a lunchbox. When Lin Banxia lifted the lid, she saw several meatballs inside.

The meatballs were plump and white, steaming hot, giving off a delicious aroma.

Lin Banxia actually did feel a bit hungry.

She just didn’t know why Aunt Zhang had suddenly become so warm and friendly.

Sure enough, once she shook off the label of being a vicious woman, even the neighbors started acting more pleasant.

Lin Banxia did not refuse Aunt Zhang’s kindness. She smiled and said: “Thank you, Aunt Zhang. Then I won’t be polite. We’re neighbors after all. If you need help with anything in the future, just let me know.”

“Ah, alright!” Aunt Zhang immediately agreed.

She had been waiting for Lin Banxia to say something like that. After all, she had heard from Chen Xiufen next door that Lin Banxia’s medical skills were genuinely good. After doing acupuncture for their Old Liu, his headaches had eased a lot.

If it were just Xu Minzhi and Gu Honglang saying so, one could still think they were biased toward their daughter-in-law. But if even outsiders were saying it, then it meant Lin Banxia truly had real skills.

Although no one in her own family was currently ill or in need of Lin Banxia’s help, as the saying goes: people eat grains and cereals, and it’s impossible not to fall ill now and then throughout the year.

Building a good relationship with Lin Banxia now might come in handy if anyone in her family got sick in the future.

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Meanwhile, in the Zhao household—

Zhao family’s daughter-in-law said: “Everyone says Lin Banxia is good at medicine. Why don’t we let her take a look at Taotao?”

Her son Taotao had always had a weak constitution since childhood and was often sick. They had gone to the hospital countless times, and he had been on medication since he was little.

But how could they go on like this? Everyone knew that medicine had side effects. Taking too much medicine would harm the body.

She was just thinking—if Lin Banxia could help condition the child’s health, that would be ideal.

However, her father-in-law, Zhao Guobin, scowled and said coldly: “Absolutely not! None of you are allowed to go! You believe whatever people say? Lin Banxia has been married into that family for over two years, and we’ve never heard a word about her being able to treat illness. Now all of a sudden she’s a miracle doctor? You think healing is a game? What if she messes up?”

“But everyone in the compound says Lin Banxia’s medical skills are good, I just…” Zhao family’s daughter-in-law bit her lip and said softly.

“Shut up! I said no, and that’s final!” Zhao Guobin roared angrily.

After he shouted, he slammed the door and left.

He looked in the direction of the Gu family, hatred hidden in his eyes.

He truly hadn’t expected it. The Lin Banxia who used to be looked down on by everyone had now become the most sought-after person?

And now she could treat people?

In the past, even though he couldn’t quite match up to Gu Honglang at work, he had thought he won out by marrying a better daughter-in-law. Compared to Lin Banxia, his daughter-in-law was miles ahead.

But now?

With the current comparison, even his daughter-in-law couldn’t hold a candle to the Gu family’s daughter-in-law. Naturally, he felt bitter about it.

Zhao Guobin and Gu Honglang were colleagues. That afternoon, he still had to go to the Research Institute.

But this time, as soon as he arrived at the Research Institute, someone from the Inspector Squad came up to him. “You are Zhao Guobin? Someone reported that you maliciously reported others. Please come with us and cooperate with our investigation.”

Zhao Guobin’s face turned pale in an instant as he looked at the men from the Inspector Squad.

There was only one thought in his mind—Could it be that matter has been exposed?

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Zhao Guobin had only been inside the Inspector Squad office for half a day before he confessed everything.

As it turned out, the person who reported Gu Honglang really was him. The reason was that he had accidentally learned that the Research Institute’s upcoming academic title evaluation had selected Gu Honglang but not him.

He had entered the Research Institute alongside Gu Honglang back in the day. He was even a year older than Gu Honglang, yet had always been outshone by him.

Now he had only one year left before retirement. If he failed to earn the title of academician this time, he would have to retire with nothing more than a professor’s rank—so he had started to harbor ill intentions.

In fact, during this chaotic time, there were quite a few people like Zhao Guobin who secretly reported others out of petty schemes.

There were even many who had been sent away to the countryside because someone they knew had reported them.

It was precisely because Zhao Guobin was aware of such precedents that, clouded by jealousy, he had taken the risk and reported Gu Honglang from behind.

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Evening, at the Gu household.

When Gu Honglang learned that the one who had reported him was Zhao Guobin, he could hardly believe it. They had never had any conflicts at work.

And they lived in the same compound—they saw each other nearly every day. Just for the title of academician, how could Zhao Guobin do something so vicious?

“Old Gu, don’t let someone like that get to you.” Xu Minzhi consoled him. “Your health hasn’t been great to begin with, it’s not worth damaging your body over someone like him.”

Gu Honglang nodded. He understood it in his heart, but it was still difficult to fully process the truth all at once.

“Shiqing, it’s fortunate that you came back this time.” Gu Honglang sighed. “Otherwise, I would’ve suffered this injustice in silence, without even knowing that the knife came from someone right beside me.”

He blamed himself, too. He had focused all his attention on research and underestimated the darker sides of human nature.

Upon hearing this, Gu Shiqing turned his gaze toward Lin Banxia.

However, Lin Banxia didn’t notice his look. Her eyes were fixed on the bowl of sweet and sour pork ribs on the table.

They smelled amazing.

Gu Shiqing spoke up: “Dad, Mom, actually, this was all thanks to Banxia.”

“Banxia?” Both Gu Honglang and Xu Minzhi were puzzled. Wasn’t Banxia just resting at home today?

Only Lin Banxia continued enjoying the sweet and sour pork ribs that Xu Minzhi had made. Honestly, Xu Minzhi’s cooking was impressive—on par with dishes she had eaten at high-end restaurants in her past life.

Upon hearing her name, Lin Banxia finally looked up from her meal and smiled at them.

She praised sincerely: “Mom, your sweet and sour ribs are really delicious.”

Her fair cheeks puffed up slightly as she chewed, making her look like a little gluttonous hamster.

Mm… she was kind of cute like that.

Gu Shiqing noticed it too. For some reason, he suddenly had the urge to reach out and pinch her cheek.

Xu Minzhi hurriedly said: “If you like them, eat more. Don’t worry about finishing them.”

There were still other dishes left. They could just eat something else.

“But Banxia.” Gu Honglang asked: “Shiqing just said this matter was all thanks to you. What was that about?”

Xu Minzhi also came to her senses. Right, she had originally meant to ask her daughter-in-law about it. But just watching her eat with such joy had made her forget.

Lin Banxia was fully aware of what they were referring to. She explained: “This afternoon, I went to buy a medicine box. While I was at the department store, I helped save a child who suddenly had an acute asthma attack. I guess it’s probably because of that incident.”

Gu Shiqing nodded and added: “The child Banxia saved—his grandfather was the leader I went to visit today.”