Chapter 85: Malicious Rumors

On her first day in Luochuan, Shen Yi’an slept like a log directly inside her Space.

She didn’t wake up naturally – she was startled awake by loud, persistent knocking.

Emerging from the Space, the sounds outside the door became clearer.

“…Comrade Shen? Comrade Shen, are you awake?”

“It’s Chen Rongying. I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Would you mind opening the door?”

“Just a moment!” Recognizing the voice outside, Shen Yi’an quickly straightened her pajamas.

After confirming she looked presentable, she ran her fingers through her hair a couple of times before getting out of bed to answer the door.

Nourished by the Spirit Spring Water, her black hair had become exceptionally smooth and glossy these days.

Just a quick run of fingers through it was enough to enhance her appearance significantly.

When Chen Rongying saw her answering the door without makeup, she was momentarily stunned.

If Shen Yi’an hadn’t waved her hand in front of Chen Rongying’s face, she might have been caught staring with a foolish expression.

Coming back to her senses, Chen Rongying looked somewhat embarrassed.

“Sorry, Comrade Shen, you just took my breath away.”

“I always thought your fair complexion was due to makeup, but you look almost the same without it.”

“Seems like you just have great natural features. No amount of makeup could achieve this otherwise.”

Hearing such straightforward praise, Shen Yi’an smiled while inviting her inside. “My fair skin might be because I don’t get much sun exposure.”

“I’ve been studying these past few years, usually either in classrooms, libraries, or dormitories.”

“And when I finally returned home, I hardly went out, so I just grew paler from staying indoors.”

This wasn’t entirely untrue.

Of course, the other reason for her radiant complexion was definitely the Spirit Spring Water.

Hearing this, Chen Rongying nodded in understanding.

“That could very well be true.”

“But it’s still because you’re naturally outstanding. It’s not like just anyone can get into university, right?”

After exchanging a few pleasantries to break the ice, Chen Rongying finally brought up the reason for her visit.

“Comrade Shen, what I’m about to say might be unpleasant, but please don’t get angry.”

“Especially since you’re pregnant – if you get upset, the baby will feel uncomfortable too.”

“Alright?”

Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Shen Yi’an nodded seriously, though she didn’t know what this was about. “Please speak freely, Comrade Chen. I’m not that narrow-minded.”

Having been reborn, she had grown not just in mindset, but also in magnanimity and rationality.

Otherwise, with her original temperament, she would have lost her temper long ago when people came looking for trouble, rather than remaining so composed.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Rongying explained her purpose for visiting.

“Yesterday we all slept through the night, so no one remembered to have dinner.”

“This morning, the two children were so hungry their stomachs were growling, so I went downstairs to ask if the guesthouse provides meals.”

“The staff said the Base cafeteria offers meals with quite a variety, so I thought I’d buy several portions for us to eat together.”

After this preamble, she continued with what happened next.

“When I passed by the living square, I unexpectedly overheard a group of aunties gossiping about you.”

“They were saying things like you’re desperately chasing after Lao San, that you’re staying at the guesthouse just waiting for Lao San to appear, that you’re shameless, and similar remarks.”

After saying this, she angrily punched the bed twice.

“Tell me, where did these rumors even come from?”

“We just arrived yesterday and haven’t interacted with anyone from the Family Compound yet. How dare they make such definitive statements?”

Seeing her furious expression, Shen Yi’an smiled and offered some comforting words after hearing the news. “What others say is their business. We can’t control people’s tongues.”

Noticing Chen Rongying’s clear disapproval, he continued, “The activity square is mainly frequented by elderly or senior members of the older generation.”

“They have nothing better to do than gossip. The Family Compound where I lived was just the same.”

“I’m not particularly interested in their chatter, but I am somewhat curious about the source of these rumors.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Rongying suddenly had an epiphany.

“Right, right! Look at me focusing on the wrong thing.”

“What we really need to know is who spread such malicious rumors.”

After saying this, she immediately followed up with a question.

“So who exactly spread the news?”

“We just arrived and don’t know anyone at the Base. Who could possibly know about our situation?”

Hearing her repeatedly say ‘we’ and ‘us’, Shen Yi’an couldn’t help but chuckle. “Comrade Chen, this matter has nothing to do with your family.”

“Haven’t you noticed? All the talk is criticizing me. Your family shouldn’t get involved in this.”

“I can handle it myself—”

“That won’t do!” Chen Rongying waved her hand disapprovingly before Shen Yi’an could finish.

“We came to the Base together, so we should face any problems together.”

“Just like on the train – if you hadn’t lent a hand, our family might have been scattered to the winds.”

“We wouldn’t be having this reunion as a family of four.”

Shen Yi’an had no rebuttal for this and could only nod in agreement. “Alright then.”

“Since you put it that way, Comrade Chen, I’ll consider this another challenge we’re facing together.”

It was at this moment that Chen Rongying finally realized what had been bothering her.

On the train to Xincheng, they were merely strangers who happened to meet, so addressing each other as ‘comrade’ was appropriate.

But after getting off the train in Xincheng, not only was there the joy of finding her son, but also the surprise of her daughter taking the initiative to interact with others, plus the coincidence of heading to the same destination.

From any perspective, their relationship had long transcended the formal ‘comrade’ address.

Even setting aside the matter of Old Li, their relationship should have progressed further.

Thinking this, Chen Rongying smilingly took Shen Yi’an’s hand.

“Let’s stop with the ‘comrade’ this and ‘comrade’ that.”

“From now on, just call me ‘Sister Rongying’ or ‘sister-in-law’, and I’ll call you ‘Yi An’.”

“You’ve shown great kindness to our family. Our bond should last a lifetime.”

“What do you think, Yi An?”

After a moment of surprise, Shen Yi’an smiled and nodded. “That’s fine. Let’s do as you say, Sister Rongying.”

“Constantly calling each other ‘comrade’ did feel rather awkward.”

With this change in address, their interaction became much more comfortable.

“By the way, Yi An, who do you think spread those rumors?” After their relationship took this leap forward, Chen Rongying’s posture on the bed became more relaxed, appearing quite at ease.

“Before we checked into the guesthouse, the sentries were the first people we encountered.”

“But clearly he’s not the type to spread rumors, so who could it be?”

Seeing her thoughts still lingering on their recent arrival at the base, Shen Yi’an pointed toward the doorway. “Sister Rongying, have you forgotten? We had an uninvited guest at my door yesterday.”

“If you tell me she didn’t start these rumors, I wouldn’t believe it.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Rongying immediately understood.

“Of course it’s her!”

“How could I have forgotten about her!”

No sooner had she spoken than she grabbed Shen Yi’an’s hand to drag her outside.

“Come on, Yi An, let’s go confront her!”

“She’s the one who started this trouble, yet she has the audacity to spread lies outside.”

“She’s been spoiled rotten!”

Just as she was about to be pulled out the door, Shen Yi’an quickly braced herself against the doorframe. “Sister Rongying, I’m in my pajamas!”

“If I go out like this, do you think the rumors might spread even faster?”

Although the 1980s marked an era of economic recovery and gradually liberalizing social norms, it must be said that only a minority kept pace with evolving ideas – most people still held traditional views.

If she were seen going out in sleepwear, there was no telling whether the resulting gossip might become even more exaggerated than the current rumors.

Understanding the implication, Chen Rongying realized she had been too hasty.

She simply told Shen Yi’an to get dressed first while she returned to her room, promising to come back for her in an hour.

Before the door had even closed properly, faint voices could be heard from across the hall.

“Mom, where’s the breakfast you bought? My sister and I are starving.”

“The staff downstairs said the cafeteria has food. I came back to help you wash up first, then we’ll go to the cafeteria together.”

“Mom, remember to call Auntie so we can all go together.”

“I know, I know, I’ve already told her. We’ll go out together later.”

“That’s good…”

Shen Yi’an didn’t listen to the rest of the conversation, smiling as she closed the door and began getting ready.

It took her only twenty minutes to freshen up completely.

But instead of rushing out, she drew the curtains again and slipped into her Space.

Moments later, a faint, indistinct shadow drifted out of the room.