Chapter 87: Did Someone Threaten You?

“Sister Rongying, regarding the rumors, I don’t want to make a big deal out of it for now.”

“Wait…”

“What did you say?” Before Shen Yi’an could finish, Chen Rongying abruptly stopped walking.

“No, they’ve already gone too far, and you still want to pretend nothing happened?”

“The Yi An I know isn’t someone who just takes things lying down.”

After saying this, she grabbed her arm.

“Did someone threaten you?”

“Don’t be afraid. With me and your brother-in-law here, no one can bully you.”

Although he didn’t know what the two were discussing, Song Chaoxu still voiced his support.

“Since you call me brother-in-law, your matters are my matters.”

“Although I don’t know what you two are talking about, I’ll definitely stand by our own people.”

Hearing the couple’s firm stance, Shen Yi’an was touched but didn’t forget to express her true thoughts. “Sister Rongying, brother-in-law, it’s not what you think.”

“The reason I said I don’t want to make a big deal out of it for now is mainly because our current status isn’t appropriate.”

Seeing that they were listening attentively, she continued her explanation. “Li Beichen isn’t at the base. The three of us, especially me, have undetermined status.”

“The military can’t casually investigate our identities. Haven’t you noticed they’ve only settled us in the guesthouse?”

“For this matter to be properly resolved, Li Beichen must be present.”

Chen Rongying was somewhat confused.

“Why does he have to be present?”

“What, can’t the military handle things fairly without him?”

“That’s not it!” Shen Yi’an shook her head.

“I naturally believe the military leadership will handle matters impartially, but…”

After pausing for a moment, she continued, “But if he’s here, the outcome would likely be different from if we approached them ourselves.”

“After all, our identities haven’t been verified yet, and the military wouldn’t specially investigate rumors.”

“Didn’t the sentry comrade say that the mission team will be back soon anyway?”

“It’s just two or three days – it’s not like we can’t wait that long.”

After hearing this explanation, Chen Rongying mostly understood what she meant.

To use a real-life example, it was like when she and Song Chaoxu had conflicts and went to his parents to mediate.

Even if she was in the right during the argument, Song Chaoxu was their biological son. No matter how fair the handling was, there would always be some bias.

While the matter would be resolved, she would always have that lingering discomfort.

Rather than creating resentment between both parties over such minor matters, it was better not to involve the elders from the beginning.

The same principle applied to their current situation.

No matter how fair the military tried to be, human relationships still mattered.

Compared to strangers like them whose identities hadn’t been confirmed, those who had been living in the Family Compound for some time and had good reputations among the aunties clearly had the advantage if they deliberately caused trouble.

Understanding this reasoning, Chen Rongying sighed and patted Shen Yi’an’s shoulder.

“You’re more clear-headed about this.”

“Alright then, let’s set this matter aside for now.”

“When Beichen returns, we’ll definitely make him get justice for us.”

Seeing that the topic he didn’t understand had passed, and the two female comrades who had paused to chat resumed walking, Song Chaoxu finally voiced the confusion in his heart.

“What were you talking about earlier?”

“How come after listening for so long, I’m still completely in the dark?”

Seeing his reaction, Chen Rongying first glanced at Shen Yi’an for approval.

After receiving permission, she explained how they had originally intended to buy breakfast when they went out in the morning but unexpectedly overheard the aunties and grannies gossiping in the life square. In the end, they didn’t go to the cafeteria to get food but returned to the guesthouse to report the situation.

Understanding what had happened, Song Chaoxu, who had just stepped out of the guesthouse, cast a casual glance toward the life square.

He withdrew his gaze a moment later.

“Where there are people, there will always be gossip.”

“But the plan you just discussed is right.”

“Compared to us directly confronting them to demand justice, having Fourth Brother present would clearly be more effective.”

After all, the person involved is the niece of Base Political Commissar Liang’s wife.

Forget about ‘helping the group, not just relatives.’

Without even seeing the person, they couldn’t place their hopes on someone they didn’t know.

While the couple was talking, Shen Yi’an held little Song Shu’s hand on one side and was connected to Song Yao on the other, walking briskly at the front with the two siblings.

“Auntie, what do you want to eat later?”

“My sister and I want to eat the same as you!”

Hearing Song Yao’s question, Shen Yi’an thought for a moment before replying, “Let’s see when we get to the cafeteria.”

“We don’t know what the cafeteria has prepared. No matter how much we think about it, it won’t help.”

Hearing this, Song Yao nodded. “That’s true. Let’s decide when we get there.”

The group chatted and laughed as they passed the life square, occasionally nodding politely when they met curious glances.

There were no other reactions.

They were all strangers, so there was no need to be overly friendly.

Seeing them quickly leave the life square area, the aunties and grannies, who had been temporarily silenced, instantly came back to life.

“Are those the relatives of Captain Li you were talking about? I don’t think they’re as hard to approach as you said. One of them even smiled at me just now.”

“Exactly, especially the female comrade leading the two children at the front. She’s so beautiful, I almost wanted to marry her.”

“Give it up! You’re already wrinkled and still thinking about robbing the cradle? Dream on!”

“Besides, you’re a woman too. You can only dream about that kind of luck.”

While some expressed admiration and delight at the appearance of Shen Yi’an and her group, others immediately followed with skepticism and opposition.

“You all are so shallow. What’s so great about that fox-like face?”

“Exactly, she looks all seductive and improper, not nearly as pleasant as Political Commissar Liang’s wife’s niece.”

“I think our earlier discussion was spot on. The newcomers are just relying on their good looks to act so brazenly.”

Hearing this, those who had shown goodwill were displeased.

“Did you eat something foul that made your mouths stink? Why does everything you say turn sour?”

“Exactly, if you’re jealous of her looks, just say so. Calling her a fox? Sounds like you’re just green with envy.”

Hearing this, the already irritated women immediately stood up, hands on hips, and began shouting back.

“Bullshit! Which of your damn eyes saw us being jealous?”

“Exactly! Can’t even let people speak the truth? What, is this community square exclusively for you few?”

“If you ask me…”

Both sides stubbornly stuck to their arguments.

What began as a war of words soon escalated into a full-blown brawl after someone threw the first punch.

Had no one run to alert the guards, who knows how long the fight might have lasted.

Yet even in that brief time, several people ended up with bruised faces and scratch marks on their necks.

It just goes to show how frightening unreasonable female comrades can be.

However, Shen Yi’an and her group, who had already headed to the cafeteria, remained unaware of these subsequent events.

By then, they had successfully located the military cafeteria following the directional signs.

Breakfast had been served at six o’clock, but by the time they arrived, it was already past nine, nearly ten.

Several service windows were already preparing for lunch.

The only relatively quiet ones were the two windows near the corner.

One offered millet porridge, multigrain congee, soy milk, and other beverages.

The other served fried dough sticks, coarse steamed buns, and vegetable buns.

Since it was past peak meal hours, the displayed food options were quite limited.

Staring at the sparse selection, Song Yao glanced at Shen Yi’an, then back at the food.

“Auntie, you were right.”

“We seem to have come too late—there really isn’t much left to eat.”

Upon hearing this, the first to respond was the staff at the window.

“Young comrade, if you want a full breakfast next time, you’ll have to come earlier.”

“At this hour, most of the breakfast items are already sold out.”

“If you’d come after 10:30, our two breakfast windows would have switched to preparing lunch.”

“Alright, thank you for the reminder, uncle!” Song Yao perked up and thanked the staff member who had explained.

With few choices left, the group bought a bit of whatever was still available and found seats to eat.

Shen Yi’an took a moment to address Song Yao’s earlier disappointment, “It’s fine. Let’s remember the timing and come earlier tomorrow.”

“If we get up at six, we’ll arrive just as the soldiers finishing breakfast are leaving.”

“Then we’ll get to taste more of the delicious options.”

Hearing this, Song Yao nodded with great interest.

Just as breakfast was winding down, a few voices tinged with what sounded like mockery and teasing suddenly arose.