Chapter 94: Being Instigated

Wang Yadan, the niece of Political Commissar Liang’s wife.

When familiar aunties gathered around to inquire about the news, she initially refused to say anything, her eyes reddened.

Only when pressed did she admit that the person staying at the guesthouse had indeed come to see Captain Li.

However, she obscured the existence of the four members of the Song family, focusing instead on Shen Yi’an.

She claimed that Shen Yi’an had appeared to assert her dominance, to tell everyone that Captain Li belonged to her.

Seeing that the aunties weren’t stirred by this, she intensified her rhetoric and broadened the scope.

“Dear aunties, I know this matter doesn’t concern you much,” she said.

“But have you forgotten? Our Family Compound has always been the most harmonious and friendly.”

“If Captain Li marries her, she will surely move into the Family Compound.”

“In the future, we’ll have to live together day and night. Even I was scolded harshly just for visiting—imagine how it will be for all of you.”

“If there’s ever a disagreement or a conflict, who knows if any of you might end up fainting from anger.”

After saying this, she stood there sobbing for a while.

It wasn’t until someone remarked skeptically that the newcomer might be a troublemaker, and others followed with their opinions, that she pretended to be exhausted and left the life square.

Afterward, the aunties began arguing among themselves.

Some said the Family Compound was likely to become livelier from now on.

Others remarked that finally, someone had arrived who could rival them.

There were also those who feared Captain Li might follow in the footsteps of Quartermaster Qian.

And some speculated that Political Commissar Liang would probably have another headache over the drama in the Family Compound.

In short, everyone had their own thoughts.

Combined, it formed an irresolvable and intractable conflict.

The fashionable aunt was present at the scene.

At first, she chimed in with a few words, feeling the newcomer was too arrogant.

How dare she boast without even having a marriage certificate and openly bully people in the Family Compound?

If she ever ran into her, she’d pin her against the wall so hard she wouldn’t be able to peel herself off.

But that was just a thought in the heat of the moment.

After a night’s sleep, not only had her “grand ambitions” vanished—she had even forgotten most of what she said.

So, when the new day arrived, she returned to the life square as usual.

Upon arriving and hearing everyone still discussing yesterday’s topic, she immediately lost interest in joining the conversation.

Rehashing overnight topics was utterly boring.

Just as she averted her gaze, she spotted Shen Yi’an and another person chatting near the carousel.

Perhaps skeptical of yesterday’s rumors, she decided to approach and verify things for herself.

It was fine until she came over—now they were deep in conversation.

She ended up spilling everything that had happened the day before.

After hearing the fashionable aunt’s account, Shen Yi’an regretted having slept so soundly the previous night.

If she had been even slightly conscious, she might have witnessed the thrilling scene of confrontation.

Fortunately, the retelling was quite vivid.

So vivid that she almost felt like standing in front of Wang Yadan and giving her a thumbs-up.

With acting skills like that, she ought to become an actress.

The stage was vast and dramatic enough for her to fully showcase her talents.

Calling her domineering and arrogant?

Hah, if she were truly that formidable, she would have slapped someone the moment they met yesterday.

Instead of just uttering a few light, dismissive words.

Though there was some regret, it wasn’t much.

After extracting the key information, she looked somewhat puzzled at the fashionable auntie. “Auntie, Political Commissar Liang’s wife’s niece is named Wang Yadan, right?”

“How did you know?” The fashionable auntie seemed surprised. “You remembered after just one meeting yesterday?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an shook her head with a smile. “As soon as we met yesterday, she told me to leave the base immediately, saying someone like Captain Li wasn’t someone I could aspire to.”

“She also said dancers from the Cultural Troupe, communications officers from the Information Section, and medical orderlies from the hospital were all pursuing Captain Li, and someone like me obviously stood no chance.”

“She even mentioned her uncle is the Base Political Commissar, and if I didn’t know my place, she’d have me thrown out of the base.”

Recalling yesterday’s scene, her eyes unconsciously showed some amusement.

“If my sister hadn’t revealed her identity, she would have kept blocking me at the guesthouse with threats.”

“Later, probably feeling embarrassed, she ran off.”

“If I’d known she’d spread such stories outside, I would have definitely gone out to clarify.”

“After all, I do value my reputation.”

Hearing this completely different version from what she’d heard yesterday, the fashionable auntie’s eyes widened in shock.

“This is completely different from what I heard!”

“Yesterday, Political Commissar Liang’s wife’s niece said you declared you came specifically to get married to Captain Li.”

“She told us to watch our words, saying if we offended you, we’d be scolded so badly we couldn’t lift our heads.”

“She said many unpleasant things that made those people over there furious. They’re still gathered together discussing how to deal with you.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi’an’s incredulous expression showed a flash of understanding.

So that’s what happened.

When she heard a group of people angrily criticizing her this morning, she had mentally noted it down in her memory.

She thought she’d settle this score after marrying Li Beichen and having a legitimate status.

Turns out they were all instigated!

Thinking of the vicious expressions of those who cursed her the most, she felt it wasn’t entirely Wang Yadan’s doing.

Some people’s malice is truly ingrained in their bones.

Of course, dwelling on this now was useless.

What she should do most was reveal Wang Yadan and her followers’ actions.

With the fashionable auntie speaking up for her, most family members would likely change their impression of her.

As for those purely malicious ones, she’d note them down and deal with them slowly later.

Having made her decision, she smiled and continued, “Auntie, believing only one side of the story is a dangerous thing.”

“Wang Yangan dared to tell you those things because she was sure I’d stay in the guesthouse and never come out.”

“If she knew I’d venture out, she might have been more subtle.”

After this topic, she brought up this morning’s scene in the cafeteria. “Speaking of which, Comrade Wang Yadan seems quite popular in the Family Compound.”

“I learned her name thanks to going to the cafeteria for breakfast this morning.”

“How so?” This successfully piqued the fashionable auntie’s interest again.

Seeing her curiosity, Shen Yi’an described what happened. “…Just as we were about to leave the dining hall, several young female comrades approached me.”

“They repeatedly told me to leave the base immediately, saying if Comrade Wang Yadan found out, she definitely wouldn’t let me off.”

“That’s how I learned the female comrade who came to the guesthouse was named Wang Yadan.”

Hearing this explanation, the fashionable aunt nodded in understanding.

“So that’s how it is.”

“I thought she had said it herself, but it turns out it was all her little friends’ doing.”

After speaking, she couldn’t help but ask in return.

“By the way, do you know the names of the people who came looking for you?”

“Even describing their appearances would do. I’ll go find their parents later.”

“It’s bad enough that they raised their daughters to be foolish, but to be used as pawns by others too.”

“I’d like to see if they’ll still have the face to go out after they find out.”

Seeing that the fashionable aunt had unintentionally steered the conversation in the right direction, Shen Yi’an’s eyes lit up. “Auntie, they really didn’t say their names.”

“But I have a good memory and can remember what they look like.”

She pointed to the tip of her nose and listed their distinctive features one by one.

“One of them has a small black mole at the corner of her mouth, and another has a pimple on the tip of her nose.”

“The other two don’t have obvious features, but oh yes, one of them has braids with colorful ribbons tied on them.”

“As for the last one, she looks a bit shorter than the others, but as long as we know who the others are, that should be enough.”

Just from Shen Yi’an’s description, the fashionable aunt pretty much knew who they were.

Living in the same Family Compound, they often saw which people liked to hang out with whom.

However, before turning to leave, she still couldn’t resist asking one piece of gossip.