Chapter 20: Zhou Susu's Grievances and Complaints

“Hey, have you heard? It seems Captain Lu’s wife has someone on the side!”

“Is that true? No way! Captain Lu is so outstanding...”

“Who knows! Otherwise, where would she get all that money? Buying fabrics, redecorating—her mother even said the money’s from shady sources!”

“Tsk tsk, you really can’t tell. She looks so pretty, yet such poor character...”

In recent days, rumors have been swirling throughout the compound.

But because of Zhou Susu’s previous reputation, people believed the gossip only about seventy percent, with thirty percent doubt.

The rumors evolved from mere “extravagance” to accusations of “improper conduct.”

In a compound governed by strict discipline, such allegations could be fatal.

For a time, Zhou Susu once again became the focal point of everyone’s conversations.

Walking down the street, she could feel countless judging eyes on her back, along with whispered voices deliberately lowered but fearful she might overhear.

Even An An was affected.

Several of her close playmates now avoided her, and even mimicked adults by shouting at her from afar:

“Lu An An, your mother is a bad woman!”

An An’s face flushed with anger. She ran up to confront them, only to be pushed to the ground, her new little jacket getting stained.

The little one cried bitterly, running home to throw herself into Zhou Susu’s arms.

“Mommy... you’re not a bad woman... sob sob...”

Zhou Susu held her sobbing daughter, gently patting her back, her eyes full of pain.

She knew all this was the handiwork of the original Zhou Susu’s terrible mother-in-law, Wang Cuifen.

When force wouldn’t work, they came at her softly.

Denied money openly, they resorted to covert means—slandering her reputation to make her life unbearable in the compound, to corner her until she had no choice but to beg for help.

Their tactics were cruel, but undoubtedly effective. Unfortunately, Zhou Susu was no longer the woman she once was.

“All right, An An, don’t cry,” Zhou Susu wiped her daughter’s tears with a gentle, loving voice. “Mommy isn’t a bad woman. Mommy loves you more than anything.

Those who believe gossip without proof are just big fools. We only need to be true to ourselves.”

She pulled a butter cookie shaped like a little rabbit from her space, fragrant with milk, and handed it to An An.

“Here, have a cookie and forget all the unhappy things.”

An An bit into the sweet, crispy cookie and felt much better.

She looked up at her mother with a soft voice and asked, “Mommy, are we not going to do anything about those bad people?”

“We will, of course,” Zhou Susu smiled faintly. “But sometimes, using someone else’s words is more effective than saying a hundred things ourselves.”

An An didn’t fully understand, but she knew her mother had a plan and that her mother could not be wronged.

...

That afternoon, Zhou Susu carried a plate of freshly baked jujube and walnut pastries, still steaming, and knocked on the door of Commander Wang’s house.

The door was opened by Wang’s wife, Sun Xiulan.

Sun Xiulan was known throughout the compound as a “warm-hearted gossiper.”

She was upright and detested crooked dealings, yet loved to hear and spread gossip.

Anything she confirmed would spread through the military district within hours.

“Oh, Susu! Come in, come in!” Sun Xiulan greeted her warmly.

Since having a meal at Zhou Susu’s home, Sun Xiulan had a very good impression of this beautiful and capable young military wife.

“Sister-in-law, I made some snacks for you and Commander Wang to try,” Zhou Susu offered the plate.

“You’re too polite, coming over with gifts!” Sun Xiulan said, but her eyes lit up at the sweet aroma.

They sat in the living room, exchanging pleasantries.

Zhou Susu never mentioned the rumors directly, just casually chatting about everyday life, though her complexion wore a perfectly balanced exhaustion and grievance.

Who was Sun Xiulan? A shrewd woman.

She had long noticed Zhou Susu’s troubles and was well aware of the recent slander.

“Susu,” she finally asked gently, “are you facing some difficulties? You don’t look well these days.”

There it was.

Zhou Susu had been waiting for this question.

Her eyes instantly reddened.

She didn’t speak, only lowered her head, shoulders trembling slightly, as if wanting to cry but holding back, desperately enduring.

Her broken, fragile appearance tugged at the heartstrings.

“Oh dear, what’s wrong? Tell sister-in-law! Is it those rumors going around the compound?” Sun Xiulan anxiously pressed.

Zhou Susu finally raised her tear-filled eyes, tears threatening to fall, evoking sympathy.

“Sister-in-law... I...” she choked up, her words broken and halting, “I don’t know what to do anymore...”

“You heard those words, didn’t you?”

Sun Xiulan immediately took over.

“Tsk! I knew it was about this!” She slapped her thigh. “Those gossiping women are just bored! No filter on their tongues! Don’t take it to heart!”

“But... their words are so cruel...” Zhou Susu’s tears finally fell, each one hitting the back of her hand. “They say my money is dirty... that I’m unfaithful... sob sob...”

She cried just enough to inspire pity without seeming noisy.

“Sister-in-law, as a woman, reputation is everything! They slander me like this—how can I stay here?”

“They’re talking nonsense!” Sun Xiulan slammed the table in anger. “Someone’s definitely stirring trouble behind your back! Tell me, what’s really going on? Where did that money come from? Be honest with me; I’ll stand up for you!”

Zhou Susu seemed to make a firm decision and wiped her tears.

“Sister-in-law, since you asked, I won’t hide it.”

She carefully took something from her cloth bag.

It was the two-thousand-yuan deposit slip.

To make it convincing, she also brought the hasty will written by Zhao Weiguo.

“Sister-in-law, here... take a look,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Sun Xiulan took it, puzzled.

When she saw the staggering amount on the deposit slip, she was momentarily shocked.

But even more striking was the will.

Though hastily written, every line was filled with a father’s profound love and reluctant farewell to his daughter.

“Brother, if I’m unfortunate, this money is for my daughter An An, as her dowry...”