Chapter 261: Standing Up to a Bully
Sheng Wanyan relaxed, content to let the manuscripts sit for a bit before sending them out the following month.
Instead, she retrieved ten bottles of her homemade peach blossom wine from her spatial domain. Early the next morning, she stepped out of the house carrying the wine, along with some allowance money for Gu Tingxiao’s parents and twenty kilograms of fine grain packed neatly into a basket.
As Political Commissar Xie was walking to work, he spotted her balancing the heavy basket on her back while clutching the bottles of wine. He immediately hurried over to lend a hand. Comrade Sheng Wanyan was a vital national asset, not to mention heavily pregnant; the regiment couldn’t afford to let any accidents happen to her.
“Comrade Sheng Wanyan, are you heading to the mail drop?” he asked, reaching out to take the heavy basket from her shoulders. “Let me help you carry this to the gate.”
Sheng Wanyan gave him a grateful smile. “Yes, Political Commissar. I’m just sending a few things back to my parents-in-law. I really appreciate the help, but I don’t want to take you out of your way.”
“Think nothing of it. It’s right on my way to headquarters.”
Seeing that he was already walking in that direction, she accepted his assistance without further argument. She had originally planned to walk across the lane and ask her grandparents for help, but with Political Commissar Xie stepping in, that was no longer necessary. She mentally resolved to drop a bottle of wine off at his house later to properly express her gratitude.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Political Commissar.”
Political Commissar Xie waved his hand dismissively. “It’s no trouble at all. Just a bit of light lifting.”
When they reached the main military gates, the mail courier happened to be pulling up on his bicycle, two large, army-green canvas bags strapped securely to the back rack. Sheng Wanyan handed her parcels over, asking him to dispatch them to the Capital. Because the items were quite heavy, the postage required a substantial fee, but she didn’t hesitate, handing the cash over to the courier immediately.
The mail courier was always happy to assist the military dependents. When Sheng Wanyan slipped him two pieces of candy as a token of appreciation, he grinned broadly, patting his chest as he gave his word to handle it safely.
“Sorry for the trouble, brother,” she said.
“Don’t mention it, Sister-in-law!”
The courier placed the fresh packages in the guard room for processing, then collected a few other items from the military wives waiting at the gate. Once he ensured nothing was left behind, he packed everything into his heavy canvas bags and pedaled away.
Placing her hands against her lower back to support her weight, Sheng Wanyan turned and began her slow stroll back home. Since it was the peak hour for residents to head to work or buy groceries, several passing neighbors immediately offered to help her when they saw her walking alone.
Sheng Wanyan politely declined with a warm smile, explaining that her backpack was practically empty and light. She didn’t want to delay anyone from their morning duties. “I can handle a light pack, really. Don’t let me keep you—roll call will be starting soon.”
Seeing that she was genuinely fine, the soldiers saluted and ran off to join their respective units for morning formation.
Once she was back inside her courtyard, Sheng Wanyan retrieved seven more bottles of peach blossom wine from her space. She set aside five bottles to give to Grandpa Sheng later, leaving two for Political Commissar Xie’s family. Tucking the two bottles under her arm, she whistled for Maodou, and together they walked next door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Auntie Xie was in the middle of washing dishes and tidying her kitchen when she heard the rap at the door. Wiping her hands on her apron, she hurried out to open it. Seeing Sheng Wanyan standing on the porch, her face lit up, and she eagerly tried to usher her inside for a chat.
“Auntie, I won’t come in today,” Sheng Wanyan smiled, holding up the bottles. “I brewed this batch of wine myself a while back, and I wanted to bring some over for you and the commissar to taste.”
Auntie Xie stared at the bottles, her hands hovering in mid-air, not daring to accept them. In this era of scarcity, everything was precious—especially alcohol.
“Auntie, please take it,” Sheng Wanyan urged gently, sensing her hesitation. “I fermented it myself, so it didn’t cost much. Just consider it a small sample of my cooking skills.”
As talkative and opinionated as Auntie Xie usually was, she found herself completely disarmed by the younger woman’s sincere, earnest gaze. “Alright, alright, since you went to all the trouble, I’ll absolutely give it a try.”
“Wonderful. If you notice anything off about the flavor, make sure to give me some feedback so I can improve the next batch.”
Auntie Xie finally accepted the bottles. Captain Gu’s wife had put it so beautifully that refusing would make it seem like she looked down on the gesture. She truly hadn’t expected the young woman to possess such a skill; making wine was no simple task. Then again, considering Grandma Sheng used to work in a prominent winery, it made perfect sense that the talent ran in the family.
Sheng Wanyan politely declined Auntie Xie’s second invitation to sit, bidding her goodbye and turning back toward her own home. It was a rare occurrence for her to be up and about so early in the morning, and her body was already clamoring for rest. She wanted nothing more than to curl up under her quilt and sleep.
If Auntie Xie ever discovered the true depth of her drowsiness, she would undoubtedly tease her for being a lazy little thing. She had never met anyone who could sleep quite as heavily or as frequently as Sheng Wanyan. While increased fatigue was completely normal during pregnancy, it was still a rare sight to see a woman spend her entire day doing absolutely nothing but eating and sleeping. How was that any different from a newborn infant?
Auntie Xie noticed the faint shadows of exhaustion under her eyes and stopped pushing her to stay. She gave her a few protective, motherly reminders to take it easy and call out if she needed anything.
Sheng Wanyan nodded with a grateful smile and turned to walk down the path, just as the front door of the adjacent courtyard swung open.
It was Liang Qian. Dressed in her crisp military art troupe uniform, her expression was thoroughly sour and displeased. She stepped across her threshold, freezing the moment she spotted Sheng Wanyan standing near Political Commissar Xie’s gate. Her eyes instantly locked onto the prominent curve of Sheng Wanyan’s belly.
A toxic wave of fury surged inside her. She had just suffered a miserable argument with her mother-in-law first thing in the morning; the elder Mrs. Du had thrown a bitter fit over the fact that Liang Qian had eaten a whole egg for breakfast. Now, stepping outside, the first thing she saw was Sheng Wanyan—radiant, healthy, and sporting a beautifully rosy complexion that practically screamed she ate as many eggs as she pleased.
The stark contrast made Liang Qian’s blood boil. In her mind, if Sheng Wanyan hadn’t maliciously intervened and stolen Gu Tingxiao, her life would be perfect right now. How did this thief—the woman who had snatched away her destiny—have the absolute nerve to stand there looking so content? It was pure, unadulterated bad luck to cross paths with her so early in the morning.
Sheng Wanyan could feel the intense waves of resentment radiating from the woman, but since they were essentially strangers, she chose to treat her like air. Turning away, she continued down the path without granting her so much as a sideways glance.
Seeing herself entirely ignored, Liang Qian felt a deep, humiliating sting, as if she were being stepped on and ground into the dirt. Why does she get to look down on me?!
Consumed by a blinding rage that distorted her features, Liang Qian bolted down the lane, throwing her body directly into Sheng Wanyan’s path to block her way. Her expression was completely feral.
“Sheng Wanyan! Why are you hiding from me?” she spat, her voice trembling. “What’s the matter? Does your conscience finally hurt?!”
She stepped closer, her chest heaving. “That’s right. You stole what belonged to someone else. You don’t even have the courage to face me head-on!”
Sheng Wanyan didn’t utter a word. Her maternal instincts instantly taking over, she wrapped her arms protectively over her stomach, stepping back to shield her baby.
Liang Qian caught the defensive movement, her eyes turning entirely bloodshot as she stared down at the swollen belly. The sight of that pregnancy was a constant, mocking reminder of what she had lost.
“Comrade Liang Qian, I suggest you watch your tongue,” Sheng Wanyan warned, her voice dropping to a dangerously calm whisper. “Aren’t you embarrassed, standing out in public still pining after another woman’s husband?”
The words landed like a sharp, ringing slap across Liang Qian’s face. She gritted her teeth so hard her jaw ached, her gaze filled with venom. “You took my man, and now you’re carrying his little bastard! How dare you lecture me!”
The moment the word bastard left Liang Qian’s mouth, Sheng Wanyan’s hand flew through the air, delivering a fierce, resounding crack squarely across her cheek.
Slap!
Sheng Wanyan poured every ounce of her physical strength into the blow. Her child was the legal, cherished offspring of a proper marriage; she would not allow anyone to brand her baby with such a vile insult.
Liang Qian stumbled back, clutching her stinging cheek in absolute, horrified disbelief. She actually dared to strike me?! She was the daughter of the chief of staff! Did this woman truly believe her father wouldn’t crush her for this?
“You wretched bitch, you dare hit me?!” Liang Qian screeched, her poise completely shattering. “I’ll kill you!”
Baring her teeth, she lunged forward to attack. Sheng Wanyan swiftly retreated two steps, but before Liang Qian could close the distance, Maodou sprang into action. The massive Labrador bared his teeth, letting out a ferocious, deep snarl as he snapped viciously at Liang Qian’s ankles.
Faced with the sudden assault of a massive, muscular guard dog, Liang Qian’s courage evaporated instantly. Shrieking in terror, she scrambled backward, sprinting five meters away to get out of the beast’s reach.
“Help! Murder!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Sheng Wanyan is trying to kill me!”
Her piercing shrieks instantly shattered the morning quiet, drawing the immediate attention of the nearby residents. Auntie Xie was the first to bolt back out of her door, ready to shield Sheng Wanyan from harm—or, at the very least, act as the neighborhood mediator.
