Volume One, Chapter 18: Chief of Staff Lu, Shen Nian'an Is Right at the Si Residence!

Kitchen.

Shen Nian’an’s brows knitted tightly, as if facing a formidable enemy, unable to comprehend how a perfectly good plate had suddenly slipped from her grasp and flown away.

A slip-up.

This was one mistake she vowed would not happen again.

With her left hand, Shen Nian’an picked up a new plate; with her right, she smoothly grasped the loofah pulp and began scrubbing.

Yet, as she flicked her wrist and released her thumb, the plate that had just been in her hand shot out like a spinning flying saucer.

Si Mu, who had just reached the kitchen doorway, saw a gleaming white blade hurtling straight toward her eyes widen in shock, and she stepped back half a pace.

Liu Jinyue, a step behind, unaware of the danger, poked her head around Si Mu’s side. “Mom, why aren’t you moving?”

In the next instant, she froze, then hastily pulled Su Wanhua in front of her as a shield.

Su Wanhua, suddenly dragged forward, looked bewildered. Seeing the unknown object about to strike her head, she instinctively closed her eyes, bracing for the pain.

Crash.

The crisp shattering of porcelain echoed clearly in their ears.

But her head did not hurt.

Su Wanhua slowly opened her eyes and met a circular mark, about the size of an egg, nearly pressed against her face. She swallowed hard, her legs weakening, and she sank to the floor.

Shen Nian’an withdrew her cane and, seeing Si Mu fallen, asked with concern, “Auntie, are you alright?”

Before Su Wanhua could respond, Liu Jinyue, flustered from having used Si Mu as a shield against the plate and fearing Su Wanhua would realize the truth and quarrel with her, immediately turned on Shen Nian’an.

“An’an, is this how you ‘help’ around the house to please Mom?”

“I think you’re deliberately trying to harm Mom.”

“What has Mom ever done to you for you to be so heartless?”

“I didn’t— It was clearly—”

Shen Nian’an barely began to speak before Liu Jinyue cut her off sharply.

“Mom, you’re bleeding! I’ll take you to the clinic.”

With that, Liu Jinyue hurriedly helped the still-dazed Su Wanhua to her feet and quickly left.

Shen Nian’an clearly saw the panic on Liu Jinyue’s face and her attempt to conceal the truth.

A warning ignored!

And once again, they schemed against her!

When Liu Jinyue knocked on the door to find Shen Nian’an washing dishes, Shen Nian’an had been suspicious and sternly warned her. But Liu Jinyue had broken down in tears, earnestly explaining and swearing it was all what Su Wanhua had said; she was merely the messenger, convincing Shen Nian’an to believe her lies.

Su Wanhua had been so upset about the dishwashing that she fainted, yet still insisted that Shen Nian’an do the chores. After all, she was a guest in someone else’s home; if the host didn’t mind her clumsiness, Shen Nian’an forced herself to comply.

Watching Liu Jinyue’s retreating back, Shen Nian’an’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

She was not someone to be trifled with!

After leaving the courtyard, Liu Jinyue, riddled with guilt and fearing Shen Nian’an might run off to complain to Si Jinnian, promptly locked the gate.

Then she led Si Mu toward the clinic.

Just as they left, the neighboring gate swung open, and two figures stepped out.

“Linlin, listen to your mother and don’t act rashly. Since you’re married, live well with Wenbin and stop chasing after those baseless things.”

Wen Lin frowned impatiently. “Alright, alright, Mom, I get it.”

Though she feigned compliance, deep down she thought: Shen Nian’an, Wen Lin won’t rest until you’re kicked off this island!

A mother knows her child best. Seeing Wen Lin’s perfunctory response, Sun Qian knew this girl was blatantly ignoring her words, and it made her simmer with frustration.

But what could she do?

She couldn’t just abandon the flesh of her flesh.

“Linlin, don’t worry about that Shen Nian’an for now. Wait until I—”

Before Sun Qian could finish, a sudden figure burst out, startling her.

Waving her arms wildly, she screamed.

“Madman, get away!”

“This is a family compound! If you cause trouble, you’ll have to face the consequences!”

Wen Lin was frightened too by the sudden appearance of a man with blood crusted on his head and bloodshot eyes.

Reacting quickly, she saw him harassing her mother and rushed forward, clawing and scratching at Lu Zhenhua.

Though her strength was minimal, her protective fury was fierce.

Lu Zhenhua frowned and swiftly subdued Wen Lin.

With her hands held firmly, Wen Lin was immobilized, panic spreading through her instantly.

She raised her voice, trying to intimidate the scruffy, unkempt man before her with her status.

“Madman, don’t cause trouble. My husband is a naval lieutenant. If you dare lay a hand on me, he won’t let you off.”

“Comrade Wen Lin!” Lu Zhenhua frowned and called out in a loud voice, “I am Staff Officer Lu Zhenhua!”

“Staff Officer Lu?” Wen Lin was stunned in place.

Calming down, she scrutinized the man before her.

Despite looking like a madman, with dirty clothes and a grimy face, he was truly Staff Officer Lu.

“Staff Officer Lu, what happened to you?”

Seeing Wen Lin recognize him, Lu Zhenhua released her arm, not bothering to explain, but instead asked, “You just mentioned Shen—”

“Mom, stop!” Wen Lin suddenly interrupted.

The next second, Sun Qian, wielding a thick wooden stick she had somehow found, struck Lu Zhenhua heavily on the back.

Lu Zhenhua groaned, a rush of something rising in his throat, and a metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

Wen Lin quickly grabbed her mother, swiftly discarded the stick, and hid Sun Qian behind herself.

Afterwards, she looked at Lu Zhenhua and asked, “Staff Officer, are you alright?”

Swallowing the blood in his mouth, Lu Zhenhua’s hoarse voice said, “I’m fine.”

“Were you just talking about Shen Nian’an?”

“Staff Officer, you know that wicked woman too?” To drive Shen Nian’an away, Wen Lin spared no effort in slandering her. “She resents Mom for favoring Jinyue. She pushed Aunt Si down. When we saw it, she denied everything and showed no remorse afterward. She even deliberately tripped me with her cane. She’s utterly despicable.”

“Staff Officer, in my opinion, such a malicious woman must be driven off the island to avoid corrupting our community.”

Wen Lin ranted in anger, but Lu Zhenhua only caught two facts.

It was Shen Nian’an—he had not misheard.

And she was newly arrived on the island.

So, was this his Nian’an?

“Where is she?”

“Where is she?” Lu Zhenhua raised his voice urgently, seeking confirmation.

This sent a spark of excitement in Wen Lin’s eyes as she pointed toward the Si family courtyard nearby, her tone brimming with delight.

“Staff Officer Lu, Shen Nian’an is at the Si family’s!”