Jiang Yuning was off duty today and decided to return to the city. While waiting for the bus, she suddenly saw Chen Lishu and her son approaching. Her eyes flickered, and she smiled and greeted them, "You must be Chen Lishu? I'm Jiang Yuning, the new doctor transferred to the team. Xingdong and I used to be colleagues."
Xingdong? Chen Lishu raised an eyebrow slightly, finding the address rather intimate.
She deliberately said, "So you're the new Doctor Jiang. I haven't heard my husband mention you."
Hearing her refer to her husband, Jiang Yuning felt a prickle of annoyance but quickly recovered and said casually, "It was many years ago. When I met Xingdong, he had only been transferred to the special forces team for less than two years, and I had just graduated not long before... Actually, this isn't our first meeting. Before the year's end, when you were sick and went to the hospital, I was the one who asked a friend to give you a thorough examination."
Chen Lishu's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but out of politeness, she said, "Thank you for that."
Jiang Yuning nodded, her gaze falling on Rui Rui. She bent down, resting her hands on her knees, and smiled at him, "I know you. You're Gu Rui, aren't you, Rui Rui?"
Rui Rui had been obediently holding Chen Lishu's hand. Hearing Jiang Yuning's question, he nodded and asked with innocent, curious eyes, "Auntie, how do you know?"
Jiang Yuning glanced at Chen Lishu and replied with a smile, "Me? Your father told me."
If Chen Lishu still couldn't understand Jiang Yuning's intentions at this point, she would be a fool. However, she was no longer a young girl smitten with romance, prone to getting angry and flustered over mere speculation.
Chen Lishu stood there, smiling faintly at Jiang Yuning. Her clear eyes seemed to see through everything, yet she remained silent, as if to say, "Keep going, let's see what else you have to say."
Jiang Yuning felt like a clown under her gaze and instantly lost the desire to tease Rui Rui further. She straightened up and looked at Chen Lishu, her expression serious. "Comrade Chen Lishu, I want to talk to you."
Chen Lishu: "Talk about what?"
Jiang Yuning got straight to the point: "Don't you think you're not good enough for Xingdong?"
"I don't think so."
Jiang Yuning was momentarily stumped. "As far as I know, you come from a rural background. Although you got into university, you don't cherish it and are still working as a private business owner on the side. If this matter were to spread in the military family compound, do you know how much criticism Xingdong would have to bear? And the most important point is that you cannot have children, nor can you give Xingdong a complete family. Do you really think adopting a child and deceiving yourself into saying it's your and Xingdong's child is enough? Don't you think you're too selfish?"
Jiang Yuning finally said everything she wanted to say and then stared intently at Chen Lishu's reaction.
If Chen Lishu became angry and ashamed, she would surely have a big argument with her, preferably escalating to a physical confrontation. They were standing not far from the duty guard post. If the two of them argued, it would certainly alert the guards, and even if questioned later, she would only be stating facts, with no overly harsh words. In the end, Chen Lishu would be the one to lose face.
Even if Chen Lishu, being meek in nature, chose to endure the matter, she had planted a seed of doubt in Chen Lishu's heart. Any woman would feel inferior when faced with a woman more outstanding than herself. Over time, it would inevitably affect their marital relationship.
"If you truly cared for Xingdong, you should leave him as soon as possible. He's so outstanding, he deserves someone better by his side."
However, Chen Lishu's reaction completely defied Jiang Yuning's expectations. She neither flew into a rage nor left in shame and indignation as anticipated, but simply chuckled lightly as she looked at her.
"What are you laughing at?"
Chen Lishu: "After all you've said, are you trying to imply that you are that better person?"
Jiang Yuning raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you?"
Whether it was family background or education, she was leagues ahead of the woman standing before her. Most importantly, she was healthy and could make Gu Xingdong a real father.
Chen Lishu shook her head faintly. "No matter how outstanding you think you are, in terms of background or appearance, the moment you stood before me and said those words, you became worthless in my eyes."
Before Jiang Yuning could speak, Chen Lishu continued, "Gu Xingdong and I are legally married with a certificate approved by the organization and issued by the state. If you had any sense of decency, you wouldn't come to me to make such insinuations."
"Do you think I should be beneath you just because I come from a rural background? That's just your arrogance. If you trace back three generations, who knows what your family did. As for your mention of private business ownership, I earn money with my own hands. I don't steal or rob, and I respond to the state's call. I don't feel ashamed at all. Furthermore, Gu Xingdong knows about my private business. Not only does he know, but he also fully supports me."
"You're talking nonsense," Jiang Yuning refused to believe it. Who would support their family member engaging in private business? Such a thing could bring shame upon the entire family.
Chen Lishu didn't bother to explain. Instead, she continued, "As for whether or not to have children, that's a matter between my husband and me. It's not your place as an outsider to interfere. However, if you're curious about Gu Xingdong's attitude, you can ask him yourself. But I don't think you'd dare. I know my man best. If he had any feelings for you, I wouldn't be here. By deduction, you're simply harboring unrequited love."
Chen Lishu glanced at her as she spoke. "I'm truly sorry to disappoint you. I am neither timid nor cowardly, nor will I become angry or lose my reason. However, you'd better behave yourself and don't try to provoke my man. Otherwise, I'll let you know the consequences of trying to take what doesn't belong to you."
"You..." Jiang Yuning looked at her, her face turning bright red, only managing to utter a "you" after a long pause.
"Mom, the bus is here," Rui Rui tugged at Chen Lishu's finger, reminding her.
Chen Lishu nodded and got on the bus with Rui Rui.
Whether it was out of shame or something else, Jiang Yuning remained standing at the bus stop and did not board.
Soon, the bus started, and Chen Lishu and her son headed back to the city.
...
Since receiving Chen Lishu's call, Li Yuanchao had been busy visiting various clothing factories, temporarily putting aside the matter of electronic watches. After all, compared to the latter, Chen Lishu's venture offered a greater profit.
He first approached his brother-in-law's clothing factory. However, the factory's orders were already full, and they had no capacity for anything else, so Li Yuanchao had to give up.
After privately approaching two other factories, they dismissed him out of hand as he was alone. He was often impatiently sent away after only a few words.
With no supplier found and no middleman fees earned, Li Yuanchao developed a sore on his lip from anxiety.