Chapter 246: Counter-Reporting Gu Qingran

As Su Zhaozhao walked downstairs, she could feel many eyes on her.

Some were worried, some curious, and others were clearly relishing her misfortune.

But she didn’t see Zhang Jufang. Zhao Shuqin had just told her that Zhang Jufang had been the loudest of them all, reading the anonymous letter aloud as if afraid someone in the compound might miss its contents.

In other words, all the military wives in the compound now knew. And with their penchant for gossip, it wouldn’t be long before everyone—including their husbands—found out.

It might even spread throughout the unit...

And then...

Su Zhaozhao felt as if she had dragged Xie Huaizheng down with her yet again.

She seemed to be a magnet for trouble, but she knew she could always overcome it.

But then again, Xie Huaizheng had told her he never saw her as a burden. In fact, he felt he hadn’t done enough to protect her.

’So, maybe I shouldn’t be thinking like this...’

Since she was married to Xie Huaizheng—and he seemed to be the fiercely protective type—Su Zhaozhao figured she could afford to rely on him a little more.

Still, she wanted to avoid troubling him as much as possible.

And so, Su Zhaozhao decided to head over to the Li family’s home after all.

She was there to chat with Li Weichuan as part of his therapy. He explained some science practice problems to her. As a liberal arts major, she didn’t quite grasp the more profound science questions he discussed, but she listened to him attentively all the same.

She had to show Li Weichuan she was interested, so he would be encouraged to talk more.

Her main goal right now was getting Li Weichuan to open up.

However, before they could finish their conversation, Li Tiantian burst in from outside. She was panting as she looked at Su Zhaozhao. "Zhaozhao, are you okay? I was so worried! Those people outside are insane!"

From Li Tiantian’s frantic entrance, Su Zhaozhao knew she must have heard about the anonymous letter.

’Just as I thought. There are no secrets in a compound like this. The slightest whisper about anyone gets turned into gossip.’

Li Weichuan watched Li Tiantian barge in without so much as a greeting, interrupting his conversation with Su Zhaozhao.

And she hadn’t even knocked.

Li Weichuan couldn’t take it. He frowned and said, "Can you knock next time you come in?"

Li Tiantian shot Li Weichuan a surprised look. She always came in this way, but he’d never said a word about it before. In fact, he usually just ignored her.

’Why is the kid suddenly so full of complaints?’

’His recovery really is coming along.’

But Li Tiantian had no time for him. She turned to Su Zhaozhao. "Someone filed an anonymous complaint against you! I just got back and heard a bunch of people talking. Some are saying you’re two-timing, and others are saying you only have an elementary school education but you’re teaching at the base’s elementary school. One of them said she can’t trust her child with a teacher like you and that she’s going to protest!"

Before Su Zhaozhao could say a word, Li Weichuan slammed the pen in his hand down with a loud CLACK. He stared coldly at Li Tiantian. "Why are you spreading rumors about Sister Zhaozhao?"

His expression was icy, radiating a deep hostility that left even Su Zhaozhao a bit stunned.

’This kid has always been so apathetic. This must be the first time he’s ever shown an expression like this, right?’

Su Zhaozhao immediately started clapping. "Wow, Wei Chuan, this is the first time I’ve ever seen you get angry!"

Actually, any emotion—joy, anger, sadness, or delight—was a good sign. It proved he still had things he cared about, things that could stir his feelings.

It was Li Weichuan’s previous state of unnerving calm that Su Zhaozhao had found truly abnormal.

The kind of calm where he could remain completely detached, as if it had nothing to do with him, even when they were being surrounded by Huang Mao and his gang.

But now, just from hearing that someone in the compound was spreading rumors about her, he was this furious.

’This means Li Weichuan already has something he cares about.’

’Wait, is the thing he cares about... me?’

’It looks like I’ve built up quite a bond with Li Weichuan without even realizing it.’

Su Zhaozhao was very pleased.

Li Weichuan stared at Su Zhaozhao’s clapping and her excited expression, momentarily speechless. He had been angry enough to kill someone, but now, he suddenly had no idea what to say.

’Su Zhaozhao... she doesn’t seem to care about the rumors at all.’

’Such vile rumors, slandering her personal life and ruining her reputation.’

’And he knew how precious a girl’s reputation was.’

’So why isn’t she angry or upset?’

’Instead, she’s focusing on me... and she’s happy that I’m angry?’

Li Weichuan pressed his thin lips together, suddenly feeling his heart begin to beat much faster.

’So... in Sister Zhaozhao’s heart, I’m more important than she is to herself?’

’She doesn’t care that much about the rumors, she’s just focused on me.’

’So, I have to get better quickly. I can’t let down Sister Zhaozhao’s hopes for me.’

Li Tiantian cried out, "Zhaozhao, what are you doing worrying about Wei Chuan? You’re the one being slandered! I already yelled at those people to shut up, but then some started whispering that I’m only defending you because we’re friends. They said the more worked up I get, the more it proves the rumors are true."

Li Tiantian gritted her teeth in anger. "You know my temper. I really wanted to slap them right then and there! For someone who loves spreading rumors so much, aren’t they afraid their own children and grandchildren will get the same treatment one day?"

Li Tiantian’s words managed to amuse Su Zhaozhao, who couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Tian Tian, you’re adorable. Thank you for sticking up for me."

Seeing Su Zhaozhao talk about Li Weichuan one moment and her the next—anything but her own situation—gave Li Tiantian a headache.

"Zhaozhao, stop laughing this off! We need to get serious and think of a plan!"

"Mhm, I’m not going to clarify anything with them," Su Zhaozhao said, her playful mood vanishing as her expression turned calm.

"Why?"

"I don’t want to be in a position where I have to jump and explain myself every time someone says something. That’s an easy way to let people lead you by the nose. It’s pointless to explain things to people who are determined to be ignorant. It’s better to report this to a higher authority."

As Su Zhaozhao spoke, she took out a complaint letter of her own. "However, I do need to talk to your father about this. Or maybe Aunt Wang. I hear she’s with the Women’s Federation and gets along well with the other military wives in the compound, right?"

"Yeah, that’s my mom. You can talk to her, that’ll work," Li Tiantian said. "I’ll help you."

"I know who wrote the complaint letter," Su Zhaozhao said with a smile. "I’m going to report her, confront her, and demand she step forward and face me fair and square."

Her gentle face hid a tough, sharp edge.

"Who is it?" Li Tiantian asked curiously. Then, a thought struck her. "Don’t tell me... is it Gu Qingran?"

She had found out a few days ago that the girl who hated Zhaozhao was Gu Qingran. She looked like a harmless little bunny on the outside, but in reality, she was narrow-minded and had a dark heart!

Just because she couldn’t get Xie Huaizhen to like her, she started hating Su Zhaozhao.

What does that have to do with Zhaozhao?

And now she’s stooping to anonymous complaints? How shameless!

"But, she didn’t write her own name, how can you prove it’s her?"

"It’s simple. She’s staying at the guest house right now. When you check in, they make you fill out a registration form. We can go to the guest house and compare the handwriting."