The crowd’s support acted like a solid wall, bouncing back all of Lu Tingting’s attacks.
She stood in the center of the group, surrounded by accusing and reproachful gazes, feeling like a joke.
From childhood to now, she had always been the center of attention.
In the art troupe, she was the star, admired by everyone.
At home, she was the apple of her parents’ and brother’s eyes.
She had never experienced this kind of humiliation.
And now, it was being done by someone she looked down on the most—a country girl from a humble background—right in front of everyone!
Shame and anger burned like fire, consuming all her reason in an instant.
Since the facts didn’t support her, she decided to attack the girl’s character.
Lu Tingting’s face turned bright red. She pointed at Lin Nian’s nose, shouting sharply:
“Don’t get smug!”
“You think we don’t know what you’ve been doing? A widow, appearing here every day, dressed to attract attention, just trying to seduce him?”
“I’ll tell you, my brother is Lu Tingchuan, a decorated regiment commander and the military district’s discipline inspector!”
She deliberately raised her voice, emphasizing Lu Tingchuan’s status, trying to intimidate Lin Nian with power.
“You better stay away from him! Don’t think we don’t know your schemes! First, you acted in front of him, then you got the child sick and went to the hospital—are you just trying to get close to him, to climb higher?”
Her gaze was like a poisoned blade, cutting at Lin Nian.
“I advise you to look in the mirror! You’re a country girl, carrying two kids. Do you deserve my brother? Our Lu family doors aren’t open to girls like you! Dream on!”
Her words were vicious and cruel, completely lacking civility.
The surrounding customers heard everything and frowned.
Even if they had objections to Lin Nian, this public humiliation was uncalled for.
The regiment commander’s sister had no manners at all.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Lin Nian didn’t show anger. She… smiled.
It was as if she had heard an incredibly funny joke. First, a low chuckle escaped her, then it grew louder, crisp and pleasant, making the crowd look at her in confusion.
She put down her work, took a nearby towel, and slowly wiped her hands.
Every movement exuded calm composure.
She lifted her head, her bright almond-shaped eyes curved like crescent moons, looking at the flustered Lu Tingting.
“You… Lu Tingting, right?”
She spoke, her voice still carrying a trace of amusement.
“I don’t quite understand.”
She tilted her head, looking genuinely innocent.
“Your brother is the commander, the inspector—impressive indeed. But… what does that have to do with me?”
Lu Tingting froze, stunned: “You… of course it matters! You little seductress, you’re just trying to—”
“Shh.” Lin Nian raised a finger to her lips, signaling silence, cutting her off.
Then, in front of the entire crowd, she said something that would be remembered in the gossip history of the military compound:
“I’m not your brother’s wife.”
Her tone was natural, calm, and effortless.
“Shouldn’t it be you teaching me how to behave instead?”
The crowd went completely silent.
Everyone was stunned by her words.
Of course!
She’s not your sister-in-law!
Your brother is the commander—what does that have to do with a street stall owner?
Why are you standing here, scolding her like she’s your younger sister-in-law?
In an instant, the crowd looked at Lu Tingting as if she were a fool.
Lu Tingting was completely dumbstruck.
Her mouth opened, her mind blank, not knowing how to respond.
Indeed…
What right did she have?
She had subconsciously placed Lin Nian in the role of an intruder trying to climb the Lu family ladder.
But Lin Nian never acknowledged that.
That simple statement, “I’m not your brother’s wife,” effortlessly turned all her accusations and position into a joke.
It felt like punching with all your strength, only to hit cotton.
Worse than hitting cotton—it was humiliating.
Completely wasted effort.
Lin Nian didn’t care about her at all.
“You… you…” Lu Tingting’s face turned from red to purple, trembling with anger.
She wanted to argue but realized her proud family background and her brother’s power meant nothing in the face of Lin Nian’s “What does it have to do with me?”
Seeing her on the verge of suffocation from anger, Lin Nian’s smile deepened.
She picked up the strainer and resumed cooking for the customers, as if the previous confrontation had been a harmless interruption.
While cooking, she spoke as if to herself, but loud enough for everyone to hear:
“Nowadays, you really see all kinds of people.”
“A sister worrying more than anyone about her brother’s choice of partner.”
“Seeing a girl who isn’t bad-looking, and thinking someone’s trying to steal her brother, treating her like a thief.”
“Tsk tsk, I even thought she might have other ideas about her brother.”
Her voice was loud enough for the crowd to hear clearly.
“Pfft—”
Someone in the group couldn’t hold back and laughed first.
Then the laughter spread, contagious, filling the air.
Everyone looked at Lu Tingting with teasing, mischievous eyes.
Her mind exploded.
She… she actually implied she had other ideas about her brother?
What an utter humiliation!
“You’re lying! Have some shame!” she screamed.
But her voice was quickly drowned out by the surrounding laughter.
Seeing Lin Nian’s calm, effortless smile and the mocking eyes around her, she felt like a complete fool.
“Wah!” Lu Tingting could no longer bear it. She covered her face, crying, and pushed through the crowd, fleeing in panic.
The farce ended once again with Lin Nian’s complete victory.
The stall returned to bustling order.
From now on, everyone looked at Lin Nian with deep respect.
This girl wasn’t just skilled and brave.
Her mind and tongue were like sharpened blades.
Don’t provoke her. Don’t.