Lu Tingchuan’s gaze swept over Lin Nian’s face inch by inch like a searchlight.
That face had lost the youthful shyness of a village girl from five years ago. Now, it carried the vibrant beauty and charm polished by life.
Her features had grown soft and elegant. The outer corners of her eyes lifted slightly, carrying a natural allure that couldn’t be hidden. Her skin was still as fair as ever, glowing gently under the chaotic lights and rising steam.
But the apricot eyes that once looked at him with admiration and dependence now held nothing but cold vigilance and deep distance.
As if she were looking at a sworn enemy.
Lu Tingchuan’s heart felt as if an invisible hand had gripped it harshly, sending a sharp sting through his chest.
But his expression remained unmoved—an iceberg that wouldn’t crack even under thunder.
His gaze moved away from her face and slowly swept over every corner of her stall with a scrutinizing air.
Finally, it stopped on the wooden signboard with the hand-painted words “Lin’s Snacks.”
Lin…
Her surname was still Lin.
She hadn’t even bothered to change it.
The corner of Lu Tingchuan’s mouth curved slightly, an almost invisible, icy arc.
The subordinate behind him immediately stepped forward, notebook in hand, looking completely official.
“Regiment Commander Lu, this stall has the highest traffic in the night market, and it’s the one that most affects the main pathway.”
The air around them instantly froze.
Everyone’s eyes focused on the newly arrived officer and the beautiful stall owner.
People loved watching drama—especially in the relatively closed environment of the military compound, where any tiny commotion could become the military wives’ gossip for the next week.
Lin Nian felt her back stiffen into a sheet of iron.
She forced herself to relax. She could not show fear.
If she panicked, she would lose.
She even forced a polite, formulaic smile. “Sir, is there a problem?”
Sir?
That title slipped into Lu Tingchuan’s heart like a needle.
He lifted his eyes. His dark pupils remained calm, and his voice was as cold as a frozen winter river.
“Problem?”
He repeated the word, the ending carrying a faint trace of mockery.
“You’re the owner of this stall?”
“Yes.” Lin Nian nodded steadily.
Lu Tingchuan stepped forward, his overwhelming pressure hitting her so suddenly that she almost stepped back.
But he didn’t give her the chance.
With his gloved finger, he pointed at the table she had carefully wiped clean and said sternly, “Blocking the road and affecting the military compound’s main traffic route—first violation.”
Then he pointed to the blazing coal stove behind her. “Using open fire in a public area—serious safety hazard—second violation.”
Finally, his gaze returned to her, sharper than a blade.
“And most importantly, operating without a permit, disrupting market order, and damaging the image of military personnel and their families—third violation.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but every word hit Lin Nian like a bullet to the heart.
Around them, a wave of people gasped.
My god, this new Regiment Commander is ruthless!
With these accusations, forget running a stall—she could get taken away on the spot!
Those who had long been jealous of her success, especially rival vendors and certain military wives, all showed gleeful expressions.
See? This is what happens when a country girl shows off. She’s done for.
Lin Nian’s face drained of color in an instant.
Her fists tightened beneath her apron, nails digging deep into her palms.
Operating without a permit?
How dare he claim that?
She had run back and forth to the Bureau countless times for that license. She had endured mockery, rolled eyes, and all kinds of trouble.
This man wanted to cut off her livelihood the moment he arrived.
Fine.
Very fine.
This was exactly like him.
Just like in the book—when he and Bai Yueru framed her, they slapped her with the label “improper conduct” and ensured she could never clear her name.
Five years had passed, but he hadn’t changed at all.
Still cold. Still merciless.
Lin Nian took a deep breath, forcing down the surge of anger and humiliation. Through clenched teeth, she said, “I… have a permit.”
“Oh?” Lu Tingchuan raised an eyebrow, seemingly a bit surprised.
He tilted his head toward his subordinate.
The man stepped forward. “Comrade, please show your business license.”
Grinding her molars, Lin Nian turned and retrieved a neatly wrapped booklet from the cash drawer and handed it over.
The subordinate opened it. It was indeed an officially issued individual business license, properly stamped and dated.
He looked awkwardly at Lu Tingchuan. “Regiment Commander… the license is real.”
A faint, nearly invisible shift flickered in Lu Tingchuan’s eyes, but it disappeared quickly.
It was as if he hadn’t heard his subordinate at all. He simply stared at Lin Nian and delivered his final warning.
“Even with a license, blocking traffic and creating safety hazards are real issues.”
“I’m giving you three days.”
“Within three days, shut down and make corrections. If three days from now I still see your stall here…”
He paused, and every word afterward seemed pulled straight from an ice cellar.
“Accept the consequences.”
Without another look at her, he turned, long legs striding forward as he led his men deeper into the night market.
All he left behind for Lin Nian was a cold, decisive back.
The vendors and military wives around her were stunned speechless.
No one had expected the new Regiment Commander to strike his first blow at the most popular stall in the night market.
This was intimidation—clear and merciless.
The crowd burst into whispers like a rising tide.
“Who did the Lin boss offend?”
“Tsk, just watch—she’ll definitely disappear in three days.”
“Too bad, her spicy hotpot was actually really good…”
Lin Nian stood in place, letting all the sympathetic, mocking, and curious gazes wash over her.
She couldn’t hear any of it.
There was only one thought screaming in her head.
Lu Tingchuan.
He was back.
Bringing with him a revenge that was five years late.
She had thought she escaped the story that was meant to destroy her, but after circling away, she still fell straight into the trap he had set.
Staring at the fading silhouette of his back, her clenched fists trembled slightly.
He wanted to shut her down?
He wanted her gone?
Dream on.
Five years ago, she escaped with her children.
Five years later, she would never let him crush her again.