That night, Lin Nian could barely remember how she cleaned up the stall or how she even managed to get home.
Her mind kept replaying Lu Tingchuan’s cold face over and over, like a movie stuck on loop—along with that earth-shattering word: “Get out.”
Those probing, ambiguous, jealous gazes from the crowd felt like countless thin needles stabbing into her skin, making her whole body uncomfortable.
She had become the newest—and juiciest—gossip subject in the entire military district courtyard.
And the male lead of this rumor was the very man she wanted most to escape.
What a cosmic joke.
When she returned to the empty courtyard and heard the steady breathing of the two sleeping children inside, her chaotic heart finally began to settle.
She sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, letting the cold night breeze cool her burning cheeks.
No. She couldn’t go on like this.
She couldn’t let Lu Tingchuan disrupt her rhythm.
Whatever he wanted, whatever he was planning—she didn’t care.
As long as he didn’t come after her and the children, she would treat him like a fart—just let it go and be done with it.
The only thing she needed to do now was shut her door, live her life well, and earn her money.
Only money—only power held in her own hands—was truly reliable.
Once she understood this, Lin Nian took a deep breath and exhaled all her anxiety and irritation. Her gaze grew clear and determined again.
She walked into the kitchen to start preparing for the next day’s business.
Light the stove. Slow simmer.
A big pot of broth made from fresh pork bones and chicken frames was the soul of her delicious spicy hotpot.
The rich aroma of bone broth gradually filled the courtyard, driving away the night’s chill and smoothing out the last ripples in Lin Nian’s heart.
But she didn’t know that while she slept deeply, a sneaky shadow was creeping toward her courtyard under the cover of darkness.
…
Military district residential building, Chief of Staff’s home.
Zhao Hong paced back and forth like a caged lioness, her face twisted with fury and hatred.
“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!”
She grabbed an enamel cup off the table and smashed it on the floor, the sharp crash echoing loudly.
“That slut surnamed Lin! She must’ve reported him! Otherwise why would Jianguo be suspended for investigation out of nowhere?!”
Zhao Jianguo was her nephew from her maternal family. She had spent so much effort to put him into that cushy factory manager assistant position—a role full of benefits—hoping he could help her family and earn her some favors.
Now, everything was ruined.
All because of Lin Nian!
Not only had Lin Nian harmed her relative, she had also made Zhao Hong lose face in the entire courtyard.
If she didn’t get revenge for this, she might as well write her name backwards!
But how to take revenge?
She didn’t dare act openly.
Even someone with Lu Tingting’s status had suffered losses under Lin Nian. Not to mention—everyone now knew that behind that woman stood Lu Tingchuan, that living King of Hell.
Go complain in front of him? She wouldn’t even get through the door. And even if she did, she would only humiliate herself.
Zhao Hong paced for dozens of circles, her eyes glinting with vicious intent.
If she couldn’t attack openly… then she’d do it secretly.
You earn money from that shabby food stall, right?
You think your cooking skills are so impressive?
Fine—then she would destroy her rice bowl!
Let her see the price of offending Zhao Hong!
A cruel idea formed quickly in her mind.
At 3 a.m., the night at its darkest and the world at its quietest—
A shadow climbed over the wall into Lin Nian’s courtyard.
It was Zhao Hong.
Her guilty conscience made her legs tremble, but the moment she thought of Lin Nian’s annoying face, hatred overwhelmed her fear.
She tiptoed to the kitchen door.
The kitchen door was only slightly ajar.
A rich aroma of bone broth drifted out, making Zhao Hong’s expression turn even more vicious.
This was it.
She took out a paper pouch she had prepared earlier and walked in carefully.
Under the faint moonlight, she saw the big pot of milky-white broth simmering on the stove.
She let out a cold laugh and dumped everything in the pouch into the pot without hesitation.
Inside the pouch was a full handful of coarse salt.
To ensure total destruction, she even grabbed a handful of dirty soil mixed with mud and chicken feathers from a corner and threw it into the pot as well.
After finishing everything, she listened carefully for any movement. Once she confirmed Lin Nian hadn’t been woken up, she slipped out of the courtyard like a triumphant rat.
In the darkness, a twisted smile of satisfaction spread across her face.
Lin Nian, oh Lin Nian—let’s see how you run your business tomorrow.
When you find out the whole pot is ruined, you won’t even have time to cry.
…
At 5 a.m., the sky barely turning pale—
Lin Nian woke up on time.
She washed quietly and walked into the kitchen to start the day.
She habitually checked the pot of broth that had simmered all night.
That pot was the foundation of her business.
She lifted the lid. A rich aroma drifted out.
But…
Something felt off.
Mixed with the fragrance was a faint… salty, fishy smell?
Lin Nian frowned and leaned closer.
She picked up a clean long-handled ladle and stirred the pot.
As the broth moved, strange objects surfaced from the bottom.
Not bones. Not spices.
But dark, grainy debris mixed with mud—and even a few dirty chicken feathers!
Lin Nian’s pupils contracted sharply.
She immediately scooped a bit of broth, touched it to her lips, and tasted it lightly.
A shockingly salty bitterness exploded across her tongue.
So salty it was almost bitter.
Her face instantly drained of color.
She stumbled back a step and grabbed the cold stove to steady herself.
This… what happened?
She clearly—
A terrifying thought struck her with lightning speed.
Someone had come.
Someone snuck into her courtyard while she slept and ruined her broth!
Who?!
Almost without thinking, Zhao Hong’s vicious face surfaced in her mind.
No one else. It had to be her.
Yesterday Lu Tingchuan dealt with her nephew, and today she retaliated.
Fine.
Very good.
A roar of fury rose from the bottom of Lin Nian’s heart, almost swallowing her reason.
She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug deep into her palms. Her body trembled from pure rage.
Unforgivable.
Absolutely unforgivable.
Ruining her broth was the same as ruining her entire day’s business!
That pot alone cost several yuan in bones and chicken frames—a significant amount for her!
And more importantly—she couldn’t swallow this insult.
Zhao Hong!
A cold, chilling light flashed through Lin Nian’s eyes.
Did Zhao Hong really think no one would find out?
Did she think ruining one pot of broth meant Lin Nian couldn’t touch her?
Just wait.
This matter would not end like this.
Lin Nian took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
If she confronted Zhao Hong now without evidence, the woman would twist the situation and accuse her instead.
The most urgent thing was solving the immediate problem.
Without the broth, today’s spicy hotpot business was completely impossible.
Lin Nian looked at the ruined pot of broth, heart twisting in pain.
But she didn’t cry. She didn’t complain.
She simply began disposing of the ruined soup quietly—while her mind raced at full speed, already planning how to strike back.