“Step aside Qin Jian. I have only come to visit my brother in law. Why are you blocking us?” Qin Yun pushed past her and walked into the room with Gu Yanming.
Gu Yanming glanced at Qin Jian dismissively. “Xiao Yun is this your sister? She does not seem like much.”
Qin Jian saw the arrogance in his eyes. Both of Gu Yanming’s parents were officials and his family stood well placed in the South Province. His uncle was also a factory director. In her past life Qin Jian had always assumed Qin Yun spent his money.
“Xiao Song Xiao Hu thank you for your trouble.”
They were bold enough to speak so openly in front of her. In her past life she had been an ordinary woman and still stood up to Qin Yun. Now with the Lu family behind her it would be foolish to hold back.
The two soldiers at the door stepped forward immediately. “You may not enter an officer’s ward without permission. Those are the rules.” They stood firm with weapons in hand.
Qin Yun’s face burned. She had been put in her place before Gu Yanming. She turned on Qin Jian angrily. “Qin Jian I am your sister. How can you have them stop me?”
Qin Jian did not waste words. She looked toward the guards.
Xiao Song stepped forward with an even sterner expression. “Comrade if you continue to make a disturbance we will escort you out by force as regulations require.”
At the mention of rules Qin Yun realized further trouble would only humiliate her more. She lowered her voice. “Comrade I apologize. I will speak more quietly.”
The guards stood silent and watchful. Their unbending manner stung her. She looked at Qin Jian with pity.
“So that is how it is. You have no real standing here. They did not listen to you. They only followed rules to protect Lu Qingshen.”
Qin Jian had no idea how she reached that conclusion. It suited her fine if Qin Yun thought that way. She had never claimed special status anyway.
“What exactly are you saying?” Qin Jian asked.
Her plain response confirmed Qin Yun’s suspicion. She was glad to think Qin Jian had it hard. Marrying into a respected family was not all it seemed. If she did not come from a family with means and give generously to Gu’s family his mother would treat her poorly too.
“Nothing.” Qin Yun saw no need to explain. In her eyes they were not equals. “Arrange accommodation for us. We plan to stay half a month and see the sights.”
Qin Jian laughed aloud at the sheer entitlement. “I cannot arrange such things. You came with Comrade Gu. It is his responsibility.” She looked at Gu Yanming pointedly. “Comrade Gu you are her intended. Surely you do not expect her to pay for everything?”
Pride stung him. “How dare you. Do you think I live off women’s money? Who do you take me for?”
“Good to hear.” Qin Jian patted her chest. “I was worried my sister had found someone who lives off a woman’s earnings.”
“Qin Jian!” Qin Yun raised her hand to strike. Xiao Song caught her wrist firmly.
She winced in pain. “It hurts. Gu Yanming help me.”
Gu Yanming lunged forward instinctively. Xiao Hu pinned him against the wall with a weapon pressed to his head. “Disturbing an officer’s ward is considered creating a public disturbance.”
Gu Yanming froze. He burned with rage but dared not move.
“What is going on?” Fu Shuang approached.
Qin Yun recognized her at once. “Auntie Lu help me. Qin Jian has lost her mind. She struck her own sister.”
Qin Jian wondered where she got the confidence to expect support. “Mother this is what happened.” She recounted the conversation simply.
Fu Shuang’s expression hardened. She found herself liking Qin Jian more. “Demanding money from you?”
“No Auntie Lu.” Qin Yun glared at Qin Jian. “I only asked her to be hospitable. She had soldiers attack me. She tells lies and will bring shame to this family.”
“Xiao Deng Xiao Chen.” Fu Shuang called out. Two soldiers appeared. “Since you have traveled without funds you will escort Comrade Qin Yun and Comrade Gu Yanming to the train station. I will advance the fare. A note of debt will be sent to Comrade Gu Hai.”
Qin Yun looked bewildered. She had not expected Fu Shuang to stand with Qin Jian. Gu Yanming paled. He smoothed his expression and forced a smile. “Auntie Lu Xiao Yun was only joking with her. Please do not take it seriously.”
Fu Shuang was displeased. “Joking? If this is a joke I will write to your father and joke about it with him too.”
Gu Yanming clenched his fists. He thought Fu Shuang exactly as his father had described stubborn and unreasonable. He could not understand how someone like her held such rank. His father was far more deserving.
“Auntie Lu we spoke in error. Do not be angry.” He swallowed his pride. He feared a word from her could cost his father his position. He tugged Qin Yun’s sleeve. She bowed her head resentfully.
“Auntie Lu I am sorry. I should not have spoken so.”
“You apologize to me? You do not even know who to apologize to. Must I teach you everything? How did you gain admission to university?” Fu Shuang reproached her.
She glanced at Qin Jian and caught a quiet smile. She breathed easier. Her daughter in law had integrity.
Qin Yun’s face flushed hot. She found Fu Shuang harsher than her future mother in law. The woman was cruel and sharp tongued. Yet she knew the Lu family still had value. She looked up with tearful eyes. “Sister I am sorry. It was my fault.”
It was the first apology Qin Jian had ever received from her. In her past life even after they had fought and scratched each other Qin Yun had never acknowledged hurting Xingxing. She had only offered an apartment as compensation.
“I accept your apology.” Qin Jian nodded. She did not say she forgave her.