Creaaak—
The courtyard gate was pushed open by a large hand.
The noon sunlight poured in without obstruction, illuminating the bizarre scene in the yard with perfect clarity.
Lu Zhan stood at the front. Behind him were Political Commissar Zheng Guobang and several battalion and company commanders.
The group of men had originally come laughing and chatting, planning to freeload a meal at Lu Zhan’s home and meet the new sister-in-law.
But the moment they stepped inside, everyone froze as if the pause button had been pressed.
Silence fell like death.
In the middle of the yard—
Lin Wan’er’s face was flushed red, tears hanging at the corners of her eyes, looking deeply humiliated as she trembled and pointed at Su Man.
Meanwhile Su Man was holding that chipped enamel basin.
Inside it, the army-green pair of men’s underwear was especially eye-catching in the sunlight.
Even worse — Su Man was sincerely extending the basin toward Lin Wan’er.
“Comrade Lin, why aren’t you taking it?”
“Didn’t you just swear you’d help Brother Zhan wash his clothes?”
“It’s already brought out, and now you won’t wash it? Isn’t that playing with people?”
Her clear voice carried perfectly to the men at the gate.
Cough cough cough!
Several battalion commanders burst into violent coughing, faces red from holding back laughter.
The scene was explosive.
The art troupe’s beauty Lin had run to the regimental commander’s home and insisted on washing his underwear?
That was… far too intimate.
Lu Zhan’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Those were his personal clothes!
Displayed openly in front of the regiment’s officers!
Where was his dignity? Where was his privacy?
“Nonsense!”
He growled and strode forward.
The killing aura forged from battlefields instantly froze the courtyard air.
He snatched the basin from Su Man and flipped it onto the stone table behind him, fast enough to stir wind.
Then he turned, eagle-sharp eyes locking onto Lin Wan’er.
“Why are you here?”
His voice was icy — not a trace of warmth for an “old acquaintance.”
Lin Wan’er had planned to act coquettish and complain.
But under that glare her legs nearly gave out.
With everyone watching, she felt stripped naked in the street.
“Lu… Brother Lu…”
Tears streamed down her face pitifully.
“I came kindly to visit sister-in-law… I wanted to help…”
“It was sister-in-law — she humiliated me! She insisted I wash… wash that…”
She pointed at the overturned basin, unable to say the word.
This tactic of accusing first might have worked on others.
But everyone present was perceptive — who couldn’t see the truth?
Su Man stood behind Lu Zhan, no longer aggressive.
She lowered her eyes and lightly tugged his sleeve.
“Brother Zhan, don’t blame Comrade Lin.”
Her voice was soft with grievance.
“The moment she arrived she said I was clumsy and didn’t understand rules, that I couldn’t take care of you.”
“She said she used to wash your clothes and you only liked wearing what she washed.”
“I thought since she cared so much and it was for your sake, I shouldn’t stop her.”
“Who knew… after I brought the clothes out, she’d嫌 they were dirty…”
Su Man looked up, mist filling her peach-blossom eyes.
“Brother Zhan, did I do something wrong? Shouldn’t I have taken them out?”
The words were a fatal blow.
They confirmed Lin Wan’er’s overstepping and painted her as hypocritical — while clearing Su Man completely.
I listened, I was generous, I gave you the chance — you failed yourself.
Commissar Zheng frowned.
He had once thought Lin Wan’er motivated and promising.
But this crossed the line.
Running into a married couple’s home and fighting to wash clothes — a serious conduct issue.
“Comrade Lin Wan’er!”
He reprimanded sternly.
“You should be rehearsing with the art troupe. Why are you here?”
“Comrade Lu Zhan is married. Maintain boundaries! Consider influence!”
“What nonsense about him only wearing clothes you washed? That damages military marriage unity!”
Under these accusations, Lin Wan’er collapsed.
“I didn’t! That’s not what I meant!”
She cried, but no one believed her.
Lu Zhan didn’t even look at her and directly ordered her out.
“Without my permission, don’t enter my home again.”
“My clothes — only my wife washes them.”
“Leave.”
That single word shattered her last dignity.
Covering her face, she screamed and ran out through the gate, forgetting the basket of apples.
The yard finally quieted.
The officers exchanged looks, struggling not to laugh.
“Alright, disperse.”
Commissar Zheng waved his hand.
“Lu Zhan, we won’t stay for the meal today. You two… handle your household matters.”
He hurried everyone away before freezing under Lu Zhan’s cold aura.
The gate closed again.
Lu Zhan turned to the obedient-looking Su Man.
He inhaled deeply, glancing at the overturned basin, veins pulsing at his temple.
“Su Man.”
His voice revealed no emotion.
“Had your fun?”
She blinked, dropping the pitiful act.
Walking over, she picked up the apple basket and tossed one in her hand.
“Brother Zhan, listen to you.”
“I was helping you cut off peach blossoms.”
“That Lin Wan’er clearly hasn’t given up on you. If I didn’t hit hard today, she’d keep coming to annoy me.”
She bit into the apple, crisp and sweet.
“Besides, I didn’t lie.”
“She wanted to wash, so I let her. Who knew she only loved the idea, not the reality — scared even of underwear.”
Lu Zhan looked at her righteous expression and his anger mysteriously faded.
The woman was clever.
The method was ruthless — but effective.
Lin Wan’er would probably avoid him from now on.
“Don’t do it again.”
He warned sternly.
“Never show private things to outsiders.”
“Yes, sir.”
Su Man saluted playfully.
“Then these clothes…”
She pointed at the basin.
“I’ll wash them myself!”
Lu Zhan grabbed the basin and strode to the water basin, back oddly embarrassed.
Su Man watched him, grinning like a satisfied cat.
A complete victory.
Not only had she driven off a rival, she established authority in the compound.
Now anyone wanting to bully her would think twice.
But…
She touched the money and coupons in her pocket.
With the household trouble solved, next came livelihood.
This era didn’t allow private business.
But supply stores and black markets always had loopholes.
Su Man wasn’t a woman who only circled a stove.
“Brother Zhan!”
she called to Lu Zhan washing clothes.
“Free this afternoon? Take me to the supply and marketing cooperative?”
“I want to buy things and… survey the market.”
Lu Zhan paused and looked back.
Survey the market?
What was she planning now?
Yet seeing her shining eyes, the refusal on his lips turned into—
“After I finish washing.”