“Bah! What ‘cutting ties’? I think Su Man is just an ungrateful wretch. She won’t even acknowledge the parents who raised her — how could she possibly treat the children in our compound well?”
Beside the compound’s washing area, several women gathered doing laundry, gossip flying everywhere.
The one speaking was Sister-in-law Zhang from the front courtyard — a long horse-like face, high cheekbones, and sharp triangular eyes full of spite.
She scrubbed the bedsheet hard while glaring fiercely toward Su Man’s house.
“You didn’t see what happened that day. A jeep led the way, he had a gun in his hand, and he beat that stepmother of hers until she crawled on the ground.”
“A woman like that is vicious. Commander Lu is just dazzled by her looks. Once the novelty wears off, just watch — she’ll throw out those two motherless little wolves at home!”
Nearby, Sister Li hesitated, wringing out clothes.“That can’t be… I think Sister Su Man is pretty gentle. Last time she even cooked braised pork for Er Bao — the smell filled the whole compound.”
Sister-in-law Zhang sneered and threw the soap back into the basin.
“What do you know? That was just for show — for Commander Lu to see!”
“How many good stepmothers are there? Look at Da Bao — he’s been avoiding people these days, gloomy eyes… who knows how much he’s suffering at home!”
“I’m telling you, the Lu family’s good days won’t last long!”
Su Man passed by with a vegetable basket and heard everything clearly.
She didn’t even pause, nor give the gossiping women a glance.
Getting angry with people who only talk behind others’ backs was a waste of life.
All her thoughts were on the yellowed photograph in her pocket.
Back home, Su Man shut the door and carefully hid the rosewood box at the bottom of the wardrobe.
Lu Zhan’s background… and that plaque reading “Lu Residence” — like a fog clouding her mind.
But now wasn’t the time to investigate.
Lu Zhan entered looking grim, brows tightly locked, carrying a chilling killing intent.
“Wife, I have an urgent mission.”
As he spoke, he quickly packed, stuffing spare clothes into a military green canvas bag.
“Orders just came from the regiment. There’s some friction at the border. I have to lead a team there — mainly reconnaissance.”
Su Man’s heart tightened. She stepped forward and straightened his collar.
“How long? Is it dangerous?”
Lu Zhan paused. Seeing the worry on his young wife’s face softened something inside him.
He gently brushed her cheek with his rough fingers.
“Not sure. Maybe three days, maybe half a month.”
“Don’t worry. I’m a veteran — even the King of Hell won’t take me.”
“Instead, you—”
He lowered his head, voice serious.
“There’s been a lot of gossip in the compound. I know you heard it.”
“While I’m gone, don’t confront them directly. If you’re wronged, remember it. When I get back, I’ll deal with them one by one.”
“And those two brats — if they give you trouble, don’t spoil them. Hit when needed, scold when needed.”
Warmth filled Su Man’s chest. She stood on tiptoe and hugged his lean waist.
“Don’t worry, Zhan-ge. I’ll take care of the home.”
“Just focus on your mission — and come back safe.”
Lu Zhan looked at her deeply, as if engraving her into memory.
Then he picked up his bag and strode out of the courtyard.
The jeep’s engine soon faded into the gloomy sky.
With Lu Zhan gone, the house suddenly felt empty — like a supporting pillar had been removed.
Even the weather turned bad.
By evening the dark sky tore open.Violent wind. Thunder and lightning.
Heavy rain pounded the roof tiles with alarming noise.
A late spring cold wave forced icy air through the cracks.
Su Man shut the doors and windows tightly and boiled a pot of ginger soup.
“Da Bao, Er Bao, come drink some ginger soup — this weather easily causes sickness.”
Er Bao ran out happily and gulped it down.
But Da Bao — who had been distant lately — made no sound.
Su Man carried a bowl to the west room and knocked.
“Da Bao? Come drink the soup.”
No response.
She frowned and pushed the door open.
Under the dim light, Da Bao curled under the quilt, wrapped tightly, only messy hair visible.
Thinking he was sulking, she sighed and reached to lift the blanket.
“Don’t throw a tantrum. Your dad’s not home — as the older brother you should—”
Her fingers touched his forehead.
She jerked back instantly.
Burning hot!
She lifted the blanket.
Da Bao’s face was crimson, lips cracked, eyes shut tight, brows painfully furrowed.
His body trembled violently, teeth chattering.
“Da Bao! Wake up!”
She slapped his cheek anxiously.
He opened his eyes hazily — unfocused — as if looking through her at someone else.
“M-mom… I’m cold…”
“Don’t leave me… don’t abandon me…”
He was delirious.
Su Man’s heart dropped.
In this era, poor medical care meant a child’s high fever could be fatal — pneumonia or meningitis.
She quickly inserted a thermometer.
Five minutes later.
39.8°C
Enough to burn an eight-year-old’s brain in these conditions.
“Er Bao! Get dressed!” she shouted sharply.
Er Bao ran in, startled. “What happened?”
“Your brother has a fever. We’re going to the clinic.”
Rain worsened, thunder roaring.
The compound shuttle had stopped.Lu Zhan had taken the jeep.
The only way to the medical station several kilometers away—
Walk.
But Da Bao couldn’t move.
Su Man looked at the pitch-black storm… then at the suffering boy.
Her eyes hardened.
“Er Bao, bring the biggest raincoat — and a flashlight.”
“Mom will carry your brother.”
Er Bao’s eyes filled with tears.“Mom… will brother die?”
“Don’t say nonsense!” she scolded.
“As long as Mom’s here, even the King of Hell can’t take him!”
She hoisted Da Bao onto her back.
An eight-year-old boy — over sixty jin — felt like a mountain.
She gritted her teeth.
“Up!”
She staggered to her feet, his burning body like hot iron on her back.
“Er Bao, hold my clothes — don’t let go.”
“Let’s go!”
She kicked the door open and plunged into the storm.
A violent gust nearly knocked her down.
She steadied herself and took the first step.
The rainy compound looked like a giant beast swallowing people whole.
The gossipers hid in warm blankets.
Only this unrelated mother and son struggled in the bitter wind and rain for survival.
“Da Bao, stay awake!” she shouted.
“If you fall asleep, I’ll throw you into the mud pit to feed turtles!”
No response — only scorching breaths against her neck.
Su Man’s heart sank.
This battle… was harder than she imagined.