Grandma Liu smugly opened her mouth, about to blurt out her son’s name and position, but the moment her eyes landed on Zhou Yushen’s shoulder insignia, she froze.
Ever since her son had made something of himself in the army and become a platoon leader, Grandma Liu had gone out of her way to learn about military ranks, dreaming of his steady rise—company commander, battalion commander, regiment commander—bringing her pride along the way.
Two bars, three stars! The man in front of her was a regimental commander!
That was far higher than her son. Grandma Liu’s expression twisted slightly as she hurried a few steps toward him, eagerly trying to defend herself.
“Comrade officer, you’ve misunderstood! I’m just an old woman—I would never bully others using status. It’s this woman who brings her two children here every day, doing disgraceful things. She disturbs the neighbors, ruins the harmony, and even bullies me!”
Grandma Liu had lived in the courtyard for many years and had long established herself as a local tyrant.
With her aggressive personality and her son’s rising position in the army, the other families tried their best not to cross her.
On ordinary days, Grandma Liu liked to take small advantages and fiercely protected her grandson. Whenever Xiaoshun bullied other children—snatching food or toys—regardless of right or wrong, she would always blame the other kids.
Previously, one family had confronted her after their child’s new clothes were ruined by Xiaoshun. She responded by blocking their door every day and hurling insults. In the end, that family had no choice but to move away.
The other families had no such options and could only endure. They told their children to avoid Xiaoshun or hide anything valuable so he wouldn’t see it.
This only fueled Grandma Liu’s arrogance, making her the unquestioned authority in the courtyard.
When Lu Wanwan moved in with her two children, Grandma Liu had immediately set her sights on her. After failing to take advantage of her a few times, she encouraged her grandson to bully Lu Wanwan’s children instead.
Now that a regimental commander was involved, Grandma Liu simply sat down on the ground, crying loudly with tears and snot.
“Comrade officer, you must stand up for me! My son is out there defending the country, leaving behind us old and young ones, only to be bullied. Even when my grandson is just playing with stones, she frames him!”
Lu Wanwan trembled with anger at her twisting the truth. Shielding her children, she exposed the lie in one sentence:
“My children are only two years old—how could they possibly snatch stones from your seven- or eight-year-old grandson? Even if you want to accuse someone, at least make it believable! Which child in this courtyard is willing to play with your Xiaoshun? Don’t you know that yourself?”
“What do you mean by that? Huh? Why wouldn’t anyone want to play with my Xiaoshun?”
Grandma Liu sprang up from the ground, rolled up her sleeves, and cast a threatening look at the families with children. “You all tell me—do your children like playing with my Xiaoshun?”
Those families immediately lowered their heads—some ate, some shouted that their food was burning and rushed into the kitchen. One who was a step too slow was grabbed by Grandma Liu.
“Sister Du, you say it—does your grandson like playing with my Xiaoshun?”
The elderly woman pulled by her reluctantly shook off Grandma Liu’s hand. She had long disliked her, but had held back for the sake of peace.
“My grandson doesn’t really play with Xiaoshun. As for the other children…”
She looked at the others and called out, “Second Baby’s mother, Mengzi’s grandfather—come and speak. Since she wants the truth and this comrade is here to judge, let’s all say it.”
Second Baby’s mother, feeling sorry for her child, stepped forward despite her family trying to stop her. She not only testified but also asked Zhou Yushen to handle the matter fairly.
“I can testify—my son has also had his toys snatched by Xiaoshun, and was even bitten on the hand. Now, not only does he refuse to play with him, he avoids him entirely.”
“Comrade, you’re an officer, right? Please stand up for our children. Don’t let ordinary people like us be wronged.”
Others also came forward, echoing that their children had been bullied by Xiaoshun and did not play with him.
Grandma Liu’s eyes widened. She cast a wary glance at the silent Zhou Yushen.
She hadn’t expected the usually timid neighbors to all turn against her. Not knowing what Lu Wanwan had done to win them over, she began to lose confidence and forced a smile to explain.
“It’s all a misunderstanding. Children fighting and arguing together is normal.”
Lu Wanwan didn’t give her the chance to smooth things over. She argued firmly, “What kind of ‘normal’ behavior is it to snatch anything you see and make it your own? Or to hit anyone who refuses to play with him? Today, Xiaoshun must apologize to my children.”
Having heard everything, Zhou Yushen understood the situation. With a serious expression, he addressed Grandma Liu.
“Madam, the people’s eyes are clear. If your grandson is wrong, then he is wrong. Not only must he apologize to this comrade’s two children, he must also apologize to the other children he has bullied and promise never to do it again.”
“Apologize—I’ll have Xiaoshun come out and apologize right away.”
“Not just the child. You also hurt this comrade with your words just now. You must apologize as well.”
Zhou Yushen’s words surprised Lu Wanwan. She glanced at him, feeling a bit moved. In all this time, he was the first person to stand up and speak for her.
Before Grandma Liu could call her grandson, Xiaoshun suddenly ran out of the house and rushed at Tuantuan, pushing him while shouting, “I won’t apologize! I’ll hit you every time I see you!”
Lu Wanwan didn’t stop him. Instead, she gave her son encouragement. “Tuantuan, fight back. Mommy will support you.”
If Tuantuan were bullied again and didn’t fight back, he might develop a psychological shadow in the future. Just because children are young doesn’t mean their feelings should be ignored.
Tuantuan clenched his fists, lowered his head, and charged into Xiaoshun, knocking him to the ground. He opened his mouth and tried to bite Xiaoshun’s face.
“Waaah! Grandma, it hurts! Grandma, I’m going to beat him to death!”
Xiaoshun cried out in pain, struggling to fight back.
After biting him once, Tuantuan quickly ran to Zhou Yushen’s side. With teary eyes, he raised his small hand pitifully. There was a deep bite mark on it, still oozing blood.
Grandma Liu felt guilty. Seeing Zhou Yushen’s displeased expression, she hurriedly pretended to scold Xiaoshun, trying to frighten him:
“You brat! Why don’t you listen? Hurry and apologize to Tuantuan, or you won’t get dinner tonight! Grandma won’t care about you anymore!”
Xiaoshun was truly frightened. Crying, he apologized, “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again… sob…”
“And… I’m sorry, Comrade Lu. I was foolish.”
Lu Wanwan accepted the apology, but did not forgive them. She could tell they were only yielding because of Zhou Yushen’s status. After thanking him, she prepared to take her two children home.
Tuantuan lifted his round little face and warmly invited Zhou Yushen, “Uncle, come home with us and have some water. Thank you, Uncle.”