Tang Jin carried two empty bowls out of Commander Lu’s house.
She was still happily thinking about having scored a powerful godfather and ten ten-yuan notes for free, when she ran into Zhang Peipei. Her smile immediately froze.
“Oh! Sneaking food all the way to the Commander’s house? Were you begging and got turned away?”
Zhang Peipei had taken a trip to Beijing during her break. Just as she arrived home, she saw Tang Jin leaving with two empty bowls.
But what’s with Tang Jin’s outfit? The red-and-green ensemble—her own creation—looked completely different now.
“Who are you? Why are you spitting insults? Can’t afford toothpaste?” Tang Jin retorted. Inside, she was fuming, but she still had to keep up her “amnesia” act—Zhang Peipei couldn’t get a chance to expose her. But she wasn’t going to lose an argument either.
“Why are you swearing at me? Haven’t seen you in a few days, and now you don’t even recognize me?”
Zhang Peipei was livid. This country bumpkin had suddenly become sharp-tongued. Had she missed something important these past few days?
“Are you a celebrity? Why should I know you?” Tang Jin wanted to avoid her, her meal waiting for her at home.
“Stop! I may not be a celebrity, but I’m a pillar of the performance troupe—you can’t possibly reach my level!” Zhang Peipei shouted proudly.
Tang Jin was utterly unfazed. Who cared about her “pillar” status? She wasn’t about to grovel.
“If you’re so untouchable, fine—I won’t bother climbing up to fall off,” Tang Jin replied casually and started to walk past.
Zhang Peipei wasn’t letting it go.
“Tang Jin, you stand right there! Did I tell you to leave?”
Zhang Peipei was angry and humiliated. How dare this bumpkin ignore her? She had to teach her a lesson.
“Are you my gym teacher? Must I stand at attention to walk past? Salute to pass?” Tang Jin snorted. She’d trained in sanda—this bully didn’t scare her.
“You’ve gotten quite mouthy after a few days. I’ll teach you a lesson!” Zhang Peipei said, stepping forward and raising her hand, ready to slap Tang Jin.
Seeing this, Tang Jin instantly tossed the bowls aside, grabbed Zhang Peipei’s wrist, bent forward, and executed a beautiful over-the-shoulder throw.
Crash! The bowls shattered.Thump! Zhang Peipei hit the ground, landing flat.
She groaned in pain as she got up, clutching her rear. “You—Tang Jin! How dare you hit me? I’ll get you back!”
She lunged like a wild animal, and Tang Jin lifted her leg, dodged, and Zhang Peipei fell flat again.
Zhang Peipei completely lost it. She had never been humiliated like this before.
“Dad! Dad! Someone’s hitting me!” she cried.
Tang Jin frowned. Losing the fight and crying for help? So childish.
Quickly, she messed up her hair into a nest and loudly shouted, “Godfather! Godfather! Someone’s hitting me!”
She now had a godfather backing her up.
Zhang Peipei glanced at her, thinking, Godfather? Who’s your godfather, you country bumpkin?
Then she continued yelling, “Dad! My daughter is being bullied!”
Commander Zhang and Commander Lu lived diagonally across from each other. The commotion drew their attention, and they, along with Guo Suona, hurried outside.
Other neighbors also noticed—Commissioner Li, Commander Zhou, Deputy Commander Liu. The street quickly filled with people.
Zhang Peipei rushed to Zhang Dafu. “Dad, Tang Jin hit me! You have to do something! Make Mu Heng divorce her and kick her out of the military housing!”
Lu Wen Sheng looked at Tang Jin, whose hair was now a messy nest, and asked, “What happened? Why are you fighting?”
“Godfather, she called me a beggar and even broke my bowl,” Tang Jin said pitifully.
Even Guo Suona felt a pang of sympathy—what a sweet, lovable face!
“You’re lying. That bowl was clearly broken by yourself,” Zhang Peipei countered.
“She came over to slap me! If I hadn’t dodged, my face would’ve been ruined. That’s why the bowl fell!”
“I didn’t hit you! You fell yourself!”
“I only dodged. You’re the one who fell!”
“You’re lying!”
“Ah, stop arguing! My head hurts. Commander Zhang, what should we do?”
Lu Wen Sheng remained calm, letting Zhang Dafu decide. When the enemy doesn’t move, neither do you.
Zhang Dafu thought, What can I do? Higher rank always wins. Peipei is my precious, but I can’t lash out in front of the Commander.
“Kids just quarrel. Take them home and teach them a lesson. Lu, when did you get a goddaughter? She’s… quite beautiful!” Zhang Dafu said, grudgingly impressed.
“Just recently. My daughter isn’t just beautiful—her cooking is exceptional. Tomorrow noon, you all will taste her skills. Old Li, Old Zhou, Old Liu, come over!”
Lu Wen Sheng wanted to show off his goddaughter—after all, he had no daughters of his own.
“Great! Let’s celebrate with two bottles of Moutai. You finally have a daughter to celebrate!”
Commissioner Li had been eyeing Lu’s Moutai, knowing he could always get it from a father-in-law even if he tried to hide it.
“No problem! We must celebrate,” Lu Wen Sheng grinned from ear to ear.
Zhang Peipei was speechless. That’s it? She had no satisfaction but couldn’t do anything—the Commander outranked her father.
As for Tang Jin, when did she become Lu’s goddaughter? Zhang Peipei silently vowed to settle the score later.
The crowd dispersed, returning to their homes.
Before leaving, Tang Jin told Lu Wen Sheng, “Don’t worry, Godfather. I’ll make sure tomorrow’s meal is perfect and makes you proud.”
“You little rascal, just don’t get into trouble. You weren’t hurt, right?” Lu Wen Sheng asked.
“Right, Little Jin, any injuries?” Guo Suona added.
Seeing their concern, Tang Jin felt touched. She decided to be a good goddaughter and repay them in the future.
“I’m fine. Do you think your daughter is someone who’d take a loss? I made this messy hair myself. A tiger father produces a capable daughter. If I can’t beat her, I’ll cry foul. So childish!” Tang Jin said proudly.
Lu Wen Sheng laughed heartily. This child was a true bundle of joy!