Chapter 480: Warning

Chapter 480 Warning

"You..."

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "You did bump into Teacher Kong. The least you could do is apologize."

To Xiao Xiao, an apology wasn’t enough.

However, Kong Xuelan wasn’t one to pick fights. Since they all lived in the same compound, she didn’t want to give Jia Xiaofen a hard time.

Of course, this was only because her baby was fine. If anything had happened to the child, it wouldn’t have been so simple.

Jia Xiaofen had initially intended to apologize, but after Ye Xiaoxiao's words, she dug in her heels.

"It's not entirely my fault. Why should I apologize? Just because pregnant women shouldn’t shovel snow doesn’t mean they can’t watch their step!"

Jia Xiaofen’s nerve was unbelievable.

But soon, her tough act crumbled. While she could argue her way out in front of a group of women, she visibly wilted when Li Linghui showed up at the clinic.

"Xuelan, are you alright?"

Li Linghui went straight to Kong Xuelan as soon as he entered the clinic, ignoring everyone else.

"I'm fine, don’t worry."

Only once he knew Kong Xuelan and the baby were okay did Li Linghui inquire about what had happened that day.

Then he turned his gaze to the culprit, Jia Xiaofen.

As fellow military dependents in the compound, no one wanted to hassle Jia Xiaofen—if she’d just owned up to it, especially since Kong Xuelan was unharmed.

But she’d clearly been dodging blame earlier, and Kong Xuelan didn’t stick up for her either.

"I... I didn’t mean to."

Jia Xiaofen’s defiance fizzled.

Gao Yanfei sneered, "Care to say that again?"

Gao Yanfei had previously thought Jia Xiaofen was just young and a little spoiled, but no big deal.

But now it was clear that Jia Xiaofen was a total flake. It would be best to avoid further contact with her in the future. She’d also have to remind her own husband to stay the hell away from Jia Xiaofen’s husband.

As a man, Li Linghui couldn’t exactly yell at a woman.

But his tone was still stern. "Comrade Jia Xiaofen, keep your distance from my family from now on. Someone this careless has no business being near a pregnant woman."

Jia Xiaofen scowled and stormed off.

Gao Yanfei remarked, "She’s getting off way too easy! She should’ve paid the medical bill before leaving."

Kong Xuelan shook her head. "Forget it. We can cover the medical bill ourselves. As long as she stays away, that’s enough."

Though they were all military dependents, their personalities varied, and not everyone got along.

People like her were better off avoided—preferably never interacted with again.

Ye Xiaoxiao carefully inquired about what exactly Jia Xiaofen’s issue was. Seemed she had it out for her.

Gao Yanfei: "Actually, it's nothing major. It was just about snow shoveling. I think she didn’t want to do the work herself, so she tried to compare herself to the two of you."

Ye Xiaoxiao was speechless. This Jia Xiaofen was truly harsh on others but easy on herself.

...

Meanwhile, when Jia Xiaofen arrived at the residential compound, she happened to spot Lu Hanchuan.

Lu Hanchuan and Xiaoxiao had been on the island for half a year, and she knew these neighbors in the compound.

She hadn’t planned to do this, but everything that happened today had made her feel terribly wronged.

So when she encountered Lu Hanchuan, Jia Xiaofen directly called out to him.

"Hello, Regiment Commander Lu. There’s something I’ve been thinking about for days. I feel you should know."

Jia Xiaofen blocked Lu Hanchuan’s path, but he didn’t speak, only pinned her with a sharp look.

Receiving no response, Jia Xiaofen nervously gulped. "Your wife seems to be getting awfully close to her male colleague. I witnessed it myself—I’m not lying."

Jia Xiaofen thought to herself how furious Lu Hanchuan would be upon hearing this, as no man could tolerate such a thing.

But after listening, Lu Hanchuan just gave her a cold look. "And you are?"

Jia Xiaofen hadn’t expected this question first. She didn’t dare reveal her name.

She had already crossed too many lines today. If Ye Xiaoxiao found out she was also exposing her behind her back, she would surely come after her.

Today had made Jia Xiaofen realize that Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t someone to mess with. Being a bit of a coward who bullied the weak but feared the strong, she felt uneasy.

So in response to Lu Hanchuan’s question, Jia Xiaofen could only say, "I... I’m just a neighbor in the compound."

Hearing her answer, Lu Hanchuan let out a laugh.

Jia Xiaofen looked alarmed. Had this man lost his mind from the shock?

After his laughter faded, Lu Hanchuan’s expression turned mocking. "If you’re from the compound, then you should know I can easily track down your identity and address. I hope those words you just said were only spoken to me. If any rumors spread in the compound, you’ll answer to me."

Now, Jia Xiaofen felt not just nervous but also afraid. "I haven’t gone around spreading gossip! And I had good intentions—I... I was worried you were being kept in the dark, Regiment Commander Lu."

Her nervousness made her stammer.

Lu Hanchuan stared at her. "Good intentions? I trust my wife completely. Such matters don’t require outsiders to remind me."

With that, Lu Hanchuan left, paying no more attention to the gossipmonger before him.

Jia Xiaofen had been shaken by his intensity. Only after he was long gone did she slowly make her way home.

That couple wasn’t right in the head. It was better to stay far away from them.

The incident where Jia Xiaofen bumped into Kong Xuelan had been kept quiet about, so many in the compound remained unaware.

Ye Xiaoxiao had expected Jia Xiaofen to cause more trouble, but after a few days, the woman would steer clear of her, as if still afraid after what happened last time.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't bother with her anymore—she was an insignificant person anyway.

Because of the collision, Kong Xuelan became extra careful during her pregnancy after that.

In March, Kong Xuelan’s mother came to the island, probably staying for a while to take care of her.

Ye Xiaoxiao could sense that Kong Xuelan had been much happier since her mother arrived on the island.

On the Ye family's side, they'd written in their letters that they also planned to visit Xiao Xiao on the island.

But Xiao Xiao herself said it was too soon and suggested they come to help her when her due date approached.

With Aunt Zhao there to help and her own good health, there was nothing to worry about.

Ye Xiaoxiao also knew her family had been very busy lately. All her brothers were away, even the eldest was out doing business, so Miao Cuifang and the others couldn’t leave now.

Time flew by, and by mid-April, preparations for the island's military-industrial project began.

Ye Xiaoxiao met Ms. Li Mingxiang again.

Xiao Xiao could sense that Li Mingxiang had some agenda, but it didn't make her nervous.

Though Li Mingxiang worked near Changjing Island, she rarely interacted with Lu Hanchuan.

Ye Xiaoxiao also trusted Lu Hanchuan.

The trust between them in their relationship was mutual and equal.

Li Mingxiang hadn’t noticed Xiao Xiao’s pregnancy last time, but now, noticing her visible baby bump, she finally realized.