Volume 1, Chapter 20: Jiang Lan Turns Pale

Song Yi’s cheeks flushed warmly as she muttered, “Forget it.” She didn’t want to continue that topic and quickly changed the subject. “So, if I bully Ji Wenqian, Commander, you wouldn’t trouble him on my behalf?”

Shang Chen’s mood brightened considerably. His ink-black eyes fixed on Song Yi’s flushed face, his tone calm yet teasing. “What kind of bullying? If you’re in the right, no matter what happens, I’ll always protect you.”

Song Yi’s heart fluttered under his gaze, and her eyes instinctively began to dart away. She assured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be in the right.”

She wasn’t some malicious supporting character who went looking for trouble. In fact, Ji Wenqian was more likely to cause trouble for her than the other way around. That was why she wanted Shang Chen’s assurance—just in case anything really did happen, she wouldn’t want to drag him into it.

At that moment, the movers arrived with the refrigerator, and the two of them headed back to the military district compound together.

As soon as they entered the yard, they saw a crowd gathered densely at the gate. Ji Wenqian stood in the center, her eyes bloodshot, wiping away tears.

Wang Sao spotted them immediately and raised her voice. “Song Yi, Lieutenant Shang, what’s going on? How could you two gang up on Comrade Ji like that?”

A cold smirk curved Song Yi’s red lips, a hint of derision flickering between her brows.

She had predicted Ji Wenqian would stir up trouble—and sure enough, here it was. It seemed Ji Wenqian had suffered a setback earlier at the department store and had come to complain at the compound.

As the daughter of Commander Ji, Ji Wenqian naturally enjoyed the favor and protection of everyone in the compound. Even a scraped palm would send everyone into a frenzy calling for a doctor.

Having been so thoroughly humiliated by Song Yi, Ji Wenqian would never let it go so easily.

Jiang Lan tenderly wiped Ji Wenqian’s tears, then shifted her gaze to Song Yi with a trace of loathing barely concealed behind a smile. “Little Song, Little Shang, I heard from Wenqian that you two quarreled at the department store. So I came to ask about it.”

Ask about it? This was clearly a demand for an explanation, if not outright accusation.

Song Yi’s almond-shaped eyes flickered as she smiled sweetly. “Comrade Ji is right; we did have a quarrel. But it had nothing to do with Comrade Ji. It was entirely my fault.”

Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow, and even Shang Chen frowned, his expression disapproving as he looked at Song Yi.

Ji Wenqian looked up in disbelief, staring at Song Yi. What was this enchantress playing at? She had been quite bold in confronting her at the department store—so why the sudden change of tune upon seeing her mother?

Jiang Lan’s smile faded, her gaze deepening as she carefully said, “Comrade Song, don’t say that. I’m sure you didn’t do it on purpose. But my Wenqian is sensitive and can’t stand being wronged. If you apologize, this matter will be resolved, and Wenqian won’t hold a grudge.”

Song Yi smiled brightly, then bowed to Ji Wenqian. “Comrade Ji, I apologize. It was all my fault. I was wrong to ignore your advice. Shang Chen wanted to buy me clothes, and I didn’t firmly refuse. I was wrong not to stop him when he asked you to apologize to me. I was wrong to not listen to you and let you interfere in our marital affairs. I was wrong—”

“Enough!” Jiang Lan’s expression darkened abruptly. Seeing everyone’s attention on her, she forced a smile. “Comrade Song, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize things were like this.”

Shang Chen glanced at Song Yi, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Song Yi feigned surprise. “Oh? Commander’s wife, Comrade Ji didn’t tell you the whole story? When I saw you just now, asking me to apologize, I thought you already knew.”

Jiang Lan clenched her teeth silently and gave Ji Wenqian a sharp look, feigning anger. “You’re such a child. Why do you have to meddle in the affairs of Little Song and Little Shang? If Little Shang wants to spend money on Little Song, it means he cares for his wife. Even if it means spending all their savings, that’s his choice.”

Ji Wenqian protested, “But—”

Jiang Lan gave her a warning glance and gestured for silence, then gently turned to Shang Chen. “Little Shang, your salary isn’t high. You’ve bought a refrigerator today and clothes for Little Song. Is the money enough? Do you want me to lend you some?”

Song Yi internally scoffed at Jiang Lan’s clever words.

On the surface, Jiang Lan appeared considerate of Shang Chen, but in reality, she was subtly implying that he was a fool being drained to satisfy Song Yi’s desires.

And since Song Yi currently had no formal job or income, everyone naturally accepted Jiang Lan’s words.

Sure enough, as soon as Jiang Lan finished speaking, Wang Sao and the others began voicing their grievances on Shang Chen’s behalf.

“Exactly! She has no job or money, yet she keeps making Lieutenant Shang spend. She really doesn’t treat other people’s money as money.”

“Lieutenant Shang is still so infatuated with her—it’s foolish.”

“Think about how frugal Lieutenant Shang used to be, and now he’s even bought a double-door Shuanglu refrigerator. What a sin!”

“Commander’s wife, you must intervene and make Lieutenant Shang divorce that shameless woman!”

This—exactly the effect Jiang Lan wanted. Her lips twitched imperceptibly as she spoke earnestly to Song Yi. “Little Song, do you hear what everyone’s saying? You really can’t live like this. Little Shang, you should reflect on yourself too. Don’t be like those capitalists who only seek pleasure.

If Little Song keeps this up, I’ll have no choice but to listen to public opinion and force you to divorce.”

As if she were the paragon of fairness.

Song Yi had once considered divorce, but Jiang Lan’s provocation made her reconsider. She smiled and asked, “Commander’s wife, does your family have a refrigerator?”

Jiang Lan, feeling wary but unable to avoid answering under everyone’s gaze, hesitated. “Um… yes.”

Song Yi smiled faintly. “Since your family has one too, it’s only natural that Shang Chen, as your soldier following your lead, would buy one as well, isn’t that right?”

Jiang Lan was speechless.

Ji Wenqian was too.

Jiang Lan nearly lost control of her expression, her smile strained and forced. “I didn’t say it was wrong. I just… I’m worried Little Shang is spending recklessly.”

“Your family buying a refrigerator isn’t reckless spending, so why is Shang Chen buying one considered reckless? Commander’s wife, I truly don’t understand this logic. Would you care to explain?”

Jiang Lan realized she had fallen into Song Yi’s verbal trap and cursed herself silently. Struggling to maintain composure, she said, “Comrade Song, you misunderstood. I’m not saying Little Shang is spending recklessly; I’m worried he doesn’t have enough money.”

Song Yi smiled. “If you’re so worried, why not lend him some? This refrigerator costs twelve hundred yuan; you could lend him six hundred. Shang Chen, go write a promissory note for the commander’s wife.”

Shang Chen pressed his fist lightly to his lips to hide the smile tugging at their corners. “Alright.”

He had just worried Song Yi might get the short end of the stick, but now it seemed he had overthought it. His newlywed wife was sharp-tongued indeed—no wonder she earned sixty yuan a day.

Soon, Shang Chen produced a promissory note for six hundred yuan.

Jiang Lan glared at the glaring figure of six hundred yuan on the note, her face turning green with jealousy, though she couldn’t intervene without exposing herself. Her expression twisted. “Fine, I’ll lend Little Shang six hundred.”

This Song Yi was truly cunning and calculating.

“Commander’s wife is so generous,” Song Yi applauded with mock admiration, then smiled sweetly. “By the way, Commander’s wife, Shang Chen is poor, so please don’t charge him any interest.”

Jiang Lan was speechless.

She gritted her teeth. “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t charge interest.”

Song Yi watched her pained expression and pressed on, striking at her heart. “And don’t set a repayment date, nor hint in any way that Shang Chen should pay it back soon. After all, you know he’s poor!”

The crowd was speechless.

Might as well just admit you want the commander’s wife to give you six hundred yuan outright.