Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Malicious RemarksAfter locking the gate, Kang Li, holding Ruirui’s hand, chatted leisurely with Kang Guosheng and his wife as they walked toward the entrance of the family quarters. Along the way, they couldn’t help but attract the attention of the passing pedestrians.

    Well, those curious glances were mostly directed at Kang Li. After all, her beauty was truly captivating, and coupled with her exceptional demeanor, she seemed ethereal, almost like a Fairy Girl descending from the heavens.

    Since everyone lived in the same complex, it wasn’t that they all knew each other well, but sharing the same entrance, one would at least recognize a familiar face. However, those whose gazes rested on Kang Li generally had no idea that such an extraordinary beauty resided within the compound.

    "Who is that comrade? She’s extremely gorgeous!"

    "I don’t recognize her, she’s unfamiliar."

    "Maybe she’s a relative or an outside friend of someone here?!"

    "Doesn’t it seem like those three kids belong to Professor Luo’s family..."

    "Sort of."

    "What do you mean ’sort of’? It’s obvious!" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Passersby, men and women, young and old, continued to glance back at Kang Li even after she had walked some distance, their voices mingled with amazement, curiosity, and confusion.

    "Right, I heard these past few days that Professor Luo has found a stepmother for his three kids."

    "To find such a beautiful comrade to be his wife, Comrade Luo is truly fortunate!"

    "Do you all still remember Professor Luo’s previous wife?"

    "What about her?"

    "Professor Luo’s former wife wasn’t much to speak of, but who knows whether this new one is any good."

    Someone sighed and then said, "The first wife is always better, at least the children are her own. No matter what, a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs."

    "What are you implying? Are you suggesting that Professor Luo’s new partner has bad character and will mistreat his three children?"

    "I didn’t say that."

    "That’s almost what you meant."

    "Why are you two so worked up over someone else’s business? I think that comrade’s countenance suggests she’s amiable. Such a person is highly unlikely to be harsh to the kids."

    ...

    Kang Li had good hearing, and Kang Guosheng’s was even better. They could make out some of the commentary behind them, though not all of it.

    "Li Bao."

    "Hmm?"

    "If anyone gives you trouble, don’t hold back. As long as we’re in the right, there’s nothing to be afraid of."

    This was a research institute complex, where many residents were well-educated. However, Kang Guosheng had not expected gossip and speculation about others even within such an environment.

    Kang Li: "Don’t worry, Brother, I won’t let myself be taken advantage of or bullied." Just idle gossip, she thought; how could it possibly hurt her?

    "Li Bao, if you need to go out for errands, it’s best to entrust the kids with a neighbor or that Comrade Qi whom you mentioned. Never go out alone with all three kids to shop or run errands; it’s too easy to lose sight of them, and that can lead to trouble."

    He Hui shared with Kang Li whatever advice she could think of.

    "Thank you, Sister-in-law, I’ll remember that."

    Kang Li accepted her sister-in-law He Hui’s kindness.

    At the entrance of the complex, Kang Guosheng did not let Kang Li walk any further. He and his wife, He Hui, placed the twins on the ground to stand firmly, their eyes filled with adoration as they looked straight at Kang Li and said, "You can go back now. The bus stop is just ahead, and your sister-in-law and I will head over."

    Kang Li: "If I’m not allowed to walk you further, then I’ll stay here with the kids and watch you get on the bus before we go back."

    "Be obedient."