CHAPTER 259: 247 HE WILL COME BACK

Meng Shuyan came downstairs, followed closely by the bouncing and energetic Little Milk Tea. Seeing her mother radiating a gloomy and oppressive aura, the little guy felt a bit scared but still mustered enough courage to walk over to her.

He looked up with his clear, innocent eyes and asked, "Mom, what’s wrong?"

Tian Sangsang swallowed her frustration and patted his fluffy hair. "It’s nothing, just feeling a little heated."

"You can use these wild daisies to make tea; it’ll help with the heat," Meng Shuyan said earnestly. But unfortunately, the wild daisies were scattered all over the floor...

"Yanyan, you really know so much."

The little guy blinked in confusion and emphasized, "That’s what Mom told me before."

Tian Sangsang froze for a moment, then crouched down and kissed his cheek. "You’re such a good son for remembering."

"I remember everything Mom tells me."

"Thank you." Tian Sangsang hugged his tiny body tightly. Her son was the best—always by her side.

**

Lu Chi opened the car door, resting his hand on it, when suddenly a pale hand pressed lightly on his. The hand wasn’t pressing hard, just placed there lightly, yet he couldn’t move for a moment.

"Kunling." Lu Chi’s gaze landed on her hand. Without showing any discomfort, he turned around in surprise and disbelief to see her.

"I came to find you," Guan Kunling said with an expressionless face as she casually withdrew her hand.

Her demeanor was cold, her entire presence brimming with hostility.

Lu Chi forced a faint smile. "Kunling, did you come to pick a fight with me? Let’s talk things out—no need for a fight."

"Why use words when hands can settle things?" Guan Kunling seemed to raise an eyebrow. Without hesitation, as swift as lightning, she delivered a fierce kick toward Lu Chi.

Though Lu Chi had some training, he quickly dodged her first strike, scrambling aside in an awkward manner. Before he could react, her second attack followed closely, landing sharply on his calf. The sound of bone fracturing echoed.

She had used considerable force.

With a loud thud, he collapsed to his knees, the pain radiating in every direction. Droplets of cold sweat instantly formed on his forehead.

"Sir!" The driver stepped out of the car and glared at Guan Kunling unfavorably.

Lu Chi slowly lifted his hand and wiped the corner of his mouth before grinning bitterly at Guan Kunling.

Guan Kunling thought his illness had worsened—far more severe than when they first met. Even in this state, he still found it possible to smile.

"Sangsang is my friend. Don’t you dare try bullying her. If there’s a next time, it won’t just be your leg bearing the consequences."

"Kunling..." Lu Chi chuckled softly. "Do you know, sometimes actions can’t solve problems."

Guan Kunling coldly gazed down at him.

Lu Chi said, "I didn’t bully her; I was merely stating the facts."

"What facts?"

"I told her that Jiang Jinghuai is risking his life on the front lines—isn’t that a fact? I just want her to be mentally prepared, in case something happens to Jiang Jinghuai..."

"There’s no ’in case.’" After a brief silence, Guan Kunling pursed her lips and said, "He will return."

Lu Chi’s fist clenched tightly, his face turning dark.

**

Ever since Tian Sangsang had gone out that one time and returned, people had begun behaving strangely again. The way they looked at her was reminiscent of when she had first arrived—eyes tinged with prejudice. She was initially puzzled, but within two days, she had figured out the reason.

Someone had apparently seen her chatting with a man on the street, and with Jiang Jinghuai away, rumors spread wildly about her and that man. Never underestimate the imagination of women—it can rival Einstein’s brilliance at times.

Tian Sangsang felt irritated. That day, she’d casually mentioned something about "straying from the path," and now it seemed it had "come true." However, she didn’t take it too seriously—let them say whatever they pleased. She wouldn’t start wearing dowdy clothes just because they claimed she dressed too fashionably; nor would she stop going out because they insinuated she was sneaking around with another man. That would only appear as if she were guilty, wouldn’t it?

Besides, she was already planning to start selling essential oils and had no time to bother with these petty rumors. But instead of subsiding, the gossip intensified, to the point where even You Huixixi came to confront Tian Sangsang.

"Sangsang, what have you and Yanyan been doing these days? Why are you always running off somewhere?" You Huixixi didn’t believe she was sneaking around with someone else—Captain Jiang was such a catch, why would she? But if Tian Sangsang didn’t explain, it would only lead to misunderstandings.

"Huihui-sister," Tian Sangsang said, "I haven’t been doing anything—just visiting friends."

You Huixixi lowered her head, wanting to ask whether the friend was male or female, but stopped herself—it felt inappropriate to ask that.

Tian Sangsang noticed her hesitation. "Huihui-sister, have you also heard the rumors?"

"Those are all baseless. I know that," You Huixixi said, concerned. "But if you keep going out like this, you’re just giving them ammunition."

"It’s all fabricated ammunition. Let them grab whatever they want; they won’t find anything in the end."

You Huixixi stared at her in surprise. "Sangsang, how can you think that way? Constant gossip isn’t good for your reputation. When Captain Jiang comes back and hears..."

Who knows if he’ll even come back? Tian Sangsang didn’t say these words aloud. She offered a self-deprecating smile. "Do you think they’ll stop talking if I don’t go out? Huihui-sister, thanks for your concern, but I don’t plan to confront them about it."

This nonchalant attitude rendered You Huixixi speechless. Any other woman would have broken down in tears by now. But Tian Sangsang—she was always different from everyone else.

You Huixixi sighed, about to say something when a sudden explosion-like noise came from upstairs. Both women jumped in shock and rushed up to investigate. They weren’t the only ones—others, drawn by the commotion, came to see the spectacle as well.

The sound seemed to be coming from the first floor. Tian Sangsang, heart pounding with worry, dashed to the third floor and saw Meng Shuyan standing at the door, looking dazed. Her heart finally eased as she quickly stepped forward to pick him up and gently asked, "Yanyan, are you okay?"

"I’m fine, Mom." Meng Shuyan pointed with his little finger. "It’s from across the hall."

Smoke was wafting through the door cracks of Qin Lan’s apartment. You Huixixi anxiously shoved the door open. Qin Lan’s place resembled a post-explosion site, shrouded in white haze. As the haze gradually lifted, Qin Lan could be seen covering her face, standing motionless in a daze.

You Huixixi hurried toward her. "Qin Lan, Qin Lan—what happened? Are you okay?"

Qin Lan slowly turned her head to look at them, her gaze unfocused. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she let out a piercing scream. "Tian Sangsang!"

"It’s you! All because of you! You told me to distill things, deliberately trying to harm me!" She pointed at Tian Sangsang, while lowering the hand that had been covering her face. Everyone finally saw the bloody gash on her face—caused by glass. Combined with her deranged expression, it was a shocking sight.

"Oh no, she’s bleeding." You Huixixi, being a doctor, approached her. "Don’t get agitated, let me take a look." The wound, a gash from shattered glass, was unfortunately right on her face.

(Thank you dear ardelle for the 1000 book coin reward~ Much appreciated~ Xoxo~)