Chapter 16: Aunt Li Causes a Disturbance

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“Delicious!” Lu Chen looked at the noodles soaked in broth and, imitating Fu Xiaoxiao, flipped the egg underneath before eagerly taking a bite, his little face glowing with happiness. Nothing is more joyful than enjoying a good meal; it was as if all previous troubles had simply vanished.

Lu Lin ate silently, as if wanting to bury his head in the bowl, slurping every bite with relish.

“If you like it, I’ll make it for you again next time,” Fu Xiaoxiao said with a smile, pleased to see their enjoyment.

Hearing that Fu Xiaoxiao would cook for them again, Lu Lin and Lu Chen relaxed, their faces lighting up with joy.

After the meal, Lu Lin and Lu Chen took on washing the dishes and tidying up the kitchen, leaving Fu Xiaoxiao free to sit in the courtyard, watching the sunset slowly dip below the horizon, marveling at the beauty of life.

Knock, knock, knock. Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at the door. Fu Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrows. Who could be coming at this hour? She hadn’t met anyone around here yet.

Opening the door, she saw a middle-aged woman with a red cloth wrapped around her arm blinking at her. She didn’t recognize her.

“You must be Captain Lu’s wife, right? Sorry to bother you so late. I’m from the Family Committee, my name is Chen Hong. You know, Aunt Li was helping to take care of the two kids at your place before, right? But since you came, Captain Lu stopped Aunt Li’s work. Now, Aunt Li’s complained to us that you promised her a dime a day but haven’t paid... She’s causing a fuss in the office right now.”

Chen Hong looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, hoping she would just pay Aunt Li and resolve the matter quietly, as things getting out of hand wouldn’t look good.

“Aunt Li? She still has the nerve to cause trouble?” Fu Xiaoxiao sneered when she heard the woman was making a scene.

“Is something wrong?” Chen Hong asked, sensing there was more to the story from Fu Xiaoxiao’s expression.

Seeing Chen Hong’s confusion, Fu Xiaoxiao briefly explained what Aunt Li had done. “The day I arrived, I went to the kitchen—there was no sign that any cooking had been done. I asked the children, and they said Aunt Li didn’t even make food for them. I didn’t want to bring this up, but now Aunt Li dares to complain to the military. This can’t be ignored.”

“Is that true?” Chen Hong was surprised that Aunt Li hadn’t even cooked for the children and still had the audacity to complain. Her face darkened.

“Sis-in-law, wait here, I’ll confront her myself!” Fu Xiaoxiao said to Chen Hong, then called into the house, “Lin, Chen, don’t wash the dishes yet. Aunt Li is causing trouble—we need to see what’s going on.”

Hearing Fu Xiaoxiao’s words, Lu Lin and Lu Chen dropped what they were doing and ran out.

“Let’s go! Let’s see what Aunt Li has to say! When you get there, honestly tell them how she treated you. I’m sure the organization will stand up for you!” Fu Xiaoxiao grabbed each child’s hand and stormed out.

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“The office is this way!” Chen Hong hurried ahead, guiding them.

Fu Xiaoxiao followed with the two kids behind Chen Hong. As they neared the military office, they could hear loud wailing inside—someone was crying out about being treated unfairly.

“Oh, I worked so hard taking care of Captain Lu’s children, but as soon as the new wife arrived, she kicked me out and didn’t pay me the promised money. Isn’t this bullying?” the voice cried.

“Is there any justice left? Can leaders just bully people like this?”

“How can they treat an old woman like me so badly? It’s outrageous!”

Fu Xiaoxiao patted Lu Lin, who looked up at her.

“Watch my eyes and do as I say. Tell everything she did,” she instructed.

“Got it,” Lu Lin nodded.

Fu Xiaoxiao heard Liu Hongjun’s voice inside, trying to calm Aunt Li. “Comrade, let’s talk calmly. Please get up first…”

But the more Liu Hongjun urged, the louder Aunt Li shouted.

“Leaders, we’re here,” Fu Xiaoxiao called as she entered with Lu Lin and Lu Chen.

Liu Hongjun frowned at Fu Xiaoxiao’s arrival.

Why did Chen Hong bring people here? Wasn’t it supposed to be settled with just paying her off?

Dealing with such a troublemaker was difficult—reasoning wouldn’t work. It would be bad if Fu Xiaoxiao got hurt.

“Aunt Li? What are you doing here?” Fu Xiaoxiao feigned surprise.

“You promised me a dime a day, Captain Lu. The day you chased me away, you didn’t explain or pay me,” Aunt Li said loudly, casting a pitiful look at Fu Xiaoxiao, as if terribly wronged and bullied.

“Are you sure you want this money?” Fu Xiaoxiao’s lips curved in a sly smile.

“Of course! It’s what I deserve!” Aunt Li patted her chest, glaring at Fu Xiaoxiao. “Your kids are stubborn, disobedient, rebellious, and even scared me with bugs. I worked so hard—shouldn’t I get some hardship pay?”

“My kids are hard to manage? Rebellious? Disobedient? Scare you with bugs?” Fu Xiaoxiao said calmly. “I don’t believe a word of it.”

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Chen Hong and the others looked at Fu Xiaoxiao—many had heard Aunt Li’s complaints, and neighbors said the same.

“Comrade Fu Xiaoxiao, we already asked the neighbors, and that’s what they said…” Chen Hong whispered a reminder.

Aunt Li smiled smugly. “See? I already checked. Everything I said is true.”

Fu Xiaoxiao stared at Aunt Li’s triumphant smile and shattered it with a single sentence.

“The things they heard were all rumors you spread, weren’t they?”

“Nonsense! So many people…” Aunt Li was startled and immediately denied.

Fu Xiaoxiao cut her off. “Why do so many people know? Because every day you told them the kids were disobedient and made a mess, saying the kids bullied you, right?”

“What proof do you have? Many people saw the marks on me,” Aunt Li glared, defiant.

“Leader, may I share my experience with the children these past two days?” Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Liu Hongjun, who was surprised.

“Go ahead,” Liu Hongjun said, curious about what Fu Xiaoxiao had to say.

Neighbors and Chen Hong in the office perked up to listen.

“The day I arrived, the children were shy and didn’t greet me, but after Lu Feng introduced me, they politely said hello and even helped me wash dishes. You might say that’s because Lu Feng was around, but he left early this morning,” Fu Xiaoxiao recounted everything from yesterday.

Liu Hongjun and others nodded.

“Today, the kids woke up early and didn’t run off. When I wanted to buy something, they took me to the town’s supply store—a two-hour walk—without a single complaint or blame. Such children don’t match the mischievous brats Aunt Li described.”

Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Aunt Li. “The two stories don’t line up. There are only two possibilities: either Aunt Li is lying, or the children are lying.”

“We’ve heard Aunt Li’s side. Now, let’s hear from the children!” Fu Xiaoxiao glanced at Lu Lin and winked.

Aunt Li’s face turned pale.