Jiang Si froze for a moment. "You didn’t help her up?"
"I really didn’t!" Third Uncle was so anxious that sweat nearly beaded on his forehead.
Two evenings ago, when he and Zhong were returning home, they had indeed encountered an elderly woman in the residential compound.
The old woman was lying on the ground, claiming she had twisted her ankle.
Third Uncle didn’t think much of it—back in his youth, he would’ve drawn his sword at the slightest injustice.
Besides, both he and the woman were of advanced age, so there was no risk of being accused of impropriety. So, he and Zhong approached her.
But the moment the old woman saw them, she stopped groaning in pain.
Her eyes darted back and forth, scrutinizing them—and especially what they were carrying.
Her gaze was almost predatory, as if sizing up goods at a market.
Though it lasted only a few seconds, Third Uncle was no fool.
If this had happened in Hu City, he would’ve turned on his heel and left immediately.
But this was the residential compound.
His every move reflected on the young couple he lived with.
Since they were already close, refusing to help her up would only invite ugly rumors.
So, Third Uncle found a dry branch nearby.
"That’s how it happened. We pulled her up, but we didn’t help her up!"
He gestured with his hands. "The branch was over a meter long. Ask Zhong if you don’t believe me—he was there with me that day."
Zhong nodded. "After the old woman got up, she kept thanking us and even asked the old master to walk her home."
Jiang Si quickly interjected, "You didn’t, right?"
"No." Zhong might not be talkative, but he wasn’t stupid.
The way that woman had looked at the old man was far too clingy—they wouldn’t dare escort her.
Recalling what Jiang Si had just said, Zhong added, "We sensed something off and made an excuse to leave quickly."
"The old master was worried it might affect you and your husband, so he even reported the situation to a young comrade."
"That’s good."
No physical contact, and a witness to boot—Jiang Si finally relaxed.
Still, just to be safe, she pressed for details about the young comrade.
Third Uncle shook his head. "We ran into him at the intersection. It was getting dark, so I didn’t get a good look at his face."
Zhong hadn’t paid much attention either, only remembering the man wore drab, grayish clothing.
Huo Tingzhou immediately understood.
At the time, the military uniform in use was the Type 65—green for the army, green top and navy-blue pants for the air force, and gray for the navy.
Since the residential compound required registration for entry, they could simply check the sentry post records.
Huo Tingzhou acted swiftly. By the time Director Pan had finished delivering health checkup forms door-to-door and barely caught her breath at home, he was already at her doorstep.
Whatever scheme the other party had in mind, since Third Uncle had no such intentions, this matter needed to be resolved as soon as possible.
It wasn’t complicated—just a few words would clear it up.
After hearing the explanation, Director Pan’s face cycled through shades of pale and green, her frown deepening.
This Old Lady Wang, mother of Battalion Commander Wang, was utterly unreliable!
How had a baseless rumor turned into a tale of mutual affection in her mouth?
No wonder she’d been so smug earlier.
"My apologies, Battalion Commander Huo," Director Pan said stiffly.
"I didn’t verify the facts properly. Rest assured, I’ll go to Battalion Commander Wang’s house right away and set the record straight."
Huo Tingzhou gave a slight nod. "Much obliged."
After he left, Director Pan had no appetite for lunch. She tidied up quickly and headed straight for Battalion Commander Wang’s home.
As she locked her door, her mother-in-law, Auntie Xu, returned from outside, pushing a bamboo stroller with her grandchild.
Seeing her about to leave again, Auntie Xu frowned. "Lunch is almost ready—where are you off to now?"
"Ugh, don’t ask."
Director Pan took her son from her mother-in-law’s arms, playing with him as she recounted the day’s events.
"No wonder Old Lady Wang was acting so strange today—barely acknowledging me when I greeted her."
"So she thought she’d landed herself a golden opportunity."
"But really, how delusional. That man’s from Hu City—he’s seen all kinds of women. Why would he take a fancy to some country bumpkin?"
Auntie Xu curled her lip. "For her age? Her temper? Or the fact that she comes with a whole brood of sons and grandsons?"
Director Pan couldn’t help laughing at her mother-in-law’s bluntness. "I should’ve known better. She made it sound so convincing, I actually believed it might work out."
"Not a chance." Auntie Xu was adamant.
She hadn’t been out much lately, so she hadn’t seen the old man in question.
But she knew exactly what kind of person Old Lady Wang was.
Remembering the gossip she’d overheard in the compound, Auntie Xu quickly took the child back.
"Hurry up and handle this properly."
"Look how terrified they are—they’re even moving out of the residential compound!"
Director Pan blinked, slow to process. "Wait, what?"
Auntie Xu filled her in. "When I went to the commissary at noon, I heard people saying Battalion Commander Huo’s wife is planning to rent a place outside."
Jiang Si: What a hilarious misunderstanding.
But Auntie Xu didn’t know that. All she knew was that Battalion Commander Huo’s family had been assigned a two-story house—plenty of space for two more people, or even several.
Why would someone come all this way, only to move out of a perfectly good military residence and rent elsewhere?
It had to be out of fear.
Auntie Xu wasn’t hoping to curry favor with Battalion Commander Huo’s family—she just didn’t want to make enemies.
After a pause, she added, "You should probably loop in Battalion Commander Wang. His mother only listens to him."
Director Pan nodded. "Right. I’ll get going then."
As luck would have it, she ran into Battalion Commander Wang on the tree-lined path just outside her home.
Seeing Director Pan’s stern expression, he tensed.
"Director Pan… did my mother cause trouble again?"
It wasn’t an unreasonable assumption.
Ever since his mother had arrived at the base, she’d been stirring up drama nonstop.
His wife was too meek to stand up to her, and while his presence usually kept his mother in check, he’d been away at the provincial military district for training lately.
Who knew what fresh chaos she’d unleashed in his absence?
The thought visibly weighed on him, his mood sinking.
Right then, he resolved to send his mother back home—no matter what.
Director Pan didn’t mince words. She laid out how Old Lady Wang had approached her to play matchmaker, along with the actual details of the incident.
Finally, she said, "Battalion Commander Huo’s wife’s uncle was just trying to do a good deed by helping your mother up. Instead of being grateful, your mother… well, she decided to offer herself in marriage."
"Now Battalion Commander Huo’s family feels they have no choice but to move out."
Battalion Commander Wang’s face burned crimson with humiliation as he stammered apologies.
Director Pan didn’t press further—she’d said her piece. They parted ways.
Meanwhile, at the Wang household—
Old Lady Wang was cackling with a group of aunties by the front door.
The moment she spotted her son, her face lit up like a chrysanthemum in bloom.
"Dacheng! You’re back?"
"Mom, I need to talk to you."
With others present, Battalion Commander Wang couldn't outright vent his anger at his mother.
"Perfect timing! I also have something to tell you."
Aunt Wang was still lost in her own thoughts, completely oblivious to the dark expression on her son's face.
The other aunties nearby, however, sensed the tension and quickly excused themselves, scattering in no time.
Once the mother and son stepped inside, Battalion Commander Wang spoke coldly, "Mom, how many times have I told you to keep a low profile and stop stirring up trouble?"
"Your son is just a battalion commander—barely worth a damn in this residential compound. Why can't you listen to me?"
Faced with her son's scolding, Old Lady Wang felt a pang of irritation. "What... what have I even done?"
