Chapter 24: If You Have Been Wronged, Then It Is No Small Matter

Speaking of this, Qiao Luo gnashed her teeth again. "Lin Xiuzhi was from the same village as Chen Liao before she even married Qiao Guojun. It must have been Chen Liao who went back and told them about my situation; that’s why this mother and daughter pair showed up!"

After all, Lin Xiuzhi had just been harping on about how she had "latched onto" some high-ranking official—that definitely had to be what Chen Liao told her! Anyone could guess that nothing good would come out of Chen Liao’s foul mouth, especially using a derogatory term like "latching onto" someone.

"Those two won't just give up," Zhou Mengni said, her brows furrowed. "I have a feeling they’ll come looking for you again."

Qiao Luo’s expression remained blank. "Fine by me. Every time they show up, I’ll beat them back!"

Just as Zhou Mengni predicted, Lin Xiuzhi and Chen Zi’an were already plotting their next move.

"Mom! You were way too impulsive! How could you just start a fight like that?" Chen Zi’an said, sounding incredibly frustrated. "Now look, you’ve just validated everything Qiao Luo said."

Lin Xiuzhi felt a pang of regret herself. "I... I was just so incensed by that little hussy!"

The truth was, she never expected Qiao Luo to be so headstrong. "It’s really strange," Lin Xiuzhi muttered to herself. "That little wretch used to never dare to fight back when we hit or scolded her. Why is she so tough now?"

Chen Zi’an curled her lip. "Isn't it obvious? Because she’s latched onto a high-ranking official! Of course she’s going to be arrogant!" Her face darkened. "Mom, we worked too hard to get here to just be kicked out by Qiao Luo. We need to think of another way."

"What should we do then?" Lin Xiuzhi knew her daughter had always been the clever one.

Chen Zi’an calculated for a moment. "We definitely can't stay at Qiao Luo's place. Let’s head to the guesthouse first... Since we can't get through to her, we’ll just wait until the high-ranking official she’s attached herself to is home!"

She sneered, "I don't believe she’ll dare act like a shrew in front of him! Besides, since he’s a high-ranking official, he’ll naturally care about his reputation. Even if you’re just Qiao Luo’s stepmother, you’re still his future mother-in-law! If he dares to treat you the way Qiao Luo did, we’ll go straight to the military unit and report him!"

Lin Xiuzhi’s eyes lit up instantly. "That’s a brilliant idea!" She affectionately linked her arm with Chen Zi’an’s. "Good daughter, you’re always the one with the plans."

Chen Zi’an looked smug. "So, from now on, you just need to do as I say."

By the time Qin Yanzhou received the news and hurried back, Lin Xiuzhi and her daughter had long since left. As soon as Qin Yanzhou entered the house, he ignored Zhou Mengni entirely and spoke with an urgent tone, "Luo Luo, are you alright?"

Zhou Mengni let out a snicker, stood up, and looked at them with a playful expression. "You two chat away, I’ll leave you to it."

Qin Yanzhou realized his rudeness and felt a bit embarrassed. "Comrade Zhou, thank you for staying with Luo Luo."

"It’s nothing, Luo Luo is my good friend!" Zhou Mengni waved her hand dismissively and left, humming a tune.

Only then did Qin Yanzhou maneuver his wheelchair over to Qiao Luo. "How are you, Luo Luo? Did you suffer any grievances?"

When she saw Qin Yanzhou, Qiao Luo pouted so hard she could have hung a soy sauce bottle from it. "I did, I suffered a huge grievance!"

"What do you want me to do?" Qin Yanzhou’s face darkened as he held Qiao Luo’s hands. "Should I go and drive them away?"

"Wouldn't that look bad?" Qiao Luo’s shoulders slumped. "I don't want your reputation to suffer over such a trivial matter and become something people use to attack you."

Qin Yanzhou’s tone was exceptionally earnest. "If you’ve been wronged, it is not a trivial matter."

Qiao Luo couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, honestly, it wasn't that bad. I already chased those two out!" She then proceeded to recount her heroic battle with the pride of a victorious rooster, describing the scene with vivid flair.

Qin Yanzhou’s brows remained tightly knitted. "Since they’ve already found you, they probably won't give up so easily."

Qiao Luo nodded. "Mengni told me the same thing." She was full of fighting spirit again. "It’s fine! If they dare to come back, I’ll teach them another lesson. I’ve been bored lately anyway!"

Qin Yanzhou was left between laughter and tears. "I heard from Old Liu that he gave you your work referral letter? You’re supposed to start working soon, aren't you?"

Qiao Luo paused, then slapped her forehead. "Oh no! I completely forgot about that!" She shrugged it off, however. "It’s fine. Once I start working, they won't be able to find me anyway." She looked at Qin Yanzhou with a warning glare. "And I’m warning you, don't you dare let them in when I’m not home, or I’ll kick you out right along with them!"

"Fine," Qin Yanzhou couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out and pinched Qiao Luo’s cheek. "My mistress of the house."

The next morning, Qin Yanzhou left for the military unit. Qiao Luo tied her hair into a neat ponytail, put on a proper outfit, and headed to the military hospital.

She had been here for a few days, but this was her first time visiting the military hospital. Hospitals in this era were, naturally, not like the comprehensive hospitals of her time. Beyond the medical equipment, even the external facilities were far more primitive. The military hospital was quite large, but to Qiao Luo, it still left much to be desired.

Walking into the hospital, she stopped a passing nurse. "Hello, I’m here to start working. Could you tell me who I need to see?"

The nurse was brisk and efficient. "Do you have your work referral letter?"

Qiao Luo immediately produced the document. "I do."

The nurse pointed in a direction. "Go up these stairs to the third floor. Find Director Shao in the last office on the right. He’s in charge of this sector."

"Got it, thank you!"

Qiao Luo thanked her and hurried up to the third floor. Just as she was about to knock on Director Shao’s office door, she heard voices inside—it seemed he was on a phone call. She hesitated for a moment, deciding to wait until he finished.

Before even half a minute had passed, another woman hurried over. She sported a "Liu Hulan" bob cut and was dressed neatly, looking about the same age as Qiao Luo.

Seeing Qiao Luo, she looked hesitant. "What are you doing here?"

However, her eyes soon landed on the referral letter in Qiao Luo’s hand. Her expression soured instantly, and she gave Qiao Luo a disdainful look. She then knocked on the door and spoke in a syrupy sweet voice, "Hello, is Director Shao in?"

Qiao Luo: "???"

Wait, what was wrong with this person? She hadn't said a word, and not only was this woman talking to herself, but why was she giving her that inexplicable dirty look?

Director Shao’s voice came from inside: "Come in."

The woman pushed the door open immediately, and Qiao Luo followed her inside. Director Shao looked surprised to see two women walk in. "Who are you two?"

Just as Qiao Luo was about to speak, the woman cut in ahead of her. "Hello, Director Shao. I’m the sister of Zhong Chuming, the battalion commander of the First Regiment. My name is Lin Miaomiao, and this is my work referral letter."