Chapter 81 Gossip in the Family Compound
Zhang Xiaobing carried an empty food box and followed half a step behind Gu Baobao, escorting her back to the military compound.
The afternoon sun shines through the broad leaves of the palm trees, casting dappled shadows on the red brick road.
The sea breeze swept through the camp, carrying its distinctive salty smell and the faint sounds of slogans echoing from the distant training ground.
"Expert Gu, Mr. Tang really enjoyed the medicinal porridge you made today, and even asked for an extra half bowl."
Zhang Xiaobing reported with a simple smile, his dark face full of admiration.
"The head nurse said that Mr. Tang's complexion has improved a lot in the past few days compared to when he was first admitted!"
Gu Baobao was pondering the first aid teaching flowchart she needed to organize that afternoon when she heard this, looked up, and revealed a gentle smile:
"That's good. Grandpa Tang's health is very poor, he needs to take it slow and recover."
Today she wore a light gray polyester shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her forearms, revealing her two fair and jade-like wrists.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail with a simple black rubber band, swaying gently behind her head with each step, revealing her smooth, full forehead and graceful neck.
Simple and clean, yet so dazzling that you can't take your eyes off it.
Zhang Xiaobing didn't dare to look any longer and quickly lowered his head, but he couldn't help but mutter to himself:
With his appearance and demeanor, how could Expert Gu possibly come from a small mountain village?
People would believe she's a college graduate from a scholarly family in a big city!
As soon as the two entered the red brick building area of the family compound, Gu Baobao paused almost imperceptibly.
[Is Defu just my imagination?]
She wondered to herself, "Why do so many people look at me...strangely?"
[Host, you've finally noticed! This system detected an abnormal increase in the density of gazes three minutes ago, and 76% of those gazes contained inquiries, suspicions, and even... a hint of hostility.]
Defu's electronic voice immediately sounded, carrying a rare hint of seriousness.
[Based on audio capture and analysis of whispers from nearby people, keywords include: 'putting on airs,' 'looking down on others,' 'country bumpkin pretending to be something she's not,' 'just lucky'... Host, you've been set up!]
Gu Baobao frowned slightly.
put on airs?
Looking down on people?
These past few days, apart from going to the hospital to treat Mr. Tang, she has been staying at home organizing lesson plans and researching hemostatic powder, rarely even leaving the house. When has she ever put on airs?
Just as I was wondering, several wives of military personnel carrying laundry basins walked towards me.
Upon seeing Gu Baobao, they visibly paused, their smiles stiffening slightly. They exchanged glances before hastily nodding in greeting.
"Comrade Gu is back?"
"Hey, you're back."
Gu Baobao responded politely, her face still bearing a gentle smile.
But as soon as she and Zhang Xiaobing walked past, they heard hushed but clear whispers behind them:
"See that? It was Little Zhang, the orderly, who brought it back again... This is quite a show of power, even more so than the commander's wife."
"Now that they're experts, don't they need someone to wait on them?"
"Tsk tsk, we're both from the countryside, how come some people can rise to the top so quickly? I heard they didn't even finish elementary school..."
Shh! Keep your voice down! Don't let anyone hear!
Although the voice was low, it pierced Gu Baobao's ear like a fine needle.
The smile on her face faded slightly, but she didn't stop walking, her back ramrod straight.
Zhang Xiaobing heard it too, and his face turned red with anger. He clenched his fists and wanted to turn around and argue, but Gu Baobao stopped him with a look.
"Xiao Zhang, you go back first, I can walk by myself."
Her voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable calmness.
Zhang Xiaobing opened his mouth, but seeing Gu Baobao's clear eyes, he finally nodded:
"Well... Dr. Gu, please be careful, and call me anytime if anything happens!"
Watching Zhang Xiaobing's departing figure, Gu Baobao finally let out a soft breath.
[Defu, check what happened?]
Her voice grew colder in my mind.
[Retrieving information flow... Keywords locked: Wang Yunxia, performing arts troupe, Mid-Autumn Festival performance, 'kind invitation', 'rejected', 'expert attitude'...]
Defu's electronic sounds were being analyzed rapidly.
[Host, the case is solved! It was Wang Yunxia who did it this morning! She was chatting with neighbors in the family compound, and her words were full of hints:]
On behalf of the performing arts troupe and the family committee, she sincerely invited you to participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival performance rehearsal, but you were indifferent and refused without even thinking about it, saying that you were too busy with hospital work to participate in such a group activity.
It mimics Wang Yunxia's seemingly helpless yet subtly tea-scented tone:
"Sigh, I know Comrade Gu is now a specially appointed expert at the hospital, and his work is important. But this performance is a joint celebration between the military and civilians, required by higher authorities, to demonstrate unity..."
Which of the women in our residential compound didn't put aside their work to actively participate? Even Political Commissar Liu's wife, Sister Wang, who has a bad back, signed up for the choir...
"Comrade Gu might... well, he's young after all, and he just made a great contribution, so it's normal for him to be a bit arrogant. I'm just worried about the negative impact, that people might think our military families aren't united... Goodness! This green tea concentration is way too high!"
De Fu marveled.
On the surface, it seems like they're trying to explain things to you, but in reality, every sentence is a accusation: not actively participating in group activities, putting on airs, being arrogant, and disrupting unity...
The key point is that when she said those words, her expression was so sincere and helpless; her acting skills were far superior to her cousin Su Xiaoyu's!
As Gu Baobao listened, her eyes gradually turned cold.
Wang Yunxia.
Su Xiaoyu's cousin.
She's here to stand up for her cousin and aunt.
The methods weren't stupid.
Instead of directly smearing her, they used information asymmetry and the art of language to quietly plant seeds of trouble in the family compound, an environment that values unity and collectivism.
Many military dependents, especially the wives and aunts who came from rural areas with the military, have low levels of education and both admire and feel a natural alienation or even jealousy towards experts and intellectuals.
Wang Yunxia grasped this point precisely:
Gu Baobao is also from the countryside, so why does she receive so much attention from the hospital?
Still putting on airs and refusing to participate in group activities?
Once the seeds of doubt and discontent are sown, they will quickly take root and sprout.
[Host, what do we do now?]
Defu asked,
Do you need this system to activate its rumor-busting mode? Or would you like a customized set of "green tea" counter-attack quotes?
Gu Baobao did not respond immediately.
She glanced at the mixed gazes cast upon her by several women sewing shoe soles under the trees on the path ahead, then looked towards the distance...
Aunt Li Jinhua was standing at her own door, looking at her with a hesitant expression, her face full of worry and anxiety.
Li Jinhua was one of the people who spoke up for her on the beach that day.
Gu Baobao understood.
She nodded slightly in the direction of Li Jinhua, gave her a reassuring smile, and then turned and walked slowly toward her own courtyard.
His back remained straight, and his steps remained composed.
【Defu,】
She said to herself, her voice calm and even.
[Leave her alone for now.]
【Huh? You don't care?】
De Fu was surprised.
[Host, this isn't like you! According to the usual procedure, shouldn't you rush over immediately and, in front of everyone, use facts and logic to slap Wang Yunxia in the face?]
Or at least explain that you declined because you genuinely have important work to do, and not just putting on airs...
Gu Baobao walked into her own courtyard, closed the door behind her, and shut out those gazes.
The sun was shining brightly in the yard, and a few unidentified wildflowers in the corner were blooming beautifully.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com