"Shut up!"
Manager Wang snapped, his face darkening. "If you keep being unreasonable, I'll personally send you to the Gwei Club."
The salesperson froze in shock. She had never seen her brother-in-law so furious. The vicious glare in his eyes told her he meant every word. Terrified, she dared not speak again.
Before Han Yao could even respond, he straightened his back and saluted Manager Wang.
The motion was sharp and crisp, the kind only a soldier could make. The moment he raised his hand, it was as if a gust of wind swept across his eyebrows, carrying a solemn dignity. He didn't even blink.
A department store manager was still a leader in his own right, and respect was due. Yet Han Yao would never allow anyone to belittle him—or his wife—in words or deeds.
"Comrade," Han Yao's voice was cold and steady, "your salesperson has serious ideological issues. Looking down on poor people is unacceptable."
He paused, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd. "A great leader once said: Everyone is equal in the new society. The sky of the new society is the sky of the people. A department store exists to serve the people."
Han Yao's voice carried like steel. "So I ask—can ordinary people like my wife, whose family has been poor for generations, not come here to buy things?
This salesperson's behavior isn't just about class antagonism. By insulting my wife, she insulted every poor person, and she insulted military families as well. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Has she considered the consequences of her actions?"
Manager Wang's face turned red, then blue, then pale. His heart nearly leapt from his throat. If such accusations stuck, his entire career would be crushed.
He bent low in apology, sweating profusely. "Comrades, I'm truly sorry. This is our fault. We failed to supervise our employees, and you have suffered because of it. Our sales staff's attitude has indeed been poor. From today, I promise—we will strengthen their ideological education and service awareness."
He bowed again and again. "We must ensure every customer is treated equally, so they enter happy and leave satisfied. Please, comrades, forgive us. Give us another chance to reform ourselves."
Manager Wang's tone was humble, almost pleading.
But Manager Wang's position was precarious. If he mishandled this incident, he could lose his job today.
He glared at his sister-in-law, the salesperson, and hissed, "If you don't apologize to the customer and gain their forgiveness, you won't be employed here any longer."
In truth, she had been his greatest burden. Within just one month, she had been transferred five times due to complaints—every one of them about her arrogance and contempt toward customers.
For his own future, Manager Wang resolved to teach her a harsh lesson this time.
"Manager, you're mistaken," Lin Ruo interjected calmly. "Her dismissal will not be because of us. It's due to her own work attitude and ideological flaws. Adults must take responsibility for their own words and actions."
Manager Wang nodded quickly, almost relieved. "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right!"
He promised breathlessly, "From now on, all employees will recite quotations from our great leaders daily to raise their awareness. And as for this salesperson—she will be punished by cleaning the toilets for six months."
The onlookers murmured approvingly, pleased with the outcome. Many of them, too, had suffered from unfair treatment in stores, and they eagerly added their complaints, directing them all at the salesperson.
The woman's face twisted as though she had swallowed something foul. Six months of cleaning toilets? It was like a death sentence. Yet no matter how much she winked at her brother-in-law for help, he wouldn't even meet her eyes.
With the crowd and her own manager against her, she was powerless.
Manager Wang wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Lin Ruo and Han Yao with a strained smile. "Comrades, if you need anything else, just ask, and I'll make sure you have it."
But Lin Ruo's reply was sharp and righteous: "No need. My husband is a soldier, and I am a military family member. We don't take even a needle or thread from the people, and we certainly don't take advantage of public property.
We will pay for what we buy at the proper price. We must be responsible for our status and cannot allow others to think we are making trouble simply to avoid paying."
Her words struck like iron.
Manager Wang nearly collapsed with relief. He quickly nodded, bowing again. "Yes, yes, of course. It was my negligence. Please, comrades, take your time to shop. I won't disturb you further."
Then he dragged his sister-in-law aside, scolding her bitterly.
Lin Ruo moved to the next counter, where the salesperson greeted her warmly, letting her touch and try on clothes without objection.
In the end, Lin Ruo bought:
two cotton shirts,
two pairs of dark trousers,
two spring jackets,
a long-sleeved dress with blue-and-white polka dots,
two autumn outfits,
two thin cotton-padded sets for winter,
and two pairs of thousand-layer cloth shoes.
It was enough to last her through all seasons, with clothes to change and wash.
When it came time to pay, Han Yao calmly produced a stack of bills and cloth coupons from his pocket. Without hesitation, he settled the amount, his expression steady.
The salesperson who served them beamed like a flower in bloom—who would have thought that such a shabby-looking woman could bring so much business?
Just as the couple was about to leave, the saleswoman from earlier returned, her eyes swollen from crying.
Seeing Han Yao holding several bags of new clothes for Lin Ruo, her heart twisted with regret and envy. How could such a good man not be mine? she thought bitterly.
But her brother-in-law had already sentenced her to six months of toilet duty. If she made one more mistake during that period, she would be fired—and he made it clear that no one's pleas could save her.
Terrified, she silently returned to her work.
Meanwhile, Han Yao bought a bag of toffee, peach cakes, and red sugar dates for Lin Ruo before they finally left the store with their arms full.
By then, it was already noon. Han Yao brought Lin Ruo to a state-owned restaurant for lunch. Afterward, the two drove back to the military compound.
On the way, Han Yao recalled how Lin Ruo had treated Chen Xiaoliang's illness and asked, "You know medicine… have you ever thought about working? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you must. If you'd rather not, just stay at home. My monthly allowance is over a hundred yuan, plus mission bonuses. It's more than enough for us to live comfortably."
He thought about asking more—about her skills in Chinese medicine—but stopped himself. Given their current relationship, she wouldn't reveal much even if he did.
In recent years, Chinese medicine had been heavily suppressed, labeled as outdated superstition. Many skilled practitioners had been criticized and demoted.
Perhaps Lin Ruo had secretly learned her medical skills from a demoted master of Chinese medicine.
"Of course I have to work," Lin Ruo said firmly. "Having money gives a person confidence. Women especially must never rely on men. Only by depending on themselves can they live with dignity and freedom."
Her voice softened, yet determination glimmered in her eyes. "At first, I thought that after divorcing you, I would go to Jicheng, find a job, and settle there. Now that we can't divorce, I can't just sit back and expect you to support me.
Don't think I'll let you be the sole breadwinner while I stay at home as some housewife. Even if we remain tied together for the rest of our lives, I will not lock myself indoors."
Han Yao's hands almost slipped from the steering wheel at her blunt words. Quickly, he steadied himself and hurried to reassure her.
"Don't worry," he said with quiet sincerity. "As long as you don't do anything illegal or harmful to the country, I'll support you in everything you do."
"Great men have said that women hold up half the sky," Han Yao continued earnestly. "There were even women soldiers who fought bravely in the Anti-Japanese War. If you want to work, it's not only to make a living, but to realize your own value."
He glanced at her, his eyes softening. "I believe no matter what you do, you'll succeed. Who knows? You might even earn more than me one day. Perhaps in the future, I'll be the one asking you for pocket money."
Lin Ruo gave him a sidelong look but didn't speak.
Han Yao, however, was silently worried. Everyone around them was already whispering about divorce. If he dared to deny Lin Ruo's ability to work, he feared she would go straight to the army leaders to demand a separation.
So instead, he compromised. He couldn't push her away again.
"The army has a health center," he suggested after a moment. "Do you want to try practicing your skills there?"