Chapter 262: Making a Big Fuss Out of Things

The little warrior felt Hao Manru's reaction was strange, glanced at her, then stepped forward to check the situation.

After all, theft is no trivial matter, especially in such a solemn, disciplined place.

Everyone living here are soldiers or military families; if theft really occurred, it would definitely be investigated strictly.

Although Su Ruo's seriousness didn't seem like joking, to be safe the little warrior still went forward to look into it.

After all, they had once encountered a family member who kicked up a fuss over a missing cabbage, demanding the Security Section get involved.

The little warrior wanted to inspect; Su Ruo naturally wouldn't stop her, she simply opened the door, and after seeing the interior condition, the little warrior was also shocked.

Who did this? Even a thief wouldn't be this vicious!

Destroying everything that could be destroyed—this approach is practically revenge.

The little warrior said solemnly, "I'm going right now!" If this was truly done intentionally by someone, the nature would be too heinous.

Seeing the little warrior about to leave, Hao Manru grew increasingly anxious. She hadn't just ruined a few of Su Ruo's things—was it really necessary to make such a fuss, to go find the Security Section? Su Ruo was doing it on purpose.

"You can't go!" Hao Manru said, stepping in front of the little warrior, refusing to let him pass.

Su Ruo gave her a cool glance and asked, "Why can't you go? Hao Manru, you've blocked me twice—could it be you did this?"

The little warrior immediately fixed a stern gaze on Hao Manru.

Being stared at by both, Hao Manru's psychological defenses collapsed instantly; she blurted out, "You're spitting blood, no… it wasn't me!"

【15> Su Ruo silently cursed the fool again; if Hao Manru had gone along with her and said it was an accident, Su Ruo really wouldn't have been able to insist on making a big issue of it.

Su Ruo cursed again in her heart, "idiot," and if Hao Manru went along with her words, saying it was her accidental doing, Su Ruo really wouldn't be able to insist on making a big deal out of this.

But since Hao Manru said it wasn't her, the matter would develop beyond her control.

The little warrior ignored Hao Manru, strode away quickly, returned fast—about an hour later he came back with people.

However, the people he brought back weren't from the Security Section, but the Logistics Department head Li Sihai.

Seeing Li Sihai, Hao Manru felt as if she'd seen a savior, she ran over and said, "Uncle Li, you're here, please help me."

Li Sihai patted her hand reassuringly, saying, "It's okay, it's okay..."

Feeling backed up, Hao Manru swept away her earlier panic and once again acted arrogantly.

She tilted her chin up at Su Ruo, knowing this was her turf—here Su Ruo couldn't touch her.

Seeing this, Su Ruo understood: Li Sihai was likely Hao Manru's backer; her face darkened a bit.

Meanwhile, the little warrior looked at Su Ruo with a guilty expression; he had wanted to go find the Security Section, but on the way he was stopped by Department Head Li.

Li Sihai said: "I can handle this matter; no need to trouble the Security Section."

Although the little warrior thought this improper, Li Sihai was his direct superior, so he couldn't refuse the order.

Seeing this situation, the little warrior felt a faint guilt toward Su Ruo.

After all, Su Ruo had entrusted him with this matter because she trusted him, yet he had failed to handle it well.

Su Ruo noticed the little warrior's glance, gave him a slight nod to indicate she was fine.

Although unable to summon the Security Section, Su Ruo felt a bit disappointed, but since there's a cause and a debtor, this matter isn't the little warrior's fault—she couldn't blame him at all.

Though Li Sihai wanted to favor Hao Manru, to appear fair he still stepped forward to clarify the situation.

After seeing the room's miserable state, Li Sihai's lips twitched involuntarily; he had heard before that the Hao family's little princess was spoiled and somewhat arrogant, but he hadn't expected her to be so unreasonable.

Yet recalling his mother's instructions regarding the Hao mother, he suppressed all his emotions.

He chuckled to the onlookers: "It's fine, it's fine, just kids squabbling—not a big deal, everyone disperse."

Although Li Sihai said that, the crowd didn't leave; instead they craned their necks to peek inside.

An elderly woman immediately exclaimed, "Oh my heavens! Who's so cruel, destroying this girl's belongings to this extent—even the bedding is ruined beyond use, leaving no way out for her."

This woman came from the countryside, had endured hardship, and couldn't bear to see things wasted.

Seeing such a good quilt ruined like this, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

Moreover, having lived through scarcity, in the countryside a quilt is a top‑tier treasure, only prepared for marriage, and no household has spares.

Fortunately it's summer; if it were winter, ruining someone's bedding would be hardly different from killing them.

Hearing the old woman's words, Hao Manru flared up, wanting to retort: "Where did this dead old hag come from? What does it have to do with me? Why is she shouting here like she's at a funeral?"

But upon meeting Li Sihai's warning gaze, she swallowed her words.

Li Sihai knew everyone here were military dependents; this matter was originally Hao Manru's fault, and if she kept provoking, she'd make too many enemies—even he couldn't protect her then.

After warning Hao Manru, Li Sihai smiled at the woman who had just spoken: "Don't worry, auntie, kids are bound to be temperamental; I'll handle this fairly and definitely won't let this little comrade suffer."

The woman pursed her lips, but since Li Sihai had already said that much, she couldn't say more.

Yet Li Sihai could silence people's mouths openly, but not their private whispers—clearly nobody believed him.

Li Sihai felt a faint headache; he was always smooth‑handed, never left himself a handle, and was somewhat annoyed that Hao Manru had caused him this trouble.

But he had to clean up the mess—who let the Hao family wield great power, and this was his only chance to climb onto their coattails.

Li Sihai wanted to give Hao Manru an opening, but Su Ruo didn't give him that opportunity.

"Department Head Li, you just arrived without any investigation or questioning, and you claim it's just kids squabbling—do you know who damaged my things?"

Only then did Li Sihai look toward Su Ruo; at first he hadn't taken her seriously, thinking she was just a girl not worth fearing, never expecting her to come at him with a knife as soon as she spoke.