Chapter 272: Who Says I Have No Man?

Qin Feng activated the Crossing Key, risking himself to plunge directly into the heart of Kunlun Mountain. This earth-shattering act triggered an indescribable shock among the highest echelons of the New Era, and the news was strictly sealed off. Within the New Era, the vast majority of members knew nothing of it; life continued along its established path, even appearing more peaceful and orderly without external threats and certain internal disturbances.

Yet wherever there are people, there is a jianghu, there is competition, there are the subtle, inescapable thoughts born from the depths of human nature.

The Guanlan Yuan community, whose residents were mostly core members of the "New Era" and their families, boasted a beautiful environment and complete facilities, naturally forming a relatively upscale social circle. While neighborly interactions were not as warm as those in old-style compounds, there were still casual chats over tea and meals, along with some implicit comparisons.

【3】 Guanlan Yuan, because its residents were mostly core cadres and families of the New Era, with beautiful surroundings and complete facilities, naturally formed a relatively elite social circle. Neighbors' interactions, though not as lively as in old-era compounds, still inevitably involved idle chatter over tea and meals, and some implicit comparisons.

Since being elected Yi Ye Wei Yuan Hui Cheng Yuan, Xia Madam had become slightly more cheerful and tried participating in community activities like flower arranging and baking, hoping to better integrate here and create a more friendly environment for her husband and daughter (whom she inwardly still firmly believed would return safely).

Yet her past reputation forged by rumors, and her gentle, even somewhat timid nature, were still seen by some as labels of "weakness and easy to bully." Especially among some family members whose own abilities or husbands' statuses fell short of Xia Tian's yet were overly proud, they couldn't help but carry a subtle sense of superiority, deliberately or inadvertently excluding or looking down on her in speech and behavior.

That day, the community activity center hosted a small handicraft exchange exhibition, with many family members bringing their own works to display and share. Xia Madam brought a tablecloth she had meticulously embroidered, blending traditional Suzhou embroidery techniques with New Era ecological landscape elements—the pattern exquisite, the stitching fine, drawing much admiration.

Yet as she softly exchanged embroidery insights with others, a sharp voice cut in:

"Oh, Xia Madam, your embroidery is truly excellent—so clever and dexterous." The speaker was a woman with trendy curls and flamboyant clothing, whose husband held a deputy director position in a non-core technical department; her surname was Wang. She smiled, but her eyes held scrutiny and barely concealed mockery. "But in the New Era, we stand on technology—spending every day on needles and threads—isn't that a bit… behind the times? Look at me—I've been learning smart home programming lately. That's what it means to keep up with the times!"

Her words sounded like a joke, but the phrases "needles and threads" and "behind the times" rang especially harsh. Several women familiar with her joined in, covering their mouths with light laughter, their glances sweeping from Xia Madam's exquisite embroidery to Xia Madam herself, carrying a faint air of contempt.

Xia Madam's cheeks flushed instantly; her fingers tightened around the tablecloth. She was soft-natured, unskilled in confrontation; in the past, faced with such situations, she would simply lower her head and swallow her anger.

But today, whether because she had accumulated too much worry for her daughter, or because of the desperate resolve from her all-in bond purchase, or simply because she had endured enough of this baseless condescension—a courage she had never known before, mixed with grievance and fury, surged violently from her heart!

She lifted her head, for the first time not avoiding those hostile gazes, but staring directly at Wang Madam. Her usually gentle voice trembled slightly, yet rang out with startling clarity:

"Wang Madam, handicrafts are merely personal hobbies, unrelated to the times. Just as some enjoy programming, others enjoy embroidery—each has their own joy. Why must one be ranked higher than the other?"

Wang Madam, unprepared for the ever-weak Xia Madam to retort, froze for a moment, then sneered. Her tone grew even more cutting: "Joy? Hmph. Of course. After all, Xia Gong spends all day on construction sites, and there's no man at home to hold up the family. Xia Madam, finding something to pass the time is only natural."

The phrase "no man at home to hold up the family" was an outright insult—pointing to her reliance on Xia Tian alone, implying she herself had no value, and possibly echoing those past vile rumors again!

The room fell instantly silent; all eyes fixed on the two women.

Xia Madam's body trembled with anger; her eyes reddened instantly. But she bit her lower lip hard, refusing to let tears fall.

Under countless gazes—some sympathetic, some voyeuristic, some worried—she drew a deep breath, as if gathering all her grief, worry, and responsibilities as a mother and wife into that single breath.

Then she took one small step forward, looked Wang Madam in the eye, and spoke slowly, deliberately, her voice quiet yet as solid as a boulder striking each heart:

"Wang Madam, please speak with more respect."

"My husband, Xia Tian, is a core engineer of the New Era's Deep Space Mothership project. With his wisdom and sweat, he contributes to this city-state, to the Master's Star Sea Dream! He stands tall and upright—he is my pride, and my children's pride!"

Her voice rose, carrying a fierce determination to defend her family.

"As for me…"

Her gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling back on Wang Madam's now-paling face, her tone carrying an unprecedented blend of pride and icy resolve:

"Who says I have no man?"

"My man is fighting for the New Era's greatest endeavor! My daughter is carrying out a mission personally assigned by the Master! Our family walks upright, honors the New Era, and lives up to the Master's trust!"

With each sentence, Wang Madam's face grew paler; the women who had been smirking earlier all stilled, their expressions shifting to shock and unease.

Xia Madam fixed her gaze on Wang Madam, her voice cold:

"Rather than meddling in others' family affairs, Wang Madam, why not focus more on your husband's work? I heard your department's recent KPI assessment didn't go well?"

These words were the final straw. Wang Madam's face instantly turned purplish-red; she pointed at Xia Madam, stammering "Y-you… Y-you…" for a long while, unable to utter a complete sentence. Finally, under the strange stares of all present, she turned and fled in disgrace.

The event hall fell into silence.

Everyone looked at Xia Madam—standing straight, like a orchid that had finally straightened its spine—with new eyes.

She was no longer merely the gentle, timid wife of an engineer. She was a woman who stood up for her family, for her dignity.

Xia Madam ignored the stares. She quietly packed away her embroidery, gave a slight nod to a few neighbors who had defended her, then turned and left the activity center.

Her silhouette remained slender, yet now seemed to carry a hard bone within.

Back home, after closing the door, she finally seemed to exhaust all her strength. Leaning against the door, she slowly slid to the floor, tears finally falling silently.

But this time, her tears were no longer only of grievance and weakness.

They held a trace… of cathartic relief, of peace after defending her family's dignity.

Who says I have no man?

My man, my daughter—they are my pride.

She wiped her tears, her eyes regaining their firmness.

No matter what lay ahead, she would protect this home, and wait for them to return.