“Old Meng, the children had a bit of a conflict. I’d appreciate it if you could have your daughter and your niece come to the hospital. As adults, we should help them sort things out.”
Political Commissar Meng froze.
What kind of incident could have alarmed Commander Xie?
Everyone knew Commander Xie was a workaholic. He often forgot to eat and had developed severe stomach problems because of it. He never concerned himself with trivial family matters.
And now he was personally intervening in a dispute between the younger generation?
At the hospital, no less?
After hanging up, he immediately called home to ask Meng Qingqing what had happened.
Ever since fleeing from the Xie residence, Meng Qingqing had been restless with anxiety.
Still, she comforted herself with the thought that her cousin, He Wanyu, was always resourceful. Her cousin was so clever that she would surely find a way to resolve everything.
Instead, her father’s furious voice came through the receiver.
“Meng Qingqing! I’ve heard for a long time that you’ve been bullying Xie Qingle, and I’ve warned you about it more than once! Have you learned nothing? Now someone’s been sent to the hospital? What exactly happened?
“Commander Xie has already called me. He wants you at the hospital immediately. I’m coming too. You’d better think about how you’re going to apologize!
“And don’t you dare embarrass me!”
Startled, Meng Qingqing shot to her feet.
“Dad… how could this happen? Commander Xie never gets involved in these things… Why all of a sudden…? But today’s incident really wasn’t because of me! That tagalong’s head just bleeds so easily—”
Political Commissar Meng’s temples throbbed.
“Think carefully about your apology. When you get to the hospital, don’t make a fool of me. Even if you’re going to make excuses, at least make them sound convincing!”
The call left Meng Qingqing in a panic.
Political Commissar Meng himself was furious.
He knew that Old Xie had recently been preparing to remarry.
He had even heard people say that Old Xie had bought new furniture and asked someone to purchase several bolts of fabric, proof enough that he cared deeply about his future wife.
Now Meng Qingqing had provoked the daughter brought into the family by Commander Xie’s second marriage.
No wonder Old Xie was angry.
Meng Qingqing grew increasingly anxious.
She had targeted Xie Qingle countless times.
But when the dance troupe had first selected new members, she’d already been promised a spot.
Instead, Xie Qingle had won the position with her superior talent and squeezed her out.
From then on, Meng Qingqing had been reduced to working backstage.
Every time she watched Xie Qingle performing on stage alongside her cousin He Wanyu, jealousy gnawed at her.
He Wanyu had comforted her more than once.
“Qingle only danced well during the audition. Most of the time, you’re actually better than she is.”
Every time she heard those words, Meng Qingqing only became angrier.
So she kept finding opportunities to provoke and bully Xie Qingle.
After all, He Wanyu always cleaned up the mess afterward.
Xie Qingle never managed to fight back.
She could only swallow her grievances.
This time, they had worked together flawlessly.
They scarred Xie Qingle’s face.
They pushed her to the ground.
Everything had gone perfectly.
Originally, Xie Qingle would have silently endured it.
The only problem…
…was that country bumpkin—the fat, crazy woman.
Why was she so fierce?
She threw tantrums everywhere!
Did she think this was her little village?
That useless tagalong had already slapped her and dumped porridge all over her this morning.
Now she was actually trying to turn the tables?
The more Meng Qingqing thought about it, the angrier she became.
But the thought of her father filled her with fear.
Just then, He Wanyu returned.
Meng Qingqing hurried over.
“Cousin! How did it go? They ended up back in the hospital? My dad called and said we have to go apologize!”
He Wanyu paused.
Her waist hurt terribly.
She was beginning to wonder whether it would affect her future dancing career.
But she forced herself to focus.
“Qingqing, this time we’ve probably run into country women who know nothing but making scenes. We’ll have to swallow our pride for now.
“But listen carefully.
“Apologizing may actually work in our favor.
“Go apologize.
“Say you’re careless, straightforward, and didn’t think things through.
“That tagalong already slapped you this morning, didn’t she?
“If she’s still angry, let her slap you again.
“She won’t dare.
“If she does, she’ll look like a vicious shrew who refuses to give Uncle any face.
“If she doesn’t, then you’ve already apologized, and she’ll have no choice but to accept it.
“Once this is over, I’ll make sure you get into the dance troupe.
“As for Xie Qingle…
“Her face is definitely going to be ruined.”
Meng Qingqing’s eyes widened.
“You have a plan?
“What if her scar disappears? Didn’t the troupe leader say to let her recover for a while first?”
He Wanyu smiled faintly.
“Xie Qingquan listens to everything I say.
“I’ll give him a bottle of medicine.
“Then Xie Qingle’s face will be ruined for good.”
Instantly delighted, Meng Qingqing exclaimed,
“Great! Then I’ll go apologize!”
Soon, Commander Xie, Political Commissar Meng, and Meng Qingqing all arrived at the hospital.
Xie Qingle had already regained consciousness.
Ning Lu sat on the hospital bed with fresh bandages wrapped around her head, faint traces of blood still visible.
Meng Qingqing burst into tears.
“…Commander Xie… Dad… I really didn’t mean any of it.
“I’m just careless and don’t think much before I act.
“I’ve always treated Qingle as a good friend, so I joked around without realizing I’d crossed the line.
“My cousin was worried about Qingle too.
“When she saw how much Ning Lu was bleeding today, she immediately donated blood.
“She gave four hundred milliliters.
“She’s still at home feeling dizzy because of it…
“This morning, Comrade Ning Lu already slapped me once.
“If you’re still not satisfied…
“…then she can slap me again.”
The smile gradually disappeared from Political Commissar Meng’s face.
“Children quarrel all the time.
“But violence is still wrong.”
Commander Xie looked first at his pitiful daughter, then at Ning Lu with the bandage on her head.
Finally, he turned to Meng Qingqing.
“So…
“You’re saying you don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong to either Qingle or Ning Lu?
“You think we’ve misunderstood you?
“And that Ning Lu deliberately slapped you for no reason?”
Meng Qingqing’s eyes flickered nervously.
“The handprint is still on my face.
“I’m not saying I did nothing wrong.
“I just never intended to hurt them.
“I simply didn’t know where the boundaries were between friends.
“If Qingle’s still upset…
“…she can slap me again.”
Xie Qingle felt as though she’d swallowed a mouthful of filth.
If she slapped Meng Qingqing in front of Political Commissar Meng, it would be the same as slapping him in the face.
That would only escalate the conflict and make things even more awkward for both families.
She was so furious her face turned green, yet she couldn’t think of a single rebuttal.
Ning Lu smiled.
“Qingle is a dancer.
“An injury to her face is a very serious matter.
“When she got hurt, He Wanyu persuaded her not to affect the dance troupe’s rehearsals.
“She said she’d already scolded Meng Qingqing privately and begged Qingle not to damage the relationship between the two families.
“So the matter dragged on until everyone simply let it go.
“And Meng Qingqing escaped responsibility with nothing more than ‘I didn’t mean it.’
“I understand your families have known each other for years.
“It’s hard to make things too awkward.
“But I’m different.
“I’ve only just arrived here.
“I’m not afraid of anyone.
“Even if I have to leave this place, I’ll still survive.
“So…
“I demand a full investigation.”
Yan Bingqin rose to her feet as well.
“Old Xie, don’t blame me for refusing to save face.
“I’ve already reported this to the police.
“My daughter’s head has been smashed twice.
“This concerns her life.
“It must be thoroughly investigated.
“And once the investigation begins, they’ll inevitably uncover the conflict between Xie Qingle and Meng Qingqing.
“Whether all of this was an accident…
“…or deliberate…
“…the Public Security Bureau will determine the truth.
“As for whether this affects our relationship…
“I’ll respect whatever decision you make.
“But I may not have many talents.
“The one thing I will always do…
“…is protect my own child.”
She gently stroked Xie Qingle’s face.
“If you want to cry, then cry.
“It’s all right.
“You don’t have to keep swallowing your pain.”
Xie Qingle finally broke down.
“Meng Qingqing, you’re turning everything upside down!
“You called me a motherless bastard!
“You called Ning Lu a useless tagalong!
“Before Aunt Yan even arrived, you spread rumors all over the performing arts troupe, calling my stepmother a fat country bumpkin!
“Once the police investigate, everyone will know the truth immediately!”
Yan Bingqin had indeed already contacted the Public Security Bureau.
However, because they were inside the military family compound, the police could only enter with military approval.
Commander Xie looked at his daughter.
Then at Yan Bingqin.
Then at Ning Lu.
An overwhelming sense of guilt washed over him.
For the first time, he realized that he had utterly failed his children in certain ways.
Political Commissar Meng hurriedly interjected.
“Old Xie, surely this doesn’t have to escalate—”
Commander Xie raised a hand, cutting him off.
“This matter must be thoroughly investigated.
“The atmosphere in the family compound needs to be cleaned up.
“Let’s do this.
“We won’t involve the Public Security Bureau.
“We’ll have the Military Investigation Office handle it directly.
“Old Meng, the two of us will review the interrogation results together.
“How does that sound?”
Political Commissar Meng’s heart sank.
But once Commander Xie made a decision…
No one could stop him.
That very day, the Military Investigation Office assigned its most experienced interrogator to question Meng Qingqing, He Wanyu, and Xie Qingle separately.
Throughout the interrogation, He Wanyu trembled, cried, and played the innocent victim.
In the end, she even fainted.
Meng Qingqing tried to shift the blame onto others.
But the more she talked, the more she realized that although He Wanyu had encouraged and manipulated her behind the scenes…
Every single act had ultimately been committed by her own hands.
At last, she broke down in tears…
…and confessed to everything.