After joining the performing arts troupe as adults, she even stole my place. My cousin herself said that her dancing wasn’t even as good as mine!
“It’s a fact that she doesn’t have a mother. It’s a fact that her father is marrying a stepmother. Are people not even allowed to say what’s true anymore?
“And I wasn’t the only one saying those things!
“Waaah… Why? Why am I the one being interrogated…”
…
Looking at the interrogation record laid out before him, Political Commissar Meng’s face turned bright red with shame.
He apologized solemnly to Commander Xie.
“I’ll have Qingqing personally go to your home and apologize. We’ll cover Ning Lu’s medical expenses and nutrition costs.
“If there’s any other compensation you’d like, just say the word.”
Commander Xie looked at him.
“Old Meng, I never imagined my daughter had suffered so many grievances.
“Do you remember?
“Every time I was away from home for months at a time, you promised me you’d look after my two children.”
Political Commissar Meng lowered his head in guilt.
“Old Xie… I failed you.”
Commander Xie stood up.
“You deal with it.”
Since the blood had been staged by Ning Lu herself, she wasn’t actually hospitalized and returned to the Xie residence that same day.
Xie Qingle had a long private conversation with Commander Xie in his study.
By the end, her eyes were swollen from crying.
His eyes were red as well.
Sobbing, she said,
“Dad…
“I never thought there’d come a day when I could tell you so many things.
“I never thought someone would finally stand up for me and see how Meng Qingqing has been bullying me all these years.
“I’m so glad Ning Lu and Aunt Yan came.
“I really, really like them.”
Commander Xie gently patted her head.
“I was wrong.
“From now on, I’ll do my best to make it up to you.
“Whatever you want, just tell me.”
Filled with happiness, Xie Qingle smiled through her tears.
“I think… having the whole family living together is already the happiest thing in the world.”
Meng Qingqing was brought to the Xie house under her father’s supervision to apologize.
She cried until she was nearly incoherent.
She bowed deeply to Xie Qingle, wrote a formal letter of apology, and admitted everything she had said and done.
She also returned the fountain pen that belonged to Xie Qingle.
As for He Wanyu…
Word came that after donating blood and enduring the interrogation, she had collapsed from exhaustion and was hospitalized herself, making it impossible for her to come apologize.
Meng Qingqing’s actions had been deemed extremely serious.
She was ordered to pay Xie Qingle one hundred yuan in compensation.
She was also expelled from the performing arts troupe.
From then on, she would hardly be able to hold her head up in the military family compound.
Xie Qingle couldn’t even bear to look at her.
“Just leave.”
That evening, Yan Bingqin prepared a lavish dinner.
The entire Xie family sat down together and enjoyed their first real meal as a family.
Only Xie Qingquan was missing.
No one knew what he was busy doing.
Commander Xie frowned.
“That boy is always disappearing without a trace. When he gets back, I’m going to have a serious talk with him.”
Yan Bingqin smiled gently.
“It’s fine. I’ll leave some food for him.”
In an especially cheerful mood, Xie Qingle ladled a bowl of soup for Ning Lu.
“Ning Lu, drink plenty of this and nourish yourself. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll take you to the performing arts troupe to watch me dance. I’m really good!”
Just then…
Lu Huaichuan arrived.
He was carrying several boxes of nutritional supplements.
“Commander Xie, I came to see you. Later, I’d also like to report something to you.”
Commander Xie nodded.
“Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Then sit down and eat with us.”
Lu Huaichuan didn’t stand on ceremony.
“I haven’t eaten. Then I’ll shamelessly join you.”
Coincidentally…
He took the seat right beside Ning Lu.
The moment he sat down, Ning Lu felt herself tense all over.
Before long, another unexpected guest arrived.
Sister-in-law Zhang from next door walked in carrying half a bowl of braised pork with potatoes.
“Oh my! You’re all eating!
“Commander Xie, I heard your Ning Lu was injured today.
“I happened to stew some pork, so I brought her a bowl to help her recover.
“We’re neighbors from now on.
“I get along very well with Ning Lu’s mother too.
“Our two families should visit each other often!”
Commander Xie smiled.
Yan Bingqin immediately replied,
“We made too many scrambled eggs. I’ll pack some for you to take home and try.”
Good neighbors were like that.
They constantly exchanged homemade dishes.
No one thought anything of it.
But Lu Huaichuan glanced at Sister-in-law Zhang…
Then at Ning Lu.
His heart sank ever so slightly.
He knew perfectly well…
Sister-in-law Zhang hadn’t come merely to deliver pork.
She had a son who was just the right age to get married.
And the way she looked at Ning Lu…
Her gaze practically stuck to the girl.
Earlier that day during training, Lu Huaichuan had already heard the rumors spreading through the camp.
The young bachelors all knew that Commander Xie’s new wife had brought with her a daughter.
She might be a little curvy…
But she was stunningly beautiful.
Her skin was fair and delicate.
Her hair was as black as ink.
When she smiled, she could captivate an entire city.
Quite a few unmarried soldiers had already begun entertaining certain thoughts.
Lu Huaichuan tightened his grip on his chopsticks.
It was still too soon.
He couldn’t reveal his feelings too openly.
He might frighten Ning Lu.
Yet…
No sooner had everyone finished eating than several neighborhood wives came over to chat with Yan Bingqin.
To Lu Huaichuan…
Every one of them looked like a matchmaker.
Meanwhile, Ning Lu and Xie Qingle had gone off to continue chatting together.
Commander Xie then led Lu Huaichuan into his study.