Su Zhenghua’s tightly strung nerves instantly relaxed.
He had always known his niece could never do anything that brought shame on herself or the family.
This was all Bai Wei’s doing.
His gaze settled on Bai Wei and he said in a solemn tone Bai Wei have you seen clearly I know my niece’s character better than anyone She has always been a decent and law abiding girl.
I will say this plainly right now If anyone dares to go around ruining another person’s reputation with nothing to back it up I Su Zhenghua will show no mercy.
Bai Wei turned pale and flushed by turns as she was rebuked.
She was just about to speak when Lin Wenchuan’s voice rang out.
What is going on here?
Bai Wei immediately looked as though she had found a saviour and hurried over to his side.
Wenchuan you are here Everyone is misunderstanding me
Lin Wenchuan had been keeping out of sight and had already heard most of what had happened.
He feigned confusion and asked Misunderstanding you about what
They think I have been spreading lies about my sister in law Bai Wei’s eyes glistened as if she had suffered a great wrong.
But I really did see her heading this way with two men and I was worried something might happen to her You are away so often and she is a young beautiful woman living alone It is only natural people would notice her
If she had run into bad actors I am only one woman and no match for them That is why I called on everyone to come and help I never meant to cause trouble It was all just a misunderstanding
Lin Wenchuan chided gently You are far too protective of your sister in law Today is our wedding anniversary and I was the one walking with her just now
I see now How romantic of you both Wenchuan Several villagers nodded and smiled praising Lin Wenchuan for being such a thoughtful husband.
Hidden in the shadows Su Wan watched them speaking in perfect unison brushing everything aside A flicker of scorn passed through her eyes.
She did not step forward to expose them Not yet.
Just then two steady and powerful sets of footsteps drew near.
Su Wan looked up and saw two tall figures approaching.
The man at the front wore dark green training attire his shoulders broad and his posture straight and upright.
The night framed his firm jawline.
His features were as cool and sharp as cold stars and he carried the commanding presence of someone who had spent years in disciplined service.
He held a leather bound survey notebook his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms.
Su Wan recognised him immediately He was Lu Linzhou the young officer temporarily stationed behind the village.
Why has everyone gathered here What has happened Lu Linzhou’s voice was low and authoritative.
Commander Lu Su Zhenghua greeted him respectfully and quickly recounted what had just taken place.
Lu Linzhou glanced toward the two men who were still not fully coherent His brows drew together in a firm frown.
He turned to his subordinate and said in a serious tone These two are not in their right mind Take them to the public security office and hand them over for questioning
Bai Wei started and looked instinctively at Lin Wenchuan.
According to their original plan they were indeed meant to call in the authorities How else could Su Wan be charged with immoral conduct But things had turned out differently If they brought the police in now it might well backfire on them.
Lin Wenchuan adjusted his glasses and put on a pleasant smile.
Cousin Lu is it It is me Lin Wenchuan
Lu Linzhou looked at him for a moment before recalling that this was indeed his stepmother’s nephew.
He looked away and said formally We are on official duty Please address me as Commander Lu
Lin Wenchuan’s smile faltered but he laughed it off.
I believe these two have simply had too much to drink It is all a misunderstanding They are our own people Is there really any need to involve the authorities
Whether it is a misunderstanding will be determined through questioning Wang Take them away Lu Linzhou’s tone was decisive and left no room for argument.
Lin Wenchuan could barely maintain his smile He gripped his hands tightly adjusting his glasses again.
From her place in the shadows Su Wan watched Lu Linzhou intently He stood tall and straight in the dim light.
There was something familiar about his voice.
Commander Lu is a good man The faint voice from the future sounded tearful and full of regret.
When those two conspired with those thugs and accused you of immoral conduct it was he who raised doubts and insisted the truth be properly investigated
Sadly he was only stationed here temporarily and was soon reassigned He could not stay to see things through The next I heard was that he had died bravely while on a border patrol mission some years later
Su Wan’s fingers tightened.
He died So good people are taken early while wicked ones live on
You must warn him to be careful of those around him He was betrayed
Su Wan’s heart skipped She was about to ask who exactly he should beware of when Lu Linzhou’s voice broke in.
You may come out now There is no point hiding
Su Wan snapped back to her senses The villagers had gone and silence reigned in the reeds.
Standing directly before her were Lu Linzhou’s legs clad neatly in military trousers He radiated the strength and bearing of a professional soldier.
He had remarkably sharp senses He had known exactly where she was.
Su Wan stood up slowly and spoke softly Commander Lu.
Lu Linzhou looked at her and asked Are you Comrade Su Wan
He knew her as the village barefoot doctor.
Not long ago many of his soldiers had suffered terribly from insect bites Medical supplies were scarce and he had sought help from the village committee.
It was Comrade Su Wan who had prepared and sent over soothing ointments that had worked wonders The soldiers said the relief had been almost immediate.
Yes that is me Su Wan nodded.
You were hiding here because someone sought to harm you Lu Linzhou asked.
Yes Those men meant to ruin my reputation Fortunately I had my medicinal powder with me Lu Linzhou caught the cold edge in her tone and narrowed his eyes slightly.
They were acting on someone’s orders And the person who ordered them is among the villagers
Su Wan looked up at him struck once again by how remarkably perceptive he was.
Yes But I have no firm proof.
Lu Linzhou fell quiet for a moment then said I will ensure their questioning is thorough.
Thank you Commander Lu.
Lu Linzhou gestured for her to go It is late and this is an isolated area You should return home straight away Take care on your way.
Su Wan watched him turn and stride away with his notebook She opened her mouth to speak but said nothing.
Why did you not warn him to be careful The voice sounded urgent again.
I knew you would ask that Su Wan replied gently How could I I hardly know him Am I supposed to tell him I have seen the future and know his life is in danger
With his intelligence he would either think I was insane or treat me as some kind of oddity to be handed over to researchers
The voice fell silent.
Do not fear Su Wan went on reassuringly He is not in immediate danger I will deal with Lin Wenchuan and Bai Wei first.
She pulled her coat tighter around herself and turned to take the quieter path home.
Then something clicked in her mind and she stopped glancing back toward where Lu Linzhou had disappeared.
She realised why his voice had sounded so familiar The man she had been with five years ago had spoken in exactly the same deep rich tone.
Su Wan stood still for a moment then shook her head and hurried on.
If that man had been Lu Linzhou he would never have left without coming back for her.