People around began pulling him up.
Xu Zhijun avoided their hands. “I won’t get up unless Mom, Dad, and Jingyi forgive me. I know I was wrong during this period. I realize my mistake and won’t go see my sister-in-law anymore.”
Everyone turned to look at Wang Pei.
“Auntie, it seems there’s really nothing between Xu Zhijun and his sister-in-law. After all, we should respect the deceased, and they’re family anyway.”
“Yes, Auntie, please don’t be angry anymore.”
Wang Pei felt utterly disgusted.
She clearly knew Xu Zhijun was a beast, but they had no evidence. According to regulations, military marriages cannot be destroyed.
But it didn’t matter.
She would eventually catch Xu Zhijun’s weakness.
There would be plenty of time.
If he could pretend, so could they.
Wang Pei threw the broom aside and stepped forward to help Xu Zhijun up.
She sighed and said, “We just want you and Jingyi to live well together. In the future, clarify things properly instead of questioning Jingyi as soon as you return.”
Xu Zhijun lowered his eyes. “I know I was wrong.”
“Auntie, it’s good that you’ve forgiven him.”
Just then, the Instructor made his way through the crowd. Seeing so many people gathered in the yard, he curiously asked what was happening.
After listening to everyone’s explanations, the Instructor understood the situation.
He stepped forward with a smile. “Auntie, Comrade Xu was indeed wrong. Please calm your anger.”
As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face. Although Wang Pei hated Xu Zhijun, she wouldn’t take it out on the Instructor.
If Xu Zhijun could play pitiful, so could she.
Thinking about how their family had been bullied by their son-in-law, Wang Pei’s eyes immediately reddened. Wiping tears, she said, “Instructor, I’m not deliberately making things difficult for him. My daughter is in the hospital, and he rarely visits. Today he came in like he’d eaten gunpowder, immediately scolding my daughter. When has my daughter ever suffered such humiliation? It breaks my heart to see it.”
“Yes, yes, we all understand how difficult it is for military wives. I apologize on Comrade Xu’s behalf. I’ll have a good talk with him.”
Hearing the Instructor’s words, Xu Zhijun immediately panicked.
This was a critical time for his promotion. If he left a bad impression on the Instructor, he would miss this opportunity.
Instructor: “Auntie, please go take care of your daughter. I’ll have a serious talk with Comrade Xu.”
Wang Pei glanced at Xu Zhijun’s pale face and covered her mouth with her hand.
She was afraid she might laugh out loud on the spot.
“Instructor, thank you for your trouble.”
“No trouble at all.”
The Instructor turned around, his frown deep enough to crush a fly when he looked at Xu Zhijun.
“Comrade Xu, remember that men have their dignity. Stand up.”
Xu Zhijun had forgotten he was still kneeling. He quickly scrambled to his feet.
If it weren’t for shutting up his mother-in-law and the onlookers, he wouldn’t have resorted to such a desperate measure.
“Instructor, I know I was wrong.”
The Instructor said coldly, “Come with me.”
The Instructor took Xu Zhijun to his office and gave him ideological and political education.
“Comrade Xu, we understand your family situation, but your mother is taking care of your sister-in-law. By reason and emotion, you shouldn’t abandon your wife to care for your sister-in-law. Do you admit this?”
In front of the Instructor, Xu Zhijun was like a obedient kitten.
Whatever the Instructor said, he admitted his fault.
Seeing his good attitude in admitting mistakes, the Instructor’s tone softened slightly. “Considering your good attitude in admitting your mistakes, we’ll let this matter rest.”
“Thank you, Instructor.” Xu Zhijun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Your wife gave birth to a daughter. You should be more considerate—they’ve had it tough too. Alright, you can go back now.”
“Okay.”
Even after turning away, regret still lingered in Xu Zhijun’s eyes.
He really had been out of his mind lately.
Pushing the door open, he saw his wife telling a story to the child. Taking off his coat, he smiled and asked, “She’s so young—can she even understand?”
“She understands.”
Hearing the coldness in his wife’s tone, Xu Zhijun walked to the bedside, half-knelt down, and said, “Wife, I’m sorry. I’ve really been out of my mind lately. I was so focused on repaying my elder brother’s kindness that I neglected you and our daughter. I apologize.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand to slap his own face.
But contrary to his expectations, Lu Jingyi didn’t reach out to stop him. Instead, she watched with an amused expression.
Xu Zhijun’s hand froze mid-air. After lightly patting his face a few times, he lowered his hand and grinned shamelessly. “Wife, can you forgive me?”
[Forgive my ass!]
Startled by the sudden curse in the Xiao Nai Yin, Lu Jingyi quickly looked over at Long Bao, who was waving her hands.
Their whole family avoided cursing in front of Long Bao—who had she learned that from?
Xu Zhijun followed her gaze.
Long Bao was like a soft, pink dumpling, her round cheeks so plump they seemed to drip with moisture. Her chubby little hands resembled segments of fresh lotus root, and her pudgy fingers occasionally waved in the air.
Xu Zhijun’s eyes softened instantly.
This was his child.
Clapping his hands, he said, “Long Bao, let Daddy hold you.”
Long Bao’s eyes darted around, then she smiled at him.
As if encouraged, Xu Zhijun reached out and picked up the child.
At the hospital, since Li Hong had largely ignored Xiao Tao, he had carried her almost constantly before she was discharged. So now, his movements were practiced and smooth.
Noticing his skilled movements, Lu Jingyi paused, a flicker of anger in her eyes.
But Xu Zhijun didn’t notice at all. Cradling the child, he said, “Long Bao is so heavy. I’m your daddy, your daddy.”
Long Bao clenched her fist.
Lu Jingyi glanced at Xu Zhijun.
Xu Zhijun leaned back slightly, carefully holding Long Bao in his arms. His broad, warm hand gently patted her back.
Perhaps because of the bond between father and daughter, Long Bao seemed to quite like Xu Zhijun.
Just then, she heard the familiar Xiao Nai Yin.
[Daddy my foot, I’ll beat you to death!]
The next second, she saw Little Dragon Treasure raise her hand and slap Xu Zhijun across the face.
The sound was sharp and loud.
Xu Zhijun’s face jerked to the side.
Lu Jingyi: ?