The post office was packed—people lined up to make phone calls, others waiting to collect letters and parcels.
Then, out of nowhere, such explosive news drifted into everyone’s ears. Instantly, movements slowed across the room. Some even stopped altogether, pretending to stay busy while secretly straining to catch what came next.
The young soldier answering the phone at the military office was stunned. Was this… really something that could just be casually revealed? And about her own brother and sister-in-law, no less.
“…Hello? Can you hear me?” Xia Canglan’s voice remained calm, without the slightest hint of the hysteria everyone had expected.
“I can hear you, comrade. It’s just… does Platoon Leader Xia himself know about this?”
Did Platoon Leader Xia know that his own sister had just exposed his mission? If this turned out to be true, he’d probably be the laughingstock of his unit for an entire year.
“My brother doesn’t know. Since he got married, he’s only come home a few times. As his family, we understand his duties, and he sends money home every month. But all that money has been spent by his wife on that adulterer.”
“!!!!!!!”
Wow—this gossip… absolutely delicious. They wanted more.
Xia Canglan didn’t notice—or perhaps didn’t care—that everyone around her now had shining eyes and perked-up ears, openly eavesdropping. After all, if the people doing wrong weren’t afraid, why should anyone else be?
“If this gets out, the impact would be extremely bad, wouldn’t it? Even if my brother isn’t there, I still hope the military leadership can send someone to investigate. That way, it’ll be clear whether I’m telling the truth, and the victim in this matter can get justice.”
“…Understood, comrade. I’ll report this. Please rest assured.”
The crowd thought: Wow, this girl is impressive. Her own brother’s been betrayed like that—it’s only natural she wants justice. Though judging by the sister-in-law’s behavior, getting a proper outcome might not be easy.
While everyone was still lost in their wild speculations, they looked up to find that Xia Canglan had already left. Not getting the full story left them itching with frustration.
“Hey, does anyone know her sister-in-law? I’ve got a feeling the follow-up will be even more exciting. If I don’t find out what happens next, I won’t even be able to eat properly!”
“…”
Who among them didn’t feel the same?
Xia Canglan, already outside the post office, had no idea that her explosive phone call had ignited the gossiping instincts of so many people.
Some were even leveraging their wide social connections, determined to uncover everything about Kong Miaomiao’s family—and the adulterer behind her.
Passing by the Public Security Bureau, she ran into the officer who had previously handled Xia Zhaodi’s case with the local hooligans. He called out to her.
“Comrade Xia Canglan, please wait a moment. Do you have time right now?”
She looked at him in confusion.
“Yes, I’m off today. What do you need, officer?”
“Let’s talk inside.”
After pouring her a cup of water, the officer sat down across from her.
“Here’s the situation: Xia Zhaodi is disputing the accusations about her involvement with the hooligans. She insists she was set up and wants us to reopen the investigation.”
“Officer, if she can deny something that was witnessed so openly, then in my opinion, she’s just making a last, desperate struggle,” Xia Canglan said calmly. “After all, she can’t provide any evidence explaining why she was in that rundown house in the middle of the night.”
The officer nodded. “Originally, this case didn’t fall under our jurisdiction. The neighborhood committee could have handled it directly. But since she’s raised an objection, we’re obligated to investigate. If she’s lying, the consequences will be even more severe than they are now.”
“She might even be sent to a remote labor farm in the northwest for reform…”
A faint smile curved Xia Canglan’s lips. “Officer, I think no matter how much you investigate, it’ll just be more lies from them. They must be too idle, having the energy to make up all these excuses. It’d be better to send her off for reform sooner rather than later.”
After leaving the bureau, Xia Canglan breathed in the scent of grass and trees in the air, finding it especially refreshing.
Yes—very good. No more so-called reborn heroine keeping her eyes on their family. One hidden threat eliminated. Her mood felt wonderfully light.
Military Headquarters
Pei Xingzhe’s well-defined eight-pack glistened with sweat, which traced down his solid body, slipping past his lower abdomen before disappearing into his long trousers.
Behind him, his unit looked much the same—each man drenched in sweat, their faces showing the exhaustion of just returning from intense training.
“Xiao Hu, organize the team. I’ll report to the leadership about this training exercise.”
With that, he turned and left.
In the division commander’s office—
“Report!”
“Come in.”
As Pei Xingzhe stepped inside, he saw Division Commander Zhou smiling at him like a sly old fox plotting something. The sight made the corner of his mouth twitch.
“Reporting to Division Commander Zhou: First Regiment has completed this training exercise. I’ll submit a detailed report later. That’s all—I’ll take my leave.”
The moment he finished speaking, he turned to go without hesitation.
“Stop right there! Pei Xingzhe!”
The shout made him sigh inwardly. What was this old fox up to now?
He halted, turned back, and looked at the commander with resignation.
“Division Commander Zhou, what else do you need?”
Zhou burst out laughing.
“You brat, you come back after so long and give me that attitude? Careful, or I’ll file a complaint against you.”
Pei Xingzhe wasn’t fazed. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”
“Hey, wait, wait. You—take a look at this. Xia Cangyun is one of your men, right? He’s out on a mission, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to send anyone else. As his regiment commander, you’re the perfect person for this.”
Frowning, Pei Xingzhe picked up the document tossed in front of him. The more he read, the darker his expression became. By the time he reached the end—seeing that the woman was even pregnant again—he slammed the file onto the desk with a sharp bang.
“Oh, young man, already angry?” Zhou said leisurely, sipping tea. “There are all kinds of people in this world. You’ve still got a lot to learn.”
Moments ago, he’d been just as furious upon reading the file, practically ready to grab a gun and storm off—but now he looked completely calm.
Pei Xingzhe steadied his emotions.
“Commander, who reported this? If it’s true, it absolutely cannot be tolerated. I can submit a divorce application for Xia Cangyun immediately.”
Zhou clicked his tongue.
“Look at you—where’s the composure of a regimental commander? I already said this still needs investigation. Since you’ve just returned, you can handle it. Oh, and by the way, this was reported personally by Xia Cangyun’s younger sister.”
“That girl’s got quite the temper—said she wants to report her sister-in-law on her brother’s behalf. Listed a whole string of charges. Sounds pretty convincing, actually. Bold, careful, and loyal. When you meet her, come back and tell me how it goes.”
Pei Xingzhe: “……”
If you just want to gossip, just say so. No need to dress it up so nicely.
“Understood, Commander. I’ll take Xiao Hu with me as a witness. Also, someone should be sent to Kong Miaomiao’s hometown first. If that adulterer runs off, things will get complicated.”