"Dongguo, don't be angry!" Shi Zhenzhen hurried forward to comfort Lin Dongguo. "I did hear some information from my father – it seems Xi Muzhou's background isn't simple! But he's been in this military district for so many years without showing anything special. Our priority now is Qu Chuning. If she really publishes in the newspaper, I'm worried it will affect you. My father said even though your promotion fell through this time, there are two training quota positions in our military district at the start of the new year. Your reputation can't be damaged again!"
Hearing Shi Zhenzhen mention this matter, Lin Dongguo finally composed his expression.
Lin Dongguo had never wanted to publish a clarification in the newspaper, which was why he had been delaying. When Shi Zhenzhen returned and told him about the two training quotas, he became interested, secretly deciding in his heart that he must seize this opportunity.
Everyone knew that after training, one would usually get promoted upon return, or at least be assigned important responsibilities. But with many monks and limited gruel, countless eyes were watching these opportunities.
"You're right, we need to deal with Qu Chuning's matter first!"
Qu Chuning spent two days studying at home with newspapers. When she submitted another draft of clarification, Xi Muzhou was so surprised his mouth slightly opened. He had discovered on the first day that Qu Chuning not only wrote beautifully but also had considerable literary talent. That day she had written several hundred words fluently, but today, she handed him a clarification of less than two hundred words. At five cents per word, this would only cost about one yuan for newspaper publication.
The cost was low, yet it was written clearly and concisely, with every sentence and word carefully considered. He nodded: "Let's find a prefecture-level newspaper, so more people will see it!"
"Okay!"
The next day, Qu Chuning brought her written material to work. She had already made plans – after work, she would go to the town post office to mail this to their city's newspaper office. She had calculated exactly how much it would cost.
After work, Qu Chuning headed toward the town.
Seeing this, Qi Hongying specifically caught up to ask Qu Chuning: "Chuning, are you going the wrong way?"
The Garrison was in the completely opposite direction from where Qu Chuning was heading. Qi Hongying worried Qu Chuning might have taken the wrong path and quickly tried to pull her back.
"Sister-in-law, no, I need to go to town. It's not far – I'll definitely be home before dark!"
"Ah, I see. Do you know the way?"
After receiving confirmation, Qi Hongying felt reassured and returned.
Qu Chuning walked quickly. As she approached the town, she could feel the blistered spots hurting, but she couldn't be bothered with that, only wanting to quickly mail the letter in her pouch.
"Chuning!"
Just as Qu Chuning reached the town, Lin Dongguo intercepted her. He strode forward: "Do you really want to ruin me?"
Lin Dongguo stared intently at Qu Chuning. Until this moment, he hadn't quite believed what Shi Zhenzhen had told him.
The Lin Family and Qu Family were only separated by three villages, so they knew each other's backgrounds quite well. When his mother had written to him before, she said this girl was hardworking and proper – and not bad-looking either. During his return three years ago for the marriage, he had also discovered that Qu Chuning was truly gentle, a very traditional good girl.
Yet he never expected that three years later, Qu Chuning would resort to such a desperate fight-to-the-death move, pressuring him again and again. Lin Dongguo still wanted to use their pitifully few past memories to make Qu Chuning tolerate him. With a pained and remorseful expression, he said, "Chuning, back then three years ago, I didn't know if I'd make it back alive. I wasn't thinking clearly at the time—I only considered my mother! But you lived in our house for three years after all. If I really publish a clarification in the newspaper, where would that leave my parents' dignity?"
Qu Chuning hadn't anticipated Lin Dongguo's hypocrisy. They had long since torn off all pretenses, and now he was bringing this up again. She couldn't quite figure out his true intentions, but regardless, she had already witnessed Lin Dongguo's shamelessness and deceit in her previous life. So, no matter what Lin Dongguo said, she wouldn't listen.
"Your parents' dignity matters, but does mine not? Lin Dongguo, you received the disciplinary decision from your unit long ago. You've been making excuses to avoid complying. Since that's the case, I'll use my own methods to seek justice for myself! But Lin Dongguo, I won't stop here!"
Hearing this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Lin Dongguo's eyes. "So, you're going to the post office?"
Qu Chuning's mind immediately went on high alert. She had written a letter to the newspaper, even calculated the cost, and was just waiting for their reply so she could send the payment and complete what she needed to do. But she had only written it last night—how did Lin Dongguo know?
"Qu Chuning, I originally thought that since we're from the same place, I wouldn't drive you to the wall. I never expected you to show me no mercy at all! Because of you, my promotion is ruined. Because of you, I can't show my face anywhere. And now you want to destroy me completely? Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Upon hearing this, Qu Chuning turned and ran in terror.
"Lin Dongguo, you're insane! If anyone finds out about this, everything you have will be destroyed!"
Qu Chuning tried to use his future prospects to deter him, but she had overestimated herself. Lin Dongguo, who exercised regularly, was strong and fit. She hadn't run far before he caught her!
Lin Dongguo immediately locked her hands behind her back and pressed her to the ground as if apprehending a criminal. "Qu Chuning, I gave you a chance. Since you want to stand in the way of my future, I can't just sit back and take it, can I?"
Qu Chuning was so furious she felt her organs twisting. Again and again, Lin Dongguo was truly bullying her beyond endurance. But she couldn't move, so all she could do was curse at him in her rage.
"Lin Dongguo, you're shameless! It's clearly written in black and white, and you still want to renege? I slaved for your family for three years—three whole years! If you had any conscience at all, we should have parted on decent terms. How dare you come to town to intercept me? Just wait—I'll definitely report you to your superiors when I get back!"
This only made Lin Dongguo more anxious. Already feeling guilty, he now used more force, freeing one hand to cover Qu Chuning's mouth.
The pain in her arm joint was excruciating, bringing Qu Chuning nearly to tears. With her mouth blocked, she was dragged by Lin Dongguo to a street corner.
The moment he loosened his grip, Qu Chuning tried to run, startling Lin Dongguo into instinctively sticking out his leg and sweeping her to the ground.
First it was her hand, and now her entire body had fallen to the ground. Pain shot through many parts of her body. Qu Chuning had never hated Lin Dongguo more than she did at this moment. She had always thought that if only Lin Dongguo would follow the rules, even just slightly restore her reputation, and stop people from criticizing her previous relationship with him, that would be enough. But Lin Dongguo kept delaying, unwilling to grant even this small wish of hers.
If it weren't for this, why would she have to write a clarification herself and send it back to her hometown to be published in the newspaper?
"Chuning, between us, I've always felt there's still some affection left. How about this—forget about publishing that clarification in the newspaper. I'll ask my mother to adopt you as her goddaughter. This way, your reputation will be restored, and it'll be good for everyone. What do you think?"
Lin Dongguo was quite pleased with himself for coming up with such a "brilliant" solution. He continued, "Chuning, my mother always told me how well-behaved, sensible, and filial you are. I know I wronged you with the fake certificate matter, but I didn't do it on purpose. I've already explained it to you, Chuning…"
"Help! Someone's harassing me! Someone's harassing me!"