"I won't argue with you about all that. Today I just want to ask you and your mother – do you want me to lay everything out clearly in front of everyone?"
Duan Chunping shook off Lin Dongguo's hand: "Let her speak! I don't believe this used goods who's already been married once can say anything decent!"
Duan Chunping's words were too vicious. Qu Chuning's face turned livid with rage. "Fine, fine. Since that's how you want it, don't blame me for being impolite…"
Lin Dongguo quickly stepped forward to intervene, speaking to Duan Chunping in an almost pleading tone: "Mom, stop talking. The unit has already said I need to clear Qu Chuning's name within three days. Please don't say anymore!"
Upon hearing this, Duan Chunping frowned deeply: "In that case, tell Qu Chuning that if she wants me to shut up, she can return that money to me. Otherwise, I won't just talk about it here – I'll go to her current man's family and tell them Qu Chuning has been married twice. I'm not lying, am I?"
Lin Dongguo didn't say anything aloud, but inwardly he agreed with his mother. Originally, this was what they had discussed – the three thousand yuan. On the surface, he definitely couldn't demand it back. But as his mother said, what happened back then was unclear, and three thousand was indeed too much. So he had tacitly approved his mother's plan to pressure Qu Chuning into returning the money.
Qu Chuning was so angry she laughed: "Alright, you want to act shameless and demand this money, right? Fine. You can go talk to my superiors. If that doesn't work, you can even report it to the police. As long as you can make your case, I'll return whatever should be returned!"
Lin Dongguo was instantly speechless. Looking at Qu Chuning again – sharp-tongued and unforgiving in her speech – her bright features seemed much more vivid, completely different from how she appeared three years ago when he last saw her.
"You said it yourself. I'll go find…"
"Before you go find anyone, I'll first go find your son and daughter-in-law's superiors. A pair of adulterers, never satisfied with what they have, really think they're something special? Bullying people like this, and now bringing your mother from back home to deal with me and smear my reputation…"
Lin Dongguo's attention was completely focused on Qu Chuning's face, completely unaware of anything else. But Shi Zhenzhen had spotted Xi Muzhou and hurried forward to tug at Lin Dongguo's sleeve.
Only then did both of them notice Xi Muzhou. Lin Dongguo was terrified of him, and Shi Zhenzhen was the same. It could be said that in their military district, there was probably no one who wasn't afraid of Xi Muzhou.
"Mom, enough, enough! Please go inside quickly!"
Duan Chunping grabbed Lin Dongguo's hand and immediately spotted the man who stood out from the crowd. Having been at the garrison for several days already, Duan Chunping had long made inquiries. She pushed aside Lin Dongguo's hand and rushed up to Xi Muzhou: "You must be Regiment Commander Xi? I'm Qu Chuning's mother-in-law. Let me tell you, this woman is no good. Back in our hometown, many villagers told me she's been improper with several men…"
Having served Duan Chunping for decades in her previous life, Qu Chuning knew this old woman wasn't nearly as good as she appeared to outsiders. Otherwise, why would she have worked herself sick in her past life?
But she never expected Duan Chunping would speak about her like this in front of Xi Muzhou. She hadn't been this angry earlier, but now she could no longer contain herself. Just as she rushed forward, before she could even touch Duan Chunping, Xi Muzhou wrapped his arms around her waist and held her back.
"You old wretch! Your Lin Family deceived me, tricked me into serving like a beast of burden for three years. While your son was outside embracing his delicate wife in tender affection, I was at home scrubbing and cleaning for your family. How dare you slander me without hesitation? You're a woman too – aren't you afraid your daughter might end up like me someday?"
Qu Chuning was boiling with rage. Xi Muzhou quickly tried to calm her: "Let her say what she wants. I know your situation, our unit knows it, and I believe everyone else does too!"
Xi Muzhou's voice carried a magical quality. Qu Chuning pouted, feeling deeply wronged.
In this lifetime, if not for heaven's mercy, would she die as miserably as in her previous life? Qu Chuning stared intently at Xi Muzhou, her voice slightly choked: "I never been with anyone else…"
"I know!"
Before Qu Chuning could finish, Xi Muzhou cut her off. His voice was deep yet powerful, ringing with conviction.
"Lin Dongguo, you're an officer with military rank. As your family member, if she lacks even basic ideological awareness, shouldn't you reflect on yourself? Qu Chuning's and my marriage application has passed state review. Are you doubting the state? Doubting our unit?"
Hearing this, Lin Dongguo broke into cold sweat. Xi Muzhou was the Inspection Team captain, famously impartial and strict. Now that he spoke like this, Lin Dongguo had no doubt he'd not only have to write a self-criticism but likely face disciplinary education too.
The named Lin Dongguo hurried forward to pull Duan Chunping back: "Mom, I'm begging you, stop talking!"
Qu Chuning was taken home by Xi Muzhou. Along the way, she felt anxious and unsettled. Having lived two lifetimes, she knew many men cared deeply about such matters even if they didn't show it. She didn't know if Xi Muzhou would mind. Back in her hometown, she'd always been mindful of her status and never acted improperly. But now that the final veil of decency had been torn away, Duan Chunping had exploited what most men cared about psychologically. She didn't want Qu Chuning to have an easy time.
After arriving home, Xi Muzhou remained silent. The courtyard was piled high with red bricks. Wearing a short sleeve shirt, he neatly stacked the bricks while Qu Chuning stood by the doorframe, leaning against it. Several times she wanted to ask if he needed her to explain clearly.
But his silence kept her tangled in uncertainty.
Meanwhile, back at the Lin Family home, after entering the house, Duan Chunping instructed Shi Zhenzhen: "Don't just stand there, pour me some water! Who would've thought that little slut Qu Chuning would change so much – she actually dared to curse at me! Just wait until I go back and have a good talk with her parents. Since Qu Chuning has married someone else now, she should return the 200 yuan bride price money we gave initially, plus that three thousand something. Who does she think she is? Three thousand yuan – is she even worthy?"
Whenever the three thousand yuan was mentioned, Duan Chunping's heart ached with regret. "Son, don't interfere. Your mother has her ways. Just watch – in a few days, she'll come begging to return our money!"
Lin Dongguo nearly cried: "Mom, I'm begging you, please stop making trouble, alright? Do you know who Xi Muzhou is? I've already been warned – I have three days. If I don't publish a statement in the newspaper, I might lose my job! Please stop spreading this everywhere. If this commotion continues, forget about the training opportunity – I might end up going back to farm with you!"
Duan Chunping frowned, "Who are you trying to fool?" After a pause, her gaze fell on Shi Zhenzhen, and she immediately pulled her close. "Zhenzhen, your father is some kind of director, right? Can’t he do something about the money? Three thousand is just too much. I’ve provided her with good food and comfort in our Lin Family—how is she worth three thousand yuan?"
Shi Zhenzhen was utterly exasperated. The vulgar words Duan Chunping had spouted earlier had already disgusted her to the core. Now, hearing Duan Chunping’s plea, she could only feel impatience. "This is a decision from above—what can my father do? I was counting on you to persuade Qu Chuning, but instead, not only did you fail, Dongguo might even have to write a self-criticism. Mom, can’t you try a different approach?"
Duan Chunping was displeased by this. Her face darkened. "Are you saying I messed things up?"
Shi Zhenzhen, who had a temper of her own, snorted coldly. "Isn’t that the case?"
This was the first time since Duan Chunping arrived at the garrison that she and Shi Zhenzhen had erupted into a fierce argument.