The He family’s future was earned through blood, sweat, and sacrifice on the battlefield—not something gained by scheming through women.
“Comrade Ding, please mind your words.”
But when it came to slandering the He family and the military, He Linzhou didn’t care who stood in front of him—even if it was the Ding family.
“Brother Linzhou, don’t be angry, I didn’t mean—”
“Get out.”
His voice cut through her explanation coldly.
“I will report this matter to the military. If you dare to harass me or my wife again, the He family will risk everything—including this uniform—to go head-to-head with your Ding family.”
Ding Yuanyuan’s frantic excuses were completely cut off.
“Brother Linzhou… Yuanyuan, stop talking already! Aren’t you embarrassed enough?”
Ding Peng, who had rushed over, grabbed Ding Yuanyuan and shouted sharply:
“Get out!”
Ding Yuanyuan’s eyes reddened.
“Brother, I did nothing wrong! It was Jiang Ning—she—”
“Shut up!”
Ding Peng shot her a warning glare.
Then he turned to He Linzhou.
“Colonel He, my sister has been spoiled since childhood. She speaks without thinking. If she offended your wife, I apologize on her behalf.”
He Linzhou’s eyes were dark and cold as he glanced at him.
“So Commander Ding means to settle this with just a light apology?”
“She insulted my wife, slandered our relationship, and tried to provoke conflict between husband and wife.”
“You think that can be brushed off with a few casual words?”
Ding Peng fell silent.
He knew he was in the wrong—but for the Ding family to apologize publicly? Impossible.
Especially not to a capitalist-born woman they looked down on.
Ding Yuanyuan spat on the ground viciously.
“Ha! Apologize? She should be the one apologizing to me! She hit me first!”
“I only talked to Brother Linzhou a few times—she’s the one who attacked me! I’m the victim!”
He Linzhou gave a cold laugh.
“Everyone is an adult. You should take responsibility for your actions.”
“If Comrade Ding insists on refusing, then let the military handle it.”
“The He family guards the border and serves the country. The higher-ups will not ignore harassment of military families.”
“Brother Linzhou… you can’t treat me like this! I love you!”
Ding Yuanyuan tried emotional pressure again.
“The Jiang Ning you’re protecting is just a vain woman!”
“Think carefully, Commander He. Is it worth offending the Ding family for her?”
Ding Peng narrowed his eyes, adding:
“You can’t be with her all the time. Can you really guarantee her safety?”
He Linzhou sneered.
“I, He Linzhou, do not rely on women or family connections to rise.”
“My military achievements are earned with my life.”
“My wife is my life.”
“If anyone dares touch her even a single hair…”
“I will make them pay in full.”
His voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
Ding Peng stared at him.
“So you insist on reporting this to the military?”
“If my sister gets punished, then the He and Ding families are officially enemies.”
“You’d better think carefully.”
“What kind of man are you if you can’t even protect your own woman?”
He tried one last threat.
But He Linzhou only smiled coldly.
“I prefer solving problems at the root.”
“Do you think I’m afraid?”
A flicker of unease passed through Ding Peng’s eyes.
“Commander He… are you really going to escalate this?”
“I suggest both sides take a step back. Otherwise, there will be war between our families.”
He was gambling—he believed He Linzhou wouldn’t dare touch the Ding family’s hidden affairs.
But—
He Linzhou’s gaze deepened.
Ding Peng’s heart tightened.
Does he… know something?
“Enough.”
He Linzhou’s tone was final.
“Take your sister and leave.”
Ding Peng gritted his teeth and dragged Ding Yuanyuan away.
But she struggled free and rushed back one last time.
“Brother Linzhou! Are you really choosing her over me?!”
He didn’t even look at her.
“The military will judge everything. You don’t need to say another word.”
Finally, they left.
Jiang Ning tugged his sleeve.
“Is the Ding family… a big problem?”
He Linzhou nodded seriously.
“There were already signs during my last mission.”
“This time, I’ll use the military complaint as a chance to investigate them thoroughly.”
Jiang Ning frowned.
“Will they retaliate?”
“And we’re going to the border soon… will this affect Dad and the He family?”
He Linzhou gently held her hand.
“The He family didn’t reach this point by luck.”
“It won’t fall so easily.”
“And this conflict with the Ding family was inevitable—even without today’s incident.”
Jiang Ning relaxed slightly.
After dinner, they returned home.
Madam He was delighted the moment she saw Jiang Ning.
“My dear daughter-in-law, you’re back! Did that brat Linzhou not take good care of you? You’ve lost weight!”
A certain “brat Linzhou” silently accepted the blame.
“Mom, is Dad home?”
He Linzhou glanced toward the closed study.
“Yes, he’s inside with your uncles. Go up.”
“Alright.”
He went upstairs.
Madam He pulled Jiang Ning into their room.
“We’re going to the border soon, so I bought you something good—look!”
Jiang Ning opened the bag and blinked in surprise.
“Sanitary pads?”
“Mom, where did you get these?”
Madam He smiled.
“Your second uncle’s colleague went to Hong Kong on a business trip and brought them back. I thought young girls would like them, so I bought them all.”
Jiang Ning felt warmth surge in her chest.
“Mom… thank you.”
Madam He gently wiped her tears.
“Silly girl. Marrying Linzhou is the He family’s blessing.”
Then Jiang Ning hesitated before speaking softly.
“Mom… Linzhou… he’s not infertile.”
“He just has a lower fertility rate.”
“If he takes care of his body properly, I believe… we will have children one day.”