After saying that, Qiao Hongye’s expression changed slightly, as if he regretted blurting it out in his impulsiveness.
But since it was already said, it might actually be a way to turn things around!
An idea quickly formed in his mind.
What? Something like this actually happened?
She looked quite honest—who would have thought…
Hearing this, the crowd’s attitude toward Xia Mingyu immediately shifted.
If that were true, then Qiao Hongye’s actions would seem somewhat understandable.
In an instant, people stopped siding with her.
Xia Mingyu never expected that Qiao Hongye would say anything just to smear her name. He kept shattering her understanding of just how despicable he could be.
Her whole body trembled with anger.
“You! What nonsense are you spouting? I’ve only ever had one man in my life—YOU! If Tuantuan and Yuanyuan aren’t your sons, then whose are they? I’ve never even had contact with another man!”
“You’re inhuman! It’s bad enough you sold your son—now you’re humiliating me too!”
This beast! It wasn’t enough that he schemed against her—he had to degrade her as well. It was utterly disgusting!
“Your superior can’t have children, so you want to give him a son, right? Does he need a wife too? Why don’t I just take Yuanyuan and go live with him as well!”
“A man like you doesn’t deserve to be called a man, doesn’t deserve a wife or children! You’ll face retribution!”
If she had known, she would have ruined her reputation back then rather than marry him and take care of his paralyzed mother for five years!
A chill ran through her entire body. She felt it wasn’t worth it at all.
But Qiao Hongye didn’t care about her pain. He sneered and attacked her with even harsher words.
“You think my superior would take trash like you? You want to be his wife? Take a look in the mirror!”
“I’ll tell you the truth—I feel sick just looking at you! If it weren’t for your father back then, do you think I would’ve married you?”
“Even after marrying you, I never touched you. The man you spent your wedding night with wasn’t me! If what’s in your belly isn’t a bastard, then what is it? You know exactly how those children came to be!”
“Think about it carefully—what part of those two brats looks like me? No one in my family has ever had twins!”
With bloodshot eyes, Qiao Hongye deliberately exposed this ugly truth with contempt. He wanted Xia Mingyu to be utterly humiliated—ideally driven to suicide.
That way, no one would pursue the matter, and it wouldn’t affect him.
He could marry another woman to take care of his mother. As for her two sons, he could send them both to his superior—getting rid of two burdens while currying favor. A perfect deal!
As long as someone stayed home to care for his mother, that was all that mattered.
Their marriage here had never been officially reported—no one in the army knew.
Back in the military, he already had someone he loved. They were about to register their marriage.
She was the daughter of a high-ranking leader—beautiful, well-born, nothing like a rural woman like Xia Mingyu.
As long as he secured that relationship, becoming a regimental commander—or even higher—was within reach!
Consumed by greed, Qiao Hongye became even more eager to provoke Xia Mingyu into ending her life, so she wouldn’t cause him trouble.
“You’re telling the truth?”
“No! Impossible! I don’t believe it!”
“If it wasn’t you that night, then who was it?”
“I stayed in the room the whole time! Your mother was right next door! Who would dare sneak in at a time like that?”
“Where did you go on our wedding night? You must have planned this!”
Struck by this cruel revelation, Xia Mingyu forced herself to argue back, her reasoning clear despite her fragile appearance.
She might seem weak, but she was strong inside. Someone who had endured so much wouldn’t take her own life so easily.
But she had never imagined such a truth. Her children were so lovely—how could they be labeled as illegitimate?
It had to be a lie—something Qiao Hongye made up to escape responsibility!
After all, he was capable of anything.
Back then, to use her father’s connections to enlist in the army, he had deliberately set her up—making her fall into the river so her clothes were soaked, then “rescuing” her in front of witnesses.
In those conservative times, such contact meant marriage was unavoidable.
He even pretended to be considerate, saying he wouldn’t let rumors spread and would talk to the witnesses.
But the moment she returned home, the story spread everywhere, ruining her reputation.
At the time, her father was gravely ill and couldn’t care for her, so he hastily arranged her marriage.
Qiao Hongye’s family was poor and wasn’t even considered initially—but circumstances forced the decision.
He had promised her father that he would send all his military allowance home and treat her well for life.
Yet the day after their wedding, her father died. Qiao Hongye didn’t even attend the funeral—he pretended not to know and left for the army.
He claimed time was tight, that he’d miss his chance otherwise.
And then he disappeared for five years—never fulfilling a single promise, never sending a single cent!
She was left behind to care for his paralyzed mother alone.
It wasn’t until last year that one of the women who witnessed the river incident took pity on her and revealed the truth.
It had all been Qiao Hongye’s scheme—from start to finish!
And now, he was saying he hadn’t even entered the bridal chamber that night?
Had he really gone so far as to sell her wedding night to some bachelor?!
At the thought, Xia Mingyu trembled uncontrollably, her teeth chattering.
She tried to recall that night.
But five years had passed. She had been exhausted that day.
When Qiao Hongye went to bathe, she had dozed off by the bed.
She vaguely remembered smelling something, feeling her body grow hot… and then a tall man pressing down on her…
Wait—tall?
Qiao Hongye was only about 1.7 meters tall—hardly tall at all!
That man… might really not have been him!
Realizing this, Xia Mingyu’s face turned even paler, her head buzzing.
“Calling you a beast is an insult to beasts!”
“If it wasn’t you that night, then who was it? I’ll report him for assault!”
“I’ll make sure he’s executed!”
She screamed hoarsely, her pale face filled with fury.
Breaking free from the others, she lunged forward again.
This time, she didn’t go for his face—she aimed lower.
With all her strength, she kicked him viciously.
“AHHH!!!”
Qiao Hongye’s agonized scream echoed through the station.
Every man present instinctively clenched their legs, wincing in fear.
No one expected her to attack again—they had all been stunned by the shocking revelation, giving her the opportunity.
“This is your retribution! No matter who their father is, they are MY sons!”
“You don’t deserve to be their father! You trafficker! Give me back my son! I want a divorce!”
When a patient person snaps, the result is terrifying.
Xia Mingyu grabbed his throat, nearly strangling him in her fury.
“Ugh… help…”
Qiao Hongye, terrified by her madness, struggled to breathe.
Thankfully, people reacted in time and pulled her away.
“Don’t stop me! I’ll kill this scum!”
At that moment, Xia Mingyu was harder to restrain than a wild animal, her small body unleashing shocking strength.
“Calm down! Killing is a crime!”
“Miss Xia, whatever grievances you have, we’ll stand up for you. We’ll uncover the truth!”
Her reaction made it clear—she truly hadn’t known.
That meant Qiao Hongye’s crimes were far worse than anyone imagined.
Qiao Hongye felt a chill under the officers’ gaze.
But he was already battered, especially from the excruciating pain below. Curled up on the ground, drenched in sweat, he could barely think.
What now?
If the truth came out… he was finished.