The olive-green military truck jostled along the uneven dirt road. Shen Zhiwei, exhausted, leaned against the railing, finally allowing the tension of a sleepless night and a frantic morning to ease.
She rested against the seatback, watching the poplar trees blur past the window, her heart a swirl of emotions.
In just a day and a night, everything had been so intense it felt like half a lifetime.
At the wheel, Gu Yanzhou’s gaze was steady, fixed on the road ahead, his knuckled fingers resting on the steering wheel.
“If you’re tired, close your eyes and rest for a bit. It’ll still be some time before we reach the military district,” he said. “I’ll wake you when we get there.”
Shen Zhiwei shook her head lightly, her eyes reflecting a trace of sleepiness. “I’m okay. Thank you… for today.”
Had he not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Her gratitude was genuine and heartfelt.
Gu Yanzhou glanced at her in the rearview mirror; their eyes met for a brief instant before he returned his attention to the road.
“The joint investigation by the military district’s Organization Department and Discipline Inspection Commission has concluded. Chen Weidong’s issues have been formally determined,” he said calmly.
Shen Zhiwei felt her heart tighten slightly, holding her breath.
“Chen Weidong’s lifestyle is corrupt, and he attempted to misappropriate marital assets. The evidence is conclusive, and the impact was serious,” Gu Yanzhou continued evenly. “The organization has decided to issue a major demerit and demote him.”
“He will be transferred from his current post and sent to a grassroots unit for reflection.”
He turned his head, giving her a look of absolute affirmation. “Everything is ready. Once we return, all the necessary procedures will be completed thoroughly.”
His words were like a beam of light, instantly dispelling the last lingering doubts in Shen Zhiwei’s mind.
She nodded firmly. “Alright.”
Finally, the day had arrived.
The vehicle moved smoothly, entering the heavily guarded military district compound, and eventually stopped steadily in front of the stately gray-brick building of the Organization Department.
The engine cut, and silence fell over the surroundings.
Gu Yanzhou was the first to push the door open and step out.
He walked around the front of the vehicle to the passenger side and naturally opened the door for Shen Zhiwei, his arm politely raised to shield the top frame of the door.
Shen Zhiwei took a deep breath, clutching the envelope containing the proof from Hexi Commune, and bent to step out of the vehicle.
The afternoon sun was a bit glaring; she squinted briefly before straightening her back.
Gu Yanzhou fell into step beside her, their strides perfectly aligned as they ascended the steps in long, confident strides, entering the Organization Department building.
The scene was clear for many entering or exiting the building officials, their family members, and even a few military dependents drying clothes nearby.
“Hmm? Isn’t that Deputy Battalion Commander Chen’s partner? Why is she with Gu from the Discipline Inspection Commission?”
“Looks like they’ve just returned from outside. Their presence… it’s commanding.”
“All those rumors before most of them must be false, right? Look at how composed and confident she is.”
“Gu has never treated any female officer this well before.”
Whispers of curiosity and even envy floated behind them, which Shen Zhiwei could sense but she didn’t care.
She knew that from this moment, the tide of rumors had already begun to shift.
The Organization Department office doors stood open, the atmosphere inside so tense it seemed to drip.
As Shen Zhiwei and Gu Yanzhou entered, one after the other, all eyes in the room instantly fixed on them.
Sure enough, Chen Weidong was there.
He wore a worn military uniform, slumped in a wooden chair, his face an unhealthy pale, the dark circles under his eyes thick and inescapable. He seemed utterly drained of spirit, curled up, devoid of the haughty demeanor he once carried as a deputy battalion commander.
On the sofa beside him sat a middle-aged officer, expression serious, shoulder insignia marking a high rank obviously Chen Weidong’s direct superior.
Officer Zhao was seated behind her desk, thick files spread out in front of her.
Seeing Gu Yanzhou and Shen Zhiwei enter, she stood, her expression serious but not unkind.
“Representative Gu, Comrade Shen Zhiwei, you’re back,” Officer Zhao said, letting her gaze linger on Shen Zhiwei for a moment.
Gu Yanzhou gave a slight nod. “Officer Zhao, everything is clear?”
“Yes, the evidence chain is complete, and the facts are definite,” she replied, picking up a document. Her eyes shifted to the ashen-faced Chen Weidong as she began to read aloud in a clear, cold voice: “Decision on the disciplinary action for Comrade Chen Weidong’s violations.”
“Deputy Battalion Commander of the 13th Battalion, Chen Weidong, during the course of his marriage, exhibited serious personal misconduct and engaged in improper financial dealings with others.
Afterwards, he attempted to conceal these actions and transfer marital assets, causing severe harm and extremely negative influence among the public…”
Each word landed like a heavy slap across Chen Weidong’s face.
He lowered his head further, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
“It has been decided that Comrade Chen Weidong will receive a major demerit. Effective immediately, he is transferred from his current post and sent to a grassroots unit for reflection.”
Once the reading was finished, the office fell into a dead silence.
Chen Weidong’s superior’s face turned ashen, letting out a heavy sigh and looking away, evidently humiliated as well.
Officer Zhao slid a divorce application across the desk with an unmistakable tone.
“Chen Weidong, sign it.”
Chen Weidong’s head shot up, his eyes bloodshot. His gaze locked on Shen Zhiwei, his lips trembling as if he wanted to beg for mercy or to scream in rage.
Before he could speak, he met Gu Yanzhou’s icy, piercing stare.
The look was like frozen steel, filled with warning and authority, instantly freezing all of Chen Weidong’s unspoken defiance.
He shuddered violently, as if doused with a bucket of ice water, completely deflated. Trembling, he extended his hand and grabbed the heavy pen, fingers shaking so much he could barely hold it.
On that divorce application the document ending his marriage he scribbled his name unevenly.
The pen’s tip cut through the paper.
And it severed the last thread of his hollow connection to Shen Zhiwei.
Officer Zhao took the application, inspected it, then retrieved a small brown hardcover booklet from her drawer, handing it solemnly to Shen Zhiwei.
“Comrade Shen Zhiwei, this is your divorce certificate. The organization understands and supports your decision, and hopes you can let go of the past and start a new life.”
Shen Zhiwei reached out her hand. The moment she touched it, she couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
This thin little booklet felt as heavy as a thousand pounds in her hands.
It symbolized the painful struggles of her past life, and also the chains she had personally broken.
Freedom regained. Rebirth achieved.
She looked down at the three clear characters: Divorce Certificate. When she lifted her eyes, there was not a trace of hesitation only the resolute strength of one who had emerged from her cocoon.
“Chen Weidong, from this day forward, we part ways completely.”
With that, she didn’t hesitate. She turned decisively.
Gu Yanzhou remained at her side and slightly behind; seeing her turn, he instinctively stepped ahead, opening the office door for her and shielding her as they walked out.
Behind them, the dull crash of a chair hitting the floor and Chen Weidong’s finally unrestrained sobs echoed.
Shen Zhiwei didn’t look back.
The corridor was bathed in just-right sunlight. She inhaled deeply, the air carrying an unprecedented freshness and freedom.
The massive stone that had weighed on her chest across two lifetimes was finally shattered.
Reduced to dust.
Her new life lay before her.