The sunlight streamed through the old wooden window, illuminating every corner of the room. Zhu Nuannuan lay listlessly on the bed, her face devoid of life, wishing this were all a dream. She had finally saved enough for a down payment on a house, and now it was all gone.
“How is she? Is she awake?”
“She’s awake, but she won’t answer anything. She just stares blankly at the ceiling. Do you think she was driven mad by the fire?”
“Nuannuan is also unfortunate. She hadn’t even had a good life after getting married before this happened.”
“Who can say? Wang Juhua speaks without thinking. Knowing Nuannuan was here, she still blurted out that business between Xiao Cui and Bai Lian. Isn’t that adding salt to her wounds?”
She had only slept for a while, and when she woke up again, she had transmigrated into the body of a military wife with the same name.
The original owner was also a pitiable person. Her adoptive parents had been married for two years without any children and had seen many doctors, but they didn’t know what the problem was. Later, an elder in the village suggested that if they adopted a child, they would be able to have one.
It actually worked. In the third year, they had a chubby baby boy, and from then on, the original owner’s nightmare began.
As she grew up, her adoptive parents stumbled upon a windfall and planned to move to the city. To reduce the number of mouths to feed, they married the original owner to Cui Yunhan, the third son of the Cui family.
Cui Yunhan was unloved by his parents at home, so he joined the army in a fit of anger. He had already married a wife, but he found it troublesome and gave Cui Yunhan’s address to the original owner, telling her to go to the army herself.
The army leaders had never encountered such a situation, so they had to arrange for her to stay in the military dependents’ compound.
When the original owner first arrived, she was worried that Cui Yunhan would also reject her. Later, she learned that he was on a mission and wouldn’t be back for a while, which put her mind at ease.
Unexpectedly, she overheard Wang Juhua saying that Cui Yunhan already had someone he liked. This girl was named Bai Lian, and she had many suitors. However, Bai Lian only liked Cui Yunhan. If the original owner hadn’t suddenly appeared, they would have been together long ago. She also said that the original owner was a homewrecker.
She said that when Cui Yunhan returned, he would definitely divorce her.
The original owner returned home with these worries and soon fell ill. Because it was discovered too late, she died of illness.
Zhu Nuannuan sighed helplessly…
“Comrade Zhu, how are you feeling?” the regiment commander’s wife’s voice came from outside the door.
Zhu Nuannuan composed herself and smiled weakly, “Sister-in-law, I’m fine!”
The regiment commander’s wife, Zhang Jing, was a kind-hearted person. No matter what happened in the family compound, she would be there.
Zhang Jing looked at Zhu Nuannuan lying on the bed, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes. Little Zhu was a good person. Perhaps due to long-term malnutrition, she looked thin, dark, and small, like a child who hadn’t grown up.
“Little Zhu, don’t take Comrade Wang’s words to heart. She doesn’t have any bad intentions; she just likes to gossip. I know Xiao Cui. He’s a man of integrity and wouldn’t be involved with other girls. Now that you’re married, he’ll probably be even more careful.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of women arguing came from outside the door. Zhu Nuannuan frowned. Were they here to see if she was dead?
Forcing herself to appear weak, she said, “Sister-in-law, please help me go out and see what’s happening outside.”
Suddenly, a rough, angry voice boomed, “You gossipy woman, look at the mess you’ve made! Get in here!”
The man, dressed in a military uniform with dark skin, pushed Wang Juhua inside.
Wang Juhua stumbled a few times and angrily questioned, “Chen Dakui, I’ve served you diligently for decades, and this is how you treat me? Besides, she didn’t get sick because of me. Why should I apologize?”
Chen Dakui’s face turned red with anger, and he panted heavily. He raised his large hand to slap the woman’s face.
“Stop!”
A figure entered from outside the door, exuding an oppressive aura that made people gasp.
The man stood tall and straight. The well-fitting military uniform accentuated his muscular physique. He had a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes, with a heroic air about his brows. His skin was a bronzed hue, adding a unique, stern aura of a soldier to his entire being.
Cui Yunhan looked at his newlywed wife, whom he had never met before, and a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. He softened his voice, and his magnetic, yet stern voice rang out again, “Chen Dakui, our fists are meant for our enemies, not for our wives.”
Chen Dakui looked apologetic. “Old Cui, I’m sorry. If it weren’t for your sister-in-law, my sister-in-law wouldn’t have gotten sick.” After speaking, he pulled Wang Juhua, who was standing by, over. “Apologize to your sister-in-law!”
Wang Juhua stiffened her neck and opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Chen Dakui glared at her fiercely.
Unwillingly, she turned to Zhu Nuannuan and mumbled, “Sorry!”
Chen Dakui smiled awkwardly. “Sister-in-law, you see…”
Zhu Nuannuan glanced at Wang Juhua indifferently. Although the original owner had died of illness, Wang Juhua also bore an undeniable responsibility.
Furthermore, according to her memories, Wang Juhua often spoke ill of the original owner behind her back because she was so meek, and she also liked to take advantage of her. Since she had taken over the original owner’s body, she had to vent this anger!
“Sister-in-law, Brother Chen, I can forgive Sister-in-law Wang. When Lao Cui and I got married, he was on a mission. I also know the burden he carries and only hope for his safe return. But in Sister-in-law’s mouth, I became a vixen who ruined someone else’s happiness!”
At this point, Zhu Nuannuan lowered her eyes, her voice filled with barely concealed sobs. “I don’t care what others say about me. But my Lao Cui still has to live in the army. If Sister-in-law’s words are heard by someone with ulterior motives and reach the higher-ups, wouldn’t that ruin Lao Cui’s future? It would also ruin the reputation of the young lady Sister-in-law mentioned, making it difficult for her to get married in the future. This is more detestable than murder.”
Everyone in the room was silent. Zhu Nuannuan wiped the corners of her eyes. She had been in the workplace for so many years and had developed a tough exterior. Eloquence was second nature to her. Did they still want to fight her? They were too young!
Wang Juhua’s face turned bright red. “You’re talking nonsense! What I said was the truth. Doesn’t everyone here know that they…”
As she spoke, she moved towards Zhu Nuannuan. Cui Yunhan’s face immediately darkened, and he blocked her path, startling Wang Juhua.
Chen Dakui was stunned for a moment and quickly pulled Wang Juhua back, thinking, ‘This is the first time they’ve met. This wife isn’t that attractive, so why is he protecting her?’
Having served in the army for so many years, he had learned the art of flexibility. Chen Dakui put on a fawning smile. “Sister-in-law, you’re right. It was my sister-in-law’s fault. Whatever you want, we’ll comply!”
Zhu Nuannuan said with a wronged expression, “I just want my innocence cleared. I want Sister-in-law to explain this matter publicly and apologize to that young lady and my Lao Cui publicly.”
Wang Juhua panted, her eyes red. It seemed that the Zhu woman had been pretending before and was waiting for her here!
Chen Dakui’s expression was somewhat troubled. “Sister-in-law, isn’t this going too far? I think a private apology would suffice!”
Cui Yunhan chuckled lightly. “Too far? What would be considered not too far?”
The atmosphere in the room became tense. Zhang Jing quickly stepped forward to mediate. “If it weren’t for Little Wang, Comrade Zhu wouldn’t have suffered this misfortune. She almost died.”
Chen Dakui pursed his lips, his clenched fist loosening powerlessly. “Alright, we’ll apologize publicly!”
After speaking, he prepared to pull Wang Juhua out, but Wang Juhua shook off his arm. “Why should I apologize? Doesn’t everyone here know that Comrade Cui actually likes Comrade Bai Lian? If she hadn’t interfered, they would have been together long ago. I was just speaking the truth. What did I do wrong?”
The atmosphere in the living room instantly became heavy. Cui Yunhan’s face turned black, and he cast a warning glance.
Chen Dakui was taken aback, not expecting his wife to make trouble again. He glared fiercely at Wang Juhua, warning her not to speak further.
Chen Dakui’s face wore a fawning smile. “Comrade Cui, she’s just a housewife who believes gossip. She doesn’t understand anything. Don’t take it to heart. As for you and Comrade Bai Lian, others may not know, but we do! As for the demands Sister-in-law made, we will definitely comply, comply.”
After speaking, he pulled Wang Juhua out of the house, afraid she would say something more shocking.