The grandfather, hearing this, flew into a rage. He stood up and slapped Song Qinian across the face.
Song Qinian didn’t even flinch; he took it squarely.
“Grandfather, I’ve already wronged this girl. If I don’t take care of her, am I still human?”
The old man’s eyes were sharp, piercing like a hawk. Though a little cloudy with age, his authority remained intact.
“Are you sure the child in her womb is yours?”
Song Qinian nodded. “It is.”
Li Shengmei, unable to contain herself any longer, stood up, her voice urgent:
“Qinian, you’re being foolish! This will ruin your career. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are. If you marry her, how will you advance in the future?”
She paused, then hurriedly added, “Besides, even if you had relations with her, she seduced you. I’ve checked—her reputation is bad. She’s been with many men. It’s not your fault!”
Liu Meiling also nodded repeatedly.
“Our Qinian is the real victim. Why don’t we just give her some money and let her go? You’ve been childhood sweethearts with Shengmei for so long; it’s time to settle the marriage.”
No one there had any ties with Su Wanning—they didn’t care about her feelings.
Not a single person supported Song Qinian’s decision. Everyone was trying to remove him from the situation.
But Song Qinian looked at them and laughed instead of getting angry.
“I told you, I have no interest in Li. If you like her, marry her yourselves.”
Song Qinian was stubborn; once he decided, he wouldn’t back down.
“As for my career, don’t bother yourselves. Can one woman really ruin my future? If so, it only proves I’m useless.”
The grandfather’s eyelids twitched. He snorted coldly. “You want to marry her? Let’s see if your marriage report even gets approved.”
Song Qinian said nothing and slammed the door, leaving.
He planned to contact the political commissar to approve the marriage report quickly.
If that failed, he would take Su Wanning to live with him at the military camp. Either way, she could not stay here.
Seeing Song Qinian leave, Li Shengmei felt her heartbreak deepen. Even though he had slept with another woman, she didn’t care—but he still wouldn’t marry her.
Her hope, once alive, was completely gone because of Su Wanning.
The political commissar, receiving Song Qinian’s call, solemnly advised him:
“Qinian, your marriage report won’t pass. How can you marry a woman of such background? Think carefully and act wisely.”
After saying this, he hung up abruptly.
Song Qinian realized his grandfather was serious.
Was there really no way?
If the marriage certificate couldn’t be approved, he couldn’t take Su Wanning with him to the military.
There was only one solution left.
Song Qinian narrowed his eyes.
Because he was protecting her, the Song family didn’t dare act against Su Wanning, even if they disliked her.
But living under the same roof, she would inevitably face mockery and cold glares.
So what if she was carrying his child?
Even if he married another woman, they could still have children. Children weren’t a rare commodity.
Meanwhile, ever since Su Wanning was taken by Song Qinian, Qin Zhiyuan had stopped eating, sleeping poorly, and constantly fretting.
Su Weiwei was also unwilling to accept it—how could Su Wanning have such good fortune?
Growing up, she had always lived in Su Wanning’s shadow. Finally, Su Wanning’s reputation was ruined, yet she still ended up with a young, capable regiment commander.
Each plotted their own schemes. Qin Zhiyuan could no longer suppress his resentment.
In her previous life, Su Wanning ran a business and became a big boss.
Even as a man, he was no match for her.
Now her reputation was ruined, and he thought he could crush her.
Yet, against all odds, she managed to turn things around. How could he accept it?
And what about the suffering Su Weiwei and her son endured in the previous life? Who would avenge them?
Qin Zhiyuan thought long and hard, deciding to spread rumors, intending to nail Su Wanning to the pillar of shame.
The child in her womb was supposedly the bandits’.
Not only that, he would ruin her reputation further.
Thinking this, Qin Zhiyuan and Su Weiwei left the house together, intending to humiliate Su Wanning in person.
Su Weiwei held Qin Zhiyuan’s hand. Though they weren’t yet married, their eyes were filled with mutual affection.
Qin Zhiyuan, full of guilt, and Su Weiwei, treating him as a lifeline, were determined to secure a “peace of mind” for Weiwei.
When they arrived at the Song household, the family was gathered for a meal.
Su Wanning sat beside Song Qinian, calm and obedient, looking just like a dutiful young wife.
Song Qinian occasionally served her food.
Everyone at the table had different thoughts, especially Song Sisi, who deliberately smashed her bowl and chopsticks.
Outside, rumors were spreading wildly: her second brother had foolishly brought home a “broken woman,” embarrassing himself.
No one cared if she had some hidden disease—after all, she had been violated by so many men.
Su Wanning didn’t expect Qin Zhiyuan and Su Weiwei to show up, and her brows instinctively furrowed.
Qin Zhiyuan had already rescued the people he wanted, and his marriage to Su Weiwei was imminent—so why did he keep interfering to make things difficult for her?
Liu Meiling immediately recognized Qin Zhiyuan. “Little Comrade Qin, what brings you here?”
Qin Zhiyuan glanced at Su Wanning calmly eating at the table, still carrying herself like a wealthy young lady. His fists clenched.
He first smiled at Liu Meiling, then said:
“Auntie, I came today to settle a score with Su Wanning. She had been dating me, then got involved with bandits and ended up pregnant. My mother kicked her out. Today, while cleaning the house, we discovered money was missing from the cabinet—200 yuan in total. In addition, a watch went missing.”
After speaking, Qin Zhiyuan glared at Su Wanning.
“For old times’ sake, I don’t want to make things ugly. Return the money and watch, and we can consider it settled. Out of respect for the Song family, I won’t ruin your reputation.”
Su Wanning never expected Qin Zhiyuan to not only take her gold bars to help Su Weiwei but also turn around and accuse her.
Was he trying to finish her off while she was weak? How much hatred? How much grievance?
Yes.
In her past life, Su Weiwei had been harmed while trying to save her—but that was Qin Zhiyuan’s own choice.
And later, Su Weiwei didn’t have a good life, and Su Wanning had helped her as an elder sister.
How could Qin Zhiyuan blame everything on her?
The old resentment of the oxygen tube had yet to be avenged. Qin Zhiyuan’s consecutive attacks left no room for sentiment.
Song Sisi and the others gasped. They had assumed Su Wanning merely had a tarnished reputation, not that she would stoop to stealing.
“Qinian, Mother will never allow you to marry a thief!”
Su Wanning tried to stand and defend herself but was interrupted by Song Qinian.
He slammed his chopsticks down on the table, strode toward Qin Zhiyuan, and stood face to face with him.
Qin Zhiyuan, for the first time, felt a trace of unease.
As he opened his mouth to speak, Song Qinian clenched his fist and punched straight toward Qin Zhiyuan’s face.