Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Xiao Heng came in carrying Zhao Zhao. “Brother Lei, sister-in-law, I need to trouble you to take care of Zhao Zhao for me.”
The couple exchanged a glance and guessed that Xiao Heng and Qiao Meili probably had something to talk about.
Huang Yifang liked Zhaozhao more and more the more she looked at her, and was thinking of saying a few good words for Qiao Meili. Lei Guotao pulled his wife aside and rushed out first.
“Perfect timing, let’s chat for a bit.”
Lei Guotao looked serious, and Huang Yifang, sensing the seriousness of the situation, went over and took Zhaozhao from him.
“Zhao Zhao, go play with Sister Yan’er.”
Watching Zhao Zhao enter the house, Xiao Heng followed Lei Guotao into their courtyard.
Lei Guotao nodded, pointing directly in the direction of the Xiao family’s courtyard. “You saw them? What are your plans for the future?”
Lei Guotao and Xiao Heng were partners back then. He watched Xiao Heng get promoted, and to be honest, he wasn’t envious at all.
Xiao Heng previously served in the border defense forces. He made a significant contribution to the thorough investigation of a spy case, destroying a large spy gang. Unfortunately, the leader escaped during the final capture, and Xiao Heng was seriously injured and nearly lost his life.
The military region leaders transferred him away from the border defense forces to protect his personal safety.
In other words, being a deputy regimental commander is just the beginning; he can go even higher and further.
Having worked together for many years, Xiao Heng was well aware of the meaning behind Lei Guotao’s words. He put his hands in his pockets and looked into the distance.
Lei Guotao knew that he was a deep thinker and the kind of person who would shoulder everything on his own.
“I must remind you, given the current situation… that is, you and Qiao Meili got married a few years ago. If it were now, she might not pass the political background check; it’s too sensitive.”
Lei Guotao didn’t want to comment much on the current situation, but what was happening right now was a real issue.
“Leaving aside other things, just take our military region, for example. Commander Zhang of the 2nd Regiment, his wife comes from a capitalist family. He used to brag to everyone that his wife was beautiful and well-educated. Now, I heard he’s going to divorce her, abandoning his wife and children, a clean break. The families in the compound are all gossiping about it, saying that Commander Zhang is too ruthless, after all, they were husband and wife…”
From a rational standpoint, cutting ties and making it difficult to reconnect could protect oneself, but from an emotional standpoint, they’ve been married for so many years…
Lei Guotao sighed upon hearing this, but was also relieved that his wife’s family was poor, so he didn’t have this problem at all.
He looked at his good brother.
“Your situation is much better than his. Everyone in the compound knows that Qiao Meili was at fault first. Just because she has ignored her son for more than three years, if you want to get a divorce, no one will criticize you.”
As brothers, Lei Guotao spoke from the bottom of his heart.
If Qiao Meili heard these words, she would definitely give her a good scolding.
But what needs to be said still needs to be said.
“The situation will only become more tense in the future, so you should be prepared. Besides, it’s hard to say whether Qiao Meili’s choice to come at this sensitive time is intended to take advantage of you.”
Xiao Heng’s body trembled slightly.
As the evening breeze blew by, it felt as if a hole had been torn in his heart, and he was immediately exposed to the cold wind.
When Lei Guotao saw his brother’s expression, he wondered if he had spoken too harshly, but he still had to give his brother a heads-up to prevent him from being deceived and hurt again.
He raised his hand and patted his brother on the shoulder.
“Think it over carefully, I’m going inside first.”
Xiao Heng said he was going out for a while, but it took quite a long time.
Qiao Meili was bored out of her mind in the house. She should have taken a nice bath and rested for a while, but since he hadn’t come back, she didn’t want to make any rash moves.
After waiting for about ten more minutes, she finally heard some noise outside. Qiao Meili looked up at the door and saw that Xiao Heng had indeed returned.
However, she keenly sensed that something was wrong. When Xiao Heng left, he was at least relaxed and cheerful, but now he exuded a strong sense of dejection.
Qiao Meili had a bad feeling; she was afraid that someone had said something to Xiao Heng.
But she decided to pretend she didn’t know. “You’re back. What do we need to talk about? Tell me, I’m listening.”
Qiao Meili tilted her head slightly, her small face and big, watery eyes looking at him with clear, trusting eyes.
She clearly did something wrong, so how can she put on such an innocent face?
Xiao Heng wanted to loudly question her whether she had ever thought of Zhao Zhao or him all these years.
But his long-suppressed personality made him hold back.
“I can let bygones be bygones, but you must agree to one condition.”
Qiao Meili was taken aback. It was that simple?
Judging from Xiao Heng’s expression just now, she thought she was about to be kicked out of the house.
He nodded eagerly, “You said it, I will definitely do it if I can.”
Seeing her casual demeanor, Xiao Heng’s suppressed anger erupted. “You agreed so quickly, how can you guarantee that what I ask you to do won’t put you in a difficult position?”
“Why else? Because I trust you.”
As a soldier, would Xiao Heng ask her to kill or commit arson? As long as it’s not illegal or against the law, he’d let her do whatever she wants.
These seemingly obvious words stunned Xiao Heng, making him trust him.
Hearing these words from Qiao Meili’s mouth, it sounded like a fairy tale.
His sharp gaze swept over Qiao Meili.
Having served in the border defense forces for many years, Xiao Heng had seen all sorts of people. If the mouth can lie, a person’s eyes cannot.
Qiao Meili’s eyes were clear as she met his gaze calmly, without the slightest hint of flinching or panic.
She wasn’t lying.
This realization softened Xiao Heng’s tone a bit. “My requirements are very simple: you must treat Zhao Zhao well, and you can no longer just leave whenever you want like before.”
So it was for her son.
Qiao Meili felt a bit disappointed, but then she thought about it again.
If it weren’t for her son, would Xiao Heng really like her after all those things she did?
Pshaw, stop trying to glorify yourself.
Qiao Meili woke herself up with a scolding, strolled over to Xiao Heng, tilted her head slightly, and brought her fair and pretty smiling face close to Xiao Heng.
The close proximity made Xiao Heng’s breath catch in his throat. He wanted to step back but held back, looking down at her with an unconsciously tense expression.
His tense and fearful demeanor made Qiao Meili want to laugh, and well, she couldn’t help but laugh.
A smile spread across her lips as she placed her hand on Xiao Heng’s chest. “We’re an old married couple, what are you so nervous about?”
“I’m not nervous,” Xiao Heng said righteously.
A man who says one thing but means another, even when his body is stretched to its limit.
Qiao Meili didn’t expose him and slowly withdrew her hand.
“I promise I will treat Zhaozhao well from now on and I will never abandon him again. Xiao Heng, are you satisfied now?”
The woman looked at him with a sincere expression and her eyes were burning with passion.
Xiao Heng’s heart skipped a beat.
Before he could speak, the woman, with her stunningly beautiful face, leaned closer again. “Not only that, I also promise to treat you well from now on and never leave you. What do you say?”
Xiao Heng had been able to remain calm before, but this time he really couldn’t hold on and took two steps back to avoid the woman’s aura attack and to maintain his composure.
“Remember what you said today, and don’t go back on your word!”
Qiao Meili responded to him with actions, turning around and walking out.
Xiao Heng, however, was confused and thought she was leaving again. “Where are you going?”