Returning to the training ground from the communications room, Zhou Yue swept his gaze over the faces glistening with sweat yet filled with unwavering determination, and issued his command in a low voice.
“That’s enough for today. You’re dismissed.”
At his order, Deputy Battalion Commander Feng Wei immediately organized the troops and led them away from the training ground in orderly formation.
However, as they left, their eyes all involuntarily glanced toward the side of the entrance, their expressions either teasing or puzzled.
Zhou Yue checked the time on his watch—it was just past ten o’clock—and decided to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to see if there were any fresh bones left.
Just as he reached the entrance of the training ground, he was suddenly blocked by Lin Xiuman, who had appeared out of nowhere.
Zhou Yue frowned almost imperceptibly.
In an era where even a conversation between male and female comrades could cause blushes, Lin Xiuman seemed particularly bold and proactive.
She looked up at Zhou Yue with a hint of shyness. “Battalion Commander Zhou, could we speak privately?”
Zhou Yue took a step back, his expression cold, deliberately creating distance between them.
“Comrade Lin, if you have something to say, say it here.”
Seeing Zhou Yue’s distancing gesture, the smile on Lin Xiuman’s lips stiffened slightly. She then raised her head and said, “Battalion Commander Zhou, I know you were forced to marry that country girl.”
“She drugged you, didn’t she? That’s why you married her. That country girl is truly vicious. You’ve been wronged, Battalion Commander Zhou.”
Zhou Yue’s brows furrowed slightly as he replied in a deep voice, “She didn’t drug me. We got married normally. Comrade Lin, please show respect for Comrade Xu Xi.”
Although the drugging was indeed a fact, he didn’t want to hear about it anymore. It wasn’t good for him… or for Xu Xi.
Lin Xiuman was taken aback. “What?”
Qin Xiaomei had sworn to her that the drugging incident was true—how could it be wrong?
Moreover, Zhou Yue was defending Xu Xi so staunchly, making it impossible to tell that their marital relationship was strained.
Lin Xiuman bit her lip, feeling like a clown at that moment.
Seeing her lower her eyes and remain silent, Zhou Yue spoke in a detached tone, “If I hear any more rumors about drugging, no matter who spreads them, I will report it to the relevant leaders or the police station.”
Another report!
Xu Xi filed a complaint, and Zhou Yue reports rumors—are this couple doing it on purpose?
Lin Xiuman looked up at Zhou Yue in disbelief. She couldn’t believe he could be so ruthless.
Back when they were introduced, everything had been so harmonious.
As the daughter of a brigade commander, Lin Xiuman had her own pride. She knew it was wrong to interfere in someone else’s marriage, but she just couldn’t let go.
Zhou Yue was tall, handsome, and had earned six individual second-class merits in less than ten years of military service.
If he weren’t only twenty-four and lacking connections, he would have already been promoted to deputy regiment commander or higher.
Faced with such an outstanding man, how could Lin Xiuman not develop feelings of admiration?
She still wanted to fight for a chance. “Battalion Commander Zhou, if you hadn’t married that country girl, could there have been a possibility for us…”
“Comrade Lin, please have some self-respect,” Zhou Yue interrupted her sharply.
“I’m already married. There’s no possibility of anything else. Comrade Lin, you’ll find a better marriage partner in the future. Don’t waste your thoughts on me anymore.”
With that, Zhou Yue strode away.
Lin Xiuman was so angry she nearly bit through her lower lip. Her heart was shattered into pieces. She had been so proactive, yet he remained unmoved.
It seemed he had truly been brainwashed by that country girl.
Lin Xiuman watched Zhou Yue’s tall, retreating figure with unwillingness.
…
Meanwhile, at the family quarters.
Xu Xi looked at the empty yard and decided to go next door to ask Sister-in-law Guo for some vegetable seeds to fill the vacant plot.
Just as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she overheard the military wives whispering about Zhou Yue.
“I saw it with my own eyes just now—Comrade Lin from the cultural troupe went to the training ground to find Battalion Commander Zhou! They even stood at the entrance talking for quite a while!”
“I always thought Battalion Commander Zhou and Comrade Lin were a good match. I figured if they got married, we’d all get to feast. Who would’ve thought Battalion Commander Zhou would marry a country girl?”
Guo Ailan disagreed, “Aren’t we all from the countryside? Have we forgotten our roots after living in the family quarters for so long?”
Sun Cuihua curled her lip, “Sister-in-law Guo, don’t defend her. That country bumpkin isn’t like us. She used underhanded methods—drugged him just to marry the promising young Battalion Commander Zhou.”
Guo Ailan still couldn’t believe Xu Xi would do such a thing. She thought the girl was quite kind-hearted.
She simply couldn’t imagine Xu Xi drugging Zhou Yue.
Sun Cuihua added, “Comrade Lin’s father is a brigade commander, and I heard he’s getting promoted soon. If Battalion Commander Zhou had married Comrade Lin, with that kind of connection, think how many years of struggle he could’ve saved climbing the ranks.”
Surprisingly, Xu Xi found Sun Cuihua’s words reasonable.
Lin Xiuman’s father’s status could indeed provide Zhou Yue with tangible support.
According to the original plot, after Xu Xi died in childbirth, Zhou Yue remarried Lin Xiuman, and within less than two years, he was promoted to regimental commander.
Xu Xi also thought about Zhou Yue meeting Lin Xiuman.
After all, they were the male and female leads. Driven by fate, they were bound to encounter each other at different times and places.
Instantly, she lost the mood to ask Sister-in-law Guo for seeds. Better to go back inside and laze around.
But just as she turned around, she heard Zhou Yue’s deep, cold voice.
“Sisters-in-law, I’ll only say this once.”
“My wife never drugged me. From now on, if anyone spreads rumors or makes up stories, I won’t mind having a word with your husbands and inviting them to the training ground for a good workout.”
Among the military wives present, aside from Sister-in-law Guo, whose husband held a higher military rank than Zhou Yue?
Moreover, Zhou Yue was the tallest and strongest in their battalion area. Who would dare let their husband spar with him? They’d likely lose half their life.
The military wives immediately fell silent, lowering their heads without a word.
In truth, the story about the drugging was something they’d only heard secondhand. There was no concrete evidence, but as gossip spread, they’d all come to believe it.
Now that Zhou Yue had personally clarified the matter, how could they dare say anything more?
The military wives quickly made excuses to leave the scene. They couldn’t stand being around Zhou Yue—the pressure radiating from him was terrifying.
After reprimanding them, Zhou Yue strode back to his own doorstep, carrying a few marrow bones.
Lowering his gaze, he saw Xu Xi leaning against the doorframe, her eyes bright and sparkling as she looked at him.
Her eyes shone like they held starlight, glistening and curved into sweet crescents, staring directly at him.
Zhou Yue felt a bit overwhelmed. His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times as he asked, “What are you doing standing at the door?”
Xu Xi curved her lips into a smile. “Waiting for you to come home.”
She had heard everything Zhou Yue said just now. She never expected him to defend her like that, even lying to those military wives.
She bounced over to him, her voice softening. “I heard what you said just now, Zhou Yue. How are you so good?”
Zhou Yue’s ears turned red as he averted his gaze.
“Don’t overthink it. I’m just avoiding trouble, but that doesn’t mean I won’t hold you accountable for drugging me.”
Xu Xi carefully considered the matter and realized she had never sincerely apologized to Zhou Yue.
Previously, she believed the drugging was the original owner’s fault, and if anyone should apologize, it should have been that person.
But Zhou Yue didn’t know about the body swap—he was still a victim.