Political Commissar Cao frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the emotionally agitated crowd, then shifting to Song Mingyuan, whose face was dark with anger and grievance.
Finally, that sharp, oppressive gaze landed on Wen Xi, like a blade trying to cut through her and see her whole being.
“Comrade Wen, accusations require evidence. Spreading baseless slander against a soldier will result in severe punishment.”
Wen Xi only felt a powerful aura pressing toward her, like an invisible mountain advancing on her.
The surrounding people were intimidated by Commissar Cao’s presence, shrinking their necks and not daring to breathe loudly.
Especially those who had questioned Song Mingyuan earlier—their hearts were pounding uncontrollably, their legs going weak. They almost regretted stepping forward before verifying the facts.
Wen Xi, however, was completely unaffected. She straightened her back even more and met Commissar Cao’s sharp gaze head-on, like an unyielding young leopard.
“Commissar, he has corrupt morals and is openly committing bigamy, violating national law. This can be verified easily with an investigation.”
The villagers of Qinghe Bay were witnesses, and Wen Xi still held the fake marriage certificate Song Mingyuan had once given her, so she was not afraid of his pressure at all.
Commissar Cao’s brow furrowed even deeper as he considered how to resolve the matter properly.
He already disliked Wen Xi a little—she had beaten a soldier so severely without regard for time or place. Moreover, she was physically strong like an ox. In a time of scarcity when everyone was underfed, a woman of her size made her words seem less credible.
He had lived in a rural area before and knew how hard life there was. Just as Song Mingyuan said, even with heavy labor and insufficient food, how could she have gained so much weight?
Even if someone had drugged her to gain weight quickly, constant labor should have made her lose it.
With these thoughts, the scale in Commissar Cao’s mind already tilted toward Song Mingyuan.
“Comrade Wen, the military is a place of fairness and justice. What you claim would never happen here.
Comrade Song Mingyuan’s marriage was approved by the organization. Since you have doubts, we will continue investigating.”
After all, Song Mingyuan was a soldier he had watched grow up. Over the years, he had performed many dangerous missions. Training a capable soldier required enormous resources, and Cao did not want his future to be ruined.
Moreover, Song Mingyuan was the son-in-law of Chief of Staff Jiang. The two families were long-time comrades-in-arms, and their children were even considering marriage alliances. This connection would benefit both his work and personal life.
After weighing the pros and cons, Commissar Cao decided to suppress the matter for now.
“Comrade Wen, we have noted your concerns. The investigation will take time. However, your identity is still under question, so you cannot enter the family compound or remain near the military area for long periods.
For now, you should return home or stay in the city and wait for notification. We will contact you once the investigation is complete.”
“As for all of you,” Commissar Cao’s gaze turned to the crowd, his tone suddenly strict, “until the matter is clarified, you are not allowed to spread rumors. Those who violate discipline will be punished.
If anyone continues gossiping in private, don’t blame us for disciplinary action—even your husbands may be affected, and you might be expelled from the compound.”
The crowd, frightened, gradually dispersed.
Song Mingyuan, who had been tense like a drawn bow, slowly relaxed. A barely noticeable curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
Commissar Cao was clearly on his side. This was just a way to brush Wen Xi off.
If she were truly being defended, she would have been arranged to stay in the military guesthouse.
As long as she was sent away, he would find a way to make sure she never returned.
Relief and joy surged in him as he shot Commissar Cao a grateful look.
Their eyes met. Cao shot him a warning glance—half reprimand, half protection—as if saying, “Look at the mess you’ve made. Good thing I handled it.”
Wen Xi caught all of their expressions.
She had thought she had met a fair and upright leader, but it turned out he simply wanted to smooth things over and send her away with a few nice words.
If it were someone inexperienced, they might really be fooled by such talk.
But who was she? Someone who had come from the modern world—she was all too familiar with this kind of bureaucratic evasion and empty promises.
On the surface, it sounded like they would investigate and contact her later, but once she left, everything would be quietly buried, and Song Mingyuan would suffer no consequences at all.
“I’m not leaving,” Wen Xi said firmly. “I will stay here and wait for the investigation results. Song Mingyuan committed marriage fraud and bigamy, and he also seized my dowry. If I don’t get justice, I will not leave.”
Her stance was resolute, her eyes unwavering, her back straight like a pine tree standing firm in a storm—unbowed and unyielding.
Between her and Song Mingyuan stood a life that had already been lost.
Even if she couldn’t destroy him completely, she would still tear off a piece of his flesh.
“Wen Xi, this is not a place for you to act out,” Song Mingyuan said coldly. “I advise you to leave quickly. Don’t forget your identity—think about your parents.”
Her parents had been sent down for over two years, and she still carried the label of a “capitalist’s daughter.” Song Mingyuan was certain she would back down.
“I’m not afraid of your threats!” Wen Xi shot back. “My parents will eventually be rehabilitated, and your crimes will be exposed!”
She tore open what he thought was her weakness.
Her gaze was like a blade of ice in a frozen night, piercing straight into his heart.
“You and your family, after my family’s accident, tried to break off the engagement and seize my dowry—that’s why you committed marriage fraud.
Until I get justice and recover everything you stole, I will not leave.”
Song Mingyuan had not expected her to expose everything in front of so many people. He was furious that she had stripped away his dignity.
With no leverage left against her, and her relentless pressure, his clenched fists trembled before slowly loosening as he suppressed the urge to strike.
“Wen Xi, how can you twist the truth?” he said painfully. “It was my parents who kindly took you in after your family’s situation changed.
I know you’ve always liked me, but I already rejected you clearly. Now you’ve followed me to the military base and are slandering me!”
“Then let the military investigate immediately. Whoever is afraid of investigation is the real coward!”
Wen Xi stood like an unbreakable wall between Song Mingyuan and Commissar Cao, refusing to yield.
The atmosphere froze.
Then, from behind the crowd, a voice rang out.
It was not loud—but carried undeniable authority, exploding into the tense silence.