“Alright, I’m done teasing you. Your marriage application has been approved.”
Old Jiang opened a drawer and handed the application to Qin Xingye. Qin Xingye took it, put it away, and turned to leave.
“I’m heading out first, Commander.”
“That brat! In such a hurry?” Old Jiang laughed and scolded at the same time.
“To get the certificate.”
“Impatient!” Watching Qin Xingye’s back, Old Jiang couldn’t help but smile. Finally, someone could manage this boy.
Everyone knew Qin Xingye’s nickname in the company: “Crazy Qin.” He was intense in training himself and even more so when training others, with high standards for both himself and others.
Thinking about Qin Xingye fawning over his fiancée made Old He chuckle.
This brat needed someone to keep him in check. His training style was strict and uncompromising, his personality blunt and rigid. He knew Qin Xingye had good intentions, but sometimes there was a proper way to do things. If his fiancée could make him restrain himself, all the better.
Qiao Yuewei threw her clothes into the space’s washing machine, took them out to dry, and also washed some of the new clothes she had picked from the second floor.
One clothesline was clearly not enough.
Just as she was thinking about how to solve this, she saw a figure skulking near the gate.
This was the military district’s family compound. Qiao Yuewei wasn’t worried about dangerous people, but she couldn’t be sure of their intentions.
She walked to the gate to see what was going on.
Fang Guihua hadn’t expected Qiao Yuewei to appear. When she saw Qiao Yuewei’s face, she froze for a moment, then couldn’t help but scrutinize her from head to toe.
“Which lady are you looking for?”
Fang Guihua rolled her eyes internally. This woman had a soft, coquettish voice, a tiny waist, and… an impressive chest. No wonder she could get close to Commander Qin in broad daylight without shame!
And the yard was full of colorful clothes—all new.
Looking at herself, she hardly ever had new clothes all year.
Her eyes flickered. “Oh, I’m looking for Commander Qin. I’m the cousin of his girlfriend.”
Qiao Yuewei raised an eyebrow. “Qin Xingye’s girlfriend?”
Zhang Guihua smiled maliciously. “Yes, Fang Yuanyuan, the most beautiful girl in the performing troupe. She comes from a good family—her father is a high-ranking official in the capital. She and Commander Qin are made for each other; they’ve been dating for nearly half a year. And you, miss… who are you to be in Commander Qin’s house?”
“I?” Qiao Yuewei crossed her arms over her chest and sneered. “I’m the fiancée of your cousin’s boyfriend.”
Fang Guihua feigned shock. “What? A fiancée? Impossible! Commander Qin never mentioned a fiancée! What’s going on?”
Realizing she might have overshared, Fang Guihua looked embarrassed. “Sorry, miss. Just pretend I never came. This is awkward.”
Qiao Yuewei smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach her eyes.
Catching the anger in Qiao Yuewei’s eyes, Fang Guihua smirked with satisfaction. Annoyed, huh? Good—she’d make sure to mess this up! Maybe she could storm the company later and ruin the marriage!
Why did someone like Qiao Yuewei live so well?
Fang Guihua turned to leave, but Qiao Yuewei grabbed her wrist. “You’re Fang Yuanyuan’s cousin, right? She told you about her relationship with Qin Xingye?”
Qiao Yuewei applied just enough force to make it uncomfortable.
Fang Guihua’s sparse brows furrowed. This girl had so much strength—she couldn’t shake her off.
“Of course! How else would I know? I meant well, but since you know, go confront Commander Qin yourself. He’s probably at the company. People who play both sides must be punished!”
“If you can’t bear it, you could break off the engagement. You’re beautiful—surely any man would want you. But if this blows up, it won’t be good for either of you.”
“You’re quite considerate of me, huh?” Qiao Yuewei tightened her grip.
“Ahhhh!” Fang Guihua screamed like a butchered pig, echoing through the family compound.
“What are you doing? Let go of me!”
Her voice carried, quickly gathering a dozen or so military wives.
He Qiurong had just finished tidying her house and was about to go shopping. At first, she didn’t intend to intervene, but the sound seemed to come from the next yard. Remembering Fang Guihua’s previous words, she had a bad feeling and rushed out, apron still on.
The noisy group of wives surrounded Fang Guihua.
He Qiurong grabbed Xu Chunxia’s arm. “What’s happening?”
Xu Chunxia pouted. “It’s that Fang Guihua again. Don’t know what she’s thinking, causing trouble in Commander Qin’s yard.”
He Qiurong thought this was serious. Qiao Yuewei looked delicate and easy to bully.
She pushed through the crowd: “Fang Guihua, what are you doing? How dare you—Little Qiao?”
She caught herself in time—luckily, Qiao Yuewei wasn’t at a disadvantage.
Fang Guihua’s face turned red. Seeing she couldn’t push Qiao Yuewei away, she tried to scratch her face with her nails.
That brat, bullying me? I’ll ruin her face and see how she seduces men!
Qiao Yuewei anticipated this move. She pulled back Fang Guihua’s right hand and pinned it behind her back.
“Murder! Someone’s killing me!”
“Enough! Fang Guihua, stop crying!” He Qiurong couldn’t stand it. How much strength could a young girl like Qiao Yuewei have? Fang Guihua could probably carry half a pig herself—what was she pretending for?
“Help! This woman’s trying to kill me!”
Fang Guihua’s face was squished together. One kind wife said, “Miss, please let go of Sister Zhang. We can talk this out.”
“Yes, let’s talk.”
Most of the military wives were kindhearted. Even someone as annoying as Fang Guihua stirred their compassion.
Still, a few voices objected. “Who is this so domineering? How can someone use force in the family compound?”
Qiao Yuewei saw Fang Guihua had suffered enough and loosened her grip slightly. She restrained herself. If it weren’t the military, she would have slapped Fang Guihua already.
“Miss He, is this woman also a military wife?”
He Qiurong nodded. “Yes, her husband is under your Commander Qin.”
“Since everyone saw this, I should explain. I, Qiao Yuewei, am not unreasonable and don’t hit people without cause.” She scanned the crowd, stopping at the wife who called her domineering.
“Do you know why I acted against Sister Fang?”
He Qiurong knew Qiao Yuewei wasn’t reckless. “Why?”
“Because she is slandering Qin Xingye!”
“Does anyone here know Fang Yuanyuan? Could you call her over? This Sister Fang not only defames my Qin Xingye but also spreads lies about Yuanyuan.”
Before he reached his family compound, Qin Xingye, carrying a bag of groceries, heard Qiao Yuewei’s firm declaration:
“My Qin Xingye!”