Fang Guihua felt that Qiao Yuewei and Qin Xingye were being so overbearing. She had already lowered her head to apologize—what more did they want?
“I just blabbered a few words! You didn’t even do anything! Do we need to blow it out of proportion?”
The military wives had never seen Fang Guihua act so shameless—and she even acted aggrieved.
Qiao Yuewei shot her a sidelong glance. “That’s because I’m smart—I didn’t believe your nonsense. If I had, your filthy scheme would have succeeded.”
“Actually, you should thank me. Nothing worse happened because of me.”
Fang Guihua didn’t want to hear Qiao Yuewei’s moralizing—she just caught Qiao Yuewei shamelessly boasting.
“Commander Qin, I’m sorry. I didn’t know Fang Guihua would speak so recklessly. I apologize on her behalf—you can deal with her however you like.”
Fang Yuanyuan was furious with Fang Guihua, but for the sake of her own reputation, she had to apologize politely.
Fang Guihua was displeased. “Yuanyuan, I did all this for you! Who doesn’t know your little scheme? If Commander Qin marries, do you still have a chance? I had your best interests at heart, and you don’t even plead for me—you let him punish me instead!”
She was completely unhinged, snapping and biting like a mad dog.
Fang Yuanyuan was about to lose her mind. What did “for me” even mean? If it were truly for her, she wouldn’t have dragged her into this. What if Qin Xingye thought she had orchestrated it?
“Fang Guihua, we’re distant relatives anyway. I haven’t reported your rumors, but you want to throw dirt on me too?”
“Everyone, Fang Guihua’s actions today were unknown to me. I’ve also heard that Commander Qin’s fiancée arrived, which makes me happy for him. Congratulations, Commander Qin.”
After saying this, Fang Yuanyuan covered her face and ran off.
A military wife immediately pointed at Fang Guihua. “Fang Guihua, you’re really despicable. You made Comrade Fang cry.”
Qiao Yuewei didn’t care about Fang Yuanyuan’s feelings—she remembered the way Fang Yuanyuan looked at Qin Xingye at the train station. Tsk!
She glanced at Qin Xingye, who lowered his eyes, unreadable as ever.
Fang Guihua wasn’t convinced. It was just a few words—what was the big deal?
“What does it have to do with me? She wanted it herself; I didn’t force her!”
“That’s enough, Fang Guihua!” He Qiurong scolded.
“Whether I’m right or not, we’re going to the commissar!” Qiao Yuewei grabbed Fang Guihua and marched straight to the office. She wasn’t one to back down.
Seeing this, He Qiurong told the rest, “Everyone, go about your business. Let’s go.”
They followed Qiao Yuewei to the commissar’s office.
The military wives dispersed and returned home, later gossiping to their husbands in the evening.
Once at the office, Fang Guihua cowered. After hearing Qin Xingye and He Qiurong’s account, Commissar Zhao’s face darkened.
The military region had been emphasizing discipline and conduct, but Fang Guihua’s ears heard nothing!
Commissar Zhao assured Qiao Yuewei, “Young Mrs. Qin, I understand. You won’t be wronged.”
Qiao Yuewei shook her head. “It’s not me—it’s Qin Xingye.”
Zhao paused, then smiled.
After a short while, they left the office. As for how Fang Guihua would be dealt with, that was no longer Qiao Yuewei’s concern.
“小 Qin, Yuewei was wronged this time. You better comfort her well.”
After all, this matter was tied to Qin Xingye—Fang Yuanyuan had true feelings for him. Poor Yuewei had just arrived and immediately faced such a troublesome situation. He Qiurong silently cursed Fang Guihua in her heart.
“Yuewei, trust me—Fang Guihua is full of hot air!”
Qiao Yuewei smiled. “Sister, thank you earlier. Your hand isn’t sore, is it?”
He Qiurong’s heart warmed. This girl had been wronged herself, yet she worried about her hand. A few slaps on Fang Guihua—what’s so painful about that?
“No, it’s fine. You two go talk; I’ll go cook.”
“Alright, Sister, take care.”
Qiao Yuewei glanced at Qin Xingye and entered the yard first; he followed.
“Does your hand hurt?” he asked.
Qiao Yuewei extended her hand, the fair palm slightly reddened.
Qin Xingye’s eyes flickered. “Sorry.”
Qiao Yuewei lifted her chin. “What are you sorry for?”
“I…” Qin Xingye hesitated.
He didn’t actually know what he did wrong, but his mother had said that the first priority when upsetting a girl was to apologize.
Seeing his face turn red, Qiao Yuewei let out a small laugh. “Forget it. I won’t make it difficult for you.”
Qin Xingye relaxed and, noticing her reddened hand, got up and went to the room where he slept yesterday.
Qiao Yuewei heard him rummaging through drawers and return with something.
“I’ll help you apply the ointment.”
Now she saw that he had brought the same ointment as yesterday.
Qiao Yuewei shook her head. “Forget my hand. Help me with my knee.”
She gently rolled up her pants to reveal a bruise on her knee.
A flash of unspoken tenderness appeared in Qin Xingye’s eyes.
He nodded, knelt before her, and carefully applied ointment with a cotton swab.
“Does it hurt?”
“Not anymore—it just looks scary.”
“Not going to the market tomorrow? I’ll tell Sister He.” Qin Xingye stood to leave, but Qiao Yuewei grabbed him.
“It’s fine. I promised Sister He, and it really doesn’t hurt. If it did, I wouldn’t go even if you carried me.”
She wasn’t the type to indulge herself in grievances.
Besides, she had to stop by the post office as well.
And another thing:
“Is there a printing shop at the market?”
Qin Xingye looked at her. “A printing factory?”
“Yes, yes.”
She meant a print shop—but this was before computers were widespread.
“You want to print something?”
“Yes. I want to print my uncle’s photo on bags, so it’s more visible.”
Qin Xingye nodded. Previously, they had only posted missing-person notices in newspapers, which had limited reach. Printing on everyday items, however…
Everyone in the country could see!
But it wouldn’t be easy to arrange.
“We’ll have to negotiate, but I’ll try.”
Haicheng had a state-owned printing factory.
“Count me in. It concerns my uncle—I want to help too. Money doesn’t matter.”
“Alright.”
Qin Xingye thought of someone who could help.
“I’ll make a call to confirm.”
Qiao Yuewei was delighted, holding his hand. “Thank you, Qin Xingye.”
The warm, soft touch made his gaze darken. “The marriage application came through.”
“So fast? Then let’s go get the certificate! I’ll change clothes—Qin Xingye, you too! I’ll be quick.”
Qiao Yuewei went into the room.
Marriage certificates at that time were usually accompanied by a white shirt and red hat, very symbolic.
She rummaged through the cabinet—no white shirt, but no matter. She had space.
She entered the space, cared for her skin, and applied light makeup.
Every bride wanted to be the most beautiful on one of the most important days of her life.
After finishing, she went upstairs, found a satisfactory outfit, changed, and left the space.
Qin Xingye changed into a white shirt and put on a newly tailored military uniform. Adjusting his hat, he exhaled in front of the mirror.