The soldiers all nodded to Jiang Mengning in thanks.
Jiang Mengning smiled and waved her hand.“You’re welcome, you’re welcome. If you need anything in the future, just look for Sister Niu—she’s amazing.”
What should have been her contribution ended up benefiting someone else, and she didn’t even get any credit—instead, a sharp-tongued woman stole the spotlight.
Why should she get all the praise?
This made Niu Lili so angry she nearly coughed up blood.
Clearly it was her achievement—how did it end up making Jiang Mengning look good instead?
That damn woman was far too calculating. Truly vicious and scheming.
Niu Lili glared at Jiang Mengning. If looks could kill, she would have murdered her eight hundred times over already.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone approaching from the front right.Political Commissar Zhou!
Niu Lili instantly perked up. Her eyes darted, and she spotted the scratches on Huo Jinyan’s neck. Immediately, she raised her voice.
“Brother Huo, what’s going on with the scratches on your neck? They look like nail marks. Don’t tell me Jiang Mengning bullied you?”
“She hit you, didn’t she?”
Her eyes instantly reddened as she looked at Jiang Mengning, speaking in the most fake-sweet tone imaginable.“Jiang Mengning, Brother Huo works so hard every day—how could you scratch him like that? Can’t you talk things out properly? How can you resort to violence? Could it be that you really don’t want to live with Brother Huo anymore?”
“Commissar, if they’re already like this, maybe it’s better they just get divorced.”
She said this deliberately—to let the commissar know that Jiang Mengning was a troublemaker who didn’t deserve Huo Jinyan. If the commissar filed a report and forced them to divorce, wouldn’t she get her chance then?
Huo Jinyan and Jiang Mengning turned their heads at the same time—just in time to see Commissar Zhou arrive. Both greeted him.
Zhou noticed the scratches on Huo Jinyan’s neck and couldn’t help sighing. Combined with all the rumors about Jiang Mengning in the compound, it was almost certain she was responsible.
This was ridiculous.
Children of soldiers had to maintain good conduct and set an example for the public. How could they be fighting every day and stirring up chaos?
He scolded Huo Jinyan inwardly—you brat, can’t even manage your own wife. Completely humiliating.
“Jinyan,” Zhou said, “from what I’ve observed, it seems you and your wife have been having some marital issues lately. You’ve even come to blows? Your neck is scratched up like that.”
Huo Jinyan: “……”Jiang Mengning: “……”
They exchanged a glance and simultaneously thought of last night on the bed, both feeling awkward.
Huo Jinyan replied flatly, “We didn’t fight. I scratched myself by accident.”
Spousal fights in the army were subject to criticism—he had no intention of being reprimanded for this.
Jiang Mengning nodded quickly.“Exactly! Fighting is something kids do. We’re adults—how could we fight?”
“There are always long-tongued gossipers in the army who love spreading rumors. Commissar, you’re experienced and perceptive—you surely have your own judgment, right?”
Niu Lili’s face darkened at the indirect mockery.“You can’t say it like that. Haven’t you always looked down on Brother Huo? You even kicked him out to sleep in the dorms! Doesn’t that prove your marriage is unstable?”
Jiang Mengning sneered.“Oh? You sure are concerned. You even know exactly where my man sleeps. What—are you constantly thinking about his body, waiting for a chance to crawl into his bed?”
When dealing with shameless women, you had to be even more shameless. If she didn’t get humiliated once, she’d never know her place.
“You—! I—I didn’t!” Niu Lili stammered guiltily.
Commissar Zhou had seen enough.“Enough. Stop arguing. This is the army, not a marketplace.”
He smiled.“Since you’re not having marital issues, that’s good. I was worried you two were really on bad terms. But Jinyan, you have been staying in the dorms quite often lately. That won’t do. You’re married—what does it look like, not going home?”
Playing mediator, he added,“Starting today, Jinyan, you go home. A husband and wife need to live together and nurture their relationship. Sleeping apart leads to problems sooner or later.”
“Jinyan, what I’m saying makes sense, right?”
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Huo Jinyan could only respond, “Mm.”
“Good. Don’t lie to me. Once you agree, don’t go back on it. I’ll check from time to time. If I find out you didn’t go home, I’ll discipline you.”
He even reminded Jiang Mengning,“You keep an eye on him. Report to me if there’s any issue. If he doesn’t go home again, I’ll send soldiers to escort him back.”
As political commissar, he not only handled ideological work but also involved himself in soldiers’ marriages—essentially acting as the women’s affairs officer. In the army, anyone showing signs of divorce had to be persuaded to reconcile. It was part of his job.
Jiang Mengning glanced at Huo Jinyan and smiled brightly.“Alright, Commissar, don’t worry. I definitely won’t let you down. I’ll keep a very close watch on him.”
“Good. But you also need to reflect on yourself. There have been some unpleasant rumors about you lately. Watch your behavior. I’ll also be evaluating you soon—prepare yourself.”
She chuckled.“Sure. I’ve got nothing to hide. Investigate all you want.”
Zhou finally relaxed and left, satisfied.He hoped they wouldn’t divorce—otherwise Jinyan would be on his third marriage, and his reputation would be completely ruined.
Huo Jinyan didn’t linger and followed the commissar.
Jiang Mengning called after him,“Come home early tonight! I’ll be waiting~”
She shot a provocative glance at Niu Lili before turning away.
Niu Lili was furious.She had wanted the commissar to push them into divorce—how did it end up sending Brother Huo straight back to that woman?
What kind of idiocy was this?!
She was absolutely livid.Jiang Mengning—you’ve gone too far!
Humming to herself, Jiang Mengning returned home. The door was still shut—Nian Nian had obeyed and hadn’t gone out.
Knock knock knock.“Little bunny, be good, open the door~”
She was calling the password with Nian Nian.
Hearing her voice, Nian Nian peeked through the crack.
Seeing her mother, her face lit up.
She wanted to open the door—but decided to prank her first.
“I won’t open, I won’t open! Mommy’s not back, and even if she is, I won’t open!”
Mom had taught her that rhyme—she sang it smoothly now.
Jiang Mengning laughed.“Hey! I am your mom. Open the door now or I’ll smack your butt.”
The door flew open instantly.
Nian Nian giggled and hugged her mother’s leg.“Mommy, you’re back! Nian Nian was really good! I listened to you and didn’t go out!”
Jiang Mengning picked her up.“Mhm, I saw that. You did great today. Later I’ll reward you with honey, okay? I found lots of honey in the mountains.”
Just as she finished speaking, Duan Xiaowu arrived with the honey.