Just then, Lu Xiaomei came running over, panting heavily. As soon as she reached them, she couldn’t contain her excitement and said, “Brother, sister-in-law, did you see Jian Ning just now? How did she get so thin? She seems to have become prettier too! And there’s a wealthy man following her!”
As she spoke, Lu Xiaomei watched Lin Hongyun’s expression closely. Seeing her face grow increasingly grim, she couldn’t help but feel pleased.
Back in their hometown, she had seen the man with Jian Ning, but she never expected Jian Ning to actually latch onto him!
How could this be! How could that fat pig Jian Ning attach herself to such an outstanding man? In what way was she inferior to Jian Ning?
She had begged her brother and sister-in-law repeatedly before they brought her here, all for the purpose of finding a good man to marry. But after arriving, she realized it wasn’t that easy at all.
The military base certainly didn’t lack excellent men, but they were either already married or had other women interested in them. As a country girl, how could she compete with those flashy sluts!
She was already quite frustrated, and now seeing that even Jian Ning could find such a good man made her feel worse than if she couldn’t find one herself!
Lin Hongyun said coldly, “In my opinion, he might not necessarily be some wealthy man. He could just be a blind pretty boy!”
Otherwise, how could he possibly be interested in that country bumpkin fatty Jian Ning!
“His name is Xiao Qingyuan. He’s a deputy regiment commander, and…” Lu Changzheng paused here, then glanced at the astonished Lin Hongyun and Lu Xiaomei before continuing, “And his father is Commander Xiao.”
“Wh-what?” Lin Hongyun nearly bit her tongue. She couldn’t believe that Jian Ning had attached herself to such a noble man. This was impossible, absolutely impossible!
Even Lu Changzheng had rejected her – how could the commander’s son possibly want her! There must be some misunderstanding!
Otherwise, Jian Ning must have used some shameless method, like drugging him or crawling into his bed. Otherwise, how could such a man possibly want her!
Lu Xiaomei was both shocked and resentful. She had thought the man’s status was unusual, but never imagined it would be to this extent!
She regretted it immensely now. Why hadn’t she seized the opportunity back then? When Jian Ning was beating her up, why hadn’t she thought to cling to that man’s leg? If she had, she would be the one standing beside that man now, not Jian Ning.
Just thinking about this made her so furious she could grind her teeth to dust.
“Brother, are you mistaken? Is that man really the commander’s son?” Lu Xiaomei asked, still unwilling to accept it.
Lu Changzheng didn’t speak further, his face dark as he strode forward.
Lin Hongyun and Lu Xiaomei exchanged glances before quickly following. Lin Hongyun spoke up, “Changzheng, I think we need to visit the commander’s home. There are some things the commander should know. We can’t let their family be deceived by Jian Ning!”
“That’s right, brother. You know best what kind of person Jian Ning is. Are you going to just stand by and watch her ruin Deputy Commander Xiao?” Lu Xiaomei quickly added.
Lu Changzheng pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “You’re right. I should indeed pay a visit to the commander’s home.”
Lin Hongyun was immediately thrilled, but she concealed it well and said, “Actually, doing it this way is also for Jian Ning’s own good. We don’t want her to make a grave mistake!”
Lu Xiaomei suppressed her inner excitement and said, “Sister-in-law is right. We’re doing this for Jian Ning’s benefit too!”
Though Lu Changzheng remained silent, he agreed inwardly. Jian Ning had indeed lost a lot of weight recently and had become quite pretty.
But her social status was what it was—she wasn’t even qualified to be a maid in the commander’s householdyat, let alone become the commander’s daughter-in-law!
…
Meanwhile, after leaving the department store, Xiao Qingyuan left first due to prior commitments. Jian Ning decided to go to the post office to call Jian Junhui.
She had already sent a telegram home to inform them of her safety, but since Jian Junhui hadn’t replied, she was growing concerned.
After failing to reach Jian Junhui at the post office, she called Xia Hong instead. Learning from her that Jian Junhui was doing fine, Jian Ning felt relieved. She chatted with Xia Hong for a while longer before hanging up and leaving.
Exiting the post office, Jian Ning prepared to head back.
While cycling through the suburbs, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance. Her heart raced, and she called out, “Dad!”
Whether he didn’t hear her or for some other reason, the man didn’t turn around and quickly disappeared around a corner.
Jian Ning immediately pedaled after him—she was certain it was her father’s figure.
By the time she reached the alley, the person had vanished.
A wave of disappointment washed over her, but then she thought, since she’d seen him, there was hope of finding him.
This thought lifted her spirits slightly, and she turned to leave.
Just then, she suddenly heard cries for help from deep within the alley. “Help! Help me!”
Then a man’s voice sneered, “Go on, scream! Scream your lungs out! No one’s coming to save you today!”
This was followed by several mocking laughs.
Jian Ning estimated there were four or five men. She touched the dagger she always carried with her and prepared to charge in.
Suddenly, she heard an old man’s voice shout, “Let that girl go!”
“Get lost!”
When Jian Ning rushed into the alley, she saw the gang leader lifting his leg, about to kick the old man in the face.
A girl was being restrained by one of the thugs, her clothes in disarray. Her deer-like eyes were filled with terror and anxiety as she hugged her shoulders tightly, looking utterly pitiful.
Without hesitation, Jian Ning kicked the gang leader away, then steadied the old man who nearly fell. “Sir, step back and stay out of harm’s way!”
“Alright, alright, be careful!” Old Master Song retreated to the side as he spoke.
Though advanced in years, he was confident he could handle these hooligans. He had been ready to act himself, but when Jian Ning suddenly appeared, he changed his mind instantly.
He recognized Jian Ning, though she didn’t know him. This was an opportunity to see the girl’s true character!
If she proved worthy, he would quickly arrange her marriage to Song Yan so he could hold his plump grandson soon.
If not, he would grant Song Yan’s wish for a marriage annulment!
Just as Old Master Song had this thought, he saw Jian Ning swiftly take down the group of thugs. The previously arrogant hooligans were now all lying on the ground, weeping and begging for mercy.
They never expected a woman to possess such formidable skills!
After knocking them down, Jian Ning stomped hard on the lead thug’s hand with her foot, looking down at him coldly as she said, “This filthy hand of yours touched what it shouldn’t have. Today, I’ll help you cripple it!”
With that, she applied pressure under her foot, and immediately, a piercing scream echoed through the alley. The sound was so chilling it made one’s scalp tingle. The other thugs shrank back in fear, not daring to look at Jian Ning again.
How could such a pretty, sweet-looking young girl be so ruthless when she took action!