“You did the right thing. Matters like this should be reported to the leadership as soon as they’re discovered, so they can investigate.”
Sheng Zexi would never doubt Gu Jianing just because of a rumor. His anger was directed solely at the person spreading it.
“Sweetheart, you’ve been wronged.” Sheng Zexi took Gu Jianing’s hand in his.
He couldn’t help feeling that ever since Ningning had joined him as a military spouse, she had faced many dangers and endured much unfair treatment. The thought filled him with guilt.
Gu Jianing hugged him. “Don’t be silly. It’s just a rumor—once it’s cleared up, everything will be fine. It’s not like I’ve lost a piece of flesh.”
Truthfully, being slandered bothered her, yet at the same time, it didn’t.
It bothered her because no one wanted to be falsely accused.
But it didn’t bother her because, in the end, she hadn’t taken it to heart.
After all, she had a clear conscience.
“I’ll go talk to the leadership.” Sheng Zexi still felt it was necessary to discuss the matter with his superiors. This had to be dealt with seriously and investigated thoroughly.
…
Meanwhile, Bai Lanhua was returning to the communal apartment building of the military family quarters with Shuanzi after running some errands.
The moment she stepped inside, she sensed something was off.
When she finally learned what had happened, her face instantly turned pale.
She immediately rushed home with Shuanzi.
As soon as she saw Qi Yuancheng, she confronted him: “How could you go to the leadership? How could you involve them!”
Qi Yuancheng had been helping wash vegetables and was momentarily confused by his mother’s outburst.
Once he realized she was talking about the rumor, he replied coldly, “Since there’s a rumor spreading, what’s wrong with me reporting it to the leadership? Should I just let myself be slandered?”
His sharp gaze fixed on Bai Lanhua, making her freeze. Her expression stiffened before she forced a smile and said, “That’s not what I meant. I just meant that people will talk no matter what—you can’t control what others say.”
“Besides, there’s no smoke without fire. As long as you stop seeing that Dr. Gu, people will naturally stop gossiping.”
Qi Yuancheng let out a low laugh, laced with mockery. “I don’t care if I’m slandered, but Dr. Gu doesn’t deserve it.”
“C-Can’t you just ask the leadership not to investigate? It’s just a few words—why involve the higher-ups?” Bai Lanhua never expected that a mere rumor would warrant the leadership’s attention.
“Don’t they have anything better to do?”
At this moment, Qin Rou, who had been listening while cooking in the kitchen, poked her head out and said, “Mother, do you realize that if this rumor isn’t stopped and clarified, it could affect Ah Cheng’s future promotions? If it gets worse, he might even lose his position as battalion commander.”
Bai Lanhua’s face paled. “H-How could it be that serious?” she stammered.
“Of course it’s serious!” Qin Rou retorted. “Have you forgotten what happens in the villages? Some people lose their jobs over damaged reputations, and others even hang themselves with a rope. Gossip is a fearsome thing. The person spreading these rumors is wielding a knife—not just trying to stab Dr. Gu, but also Ah Cheng. How can we not investigate and punish such a person?”
Bai Lanhua’s lips trembled.
Qin Rou narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her. “Ah Cheng is your son. Are you not standing by him? Are you siding with the rumor-monger instead?”
“No, of course not!” Bai Lanhua immediately protested loudly. “Fine, I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore. I’m going to my room.”
With that, she didn’t even glance at Shuanzi and stormed off, slamming the door behind her.
Qin Rou watched her mother-in-law’s retreating figure, lost in thought.
A faint suspicion arose in her heart: Could it be her?
No… that’s impossible!
As she had said, Ah Cheng was her son.
Could she really not know the consequences of spreading such rumors?
If it truly was her… then Bai Lanhua was downright vicious. Ah Cheng would be truly unfortunate to have such a mother.
Though Qin Rou didn’t get along with her mother-in-law, she still hoped it wasn’t her.
Otherwise…
Her gaze shifted subtly to her husband. Otherwise, how much pain and heartbreak would Ah Cheng suffer, stabbed in the back by his own mother?
But in the end, Qin Rou’s hopes were dashed.
The next day, Bai Lanhua—who had been holed up at home—was publicly escorted away by two soldiers in front of the entire military family compound.
The residents immediately buzzed with gossip.
Soon after, Qi Yuancheng, who had been in training, returned with a grim expression and took Qin Rou to the leadership office.
There, they not only saw Bai Lanhua but also Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing, who had been summoned as well.
When the leadership announced that Bai Lanhua was the one who had spread the rumors, the last flicker of hope in Qin Rou’s heart died.
All she could think of now was…
Her eyes turned to her husband.
She just… felt sorry for Ah Cheng.
At that moment, Bai Lanhua rushed over, grabbing Qi Yuancheng’s arm with both hands and shaking him violently.
“Boss, you have to save Mom! Mom really didn’t mean it!”
“Talk to the leaders, please—Mom really had no ill intentions!”
Bai Lanhua pleaded with Qi Yuancheng, hoping he would put in a good word for her.
Qi Yuancheng’s hands clenched tightly. He slowly raised his head, his reddened eyes fixed on Bai Lanhua, his voice full of bitterness as he asked, “Why?”
Bai Lanhua froze.
Qi Yuancheng stared at her stubbornly. “Why did you spread such rumors? Do you really not want me to have a good life?”
“No, no, that’s not it!” Bai Lanhua tried to explain.
“You just don’t want me to have a child, do you?” Though phrased as a question, his words carried absolute certainty.
“You spread those rumors because you didn’t want me to seek treatment from Dr. Gu. You don’t want me to have a child—you’re afraid that Ah Rou and I might have one, aren’t you? You just want us to adopt Shuanzi, right?”
Qi Yuancheng pressed forward step by step, while Bai Lanhua retreated in fear.
“If that’s the case, then let me make this clear: even if Ah Rou and I never have a child in this lifetime, even if we both pass away, not a single thing we own—not even the smallest scrap—will go to my brother’s family. I’d rather give it all away to strangers. So you can put that idea out of your mind right now.”
This was the first time Qi Yuancheng had laid the matter out so bluntly, striking straight at Bai Lanhua’s core.
The timid, weak facade Bai Lanhua had been maintaining instantly shattered into anger.
“Qi Yuancheng, you heartless wretch!”
“You’ve made it big and forgotten your own mother and brother back home!”
“You’ve been bewitched by that fox spirit Qin Rou!”
“He’s your own flesh-and-blood brother! What’s wrong with asking you to help him?”
“You’d rather give everything away to strangers than support your own brother? I should’ve known—you’re nothing but ungrateful, unfilial scum! I regret ever giving birth to you!”
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