Although, while Dad was talking to that bad grandpa, Yueyue clenched her fists, wanting to step forward and hit him.
She wanted to tell that bad grandpa:
“Dad’s judgment is never wrong!”
“Yueyue may be a child, but she wouldn’t spout nonsense!”
But in the end, Yueyue held herself back.
Then, having remained silent the whole time, she held it in until her eyes turned red.
In her eyes, Lin Chushi was nothing but a bad grandpa.
Hugging her mom’s legs, Yueyue was almost crying from anger.
Gu Jianing gently patted Yueyue’s back to comfort her, then looked up at Sheng Zexi, who was also fuming. “Brother Xi, what’s going on?”
“What bad grandpa?”
Sheng Zexi’s face darkened. “It’s Lin Chushi!”
Gu Jianing frowned—the name sounded somewhat familiar.
Sheng Zexi reminded her, “The man Zhang Qiumei married!”
His words were practically gritted through his teeth.
Gu Jianing suddenly understood—so it was him!
And he actually disagreed?!
Was it for official reasons… or personal ones?
Gu Jianing suspected the latter was far more likely.
And indeed, that was the case. At this moment, Lin Chushi, having just left Chen Han’s office, was walking home.
He recalled what had just happened in Chen Han’s office.
Sheng Zexi…
The man that little woman in his household had once loved?
Hmph!
Thinking of Sheng Zexi—young, strong, and handsome—Lin Chushi felt a flash of jealousy in his eyes.
The fact that the little woman in his home had once loved Sheng Zexi was something that had caused quite a stir in the military district.
It would’ve been impossible for him not to know.
And Lin Chushi truly was jealous.
Because… he loved Zhang Qiumei!
No one knew that over two years ago, when Zhang Qiumei first arrived in the military district, the moment he saw her, the figure of this little woman had been imprinted deeply in his heart.
He knew there were many women more beautiful than Zhang Qiumei.
He also knew there were many women more educated than her.
He even knew Zhang Qiumei wasn’t perfect—she had her flaws.
But he couldn’t help falling in love with her.
Lin Chushi had once considered whether he should propose.
After all, Zhang Qiumei was unmarried, and he was a widower.
He thought that given his status, if he wanted to marry her, it was possible.
Especially since he understood the temperament and mindset of her brother, Zhang Jianjun.
But he restrained himself.
Because he also knew his own age.
So, he suppressed his feelings.
This suppression lasted over two years.
Until Zhang Qiumei took the college entrance exam and was admitted as a university student.
Lin Chushi thought that with Zhang Qiumei now a university student, she had grown wings—making her even more out of his reach.
So, he had nearly given up on the idea.
But then, news broke that Zhang Qiumei loved Sheng Zexi and had been punished for sabotaging a military marriage.
Not only was she to be expelled from the military district, but her university admission was revoked, and she was barred from retaking the exam for three years.
In truth, Lin Chushi had known about this outcome before it was even announced.
Initially, the lower-level decision was simply to expel Zhang Qiumei and her mother from the military district. The additional punishment—reporting her to the university and barring her from retaking the exam—was not part of the original ruling.
This outcome was orchestrated by Lin Chushi.
Lin Chushi admitted he had acted despicably, his methods far from honorable.
But he loved Zhang Qiumei too much.
Even though he knew Zhang Qiumei loved Sheng Zexi…
If he could marry her, he didn’t care.
He knew that the university admission was Zhang Qiumei’s hope.
As long as she remained a university student, there would never be a chance for them.
But if she lost her status as a student and was expelled from the military district, that humiliated version of her…
Might just be within his reach.
And indeed, that was exactly what happened.
Soon enough, he got his wish and married Zhang Qiumei.
Though he could tell she wasn’t entirely satisfied with him—or even fond of him—
She was still obedient.
Even willing to bear his child.
Lin Chushi thought that was enough.
He was jealous of Sheng Zexi.
At one point, he had even considered taking action against him.
But first, he investigated Sheng Zexi and his wife’s background.
However, his inquiries were quickly discovered and shut down.
This startled Lin Chushi.
It made him realize that Sheng Zexi and his wife were not to be trifled with.
So, no matter how curious he was, he temporarily shelved any plans to target them.
He didn’t even dare to make things difficult for Sheng Zexi in small ways.
After all, the Lin family had stood firm in Huansha Island for so many years precisely because of their caution.
Still, causing a little trouble for Sheng Zexi—like today—was within bounds.
As for Chen Han’s claims about how “brilliant” Sheng Zexi’s child and dog were, Lin Chushi scoffed.
He believed the whole story about drug traffickers hiding in Huansha Island was utter nonsense.
Because not long ago, he had been the one in charge of tracking that very group.
He was certain they had fled to the neighboring province.
They were still there now.
How could they possibly be in Huansha Island?
If they were, he would’ve known immediately.
Sheng Zexi was just too arrogant—and had been fooled by a child and a dog.
“Hmph, does he really think only he, his kid, and that mutt are smart while everyone else is stupid?” Lin Chushi muttered mockingly.
“Chen Han seems close to Sheng Zexi—now he’s even willing to humor this farce.”
…
Meanwhile, Gu Jianing had already learned from Sheng Zexi that Lin Chushi—the man Zhang Qiumei married—had blocked Sheng Zexi’s superior from deploying troops.
Gu Jianing found it hard to believe he had no ulterior motives.
She checked the time. “Only six hours left.”
“And Xingxing… I don’t even know how he’s doing.”*
Anxiety flickered in her eyes.
“Actually, the commander mentioned another option…” Sheng Zexi’s expression darkened as he reluctantly explained the alternative.
“Then, you—”
“I’ll call the old man right now.” Before she could even finish asking, he answered.
Gu Jianing looked at him in surprise. She knew how strained his relationship with his so-called father was.
Yet now, he was going to beg him for help.
Sheng Zexi squeezed her hand. “Ningning, I know what matters most.”
“Pride and dignity are important.”
“But the safety of the people—and Xingxing’s life—are more important than any personal grudges.”
The setting sun cast its last golden rays over him, as if wrapping him in a halo.
Gu Jianing thought, Perhaps this is why I fell in love with him—this unwavering integrity.
“Ningning, I should go. Time’s running out.”
“Alright, I’ll wait.”
For now, all she could do was wait for Sheng Zexi to secure reinforcements.
She wanted to go find Xingxing herself, but she knew Sheng Zexi would never let her go alone.
Leave a Reply