“You did the right thing. When you discover something like this, you should report it to the leader immediately so they can investigate.”
Sheng Ze Xi certainly wouldn't doubt Gu Jia Ning because of a rumor; his anger was directed at the person spreading the rumor.
“Wife, I'm sorry you had to go through this,” Sheng Ze Xi took Gu Jia Ning’s hand.
He always felt that since Ningning had followed him to the military, she had suffered many crises and grievances, which made Sheng Ze Xi feel very guilty.
Gu Jia Ning hugged him, “Don't say such silly things. It's just a rumor; it'll be fine once it's cleared up. I didn't lose any flesh.”
Actually, Gu Jia Ning both cared and didn't care about being slandered.
She cared because no one wants to be slandered.
She didn't care because Gu Jia Ning didn't really take this kind of thing to heart.
After all, she had a clear conscience.
“I'll go find the leader,” Sheng Ze Xi still felt he needed to talk to the leader, to have this seriously handled and properly investigated.
-
Meanwhile, Bai Lanhua and Shuanzi were buying things and heading home to the family compound's apartment building.
As soon as they entered, she keenly sensed something was wrong.
After finding out what happened, her face turned pale.
Then, she hurried home with Shuanzi.
As soon as she got home and saw Qi Yuancheng, she immediately questioned him: “Why did you go to the leader? Why would you go to the leader?!”
Qi Yuancheng was helping wash vegetables. When he first heard his mother's question, he was a little confused.
After realizing it was about the rumor, he coldly replied: “Since there's a rumor going around, what's wrong with me going to the leader?”
“Do you think I shouldn't have gone to the leader? Just because I was slandered?”
Qi Yuancheng's clear gaze fell on Bai Lanhua, causing her to pause, her expression stiffening. After recovering, she twitched the corner of her lips, “That's not what I meant. I meant that outsiders, they can say whatever they want. They have their mouths, and we can't control what they say.”
“However, flies don't buzz around a seamless egg. As long as you don't go to that Doctor Gu, naturally, no one will say anything anymore.”
Qi Yuancheng chuckled lightly, his laughter tinged with sarcasm, “It's fine if I'm slandered, but Doctor Gu can't be slandered.”
“Can't you just ask the leader not to investigate? It's just a few words, why did they have to involve the leader?” Bai Lanhua never expected that just two or three rumors would involve the leader.
What is the leader doing with nothing better to do?
At this time, Qin Rou, who had been listening while cooking in the kitchen, poked her head out, “Mother, do you know that if this rumor is not stopped and clarified, it could affect A Cheng's future promotion? If it gets worse, A Cheng might not be able to be battalion commander anymore.”
Bai Lanhua's face turned pale, stammering, “It, it's not that serious.”
“Of course it's serious! Did Mother forget? In the villages, some people, because their reputation was damaged, not only lost their jobs or work, some even hanged themselves with a belt. Words can be terrifying. The person spreading the rumor wielded a knife, not only trying to stab Doctor Gu, but also A Cheng. How can such a person not be investigated? How can they be let go?”
Bai Lanhua's lips trembled.
Qin Rou narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Bai Lanhua, “A Cheng is your son. Shouldn't you stand by A Cheng's side, instead of the side of the person spreading the rumor?”
“No, of course not!” Bai Lanhua immediately retorted loudly, “Forget it, I won't bother with your affairs. I'm going back to my room.”
After speaking, Bai Lanhua ignored Shuanzi and went straight back to her room, slamming the door shut.
Qin Rou looked at her mother-in-law's back thoughtfully.
She secretly suspected: Could it be her?
No, it's impossible!
As she said, A Cheng is her son.
Doesn't she know what the consequences of spreading this rumor would be?
If it really was her, then… Bai Lanhua would be too vicious. A Cheng, being her son, was really unlucky.
Although Qin Rou and her mother-in-law didn't get along, she still hoped it wasn't her.
Otherwise…
Qin Rou glanced at her husband. Otherwise, being stabbed in the back by his own mother, how painful and heartbroken A Cheng would be.
Unfortunately, Qin Rou was disappointed.
The next day, Bai Lanhua, who had been hiding at home, was taken away by two soldiers in front of everyone in the family compound.
The people in the family compound immediately started gossiping.
Soon, Qi Yuancheng, who had originally gone to training, returned with a grim expression, taking Qin Rou to the leader's office.
At the leader's office, they not only saw Bai Lanhua who had been taken away, but also Sheng Ze Xi and Gu Jia Ning, who had been called in.
When the leader said that Bai Lanhua was the one who spread the rumor, the little hope Qin Rou had finally died.
It was…
Qin Rou looked at her husband…
She just felt sorry for A Cheng.
At this time, Bai Lanhua rushed over, grabbing Qi Yuancheng's arm forcefully and shaking him.
“Eldest Brother, you have to save your mother! Mother really didn't mean to.”
“Tell the leader, Mother really didn't have any malicious intent.”
Bai Lanhua begged Qi Yuancheng, hoping he could put in a good word for her.
Qi Yuancheng's hands clenched tightly. He slowly raised his head, looked at Bai Lanhua, his eyes red, and asked with bitter words, “Why?”
Bai Lanhua was stunned.
Qi Yuancheng's stubborn eyes stared at Bai Lanhua, “Why did you spread such a rumor? Do you not want me to be happy?”
“No, no,” Bai Lanhua tried to explain something.
“You don't want me to have children, do you?” Qi Yuancheng's words, though a question, were phrased with certainty.
“You spread the rumor because you don't want me to seek treatment from Doctor Gu, you don't want me to have children, you're afraid that Arou and I will have children, right? You just want us to adopt Shuanzi, right?”
Qi Yuancheng pressed him step by step, Bai Lanhua backing away in fear.
“If that's the case, then let me tell you, even if Arou and I don't have children in this life, even if Arou and I are both gone, our belongings, even a little bit, even if given to others, I will not give them to my younger brother's family. So, give up on that idea.”
This was the first time Qi Yuancheng had so bluntly laid out the matter, directly piercing Bai Lanhua's heart.
Bai Lanhua, who had originally appeared timid and cowardly, suddenly became angry.
“Qi Yuancheng, you heartless man.”
“You've become successful, and you've forgotten your old mother and younger brother back home.”
“You've been charmed by that vixen, Qin Rou.”
“He's your own younger brother, what's wrong with me asking you to help him?”
“You don't want to help your younger brother, but you want to give your things to others. I should have realized long ago that you're a heartless and unfilial son. I really regret giving birth to you.”
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