Chapter 134: Xiao Jie hits someone

Yu Xiangnian knew Xiao Jie well. Although he was a bit mischievous, he was sensitive and considerate, always trying not to cause trouble for her or Cheng Jingmo.

So, unless really provoked, Xiao Jie wouldn’t get into fights.

Duan Yuanlong shrank back, hiding behind his mother, and said, “He fought with me. When he couldn’t win, he hit my head with a stone.”

The woman angrily said to Yu Xiangnian, “Look at the big wound on Longlong’s head. He even needed two stitches. Wouldn’t you be upset if it was your child?”

Yu Xiangnian remained expressionless, “Let me ask Xiao Jie.”

She bent down, facing Xiao Jie, and asked, “Xiao Jie, why did you and Duan Yuanlong fight?”

Xiao Jie, still with his fists clenched, said angrily, “He said something bad!”

“What did he say?” Yu Xiangnian asked.

“He said… he said…” Xiao Jie choked up before he could finish, “He said my uncle is dead!”

Yu Xiangnian’s expression changed.

The onlookers exchanged glances and then all eyes turned to the woman.

The woman’s face showed a flicker of panic before she regained her composure.

Yu Xiangnian’s voice turned colder, “What else did he say?”

“Yuanlong said that if my uncle is dead, you would remarry, and I would become a child nobody wants.” As Xiao Jie spoke, he started to cry.

“Don’t cry,” Yu Xiangnian took out a tissue and wiped Xiao Jie’s tears, “I will never abandon you.”

Then she stood up straight and stared coldly at the woman, “Madam, you’ve heard the reason for the fight. Your child must apologize to Xiao Jie!”

“Apologize?!” The woman sneered, “My Longlong’s head is broken, and I haven’t asked your Xiao Jie to apologize! Xiao Jie hit someone and now he’s justified?”

Yu Xiangnian said, “Your child was wrong first, which is why Xiao Jie hit him.”

The woman retorted, “That’s just Xiao Jie’s side of the story! My Longlong would never say such things!”

She then pulled Longlong from behind her and whispered to him, “Longlong, tell them, did you say those things?”

She subtly winked at Longlong, signaling him not to admit it.

But before Longlong could speak, Dong Jiannan stepped forward and said, “Duan Yuanlong did say it. I heard it!”

Daya also spoke up, “I heard it too. Xiao Jie was almost in tears before he started fighting.”

Feng Aiqin, who had recently been elected to the Family Committee, was also present. This was an opportunity to show the Committee’s role.

She pushed through the crowd, proudly saying, “Sister Yuling, it’s clearly your Longlong’s fault. How could he say such things about Vice Commander Cheng’s family? Have Longlong apologize!”

She gave a look, indicating that a simple apology would resolve the matter.

Yuling understood Feng Aiqin’s hint. Besides, she had seen Yu Xiangnian’s tough side before.

She dragged Longlong in front of her and scolded him, “How could you say such things?! It’s your fault, apologize to Xiao Jie!” She pushed Longlong towards Xiao Jie.

Longlong pouted, looking aggrieved, “Xiao Jie, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. I apologize.”

After Longlong apologized, Yuling tried to leave with him.

Yu Xiangnian, in a calm tone, said, “Sister Yuling, don’t leave just yet.”

Yuling stopped, looking nervously at Feng Aiqin.

Feng Aiqin, unsure of Yu Xiangnian’s intentions, gave her a reassuring look.

Yu Xiangnian clearly stated, “You need to apologize too!”

Hearing that she also had to apologize, Sister Yuling turned around angrily, “Comrade Yu, don’t push it! This is just a conflict between kids. Why should I apologize?”

Yu Xiangnian’s expression was stern. “Would he say such things if you hadn’t spoken that way in front of him?”

Yu Xiangnian knew that many of the military families were likely spreading rumors about Cheng Jingmo’s supposed death. Today, she needed to make an example to stop this rumor.

Sister Yuling opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

“Cheng Jingmo is out on a mission, and you’re spreading rumors that he’s dead? You are a military family member too. Shouldn’t you be hoping for their safe return? Don’t you feel ashamed, talking like that? Aren’t you embarrassed to hold the title of a military family member?”

“Even if he did sacrifice himself, it would be for the country and the people. You should be teaching your child to admire such selfless dedication, not telling him that I will remarry and Xiao Jie will be an unwanted child!”

Every word Yu Xiangnian said was powerful and moved everyone present.

Thinking about it from their own perspective, if their husbands were out on a mission and others spoke about them like that, they would be even angrier than Yu Xiangnian.

Sister Yuling’s face went pale, then red, and back again. “I… I never said that!”

Yu Xiangnian asked, “Shall we ask Longlong whether you said it or not?”

Sister Yuling quickly covered Longlong’s mouth.

Her reaction said it all.

“I didn’t mean any harm. I never wanted anything bad to happen to Vice Commander Cheng. I just said it offhandedly. How was I to know the child would take it seriously?” she explained awkwardly.

Yu Xiangnian replied, “Whether intentional or not, it has hurt my family.”

Feng Aiqin quickly mediated, “Sister Yuling, you were wrong this time. How could you say such things? You should apologize!”

Another family member echoed, “You should apologize!”

Faced with the need to apologize publicly, Sister Yuling wished she could smack herself. Why had she spoken like that in front of the child?

After a long silence, and much internal struggle, she finally said, “So… sorry, Comrade Yu. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

Yu Xiangnian wasn’t one to press on after making her point. She said, “I accept your apology. Just don’t say such things again.”

Holding Xiao Jie’s hand, Yu Xiangnian walked home. Xiao Jie, now reaching Yu Xiangnian’s chest in height, followed beside her.

Their silhouettes, one tall and one short, looked very much like a harmonious mother and son.

Back home, Xiao Jie, feeling guilty, hung his head. “Aunt, I caused trouble for you again.”

“No, you didn’t.” Yu Xiangnian sat Xiao Jie down on a bench and sat opposite him. “You did nothing wrong. You were defending our family.”

Xiao Jie looked up at her, his eyes shining.

Yu Xiangnian continued, “But I have a suggestion. Next time something like this happens, you can fight back, but don’t use stones or sticks. If you seriously hurt someone, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“Okay.” Xiao Jie nodded.

After a pause, he asked, “Aunt, what’s really happened to my uncle?”