Chapter 30: Ningning is the Daughter of a Martyr

The disciplinary office building quickly became eerily quiet.

It was no longer of any use, but fortunately, Wen Xiuying could still leverage the power of the Women’s Federation’s publicity to clear Jiang Ningning’s name at the base.

She took Jiang Ningning’s hand, feeling the coldness of her touch. The outside temperature was at least seventeen or eighteen degrees, yet her hand felt ice-cold, which suggested that Jiang Ningning’s health was very weak.

Her voice softened into a gentle tone: “Sister, sometimes it’s good to be strong and kind, but your grievances should be known to Comrade Huo.”

Emotions require mutual effort. Jiang Ningning had followed Huo Donglin across mountains and rivers to raise their children, and Huo Donglin should, of course, take responsibility for caring for his wife and children.

She cast a displeased glance at her useless husband.

Huo Donglin: …

His black eyes flickered in surprise. Wen Xiuying had a fiery temper, and many of the younger, more attractive women in the Women’s Federation had cried after being scolded by her. She was notoriously tough and unsentimental.

It was hard to believe this soft-spoken, considerate woman was the same person.

Perhaps it was just a matter of mutual affinity. The more Wen Xiuying looked at Jiang Ningning, the more she felt a kinship. The more she learned about Jiang Ningning’s suffering, the more her heart ached for her.

Although Jiang Ningning appeared demure and hesitant, when faced with someone sincere, she lowered her head slightly in embarrassment, “Thank you, Sister Wen. I don’t have any family, so you’re like an older sister to me.”

Unintentionally, her delicate, pale neck was exposed, slender and fragile.

The tiny hairs on the side of her neck trembled in the sea breeze.

It wasn’t deliberate.

Her body was just too frail.

To Wen Xiuying, Jiang Ningning looked like a victim in need of rescue, someone in dire need of protection.

“Who says you have no family? From now on, I’ll be your older sister, and the Women’s Federation will be your family.”

Jiang Ningning’s mind was a bit foggy. What had she missed? Why was everyone around her looking at her with sympathy, as if they were heartbroken for her?

Even the man beside her had resolutely spoken up, “Comrade Wen, don’t worry. I’ll take care of my family matters and make sure Ningning doesn’t suffer anymore.”

Jiang Ningning quickly gave up trying to make sense of it all because little Tuanzi was already quietly shedding tears out of concern for her mother, only smiling after a few comforting hugs and kisses.

Mother and daughter, their eyes red, looked like two soft little rabbits.

Huo Donglin’s heart softened, and he clenched his fists in his pockets. He asked Wen Xiuying to help escort his wife and daughter, as he prepared to go meet the senior leaders.

The disciplinary office’s investigation was just the beginning.

Things were about to get complicated at the base.

Old Sun was taking his time, clearly waiting for him.

“Comrade Leader.” Huo Donglin saluted before stepping forward to support the old man’s arm.

This elderly figure, who was over eighty years old, had refused to retire and leave the base. He insisted on staying during these chaotic times to protect as many innocent people as possible.

The two of them walked along the cobblestone path, with the security officers trailing a meter behind them.

“Comrade Xiao Jiang’s demeanor is impeccable. She seems like a good comrade,” Old Sun remarked, his memory sharp. He recalled when Huo Donglin had applied for marriage, his political background was thoroughly checked, and it was discovered that both his father-in-law and mother-in-law had sacrificed their lives while doing flood relief work for the factory.

Jiang Ningning was the daughter of martyrs, so the accusations against her in the disciplinary office would not be taken lightly.

Huo Donglin’s voice was cold: “I will resolve the family matters promptly. As for the phone call slandering my wife, I plan to…”

Old Sun’s eyes widened the more he listened.

As the saying goes, it’s difficult for even a clear-minded official to resolve family disputes, and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships have always been hard to handle.

But to his surprise, Huo Donglin was resolute, cold, and unyielding.

“Have you really decided?”

Huo Donglin pressed his lips tightly together, his deep voice firm and resolute: “Yes, for my brother’s sake and the army’s, she will agree.”

He lowered his gaze, hiding the pain and disappointment in his eyes.

Since childhood, his parents’ favoritism toward his brother, Jianjun, had been far greater than toward him. It was evident from their names: his brother was named Jianjun, his sister Chunfang.

And him? He was named Heidan!

Donglin—his name was given by the old commander back in the day. It was said that there was a battalion commander named Heidan in the base who had a bad reputation. In fact, it was to save face for him.

Because of the name Heidan, he had endured countless ridicule at the base. To this day, the border region still carried the nickname “Black Egg God” (Heidan Bingwang, the Black Egg King).

When he was younger, Huo Donglin often doubted whether he was really their biological child.

The family would call or write letters only when they needed money, congratulating him for his promotions and praising him for sending more allowances, all without ever considering that these were all things he had earned with his life.

After surviving several close calls on dangerous missions in the border region, he gradually became indifferent to it all.

But this was something that touched his bottom line.

Huo Donglin went on to explain the incident on the train where Jiang Ningning and her children had been in tears, as well as the Guanjia family’s people looking for revenge.

“Wait, you said Guan Xue also told you that she was insulted by three country bumpkins, and that’s how she ended up in the hands of human traffickers?”

Old Sun suddenly stopped walking. “But I saw the report submitted by the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau, which says that Guan Xue discovered the human traffickers’ whereabouts in the sleeper carriage and bravely lured the enemy, making a great contribution.”

They exchanged a knowing glance.

The Guanjia family had altered the report!

Huo Donglin was now thinking about why the Guanjia family was so desperate to find Jiang Ningning and her children.

The root cause was not simply to get revenge for their daughter, but to silence them completely.

“Chief, my wife’s health is weak and she shouldn’t be involved in this.” A hint of urgency flashed through Huo Donglin’s dark eyes.

Old Sun replied, “But your son is already involved!”

He turned and ordered the guard to bring the commendation certificate from the office. In a moment, the brand-new certificate was handed to Huo Donglin.

Huo Donglin didn’t hesitate to take it and glanced down.

“…Huo Manman, a young comrade, outsmarted human traffickers, helped the base capture the criminals, and saved the hostages…”

It turned out that the soldier he had been so focused on recruiting on the train was actually his mischievous eldest son!

How ironic.

In the end, it was Manman who saved Guan Xue, but now the Guanjia family planned to repay kindness with hatred.

“This commendation was specifically requested by Elder Xue.” Old Sun hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Elder Xue had been on the train and witnessed the entire incident.

But it was unclear how much he actually understood about the situation.

Old Sun gazed at the notice board not far away, where a new announcement was posted. Many people were gathered around, and he could faintly hear voices praising her, calling her the “Military Area Goddess” and “A Woman Who Rivals the Men in the Military.”

He couldn’t help but sneer. “The Disciplinary Office has been heavily promoting her these past few days, elevating Guan Xue to a role model for everyone, and they’ll keep her in the spotlight.”

The higher they elevate her, the harder she’ll fall.

Huo Donglin calmly tucked the certificate into his pocket, planning to stay a few more days and show it to his son.

He could already imagine how smug his son would be when he received the commendation.

After bidding farewell to the old commander, Huo Donglin went to his office.

He immediately picked up his notebook, flipped to a familiar phone number, and without hesitation, dialed: “Old Han, is your wife’s brother a mental health specialist? I need to ask you something about my mother…