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Yu Baoshan’s face was dark as he pushed open the door to Xiao Zheng’s office, only to find it empty.
Behind him, Xiao Zhu greeted with a smile, “Comrade Yu, our deputy division commander is really not available, he was called by Division Commander Chen.”
Yu Baoshan walked inside and sat down in the chair, “I’ll wait for him to return.”
Xiao Zhu kept his smile, “Sure, please make yourself comfortable, I’ll pour you some tea.”
“No need for tea! I can’t afford the Deputy Division Commander’s tea.”
“Don’t say that, you are our leader, you can drink any tea in the entire division.”
Yu Baoshan snorted coldly.
Xiao Zhu quickly glanced up, then stepped out.
He waited for half an hour before Xiao Zheng hurriedly entered.
“Sorry, Comrade Yu, I had to report the results of this ‘anti-intelligence’ investigation to the higher-ups, and made you wait so long.”
Yu Baoshan spoke calmly, “I heard this operation was proposed and executed by you?”
Xiao Zheng glanced at the cup of tea next to him, which had already cooled down. He hadn’t taken a sip.
“Yes, it was necessary for defense.”
“Was it really for defense, or was it for personal vengeance?”
Xiao Zheng’s expression showed surprise, “What do you mean by that?”
“Your sister-in-law has been missing for two days. I heard she was detained by the investigation team and sent to a study class,” Yu Baoshan’s voice was cold.
“I know about Hong Ying’s situation, Comrade Yu. This investigation will definitely bring her past to light, but don’t worry too much. If a person’s conduct is upright, they need not fear shadows. She will definitely be fine in the end,” Xiao Zheng reassured him.
Yu Baoshan kept his expression stern.
How could Xiao Zheng maintain such a calm demeanor? The big fool, yet his schemes were so deep.
Yu Baoshan had already pieced things together. Previously, Ge Hongying had sent An Huai’s personnel file back to the Organization Department. This incident was probably Xiao Zheng’s act of revenge.
Yu Baoshan was vexed. After all, he and Ge Hongying were a pair, so targeting her was equivalent to not giving him face. But he also understood that Xiao Zheng hadn’t used any underhanded methods—there was nothing shameful about exposing Ge Hongying’s actions. It was her fault.
Moreover, Xiao Zheng was right, Ge Hongying would ultimately be fine. His purpose was just to intimidate her a little.
Yu Baoshan pondered for a moment, then sighed softly, “Xiao, we’ve known each other for five or six years now. Back then, we were both at the same military academy in the provincial capital, studying and attending classes together, drinking together. Your graduation thesis topic was even suggested by me.”
Xiao Zheng chuckled, “Yes, time really flies. So many years have passed.”
Yu Baoshan stood up, slightly looking up at Xiao Zheng with a gaze from above. “Your sister-in-law has become increasingly muddled. She’s made mistakes, but she’s my wife, and I can’t just disregard her… I don’t want there to be a next time.”
Xiao Zheng also grew serious, “Comrade Yu, I also hope there won’t be a next time. I’ve finally found a woman who loves me. I’ll risk my life to ensure she doesn’t suffer any grievances.”
Yu Baoshan stared at Xiao Zheng for a while in silence before turning and walking out without saying another word.
Their relationship could never go back to how it was before.
—
“Brother-in-law, my sister hasn’t returned for two days. Where exactly has she gone?” Ge Hongxia quickly approached Yu Baoshan as soon as she saw him.
Yu Baoshan stopped and smiled kindly, “I already told you, she’s on official business in the provincial capital.”
“You’re lying! I heard from Old Lady Wang that my sister’s being investigated and is locked up in some study class,” Ge Hongxia said, her eyes filling with tears. She felt uneasy, as Ge Hongying was her only source of support, and she couldn’t afford for anything to happen to her.
Yu Baoshan didn’t know how to comfort a crying young woman, and for the first time, he felt somewhat at a loss. “Hongxia, don’t cry. Your sister is really fine. Don’t listen to the rumors outside! She’ll be back in a couple of days for sure!”
“Really?”
Yu Baoshan nodded firmly. “Really!”
Ge Hongxia wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Alright, Brother-in-law, I believe you. I won’t cry anymore.”
Yu Baoshan breathed a sigh of relief.
“The meal’s ready, I’ll bring it to the table. Brother-in-law, please go wash your hands first,” Ge Hongxia said as she turned and headed to the kitchen.
Yu Baoshan watched her retreating figure and sighed. What a good girl she was, yet her marriage was so unsuccessful.
As for Ge Hongying, Yu Baoshan wasn’t too worried. Ge Hongying had been a prisoner before, but that didn’t mean much. He knew exactly how his wife thought. Ge Hongying wouldn’t make mistakes on major issues.
That’s why, after Ge Hongying had gotten into trouble, he hadn’t intervened. He felt that Ge Hongying had become increasingly arrogant over the past few years, and had lost her clarity in decision-making. He saw this as an opportunity to temper her character.
It was three days before Ge Hongying finally returned home.
She wore the same clothes she had on three days ago. Her hair was messy, her face pale, with dark circles under her eyes that nearly reached her cheekbones. Her face was hollowed out, and she had lost weight.
In short, she looked like she had been through some hardship.
As soon as Ge Hongying entered the family courtyard, she attracted attention. But everyone just watched from a distance, whispering among themselves, and very few dared to approach her.
She had been investigated by the “anti-intelligence” team! If you didn’t have something wrong, would you be investigated? It was better to keep a distance from her.
Ge Hongying, who had always been strong-willed, was naturally irritated by the situation, but she couldn’t care about outsiders for the moment.
She pushed open the door to the house and immediately saw her children playing in the yard.
Ge Hongying had lost two pregnancies during the war, but these two children, a son and a daughter, were born after the peace. The older son was eight years old, and the younger daughter was six. They were the apples of her eyes.
As soon as they saw their mother, the children rushed over.
“Mom, you’re back!”
Ge Hongying hugged both her children, tears welling in her eyes. At least in this family, there were still people who cared for her.
“Where’s your father?”
Her son replied, “Aunt is sick, Dad took her to the medical room.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice came from outside.
“The doctor said you need to stop worrying if you want to recover quickly. You’re just a young girl, why do you carry such a heavy burden?”
“I’m worried about my sister. Brother-in-law, when will my sister come back?”
“I’ve told you many times, she’ll be back soon…” Yu Baoshan stepped into the house, then froze when he saw Ge Hongying, his eyes lighting up. “Look, didn’t your sister come back?”
“Sis!” Ge Hongxia immediately ran past Yu Baoshan to Ge Hongying, tears streaming down her face. “Sis, you’re finally back, I was so scared…”
But Ge Hongying didn’t rush to comfort her sister as she usually would. Her eyes flickered between Yu Baoshan and Ge Hongxia before she coldly said, “Yu Baoshan, I don’t care about you, but you’re running around taking care of my little sister when I’m the one in trouble? What are you really up to?”
Yu Baoshan was stunned, then slammed the courtyard door shut with a loud bang. Angrily, he said, “What are you talking about?”
Ge Hongying straightened her neck. “You know exactly what I mean!”
Yu Baoshan glanced at the stunned Ge Hongxia, then grabbed Ge Hongying and pulled her inside.
Soon, the sounds of an escalating argument could be heard from inside.
“You’re her brother-in-law, you should keep your distance! She’s not even dying from illness!”
“When did you become so unreasonable? You used to be so understanding when you were young!”
“Unreasonable? You’re being insensitive! I was locked in that study class for three days, and you didn’t even ask about me. Instead, you were running around taking my sister to the medical room. Do you know how I spent those three days? I was being guarded while studying, constantly on edge, and didn’t sleep a wink!”
“That’s your own fault! Who told you to keep doing things that offend people and don’t benefit yourself?!”
“It’s Xiao Zheng, isn’t it? I knew it!”
“That’s enough! You’ve learned your lesson. Don’t make decisions based on personal grudges in the future.”
“Yu Baoshan… How did I end up married to someone like you? Xiao Zheng messed with me, and instead of helping me, you’re lecturing me? Is this what a husband is supposed to do? I want a divorce! Wuwuwu…”