Chapter 24: Can his people be bullied at will?

Zhou Tao lifted Zhang Xiuhong with one hand, looking at his troublesome wife, a fire burning in his belly. 

Ever since marrying this shrew, he hadn’t had a single peaceful day. 

The trouble at home was one thing, but now it had spilled into the family compound, with her wrestling on the ground with someone, bringing shame upon them all. 

What was most crushing was… she was fighting with his superior’s wife. 

What a disaster!

Chen Wenzhong followed closely behind. Seeing his wife, Yang Qiuxia, with her hair a mess and her face scratched, he was furious, his mustache bristling. He was the battalion commander, and his wife and his subordinate’s wife were fighting like cats and dogs what a sight!

“This is the family compound! If you want to fight, go to the training ground! I’ll let you fight to your heart’s content!” Chen Wenzhong roared. He was a rough man, treating his family and wife with the same military discipline.

Yang Qiuxia trembled at his shout, sitting on the ground for a long time.  Chen Wenzhong wouldn’t help her up, making her cry even harder.  “Your wife was beaten, and you not only don’t help me but also yell at me…” Yang Qiuxia cried, feeling wronged.

Chen Wenzhong glared: “Be dramatic! Don’t you know better? Get up, don’t make a fool of yourself here…”

Yang Qiuxia reluctantly stood up, standing behind Chen Wenzhong.

Shen Sisi remained nestled in Gu Chengfeng’s arms, watching the two men. Zhou Tao was fair-faced and slender, like a walking bamboo pole, looking good-natured, and surely often controlled by Zhang Xiuhong. 

Chen Wenzhong was the opposite thick, strong, and dark-skinned, clearly short-tempered, straightforward, and quite patriarchal. One couldn’t control his wife, the other couldn’t outsmart his.

No wonder Zhang Xiuhong and Yang Qiuxia dared to act so recklessly in the compound, stirring up trouble everywhere.

“Tell me, what happened?” Chen Wenzhong asked calmly.

Before Zhang Xiuhong could speak, Yang Qiuxia spoke first, accusing her: “It was her! She told me that Intellectual Youth Shen had a secret lover outside, and I just chatted with her for a bit.  Unexpectedly, Intellectual Youth Shen heard us… and attacked us.”  Her voice became weaker as she spoke.

Zhang Xiuhong instantly broke down, jumping up to attack her.  “Nonsense! Do you believe I’ll tear your mouth apart…”

Zhou Tao quickly hugged his wife, pulling her to the ground. “Enough! Zhang Xiuhong, will you ever stop…”

Zhang Xiuhong froze at his shout: “You… you actually yelled at me…”

“I should have yelled at you a long time ago! You’ve been spoiled rotten! You even dare to attack the leader’s wife!”

“I…” Zhang Xiuhong’s eyes welled up: “Zhou Tao, she framed me, bullied me, why are you siding with her? Are you even a man…”

“What did you say? Say it again?” Zhou Tao was also completely furious. He had made a mistake at camp that day, been scolded by Commander Chen, and now was publicly berated by his wife he was looking for an outlet for his anger!

Zhang Xiuhong felt her husband’s angry gaze and suddenly felt apprehensive.

“You… what are you looking at? We’ll settle this at home…”

Zhang Xiuhong turned her head and spat at Yang Qiuxia: “I considered you a sister, and this is how you betray me! From today on, Zhang Xiuhong and you are sworn enemies!”

Yang Qiuxia bit her lip resentfully: “Fine, from now on, it’s either you or me.”

Everyone was surprised that the once close pair had become sworn enemies. Except for Shen Sisi…

From the moment she deliberately put the blame on them, she had predicted they would turn on each other. To protect themselves, they would inevitably shift blame, transforming from “comrades” into “enemies”.

The situation was difficult for Chen Wenzhong.  On one hand was his wife, on the other, his subordinate’s wife. Helping either side was wrong; if word got out, people would think the battalion lacked unity.  He frowned, looking at the woman in Gu Chengfeng’s arms: “Intellectual Youth Shen, tell us what happened.”

Being addressed, Shen Sisi stood up from Gu Chengfeng’s arms, calmly smoothing her clothes.  “This is what happened…” Shen Sisi calmly recounted the events, omitting nothing.  At the end, she choked up: “Commander Chen, Yang Qiuxia and Zhang Xiuhong didn’t just spread rumors; I suggest you investigate this thoroughly.”

Chen Wenzhong trembled with anger, his face burning with shame. He never imagined his wife could say such vicious things accusing someone of having a secret lover was tantamount to condemning them to death.

Zhou Tao was also ashamed and indignant. He knew Zhang Xiuhong was a gossipmonger and often caused trouble, but he hadn’t expected it to be this serious. No wonder Intellectual Youth Shen fought back; if it were him, he might have hit her harder.

During this time, Gu Chengfeng remained silent, his face darkening, his coldness and anger palpable. Before Chen Wenzhong could speak, he said in a low voice: “I believe Sisi would never do anything to betray me.”

“But this has damaged her reputation and involves safety issues. We must investigate and get justice.”

He knew the “secret lover” they were referring to was Heizi, but he didn’t rush to clarify. Instead, he deliberately let Chen Wenzhong send people to investigate.

After all, he was Shen Sisi’s fiancé. If he revealed Heizi’s identity, it would be difficult to stop gossip. People might say he was deliberately covering up for her.

It was better to let others investigate and clear Shen Sisi’s name.  Besides, it would teach these people a lesson! Were his people, Gu Chengfeng’s people, to be slandered and bullied at will?

With Gu Chengfeng’s words, Chen Wenzhong could only wave his hand and call for his guards.  “Find a bald man in his twenties near the docks, with half his left ear missing. Investigate what he does.”

The guard saluted: “Yes, sir!”

Seeing them take action, Yang Qiuxia glared at Shen Sisi. It was all her fault! This troublemaker! She was sweating, fearing the bald man was of dubious character and would implicate her and her husband.

In a panic, she rushed to Shen Sisi, bowing her head to apologize: “I’m sorry, Intellectual Youth Shen. We were wrong. We shouldn’t have gossiped about you. I’ve never seen that man. Let’s just forget about this, okay?”

“Forget about it?” Shen Sisi’s bright eyes were frosty: “For you, it’s just a matter of words, but for me? Who will speak for the slander and insults I’ve endured?”

Yang Qiuxia wiped her eyes: “I understand. Blame Zhang Xiuhong; I only believed her nonsense.”  She immediately distanced herself from the situation.

Zhang Xiuhong’s face turned red with anger.  She was about to yell when Zhou Tao pulled her back forcefully.

He warned in a low voice: “Enough! Do you know what kind of person you are? Are you not causing enough trouble?  Gossiping is one thing, but this is going too far!  You even dared to spread rumors! How could I, Zhou Tao, end up with a wife like you?”

“If you want to continue this life, apologize to Intellectual Youth Shen. If not, we’ll file for divorce tomorrow!”