Chapter 12 Are you really Zhenhua? Are you not dead?

【Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the one-time martial arts skill—Eavesdropping Ear. Remaining points: 122.】

The moment the confirmation succeeded, countless noises around Tang Wanning poured into her ears at once, nearly bursting her head. Just as she was starting to panic, all the other sounds suddenly faded, leaving only Bai Xiuying’s excited voice. Tang Wanning didn’t have time to think—she focused intently on listening.

“It’s really you, Zhenhua? You’re not dead?”

Hearing sobbing on the other end of the line, Xu Zhenhua grew irritated. Mother, really… she’s already asked the same thing five times. Do phone calls not cost money? If not for the risk of being discovered by others, he would’ve just sent a telegram or letter instead of sneaking out of the army with Lifang to make this call.

In an impatient tone, Xu Zhenhua said, “Mother, stop crying. Just listen quietly to me. Right now I—”

But before he could finish, Bai Xiuying cut him off:
“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything. Zhenhua, go on, Mother will listen to you.”

Xu Zhenhua nearly fainted from anger. He had just told her not to speak, and she still spoke—so frustrating! If it weren’t for the fact that both parents needed to know what he was about to say, he would’ve hung up the phone right then.

Tang Wanning was just as anxious, since the Eavesdropping Ear only lasted two minutes. She didn’t want to waste the precious time on meaningless chatter.

Xu Zhenhua took a deep breath, forcing down his frustration, and said:
“Mother, I’ve found a wife in the army. We’ve already filed our marriage report and received the marriage certificate. The wedding will be held in four days at the military family compound. So, you and Father need to come over to attend. Also, bring all the money you’ve saved over the years, as well as the 300 yuan dowry that Wan Ning brought when she married me. I’m still short of money for the wedding.”

Bai Xiulan was completely stunned by what her son had just said—her mouth hung so wide open it could fit an egg.

On the other end, Xu Zhenhua grew anxious when there was no response. He regretted deeply—why hadn’t he told Lifang to fetch Father before the call? Mother was just too unreliable.
“Mother? Mother, are you listening?” he asked anxiously.

Hearing her son’s voice snapped Bai Xiuying out of her daze. Her reply was full of confusion:
“Zhenhua, why are you getting married again? What about Wan Ning?”

Although Bai Xiuying had never truly liked Tang Wanning—thinking a country girl wasn’t worthy of her outstanding son—over the past year, Wanning had been very filial. Any good food or drink, she saved for her in-laws. Though she had been acting oddly these past two days, overall she had been good—and, most importantly, easy to control.

But if the new wife is from the city, would she still obey and willingly serve us? she wondered. Besides, Zhenhua and Wanning had already held a wedding in the village. If he now held another wedding in the army, wouldn’t his career be ruined if the leaders found out? Even as a simple village woman, Bai Xiuying knew that military marriages were sacred and inviolable.

Xu Zhenhua hesitated, then turned to look at Wu Lifang beside him. She gave him a gentle smile and unconsciously stroked her flat belly. That single gesture erased all his hesitation.

“Mother,” Xu Zhenhua said firmly, “my marriage to Wan Ning was rushed, and we never filed the marriage report, so legally it doesn’t count. And now, Lifang is pregnant. The child in her belly is our Xu family’s bloodline, so of course I must take responsibility for her.”

Exhaling heavily, he continued:
“As for Wan Ning, we’ll discuss that when you and Father come over. Oh, and listen carefully—you must not tell anyone I’m still alive. Only Father can know. Not even my sister can be told! Remember—only Father.”

Any lingering guilt Bai Xiuying had toward Tang Wanning vanished instantly when she heard her son say his new wife was pregnant.
“Alright, alright, I understand. I promise—I won’t tell anyone, not even your sister.” Her tone was full of excitement. “Zhenhua, are you still at XX Military District?”

“Yes. Mother, you and Father buy the train tickets as soon as possible. Try to leave tomorrow. That way you’ll arrive just in time for my wedding the day after.” Xu Zhenhua’s voice grew more relaxed as he spoke.

“Good, good! Mother will buy the tickets this afternoon.” Bai Xiuying grinned, reminding him warmly:
“Zhenhua, you must take good care of my first grandch—”

Her voice cut off abruptly.

By then, Tang Wanning was already in tears. Even though, after her rebirth, she had hated Xu Zhenhua to the bone, hearing his voice and his shameless words still broke her down. She cried for her blindness, for having once loved such a despicable, shameless man.

Pulling out a handkerchief, she wiped her tears dry and swore to herself—this would be the last time she shed tears for Xu Zhenhua. Next time, what she gave him would not be tears, but a slap.

After obtaining the information she wanted, Tang Wanning hurried out of the brigade office. She needed to think carefully about what to do next. Forget it—it’s better to go home and discuss with Father and Mother. This can’t be hidden anyway. Better to tell them sooner, so they don’t keep worrying blindly.

Though telling them would still make them worry, the outcome would be different.

Resolving herself, Tang Wanning quickly returned to the riverbank.
“Xiaoxu, stop fishing. We’re going home.”

Seeing his sister’s red eyes, Tang Huaixu leapt up from the stool.
“Sis, why are you crying? Did someone bully you? Tell me, I’ll get justice for you.”

His worried expression warmed Tang Wanning’s heart.
“I’m fine. Be good, carry the bucket, let’s go home.”

Tang Huaixu pressed his lips together but finally nodded.
“Alright.”

When they got home, Su Meijuan was in the courtyard washing vegetables. Hearing the sound at the gate, she teased with a smile:
“Fishing all morning, what did you catch—”

But before she could finish, she noticed her daughter’s red eyes. Her heart sank. Dropping the wet vegetables without a thought, she hurried toward Tang Wanning.

“Ning Ning, did someone bully you? Tell Mother, I’ll stand up for you!”