Chapter 13 – Can We Get the Marriage Certificate Tomorrow?

Upon hearing this, Song Yuzhou’s cold gaze fell on the village women who had laid hands on them. His stern and powerful demeanor, radiating an air of authority, had clearly been honed through years of leading troops.

“Who dares bully her?” Song Yuzhou’s presence alone commanded respect.

Seeing this, the group of middle-aged women instinctively stepped back.

Jiang Zhi Ning suddenly remembered something and turned to help Lin Chunmei up. Noticing the scratch marks on her face, Jiang Zhi Ning felt her heart ache.

When Lin Chunmei saw the sudden appearance of a soldier, confusion flickered in her eyes. But recalling what Jiang Zhi Ning had previously mentioned about the military, she immediately understood.

“It wasn’t us bullying her. She’s just shameless! She tried to seduce the old man and then framed him!” the leading woman shouted.

Hearing this, Song Yuzhou’s expression turned grave. “She wouldn’t.”

Jiang Zhi Ning was surprised. He hadn’t asked her a single question, didn’t know her at all—yet he believed her without hesitation?

“How could she not? Our elder is a well-known kind-hearted man. He’d never harass a young girl!”

Before the woman could finish, Song Yuzhou turned to Jiang Zhi Ning. “Did he harass you?”

His eyes were filled with unmistakable concern.

Jiang Zhi Ning first nodded, then shook her head. “He tried, but luckily I screamed for help. That big brother showed up and stopped him. But the old man is disgusting—he tried to shift the blame and said I seduced him over a toilet!”

Jiang Zhi Ning was furious. Her innocence was being treated as if it was worth no more than an outhouse?

What on earth was that old man thinking?

Hearing her explanation, Song Yuzhou firmly took her hand. “She’s my wife. I dare anyone to wrong her.”

Looking at the medals and insignia on his uniform, it became clear that this was no ordinary soldier.

Staring at Song Yuzhou’s handsome face and the honor-filled military uniform, the villagers suddenly realized—how could a woman like Jiang Zhi Ning possibly try to seduce an old man just for a bathroom?

“We only heard what the old man said…” one of the women muttered.

At that, Song Yuzhou turned his sharp gaze toward the elderly man.

Now understanding that the man standing before him was Jiang Zhi Ning’s husband, the old man started to panic. He hadn’t expected to run into such a formidable obstacle.

But even knowing he was in the wrong, the old man still insisted, “Sir, I’m not lying. That girl seduced me. Maybe she just couldn’t stand the loneliness while you were away.”

“Pah! My daughter would never!” Lin Chunmei shouted angrily.

Jiang Zhi Ning’s heart warmed at her defense. She had never been protected by her elders like this before.

She knew the old man wouldn’t confess easily. Given his reputation, she would need solid evidence.

Thinking back to what she saw in the toilet, her eyes scanned the crowd—and stopped at someone.

“I believe I’m not the only girl he’s harassed. There must be others in the village.”

The crowd stirred at her words. “That’s impossible. Don’t talk nonsense, girl,” someone said.

But Jiang Zhi Ning clearly saw a figure flinch slightly.

“Everyone saw what just happened. The old man clearly acted indecently and tried to blame me. Today’s a chance to speak the truth. Any girls who’ve suffered, do you want to live in fear forever?”

She kept her eyes fixed on the person who had reacted, hoping they’d step forward.

She turned to Song Yuzhou. “Comrade Yuzhou, if it can be proven that this old man was being indecent, can we arrest him?”

Seeing the fire in her eyes, Song Yuzhou firmly replied, “Yes. Even if he’s old, sexual assault is a serious crime and he’ll be punished.”

“You all heard that. If anyone else has been wronged, speak up. If you miss this chance, you might never escape this man’s abuse.”

Jiang Zhi Ning spoke loudly and clearly. She didn’t know if the person was listening—but it was worth the gamble.

Just as she was about to give up, someone stepped out from the crowd.

“I can testify.”

The villagers were shocked. Especially the lead woman. “Xiao Hua, what are you doing?”

The young widow named Xiao Hua trembled, but encouraged by Jiang Zhi Ning’s kindness, she pointed at the old man. “She’s not lying. He did the same thing to me.”

A single sentence caused an uproar.

The old man’s eyes widened in panic. “Xiao Hua is making it up. Don’t believe her!”

“I’m not lying. The same thing happened when my husband died. He tricked me into his house and pounced on me,” Xiao Hua said, her voice shaking. “I tried to tell my mother-in-law, but she didn’t believe me and beat me instead.”

“After that, he kept threatening me to keep me quiet.”

Because Xiao Hua was a widow, people assumed she just couldn’t bear loneliness. And since the old man always acted so kind and respectable, no one would believe her.

Now that Xiao Hua had spoken up, the villagers quickly sided with Jiang Zhi Ning.

The lead woman fumed. “You old scumbag! I thought you were a decent person, and you bullied my sister!”

“I—I can explain—” the old man stammered, but the woman charged at him and started beating him.

Soon, the village chief arrived. Upon hearing the full story, he had the old man taken to the ancestral hall for judgment.

The chief wanted to handle it quietly, but Song Yuzhou was firm. He demanded the matter be reported to the authorities or threatened to have the chief removed from office.

So the village chief called the police. Soon after, the old man was arrested.

As the villagers began to disperse, Song Yuzhou suddenly said, “Wait.”

Everyone turned to look at him.

“Anyone who insulted or hit Comrade Jiang Zhi Ning just now—apologize to her. All of you.”

The villagers glanced at each other. Though reluctant, none of them dared defy Song Yuzhou’s imposing presence.

“…Sorry.”

“…Sorry.”

Jiang Zhi Ning’s voice was cool. “I’m not saying I forgive you. I just hope next time something like this happens, you’ll give girls a little more trust.”

She then walked up to Xiao Hua and, despite her surprised look, gave her a warm hug. “Sister-in-law, you did the right thing. If you ever suffer this kind of harm again, speak up. If we don’t catch bad people, they’ll just hurt others. You were really brave. Keep it up.”

“Thank you, sister,” Xiao Hua said gratefully.

After letting go, Jiang Zhi Ning left with Song Yuzhou and Lin Chunmei.

On the way home, Lin Chunmei asked curiously, “Zhi Ning, how did you know he was a repeat offender?”

“In the toilet, I saw menstrual blood in the waste basket. And I noticed how Xiao Hua kept wanting to say something but didn’t dare. So I took a chance. After all, no one wants to live in darkness forever.”

Hearing that, Lin Chunmei smiled. “Zhi Ning, you’re very clever.”

Noticing the scratches on her mother’s face, Jiang Zhi Ning hugged her tightly.

Lin Chunmei froze.

“Thank you, Mom,” Jiang Zhi Ning whispered.

Tears filled Lin Chunmei’s eyes at the word “Mom.” She hugged her back. “Silly girl, you’re my daughter. Of course I’ll protect you.”

Jiang Zhi Ning didn’t say anything—just held her tighter.

Song Yuzhou silently walked with them home.

“Comrade Yuzhou, didn’t you say it would take half a month? Why are you back so soon?” Jiang Zhi Ning asked curiously.

“The marriage application was approved,” Song Yuzhou replied, looking at her.

Jiang Zhi Ning blinked in surprise. “That fast?”

Song Yuzhou cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. “The commander was worried you’d change your mind and run.”

When the commander heard Song Yuzhou wanted to marry, he was thrilled. Learning that the girl was refined and educated, he expedited the paperwork—afraid she’d back out and leave Song Yuzhou a lifelong bachelor.

Jiang Zhi Ning giggled. “Your commander’s kind of adorable.”

Looking at her sweet smile, Song Yuzhou couldn’t look away.

Was such a bright, beautiful girl really willing to marry him?

Jiang Zhi Ning rose on her tiptoes, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings as she gazed into his eyes. “So… since the paperwork is done, can we go get the marriage certificate tomorrow?”