Sheng Zexi’s imposing aura was like a drawn sword, causing Wen Zhuqing’s anger-fueled momentum to weaken considerably.

Wen Zhuqing also knew that he couldn’t confront Sheng Zexi, an officer whose background he didn’t fully understand.

However…

“Comrade, do you really trust Gu Jianing that much?”

“Back then, the whole village and all the educated youth knew about Gu Jianing pursuing me.”

“And now…”

“She only chose to marry you because of your officer status and influential background.”

“She’s a vain, scheming woman. Are you really going to let her deceive you?”

Wen Zhuqing knew that Gu Jianing had already married Sheng Zexi, and for now, that couldn’t be changed.

But it didn’t matter. He could plant a seed of doubt in this officer’s heart.

That way, if anything happened later, this officer would naturally suspect Gu Jianing.

If he was going to suffer from being schemed against, Gu Jianing shouldn’t have it easy either.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, and before he knew it, he was thrown several steps back and fell to the ground.

When he came to his senses, he realized that Sheng Zexi had kicked him with such force that he was sent flying.

That kick was delivered with full strength, showing no mercy.

In fact, Sheng Zexi had held back. If he had used his full force, Wen Zhuqing’s internal organs would have been severely damaged.

“You…” Wen Zhuqing gritted his teeth, clutching his chest with a pained expression. Just as he was about to speak, Sheng Zexi leaned in.

He bent down, grabbed Wen Zhuqing by the collar, and nearly lifted him off the ground.

“Who do you think you are? What right do you have to meddle in my affairs with Ningning?”

“Don’t think you’re the smartest person in the world. Don’t think others don’t see through your little schemes. Whatever intentions you had before, Ningning is now my wife. You’d better let go of those messy thoughts of yours.”

“Otherwise…”

Sheng Zexi’s deep eyes narrowed, faintly revealing a murderous intent.

He leaned closer to Wen Zhuqing and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “You know, people who meddle too much might end up getting beaten up in a sack.”

“You seem to have forgotten the pain after the wound healed, don’t you?”

After saying this, Sheng Zexi released Wen Zhuqing, clapped his hands, and then took Gu Jianing’s hand to leave.

As for Gu Jianing, as she passed by Wen Zhuqing, she innocently said something that almost made him vomit blood.

“Wen Zhiqing, I really don’t know anything about the notes or handkerchiefs you mentioned earlier. Please don’t wrongfully accuse me.”

After that, she turned to Sheng Zexi and said, “Brother Sheng, let’s go.”

Wen Zhuqing, lying on the ground, watched as Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing walked away hand in hand, his face dark with fury.

So, on that day, one of the two beatings he received was from Sheng Zexi.

This man had been targeting him for a while.

The reason he was beaten that day was because Gu Jianing had jumped into the river for him.

This man truly loved Gu Jianing deeply.

Unfortunately, even though he now knew this, there was nothing he could do about it.

He had only dug himself into a deeper hole.

But it didn’t matter. He would rise again someday!

“Wen Zhiqing, let me help you up.” Zhao Weihong and other educated youths, feeling sorry for Wen Zhuqing, came forward to help him back to the educated youth point.

However, Li Juan did not step forward.

She was also feeling frustrated. Although she didn’t know who had schemed against whom between Wen Zhuqing and Bao Shanyan, she knew that once Wen Zhuqing agreed to marry into the Bao family, there was no chance for her and Wen Zhuqing.

Just earlier, she had confessed to Wen Zhuqing that they were kindred spirits, but now…

Forget it. She would have to give up on Wen Zhuqing and look for someone else.

Although it was hard to accept, Li Juan always knew how to weigh the pros and cons.

…

Gu Jianing was led away by Sheng Zexi, but after walking a distance, their hands parted.

Although they were legally married, in this conservative era, they still had to be cautious in public.

Sheng Zexi knew this, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit reluctant.

His hand still retained the soft touch of the young girl’s hand, making him reluctant to let go.

But Sheng Zexi told himself to take it slow.

Gu Jianing stopped, her toes tapping lightly on the ground. She lowered her head, hesitating for a moment before finally looking up and asking, “Brother Sheng, don’t you have anything to ask me? What do you think about what just happened?”

Sheng Zexi didn’t seem too concerned about the earlier incident. Instead, he was more focused on how Gu Jianing addressed him, saying with a hint of grievance, “Ningning, we’re married now. How about you change how you address me?”

“Calling me ‘Brother Sheng’ makes it sound like I’m your older brother.”

She was his precious wife, not a sister.

Gu Jianing couldn’t help but laugh. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Then should I call you ‘Brother Xi’?”

Originally, she was just teasing him, but to her surprise, Sheng Zexi’s eyes lit up, and he immediately agreed, “That’s good. I like it.”

Gu Jianing covered her mouth and laughed. If she couldn’t call him “Brother Sheng,” then “Brother Xi” was just another form of “brother.”

“Ningning, call me ‘Brother Xi’ again.”

“Brother Xi, Brother Xi, Brother Xi…” Gu Jianing called out several times in a soft, lingering voice that could easily be mistaken for a lover’s call.

Thinking this, Gu Jianing’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Sheng Zexi, his eyes filled with tenderness and joy, changed the subject to spare her the embarrassment. “Whether it’s about the past or the present, I won’t ask.”

“If you did something, I believe you had your reasons.”

“You silly girl, although you can be a bit willful and spoiled, I know you’re not a bad person at heart, and you wouldn’t actively harm others.”

Sheng Zexi’s sincere gaze and unwavering trust made Gu Jianing’s heart skip a beat. She hadn’t expected Sheng Zexi to hold such a high opinion of her.

In fact, after the events of her past life that had brought harm to her family, Gu Jianing had begun to doubt whether she was truly a selfish and wicked person.

She had even felt some self-loathing.

After all, even her choice to be with Sheng Zexi was more about avoiding Wen Zhuqing, that scoundrel, and recalling Sheng Zexi’s affection for her in her past life.

There was indeed some selfishness involved.

Now, facing Sheng Zexi, who was so sincere and held her in such high regard, Gu Jianing felt a pang of guilt.

She also made a decision.

Taking a deep breath, she met Sheng Zexi’s eyes and, as if baring her soul, said, “Actually, Wen Zhuqing wasn’t lying.”

“Today was a setup between me and Bao Shanyan against him.”

“In fact, I was the one who approached Bao Shanyan and proposed the plan.”

Earlier, she had been struggling with whether to tell Sheng Zexi the truth.

She was worried that, as Wen Zhuqing had said, Sheng Zexi might see her as a scheming person.

But now, having finally confessed, Gu Jianing felt a weight lift off her chest.