Chapter 129: The Person Behind Wang Yumeng

Zhou Yubai and Shen Zhengrong were almost amused by the gossip.  They’d thought such idle chatter was limited to village gossips, but their soldiers were just as adept.

“Do you know the battalion commander’s wife’s surname?” Shen Zhengrong sneered.

The gossiping soldiers shook their heads in confusion.  They only knew the commander and deputy commander called her Ningning; they didn’t know her surname.

Shen Zhengrong sneered again, “The commander’s wife’s surname is Shen. She’s my own sister! Childhood sweethearts, rivals?  Nonsense!”

The soldiers looked at each other in astonishment.  They hadn’t realized Captain Zhou’s wife was Deputy Commander Shen’s sister.  Meaning, Deputy Commander Shen was the Captain Zhou’s brother-in-law.

Qin Yi, the eavesdropper, awkwardly chuckled, “So… that’s how it is.  Deputy Commander, you said you grew up with sister-in-law, we thought…”

“You thought what?!” Shen Zhengrong angrily interrupted, kicking him, “Run ten laps around the camp and do five hundred frog jumps!”

Qin Yi cried out.  Ten laps and five hundred frog jumps would cripple him!  He regretted his loose tongue.

Zhou Yubai’s application was quickly approved by the division commander, who called him personally.

“Zhou Yubai, are you sure about transferring to logistics?  With your achievements from the last mission, capturing the saboteurs, and discovering oil, you deserve a deputy regimental-level promotion.  Staying in the frontline unit would lead to further advancement.  But in logistics, you might be stuck at deputy regimental level.”

Zhou Yubai didn’t hesitate, “Commander, I’ve made up my mind. I’m applying for the transfer.”

He’d thought this through carefully.  His application wasn’t solely due to Shen Chuning.

After Shen Zhengrong’s incident, he’d investigated Wang Yumeng.  His intuition told him something was wrong.

People from Wang Yumeng’s hometown described her as an introverted, honest girl, completely different from the Wang Yumeng in their production team.

He also discovered Wang Yumeng was involved in Chen Ziyun’s attempt to drug Shen Chuning.  She targeted Shen Chuning first, then Shen Zhengrong; her target was the Shen family.

He still didn’t know her motive.

He had planned to send Wang Yumeng to a labor camp through the county armed forces department.  But higher-ups intervened, preventing them from punishing her.

Wang Yumeng had no influential background.  His investigation revealed she didn’t know any important people.

Who was protecting her?  Was she even the real Wang Yumeng?

These questions needed answers.  With such a dangerous person nearby, he couldn’t leave Shen Chuning behind.

The division commander sighed, knowing Zhou Yubai was determined.  “Fine, if you insist, I’ll approve your transfer.  But if you get bored in logistics, you’re welcome back to the frontline unit anytime.”

“Thank you, Commander!” Zhou Yubai saluted gratefully.

Meanwhile, it was time to hand in grain taxes.

The commune completed preparations.  The brigade heads and secretaries met, drawing lots to determine the order of grain delivery.

As the commune accountant, Shen Chuning had to verify and record the grain quantities from each brigade and then store it.

The commune usually started at 9 am, but during grain delivery, it was 8 am.  She needed to be there by 7 am.  The commute was 40 minutes by bike.

To avoid being late, Shen Chuning prepared to leave at 6 am.

In winter, it was dark and foggy at 6 am, with visibility under ten meters.

Shen Chuning felt apprehensive leaving home.  She regretted not asking her brother to see her off.

As she opened the gate, she saw a tall figure.

“Ah—”

Shen Chuning screamed, stepping back, tears welling up.

Zhou Yubai, seeing her fright, rushed to her, “Wife, it’s me.”

Hearing his voice, Shen Chuning calmed down.  It was her husband, who hadn’t returned last night.

Feeling wronged, she burst into tears.

The Zhou family heard the commotion.

Lin Shulan rushed out with a carrying pole, seeing the distraught Zhou Yubai, she yelled, “You scoundrel, you dared to harass my daughter-in-law! I’ll beat you to death…”  She swung the pole at him.

Zhou Yubai caught the pole, “Mother, it’s me!”

He released the pole.  Lin Shulan hit him with it, “You deserve it!  Who told you to bully Ningning?  Ah? Who told you to bully Ningning?”

Shen Chuning stopped crying and intervened, “Mother, you misunderstood. Brother Yubai didn’t bully me. I’m just… scared…”

She explained the situation.

Lin Shulan glared at Zhou Yubai, “It’s still your fault! You didn’t knock. You scared her!”

“Mother is right. It’s my fault,” Zhou Yubai apologized readily, “Wife, I was reckless.  I’ll knock next time.”

Shen Chuning laughed through her tears.

Lin Shulan smiled, turning to Zhou Yubai, “Take your wife to work. Don’t be late. I’m going to the brigade to deliver grain.”