Chapter 15: My Wife, I Will Protect  

Most of the military wives came from poor backgrounds, having been farmers struggling with poverty in their early years.  

Because of that, they deeply empathized with those who had suffered hardships.  

As they listened, some of them unknowingly became emotional.  

Their eyes turned red, tears welling up.  

Their gazes toward Jiang Rou softened, carrying an unspoken tenderness.  

Even Yang Hongping sighed after hearing the story, lamenting how fate toyed with people.  

She consoled Jiang Rou, saying,  

“Rou, you still have a long life ahead of you. Let the past stay in the past—people must look forward. Now that you’ve come to our compound, we are all family. From now on, we are your relatives.”  

“Big Sister Hong, don’t worry. I think life is quite good now.” Jiang Rou said with a radiant smile, exuding the youthful vigor of someone full of hope.  

However, the sisters-in-law glanced at the bare-bones house, then at Jiang Rou’s tattered clothes, and couldn’t help but feel concerned for her.  

Regiment Commander Zhou, that rough man, really didn’t know how to cherish his wife!  

Yang Yulan asked with concern,  

“Rou, when we arrived just now, we saw you digging in the soil. Were you planning to plant flowers?”  

“I do want to plant flowers, but even more than that, I want to grow vegetables. I know life on this island isn’t easy, and supplies are scarce. Everyone is living frugally. I can’t just rely on Chongshan’s allowance to get by—there are still two children in the house to take care of. So, I want to grow some fruits and vegetables to improve their meals, and it’ll also give me some exercise.”

Jiang Rou spoke crisply and clearly.  

After hearing her words, the sisters-in-law all began nodding in agreement.  

“Rou is absolutely right. Homegrown vegetables always taste the best.”  

“As expected of someone preparing for married life—she’s already thinking about taking care of the children.”  

“Rou, I have plenty of vegetables growing in my courtyard. If you ever need anything, just come and ask me. There’s no need to feel embarrassed between us.”  

Hearing their words, Jiang Rou smiled and thanked them warmly.  

Yang Hongping, standing to the side, also revealed a pleased expression.  

At the same time, she discreetly observed Jiang Rou’s hands.  

They were fair and delicate, with slender fingers like scallion stalks, and her palms were soft and smooth.  

At a glance, it was clear these were hands that had never done farm work—hands accustomed to holding a pen rather than a hoe.  

Yang Hongping adjusted her glasses and asked meaningfully,  

“Rou, since your adoptive parents were scholars, what about you? How many years of schooling did you complete?”  

“I graduated from high school.” Jiang Rou replied, stating the Original Owner’s education level.  

Although the Original Owner had been pampered and delicate, she had taken her studies very seriously.  

Not only had she completed high school, but she had also ranked first in her grade every year.  

Had it not been for her parents’ concerns that a higher education might make her difficult to marry off, they wouldn’t have stopped her from going to university.  

Based on her academic performance alone, the Original Owner was more than capable of getting into college.  

Upon hearing this, Yang Hongping looked at Jiang Rou with even more approval.  

In this military compound, there were plenty of military wives who were strong and capable of physical labor.  

But literate women? Educated ones? Women who had completed high school?  

Not a single one.  

Jiang Rou, with her high school diploma, was undoubtedly high-level talent~

At a time when the women in the compound were enjoying a moment of peace and harmony, the military camp was thrown into chaos.  

“Regiment Commander Zhou! Regiment Commander Zhou! This is bad! Something serious has happened!”  

A young soldier rushed toward the training ground in a panic.  

Zhou Chongshan had just demonstrated a series of movements for the soldiers. His undershirt was soaked with sweat, to the point that it could be wrung out.  

When the young soldier ran up to him, Zhou Chongshan’s first reaction was not to respond but to shoot him a stern look.  

The young soldier’s heart tightened.  

He had been too anxious and had forgotten the rules of the military camp.  

Immediately, he stood at attention and saluted.  

“Report! Regiment Commander Zhou, I have something to report!”  

Only then did Zhou Chongshan nod and lead the soldier aside.  

“You may speak now.”  

“Regiment Commander Zhou, this is bad! I don’t know where the rumor came from, but suddenly people are saying that Sister-in-law is the daughter of a capitalist and that her background is problematic! The news has already spread to the compound. I heard that the other wives are making a fuss—they even went to find Comrade Hong, demanding that Sister-in-law be expelled. Right now, they’ve all rushed to your house—”  

Before the soldier could even finish his sentence, his anxious words still lingering in the air, the tall figure before him had already shot forward like a bullet.  

With his long legs striding rapidly, Zhou Chongshan advanced at full speed.  

The young soldier was momentarily stunned before quickly reacting.  

He shouted after Zhou Chongshan’s retreating figure: “Regiment Commander Zhou, you must protect Sister-in-law!”  

Even if the young soldier hadn’t said it, the words had already etched themselves deeply into Zhou Chongshan’s mind.  

Along with them, an image of Jiang Rou surfaced—so delicate and petite, her waist no thicker than his arm.

Delicate, soft, and fair.  

She was like a little white rabbit—so fragile that the lightest touch would leave a red mark on her skin.  

How could someone like Jiang Rou possibly stand against the wives in the compound?  

And what nonsense about being a capitalist’s daughter!  

It was nothing but a baseless accusation.  

He would not allow anyone to put a label on Jiang Rou.  

She was his wife—Zhou Chongshan would protect her himself!  

…  

The moment Zhou Chongshan rushed out of the military camp, filled with tension and worry, he didn’t even realize that despite repeatedly insisting on sending Jiang Rou away from the island, in his heart…  

He had already placed her completely in the position of his wife.  

Under the scorching sun,  

A tall, sturdy figure pressed forward relentlessly.  

Beads of sweat rolled down his body, burning hot, just like the tight knot in his heart.  

Zhou Chongshan soon arrived at the house.  

Seeing the wide-open door, the weight in his chest sank even further.  

His steps quickened, and he strode into the courtyard without hesitation.  

And then—  

Inside the house, a group of women surrounded Jiang Rou, as if they were about to swallow her whole.  

His brows furrowed tightly.  

In that moment,  

Zhou Chongshan could barely hear anything. His dark eyes locked onto Jiang Rou, unwilling to look away even for a second.  

With an overpowering presence, he strode into the room without a word.  

Forcing his way through the crowd,  

He grabbed Jiang Rou’s wrist in one swift motion.  

His rough palm tightened around her, firm and unyielding.  

His strong arm, muscles taut, exerted just the right amount of force.  

With a simple yet decisive movement, Zhou Chongshan pulled Jiang Rou behind him, his stance commanding and domineering.  

His broad back became her shield—like a safe harbor, standing firmly in front of her.

Zhou Chongshan swept his gaze across the room.  

His eyes landed on Yang Hongping in the crowd.  

“Jiang Rou is my wife. If you have anything to say, come to me. Don’t make things difficult for her.”  

His deep, resonant voice fell like a gavel striking the final verdict—firm and unwavering.  

More than just words, there was a strong sense of possession in Zhou Chongshan’s tone.  

Possession, but also protection.  

Whether Jiang Rou was truly a “capitalist’s daughter” or not, Zhou Chongshan had already bound her tightly to himself—just like a husband and wife.  

However—  

After Zhou Chongshan’s grave statement, an eerie silence filled the entire room.  

Everyone present widened their eyes, staring at the suddenly appearing Zhou Chongshan in shock and confusion.  

They couldn’t even comprehend—what… just happened?!  

What was going on?!  

Why did Regiment Commander Zhou say something that they couldn’t understand at all?!  

One pair of bewildered eyes after another filled with question marks.  

Jiang Rou, too, was stunned by Zhou Chongshan’s sudden appearance.  

Let alone the fact that—  

The moment this man barged in, he had grabbed her wrist and, with an overbearing and domineering stance, pulled her behind him.  

The room was already small, and with so many people inside, Jiang Rou was practically pressed against Zhou Chongshan’s back.  

Broad, scorching hot.  

And… incredibly hard.  

His back was all solid muscle.  

A strong, masculine presence radiated from him.  

Why did it suddenly make her legs feel weak for no reason?!  

Wasn’t Zhou Chongshan supposed to be a rough, old-fashioned military man? How did he execute the script of a domineering CEO so flawlessly?!  

Jiang Rou once again heard the pounding of her own heartbeat.  

Amidst the crowd,  

Zhou Chongshan looked at the silent onlookers, his already furrowed brows tightening further.  

A deep crease formed between his brows, etched into the shape of the character “川.”  

Suppressing the emotions surging in his chest, he took a deep breath and reiterated,  

“Jiang Rou is not some capitalist’s daughter. Her only identity now is my wife—Zhou Chongshan’s wife.”