Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiao quickly tugged at Gu Chonglin’s sleeve. “Chonglin, maybe we should just let it go. Let’s return the things to Xia Zhi and deal with this after Battalion Commander Lu leaves.”  

Zhang Xiao was worried. From the start, the Hao family bore the most responsibility for this mess. The last thing they needed was for the blame to shift onto them as the situation escalated.  

Gu Chonglin’s frown deepened. If he handed over the money and goods now, where would that leave his dignity after all these years?  

Liu Yanfang snorted coldly. “Battalion Commander Lu, that’s taking it too far. What if the senior officer comes? He’s a reasonable man who distinguishes right from wrong.”  

Her tone was haughty, as if their side was the one in the right. But despite her bluster, the others around her had already lost their nerve and didn’t dare utter another word.  

“Right, so you do understand. Then let’s just wait and see!” Xia Zhi retorted with a cold laugh, crossing her arms and standing to the side.  

The Yunfang garrison troops were stationed at the border year-round. Their daily duties involved patrols to prevent infiltration or sneak attacks from the other side.  

Chief Li Jianguo could have had a brighter future, yet he chose to remain at Yunfang without hesitation. That alone told Xia Zhi that he was a good man.  

If he really showed up, she had nothing to fear. Besides, she still had Lu Beiting as her trump card!  

Seeing Xia Zhi’s confident demeanor, Hao Liping grew increasingly uneasy. Logically, Xia Zhi should have been as nervous and fearful as the others, but she wasn’t.  

“Xia Zhi, come with me!”  

Hao Liping grabbed her arm and pulled her toward a distant tree.  

Xia Zhi knew exactly what she wanted to say—her thoughts were practically written all over her face.  

Once they reached the spot, Hao Liping released her hand. “Xia Zhi, be honest with me. Are you also…?”  

She waggled her eyebrows suggestively at Xia Zhi.  

Xia Zhi pretended not to understand, furrowing her brows in confusion. “Hao Liping, are you out of your mind? What are you even saying? I can’t understand a word.”  

“H-how is that possible? Are you just refusing to tell me?” Hao Liping crossed her arms and looked down at her smugly. “Even if you’re like me, so what? Gu Yunshen is mine now!”  

“Sure, sure, he’s yours. You two enjoy yourselves,” Xia Zhi replied dismissively. Then, glancing to the side, she noticed Zhang Yi leading Li Jianguo toward them.  

Li Jianguo was dressed in military green, his strides steady, his expression stern yet kind. With his square jaw, he had the face of a man who embodied national stability and peace.  

When Hao Liping saw Li Jianguo, her eyes lit up. She then shot Xia Zhi a challenging glare. “Xia Zhi, you don’t know this, but Uncle Chief dotes on me the most. Just wait—your face is going to sting from the slap of reality.”  

Xia Zhi nodded indifferently. “Right, right, whatever you say.”  

Hao Liping felt like she’d just punched cotton—her anger had no impact. Stomping her foot in frustration, she stormed back.  

Xia Zhi noticed the man behind Li Jianguo—stern-faced, unsmiling, and bearing some resemblance to Lu Beiting. She guessed this must be his father.  

When Xia Zhi returned to Lu Beiting’s side, she noticed his tense expression and silently filed the observation away.  

The group hadn’t expected the senior officer to actually be summoned. Their faces paled, and they immediately straightened up, greeting him respectfully.  

Li Jianguo smiled and nodded, then walked over to Lu Beiting. “Beiting, everything alright?”  

Lu Beiting shook his head. “It’s fine. Sorry to trouble you, Chief.”  

After saying that, Lu Beiting fell silent, causing Lu Weifeng, standing beside Li Jianguo, to darken in expression.  

Xia Zhi sensed the tension and discreetly observed them. So, Lu Beiting and his father didn’t get along.  

Li Jianguo turned to Hao Dazhuang’s family, his expression instantly turning stern. “Hao Dazhuang! Don’t you have an explanation for this? What’s the meaning of all this? Back then, I personally brought Beiting to your door to propose. If you weren’t satisfied, why didn’t you refuse then?  

“What your family has done—how does that make me look?  

“Should I start wondering whether your issue is with Lu Beiting or with me?”

Li Jianguo felt his anger rising. This matter had been entrusted to him by Old Master Lu on his deathbed—to find a good wife for Lu Beiting. And now, just as the wedding date was approaching, everything had fallen apart!  

How was he supposed to face Old Master Lu after this?  

Hao Dazhuang shuddered at Li Jianguo’s words. “Chief, it’s a misunderstanding! We truly didn’t mean it that way. Liping is still young and doesn’t understand. By the time we found out, it was already too late.”  

Chen Xiuping quickly chimed in, “Chief, this is our fault. The child is young and impulsive—you know how youth is. Please calm down.  

“But we won’t leave Battalion Commander Lu without a bride. Xia Zhi has already discussed it with him.”  

Li Jianguo let out a cold laugh. “Utterly shameless! Who would want a bride like that?”  

The Hao family’s expressions turned ashen. Being publicly called shameless by the chief in front of so many people—how would their neighbors view them from now on?  

“Uncle Li, this is my fault, but… but I was only doing what’s best for Battalion Commander Lu,” Hao Liping said tearfully, stepping forward with a pitiful look.  

“For his own good? His parents aren’t dead yet, and I’m still here! Since when do we need you to decide what’s best for him? What nonsense!” Li Jianguo retorted sharply.  

Hao Liping was stunned. Before, Li Jianguo had always called her “Liping” affectionately and even brought her gifts. How had things turned out like this?  

Li Jianguo snorted, then turned his attention to the woman beside Lu Beiting. “You’re Xia Zhi?”  

“Yes, hello, Chief!” Xia Zhi instinctively saluted.  

Li Jianguo studied her, his expression shifting slightly. “Quite the proper form.”  

Lu Beiting also glanced at her in surprise. This woman was nothing like the rumors suggested.  

Xia Zhi quickly lowered her hand, laughing awkwardly. “Haha, I’ve passed by training drills before and picked it up just by watching.”  

In her past life, as a doctor, she had often worked in military zones and was familiar with such things.  

Li Jianguo nodded in approval. “Alright. So, you’re truly willing to marry Beiting?”  

Beiting’s condition hadn’t been made public, but he was aware of it.  

“Yes, Chief. I’m doing this willingly!”  

Li Jianguo narrowed his eyes, his voice stern. “Even if his legs never stand again?”  

Xia Zhi smiled. “I’m willing!” This is a golden opportunity! Only a fool would pass it up.

Li Jianguo seemed to treat Lu Beiting even better than his own father did. That alone spoke volumes about how much he valued him. Once married, getting into a military hospital probably wouldn’t even be difficult.  

“Good. Xia Zhi, don’t worry. Beiting is a good man—not like some unclean people.” Li Jianguo shot a meaningful glance at Gu Yunshen.  

Gu Yunshen clenched his fists in humiliation. How dare these coarse old men look down on me?

“Chief, rest assured, I’ll take good care of Battalion Commander Lu.” Then, with a pitiful expression, she added, “But Chief, the Gu family deceived me and even withheld my parents’ belongings. Could you help me?”  

Zhang Xiao’s face instantly paled. Why is this circling back to our family again?