Chapter 13: I Am Willing to Join the Army

Originally, after he went there, the other party had only given him a few perfunctory remarks to send him off.

In fact, Gu Shiqing could understand. After all, there had been too many similar incidents recently. The authorities, in order to protect the informants, naturally would not disclose much information.

Unexpectedly, after the other party answered a phone call, he suddenly asked his secretary to call him back.

Of course, the secretary did not directly tell him who had reported Gu Honglang. Instead, he passed on some clues and suggested that he investigate whether anyone had recently had a work-related conflict with Gu Honglang.

When Gu Shiqing expressed his gratitude, the other party smiled and said: “Battalion Commander Gu, you don’t need to thank me. If you really want to thank someone, thank yourself for marrying a good wife. If it weren’t for her, our old man wouldn’t have passed you this kind of information at such a critical time. If anything went wrong, there would have been shared responsibility.”

Only then did Gu Shiqing understand what had really happened.

Gu Honglang had always been known as an upright person. Whether in work or in life, he was widely respected and rarely had any conflicts with others.

However, Gu Shiqing discovered that the Research Institute was currently undergoing a professional title evaluation. He also heard from others that Zhao Guobin had inquired about this matter.

Zhao Guobin had entered the Research Institute in the same year as his father. This time, the evaluation for a professional title was likely a choice between his father and Zhao Guobin.

Zhao Guobin had recently inquired about the matter, and now something had happened to his father.

If no one had reminded him to check whether anyone had work-related conflicts with his father lately, he might not have immediately suspected Zhao Guobin. But with that clue provided, Zhao Guobin’s suspicion became far too great to ignore.

Later, the Inspector Squad found Zhao Guobin. After an investigation, Zhao Guobin personally admitted to maliciously reporting Gu Honglang.

After hearing everything, Xu Minzhi held Lin Banxia’s hand and said: “Banxia, I really don’t know what to say. You are truly our family’s lucky star.”

Although Lin Banxia’s previous behavior had been rather unlikable, in the past two days she had saved Gu Honglang’s life, made numerous preparations before the inspection team’s arrival, and now, even uncovering the person behind the report was all thanks to Lin Banxia.

Calling Lin Banxia the Gu Family’s lucky star was not an exaggeration in the least.

“Mom, there’s really no need to say anything. If you really care about me, just make me more sweet and sour spare ribs, okay? Your sweet and sour spare ribs are the best!” Lin Banxia said in a playful tone.

Her words not only made Xu Minzhi and Gu Honglang laugh, but even Gu Shiqing, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile.

He had regretted marrying Lin Banxia countless times before. But now, he only wanted to say—he had truly been blind to not recognize her worth.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

While the Gu Family was basking in warmth and harmony, things were not nearly as pleasant in the Zhao household.

With Zhao Guobin’s malicious report exposed, the Gu Family no longer had to be sent away for reeducation. Instead, the ones who now had to undergo reform were the Zhao Family.

They were ordered to pack up today, and tomorrow they would depart for the farm for labor reform.

Such a thunderous blow sent the Zhao household into chaos.

“No wonder your father was dead set against letting Lin Banxia treat Taotao’s illness! Turns out he had a guilty conscience all along. He reported Lin Banxia’s father-in-law and was too afraid to let her treat Taotao!”

“For the sake of a mere ‘Academician’ title, now the whole family has to accompany him into exile. If you’re all willing to live in a cowshed, that’s your business. As for me—I refuse!”

“He clearly isn’t as capable as others, yet at his age, instead of improving his own skills, he spends his days scheming to harm others. And now? He’s dragged his whole family down with him—are you satisfied now?”

“Ah! Zhao Jianjun, which part of what I said was wrong? You dare to hit me? I want a divorce!”

After a heated argument, the Zhao family’s daughter-in-law left the Zhao household with her child and returned to her parents’ home.

The Zhao household remained in an uproar, but not a single neighbor came forward to mediate.

What Zhao Guobin had done was utterly disgraceful. To maliciously report someone just for the sake of a professional title—such a person was someone everyone wished to avoid.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

“Shiqing, since you’ve come back this time, why don’t you stay at home a bit longer?” said Xu Minzhi.

In truth, she was hoping that Gu Shiqing could stay for a longer period during this visit. After all, the young couple hadn’t seen each other for two years. If he stayed home a little longer, he could also spend more time with Lin Banxia and strengthen their relationship.

Although their marriage had been arranged under pressure, they were husband and wife after all. They couldn’t just go on living apart forever, could they?

Naturally, Gu Shiqing understood what Xu Minzhi meant. However, he replied with some difficulty: “Mom, I left in a hurry this time and didn’t apply for family leave. At most, I can stay for another two days before I have to return to the unit.”

Under normal circumstances, it might have been manageable. But this time, he had other assignments awaiting him once he returned.

Otherwise…

Gu Shiqing glanced at Lin Banxia. He was actually willing to stay longer.

No matter what he had thought in the past, since returning this time, Lin Banxia had given him far too many “surprises.” The aversion he once felt had long since turned into a quiet anticipation.

Anticipation for what? He couldn’t quite say.

“Just two days? What can you even do in that time?” Xu Minzhi immediately responded.

“Two days really is too short.” Gu Honglang added.

Although he and Xu Minzhi were not the kind of in-laws who constantly pushed for grandchildren, it was still unreasonable that their son and daughter-in-law hadn’t even seen each other in two years.

She knew her son well. From the look in Gu Shiqing’s eyes, Xu Minzhi could tell—this boy very much wanted Lin Banxia to join him in the army, but he just couldn’t say it out loud.

She decided to take the initiative and speak on his behalf. “Banxia, I heard that the army’s living conditions have improved a lot over the past couple of years. Apparently, they’ve even built Family Courtyards. Why don’t you reconsider going with the troops? If, after arriving, you really can’t…”

…get used to life over there, we can always revisit the matter. No one will force you to stay permanently.

As Xu Minzhi brought up the matter, she felt a bit uneasy. After all, Lin Banxia had firmly refused to go with the troops in the past, saying the living conditions were too poor.

Now that Lin Banxia had just helped the family through such a major crisis, for her to raise the issue of joining the army at this moment made it seem as if she were trying to send her away.

But before Xu Minzhi could even finish her sentence, Lin Banxia looked up and said: “Join the army? I have no issue with that.”

The moment she spoke, the other three people stared at her in disbelief.

Especially Gu Shiqing—his hands, which had unconsciously curled into fists, suddenly relaxed.

She had just said… she was willing to go to the military base?