Commander Qin couldn’t quite understand Lu Cheng’s behavior.

In his view, gossip among women was a normal occurrence.

However, when Lu Cheng brought up the issue of professional ethics, it struck a chord.

As a soldier, Commander Qin held his profession in the highest regard.

Even at his age, he was willing to go to the battlefield without hesitation if the country needed him, even if it meant sacrificing his life.

So, hearing that Qian Yuelan, a nurse, disregarded her professional ethics by leaking Lu Cheng’s private medical visit, he took it very seriously.

Especially because Lu Cheng was a soldier—something that could be dismissed as a personal matter might have larger implications if it related to any military plans.

This issue with his daughter-in-law became a significant concern for Commander Qin.

“How do you want to handle this?” Commander Qin asked seriously.

Lu Cheng replied, “I want written apologies from both Qian Yuelan and Yang Mailian. If this happens again, I will report the matter to the relevant departments.”

If Lu Cheng reported Qian Yuelan’s breach to the hospital, her career there could be at risk.

Lu Cheng wasn’t just an ordinary soldier.

As for Yang Mailian, her constant gossiping and rumor-spreading would reflect poorly on her husband, Commander Qian.

With him aiming for a promotion, any controversy now could jeopardize his chances.

Commander Qin nodded. “Understood. I’ll give you a resolution by tomorrow night.”

Lu Cheng stood, saluted, and said, “Thank you for understanding, Commander. It’s no easy task to find a good wife.”

“Now aren’t you just rubbing it in?” Commander Qin gave him a stern look.

As if he didn’t know how lucky Lu Cheng was to have his wife!

But Commander Qin held Lu Cheng in high regard.

Lu Cheng was born a warrior, a natural leader; he shouldn’t be bogged down by petty issues in the family quarters.

Commander Qin thought it was rather annoying that these women couldn’t find something more productive to do than stir up trouble all day.

“But I will say, your wife can cook well. My wife learned a few dishes from her today and impressed us at dinner tonight. Even my grandson loves your wife’s cooking—you chose well.”

Lu Cheng smiled. “Thank you. If you enjoy her cooking, you’re welcome to visit the Third Company mess anytime.”

Commander Qin waved dismissively but smiled, clearly pleased with the offer.

“I’m getting on in years, so I won’t join the crowd. But your aunt will go to the Third Company’s kitchen to pick up food. Speaking of which, your wife is really overqualified for the Third Company’s kitchen. Why doesn’t she go work in the main cafeteria instead?”

Lu Cheng replied, “She’s planning to study for the high school entrance exam. Working in the main cafeteria would be too busy, and she might not have enough time.”

“Studying for high school?” Commander Qin was a bit puzzled.

Lu Cheng explained, “She graduated from middle school and wants to keep studying. Since I finished high school myself, I’m helping her review, and she hopes to earn a high school diploma.”

“This is great,” Commander Qin praised. “Ambitious and hardworking—she’s a fine comrade.”

Commander Qin hadn’t had the chance to go to school himself.

Though he’d learned a few words later in life, there was simply no opportunity in his youth; the country was still fighting, and conditions were very harsh.

Now, with the nation growing stronger, education had become a priority. Commander Qin admired those who studied and held Lu Cheng, as a military academy graduate, in high regard.

Knowing that Lu Cheng’s wife also wanted to study made him think even more highly of her. “A good comrade indeed.”

Lu Cheng gave a slight smile. “You flatter me. I’ll head back now.”

Commander Qin saw him to the door. Outside, Zhang Hongping and Qin Ming were near the house.

They noticed Lu Cheng leaving, so they headed back.

Zhang Hongping, though a bit rough around the edges, understood propriety well enough not to ask about the matter.

Yet, unexpectedly, Commander Qin brought it up: “Old lady, do you know about Lu Cheng visiting the gynecologist?”

“Yes, I know. Didn’t Yue Lan come by a few days ago? You thought she came home for lunch or to see Xiao Ming and us? No, she came to tell us about this.” Zhang Hongping recounted what Qian Yuelan had said.

At the time, she had come early before her husband returned, so Commander Qin hadn’t known about it.

Commander Qin asked, “So Yue Lan told her in-laws, and then the in-laws spread it around?”

“That’s exactly it.” Zhang Hongping was exasperated with Yang Mailian’s loose tongue. “Good thing I asked Lu Cheng’s wife directly; it turns out she just had menstrual cramps, and Lu Cheng went to the gynecologist out of concern. If I hadn’t asked and gotten an early explanation, who knows how badly it might have been twisted in gossip…”

She explained how Yang Mailian had been spreading the story all around. “Our in-law, well, she’s really got water in her brain. So, why are you bringing this up now? Did you hear something?”

“Lu Cheng came today because of this…” Commander Qin explained Lu Cheng’s reason for the visit. “You women, why is there always so much drama?”

“Idle minds will gossip,” sighed Zhang Hongping.

She didn’t take it too seriously, as she enjoyed gossip herself.

She believed the wives in the family quarters had too much time on their hands—back in the villages, they were too busy with farm work to bother with rumors.

But now she remarked, “Lu Cheng truly dotes on his wife. When Lin said at the kindergarten she’d call the police, I thought she was bluffing. I didn’t expect Lu Cheng to take action by the evening. Seems like this matter isn’t over yet.”

Commander Qin frowned. “Doesn’t matter if it’s resolved or not. If Lu Cheng really contacts the hospital, my daughter-in-law can kiss her nursing job goodbye. And it’ll drag my name through the mud.”

“Your pride, your pride—always so concerned with your pride,” Zhang Hongping chided.

She wasn’t too bothered by Qian Yuelan’s actions.

If it were her, she might’ve done the same.

In her mind, Yang Mailian was the real problem. “So, what’s the plan? Lu Cheng wants apology letters from Yuelan and Mailian. If we give him that, won’t he have leverage over us?”

Commander Qin looked out at his grandson playing in the yard.

A little kid doesn’t care about face or pride. But his wife did have a point.

He sighed, “If we don’t give him leverage, it’ll blow up worse. Should I make Yuelan resign and let my son’s wife face public reprimand? That would be even more humiliating.”

“Do you think Lu Cheng would actually go through with it? Surely, he’d consider…your pride,” Zhang Hongping suggested, hoping Lu Cheng was just bluffing.

But Commander Qin shook his head. “Lu Cheng’s with the Independent Regiment. He’s not under my command, and technically, he holds equal rank at meetings.”

Although Commander Qin’s rank was higher, Lu Cheng’s position was more autonomous.

And, Commander Qin truly believed in Lu Cheng’s potential. “Come on, let’s go over to the Qian family’s house and talk to him directly. No point in only us stressing over this.”

The Qian household was bustling.

Qian’s eldest son’s fiancée was visiting—a beautiful performer from the Arts Troupe. Yang Mailian was thrilled.

The only downside was the steep dowry, but she was willing to scrape together the money.

Having a daughter-in-law from the Arts Troupe would bring status, and her salary was decent.

Once they married, Yang Mailian intended to manage the daughter-in-law’s finances herself.

After a few years, she figured, they’d recoup the dowry.

Just then, they heard Zhang Hongping’s voice from outside. “Oh my, guests?”

“Dear in-laws are here,” Yang Mailian thought happily when she heard the voices.

Just in time, Captain Qian was also present, and with Zhang Hongping, the commander’s wife, visiting their home, it was bound to give their family a bit of prestige.

“Our old Qin is here too,” said Zhang Hongping as she led her family of three inside.

Captain Qian, already sitting in the room, quickly stood up. “Commander,” he greeted respectfully.

Despite their similar ages, he couldn’t see Qin merely as a family member; as a soldier, he felt a natural respect, even awe, toward the commander, like facing a great mountain.

Meanwhile, the Qian family bustled with activity, and Lu Cheng was also back home.

“Why haven’t you both gone to bed?” Lu Cheng noticed Lin Qingqing and Lu Haici sitting at the door.

Lin Qingqing was reading a book aloud, while little Lu Haici listened attentively, sometimes reciting a few words after her.

The scene made Lu Cheng pause, holding it in his gaze for a long while.

“We were waiting for Dad to come home,” Lu Haici said. “Mom said Dad was a hero today, so we should wait for our hero.”

Lin Qingqing sighed, embarrassed. “Could you keep your little motor mouth quiet for once?”

Lu Cheng looked at Lin Qingqing, the depth of his gaze hiding any trace of his emotions.

A faint softness passed through his eyes, but it was so brief no one could see it—especially not Lin Qingqing, who was focused on their son.

Sensing his stare, Lin Qingqing finally looked up, offering a gentle explanation. “I feel that, to ordinary people, you’re a great hero defending the nation. But to… to Lu Haici, you’re his hero because you’re the one who takes him to school, picks him up, and stands up for him.”

A child doesn’t need a national hero—they need a dad who won’t let them feel wronged.

Lu Cheng listened carefully, nodding seriously. “I’ll remember that.”

To Lu Cheng, her words meant that, to his family, being the kind of husband and father who wouldn’t let them face hardships made him a hero in their eyes.

The next morning…

Bright and early, Lin Qingqing was busy in the Third Company’s kitchen when she heard a voice she didn’t recognize call out, “Is Comrade Lin Qingqing here?”

“Lin, someone’s looking for you,” called out her colleague, Lin Bao.

Setting down her work, Lin Qingqing replied, “I’ll go see who it is.” Stepping outside, she spotted a woman she didn’t know. “Excuse me, who are you?”