Chapter 42

Seeing her anxious, Cui Yan only then realized her careless words.

In fact, she was just too panicked.

After all, ever since she learned about Engineer Ning and the two experts from Hua Gong, she had been repeatedly told by the people around her terms like “the pillar of the nation.” “senior experts.” “national treasures.” and “must be well protected.” For the two elders, she held both respect and awe.

But now, such figures were actually being isolated for interrogation?!

This twist made Cui Yan feel like her entire worldview had shattered. So when she saw Yin Xiaoman, she didn’t even have time to think too much and blurted out the news.

But when she saw Yin Xiaoman’s expression, she realized that Xiaoman was much closer to those two elders than she was. While she herself was just confused upon hearing the news, this girl must be feeling scared, right?

“Xiaoman, don’t be afraid. Your Brother Qi has already gone to a meeting with the regiment. We don’t know the situation yet, but it should be fine. Besides, even if something really happens, it has nothing to do with you. You’re just a family member, what do you know? And anyway, it wasn’t you who asked the two elders to come to your house, it was all arranged by the camp, right? So don’t worry. Even if it’s an interview, they won’t be able to find anything to do with you…”

The more Cui Yan tried to comfort her, the heavier Yin Xiaoman’s heart felt, and the more she realized how serious this matter might be.

Having spent so much time together, Yin Xiaoman knew Cui Yan well. Although Cui Yan was cheerful, she wasn’t someone who talked much.

Now, she was repeating the same reassuring words over and over again. Rather than trying to comfort her, Yin Xiaoman could feel that Cui Yan was also panicking, trying to convince herself with those words.

Seeing Cui Yan like this, Yin Xiaoman thought the situation must be even worse than she had imagined.

Perhaps, Qi Feng’s so-called meeting with the regiment was actually the “interview” that Cui Yan mentioned?

The storm was coming, the wind filling the building.

At this point, Yin Xiaoman didn’t feel panicked anymore.

Before, she had been nervous and scared because she still held some hope that things might change.

But now, seeing that things had reached a point beyond her control, what use was panic?

Yin Xiaoman lowered her eyes, hiding the fleeting bitterness in her gaze.

It seemed that she was really destined to be alone!

Whether in her past life or this one.

She had originally thought that the heavens had given her this second chance because they wanted her to live a smooth and peaceful life. But now it seemed that she had been too greedy.

Since that was the case, then she shouldn’t harm others anymore.

In the past few days, Yin Xiaoman hadn’t been idle. She had already found out what could be done if one’s family background was problematic in order to avoid dragging others down.

She had heard that as long as one wrote a divorce statement severing the marital relationship, it would be fine.

This statement, Shen Qingyun would definitely not write. Yin Xiaoman was clear about that. But precisely because of this, she couldn’t drag that man down.

Her ability to take care of herself had always been good, and with her space, Yin Xiaoman believed that even if she left here, she wouldn’t starve to death.

It was just—she would never have a family again.

Thinking of this, a surge of heat rose in her eyes, but her heart gradually calmed down.

Seeing that she had been silent for so long, Cui Yan regretted it immensely. She felt that her words had frightened the girl even more, and she became even more flustered in her explanations.

Seeing her so anxious that she was sweating, Yin Xiaoman couldn’t bear to let her continue in such a roundabout way. She stood up, preparing to take her leave.

But just as she stood up and was about to speak her farewells, the curtain at the door was lifted, and Qi Feng walked in.

He probably hadn’t expected Yin Xiaoman to be here. He froze for a moment upon seeing her, then broke into a smile.

“Xiaoman, came to chat with your Sister-in-law? Sit!”

Although he smiled, there was an unmistakable weariness behind it.

Seeing him enter, Cui Yan seemed to relax for a moment, but she immediately grew nervous again. She no longer paid attention to Yin Xiaoman, and quickly asked: “What did she want to talk to you about? What’s the situation with Engineer Ning and the others? What’s going on?”

Qi Feng glanced at her and immediately understood that Yin Xiaoman had already heard about all of this.

However, he didn’t want to speak badly of his wife. Besides, things like this couldn’t be kept secret for long, and there was no point in trying to conceal them.

“The specific situation is still unclear for now, but it’s said that there is currently a strict investigation into overseas connections. So someone proposed that Engineer Ning and Old Hua are not suitable for important positions, and they’ve been reassigned. You all know their previous work… So now, the control measures are also to protect classified information.”

Hearing this, Cui Yan immediately became upset and angrily cursed: “What, saying Engineer Ning and Old Hua have overseas connections? That’s nonsense!

Who doesn’t know that the two of them responded to the country’s call, gave up the generous overseas treatment, and returned home to contribute?

They were originally invited back from abroad, and now you’re saying they have overseas connections? Is this what people do? How come they can say whatever they want without any shame?!”

Qi Feng pressed his lips together, not responding but also not stopping Cui Yan from cursing.

Clearly, these were words he had been holding in but couldn’t say.

After hearing all of this, Yin Xiaoman’s heart felt even colder. But she had come today to find Qi Feng, and now that she had seen him, she naturally had to ask about the investigation letter mentioned by the old branch leader.

After hearing Yin Xiaoman’s words, Qi Feng’s expression darkened further.

He opened his mouth but then let out a long sigh instead: “Xiaoman, let’s put this matter aside for now. That investigation letter is just an idea from the leaders of your brigade; it’s not certain they’ll actually send it. If they do, we’ll deal with it then.”

Hearing him dodge the issue with Yin Xiaoman, Cui Yan immediately became furious. She didn’t care about being in front of others and kicked Qi Feng in the leg.

“How can you talk like that? You’re still so indifferent about Xiaoman’s matter? What are you waiting for? If you can do something, just do it for her!”

Upon hearing his wife’s words, Qi Feng immediately lost his temper. The frustration he had built up from the meeting earlier that day could no longer be suppressed.

The usually composed and cautious Qi Feng, who always maintained his calm no matter where he was, now had a flushed face. He slammed the table and shouted at Cui Yan: “What are you yelling about? Are you afraid others can’t hear you? How could I not care about Xiaoman’s situation? But what good is just worrying when it comes to matters like this!”

It was rare to see him lose his temper. Not to mention Yin Xiaoman, even Cui Yan was too scared to say a word.

Fortunately, Qi Feng soon regained his composure and softened his tone.

He looked at Yin Xiaoman and said apologetically: “Xiaoman, it’s not that I’m avoiding the issue, it’s just that the timing couldn’t be worse. Liu Chuang has been reassigned.”

“Liu Chuang has been reassigned? Who is Liu Chuang?” Cui Yan was completely confused.

Before Qi Feng could explain, Yin Xiaoman spoke up first. “He’s Engineer Ning’s assistant, the one I had an argument with at the door.”

As soon as she said that, Cui Yan immediately understood. Her face tightened with anger, and she said: “Why would he leave C Province and come here? But he’s not even a soldier, so even if he’s reassigned here, what does that have to do with Xiaoman’s situation?”

Cui Yan’s question was exactly what Yin Xiaoman wanted to ask, and she too looked at Qi Feng with confusion.

“Since Engineer Ning is under control, his assistant is no longer needed. Liu Chuang somehow managed to maneuver his way into the position of Director of the County Revolutionary Committee.” Qi Feng said, his tone dripping with disdain.

“Speaking of the Revolutionary Committee, it really has nothing to do with our camp. But for Xiaoman’s case, it has to go through them. You two don’t go out and don’t understand the current situation. The big investigation that Xiaoman mentioned isn’t just in their hometown; it’s a nationwide investigation.

It’s because the spies and saboteurs in the country have become too rampant, so the state has adopted this measure.

The investigation is being carried out by the local Revolutionary Committees. As for Xiaoman’s case, the general procedure is for her hometown’s Revolutionary Committee to send a letter to our county’s Revolutionary Committee, explaining the subject of the investigation. Then the local committee will send someone to liaise with the contacts at our regiment’s external relations department, and together, they’ll investigate and draft a report. Finally, they’ll send it back to her hometown.”

At this point, Qi Feng paused for a moment, and an ambiguous look appeared in his eyes.

He seemed both angry and helpless. After taking a deep breath, he continued: “That Lin Hui—the one you all know about—she’s now been reassigned to the propaganda department. She’s in charge of external relations for the regiment, and liaising with the Revolutionary Committee is her primary responsibility.”

Qi Feng didn’t continue with his words.

In fact, there was no need for him to say anything further; everyone present understood what that meant.

The two people were the ones who had offended Yin Xiaoman to the core. They were always looking for trouble. It was no surprise that she had to ask them for a recommendation. If they didn’t conspire together to cause some trouble, that would truly be strange.

At that moment, Yin Xiaoman felt utterly disappointed.

She had promised Qi Feng to wait and see, so she left their house.

When she got home, as usual, she took the two children to the beach to gather some things and ended up with quite a few items. After returning, she not only cooked them a delicious meal but even took out the apples she had hidden before and gave each of them a whole one.

In the past, to avoid raising suspicion, she would cut the apples into small pieces and give them one piece each.

After they finished eating, she watched the little ones take their afternoon nap and then took out the sewing work she hadn’t finished. Carefully, she stitched the last few stitches on the coat for Da Bao and picked out some small, inconspicuous floral fabric to make two little headbands for Erniu.

Once she finished, she called the two little ones. She had Da Bao take Erniu to the backyard garden to pick cucumbers and freshly grown celery. She took out the octopus she had been storing and, when no one was looking, added a large piece of rear leg meat into it. Then she made the dumplings they had been asking for for so long.

The meal was a hit with the kids. Even Da Bao, who usually had great self-control, was so stuffed that he couldn’t get up from his seat.

Erniu, even more so, clung to Yin Xiaoman’s embrace and kept humming: “Mom, more, we’ll eat it tomorrow.”

Yin Xiaoman tugged at her little pigtail and smiled lovingly, nodding. She pointed at the plate of leftovers drying on the stove and said with a smile: “Alright, tomorrow, your brother can heat it up for us to eat, Erniu.”

Two children, being so young, were completely oblivious to the faint tears hidden in their mother’s eyes. They were as happy as if it were New Year’s Day.  

That evening, Yin Xiaoman didn’t let Da Bao sleep in a separate room. Instead, as they had done back when the three of them lived in Shuanggui Village, she let him sleep on the same bed with them.  

Da Bao, who was almost seven years old, felt a little shy about being able to sleep with his mother again. But it was also evident how overjoyed he was.  

His small face remained flushed the whole time.  

After telling two stories and lulling the little ones to sleep, Yin Xiaoman returned to the room in the palace.  

She began organizing her belongings again. She took out items like rice, flour, grain, oil, cured meat, smoked sausages, pickles, and drunken crab—all foods that could be stored.  

Then, she entered the room Shen Qingyun used and brought in a large cardboard box she had prepared earlier.  

She neatly arranged the prepared items in the box and even added two cans of aged wine that Shen Qingyun had been craving for a long time.  

When the box was so full that it could barely close, she pushed it forcefully to the innermost corner of the bed.  

After completing these tasks, she sat down at Shen Qingyun’s usual desk, opened a drawer, and took out a stack of stationery along with a pen.  

Following the format she had inquired about earlier, she wrote the title “Statement of Severance of Relationship” in the center of the first line.  

Staring at the words she had just written, Yin Xiaoman sat dazed for a moment, her eyes gradually welling up again without her realizing it.  

After quite some time, she shook her head vigorously and continued writing with determination:  

“I, Yin Xiaoman, voluntarily sever my relationship with my husband, Shen Qingyun…”

But just as she finished writing that line, the sound of the courtyard gate being pushed open suddenly came from outside.  

It startled her!  

At this hour—already past nine—who could it be? She clearly remembered locking the gate earlier.  

Could it be…  

Yin Xiaoman’s heart began pounding wildly. She hastily stuffed the half-written document into the drawer and ran outside in a fluster.  

Before she could even reach the bedroom door, Yin Xiaoman ran straight into Shen Qingyun, who had just entered the living room.  

At that moment, Shen Qingyun was dressed in his military uniform. Two buttons on his collar were undone, and his sleeves were rolled up high. He held the luggage bag he had taken with him before, looking dusty and travel-worn, as though he had come a long way.  

“Why are you back at this hour?”  

Seeing him, Yin Xiaoman was so shocked that, for a moment, she felt like she was dreaming. She could hardly believe her eyes and even rubbed them vigorously to confirm he was real.  

Shen Qingyun, who had deliberately lightened his steps to avoid disturbing anyone, hadn’t expected to return home to such a surprising and delightful scene.  

The wife he had been missing so dearly had just walked out of his bedroom!  

The sight was enough to fill him with indescribable joy and satisfaction.  

His gaze darkened slightly, as though his mind wandered to something, and without answering her question, he tossed aside his luggage bag and rushed over to embrace her tightly.  

Instead of replying, he gave her a broad, beaming smile.  

“Wife, you’re sleeping in my room now? What’s this? Missed me so much you couldn’t sleep?”  

As he spoke, he buried his face in Yin Xiaoman’s hair, chuckling at the playful scenario he had conjured in his mind.  

Shen Qingyun smelled of sweat after what seemed like an exhausting journey, and the back of his uniform was damp.  

Under normal circumstances, Yin Xiaoman would have immediately expressed her disgust and demanded that he take a shower. But at this moment, she didn’t feel any of that.  

She was completely stunned by his sudden appearance, so much so that she made no effort to break free from his embrace, even after being held for a long time.  

Instead, she instinctively clutched at Shen Qingyun’s clothes and buried her face deeper into his chest.  

Yin Xiaoman’s rare display of initiative left Shen Qingyun both astonished and exhilarated.  

His excitement surged, and he felt as though all the blood in his body had rushed to his head, causing a loud buzzing in his ears.  

Unable to contain his elation, he lifted her by the waist, effortlessly raising her as if she were a child.  

The sudden weightlessness startled Yin Xiaoman, and she let out an involuntary “Ah!”  

Before she could react or struggle, the man had already carried her into the room in just a few strides and unceremoniously tossed her onto the bed.  

At the same time, he threw himself heavily on top of her.  

“Wife, we’re sleeping together tonight.” Shen Qingyun murmured in a husky voice, burying his face in Yin Xiaoman’s chest and taking a deep breath.  

The sudden impact made her body slam into the bedframe with a loud *thud*.  

The pain left Yin Xiaoman momentarily speechless.  

The unexpected jolt cleared her mind, making her finally realize that Shen Qingyun was indeed back, and this wasn’t a dream.  

Furious, she raised her hand to hit him, but just as she was about to strike, she heard his words.  

Her hand froze mid-air, and she felt an electrifying sensation spread through her scalp and down her body.  

Though she couldn’t see it, Yin Xiaoman knew her face must be burning red by now, probably unbearably so.  

Yin Xiaoman gritted her teeth and pushed against Shen Qingyun with all her strength. “Get up first!”  

Her voice, though hurried, carried an inexplicable softness, as if it could melt into water.  

The moment the words left her mouth, Yin Xiaoman regretted them deeply. She had never imagined she could sound so shy and vulnerable, and the realization made her want to bite off her tongue out of embarrassment.  

Shen Qingyun’s body tensed, and he nuzzled his head against her chest even harder, his breath warm enough to scorch her skin.  

His voice was hoarse but firm. “No, not until you agree.”  

“Agree to what? Get up! You’re so heavy!” Yin Xiaoman was getting flustered, her hands pushing against him more forcefully.  

“Agree not to leave tonight, agree to sleep with me, agree… to truly be my wife.”  

Shen Qingyun’s reply came swiftly, his tone resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.  

After speaking, he tightened his embrace around her even more, holding her as if he feared she might vanish.  

In a voice softer than she had ever heard from him, he pleaded: “Xiaoman, please say yes. You don’t know—I think about you every single day, so much that it hurts. You’re my wife. I want to hold you, kiss you, and sleep beside you. Please, say yes!”  

Before she could respond, he pulled her firmly into his arms, as if determined never to let her go.  

Shen Qingyun looked every bit the shameless rogue, clearly set on the idea that he wouldn’t let go unless she agreed.  

Yin Xiaoman’s hand, which had been poised in the air, ready to grab his hair, ultimately froze mid-motion. She just couldn’t bring herself to do it.  

Shen Qingyun said he thought about her every day. And wasn’t she the same?  

She had missed him so much that her heart ached.  

Her gaze drifted to the drawer of the bedside desk, where the half-written statement severing their relationship was tucked away.  

The thought that, after tonight, she might have to part ways with this man forever—never to meet again—felt like it was tearing her chest apart.  

She bit her lip hard, silently sighing in her heart.  

Then, raising her hand, she poked Shen Qingyun lightly on the head with her finger and softly said: “Go wash up first.”