AYLS – Chapter 113

When Li Ermei arrived at the chicken farm, her stomach still heavy, she felt dizzy and out of sorts.

She felt a little embarrassed to face Li Yan.

Lin Qiao noticed her coming late and asked, “Why are you late?”

“Just some things…” Li Ermei glanced at Li Yan secretly.

Lin Qiao frowned. “Why are you giving Li Yan that look?”

“……” Li Ermei couldn’t help but sigh. What is going on these days?

She pulled Lin Qiao to a secluded spot outside the chicken farm. “I need to tell you something, but don’t tell anyone, okay?”

Lin Qiao asked, “What is it?”

“That… you know… that Sun Qiao actually got together with Zhang Tuo…”

“……” Lin Qiao’s eyes widened immediately—not because she was surprised, but she asked Li Ermei, “How do you know?” Surely Ermei hadn’t seen something even worse, right? Ahhh!

“She said it herself!”

Li Ermei went on to recount everything that had happened at her home at noon. She admitted she regretted fussing over those three eggs. Now that this had escalated, what if it got out of hand?

Lin Qiao breathed a sigh of relief. This was just Sun Qiao’s side of the story, so it wasn’t entirely credible. At least she didn’t think it had actually gone as far as “getting together.”

She felt indignant. “That Sun Qiao is too much. Ermei, you mustn’t tell anyone. I’ll have Gu Huayuan ask Zhang Tuo directly.”

“Should we tell Li Yan about this?”

Lin Qiao shook her head. “Better not. Today I only mentioned the two of them pulling and tugging, and she already got upset. If we say more, I’m afraid she can’t handle it. I also want Gu Huayuan to figure out Zhang Tuo’s thoughts first. Maybe it’s all just Sun Qiao acting alone.”

“That’s good. But what should we do about this? Ugh.” Li Ermei felt frustrated—why did this Sun Qiao have to be from her own household?

Lin Qiao didn’t know what to do either, so she decided to consult Su Weizhen.

She had promised Zhang Tuo not to tell anyone, but now that Sun Qiao was spreading it around, what if everyone found out? It was better to discuss it with Su Weizhen first.

Su Weizhen noticed her acting mysteriously, listened carefully, and then said, “That’s it?”

“That’s it? You don’t think this is a big deal?” Lin Qiao thought of her father, Lin Dajin, who had loved her mother for decades yet still had a secret child. Men… you just couldn’t trust them completely.

“I think it’s not a big deal,” Su Weizhen said. She thought Little Qiao was still too innocent and didn’t understand men.

Men all claim they want a virtuous wife, but in reality… better not even mention it. Especially if a man marries a cultured, artistic woman like Li Yan—would he really go for someone like Sun Qiao? Impossible.

A younger, prettier woman might catch his eye, but Sun Qiao? Not even in the same league.

For example, if someone told her one day that Gu Huayuan had feelings for another, she wouldn’t believe it. With a wife like Little Qiao, he couldn’t possibly look at anyone else—unless it was a goddess.

Su Weizhen asked, “If one day you meet a simple, honest guy who’s nowhere near Gu Huayuan’s level, would you fancy someone else?”

“Of course not. If it weren’t Gu Huayuan, I wouldn’t even look twice.” Her ultimate goal was Gu Huayuan.

No one else would do. “Even if someone were a hundred times better than him, I still wouldn’t want them.”

Su Weizhen took a bite of “dog food” (figuratively enduring the awkward couple scene), so full she almost couldn’t speak. “Is it really necessary to go this far?”

“I’m just speaking the truth.”

“Ahem… anyway, no matter what, I don’t think Sun Qiao is a big problem. The real issue lies with Li Yan herself—she must be hiding something.”

Lin Qiao nodded. “Hearing you say that makes me feel better. Later, I’ll go find our Gu Huayuan and have him give Zhang Tuo a reminder. Find out what’s really going on. Gu Huayuan can usually get the truth out of him. If he has no other intentions, we’ll just have him be careful—avoid rumors that can’t be explained.”

Before Lin Qiao even got the chance to talk to Gu Huayuan, the Zhang Tuo incident escalated further.

After Li Ermei and the others left home, Instructor Chen’s Parents gave Sun Qiao a serious talking-to.

Sun Qiao, however, knew how to soothe them—otherwise, she wouldn’t have settled in the Chen household. She explained that she was only trying to help the Chen family: she could watch over Li Ermei and others here, and help Third Brother connect with that cadre’s child from the capital. Eventually, everyone would become like family, so they should look out for Third Brother’s future. With these connections, Li Ermei wouldn’t be able to act up, and once things stabilized, it could also help the other children in the family.

This outcome was ideal—much better than her marrying someone poor back home and dragging down the Chen family.

Instructor Chen’s Parents had thoughts of their own. They had already seen the benefits of having a successful child from their third son. Sun Qiao wasn’t their daughter, but she had talent—she had found a cadre’s child here.

Mother Chen insisted that this matter be settled quickly and discreetly, without making a fuss, so as not to ruin reputations. She and Father Chen went to Zhang Tuo to ask about him and his wife—what was going on, and when would things be resolved.

Zhang Tuo: “…”

If it weren’t for Instructor Chen’s Parents, he would have scolded them outright. He didn’t even bother to respond—he just turned and left, telling them to take their issues to Instructor Instructor Chen.

Mother Chen refused to back down, thinking Zhang Tuo was shirking responsibility, and even threatened to go to the higher-ups.

Zhang Tuo ignored her. When Mother Chen mentioned going to Li Yan, he finally turned back. “What exactly are you trying to do? I don’t know you at all, so don’t drag me into your affairs.”

He was thoroughly disgusted with Instructor Chen’s family, regretting ever getting close to them. All over a patched piece of clothing—why couldn’t he just handle it himself?

Hearing him toughen up, Mother Chen tried reasoning with him, saying the matter had already spread, everyone knew, and he should at least be responsible for his own future.

Zhang Tuo’s face turned red with anger. “Listen, you two, I have nothing to do with the person you’re talking about. If you keep causing trouble, I’ll report you for slander. And, by the way, interfering with a military marriage is illegal!”

Hearing the word “illegal,” Father Chen and Mother Chen were shocked. They quickly went home and scolded Sun Qiao for stirring up trouble and almost causing them to break the law, and now she had offended people.

Sun Qiao realized she had no way out. Going home would be bad news, so she panicked, crying and running toward the military camp, demanding Zhang Tuo take responsibility.

And that’s how the situation blew up.

Lin Qiao and the others hadn’t finished work when Sister-in-law Zhang hurried over to fetch Li Yan for a talk. Lin Qiao and Li Ermei had to go as well.

Lin Qiao, seeing her serious expression, was startled. “Sister-in-law, what’s going on?”

Sister-in-law Zhang didn’t want to discuss this, but since the matter had already spread, she decided not to hide it.

“Comrade Sun Qiao just called for Comrade Zhang Tuo outside the military district, demanding that Zhang Tuo take responsibility.”

Hearing this, Li Yan wobbled slightly.

Lin Qiao’s face twisted in anger. “What… what kind of person is this?”

Li Ermei glanced guiltily at Li Yan, then joined in cursing Sun Qiao for shamelessness.

“Stop scolding her for now. It’s under investigation. The higher-ups won’t just take someone’s word for it. That’s why they’re asking you to come over.”

“According to what Sun Qiao said, Zhang Tuo and Comrade Li Yan’s relationship has hit a major crisis… We don’t have the full details, and it’s been a long time since they separated, which seems unreasonable. She also mentioned that Li Ermei and Xiao Qiao are aware of this matter.”

“Aware of what? I don’t know anything!” Li Ermei quickly denied.

Lin Qiao nodded emphatically—there was no way she would side with Sun Qiao.

Sister-in-law Zhang said seriously, “Don’t rush to say you don’t know. Just state whatever you are aware of. This kind of matter must be taken seriously.”

Lin Qiao thought to herself, Seriously? How can I treat this seriously? Even if I saw them struggling, it wasn’t that serious.

Regardless of her thoughts, the three of them followed Sister-in-law Zhang.

Along the way, everyone’s thoughts were elsewhere. Lin Qiao kept thinking, So many things are happening today—nothing gives people a break.

Li Ermei muttered under her breath, feeling extremely unlucky.

Li Yan, on the other hand, remained calm. She seemed ready to accept any outcome—as long as Zhang Tuo personally told her.

When they arrived at Commander Zhang’s office, Zhang Tuo was glaring red-eyed at Sun Qiao, who was busily wiping her tears.

Gu Huayuan stood expressionless in the room.

Instructor Chen seemed lost in thought, mentally shattered by the string of events, struggling to piece together his long-held values.

The political commissar spoke seriously to Commander Zhang.

Seeing Lin Qiao and the others, Commander Zhang began questioning them, recounting the situation: Sun Qiao insisted that Zhang Tuo had intentions toward her, while Zhang Tuo firmly denied knowing or being familiar with her.

Now they asked Lin Qiao if she had seen any interaction between the two previously.

According to Sun Qiao, Lin Qiao had already seen them together before and was quite upset about it.

Gu Huayuan quickly glanced at his wife, worried she might say something wrong. This involved a matter of conduct and couldn’t afford even a small misunderstanding.

Looking at Zhang Tuo’s expression, Lin Qiao felt Su Weizhen was right—this seemed to be a one-sided pursuit.

“Oh, are you talking about the conversation at noon?”

“I went out a bit early at noon and saw Comrade Zhang Tuo talking with her. But I can guarantee there was no intimate contact at all. It was completely normal conversation between male and female comrades.”

“I even greeted them at the time, but then I was in a hurry to go tend to the chickens, so I left.” At that moment, there were probably some young soldiers who saw her too, so this couldn’t be denied.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Sun Qiao shouted that she was lying—she had been angry before.

Lin Qiao said, “Why be angry? I was just rushing to tend to the chickens. I went out early today for the chickens, to accomplish a great mission.”

Gu Huayuan added, “Report: Comrade Lin Qiao didn’t lie. Today, she went out early, and I washed all the dishes at home.”

Commander Zhang: “…Don’t talk about the trivial stuff at your home.”

Political Commissar Jiang spoke up, asking Li Ermei, “Comrade Sun Qiao said you also know about her and Comrade Zhang Tuo?”

“She’s spreading… she’s making things up!” Li Ermei, holding her belly, was extremely agitated. “She just stole some eggs and wants an excuse. Who can trust a thief? I even protected her reputation by not telling anyone she stole eggs, and now she comes out saying nonsense. She really has a dark heart.”

Sun Qiao: “…I cooked them for Comrade Zhang Tuo.”

“Did he eat them? Aren’t they still in your pocket?”

The commissar, hearing them argue, felt it was just too noisy. He tried to quiet them down and asked Li Yan about the couple’s feelings—how their relationship was and whether she noticed anything wrong with Comrade Zhang Tuo.

Li Yan looked at Zhang Tuo and saw his angry expression, reminiscent of past arguments between them when someone had stirred her feelings. There was helplessness and grievance.

Originally, she had thought Zhang Tuo was seeking someone else, but now, seeing him, it didn’t seem so. “No matter what my feelings with Comrade Zhang Tuo are, I trust him. If he says there’s nothing, then there’s nothing. I’ve been married to him for several years, and I know him well. If he wanted someone else, he could divorce me and then pursue openly.”

This was essentially her saying she could agree to divorce at any time. Zhang Tuo’s face instantly darkened, even more than before from the blow of doubt.

Gu Huayuan felt sorry for his friend. “Commander, Commissar, I think this matter is very clear now. Even though we are male comrades, we can’t be so passive, right?”

Political Commissar Jiang and Commander Zhang also had a clear understanding.

Previously, they thought this female comrade wouldn’t ruin her reputation to do such a shameless thing, which was why they investigated from multiple angles to clear both sides.

But now, with so many comrades testifying, and considering this female comrade might have some character issues, the matter was clear.

“You all can leave for now. The brigade will discuss further with Comrade Sun Qiao.”

After leaving Commander Zhang’s office, Li Ermei grabbed Instructor Chen, complaining, “Look at the good deeds she does! We even kept this kind of person at home. Do you think I’m at ease? I’m not!”

“Hurry and make her leave, get her out of here. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep.”

Li Ermei felt extremely embarrassed. How could she hold her head high in front of Li Yan from now on? They had practically invited a wolf into the house.

Looking at the person involved, Li Yan had silently walked ahead. Zhang Tuo wanted to pursue her but didn’t know if he should.

Gu Huayuan gave him a swift kick. “If you don’t want a divorce, go clarify things now.”

Zhang Tuo obediently went after the kick.

Lin Qiao felt anxious and eager to follow, wanting to see the commotion and understand the couple’s conflict.

“Gu Huayuan, do you think their situation can improve?”

Gu Huayuan wasn’t worried. “I don’t know. Anyway, this isn’t entirely a bad thing either.”