Chapter 163: Some family ties just aren’t meant for me—I shouldn’t force them.

“If I’d known, I should’ve strangled you the moment you were born.”

“All these years, you never came home. Only your younger brother’s family has stayed by my side, showing me filial piety. What’s wrong with me helping them out?”

“Qi Yuancheng, you’re unfilial and heartless. No wonder you can’t have children. Serves you right that your bloodline ends with you.”

Poisonous words spilled from Bai Lanhua’s mouth, twisting her face with malice.

The people around frowned as they listened.

How could a mother be so vicious, cursing her own son to die childless?

And to regret not killing him at birth—how cruel could she be?

“What right do you have to say that to him!” Suddenly, Qin Rou, who was usually gentle and tolerant, unable to bear any more, exploded.

She rushed forward, standing protectively in front of Qi Yuancheng, facing Bai Lanhua head-on.

“You say he never comes home? Why do you think that is? He’s out there defending our country, risking his life in battle. If it weren’t for people like him, bleeding and sweating for us, how would you have such a peaceful life?”

“He hasn’t come home, but before we got married, he sent you nearly ninety percent of his salary. Even now, after marriage, he still sends you thirty percent every month. You take that money without a second thought, even passing it on to the third brother’s family. But did Ah Cheng ever complain?”

“Don’t think we’re blind. We know exactly what you and the third brother’s family are up to.”

“Do you really think we can’t see your favoritism? Do you think we don’t know what kind of people the third brother’s family are?”

“Sometimes I wonder if Ah Cheng is even your real son. Otherwise, how could a mother say such vicious things?”

“Is it only the third brother’s family that you see as your real children? If that’s the case, then let’s cut ties. Let us go.”

“With a mother like you, and a brother like that, Ah Cheng can’t take it anymore.”

“I’m telling you now—Ah Cheng has done nothing wrong. He’s never done anything wrong!”

Qin Rou’s voice was choked with emotion, her neck stiff as she spoke. Tears streamed down her face—not for herself, but for her husband, for all the injustice and pain he’d endured.

Bai Lanhua was left speechless, stunned by Qin Rou’s outburst. She could only grit her teeth, unable to utter a single word in response.

Qi Yuancheng looked at the small figure standing protectively in front of him.

He knew his wife was always gentle, never one to argue or lose her temper.

But now, she was standing up for him, so fiercely.

Looking at her, Qi Yuancheng felt the emptiness left by his mother’s cruelty suddenly fill with warmth.

Maybe it was time for him to make a decision.

He stepped forward, gently taking Qin Rou’s hand, and faced Bai Lanhua.

“In the past, I always longed for family, for a mother’s love.”

“But now, I understand.”

“Some family ties just aren’t meant for me—I shouldn’t force them.”

Bai Lanhua’s heart clenched at his words. Suddenly, her eldest son felt like a stranger, as if he was drifting further and further away.

A nameless fear welled up inside her, as though something precious was slipping away forever.

Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

Was Qi Yuancheng really her son?

Of course he was!

She’d carried him for ten months, endured a day and a night of pain to bring him into the world.

His birth had helped her secure her place in the Qi family.

Back then, she’d loved him dearly, wanting to give him everything.

When had things changed?

Was it when her mother-in-law took him away to raise?

Or when the second and third sons were born?

The second son stayed with her, but he was slow-witted. The third, she’d raised herself, and he was sweet-tongued, always by her side. Was it wrong to favor him a little?

She just thought—since the eldest was capable, he should help the less capable third brother more. Was that so wrong?

The eldest was disobedient—he refused to marry her niece and insisted on marrying Qin Rou, whom she disliked.

But the third brother listened and married her niece.

Was it wrong to love the obedient son more?

Bai Lanhua had always thought she was right, but now...

Looking at the disappointment and growing indifference in Qi Yuancheng’s eyes, Bai Lanhua was suddenly lost.

Had she been wrong?

Qi Yuancheng stepped forward to apologize to Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi.

“Doctor Gu, I’ll come forward to clear up these rumors. As for how to handle this, it’s up to you.” No matter how much he wished otherwise, the fact remained—Bai Lanhua was his mother.

Gu Jianing had witnessed the entire scene.

She couldn’t help but think how unlucky Qi Yuancheng was to have a mother like that.

Gu Jianing felt grateful—through two lifetimes, her family had always treated her well.

She was lucky to have such a loving family.

Gu Jianing exchanged a glance with Sheng Zexi, then said, “Let’s leave this matter to the leadership to decide.”

...

Soon, the leadership made their decision.

The results of the investigation would be posted publicly, clearing Gu Jianing’s name.

Additionally, Bai Lanhua would have to apologize to Gu Jianing on the spot, and she would be banned from entering the military district in the future.

As for Qi Yuancheng, even though he was innocent and a victim himself, Bai Lanhua was still his mother.

So, Qi Yuancheng received a demerit.

He had no objections to this decision.

That same day, the investigation results were posted, clearing Gu Jianing’s name.

The entire family compound was in an uproar.

No one had expected that the rumors had been started by Bai Lanhua herself.

Even Captain Qi was implicated because of her.

Everyone agreed—Bai Lanhua was nothing but a troublemaker.

When they learned she’d done all this out of favoritism for her youngest son, and had even cursed Captain Qi to be childless, people scorned her even more.

The next day, Bai Lanhua left in disgrace with her son Shuanzi.

As she left, seeing that only a single young soldier came to see them off at the station—and her eldest son didn’t even show up—she stood there in a daze for a long time, tears streaming down her face.

Had she really been wrong?

Was she really going to lose her eldest son?

Only now did Bai Lanhua begin to realize, dimly, that... whatever she said now, it was too late...

At the Northwest Military District, the families had always paid close attention to Gu Jianing.

With the rumors, they were even more interested.

But few believed Gu Jianing and Qi Yuancheng had any kind of relationship—after all, Sheng Zexi was far superior to Qi Yuancheng.

Anyone with eyes would choose Sheng Zexi.

Now that the investigation results were out, everyone understood.

So Qi Yuancheng had gone to see Doctor Gu for medical treatment.

What kind of treatment? Soon, people started to speculate.

They remembered that Qi Yuancheng and Qin Rou had been married for years without having any children."