Chapter 44: Not to Be Messed With—Absolutely Not

When Sheng Zexi exchanged a glance with Gu Jianing, he immediately caught on and played along, “If my identity as a soldier means my wife can’t even eat a piece of braised pork without having to give it away, then what kind of man am I? When we get to the station, I’ll go straight to my commanding officer and ask: does being a soldier mean that my wife, as a military spouse, isn’t allowed to eat anything, that she has to give everything away? If that’s the case, who would still want to be a soldier? Just thinking about it makes my heart ache. Soldiers fight and bleed on the front lines to protect the people, and so many have died on the battlefield. But here, the very people I protect are bullying me and humiliating my wife.”

Sheng Zexi’s words were sharp and quick, and as soon as he finished, the woman was startled out of her wits.

No matter the era, ordinary people have always respected soldiers. It’s because of them defending the country that everyone can enjoy a peaceful life.

They are the most respected and lovable people in the world.

They fight and bleed on the front lines, and when people meet military families, they’re supposed to look after them, not snatch their things!

The people nearby, seeing Gu Jianing’s red eyes and pitiful look, already felt sympathy for her. They knew the woman was just being shameless. In these times, eating meat isn’t something you can get just by opening your mouth and asking. Now, everyone started thinking even deeper.

So, all the condemning looks fell on the woman and her child, and people didn’t hold back their words.

“Soldiers risk their lives on the front lines to protect us. What’s wrong with them eating a bit of braised pork?”

“How can you be so shameless? If you want to eat, buy it yourself. If you don’t have money, then don’t eat.”

“This kid needs to be taught a lesson. So young and already crying to get other people’s food—what’s he going to be like when he grows up?”

“Apologize! You must apologize!”

The woman was forced to retreat under the barrage, and the little boy started bawling in fear.

At this point, the man who had been sitting there unmoved—this woman’s husband—finally couldn’t sit still after hearing what Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi said.

What kind of talk was this?

Never mind what rank this soldier was—even just those words, if they spread, they’d become infamous.

If being a soldier means giving up everything, who would still want to serve?

Besides, if a soldier is fighting on the front lines to protect the country, but his wife can’t even eat a piece of meat she bought herself, wouldn’t that just chill the hearts of those fighting at the front?

Worse, they might even get labeled as counter-revolutionaries and end up in jail.

So, the man immediately stepped forward and slapped the woman across the face.

“Stop talking nonsense! Apologize to the soldier and his wife, now!”

The woman hurriedly apologized to Sheng Zexi and Gu Jianing.

“Comrade, I’m sorry. She just got confused for a moment and said something foolish. I’ll make sure to teach her a lesson.” After saying this, the man dragged the little boy away. “If you’re hungry, eat steamed buns. If you don’t want them, then go hungry.”

Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi exchanged a glance. They could both see that the man was actually the worst of the lot.

When the woman and the boy were being aggressive earlier, he just sat there, unmoved, not saying a word.

It was only now, when public opinion had turned in Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi’s favor and he was afraid things would get out of hand, that he stepped in.

And he did it by hitting and scolding his own family. Honestly, Gu Jianing felt nothing but contempt for people like him.

She didn’t spare them another glance. Scum like that weren’t worth her attention.

The people around were also surprised. Who would have thought that this pretty, delicate-looking young woman, Gu Jianing, could be so formidable?

For a moment, anyone else who might have had similar ideas quickly gave up. Especially since she had a soldier for a husband.

Not to be messed with—absolutely not.

Sheng Zexi sat down and exchanged a look with Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing lifted her chin slightly, giving him a proud little look. Sheng Zexi, seeing his lovely wife’s bright, expectant eyes, smiled, patted her head, and said, “That’s exactly right. If anyone bullies you in the future, just fight back. Don’t hold back—whatever happens, I’ll always have your back.”

Gu Jianing gave a firm “Mm!”

“Come on, let’s keep eating.”

“Okay.”

You still have to eat—can’t let unimportant people ruin your mood.

Meanwhile, Shen Huaiyuan and Bai Juan, who had just come back, heard about what happened and regretted not being there to help Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi.

Gu Jianing didn’t have much of an appetite. Even though she tasted both meals, she still couldn’t finish them.

So, Sheng Zexi ended up eating all the leftovers.

He was a young man in his prime, a soldier who trained hard every day, so of course he had a big appetite.

After eating, Gu Jianing started to feel sleepy.

“Go to the bathroom first, then go up to the top bunk and sleep,” Sheng Zexi suggested.

“Okay.”

They asked Shen Huaiyuan and Bai Juan to watch their luggage and headed toward the bathroom.

But as soon as Gu Jianing got there, her delicate, pretty face scrunched up, and she instinctively covered her nose and mouth with her hand.

It stank—really stank—and it was filthy inside.

With her cleanliness obsession, Gu Jianing instinctively wanted to turn around, but Sheng Zexi held her by the shoulders.

“Ningning, if you need to go, you should go now. It’s not too bad at the moment, but in another day or two, it’ll be even worse…”

“And we’re going to be on this train for three days and two nights.”

Right, three days and two nights. And this was only the first day.

Gu Jianing felt like crying.

But she knew Sheng Zexi was looking out for her, so she pulled her scarf up to cover her nose and mouth, gritted her teeth, and went in.

Sheng Zexi waited outside, his eyes full of concern.

He knew how much Ningning loved cleanliness, and now, because she was with him, she had to put up with all this.

Sheng Zexi felt terrible.

Luckily, he remembered the house he’d applied for when he submitted his marriage report.

He was so glad that when his superior asked what kind of house he wanted, he hadn’t chosen a communal building, but a single-story house with a yard. It had its own well, toilet, and bathroom—and they were separate.

Otherwise, if they’d had to share toilets, bathrooms, and even the kitchen with others in a communal building, he knew his delicate wife wouldn’t be able to stand it.

Actually, the house he’d chosen was a really good one. A lot of people wanted it, but Sheng Zexi had gritted his teeth and used his military merits to get it.

His superior had even asked if it was worth it.

Sheng Zexi thought: Yes, absolutely worth it!

Now that he was married, the military honors he’d earned could either be used for promotion or to protect his wife. That was the best use of all.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, interrupting Sheng Zexi’s thoughts.

He gently guided his pale-faced little wife back to their seats.

Once they were back, Gu Jianing, her face all scrunched up and pitiful, said to Sheng Zexi, “When we get to our destination, you have to boil water for me to take a bath right away.”"