Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Xu Jianguo’s Backing, An Unexpected Encounter with the Old Commander

Gu Qinghuan saw that he was being straightforward, so she didn’t beat around the bush either.

“Uncle Zhang, I do have something I need your help with this time. I want to ask you about someone.”

She didn’t hide anything and told him everything about Xu Jianguo.

Zhang Zheng’s face immediately darkened with anger. He knew Xu Jianguo all too well. Zhong Luoning was Old Zhong’s legitimate granddaughter, and because Xu Jianguo was her husband, Zhang had always looked after him.

He never expected he’d been helping a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

From Zhang Zheng, Gu Qinghuan learned that Xu Jianguo had gotten into the Revolutionary Committee through the route of being a “representative of the revolutionary masses.” Xu Jianguo was as slippery as an eel, always playing both sides. He hadn’t relied on Zhang Zheng’s connections to get in—he didn’t even know about Zhang’s ties to the Zhong family at the time.

Once he joined the Revolutionary Committee, Xu Jianguo immediately cozied up to the director, secretly helping him handle all sorts of dirty business. Now, he was highly valued by the director.

Although Zhang Zheng didn’t like Xu Jianguo as a person, because of the Zhong family, he’d always treated him decently.

With both the director and deputy director covering for him, Xu Jianguo could do whatever he wanted in the Revolutionary Committee. No wonder he’d changed so much—power only magnifies a person’s desires.

Xu Jianguo’s case could be big or small, depending on the attitude of the Revolutionary Committee. If they decided to protect him, the police station would likely go easy on him too.

What Zhang Zheng feared most was that the director would insist on protecting Xu Jianguo. After all, a useful pawn like him wasn’t easy to find.

Gu Qinghuan’s heart sank to rock bottom.

The thing she feared most had still come to pass.

No wonder Xu Jianguo dared to be so brazen—having an affair out in the open, and even when caught, acting all self-righteous.

As they were talking, a few police officers arrived outside, asking to see the director for information.

Zhang Zheng told them to wait inside while he went to check on the situation.

About half an hour later, Zhang Zheng returned, his face even darker.

“It’s not looking good. You’d better prepare yourselves.”

The director of the Revolutionary Committee was determined to protect Xu Jianguo and had made it clear that Xu Jianguo was his man—no one was allowed to touch him.

The Revolutionary Committee held a lot of sway. With the director making such a statement, the police would have to show some respect.

To put it bluntly, Xu Jianguo’s case was really just a domestic matter. In the end, it might just get swept under the rug.

Just as Xu Jianguo had said—he had people backing him. Even if he was caught having an affair, someone would cover for him.

Gu Qinghuan’s heart was heavy with despair.

Could it really just end like this, with the Xu family bullying Zhong Luoning so badly?

She thought of how You Ran had almost died in front of her, how Zhong Luoning had suffered sleepless nights, falling into depression and heartbreak. She couldn’t accept this outcome.

Zhang Zheng was angry too, but he couldn’t go against his own superior for the Zhong family’s sake.

He’d walked on thin ice all these years to get where he was. Gu Qinghuan couldn’t expect him to risk his future for her.

It looked like she’d have to find another way.

Zhang Zheng gently advised them not to fight too hard, just as when they’d been sent down before—“Where there’s life, there’s hope.” At least Zhong Luoning and her daughter were still alive and well.

They might not be able to bring Xu Jianguo down, but he would put pressure on him and try to get the Xu family to let go, to stop clinging to Zhong Luoning and her daughter. If both sides could take a step back, that would be a decent outcome.

Gu Qinghuan knew he’d done all he could, so she forced a smile and thanked him.

After leaving the Revolutionary Committee, she was downcast and silent, walking ahead by herself.

Xu Huaian followed behind quietly, a sense of helplessness eating away at him.

In the face of politics and power, individual strength seemed so insignificant. He couldn’t help Gu Qinghuan, and that made him feel frustrated and defeated.

His upbringing as a soldier had always kept him from doing anything that would disgrace the military, but this time, he just couldn’t stand by and watch.

He thought to himself, if some people really insisted on protecting Xu Jianguo regardless of the law, then he wouldn’t care about appearances anymore—he’d take matters into his own hands.

If the law couldn’t protect them, he would! Xu Jianguo had to pay for what he’d done.

A sharp car horn broke the silence between them.

Xu Huaian instinctively shielded Gu Qinghuan, turning to see a military vehicle pulling up beside them.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a stern yet kindly face.

Xu Huaian immediately let go of Gu Qinghuan and snapped to attention, giving a crisp military salute to the car.

“Good afternoon, Commander!”

Gu Qinghuan was startled. What was going on?

The man in the car opened the door and got out, returning the salute with equal seriousness. He patted Xu Huaian on the shoulder, smiling warmly. “Good kid, long time no see. You’re looking well. What brings you to Beijing?”

The man’s name was Tang Zhenye, Xu Huaian’s former commander from his old military district. He’d come to Beijing for an important meeting.

He’d just arrived and was being driven by his orderly when he spotted a familiar figure on the street. At first, he thought he was just imagining things because he missed the kid so much.

But as they got closer, he realized it really was Xu Huaian, so he had the driver stop.

Xu Huaian was the most outstanding soldier Tang Zhenye had ever trained—no exceptions.

He still regretted sending him on that mission all those years ago.

If Xu Huaian hadn’t fallen ill, his future would have been limitless. Such a pity.

In front of his old commander, Xu Huaian actually looked a little shy, scratching his head like a big kid. “Commander, my wife brought me to Beijing for treatment. Oh, let me introduce you—this is my wife, Gu Qinghuan. Qinghuan, this is my old commander.”

Well, well, he couldn’t wait to let the commander know he was married.

Gu Qinghuan wanted to give him a couple of punches, but she just smiled politely. “Hello, Commander. I’m Gu Qinghuan.”

Tang Zhenye couldn’t help but laugh.

Back then, he’d introduced Xu Huaian to so many nice girls, but the kid refused to settle down. Now he was afraid people wouldn’t know he was married.

Thinking back, it was all fate. Luckily, he hadn’t insisted on those arranged marriages back then, or who knows how things would have turned out.

His gaze fell on Gu Qinghuan—a beautiful young woman, with gentle features and a warm presence. She and Xu Huaian made a perfect match.

Who would have thought that falling ill would actually bring him such good fortune? This girl had stayed by his side through thick and thin; Xu Huaian would never let her down. A good match indeed!

“Nice to meet you. I haven’t congratulated you two on your marriage yet. By the way, Huaian, how’s your health? You look much better than before.”

That was what Tang Zhenye cared about most. He knew it was wishful thinking, but he still hoped Xu Huaian would make a miracle recovery. If he did, Tang Zhenye would bring him back to the army without hesitation.

Xu Huaian’s expression dimmed a little. “Thank you for your concern, Commander. It’s still the same as before. But I’m actively working with a psychologist now—hopefully, there’ll be results soon.”

Tang Zhenye encouraged him, “You’re the most determined soldier I’ve ever met. I believe you can beat this and return to your peak. When you’re well again, your old position will still be waiting for you. I’ll be waiting for you in the army!”

Xu Huaian didn’t answer right away.

Did he want to go back? The answer was right there in his heart, ready to burst out.

He’d wished countless times to wake up healthy, to be able to fight alongside his comrades again.

But now, with Gu Qinghuan in his life, he hesitated. There are so many things in life that can’t be reconciled. Even heroes have their tender moments—love is part of life, too.

If he really got better, could he leave Gu Qinghuan behind and return to the army?

He thought, probably not. He couldn’t bear to leave her to take care of the kids and the household all by herself, to shoulder all the burdens alone while he was absent.

But if he really did recover?

“We’ll see,” he said vaguely.

Tang Zhenye could see his hesitation but didn’t press further. He glanced at his watch.

“I have to rush to a meeting now, but after it’s over, let’s sit down and catch up properly. Since you’re in Beijing, I hear Quanjude’s roast duck is famous—let me treat you both tonight, all right?” Although he phrased it as a question, it was clear there was no refusing.

Xu Huaian agreed readily.

“All right, six o’clock tonight at Quanjude. We’ll be there.”

After Tang Zhenye left, Gu Qinghuan finally realized he was actually the top commander of the military district—a true big shot. Had she embarrassed herself in front of him just now?

But he was so approachable!

Xu Huaian was really something, to be held in such high regard by someone like that. She’d have to help him recover as soon as possible—the commander was even saving his old position for him!

This unexpected encounter helped Gu Qinghuan forget the bad news from earlier.

The two of them took a tricycle to find Xu Lei.

They were stopped and questioned by the gate guard, who insisted on a routine inspection—it was the police station, after all. Gu Qinghuan was reluctantly handing over her bag when Xu Lei heard she was here and rushed out to meet them.

“Xiao Huanhuan, I was just about to look for you. The verdict on that case came down,” Xu Lei said as he led them away from the entrance, avoiding the inspection.

“Uncle Xu, what was the verdict?”

“The main culprits, Wu and Cai, were sentenced to five years of reform through labor. They were sent off yesterday. The rest of the family were considered accomplices. They didn’t get labor sentences, but they’re jointly liable for compensation.

Over the years, they made over four thousand yuan in profit from your family’s two Western-style houses. Plus, they lived in one themselves, so the total compensation is nearly ten thousand yuan, including damages to the property.

Of course, they can’t pay it all at once. So far, we’ve only recovered two thousand yuan—the cash they had when they were arrested.

The rest will have to be slowly collected from the Cai family. The enforcement department will go after them for payments from time to time.

You can go to the enforcement department every two months to collect what’s been recovered. If you’d rather, I can pick it up and send it to you.”

Gu Qinghuan was satisfied with this result. She never expected Wu Ma and the others to pay much—just that they’d pay the price for what they’d done.

That family of vampires had been living off her family for five years. It was about time they paid for it.

Five years of enjoying the spoils, five years of labor reform—fair enough.

“Thank you, Uncle Xu. I’ll be heading back to the Northeast soon, so if you could pick up the money and give it to Lanting, that’d be great. He can use it for living expenses.”"