Chapter 36 News from my brother

The rumors about Meng Hui disappeared on the surface in the dust raised by the jeep and with Sister Li's resounding clarification, but everyone still grumbled about it in private. But there was nothing that could be done about it. I hope that over time, no one will mention this matter anymore.

Gu Qiuyue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved that the battered soul had finally found a safe haven. Then she straightened her back. Life must always move forward, and the materials piled up on the Propaganda Department's desk would not be reduced in the slightest because of anyone's departure.

As I walked to the Propaganda Department's office, a deliberately high-pitched, crisp voice came piercingly over: "Hey, isn't this Deputy Headmaster Xie's wife?"

Zhou Lihua was wearing a brand new army green performance suit with a small velvet flower pinned to her collar. It was obvious that she was still feeling proud of having just returned from a triumphant tour. She deliberately stopped Gu Qiuyue on the dirt road that she had to take to go to and from get off work, with her chin slightly raised and her carefully drawn eyeliner revealing undisguised malice and jealousy.

Gu Qiuyue paused. "Who are you?" Her tone was calm, as if she was stating the weather. "But no matter who you are, I'm almost late for work, so I won't exchange pleasantries with you. Excuse me."

"What's the rush?" Zhou Lihua took a step forward, completely blocking the way. Her red lips curled up in a sardonic arc. Her voice was extremely low, but every word was venomous. "Listen carefully, my name is Zhou Lihua. I'm the mainstay of the art troupe and the woman that Brother Shiyu loves the most."

She deliberately dragged out her tone, her eyes scanning Gu Qiuyue. "If I hadn't received the temporary assignment to go on tour this time, do you think you, a poor educated youth sent to the countryside, would have been able to take advantage of the situation? Oh, no, you do have something that I don't."

She paused, eyes full of malice as she continued, "I don't have a pair of stinky old ninth parents like you. If all the sisters-in-law in the family compound knew about this, would you still be able to stay here?"

A hint of coldness flashed in Gu Qiuyue's eyes. Is this what they call female competition? Before she could speak, Zhou Lihua began to talk to herself again, "If I were you, I wouldn't bother with Brother Shi Yu at all, so as not to hinder his future."

"Then what should I do? Shi Yu and I have already obtained a marriage certificate?" Gu Qiuyue said with a forced smile, "And if there really is something wrong with my identity, how did I pass the political review?"

"You... you have no shame. Who knows what despicable means you used to get close to Brother Shi Yu? You're going to ruin a military officer with a bright future." Zhou Lihua said angrily, "If you know what's good for you, divorce Brother Shi Yu right away. You're not worthy of him!"

"Comrade Zhou Lihua!" Her voice was soft but firm. "Watch your identity and words. Xie Shiyu and I are a legal couple, recognized by the organization and protected by the law. Your unwarranted speculation about me and your vicious curses on our marriage are not only serious problems with your ideology and style, but also blatant slander against the families of revolutionary soldiers. If you dare to speak foul language again, I don't mind immediately asking Sister Li and the political commissar of your art troupe to give you a good evaluation of your awareness as a pillar of the troupe."

"You..." Zhou Lihua's face turned pale after being hit by the heavy words "problems with work style" and "slandering military families". She pointed at Gu Qiuyue and trembled with anger, but her throat seemed to be blocked and she couldn't find any more vicious words to fight back.

Gu Qiuyue no longer looked at her, but walked sideways and walked towards the office with steady steps, leaving Zhou Lihua standing there. Her carefully maintained feathers were completely trampled into the mud, and only twisted hatred was left burning wildly in her eyes.

In the evening, a letter with a Beijing postmark was delivered to Gu Qiuyue by the attendant Xiao Liu. Seeing the familiar words "Tang Yan" on the envelope, her heart skipped a beat. Her hands trembled as she opened the letter. As she unfolded the thin paper, she saw the familiar, vigorous handwriting of Mr. Tang, with a hint of subtle excitement:

Autumn Moon:

Great news! Qiuhan has successfully completed his important mission and is about to return to the team in triumph. All previous constraints have been released. This child has weathered many hardships, but his will has become stronger. His body and spirit are as strong as ever. He will reunite with you when he has a vacation soon. The details will be shared by him in person. Looking at the blue sky, I am deeply comforted. Your niece will share your joy!

Grandpa Tang's calligraphy

Brother! Mission accomplished! So her adopted brother "disappeared" to complete a secret mission? Now he can return safely?

The huge, pure ecstasy was like a surging tide, instantly washing away all the accumulated gloom. Gu Qiuyue suddenly covered her mouth, and hot tears burst out without warning, hitting the letter paper in big drops, blurring the ink.

Even the annoyance Zhou Lihua had provoked during the day was completely washed away by the overwhelming joy at this moment. She clutched the letter tightly, her fingertips trembling slightly with excitement, her heart beating like a drum in her chest. Although they had never met, she had a natural liking for this adopted brother.

The sunset outside the window looks particularly brilliant and warm at this moment.

However, in the Zhou family building at the other end of the compound, the scene was completely opposite.

"Mom! You have to make the decision for me!" Zhou Lihua threw herself into her mother's arms, crying bitterly, confusing right and wrong. "How could Brother Shiyu marry such a vulgar woman like Gu Qiuyue? He relies on Brother Shiyu's position as deputy regiment commander to bully others in the academy.

I just said a few words of concern to her today, and she scolded me in public for my improper conduct and even reported me to the political commissar. She is just jealous of my successful tour. Mom, she wants to crush me and make it impossible for me to stay in the art troupe.

She exaggerated the story, portraying herself as an innocent victim and Gu Qiuyue as a jealous and arrogant evil woman.

Mother Zhou patted her daughter's back distressedly. As she listened to the accusations, her face grew increasingly gloomy, a surge of anger rising from her forehead. "This is outrageous! The daughter of a stinking old man, relying on her marriage to a deputy regimental commander, dares to bully my daughter like this? Do you really think our Zhou family is made of clay? Lihua, don't cry. Mom will go find Xie Shiyu right now. I want to ask him, is there any law against the good wife he married?"

Mother Zhou rushed into Xie Shiyu's office without even knocking, looking murderous. Xie Shiyu had just finished a meeting and was looking through documents with a hint of fatigue on his face.

"Thank you, Deputy Regiment Commander!" Zhou's mother's voice was sharp and she was hitting him in the face. "Do you care about your wife? She has a pair of parents who are like that, but she doesn't keep her tail between her legs. Instead, she acts like a tyrant in the family compound all day long, insulting and slandering our Lihua in public, and even making accusations. Whose influence does she rely on? Isn't it you? You must give me an explanation today and discipline her properly, otherwise..."

"Zhou, Da, Niang!"

Those three words, like an ice cone, suddenly cut off Mother Zhou's roar with a tremendous force.