Five minutes have not yet passed.

Jiang Linchuan has arrived.

He walked in a hurry, his stray hairs soaked with sweat, and fine beads of sweat glistened on his neck, sliding down his strong jawline.

He wore his military overcoat casually, with the collar open, revealing a training uniform underneath.

These days, in order to avoid Xu Xinghe, he didn't go to the training ground to lead the soldiers in training. Instead, he locked himself in the training room to practice boxing.

Only the dull thud of his fists hitting the sandbag could temporarily suppress the irritation in his heart.

Political Commissar Wang stood up, his face extremely grim. "I'm asking you, isn't Xu Xinghe the daughter of the Xu family, the richest family in Shanghai?"

Jiang Linchuan nodded, "Yes."

Political Commissar Wang took a deep breath. "The higher-ups are currently cracking down on people with capital backgrounds, and the Xu family is definitely on the list! Lin Chuan, if your fiancée has this background, she absolutely cannot escape!"

Jiang Linchuan's heart sank.

“This anonymous letter has already been seen by someone, and it’s very likely to be leaked soon; it can’t be suppressed!” Political Commissar Wang stared at him, his eyes sharp. “Now it’s your turn to make a choice; you have two options!”

"First, if you can't bear to part with your fiancée, I'll try to help you postpone it for three days. Within those three days, you and Xu Xinghe can get your marriage certificate. This way, your past merits and the special status of military marriage can protect her. However, it will have a huge impact on your future promotion and review."

"At best, you might stagnate for the next ten years or so; at worst, someone with ulterior motives could use underhanded tactics to kick you out of the military, and the future you've built with your blood over the years could be ruined!"

"Second, if you're willing to part with her, then send her away immediately, and publish an announcement in the newspaper and on the radio here that you and she have dissolved your engagement. She came to you for this very reason, and you haven't had any contact for many years. Even if you are temporarily targeted, as long as you complete your mission well, this restriction will be lifted."

"Rinkawa, you choose!"

Political Commissar Wang looked into Jiang Linchuan's eyes and said, "No matter what you choose, I will not look down on you, because after all these years, I know what kind of person you are."

“You are an upright and righteous person, and you have the country in your heart. So you disregard my concerns and only choose what you want! But there is something I have to say: I don’t want you to ruin your future for a woman! This investigation is not a joke; it could very well be the trend for the next decade or so!”

His family is extraordinary, and his position is special, which is why he was able to obtain so much information in advance and still ensure its accuracy.

But he couldn't bring himself to force Jiang Linchuan.

Because he once regretted a choice he made.

Even now, thinking back on it still keeps me up at night.

Only by making your own choices will you avoid regrets, rather than being forced to make a choice by others; otherwise, you may spend the rest of your life in regret.

Not to mention that Jiang Linchuan's personality is different from ordinary people. Once he makes up his mind, he will not turn back, no matter what the price is!

Commissar Wang's words were like a boulder crashing into Jiang Linchuan's heart.

He stood frozen in place, his gaze fixed on the whistleblower letter, but Xu Xinghe's small face involuntarily appeared in his mind.

What would happen if she were labeled a 'capitalist's daughter'?

Will I be taken away for investigation?

Will the lights in the interrogation room be too bright for her to open her eyes?

She's so afraid of pain and so timid, will she cry when she's being questioned?

Worse still, she might be sent down to a remote mountain village, or even work on a farm.

Then, bearing the label of 'bad guy,' they were pointed at and gossiped about.

She clearly loved beauty so much, yet she could no longer wear a beautiful red coat, no longer laugh freely in front of herself, and no longer live a life free from worldly cares...

Every possible thought made Jiang Linchuan's heart feel like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard for him to breathe, and even his breathing was accompanied by a dull pain.

He recalled what Political Commissar Wang had just said.

Warnings about not being able to get promoted or being kicked out of the military seemed vague at this moment, far less frightening than the things that might befall Xu Xinghe!

Jiang Linchuan closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, he did not hesitate at all.

He raised his head, his gaze deep and resolute. "Political Commissar, I'm sorry, but I choose her."

Political Commissar Wang gave a wry smile, "I didn't expect you to make a decision so quickly..."

Jiang Linchuan hadn't expected this either.

Even though Xu Xinghe didn't like him, he didn't want to see her end up in such a situation.

Because someone like Xu Xinghe can't endure hardship, she will wither like a flower, eventually falling into the dirty soil and becoming a tiny, insignificant source of nourishment.

But this little bit of nourishment was the spark that once ignited his passion.

"Political Commissar, I will not regret it."

This was the last protection he could offer Xu Xinghe.

"I've decided to marry her!"

This can be seen as bringing an end to his relationship.

"Please, Political Commissar, help me postpone this for three days."

This is enough to make up for all the happiness Xu Xinghe once brought him; they are even now.

"I will remember your kindness!"

Once things calm down, we can get a divorce immediately and set her free!

Political Commissar Wang watched Jiang Linchuan's departing figure and sighed, "Linchuan, what can I say about you!"

He didn't even consider such an important matter carefully!

Even just an hour of consideration would be helpful!

He gave the answer in just one minute!

Hopefully, that girl won't let him down.

As soon as Jiang Linchuan stepped out of the office, he immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Especially the way some soldiers looked at him.

His heart sank.

Has the news already spread?

He approached a soldier, his imposing manner commanding, and demanded, "Tell me, what rumors have you heard?"

“Commander Jiang… I… I didn’t hear any rumors.”

"I don't like liars if I get a second chance!"

The soldier realized that Jiang Linchuan was genuinely angry, so he quickly changed his tune, "I had only heard that Miss Xu used to be a wealthy heiress in Shanghai and a capitalist, but I didn't believe it!"

He believed it.

Even capitalists couldn't raise such delicate girls.

No wonder she's different from others.

Jiang Linchuan's heart sank completely.

I didn't expect it to spread so quickly!

It had only been a short time since Political Commissar Wang received the letter, but people outside already knew about it!

He continued, "Who said that?"

"It was Erdan who said it."

Erdan, the soldier with the biggest mouth, has absolutely no sense of propriety.

Anything he knows will be known throughout the entire military within an hour!

Although he had this flaw, he never caused any major trouble; at most, he would spread some gossip.

Unexpectedly, the person who saw that letter was Erdan.

It seems even God isn't on Xu Xinghe's side.

Three days... I'm afraid that won't be enough to suppress it!

Jiang Linchuan quickened his pace.

The courtyard remained as quiet as ever.

Xu Xinghe was wearing a thin cotton nightgown. She stood by the well in the yard, holding an apple in one hand and dipping the fingers of her other hand into the cold water. The next second, she pulled her hand back as if she had been pricked by a needle.

"Hiss—" She gasped, then bit her lip and tossed the apple in.

"It's too cold, it's too cold, I'm not eating!"

After saying that, she turned around and walked back, but after taking two steps she looked back at the fruit in the basin and ultimately did not take it out. Her back view was slender and charming.

Jiang Linchuan stood still, but his heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

She can't even stand cold water, how could she possibly withstand the torment of an investigation?

Therefore, he had to marry her and protect her!