As Gu Ye arrived, more and more people gathered in the family compound, including many officers who were off duty.
Many people didn't know what had happened, especially the men. They just came home from get off work to find no one at home, and then saw a lot of people gathering in one place, so they followed them.
"What's going on? Why is everyone gathered here? Your homes are all empty and cold."
"I don't know. I heard it was caused by the wife of the new brigade commander of the special operations brigade."
"This is quite a big deal; it might cause trouble for the military leaders."
"I've already gone to find Commander Zhao!"
...
Gu Ye and Bao Ni didn't react to the surrounding chatter; they were just waiting for Commander Zhao to arrive and didn't talk to anyone else.
"Greetings, Commander! Greetings, Division Commander! Greetings, Political Commissar!"
When Commander Jiang and his entourage arrived, the officers were shocked and quickly saluted to greet them.
"Commander, Division Commander, Political Commissar, I apologize for disturbing your rest." Gu Ye gave a very solemn military salute.
"Tell me the details, how exactly did this involve enemy infiltration?" Commander Zhao hadn't expected things to escalate to this extent, attracting so many people and even drawing the attention of Commander Jiang, who came personally.
Gu Ye stood at attention and saluted, then said, "The women in the family compound are spreading rumors about my wife, saying that she is of low character and morally corrupt, that she used underhanded means to marry me, that she ruined other people's relationships, that she was poorly raised, that she is illiterate, and that she is vulgar and unworthy of Commander Gu."
This is what I just summarized. My wife, Lin Baoni, has confirmed it with the other women in the family compound. It was Sister Wan who heard it from Sister Xu Mei, the wife of Brigade Commander Wang Haiyang, and it was also confirmed by Brigade Commander Wang. She then used her work to spread the word in the family compound.
Gu Ye briefly explained the cause, process, and result of the matter.
"Which one is Sister Wan, Comrade Xu Mei?" Commander Zhao called out.
"Commander Zhao, I am Sister Wan. I am telling the truth. It was Sister Xu Mei who told me. She said she heard it from her husband, Brigade Commander Wang. I am not making this up."
Sister Wan was truly terrified. Commander Jiang had even arrived; she might have gotten herself into trouble. She had only wanted to flatter Xu Mei, but she hadn't expected Lin Baoni to make such a big fuss.
"Where are Comrade Xu Mei and Brigade Commander Wang?"
"It doesn't seem to be here," someone in the crowd mustered up the courage to reply.
"Comrade Lin Baoni, you..." Commander Zhao originally wanted to speak to Baoni to resolve the matter.
"Commander Jiang, Division Commander Zhao, Political Commissar Jin, I have something to say to everyone in the family compound."
Gu Ye interrupted Commander Zhao; he couldn't put Bao Ni in the spotlight.
"Speak," Commander Jiang said, and Division Commander Zhao could say nothing more.
"My name is Gu Ye, and I am currently the commander of a special operations brigade. This is my wife, Lin Baoni, a high school graduate, an excellent diver, and a very good swimmer. I was once shot by a lurking enemy agent during a mission and fell into the sea."
Comrade Lin Baoni, returning from fishing, saw people struggling in the waves. Disregarding her own safety, she jumped into the sea and rescued me from being swept away by the waves, simply because I was wearing a People's Liberation Army uniform. I was injured and drowning when I was rescued, and it was Lin Baoni who saved me by giving me intravenous respiration, yet she herself was criticized.
My superiors at the time felt that since we were both unmarried and of marriageable age, they arranged for us to become husband and wife. I entered military academy at the age of fifteen and never thought about getting married or having children; dying on the battlefield was always my wish.
Therefore, I have never had a partner. People who know me know that I am not getting married, so how could I be accused of ruining other people's relationships?
Lin Baoni, on the island, led the military wives in reclaiming wasteland for farming. She spent several years experimenting with seaweed cultivation, finally succeeding last year. This brought considerable benefits to the island's residents and the military. She was named the most beautiful military wife. What right do you have to slander her?
Gu Ye spoke in a serious tone and with a firm attitude.
“You say she’s not good enough for me. I, Gu Ye, have served in the military for nineteen years, been married for ten, and have two children. In these ten years, I’ve been away from home countless times on missions. I’ve been absent when my children were sick, when there was a typhoon, and when they needed me.”
I can say with my voice that I have lived up to my country, to my people, and to the uniform I wear, but I have failed my wife and children.
How many of our comrades present didn't go through this process? We protected everyone, and our wives protected our families.
What right do you have to criticize her and point fingers at her? You blurt out things without verifying them, regardless of whether they will cause harm to others.
Gu Ye's eyes welled up with tears without him realizing it; he truly felt he had let Bao Ni down.
"Commander, Division Commander, Political Commissar, I've said my piece. We need the leadership to make a decision on this matter. Otherwise, I feel there's no point in me wearing this uniform anymore. I can't protect everyone, but I can't even protect my own wife and children."
Gu Ye gave a solemn military salute again, tightened his grip on Bao Ni's hand, and Liu Jiu and San Qi stood close to their parents, their bodies straight, looking straight ahead at Commander Jiang.
"What Brigade Commander Gu said is true and recorded. Comrade Lin Baoni is the most beautiful military wife and the strongest support for the soldiers who defend our country. You are also military wives, what have you done? What have the person in charge of the family compound done to let such words spread everywhere, even reaching my ears, chilling people's hearts."
This matter cannot be closed so hastily. Let the police investigate and then take appropriate action. Everyone else, please leave. If you are involved, tell the truth; do not try to shift the blame or frame others.
Commander Jiang's voice wasn't loud, but it sent chills down people's spines; this time, things were in deep trouble.
Commander Jiang then looked at Lin Baoni and said, “Comrade Lin Baoni, you are excellent. As a Chinese, your seaweed farm once intercepted important enemy weapons. As a military wife, you have taken the lead in helping military wives in difficult circumstances to become self-reliant, solve their food and clothing problems, and stabilize the rear area of the military.”
As the leader of this unit, I apologize for not managing the rear areas well when you first joined this large group, causing you to suffer.
Bonnie dared not accept the commander's apology and quickly replied, "I'm not wronged, really. I'm the kind of person who would rather take action than talk. I'm really sorry for making such a big fuss and even alarming the commander."
I don't take gossip to heart; at worst, we'll have a fight, or two if one doesn't work. But this incident involves Gu Ye's moral integrity. Soldiers risk their lives for their country and shouldn't be treated like this. Not just Gu Ye, but no soldier should be treated like this.
I'm sorry for causing everyone trouble this time, but I don't regret it. My man is a pillar of strength, protecting this land, and I will protect him too!
Bonnie bowed to the commander and his men. She hadn't expected the matter to alarm the commander. She had to say what needed to be said; she couldn't let the leaders think that her family of four was troublesome and unforgiving.
"We will definitely give you an explanation for this, don't worry."
Commander Jiang patted Gu Ye on the shoulder and left with Division Commander Zhao and the others. Bao Ni's family also went home. The rest depends on the final outcome of the military.
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