Qiao Xuemei's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and her sister tugged at his arm.
"Sis, is what she said true?"
Shaking off her sister's hand, Qiao Xuemei stared straight at Jiang Wanqing.
"Jiang Wanqing, people need to have their pride. Battalion Commander Cheng didn't marry you because he likes you. Don't flatter yourself. Only his married status allows him to join this special mission. But since you're married to him, the necessary procedures still need to be followed. We have time today, so why don't I take you for a check-up so that he won't have to worry about you if there's anything wrong with you?"
She didn't believe Qiao Xuemei would have such good intentions. Even if she didn't harbor malicious intentions, her purpose was definitely not pure. Jiang Wanqing thanked her and her lips curled slightly.
"Thank you, but it probably won't be possible anytime soon."
"What urgent matter do you have to discuss?"
"Jiang Wanqing, don't be ungrateful! My sister is doing you a favor by giving you a checkup, and you..."
The two sisters are somewhat similar in personality; both are impulsive. Qiao Xuemei is slightly better. She pulled her back, preventing her from continuing. There are many people in the family compound, and it's inevitable that someone with ulterior motives would overhear.
"I need to go home to take care of my dad. He's sick. Dr. Qiao is so kind and beautiful, why don't you come with me to see him? You're so capable, you must know some top doctors, right? I wonder if you'd be willing to help?"
Human relationships are the most complicated thing, especially when it comes to one's own "love rival." Sure enough, Jiang Wanqing's words immediately left her speechless.
Since she's kind, let's just let her prove it. Unfortunately, she's only pretending to be kind, at least to Jiang Wanqing.
Qiao Xuemei's lips twitched, unwilling yet helpless.
"How long are you going back? You can have the check-up done when you come back. I promised Battalion Commander Cheng, and I will keep my word. You can't let me break my promise."
The fact that she could calmly steer the conversation back on track showed that she wasn't stupid, and Jiang Wanqing silently kept an eye on her...
"Okay, I'll definitely ask Dr. Qiao to take a good look at me when I get back."
"You absolutely have to come!" She narrowed her eyes. "A physical exam is very important!"
"Sis, why are you so concerned about her? What does her health have to do with us?"
Qiao Hongmei was indignant. Her own sister wasn't even this concerned about her health, yet she was showing concern for her complete rival in love first. How could this not be infuriating?
"Let's go."
This is the second time Qiao Hongmei has been taken away from the same place, this time by her own sister. She would be furious if it were anyone else today.
After walking for a while, she shook off Qiao Xuemei's hand, twisted her wrist, and pouted with a wronged expression.
"Sister, Battalion Commander Cheng is the perfect match for you. Why did that country bumpkin get to go first? What makes her worthy of Battalion Commander Cheng? You're worried about her health? If you ask me, it would be better if she collapsed, saving us the trouble!"
Without any restraint, she could say whatever she wanted. Qiao Xuemei straightened her ponytail and poked her forehead.
"You're still too young. Haven't you heard that wildflowers in the countryside sometimes smell sweeter? Humph, Jiang Wanqing may not have any advantages, so we need to find out her weaknesses even more!"
"Sister, do you have a solution?" Qiao Hongmei's eyes lit up.
Originally, she simply wanted to stand up for her sister, but after two confrontations, Qiao Hongmei found herself being suppressed by a country bumpkin, so she developed a stronger desire to vent her anger.
"Isn't she going home? Don't underestimate the jealousy of country folk. She's risen to a high position, and countless people want to see her fall to her death!"
Qiao Xuemei broke off a branch from the tree next to her. She didn't want to kill or waste money; she just wanted Jiang Wanqing to return to where she belonged!
"That's great! I knew you wouldn't give up on Battalion Commander Cheng so easily, sister."
...
When Jiang Wanqing left Xiyang Village, she rode in a military jeep. Although she carried many bags and packages when she returned, she walked back from the village entrance by herself. The reason was simple: she did not want to delay Hongxing's work.
When the women at the village entrance saw her, they thought they had mistaken her for someone else, rubbed their eyes, and checked again and again.
"Isn't this Wanqing? Why is she back?"
"It really is! Wanqing, are you all alone?"
Jiang Wanqing was scrutinized from head to toe.
Someone brushed the sunflower seed shells off their clothes and kindly reminded them, "Your sister Xiuer is angry with you. Not only did you embarrass her in the city, but she was also criticized in the newspaper. When you go back, be careful not to become her punching bag."
She knew what it meant to be embarrassing, but she didn't understand what the news was referring to.
"Sister-in-law Ju, what do you mean by publishing criticism in the newspaper?"
"Oh, you didn't know? Wait a minute, I'll go get the clippings for you. Good thing I didn't use them to prop up the table legs..."
A short while later, Sister Ju brought her a small piece of newspaper that had been cut out. It contained an article about what had happened at the department store the day before, and it sharply criticized Yuan Zhong and Jiang Xiu's bad behavior.
"Xiuer hasn't left the house since she found out about this. She took her anger out on your mother. You should be more careful."
"Thank you, Aunt Ju. I understand. Please have some candy."
Jiang Wanqing calmly took out a handful of candy from her package and distributed it to everyone.
As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding." It was rare for the White Rabbit candy to be eaten during holidays, so when she handed it to them, they immediately accepted it with beaming smiles.
"It's really different to marry into the city, Wanqing. You've turned misfortune into blessing. If we hadn't seen the news, we wouldn't have known that Xiuer and Yuan Zhiqing were dating. Yuan Zhiqing used to be quite close to you... Ptooey, ptooey, look at my mouth, haha. Don't mind me, Auntie is definitely on your side."
These people are alright during the busy farming season, but during the off-season, they gossip endlessly like they are now. They can tell you exactly how many piglets each sow has given birth to. They don't really support Jiang Wanqing; they are clearly mocking her with barbs and enjoying the spectacle.
Now that they had started talking, it was exactly what Jiang Wanqing wanted, and she immediately squeezed out two tears.
“Auntie, please believe me. You don’t know, I’m their cover for their private relationship. Actually, I’m not familiar with Yuan Zhiqing at all. I even overheard them secretly saying that your son is a disabled person with all four limbs intact, and that Sister Ju’s husband is a habitual thief. Ah… I didn’t say that. Please don’t be angry. Maybe Xiu’er is just young and doesn’t understand. I will definitely help you educate her.”
Jiang Wanqing blinked, and after she finished speaking, she saw that the faces of those people had darkened, while the other women lowered their heads, trying not to laugh.
"Laugh, laugh, laugh! What's so funny! That little hussy Jiang Xiu, she's just bored and has nothing better to do! Wanqing, let's go, Auntie will go with you to meet her!"
Aunt Ju spat, "I'm going too, to see if this shameless brat is living too comfortably and is gossiping about other people's families!"
See? They understand the道理 (principles/reasoning), but they can't stand gossip when it comes to their own people. Jiang Wanqing sneered inwardly, thinking it would be perfect to let them fight like dogs.
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