Xie Zhiyan hung up the phone and was about to leave when he saw Qi Zecheng following behind him.
Seeing his hurried expression, Qi Zecheng paused slightly: "I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation. I thought there wouldn't be many people queuing for the phone at the logistics department. I didn't expect you to be here too."
Xie Zhiyan nodded without speaking. He quickly followed up: "I know what you're thinking, but Shuying's current situation is not optimistic. You've been on the front lines for so many years to achieve your current merits. If you go back now and bring Shuying over, forget about this promotion. You might not even be invited to the most basic commendation ceremony. Are you really going to give up your promising future for a woman?"
Qi Zecheng and Xie Zhiyan grew up together. They joined the army in the same year and were fortunate enough to be assigned to the same unit. It would be no exaggeration to say that they were inseparable.
Xie Zhiyan didn't even need to say a word; a single glance was enough for him to understand what was on his mind.
“We are already married. I am her husband in name only, so I should protect her. If I can’t even take care of my own wife, how can I be considered a human being?”
Xie Zhiyan had made up his mind. He had no news of Shu Ying before, but now that he knew she was not doing well, he could no longer sit idly by and wait for his fate.
Currently, he is the only one who can solve Shu Ying's current predicament, and his only consolation is that he can still help her.
“Zecheng, you don’t need to feel sorry for me. Husband and wife are one. She is in trouble now, and it is my duty to help her.”
Qi Zecheng sighed helplessly, looking at him with disappointment and frustration.
"But she has to be worth it for you to do this. Don't you know Shu Ying's current situation? Even the Shu family's huge business couldn't protect her. Yes, I know you are loyal and righteous, but can you think more about yourself? All the military merits you've worked so hard to earn over the years are just going to be wasted like this. Is this what you want to see?"
Xie Zhiyan clenched his fists, his expression cold and stern: "Zecheng, you are not married yet. You will know when you get married that the responsibility on a man's shoulders is not just about his future. As a man, you must be responsible. As long as she is my wife, I will be responsible for her."
"As for the promotion, I'm still young, and it would be better to show off now. It's better to settle down and hone my skills first. Besides, a higher position isn't necessarily better. If it can't provide protection for my wife and children, then the promotion is just an empty title."
Xie Zhiyan understood very well that he had plenty of time ahead of him, and as long as he had the ability, why should he worry about not having a better future?
Moreover, no matter what position he held, he always did his best for the military and the country.
He couldn't change his wife, he couldn't be heartless, and he couldn't abandon Shuying.
She could have had better options back then, but she married him because of the Shu family's promise, and he couldn't forget that kindness.
Qi Zecheng stared blankly at Xie Zhiyan. He had thought that Xie Zhiyan would be unable to let go, but he never expected that this guy would be so love-struck.
"Then I beg you to think carefully about how much sincerity Shuying has for you. I'm not trying to sow discord here; I want you to be happy more than anyone else. But you know that Shuying has a childhood sweetheart. How can you be so sure that what you're giving her is what she wants?"
Qi Zecheng understood Xie Zhiyan's lingering feelings for Shu Ying.
During his first family visit, he met Shu Ying. She was a bright and flamboyant rose. She was beautiful and had a very distinct personality. She was clearly a girl who had been carefully cared for by her parents since childhood.
At that time, he was thinking, how could there be such a confident girl?
She speaks in a light and cheerful tone, almost like singing, and greets people with grace and poise.
There was no trace of timidity in Shu Ying; she was a flower being nurtured and grown under loving care.
But when facing Xie Zhiyan, her beautiful face was always cold; intellectuals who had returned from studying abroad carried their own unique pride.
Shu Ying is cultured and speaks eloquently, but she never gives them a friendly look.
The saying that marriage should be between equals has been true since ancient times.
"Zhiyan, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that we are like brothers. It's your decision to do whatever you want, and I really shouldn't stop you too much. But I just can't bear to see you ruin your future. These past years have been tough on the front lines. Has Shuying ever sent you a letter home?"
Everyone knows that the pocket watch with Shu Ying's photo in Xie Zhiyan's hand is his lifeline.
"How could a high-class heiress like her possibly look down on brutes like us? Wake up!"
Xie Zhiyan's back was a little stiff, but when he thought of Shu Ying packing his luggage before he left, her face with her head down, his voice became more and more certain.
“She must have her own reasons. Since she chose to marry me, she will naturally keep her promise. I don’t need to think about anything else. I just know that I shouldn’t let her feel heartbroken. If she has other choices, I will respect them. But I shouldn’t ignore her under the guise of doing what’s best for her. That’s not doing what’s best for her. That’s just selfishness and hypocrisy.”
At least, no one would refuse to live a good life.
Even if Shu Ying had other plans, he should have consulted her.
Instead of assuming that she would be happier after leaving him.
Qi Zecheng felt a lump in his throat. He wanted to persuade Xie Zhiyan to weigh the pros and cons, but Xie Zhiyan simply wouldn't listen.
Even if Shu Ying married him back then, it was most likely just because of the marriage contract, rather than because there was any real affection between them.
But Xie Zhiyan is so clever, how could he not see it?
He simply refused to admit that even though Shu Ying didn't like him, he still devoted his heart to her wholeheartedly.
"Forget it, forget it. You've always been this way. Once you've made up your mind, I can't change it with just a few words. Even if something really serious happens, can't you take care of yourself first? With your injuries like this, you'll just scare her again!"
Xie Zhiyan glanced down, hesitated slightly, and then Wang Qiang walked over from a distance with a dejected look on his face.
Qi Zecheng held out a hand: "What's wrong, Qiangzi? I just saw on the phone that it's your turn already. You called home, why aren't you happy? You can all take leave to visit your family now, go back and spend some time with them."
Wang Qiang looked utterly devastated, tears welling up in his eyes.
"My wife from the countryside remarried, so why should I take leave to visit her?"
Qi Zecheng glanced thoughtfully at Xie Zhiyan beside him: "Before we left, didn't you say that you and your wife had a good relationship? How come you suddenly remarried? Didn't she discuss this with you beforehand?"
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