Chapter 60: Rumors in the Family Compound
The last time Jiang Ruoxi showed her first signs of pregnancy and appeared in the family compound, her gentle and happy look attracted many people's attention. Unexpectedly, after this, there were some sour discussions in the family compound.
Someone lowered his voice and said suspiciously, "I don't know if Jiang Ruoxi is pregnant with Lu Tingxiao's child. Captain Lu is often away on missions."
Others curled their lips with disdain: "He doesn't work all day and spends money lavishly. I really don't know how Captain Lu can afford to support him." These rumors were like willow catkins in spring, floating everywhere. As time went by, they even reached the ears of Aunt Chen and Aunt Lan.
Aunt Chen and Aunt Lan are both people who truly care about Jiang Ruoxi. They know that Jiang Ruoxi is pregnant and her emotions are volatile. If she hears these unpleasant words, she might get angry and get sick. If she has a miscarriage, it will be a big problem.
The two discussed it privately and decided to find an opportunity to tell Lu Tingxiao about it.
That day, Lu Tingxiao had just returned home from training when Aunt Chen and Aunt Lan quickly pulled him aside and told him about the rumors with worried looks.
When Lu Tingxiao heard this, his usually stern face suddenly turned cold, his eyes revealed an uncontrollable anger, and his whole body exuded a frightening aura.
He immediately decided to investigate the matter thoroughly and would never tolerate those who maliciously slandered Jiang Ruoxi. To put it mildly, it's gossip; to put it more seriously, it's spreading rumors about military families. You can sue her for defamation.
Lu Tingxiao used his connections and methods to carefully investigate every possible source.
After an in-depth investigation, it was finally discovered that the initiator of all these rumors was the wife of the sixth company commander Zhao Kuiyong.
It turned out that Zhao Kuiyong's wife had been married to Captain Zhao for almost two years, but her belly had not moved. Her mother-in-law kept nagging her all day long, complaining in every word and calling her a "hen that doesn't lay eggs."
That day, when she came back from buying groceries and passed by the gate of the staff quarters, she happened to see Mrs. Zhang and the others chatting enthusiastically with Jiang Ruoxi.
When she heard Jiang Ruoxi say happily that she was pregnant with twins, the flame of jealousy suddenly ignited in her heart.
Once jealousy took over, she threw rationality out of the window, and she began to spread those unbearable rumors everywhere, saying that Captain Lu was often away on missions and that she didn't know whose child Jiang Ruoxi was pregnant with...
After finding out the source of the rumor, Lu Tingxiao did not go directly to the Sixth Company Commander Zhao Kuiyong to resolve the problem privately. Instead, he reported it directly to Political Commissar Zhou and Division Commander Xie, and presented evidence that Captain Zhao's wife had spread rumors about Jiang Ruoxi.
Political Commissar Zhou and Commander Xie took the evidence, looked through it carefully, and their expressions became increasingly solemn. They knew very well that the rights and interests of military families must not be violated. This rumor not only hurt Jiang Ruoxi, but also damaged the internal atmosphere of the army and the stability of military families.
Political Commissar Zhou and Commander Xie attached great importance to this matter and talked to Company Commander Zhao separately.
Political Commissar Zhou looked serious and said earnestly, "Xiao Zhao, your wife's case is of a very serious nature. Military dependents are the solid backing of our soldiers. Protecting their reputation is to uphold the dignity of the army. Your wife keeps saying that the child that Captain Lu's wife is pregnant with is not Captain Lu's. This has caused a very serious impact. You must handle it well and don't let your personal affairs affect the unity and morale of the army!"
Division Commander Xie had a stern expression, and his tone was filled with unquestionable majesty: "As a company commander, you should set an example. Now your family has caused such a commotion. You must reflect deeply. This matter is not only about your personal reputation, but also about the image of the entire army. Think about it from another perspective. You are fighting hard in the front, and your wife is pregnant. How would you feel if someone says that the child is not yours? You two should go to the hospital when you have time. If you are sick, get treatment. Don't make trouble for no reason!"
The two men pointed out the importance of the matter and asked Captain Zhao to go home and talk to his wife first. Captain Zhao, feeling full of guilt and annoyance, hurried back home.
Captain Zhao walked into the house with a solemn look on his face and heavy steps, and saw his wife sitting on the sofa listening to the radio. Captain Zhao took a deep breath and tried to keep his tone calm: "Wife, let me ask you, do you know the rumors about Lu Tuan's lover?"
"I don't know. What does the rumors about Captain Lu's wife have to do with me?" Captain Zhao's wife said indifferently.
He walked up to his wife, took a deep breath, and slowly asked, "Then do you know why Political Commissar Zhou and Commander Xie wanted to see me today?"
Upon hearing this, the wife's face flashed with curiosity. She put down the remote control in her hand and said jokingly with a smile: "Why are you here? Are you going to be promoted to a higher level?"
As she spoke, she stood up and reached out to help Captain Zhao straighten his collar, but Captain Zhao gently dodged her hand.
Captain Zhao's face became increasingly gloomy. He stared into his wife's eyes and said word by word, "You can still laugh, but do you know how much trouble you have caused?"
His wife was startled by his sudden serious attitude. The smile on her face disappeared instantly. Her eyes were full of confusion and uneasiness. She stammered, "I...what's wrong with me? I haven't done anything recently!"
Captain Zhao paced back and forth in the living room, suppressing his anger and saying, "You spread those rumors about Captain Lu's lover outside. Do you think it's a small matter? Now the whole army knows about it. Political Commissar Zhou and Division Commander Xie are personally involved. Do you know how bad the impact is?"
When the wife heard this, her face turned pale instantly and her lips trembled slightly. She wanted to explain but didn't know where to start.
"I didn't..." Captain Zhao's wife was about to speak when she was interrupted by Captain Zhao.
Captain Zhao stopped and looked at his wife, with a hint of disappointment and helplessness in his tone: "You want to say that it was not you who spread the rumor, right? Today, Political Commissar Zhou and Commander Xie almost slapped the evidence in my face. We are a military family, and our words and deeds represent the image of the army. You spread rumors out of jealousy, which not only hurts others, but also makes me unable to hold my head up in the army. If things go wrong, I don't have to work anymore, and we can go home and farm directly!"
Captain Zhao's wife's eyes were red and tears welled up in them. She lowered her head and cried, "I... I really didn't expect it to be so serious. I was just confused for a moment..."
Captain Zhao walked up to his wife, sighed, and said, "It's no use saying these now. We have to find a way to make it up to her. Tomorrow I will take you to apologize to Captain Lu and his wife. You must sincerely admit your mistakes and obtain their forgiveness. I don't know how the higher-ups will punish me this time, because the impact is too bad!" His wife nodded silently, her heart full of regret.
Captain Zhao continued, "This incident has sounded the alarm for us. I am saying this to you today because of the rumors you spread about Captain Lu's lover. Do you know how much of an impact you have caused?"
When the wife heard this, her eyes dodged and she muttered softly: "I was just jealous for a moment, just saying it casually..."
Captain Zhao interrupted her: "This is not just a casual remark! Do you know how much harm this has caused to Captain Lu and his wife? We are a military family. We must always pay attention to our words and deeds and safeguard the honor of the army!"
The wife lowered her head, her eyes reddened: "I...I was wrong, I really didn't expect it to be so serious!"
Captain Zhao looked at his wife and softened his tone. "I know you feel wronged. You have been married for two years and have no children. My mother's words are not nice to hear, but this is not a reason for you to spread rumors. Let's think of a solution together. You go with me to apologize to Captain Lu and his wife and resolve the matter. When I have a day off, we can go to the hospital to check and see who is sick. If there is a disease, treat it. When you are healthy, you will naturally have children. Don't worry!"
The wife hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
The next day, Captain Zhao brought his wife to Lu Tingxiao's home. As soon as they entered the room, the two bowed and apologized sincerely to Lu Tingxiao and Jiang Ruoxi.
Captain Zhao's wife was filled with shame and cried, "Captain Lu, Sister Jiang, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been jealous and spread rumors everywhere. I hope you can forgive me this time!"
Lu Tingxiao looked calm. He glanced at Jiang Ruoxi beside him and spoke slowly, "We heard your apology. I hope you can be more careful with your words and actions in the future and don't make the same mistake again!"
Jiang Ruoxi gently stroked her slightly bulging belly and said softly, "I can understand your feelings. We are all women and have difficulties. But once some words are spoken, they are like spilled water and cannot be taken back. I hope we can get along well in the future. Besides, some couples are healthy and have not gotten pregnant for several years after marriage. Once they get pregnant, they will have children one after another. You should go to the hospital for a check-up first and then make a conclusion!"
Captain Zhao and his wife nodded repeatedly and promised that such things would not happen again.
After leaving Lu Tingxiao's house, Captain Zhao's wife secretly made up her mind to face life with a positive attitude and not let jealousy blind her eyes.
This incident also spread in the army and family quarters, which sounded a wake-up call to everyone and made everyone more aware of the importance of safeguarding the rights and interests of military families and a good atmosphere.
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