Chapter 48 She had an uncertain idea about Xie Jingchen.
"Commander..." The guard wanted to persuade him again.
However, Xie Jingchen's attitude was very firm: "I said, begin."
The guards didn't delay any longer.
He stepped back to a suitable distance, raising his weapon belt high—
Snap!
*Smack!*
A series of crisp sounds pierced the air.
The sturdy leather belt lashed Xie Jingchen's back repeatedly.
In the deathly silence, only the howling wind echoed the loud cracking of whips.
Qiao Feitian had just lifted the curtain when she saw this scene, and she was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground.
She was so shocked that her mouth dropped open, and she even forgot to cry.
She had never seen such a terrifying scene before. As if waking from a dream, she finally remembered who the man was.
He's Xie Jingchen, the leading man!
The entire book describes Xie Jingchen as ruthless and decisive in killing.
He showed no mercy to his enemies, and he was equally ruthless when it came to himself.
That's why he was able to achieve such great success, reach the pinnacle, and possess supreme power.
It was Xie Jingchen's gentle behavior towards her these past few days, even serving her braised pork, that gave her the illusion that she could deceive him.
She was wrong, terribly wrong.
He is Xie Jingchen!
It was only at this moment that Qiao Feitian realized that Xie Jingchen taking the punishment in her place was not to protect her, but to remember her mistake in an extremely cruel way, so as to remind himself not to repeat it!
The last glimmer of hope in Qiao Feitian's heart was completely shattered.
She realized that there was truly no future for her and Xie Jingchen.
Xia Fanxing watched Xie Jingchen being tortured, her heart still filled with shock.
The more dissatisfied she was with Xie Jingchen's punishment of Qiao Feitian before, the more she now admired Xie Jingchen's character.
Moreover, Xia Fanxing has figured out why Xie Jingchen was willing to take the punishment in place of Qiao Feitian.
Because Xie Jingchen was not only using this most extreme method to uphold the discipline and honor of the army, but also using the most resolute way to sever his relationship with Qiao Feitian.
Based on Xia Fanxing's current understanding of Xie Jingchen, even if Qiao Feitian made such a big mistake, Xie Jingchen breaking off the engagement with her wouldn't be considered a clean break.
Because that absurd night still stood between the two of them.
But after Xie Jingchen took the whipping in place of Qiao Feitian, they were truly and completely even.
This punishment caused Qiao Feitian more pain and despair than sending her directly to prison.
Xia Fanxing expressed her approval and satisfaction with this.
Ten minutes later, the twenty lashes finally ended.
The guard gritted his teeth to keep his tears from falling.
Xie Jingchen's back was crisscrossed with blood and flesh.
His white vest was ripped open, revealing streaks of bright blood, a gruesome sight that made one's teeth ache.
The guard hurriedly put his belt back on, then quickly ran over to pick up Xie Jingchen's uniform, intending to help him put it on.
But Xie Jingchen refused the guards' help.
Even at a time like this, he still doesn't want to trouble others.
Xie Jingchen slowly raised his arm and went to get his military uniform.
Although he didn't utter a sound, everyone could imagine how painful and unbearable it must have been for him to move his arm and aggravate the wound on his back.
Xie Jingchen slowly put on his military uniform, tidied his appearance, and then turned around to face the crowd.
His face turned pale from the pain, and with every movement, the wound on his back would rub against the fabric, causing him to furrow his brow.
But his eyes remained dark, sharp, cold, and solemn. "The flogging is over. Comrades, do you think this is a satisfactory explanation?"
Xie Jingchen's voice has become much hoarser than before.
It's clear that even for a battle-hardened commander, enduring twenty lashes is no easy task.
"Pass! Pass!" Everyone nodded repeatedly.
Xie Jingchen bowed slightly. "Then I'll be leaving now. Comrades, please make yourselves at home."
Xie Jingchen straightened his back and left.
His gait was a little stiff.
Anyone who has endured twenty lashes and still has to straighten their back in excruciating pain would become stiff.
The entire room fell silent as everyone watched Xie Jingchen depart.
Everyone was stunned by his iron-fisted self-punishment, and at the same time, they felt a great deal of respect for him.
Although this was not Xie Jingchen's original intention, the public did indeed develop more admiration and respect for him because of this incident.
The matter was completely over, and the crowd gradually dispersed.
Only Xia Fanxing, Qiao Feitian, and Su Weiguo remained outside the supply and marketing cooperative.
Qiao Feitian slumped to the ground, looking utterly hopeless and dejected.
Neither Xia Fanxing nor Su Weiguo could help her up. The two decided to go to the regimental hospital together to visit Su Xiuxiu and tell her what had just happened to cheer her up.
"Xia Fanxing! Do you think you've won? Let me tell you, it's impossible!" Qiao Feitian suddenly shouted like a madwoman.
Xia Fanxing stopped and turned to look at her, saying meaningfully, "Comrade Qiao, I'm really curious about who you are. Your hometown is also Haicheng. Did you know me when you were in Haicheng? Have we met before? How much do you know about me? I always feel like you're hiding something very important. Do you?"
These words made Qiao Feitian's heart skip a beat.
She hurriedly looked away, stammering, "What do you mean, 'hide'? What could I possibly hide from you? Haicheng? Of course I'm from Haicheng! Almost everyone on that bus was from Haicheng! What, just because someone is from Haicheng means I have to know you? You're such an arrogant capitalist lady!"
Xia Fanxing ignored Qiao Feitian and left with Su Weiguo.
·
On the way to the regimental hospital, Su Weiguo explained his doubts to Xia Fanxing.
"The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. And as you saw later, the commander is so ruthless to himself, how could he possibly let an ordinary soldier like me off so easily?"
Su Weiguo got goosebumps all over his body.
He couldn't help but say with a bitter face, "Comrade Xia, do you think the regimental commander is just saving face for me in front of the masses, and that once I return to the unit, someone will take me to a dark room and lock me up? Or will there be a more serious and terrifying punishment than that?"
"Don't scare yourself. I don't think Commander Xie is that kind of person," Xia Fanxing said. "Since he has already punished you, he won't say one thing to your face and another behind your back. Don't worry."
Su Weiguo thought about it and realized that it did seem to be true.
He was even more puzzled: "So why isn't the commander angry with me?"
As Xia Fanxing recalled the events that followed Xie Jingchen's appearance, an uncertain thought formed in her mind.
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