Shen’s mother was wearing a blue cotton jacket and still had a pig-feed ladle in her hand. It was obvious that she had just heard the news that Shen Linzhou had returned to the village and had chased after him without even putting down what she was holding.
At that moment, Shen’s mother’s face was livid. Her eyes were sharp as knives as she shot Xiao Mandong a vicious glance before turning them on Shen Linzhou.
“I used to think you were just too busy with work to come home and see us. But now that you’ve returned to the village, you don’t even know enough to come home and take a look. Instead, you’re clinging to this woman of dubious character. Do you still care about your reputation? You’ve brought shame on the entire Shen family.”
Although she sounded as if she were scolding her son, every word was aimed at Xiao Mandong. The villagers who had gathered to watch immediately crowded closer, their curiosity and appetite for gossip growing even stronger.
Shen’s mother felt as though this son of hers was going to be the death of her. He had come back yesterday and was already leaving for his unit again today, yet he had not even gone home to see them. If her eldest daughter-in-law had not overheard someone mentioning Shen Linzhou’s return while using the toilet that morning, she would still know nothing about it.
What kind of son behaved like this? Even if they had been in the wrong before, so much time had passed. Why was he still holding a grudge?
In the past, she had taken care to leave Shen Linzhou some dignity. After all, they still relied on the living expenses he sent every month to help support the household, so she had not dared to go too far.
But things were different now. Her younger son had made something of himself and was about to marry a division commander’s daughter, becoming the division commander’s son-in-law. That was a division commander—the very officer in charge of Shen Linzhou. At a time like this, she felt that Shen Linzhou ought to maintain a good relationship with the family. In the future, he might even be able to ask his younger brother to put in a good word for him with the division commander.
Hearing the barbed remarks from Shen’s mother, Xiao Mandong remained calm and did not move. She offered no defense, simply standing quietly to one side. At a time like this, nothing she said would help. Any excessive explanation would only be taken as an attempt to cover something up. Given Shen Linzhou’s identity, he was better suited to step forward and resolve the matter.
Shen Linzhou’s expression darkened at once. The aura around him turned cold and forbidding as he forcibly suppressed his anger.
“We were carrying out a mission. Comrade Xiao was also assigned by the army.”
His voice was not loud, but the intimidating authority in it made everyone around them fall silent.
“Since we’re on the subject, I’ll take this opportunity to clarify things for everyone. Comrade Xiao was injured while capturing a criminal yesterday, and I carried her down from the mountain. All those ridiculous rumors going around are completely baseless. Anyone spreading such nonsense is creating and circulating rumors. If anyone damages this young woman’s reputation, I will report the matter to the commune through the army and have it dealt with.”
“Shen Linzhou, you’re my son. Other people may be afraid of you, but I’m not. This woman is clearly a doctor at the hospital. How could she possibly have been assigned by the army?”
“As a soldier, you’re actually spouting lies just to cover up this woman’s shame.”
“You’re called Xiao Mandong, right? I’m begging you—can’t you stop clinging to my son? Look at what you’ve done to our family! We’re all grateful that you saved my son, but you can’t use that lifesaving favor to force him to marry a divorced woman, can you?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd, which had been as quiet as the grave, began to stir.
“No way. That woman’s divorced?”
“The second son may come from the countryside, but he’s still a regimental commander. How could he marry a twice-married woman?”
“Even if he weren’t a regimental commander, he still shouldn’t marry a slut. What kind of nonsense is that? It’s utterly humiliating.”
“Exactly. If she were an unmarried girl, how could she have let a man carry her on his back?”
…
Listening to the villagers’ remarks, Shen’s mother felt extremely pleased. Whenever she went to the hospital, that Xiao woman was always opposing her. Now she would finally get a taste of what it felt like.
Hearing those filthy insults, Xiao Mandong felt a tightness in her chest. But she did not want to get into a confrontation with Shen’s mother. More and more people were gathering, and if her family happened to see her, they would only worry about her situation.
She gave Shen’s mother a contemptuous look and curled her lips slightly.
“So what if I’m divorced? How is that any of your concern? And as for your accusation that I seduced your son, bring out your evidence. Just look at that bitter, spiteful face of yours. What kind of wicked things did you do in your past life to end up with a daughter-in-law like me? You can rest easy. Forget being married twice—even if I had been married eight times, I still wouldn’t set foot inside the Shen family’s gates if I were blind.”
Every word in Xiao Mandong’s voice dripped with disgust. When she finished, she opened the door of the jeep and got inside.
She knew exactly what Shen’s mother was worried about: that Shen Linzhou might have some sort of relationship with her. So she would give Shen’s mother a clear answer and prevent her from harassing them again and again. Besides, Sun Wenbin had been arrested, which meant the mission was essentially complete. She and Shen Linzhou would not have any further dealings with each other.
More importantly, she was someone who had been given a second chance at life. Her mind was perfectly clear. She would never again seek out a mother-in-law like Ma Lanying. No matter how good Shen Linzhou’s character was, she did not want anything to do with a family like his.
Xiao Mandong understood that even if Shen Linzhou separated from his family, he could never completely sever ties with them. It was just like her relationship with Wang Meixia. Even after they had publicly cut ties, the trouble still never ended. What was more, Shen Linzhou was a soldier. If he were deemed unfilial, he would be ruining his own future.
Shen’s mother raised the pig-feed ladle, trembling with rage.
“You… you…”
For quite some time, she could not get the words out. She had never expected Xiao Mandong to be so sharp-tongued. Although she looked down on her second son’s personality, in her eyes, he was still the most outstanding of her children. How could she tolerate a divorced woman speaking about him like that?
“Xiao Mandong, you shameless—”
“That’s enough, Comrade Wang Guilan,” Shen Linzhou cut in sharply.
“I will report your words to the army exactly as you said them. As for your slander against Comrade Xiao, I will seek justice for her.”
Shen Linzhou turned to the team leader.
“Uncle Cao, I’ll come back and separate from the family in the next couple of days. I’ll have to trouble you to serve as a witness.”
With that, Shen Linzhou quickly got into the vehicle and slammed the door shut.
The moment Xiao Mandong had spoken those final words, Shen Linzhou had felt as if a piece of his heart had been forcibly torn out. The hollow ache left behind was unbearable.
Shen Linzhou glanced at Xiao Mandong beside him. Her expression was indifferent, as though what had just happened had been nothing more than a farce.
He understood how she felt. He knew everything about her past. After finally escaping a marriage like that, there was no way she would willingly step into a family like his.
In fact, over the past two days, Shen Linzhou had already become certain that he truly liked Xiao Mandong. He simply had not dared to say anything.
Now, he was even less willing to speak. He could not give her a stable life. His family would always be a burden. Separating from them was only the beginning. Would his parents let him go? No. They never would. His parents would cling to him like leeches, sucking him dry.
That was also why he had refused to go on blind dates for so many years. He knew exactly what his parents wanted: to find a docile daughter-in-law who would stay home and serve as their housekeeper. He would provide the money, while his wife would provide the labor, giving everything to the Shen family forever.
