Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Protecting Each Other

The atmosphere was electric, leaving everyone at the scene stunned.

Gu Qinghuan, who usually appeared so delicate and frail, had unexpectedly dared to stand up to these domineering women today.

A few of the early-arriving educated youths from the compound quickly gathered around.

Xu Huai’an was just about to step in to help, when he saw Gu Qinghuan slap someone without the slightest hesitation.

Alright then, his wife was even fiercer than he’d imagined.

Since she wanted to handle it herself, he’d just play backup.

“You little brat, how dare you hit me?” Yang Fengmei gnashed her teeth, looking as if she wanted to eat Gu Qinghuan alive. If it weren’t for others holding her back, she would have rushed over to strike her.

Gu Qinghuan remained calm, looking at her steadily.

“I hit you, and I meant it! Xu Huai’an is not some crazy lunatic, and those two children are not burdens.

He once dedicated himself to our country and people, giving his all until he could give no more.

He’s been to war, fought the enemy, earned first-class honors, and exchanged a body full of medals for a lifetime of illness. His sickness is the price he paid to protect the people.

He is a true hero. You are not worthy to say a single word about him.” Gu Qinghuan’s voice was solemn and powerful, every word ringing with conviction.

She was protecting Xu Huai’an in her own way.

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

First, by Gu Qinghuan’s courage.

Second, by the weight of her words.

Xu Huai’an had never been one to boast about himself, nor did he ever mention his past achievements or hardships.

Only now did everyone realize that the man they’d once dismissed as a madman was actually such an outstanding soldier.

To have earned a first-class merit—most people would brag about that for a lifetime, but Xu Huai’an had never brought it up.

Those who knew him were deeply moved.

Many others regretted not having helped him when he was at his lowest. The second son of the Xu family was clearly no ordinary man—he’d fallen so far, yet managed to turn things around. Who could say what the future held?

The scene fell silent, before whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

Some suspected Gu Qinghuan was exaggerating, trying to give Xu Huai’an a good reputation.

Even the entire Xu family, who’d come over to see what was happening, were shocked by this revelation.

Liu Guifang had always thought the second son’s pile of medals were just useless trinkets—who knew they were actually so impressive?

Were those medals worth anything?

Xu Mingshan’s expression flickered. He knew what those honors meant. For a soldier of his brother’s rank, was a simple retirement payout all he’d gotten? Surely there was more to it.

Had he been hiding something all along?

Too bad he’d already split the family and sent him away—if there were any benefits, he wouldn’t get a share. What a miscalculation.

Xu Huaizhi was happy to see his younger brother being protected by his sister-in-law.

He’d found a good wife through misfortune, and his future would surely be smooth from now on.

Lin Xiaomeng hadn’t expected such a big shot to be hiding right beside her. In her previous life, he’d died early—could it be that fate had changed this time?

Or did he also have some kind of lucky space that altered his destiny?

No, she had to find a chance to test him out.

Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

So much so that they all forgot today was supposed to be Xu Meiling’s wedding day.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Yang Fengmei, seeing that the tide had turned and everyone was siding with Gu Qinghuan, stuck out her neck and shouted, “Who knows if what you said is true or not? I’m still your elder, and you dare to hit me? Secretary Xu, you decide what to do about this!”

She was sure Secretary Xu wouldn’t let his son and daughter-in-law get away with this.

Sure enough, Xu Mingshan put on a righteous face and said, “No matter what, Yang Fengmei is your elder. You shouldn’t have hit her. Apologize.”

Yang Fengmei shot Gu Qinghuan a smug look, as if to say, “Let’s see if you can get away with this.”

Gu Qinghuan’s temper was about to flare.

Xu Huai’an squeezed through the crowd and stood firmly in front of her.

“My wife did nothing wrong. There’s no need for her to apologize.

Even though I’m retired, I was a soldier. Yang Fengmei’s attacks and insults—I could report her. Everyone here would be a witness.

Right and wrong are clear to all. If a dog bites me, do I need to explain myself to the dog?”

Looking at his tall figure shielding her, Gu Qinghuan felt a sense of security.

So this was what it felt like to be protected.

Last time, when they’d run into a Siberian tiger, he’d stood in front of her just like this.

And now, he was doing it again.

A layer of ice in her heart quietly melted.

Xu Mingshan was furious at being contradicted by his second son. Ever since the split, whenever it came to Gu Qinghuan, this son became stubborn and impossible to reason with.

He regretted ever agreeing to let Gu Qinghuan marry him.

Just as Xu Mingshan’s face darkened and he didn’t know how to respond, Qian Caihua suddenly shouted, “The food’s burning!”

Chaos erupted as everyone rushed off.

And so, the farce finally ended.

Gu Qinghuan had won a small victory, restoring Xu Huai’an’s reputation.

Yang Fengmei was left humiliated.

Of course, Xu Huai’an’s act of protecting Gu Qinghuan also set a good example for Dabao and Beibei.

A man should bravely stand up to protect his loved ones—it’s his duty.

They’d thought this drama would be the biggest mishap of the wedding, but unexpectedly, even after the ceremony began and all the guests were seated, the groom was still nowhere to be found.

Xu Meiling was frantic.

Xu Huaizhi hurried to the educated youth compound to look for him.

In the end, he found Chen Jianghe passed out drunk in bed.

Heart aching for his sister, Xu Huaizhi punched the groom awake, leaving his face swollen.

The groom showed up at the wedding in long underwear, with an ill-fitting jacket of unknown origin thrown over it, hair a mess, stubble on his chin, and a red, swollen face—dragged there by his brother-in-law.

Everyone was stunned, and the Xu family lost all face.

What groom doesn’t show up neat and happy for his own wedding?

But Chen Jianghe had completely forgotten, looking more like a beggar than a groom.

Xu Meiling was furious, but with the ceremony about to start, she had to swallow her anger.

Xu Mingshan felt sick, like he’d swallowed a fly. He began to doubt whether marrying his daughter off to this man was the right choice. If the wedding was handled so carelessly, what good could she expect in the future?

But there was no turning back now.

The ceremony was finally forced to completion.

At last, it was time to serve the food.

Xu Huai’an and his family didn’t sit at the main table, but joined the villagers.

Gu Qinghuan sat next to Chen Fengqin, who had helped her earlier.

Xu Huai’an was chatting with the brigade leader.

“Sister Chen, thank you for standing up for me just now.”

“Oh, it was nothing. I’m in charge of women’s affairs anyway, and I was just speaking the truth. Don’t take it to heart.

By the way, thank you for the soap you gave us. Everyone at home loves it—can’t wait to bathe every day now.”

“Haha, as long as you like it. If you run out, just come to my place for more. It’s nothing fancy, just something I make with the kids for fun.”

The two of them chatted happily."