Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Those words were incredibly harsh, showing no regard for Xia Huaqiang at all. How could there be any temptation then? The teachers and principal inside didn't dare to laugh out loud, but some of the younger students outside couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Xia Huaqiang and Xia Dayan now looked like clowns, their faces completely black with embarrassment. Xia Dayan couldn't bear this humiliation and hurriedly urged Principal Zhang, "Principal Zhang, please hurry up!"

Yan Lan walked over, holding Xu Yuqing's hands and gently comforting her, "It's okay."

"Mm." Xu Yuqing leaned on Yan Lan's arm, seeking comfort, not wanting to speak.

The group went to the restroom. The students outside closely watched the commotion, but no one dared to follow. A moment later, Principal Zhang came out with a stern face, followed by Xu Yuqing and Yan Lan, with Liu Pei and others trailing behind.

Arriving at the office, Xia Huaqiang, who was confident and ready to accept Xu Yuqing's repentance, still couldn't help but smile when he saw Principal Zhang's angry face, "Principal Zhang, I told you, some people just can't resist—"

"Smack!"

A hard slap landed on Xia Huaqiang's face, leaving him stunned, his cheek burning and painful. Xia Dayan and the people outside were equally taken aback.

But everyone quickly understood the message conveyed by this action.

Xu Yuqing and Yan Lan entered, and Principal Zhang composed herself before addressing the students outside, "Students, what are the rules of our Ha Cheng University? Peace and friendship. Yet, I never imagined that Xia Huaqiang would slander a classmate so brazenly, without any remorse!"

Xu Yuqing stood aside, taking out a photo from her bag, its edges already worn. This was the photo taken at the studio when she started school, "Fellow students, teachers, my husband is a regiment commander in the North City Military District. Why haven't we seen each other for so long? Because he is on a mission. My husband is protecting our country, protecting us. Who does he protect?" She glared at Xia Huaqiang with hatred, "My husband and I love each other deeply. Even if it were the next life, I would never look at you!"

She said with disgust.

Regiment commander?

Even Principal Zhang was stunned. It turned out he was a regiment commander, commanding thousands of soldiers. She quickly approached and took the photo from Xu Yuqing.

Just one glance made her understand why a student had said that Comrade Xu would never look at Xia Huaqiang.

The couple in the photo looked radiant and affectionate. The truth spoke louder than words. The worn edges of the photo showed the owner's daily longing.

She held the photo carefully, "Xia family, open your eyes and see clearly! Do you think you're the only ones in the world!" she said sarcastically.

Placing the photo in front of Xia Huaqiang, he saw Xu Yuqing's husband for the first time. He stared in disbelief, unable to utter a word, and eventually fainted from shock.

Xia Dayan was equally incredulous. Thinking about Principal Zhang's words, he couldn't lose this job! "It must be you! You knew he was a regiment commander and protected him! It's clearly her fault!"

These denials did not sway Principal Zhang's attention. With a hint of satisfaction, she held the photo and walked towards the window, "Fellow students, look at this. Everyone can see that if a student is beautiful and attracts such trouble, who would dare to come here! This is a school, a place for learning. I absolutely will not allow such indecent behavior!"

Seeing the photo, everyone was amazed. Some girls even sighed, as Xu Yuqing looked stunning in the photo, dressed in a simple dress.

"Expel the rumor-monger!"

"Yes! A rat in a pot of porridge! Ruining everything! Ha Cheng University is a place for learning!"

The crowd's voices rose, and Principal Zhang nodded approvingly. She turned and returned the photo to Xu Yuqing, watching her carefully put it away. A hint of pity crossed her eyes, which turned to disgust when she looked at Xia Dayan, "Xia Dayan, you're fired! I will write a report, and you won't be coming back."

Without waiting for Xia Dayan's reaction, she turned to the class teacher, "Teacher Jiang, take the students to class."

"Yes."

The matter was settled, and Xu Yuqing finally enjoyed a peaceful campus life, immersing herself in books every day.

A semester was almost over, and half a year had passed. She went back every week but always returned disappointed.

Yu Wenyao had returned with the first batch of troops two weeks ago, injured as usual. During that time, the military hospital was especially busy, and Xu Yuqing saw Dr. Zhou again. But he was expressionless, moving swiftly, focused on treating the wounded soldiers.

They met once, but both pretended not to know each other.

In the ward, Yu Wenyao's injuries were not severe, just minor scars on his limbs, so he was placed in a large shared room with similarly injured soldiers. No one objected.

When it was time to return to school, Yan Lan didn't want to leave, but her parents insisted she go back for exams, promising to return afterward. Xu Yuqing was also included.

Though they were worried about the young and old, exams were important, and missing them would waste half a semester's effort.

So they reluctantly left, planning to return after the exams.

Summer vacation arrived, and Xu Yuqing considered the summer in North City the most wonderful season, despite the sweat-inducing heat. Walking hand in hand with her loved one after dinner was enough to make it perfect.

This time, however, Xu Yuqing spent the summer alone.

She declined Yan Lan's offer to eat together every day, preferring some personal space, even though they were like family. Besides, she was very busy.

Truly busy. After the incident with Xia Huaqiang, Xu Yuqing continued her training, even increasing its difficulty within acceptable limits. Now, she could practice military boxing for an hour, and her arms and legs had become much stronger.

Her appetite was good in the summer, and she spent mornings deciding what to cook, often spending half a day preparing dishes she loved but found time-consuming.

She made cold noodles, similar to large noodles, but since North City didn't have them, everyone loved them, especially Yan Lan, who claimed she could eat them every day.

Besides cold noodles, there were barbecues, hotpot, and more.

In a summer without air conditioning or fans, Xu Yuqing spent her days fanning herself with a palm leaf fan.

During the last week of summer vacation, Xu Yuqing looked at the ceiling, disappointed. More soldiers were returning from the military district, but there was still no news of Xie Junli.

If not for the photo, her forgetful nature might have made her forget what Xie Junli looked like.

Day after day, it was time for the train to depart. As the neighborhood buzzed with excitement, she hesitated whether to change her departure time.

But would changing the time help?

What if her hopes were dashed again? After Xia Huaqiang's expulsion, she became the class representative and needed to arrive a day early to help, as agreed last semester. Liu Pei and Jiang Jianing, who stayed in the dorms, would also come early.

Xu Yuqing gritted her teeth and got up to pack everything. Looking at the already organized suitcase, she finally covered the bed and tidied up the house.

In the cabinet were two notebooks. This time, Xu Yuqing detailed every single event that had happened, including the incident with Xia Huaqiang.

She did not overly dramatize her fear but described the scene calmly. In her imagination, Xu Yuqing would lie beside him, telling him how she had become stronger.

But now she was leaving, unsure of how he would react when he read this.

Touching the new clothes she had made for Xie Junli, she carefully locked the cabinet door and placed the key in a drawer by the bed. She picked up the suitcase and stepped out the door.

She locked the courtyard gate and walked to the Yan family's home. "Sister Yan Lan, I'm ready to leave."

Inside, it was lively, even Old Master Yan was there. Recently, Old Master Yan's condition wasn't good, and Mother Yan couldn't bear to leave the children alone, so she insisted on staying together rather than leaving Old Master Yan alone.

"Good, be careful. Let Old Yu send you off."

"Okay, I understand. Give me the key; tomorrow I'll bring Liu Pei over to help you clean up." Xu Yuqing joked.

Yan Lan lightly slapped her, handing over the key with a scolding look. "No need to clean; everything is well-organized. Just uncover it. But you can cook a meal for Liu Pei and the others."

"Sure."

Xu Yuqing smiled, bid farewell to the elders, and sat on the back of the bicycle. She watched as the family compound grew distant.

The journey was quiet, Xu Yuqing lost in thought, and Yu Wenyao, riding the bike, was also deep in his own thoughts.

At the train station, Xu Yuqing hopped off the bike, about to thank him, when Yu Wenyao hesitated and spoke up, "That... Little Xu, when Old Xie returns, I'll let you know."

...

Xu Yuqing paused, then nodded with a smile. Was this a hint that it wouldn't be soon? Probably.

With that said, Xu Yuqing turned and strode into the train station. On the other side, Yu Wenyao sighed deeply, turning back towards the Military District without going home, heading instead to the Military Hospital.

In the topmost, quiet ward lay a man so emaciated he was barely recognizable, only his fine features giving away his identity. Still unconscious, Yu Wenyao's eyes instantly welled up.

"I've done what you asked, but when will you wake up? Seeing your wife like that, my heart breaks!" Yu Wenyao choked out.

Seeing his brother's pale, cracked lips, he fought back tears and poured warm water, using a small spoon to carefully feed him.

Xie Junli had returned two days ago, severely injured and bleeding profusely. He refused treatment locally, preferring to risk the journey back, and on the night of his return, he insisted that Yu Wenyao promise not to tell Xu Yuqing.

"Why go through all this? You should have stayed there until you were better. Now I'm caught between a rock and a hard place."

Thinking of Xu Yuqing's worn-out face, he wanted to curse, but the person before him suddenly opened his eyes and looked over.