Chapter 23: Pin It on Him

Chapter 23: Pin It on Him

Jiang Chengxiao was momentarily stunned before he smiled and said, "It healed a long time ago. In our line of work, scrapes and bruises are common. We’re used to it; it’s no big deal."

After speaking, he suddenly remembered that he was no longer in that line of work.

He gave a wry smile: "Moreover, I won’t encounter such things anymore."

"Mm, we can live a stable and peaceful life thanks to you, our soldiers, who protect us."

Jiang Chengxiao felt a bit embarrassed by her words: "Ahem, it’s our duty."

Song Xilan said with a stern face, "So, Jiang Jingru is really too much. If she wants to be with someone else, she should have made it clear to your comrade first, break up, and then be with someone else, instead of playing both sides, unwilling to let go of either."

Jiang Chengxiao sneered, "She’s unwilling, but not because of the person, but because of the money he sent her every month."

Song Xilan was shocked again: "She actually took his money?" Her parents always told her that before marriage, a girl should never casually spend another man’s money, let alone directly ask for it. That’s not proper behavior for a girl.

"Guang Shan’s allowance was twenty-eight yuan. He sent ten to his parents, ten to Jiang Jingru, and only kept eight yuan for himself. Despite that, he managed to save over a hundred yuan to buy her a watch."

Song Xilan: "Then what will happen to his parents now that he’s gone?"

"The organization provides compensation, but I can’t just let that woman off the hook. I just checked; Guang Shan sent her money for three years, totaling three hundred and sixty yuan. I’m going to get it all back."

Song Xilan nodded in agreement: "Yes, that’s the right thing to do. The money can be saved for his parents’ retirement, and the watch can be kept as a keepsake."

Jiang Chengxiao looked at her with a smile. Indeed, she was the girl he liked, so kind!

"Right, that’s exactly what I plan to do. So there’s one more thing I need your help with."

Song Xilan: "Me? What can I do?"

"I hope you can accompany me to meet Jiang Jingru. She’s very cunning and full of tricks. I’m worried something might happen if I go alone."

Song Xilan was puzzled: "What could happen?" He was a big man, and he seems quite capable. That day, he had a burly man begging for mercy with just one hand. Why would he be afraid of a woman?

Jiang Chengxiao gave her an example: "When I was in the army, there was a girl from a nearby village who took a liking to my comrade. But that comrade already had a girlfriend back home, so he rejected her. Later, one time when we were resting, the girl said something was broken at her house and asked my comrade to help fix it. My comrade, in a moment of confusion, went alone. Guess what happened?"

Song Xilan widened her eyes, looking innocent, and shook her head: "I can’t guess."

"As soon as he entered the house, the girl took off her clothes, hugged my comrade, and wouldn’t let go. She called out to the neighbors. Seeing this, the villagers demanded that he give the girl an explanation, or else they wouldn’t let him leave and would report him to the army for disciplinary action. In the end, my comrade had to marry her."

"Wow, how could someone be so shameless?"

"Exactly. After that, everyone was afraid of such things happening to them, so whenever we went out, especially to someone’s house, we always made sure to bring a companion, just in case something happened and we couldn’t explain it."

"Oh, I see," Song Xilan realized, "So you want me to accompany you!"

Jiang Chengxiao looked as if he had narrowly escaped a disaster: "Last time, I almost fell into her trap. She specifically came to find me and wanted to go to my hotel room. Luckily, I was cautious and took her to the hotel’s coffee shop instead. Otherwise, I might not be standing here talking to you now, but busy preparing for a wedding."

Song Xilan thought for a moment, then suddenly covered her mouth in surprise: "Oh my, but at that time, she was already, already..."

Jiang Chengxiao gave a bitter smile: "At first, I thought she was just looking for a new partner because Guang Shan was gone, and that’s why she approached me. But now, after hearing what you said, I realize she wanted to pin the child in her belly on me!"

Upon hearing this, Song Xilan couldn’t help but glance at the top of his head, imagining a baby with its head down and feet up, planted upside down on his head, and couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing.

Jiang Chengxiao: "I almost got into serious trouble, and you can still laugh!"

Song Xilan quickly became serious again: "Don’t worry, I will definitely help you with this. What do you plan to do?"

"In the afternoon, I called the base and had someone pull up the records of Guang Shan's money transfers to her over the years from the post office, as well as the receipt for the watch he bought. They’ll send everything over, and then we can face Jiang Jingru with the proof. She won't dare not return the money."

Song Xilan had never done anything like this before, and she felt both nervous and excited. She clenched her hands and promised, "Yes, come find me then, and we will definitely help your comrade seek justice."

Then, she looked in surprise at the crumpled paper bag in her hand, realizing that she had been so engrossed in talking to Jiang Chengxiao that she had unknowingly finished the entire bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts.

Where had they gone? Upon careful thought, it seemed she had eaten the entire bag.

And Jiang Chengxiao had been the one peeling them for her.

Gosh, how could she be so bold as to let someone peel an entire bag of chestnuts for her?

Just then, there was a trash bin ahead. Jiang Chengxiao walked over, pulled out a handful of chestnut shells from his coat pocket, and tossed them in. Finally, he took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. "Alright, we've finished discussing the important matters. How about letting me take you out to eat today? Think of it as an early thank-you for helping me."

Song Xilan replied, "Maybe we should wait until I've actually helped you. I didn't tell my mom in advance, and she’s likely already cooked dinner for me."

Jiang Chengxiao said with a shrug, "Alright, next time then." It was good that the girl was so well-behaved; she wouldn't be easily swayed by small favors.

"Shall I walk you home?"

Song Xilan, jumped like a startled rabbit, said, "No, no, it's not necessary. It's very close; I can go back by myself." She lowered her head and explained sheepishly, "Our neighborhood is full of people I know."

The nosy aunties in the neighborhood were truly terrifying!

Song Xilan could only see the barrage of comments when the plot involved her or someone important to her.

Therefore, she had no idea what kind of shock the usually talkative audience in her mind was experiencing at that moment.