He was a disabled military officer who doted on his research work in the Northwest.

The two women were eventually separated by their neighbors.

Zhao's mother's hair was disheveled on one side, and there were two nail marks on her face. Her collar was torn and deformed.

"You Shen family, just you wait!" She stood at the alley entrance, pointing at the Shen family's door, her voice hoarse but filled with boundless hatred, "We, the Zhao family, will not let you get away with this!"

Shen's mother leaned against the door frame, panting, with a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.

"Do whatever you want!" Mother Shen shouted back, her neck stiff. "You Zhao family members broke the law yourselves—don't blame the Shen family!"

Zhao's mother was being helped back by two neighbors, but after a few steps she turned around again:

"And another thing—the engagement is off! Our Zhao family doesn't want your vixen! Shen Yao—you can forget about ever setting foot in the Zhao family again!"

"Who wants to come into the home of a murderer! Your son can expect to be a bachelor for life!"

The two almost got into a fight again, but neighbors quickly pulled them apart.

The alley gradually quieted down.

The neighbors began to disperse, but the hushed discussions continued:

"This whole thing is a mess..."

Ultimately, it's Zhao Jianhui's own fault for being so incompetent.

"So, Shen Yao... do you think she's truly pitiful or just pretending?"

"Who cares? The Zhao family is finished anyway."

Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent; it was Factory Director Zhao who had arrived.

He was still worried about his wife coming alone, so he arrived late and stood at a distance at the alley entrance.

Everyone made way for him, watching him walk step by step into the center of the situation.

He didn't look at the people around him, nor at Shen Yao and her mother. Instead, he pulled his wife aside and coldly glanced at Shen Guoping, who had come out to mediate. "Shen Guoping."

Shen Guoping suddenly looked up and saw the former factory director, with whom he had almost become in-laws.

"My son's in jail. And I've lost my position too." Factory Director Zhao's voice was low and strained, as if squeezed from his throat, audible only to Shen Guoping and others closest to him. "But the Zhao family has been in this factory for decades; a mere suspension order can't erase that."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Your Shen family—you'd better watch yourselves."

After saying that, he turned and left.

……

Shen Yao returned to her small room and closed the door.

I sat on the edge of the bed.

My left cheek is still burning.

She looked at herself in the small mirror on the wall—half of her face was swollen like a steamed bun, with a clear five-finger mark.

But it's okay. It'll disappear in a few days.

She looked away from the mirror and gazed out the window.

The engagement was called off, and she had no further connection with the Zhao family.

As for Director Zhao's last words, she dismissed them with disdain, like a tiger whose teeth have been pulled, only able to howl in vain.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers unconsciously clutching the corner of the blanket, a single image swirling in her mind—

three days ago.

The main gate of the machinery factory.

She went to deliver food to Shen Guoping, who was helping with the aftermath at the factory. As she passed the gate, a military green jeep was parked there.

Mu Qinghan got out of the car.

He wasn't helped down, nor was he in a wheelchair; he walked down himself using crutches.

Two steps. Three steps. Four steps.

Every step was steady and firm.

His military uniform was impeccably tailored. The epaulets gleamed in the sunlight. His jawline was sharp and cold.

The soldier standing beside the vehicle waited respectfully for him to finish giving instructions before turning to leave.

Several passing workers saw him and automatically made way for him, their eyes filled with awe.

That aura—

He's far superior to Zhao Jianhui.

Even ten Zhao Jianhuis combined couldn't compare.

Shen Yao's fingers gripped the corner of the blanket tightly.

When they were in school, Mu Qinghan came to pick up Shen Tang several times.

A military jeep was parked at the school gate, and Mu Qinghan sat inside waiting. When Shen Tang came out, he would hand her a package of oiled paper, which looked like a snack, through the car window.

She remembered feeling a pang of jealousy at the time, but later comforted herself: it was just a favor on the way. How could a dignified regimental commander really fall for a country bumpkin who was being offered a bride?

Besides, he is disabled, so all things considered, Zhao Jianhui is a better choice.

But now—Zhao Jianhui is finished.

Shen Yao bit her lip.

On what grounds?

What gives Shen Tang the right?

How could someone who was abducted as a child, grew up in the countryside, and even had to transfer to high school as a substitute bride possibly end up marrying someone like Mu Qinghan?

Shen Yao stood up and walked to the mirror.

In the mirror—the left cheek is swollen, but the features are still delicate.

She tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ear.

The arranged marriage was for a daughter of the Shen family, but Shen Tang wasn't the only daughter in the Shen family. Moreover, Shen Tang had already signed a letter of annulment with her family, so logically, she was the rightful daughter of the Shen family, and this marriage was originally hers.

Shen Tang had simply picked up what she didn't want, but now that she wanted it, Shen Tang wisely stepped aside.

Zhao Jianhui went to prison—perfect timing.

The old will not go, and the new will not come.

Mu Qinghan —

Shen Yao raised her chin and smiled at herself in the mirror.

Gentle and innocent, pitiful and charming.

Whether he picks up or not Shen Tang or not—at least until now, those two haven't gotten married.

There's always something to be done if you're not married. After all, who can say for sure about these things?

Since ancient times, heroes have loved beauties, and tough men have mostly pitied the poor and weak.

She was being bullied, and the more pitiful she appeared, the easier it would be for him to approach her. After all, she was a daughter of the Shen family who had done the Mu family a favor. He couldn't very well turn her away.

Besides, she was pretty herself. She smoothed her hair in front of the mirror; her features were delicate, and she was more beautiful than most of the women in the factory. Otherwise, how could Zhao Jianhui have been so easily charmed by her?

Although Mu Qinghan was the regimental commander, he had spent most of his time in the military camp and had never seen a woman, which is why he took extra care of Shen Tang.

What does Shen Tang have?

He's just a country bumpkin, the only thing he does well in school is study.

If I take action myself, wouldn't it be a piece of cake?

just wait.

……

Five days after the completion of the rescue operation following the explosion at the machinery factory, the military region held a commendation meeting.

Military hospital. Auditorium.

The auditorium was packed with people. In the front row were military region leaders, hospital directors, and key officers from various regiments; in the back were medical personnel, logistics support staff, and soldier representatives who participated in the rescue efforts.

A red banner hung on the platform—

Decision on Commending Outstanding Individuals in the Rescue Efforts Following the '12.15' Explosion Accident at the Machinery Plant

The host then proceeded with the announcement.

"...Comrade Chen Jianguo from the military hospital worked continuously for twelve hours on the operating table, successfully completing three highly complex surgical procedures..."

applause.

"...Comrade Shen Tang used traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture techniques to precisely stop the bleeding of thirteen critically injured soldiers, buying precious time for surgical procedures. At the same time, he collaborated with Comrade Lu Yanzhi of the Agricultural Science Station to develop a purified antibacterial agent derived from plant roots, which played a crucial role in the anti-infection treatment of seriously injured soldiers..."

The applause grew louder.

"...Comrade Lu Yanzhi proactively provided valuable scientific research samples for drug purification during the rescue efforts and assisted in completing all preparation work. His selfless dedication is worthy of emulation by all comrades..."

Shen Tang and Lu Yanzhi went up on stage and received the award certificates.

Shen Tang was wearing a faded but neatly ironed blue Zhongshan suit today, her hair styled in a low ponytail. As she stood on the stage, her gaze unconsciously swept across the audience—

First row.

Mu Qinghan sat in a wheelchair, her military uniform impeccably tailored.

His gaze remained fixed on her.

The moment their eyes met—the corners of his mouth curved slightly, a faint smile, but he looked at her intently, not letting the smile fade.

Shen Tang's ears felt a little hot. She looked away and glanced down at the certificate in her hand.

When Dr. Chen took the stage to speak, he specifically mentioned Shen Tang's medical skills and Lu Yanzhi's selflessness.

"……

Comrade Lu Yanzhi unhesitatingly donated the only living sample he had collected in three years—he said, 'Saving lives is the most important thing.' This spirit is the most valuable thing about our team."

Lu Yanzhi stood on the stage, his ears so red they looked like they could bleed, wishing he could hide his face inside his collar.

Shen Tang stood to the side watching, and couldn't help but smile. Teacher, in the future you will be able to preside over the academy's grand meeting without changing your expression and speak eloquently. You haven't grown to that level yet.

But I know you can do it.

……

The compound. Evening.

When the news reached them, the women were picking vegetables at the entrance of the water room.

"Have you heard? Tangtang has been commended! It's been announced by the military region!"

"Absolutely—that medicine has saved so many lives!"

"Commander Mu is truly blessed!"

"A girl who can grow vegetables, cook, and even treat illnesses—you couldn't find one like her even with a lantern!"

Liu Fang came out of the washroom with a gentle smile on her face: "Yes, Tangtang is really amazing."

After leaving the washroom, her smile gradually faded.

She walked home. Her steps grew slower and slower.

She stopped when she reached her front door.

My gaze passed over the courtyard wall and landed on the vegetable patch in the backyard of the Mu family.

The life-saving medicine—I heard—was extracted from these plants.