Chapter Five: Higher Rank Crushes the Common Man

"Exactly." Qiao Luo cast a sidelong glance at Chen Liao.

Fang Qing’s eyes flicked between Chen Liao and Qiao Luo. Just moments ago, they had stood so close that from this angle, the broad back of the man completely overshadowed Qiao Luo.

Her sixth sense told her this was no simple matter.

Contemplating this, she drew her conclusion.

“How could you openly seduce my man in broad daylight?” Her voice sharpened, instantly drawing the attention of several nearby military wives eager for gossip.

Ignoring right or wrong, they began to point fingers at Qiao Luo.

Such a heavy accusation—at best a minor quarrel, at worst a moral scandal that could lead to suspension or investigation of Ji Feng’s family—revealed Fang Qing’s malicious intent.

Qiao Luo, fully aware of the stakes, instantly bristled. “Sister, don’t eat your rice and talk nonsense. Which eye of yours saw me seducing your man?”

Fang Qing, incredulous, pointed a finger at her. “You—you call me sister?”

Qiao Luo was stunningly beautiful; standing side by side, the difference was stark. If it came to comparison, Fang Qing's title as the unit’s “flower” might be at risk.

Qiao Luo glanced at them. They were clearly not from the same family, not under the same roof. Chen Liao and Fang Qing were an odd pair indeed.

“Besides, I’m not interested in Qin Yanzhou, so why would I go after him? Even the blind can see who’s attractive,” Qiao Luo said with disdain, her words more insulting than hurtful.

The murmurs quieted somewhat, as people considered her words. Ignoring Qin Yanzhou’s leg injury, he was not unattractive, just habitually stern and unapproachable.

The new wife of the commander seemed fiery and sharp-tongued, unwilling to take any slight.

Sensing the tide turning, Fang Qing shifted all her dissatisfaction with Qin Yanzhou onto Qiao Luo and, gritting her teeth, said, “You dress so gaudily. Taking advantage of Chen Liao’s arrival, aren’t you just using some sly enchantress’s tricks?”

In the conservative 1970s and ’80s, such an accusation, if proven, could ruin a person’s reputation for life.

Qiao Luo bristled at the “gaudy” remark. Her eyes suddenly hardened, and she shed her usual playful demeanor, her expression resolute.

Her piercing gaze made others uneasy.

“You’re so good at spreading rumors; it’s a shame you’re in the military,” Qiao Luo said coldly, sneering. “Your man is no better than a loser, staying silent all this time.”

Chen Liao beside her flushed with anger, his face a mix of blue and white. “Qiao Luo, don’t be so aggressive!”

“Some people have thicker skin than the Great Wall’s corners and don’t even realize whose turf this is!” Qiao Luo shot back sharply, her confidence swelling. “Chen Liao came first…”

Chen Liao knew he was in the wrong and hurriedly tried to cover Qiao Luo’s mouth, but she turned her head away, though he still managed to grasp her arm.

“Stop!” Qin Yanzhou returned during lunch break. Seeing a crowd gathered at the doorstep was one thing, but witnessing Chen Liao about to lay hands on Qiao Luo was another.

His gaze instantly sharpened.

Startled as if shocked by electricity, Chen Liao released Qiao Luo, his face embarrassed as he called out, “Commander.”

“What is going on here?” Qin Yanzhou’s dark, deep eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing.

Qiao Luo quickly hid behind Qin Yanzhou, adopting a fragile, tearful voice as she pointed at Chen Liao and Fang Qing. “Yanzhou, you’re finally back! It’s them—spreading rumors and looking down on me. I’m at a loss for words.”

Everyone present was taken aback. Qiao Luo's mood swings were quicker than flipping pages, yet she no longer looked like the same person from moments ago. Even without Qin Yanzhou’s arrival, she might not have been at a disadvantage.

Qin Yanzhou’s face darkened as if it could drip water, and the pressure around him dropped sharply, causing Chen Liao’s legs to weaken and nearly buckle.

Back when Qin Yanzhou’s leg was still uninjured, he had been the regiment commander of the army division. He had completed missions alongside Qin Yanzhou, and the man’s formidable methods had already been fearsome.

“Commander, this must be a misunderstanding,” Fang Qing said, suppressing her temper. Though she despised Qin Yanzhou, she could not show it.

She glared at Chen Liao as if berating him for being spineless.

“A misunderstanding? You say it’s a misunderstanding just like that?” Qiao Luo was not so easily fooled. She even helped Qin Yanzhou massage his shoulder. “Yanzhou, there are witnesses. Ask them if what I say is true.”

As Qin Yanzhou’s gaze swept over, the witnesses wavered, playing it safe.

“Comrade Fang is known for her straightforwardness; no ill intent.”

“She probably just thinks little Comrade Qiao is easy to bully. If it were under Commander Qin, she wouldn’t get off so lightly.”

“A woman’s reputation is paramount. Comrade Fang’s baseless accusations were truly excessive.”

“…”

Qin Yanzhou’s fingers gripped the edge of his wheelchair tightly. With a cold glance at Chen Liao, he spoke softly, “I suppose I must ask your regiment commander about how military rules and discipline are taught.”

If he did, it would be serious—the old man and Qin Yanzhou were close friends despite the age gap.

Chen Liao panicked, saluted, and said, “Commander, I should uphold discipline when seeing female comrades. I caused undeserved trouble and will voluntarily apply to have two months’ salary deducted. I truly apologize!”

Qiao Luo raised her eyebrows in surprise. The higher the rank, the heavier the pressure. Qin Yanzhou seemed even more formidable than she had imagined.

“Apologizing won’t help.” The man’s dark pupils fixed on Fang Qing, exuding dominance. “You’re the first to come looking for trouble with me.”

Fang Qing had had limited contact with Qin Yanzhou before, but his tone was chilling. Combined with rumors, it was enough to unsettle anyone.

“Alright, sorry,” Fang Qing said reluctantly.

Chen Liao, furious at Qiao Luo but helpless, apologized humbly. “Comrade Qiao, please forgive us.”

If the situation had been different, Qiao Luo might have even applauded Qin Yanzhou—she was thoroughly satisfied.

Clearing her throat, she said, “Two months is too little. Deduct three months’ salary so you’ll remember.”

Chen Liao’s heart bled but he grit his teeth and agreed, “Fine.”

Those around watched in fear. The farce ended, and the crowd dispersed.

Qiao Luo closed the door, still looking somewhat aggrieved.

Qin Yanzhou glanced at her and snorted softly, already unable to stay angry. “Stop pretending, Luo Luo.”

Her face instantly lit up with a joyful smile. She clapped her hands and laughed, “They started it. A salary deduction is well-deserved.”

“I will handle our marriage issues with Chen Liao,” Qin Yanzhou said.

After the engagement was signed, these sudden complications likely explained Chen Liao’s visit today.

He did not want Qiao Luo to suffer injustice, and he planned to also manage matters with her family.

Qiao Luo hummed, touching her nose. Was this what it felt like to be called out by a homeroom teacher for a talk?

After leaving Qin Yanzhou’s courtyard, Chen Liao and Fang Qing both wore dark expressions.

Once out of sight, Fang Qing directly confronted Chen Liao. “What exactly is going on between you and that Qiao Luo?”