The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 97

Worried that Old Yu might commit domestic violence against Zhang Jingjing, Song Mingyue rushed with Chen Che toward Jingjing’s home.

As they neared the courtyard gate, Song Mingyue could already hear the sound of arguing inside. Chen Che stepped forward, but Song Mingyue pulled him back first. Unless Old Yu resorted to physical violence, she knew she had to give them space; these were matters between a husband and wife, and it was best if they resolved them themselves.

Zhang Jingjing, however, was not one to be easily bullied. Her personality was fiery, and because she had spent so much time with Song Mingyue, she had adopted a very firm, principled stance.

“Old Yu, I married you, I didn’t sell myself to you,” Jingjing said sharply. “We are equals. Why should you get to work outside while I stay home to serve you? Because I didn’t serve you well enough, you betrayed our marriage. You are the one who failed me—what right do you have to talk to me now?”

Old Yu was furious, his emotions a mix of anger and desperation. He knew he had wronged her, but he didn’t want a divorce. “Everyone else is a virtuous wife and loving mother at home. Why can’t you be? If you hadn’t been running outside all day, I wouldn’t have…” He wouldn’t have been bewitched by another woman, he implied.

Jingjing felt that talking to him was like playing a lute to a cow. She didn’t want to argue anymore. “I am who I am, and others are others. If you like someone who acts as a ‘virtuous wife,’ go find one. Let’s get a divorce and let each other go. Isn’t that better?”

Hearing this, Old Yu became aggressive. Stronger than Jingjing, he tried to forcibly drag her into the house. Just as Song Mingyue prepared to charge in, she saw Jingjing grab a kettle from the side and smash it against his arm.

“I’m telling you, Old Yu, don’t push me,” Jingjing warned. “If you keep doing these shameful things, I will go to your unit and make it known. Let’s see if you can keep your position. At worst, we will go down together.”

The kettle contained water that had been boiled the previous day; thankfully, it was no longer scalding, but Old Yu still recoiled from the impact.

Song Mingyue ran to Jingjing’s side, shielding her. Ignoring Old Yu’s pain, she issued a stern warning: “Don’t think Jingjing has no family here. I am her family. If you dare to bully her again, just you wait and see.”

Old Yu wasn’t afraid of Song Mingyue, but Chen Che was standing right there. He feared Chen Che, so he could only bite his tongue and endure it. After this incident, the bridge between Song Mingyue and Old Yu was thoroughly burnt.

Zhang Jingjing moved into Song Mingyue’s home temporarily. Jingjing was reluctant, saying, “Yueyue, I can’t trouble you any longer. You are pregnant; you don’t need to quarrel with a madman for my sake.”

“Jingjing,” Song Mingyue replied firmly, “from the moment you decided to divorce, Old Yu was bound to vent his anger on me regardless. He isn’t the type to self-reflect. Whether you stay with me or not, the outcome is the same. You are my best friend—how could I watch you wander the streets? Just stay here and rest easy.”

Beyond Old Yu’s harassment, they also had to face the malice of certain people in the courtyard. Divorce was a significant affair. Jingjing didn’t want to deal with the gossip, nor did she want to explain herself. She and Old Yu had been introduced through an arranged marriage; both sides knew the family background, and a clean divorce was the greatest concession she could make.

Song Mingyue, too, felt like moving. Chen Che was about to leave for a mission, and without him, their current place was too far from their shop. Given her pregnancy, traveling back and forth was becoming exhausting. Song Mingyue and Zhang Jingjing decided together to buy a house and move out as soon as possible. Song Mingyue hoped to witness the city’s growth, which she knew would only improve starting this year.

Of course, Chen Che’s departure weighed heavily on her. She had grown accustomed to his presence, and she carried a deep, unspoken anxiety. Chen Che was supposed to leave just after the New Year, but he had received approval to stay a few extra days. The couple grew even closer; wherever Song Mingyue went, Chen Che followed.

At night, Chen Che would lie with his ear against her stomach, listening to the heartbeat of their child. Stroking her belly, he said with lingering reluctance, “Little Bean Sprout, Daddy has to go protect the country. You must protect Mommy while I’m gone, do you hear me?”

Song Mingyue gripped his hand, trying to hold back her emotions. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine here. But you—the region is mountainous. If something happens, don’t charge ahead. Your wife and child are waiting for you at home.”

Chen Che lifted his head and kissed her lips lightly. “Okay. I know.” He said he knew, but Song Mingyue understood his character all too well. If something happened, he would definitely be the first to charge in; no one was “sillier” than him in that regard.

With Chen Che’s departure looming, the atmosphere at home was somber. Wang Yufen cooked various elaborate dishes, yet Song Mingyue had little appetite. She often had nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat, her mind filled with images of Chen Che meeting with disaster. She would jolt awake, filled with anxiety and panic. At that moment, she felt grateful for the child in her womb; otherwise, she might have done something impulsive.

One evening, after working late, Chen Che didn’t go home immediately. He went to see Old Yu. Old Yu lived alone, and despite his flaws, he kept his home clean, true to his military roots. When he saw Chen Che, he was both annoyed and wary. “What are you here for?”

“To have a talk.” Chen Che walked straight into the house.

“What is it that you want?” Old Yu asked impatiently.

“A warning,” Chen Che said calmly. “While I am gone for this divorce, if anything happens to my wife, I will not let you off.”

Old Yu guessed his motive immediately. But he wasn’t someone who could be easily intimidated. Crucially, Old Yu still hadn’t realized his own faults, blaming Song Mingyue for everything that went wrong with his marriage. He had been waiting for Chen Che to leave, and he had no intention of letting Song Mingyue go easily.

“Your warnings are useless,” Old Yu countered. “As long as your wife doesn’t provoke me, I won’t touch her.”

“Even if she does,” Chen Che replied, “don’t you dare try to touch her.”

Old Yu sneered, “What, is Battalion Commander Chen going to ask me not to fight back if I’m bullied by a woman? I really can’t do that. Maybe you should just stop going on your mission and stay home to take care of her.”

Chen Che ignored him and asked instead, “You know about my family background, don’t you?”

This was the first time Chen Che had used his heritage as leverage. There were many rumors about his past in the unit, but everyone knew one thing for certain: he definitely had powerful backing.

“Those rumors are mostly true,” Chen Che continued. “My father holds a high position now. If you dare to lay a finger on his daughter-in-law, you won’t need me to act—someone else will deal with you.”

“What did you say?” Old Yu paled.

“I don’t have time to joke with you,” Chen Che said. “I have already entrusted people to watch over Mingyue. If something happens to her, you can consider your life ruined.”

In the military, Old Yu knew the importance of such connections. He deflated immediately, secretly relieved that he hadn’t actually done anything to Song Mingyue yet. Chen Che knew exactly what kind of man Old Yu was; such a warning was the most effective tactic.

By the time the Lantern Festival passed, the New Year was officially over. With new stock arriving, Song Mingyue returned to her daily work routine. Wang Yufen continued to manage the household, ensuring hot meals and soups were always ready when Song Mingyue returned.

Then, the day of Chen Che’s departure finally arrived. Usually, such departures were marked by grand send-offs, but their mission was special, so he left quietly.

The morning before he left, Wang Yufen checked his luggage again and again, terrified of forgetting something, even packing extra rations. It wasn’t strictly necessary, but seeing her mother-in-law’s dedication moved Chen Che deeply.

Song Mingyue lay in bed, unable to fully accept that he was really leaving. She shouldn’t be like this; she used to believe that a partner should only account for half of one’s life. However, looking at Chen Che, she only wanted to hold him tightly and never let go. She loved him so much. Yet, she understood that the more she loved him, the less she could confine him. A man as excellent as Chen Che was a part of why she loved him.

In their room, Song Mingyue handed Chen Che a small box. Chen Che looked at it, puzzled. “Open it and see.”

It was a unique military badge, perfect for when he wore his uniform. He didn’t quite understand the significance.

“It’s a reward for our family’s hero,” Song Mingyue said softly. “Your unit can’t have a public send-off, so this is my personal gift. I have always been proud of you.”

Chen Che embraced her, his heart stirred. In their line of work, they were accustomed to being in the shadows. They were often told: if they won, their names might not be on the medals, but if they lost, they would be sinners in the eyes of the country. He had always worked and sacrificed in silence. He thought no one understood him, yet here was the woman he loved, saying these words.

Chen Che was both shocked and overjoyed. He kissed her hair, his heart heavy with fear. “Yueyue, don’t be so good to me, or I won’t be able to bear leaving.”

“It’s not a permanent separation. Don’t worry. In a few months, I’ll come find you. I’m your wife; you can’t shake me off.”

In a few months, it would be time for Song Mingyue to give birth. Chen Che promised that he would take leave to be with her. In his line of work, many couldn’t return home even when crises occurred, but Chen Che was determined not to let Song Mingyue have any regrets.

As he did everything he could to care for her, Song Mingyue’s mind was equally consumed with thoughts of his well-being. She had already decided: once spring arrived and the shop was stable, she would go to Chen Che and stay by his side. It was only a few months; she could endure it. She refused to let the thought of him being in danger take root, pushing the fear away whenever it surfaced.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed his earlobe, and whispered emotionally, “Chen Che, I love you so much.”

Because she loved him, she was willing to do anything.