Free Web NovelChapter 130: Chapter 130: Kicked to the Ground
「Meanwhile.」
After finishing his morning drills, Jiang Chen went to get breakfast for his sister. On his way through the family courtyard, he saw Wen Ci walking with a man he’d never seen before.
It looked like the man had just walked out of Old Commander Huo’s courtyard.
Jiang Chen’s eyes narrowed. Remembering the undeserved slap he’d received, he pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, his gaze turning ice-cold. ’If that’s not her lover, who is?’
With that thought, Jiang Chen charged toward them.
He had trained for years and was in peak physical condition. In a few quick strides, he was at Wen Ci’s side. He lifted his leg and kicked the man viciously, then spat on the ground. "My brother-in-law is injured, so you think you can come and make a move on his wife, huh?"
He needed a righteous-sounding excuse to beat someone up.
Xu Jinghe, completely blindsided, was knocked to the ground. His handsome face was a mask of confusion. "Who are you?"
Wen Ci’s brow furrowed as she snapped, "Jiang Chen, have you lost your mind? This is Huo Jingyuan’s childhood friend! What is wrong with you?"
"Childhood friend? Heh."
Jiang Chen didn’t believe it for a second. ’If he’s really Huo Jingyuan’s childhood friend, why have I never seen him before? Huo Jingyuan grew up in this courtyard too.’
Wen Ci cursed, "Fucking idiot."
It was breakfast time, and the family members passing by began to gather, eager to watch the drama unfold. One busybody even asked outright, "So, who’s stealing whose spouse?"
Wen Ci’s expression darkened. "You explain yourself."
"Explain what? You think I’m wrong? You’re a married woman, out and about with another man first thing in the morning. Of course it looks suspicious!"
Wen Ci was speechless.
She was used to her own brother’s blatant favoritism.
But she never imagined Jiang Chen would stoop this low.
In the 1980s, gossip was a terrifying force, especially in a close-knit courtyard like this. If rumors spread, not only would the Jiang Family become a laughingstock, but it could even affect their careers and promotions.
Xu Jinghe climbed to his feet and dusted off his pants. He scanned the crowd, then smiled and asked, "Aunt Wang, do you remember me?"
"Who are you talking to?"
There were several older women named Wang in the crowd.
"Your husband used to be Xu Jingguo’s guard, right? I’m Xu Jinghe, Xu Jingguo’s grandson. I lived here in the Beijing District Courtyard when I was a kid, too."
That was a name from a long, long time ago.
But some people still remembered.
"The grandson of Mr. Xu Sr.?"
"That’s right." Xu Jinghe nodded.
Huo Jingyuan’s maternal grandfather had died of natural causes.
Xu Jinghe’s grandfather, however, had been killed in action.
Hearing this, Jiang Chen felt a sinking feeling. He had never met this commander, Xu Jingguo, but he’d heard his father mention serving under him back in the day.
Wang Cuiping stepped forward and looked Xu Jinghe up and down, a wide smile spreading across her face. "You really do look just like Mr. Xu Sr."
Seeing that the others around them didn’t recognize the name, Wang Cuiping explained, "Back in the sixties, he was the head of the Seventeenth Army’s ace division."
The Seventeenth Army was legendary.
Xu Jinghe confirmed, "Huo Jingyuan and I really are childhood friends."
"This little rascal lived in the military courtyard when he was a boy. In the blink of an eye, he’s gotten this tall. How time flies."
Jiang Chen wanted to slip away.
But Wen Ci grabbed his arm. "Apologize!"
She couldn’t care less about the Jiang Family’s reputation; a little slander didn’t bother her. But Xu Jinghe had been knocked to the ground for no reason, and he deserved an apology.
Jiang Chen rubbed his nose sheepishly. "I’d never even seen him before. Besides, I was just looking out for my brother-in-law. I was worried someone was trying to make a move on you."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Xu Jinghe’s tone was clearly angry now. As someone who had grown up in the courtyard, he knew exactly how much the women here gossiped. If he hadn’t invoked his grandfather’s name...
