The Spoiled Young Lady Who Married a Military Officer-Chapter 167 - 165: Chen Zhengnian Has a Hidden Illness?
Mrs. Lu’s brow was furrowed in a tight frown. She looked at Su Tang and Wang Xinxin, who had gathered around, her gaze lingering on Wang Xinxin’s nervous face as she let out a heavy sigh.
"Your aunt... She... she found a potential match for Xinxin back in our hometown."
Mrs. Lu’s voice was strained as she carefully watched Wang Xinxin’s reaction.
"He’s the son of the new deputy director who was just transferred to their factory. I hear he’s a sharp young man, and his family is well-off. Your aunt thinks that’s a proper match, someone from a similar background. A good, stable marriage."
"She also said that if Xinxin went back, the family could be together again, and they wouldn’t have to spend so much time apart."
Even so, Su Tang could read between the lines of what Mrs. Lu was saying.
’Wang Xinxin’s mother probably doesn’t want her to marry someone in the Northwest.’
’And since she’s never met Chen Zhengnian, she’s bound to have her doubts.’
’It’s probably just like what Chen Zhengnian was worried about before.’
’There’s a vast difference in their social standing, and Chen Zhengnian’s family situation is complicated.’
’If Wang Xinxin marries into his family, she might be treated unfairly.’
’It would be better to choose someone from back home, a known quantity.’
’That line of thinking isn’t entirely wrong, I suppose. After all, parents always try to look out for their children’s best interests.’
"What?!"
Wang Xinxin staggered back a step in shock, her eyes wide. The sweetness she had felt just moments before because of Chen Zhengnian was instantly replaced by a feeling of bitter grievance.
"My mom... How could she do this! She didn’t even ask me!"
Her voice trembled, and her eyes immediately welled up.
Wang Xinxin had thought that with Mr. and Mrs. Lu’s approval, the matter was settled.
She never expected her own mother to suddenly create complications, even bringing up some deputy director’s son.
Su Tang quickly steadied Wang Xinxin by the arm, her own heart sinking.
She understood her aunt’s desire, as a mother, to find a better future for her daughter, but this approach was just too sudden and completely disregarded Xinxin’s feelings.
"Mom, my aunt has never met Commander Chen. She doesn’t know how good he is to Xinxin, or how Xinxin feels about him! This is..."
Su Tang tried to intercede.
Mrs. Lu waved her hand dismissively, the worried expression on her face deepening.
"It’s not just that. Your aunt also asked around about Chen Zhengnian. She heard from somewhere that he was once gravely wounded on the battlefield and almost didn’t survive. So she’s worried..."
Mrs. Lu lowered her voice even further, her tone laced with an awkwardness that made the words difficult to say.
"She’s worried the injury might have caused... fundamental damage. That it would be unfair to Xinxin later, that if Xinxin marries him, they might not even be able to have children."
The words struck the silent living room like a clap of thunder.
Su Tang was stunned. She never would have expected that to be the reason.
’She knew Chen Zhengnian had been injured, but it didn’t affect him like that at all.’
’They ran all the tests when he had his surgery.’
"How can she just listen to and repeat baseless rumors like that!"
"There’s nothing wrong with Zhengnian’s health! He’s a soldier, a hero! How can she think of him that way!"
Wang Xinxin trembled with anger, feeling a profound sense of injustice on Chen Zhengnian’s behalf. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Mrs. Lu’s heart ached for her as she pulled Wang Xinxin into a hug.
"I don’t believe it either, dear. Commander Chen is so full of life and so strong, you can tell just by looking at him that it’s not true. But you know your mother’s personality. She’s stubborn and fixates on things.
She jumps to conclusions at the drop of a hat, and now she’s completely fixated on this idea that the deputy director’s son is the better choice and that Chen Zhengnian is a risk."
Mrs. Lu patted Wang Xinxin’s back, her own stomach tied in knots with worry.
"She said that either Xinxin has to go back home and meet the deputy director’s son, or Chen Zhengnian has to go there himself so she can see him with her own eyes. And that it would be best if he could get some kind of certificate from a hospital. Only then will she be put at ease."
"A certificate?!"
Wang Xinxin shot her head up, tears still clinging to her eyelashes, a look of sheer absurdity on her face.
"That’s... That’s a complete insult to Zhengnian!"
She imagined a man as proud and resolute as Chen Zhengnian having to get that kind of proof just for their relationship, and her heart clenched painfully.
"I’m not going back! And I won’t have him get some kind of certificate! If my mom doesn’t believe it, she can come here and see for herself!"
Su Tang was also filled with anxiety. This affair was truly a storm in a teacup.
’Her aunt’s concerns were unreasonable, but for a mother in this day and age, especially one worried about her daughter’s future, it was... perhaps a little understandable.’
’But her motives were undeniably hurting the two of them.’
"So what do we do now?"
Su Tang looked at Mrs. Lu.
Mrs. Lu sighed. "What can we do? Your aunt was furious on the phone. She said Xinxin has gotten too big for her britches and won’t listen to her anymore, and even accused us of pushing her daughter into a pit of fire...
One thing led to another, and it got pretty ugly. In the end, she said either Xinxin has to go back right away, or Chen Zhengnian has to go to her in person, explain everything, and let her see for herself what kind of man he is—and whether his health is really up to par."
She paused before adding,
"She also said that if Chen Zhengnian doesn’t dare to go, or if he goes and can’t prove anything, then they should just call the whole thing off!"
"I’ll go."
A voice suddenly came from the doorway.
The three women in the room turned in unison, stunned.
Chen Zhengnian was standing in the open doorway; none of them had heard him arrive.
His tall figure was silhouetted against the light, obscuring his expression.
He had clearly heard the most critical part of the conversation.
Chen Zhengnian walked in, his gaze falling on Wang Xinxin’s face, full of heartache for her.
"Uncle, Auntie, I heard everything."
"I understand that Xinxin’s mother has her concerns. All parents want what’s best for their children."
He walked to Wang Xinxin’s side and took her hand.
"I will go to Xinxin’s hometown and pay my respects to her parents in person. Whatever questions or concerns they have, I will answer them and resolve them face-to-face. As for..."
He paused, his eyes as sharp as a blade.
"As for those baseless worries, I will find a way to let her mother see and hear the truth for herself. For Xinxin, this is nothing."
He squeezed Wang Xinxin’s hand, his gaze burning with intensity as he looked at her. "Trust me, and trust the man you’ve chosen. We’ll get through this together."
Chen Zhengnian’s words rang with conviction, acting like a balm to her frayed nerves.
She squeezed his hand back tightly and nodded with determination.
Watching the young couple, and seeing the frank and fearless expression on Chen Zhengnian’s face, Mrs. Lu felt most of her own worries dissipate.
"Good lad, good lad... Your willingness to do this is what counts. Go on, then. An upright person has nothing to fear from a crooked shadow! Your auntie supports you!"
Mr. Lu walked up to Chen Zhengnian and clapped him on the shoulder.
"This is unfair to you, but you’re doing the right thing. Acting like a real man! When you get there, talk to her properly and explain everything that needs explaining. We’ve done nothing wrong, so we have nothing to hide! Xinxin’s mom just has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You’ll have to be patient with her."
"I understand, Uncle."
Chen Zhengnian nodded gravely. "I’ll handle it."
There was no time to waste. Chen Zhengnian acted with swift decisiveness.
He immediately submitted a request for family leave to his superiors, explaining the situation.
The military leadership was also quite concerned with the war hero’s marital affairs. Coupled with his recent outstanding performance, his leave was approved smoothly.
’He had never bowed his head to anyone in his entire life, but for Wang Xinxin, he was willing.’
