The beloved but ungrateful girl is reborn: This time she has truly changed.

Liang Bing immediately assured her, "Don't worry, I'll protect Wang Dong immediately!"

Chen Xiangqin smiled, feeling completely drained, and was helped away by the young soldier Liang Bing had called over.

As she watched the rising sun, a faint, almost imperceptible smile slowly curved her lips.

Zhou Lingbin, you didn't expect this, did you?

The weak, ignorant, and easily manipulated rural woman in your eyes may one day turn on you.

This is what they call, "Heaven's justice is clear, and retribution is inevitable."

.

On a pale, winter morning in Beijing, the sky was a stark white.

In the barracks of the military camp on the outskirts of Beijing, most of the rooms in Wang Dong's single dormitory building were still quiet.

Only the window in the innermost room on the third floor has its curtains tightly closed, and it hasn't been opened since last night.

Inside the room, Wang Dong sat on the edge of the bed, his back hunched over, like a mountain about to collapse.

It was already broad daylight. The curtains weren't drawn, but sunlight still pierced through the gaps, casting several dazzling spots of light on the concrete floor.

Dust particles danced slowly in the beam of light, as if oblivious to human suffering.

Wang Dong's eyes were bloodshot.

Another sleepless night.

Several letters were spread out on the bed in front of him.

The letter paper was yellowed and the edges were frayed, clearly indicating that it had been repeatedly rubbed.

There were five envelopes in total, each thin, with the words "To Comrade Wang Dong" written on them in neat handwriting.

It was sent by Tang Tiantian.

They had been married for six years. He was in the military, and she lived in Beijing, separated by distance.

She refused to join the army, saying she didn't like the military environment.

So he wrote her a letter every week without fail, and over six years, he accumulated a thick stack of them.

But she only replied to these five letters in total.

With trembling hands, he picked up the top letter and unfolded it.

The handwriting is neat and beautiful, but the content is sparse:

"Wang Dong: I received your letter. I'm very busy at the supply and marketing cooperative and don't have time to reply. Focus on your work and don't worry about home all the time. Sweetie."

Second letter:

Wang Dong: I received the money. Prices have gone up recently, and I don't have enough money. I'll send more next time. Sweetie.

Third letter:

Wang Dong: Grandma isn't feeling well and needs nutritional supplements. Could you send her another fifty yuan? Sweetie.

Fourth letter:

Wang Dong: I want to buy a wool coat; all my colleagues have one. Send me eighty yuan. Sweetie.

The fifth and final letter was sent six months ago:

"Wang Dong: I've been very busy lately, so please stop writing so often; it's affecting my work. Don't come back unless it's absolutely necessary; it's a waste of money to travel back and forth. Sweetie."

Each letter contained only two or three sentences.

Impatience was almost overflowing from the page, as if it were a task that had to be completed.

As Wang Dong looked at the letters, he made a "hoarse" sound in his throat, which sounded like both crying and laughing.

Six years.

He lived frugally, sending most of his allowance home and keeping only a few dollars for himself to buy toothpaste and soap.

He was injured during training, breaking two ribs, but he didn't tell her because he was afraid she would worry.

He had done a good job and received a medal, and the first person he wanted to share it with was her.

But what is she doing?

She was having an affair with her cousin Tang Aijun. They rented a small courtyard in the back alley of the supply and marketing cooperative and did those filthy things in broad daylight without even drawing the curtains!

She even fathered two illegitimate children!

Wang Dong suddenly clenched the letter, the paper crumpling into a ball in his hand.

He wanted to tear it apart, burn it, and destroy it all.

But when he raised his hand, it froze in mid-air.

What's the point of tearing it up?

What's the point of burning it?

The facts were there, like a dull knife, cutting into his heart again and again.

He wanted to curse Tang Tiantian with the most vicious words in the world, to tear her to pieces, and to make her suffer a terrible death.

But after racking his brains, he found that none of those words were enough to quell the hatred in his heart.

When hatred reaches its extreme, one becomes speechless.

Only a mouthful of blood remained, stuck in his throat, unable to be swallowed or spat out.

Yesterday, after returning from the police station, he went to see Political Commissar Liang Bing.

Liang Bing said that this matter requires going through procedures, collecting evidence, and waiting.

The military has its own rules; you can't just do whatever you want.

Wait?

How long will it take?

one day?

Two days?

A month?

Wang Dong felt that if he waited any longer, he would go crazy.

Now, whenever he closes his eyes, all he sees is Tang Tiantian and Tang Aijun together, Tang Tiantian's charming face, and the gentle and virtuous demeanor she puts on in front of him.

Six years.

He was deceived for six years.

Like an idiot.

"Knock knock knock".

A knock on the door suddenly broke the silence in the room.

Wang Dong didn't move.

"Knock knock knock." Three more knocks, very light, but very clear.

He then slowly raised his head and looked towards the doorway.

My eyes are bloodshot, and my vision is blurry.

"Who?" he asked, his voice hoarse like a broken bellows.

"Company Commander Wang, I need to speak to you urgently." A young, unfamiliar voice came from outside the door, carrying the crisp, efficient quality typical of soldiers.

Wang Dong stood up, his steps unsteady.

He walked to the door and opened it.

A young soldier, around twenty years old, stood at the door, dressed in a neat military uniform and wearing a military cap, his face red from the cold.

Upon seeing Wang Dong, he immediately stood at attention and saluted: "Company Commander Wang, I am here on orders from Minister Zhou of the Logistics Department to invite you to attend the Fengxian County慰问报告会 (comfort and report meeting)."

"Minister Zhou?" Wang Dong frowned. "Zhou Lingbin?"

"Yes!" the young soldier nodded. "Minister Zhou said that you are a combat hero and should participate in more activities like this to set an example for the soldiers."

Wang Dong's mind was foggy.

Feng County?

The most remote county on the outskirts of Beijing is dozens of miles from the city center. The mountain roads are rugged, and the roads are even more difficult to travel in winter.

He was a combat hero and was indeed frequently invited by various units to give reports, recounting his combat experiences and heroic deeds.

But what about the logistics department's condolence report meeting?

What does this have to do with him?

"Company Commander Wang," the young soldier urged, seeing his hesitation, "time is tight, the vehicle is waiting at the door. Would you like to wash your face? I'll get you some water?"

Wang Dong then noticed that he hadn't slept all night, hadn't washed his face, hadn't combed his hair, had a scraggly beard, and was still wearing yesterday's clothes, which were all wrinkled.

How did he end up like this?!

"Tell your Minister Zhou," he rubbed his temples, which were throbbing with pain, "that I'm not feeling well and can't go."

The young soldier hurriedly said, "Minister Zhou said that he knows you're not feeling well, so he'll arrange transportation for you. You just need to say a few words on the stage. The people in Feng County are all looking forward to your visit."

These words were spoken earnestly.

Wang Dong hesitated.

He is a war hero; this is both an honor and a responsibility.

Soldiers and civilians alike wanted to hear his battle stories and feel that passion; he couldn't let them down.

Moreover, staying in the dormitory only leads to his overthinking and being tormented by those images.

Going out for a walk might make me feel better.

"Give me five minutes." He finally nodded.

The young soldier breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay! I'll wait for you at the door!"

Wang Dong closed the door and walked to the washbasin stand.

There was still half a basin of cold water in the enamel basin. He scooped up the water and splashed it on his face.

The icy water jolted him awake, clearing his head a bit.

He looked at himself in the mirror and gasped.

How did he become such a horrible sight?!