"How should I know? He didn't ask my opinion when he married a menace like her!"
Zhou Huaihua snapped.
She was sick and tired of her niece-in-law.
The moment that Song Qingya married into the Fei Family, she started pushing to split the household. It was obvious she was up to no good!
Thankfully, Fei Jin didn't listen to her.
This time, she'd seen Fei Jin carrying Song Qingya all the way home.
He was the one running around, doing everything.
A man has to juggle his military duties with caring for his sick wife at home.
It was just outrageous!
What kind of wife just lies in bed all day, waiting for her husband to serve her?
At this thought, Zhou Huaihua grew even more dissatisfied and started to grumble.
"I'd be thrilled if those two actually divorced! You all live so far away, you don't know how disgusting she is."
"What is it exactly?"
The crowd gathered around Zhou Huaihua, their eyes filled with curiosity.
"It's honestly so shameful! Forget it, forget it. I can't say it."
Zhou Huaihua sighed, appearing hesitant.
Even though she had brought up the topic herself, she now seemed reluctant to continue.
Only after everyone repeatedly urged her did Zhou Huaihua, a hesitant look on her face, wave them in closer.
Everyone huddled in, and the atmosphere instantly turned secretive.
Zhou Huaihua lowered her voice and whispered.
"That white cloth! They never even used it!"
Instantly, an uproar broke out in the crowd.
"Is that true?"
"You can't just say something like that. It could ruin a young woman's reputation."
To prove her words, Zhou Huaihua swore an oath on the spot.
"I swear on my son Jun'er's future, it's the absolute truth! On their wedding day, I personally delivered a white cloth. The next day, I went specifically to check on it. And guess what?"
"What?"
Everyone's curiosity was intensely piqued.
"The white cloth was still pristine!"
The crowd was indignant.
"What a scandal!"
Everyone started talking at once.
"For the Fei Village Chief not to even mention it… he's being far too concerned with her reputation!"
"If it were me, I wouldn't care about her reputation. I'd just throw her out for all the neighbors to see!"
"Back in the day, she'd have been drowned in a pig cage for this…"
The crowd grew furious, but some began to quietly wonder.
After all, Zhou Huaihua was the Fei Village Chief's aunt.
On the surface, she always seemed quite concerned about the Fei Village Chief.
So why would she be spreading such gossip about her nephew behind his back?
Seeing the people around her growing more and more animated in their discussion, Zhou Huaihua felt a smug satisfaction as the corners of her mouth tilted up slightly.
In truth, Zhou Huaihua had disliked Song Qingya from the very beginning.
'Once this incident blows over,' she thought, 'and Song Qingya loses Fei Jin's trust and has no one left to rely on, she won't dare bring up unreasonable demands like splitting the household again!'
And then, Fei Jin could find a young, beautiful girl to be his wife.
As for Song Qingya, she would probably never be able to marry again!
Zhou Huaihua already had the ideal candidate for her new niece-in-law in mind.
Wen Xiuxiu, who had just moved to the village, was a fine choice.
The girl was not only a diligent worker but also had a sweet way with words.
A hundred times better than Song Qingya, who just lazed around in bed all day doing nothing.
To others, she really did look like a lazy wife.
Song Qingya lay on the comfortable bed, her gaze fixed on the small courtyard outside the window.
Fei Jin was a junior officer in the military.
The house assigned to him was a small, two-story building—not luxurious, but quaint.
But for someone of his rank, it was more than comfortable enough.
The first floor of the house was well-laid out, containing a kitchen, a bathroom, a guest room, and a modest-sized bedroom.
The second floor was designed more interestingly, featuring a small attic.
This attic was not only spacious but also got plenty of sunlight.
However, what Song Qingya liked most was the small courtyard outside the building.
At the moment, nothing was planted in the courtyard.
It looked neat and spacious overall.
Song Qingya hoped her foot injury would heal quickly so she could start working on the yard with her own hands.
Just then, the enticing aroma of food wafted in from the kitchen.
Soon after, Fei Jin pushed aside the curtain hanging in the doorway and walked in.
He was carrying several aluminum lunch boxes filled with hot food, which he placed by the bed.
"You're such a good cook!"
Song Qingya couldn't help but exclaim as she looked at the sumptuous meal before her.
Thankfully, as a soldier, Fei Jin wasn't so easily swayed by gossip.
At that moment, Song Qingya's gaze shifted unintentionally from the lunch boxes to Fei Jin, then swept downward.
You couldn't entirely blame Song Qingya for being so perceptive.
It was early summer, and the weather was growing hot and humid.
Fei Jin had just come from the kitchen, and the thin shirt he was wearing was soaked with sweat.
In such a state, the shirt left little to the imagination.
Fei Jin had no idea that in the not-so-distant future, men would show off their physiques to get attention online.
So, he simply followed Song Qingya's gaze and glanced down at himself.
Sensing the awkwardness in the air, Fei Jin cleared his throat with a soft cough.
Song Qingya quickly averted her gaze, picking up her chopsticks to hide her flustered state.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes.
Fei Jin watched her eat with relish, a complex mix of emotions in his eyes.
He quietly observed her every move, an indescribable feeling surging in his heart.
His gaze held both affection and a faint sadness.
"I have a mission at the base today, so I have to go," Fei Jin said, his tone tinged with resignation.
"When will you be home, then?" Song Qingya's voice was gentle.
"As early as I can." Fei Jin's answer was noncommittal.
He didn't know if he could really make it back on time; he could only do his best.
"Okay, I'll wait for you to come home."
After finishing a piece of fish, Song Qingya gave him a sweet smile.
Lately, the distance between them had been growing.
A selfish thought suddenly crossed Fei Jin's mind.
'What if her recovery was a little slower...'
The thought made his heart ache.
He wished she could stay by his side a little longer, even if only for a short while.
The moment the thought formed, he snapped back to reality. Saying nothing more, he grabbed his jacket and left.
He knew the thought was too selfish to entertain any longer.
There was no point in dwelling on it.
Their appointment to file for divorce was this weekend.
From then on, they would live their separate lives without disturbing each other. Maintaining a peaceful facade was enough.
He had already prepared himself mentally.
Song Qingya ate happily.
Even after Fei Jin was gone, she was still immersed in the blissful feeling from a moment ago.
It was only when she heard the click of the lock that she realized Fei Jin had left.
The sound was soft, but it made Song Qingya's heart sink.
'Why didn't that guy say a few more nice things before he left? Did he have to go just like that?'
Song Qingya felt a little resentful, wishing he had said more, letting her bask in that warmth for just a little longer.