Volume One, Chapter 12: Brother Shang Must Have Been Forced

At nine o’clock, the courtyard was bustling with people. Upon seeing the Commanding Officer’s wife, many couldn’t help but greet her warmly.

When she arrived, accompanied by Ji Wenqian, and entered Shang Chen’s courtyard, a crowd quickly gathered inside.

This was characteristic of the 1980s, unlike thirty-five years later when people valued privacy and rarely dropped into others’ courtyards unannounced.

Hearing the Commanding Officer’s wife mention that Shang Chen had married, gossip began to spread.

“Captain Shang is such a young talent. Comrade Ji pursued him so persistently and still couldn’t win him over. Could the new bride be a goddess?”

“Whether she’s a goddess or not, just look—she’s standing right there.”

“Oh, she’s really quite beautiful. No wonder she managed to charm our iron-willed tough captain.”

One had to admit, Song Yi was truly striking. Even dressed in the most ordinary polyester-cotton short-sleeved shirt and plain black cotton trousers, she exuded a fresh, enchanting aura.

Even Ji Wenqian, known as the army’s beauty, paled in comparison beside her.

Shang Chen gave a military salute. “Reporting to the Commanding Officer’s wife: this is my beloved, Song Yi.”

Song Yi smiled gently. “Hello, Commanding Officer’s wife.”

Jiang Lan noticed Song Yi’s composed demeanor and a flicker of caution crossed her eyes, though she maintained a pleasant smile. “Please, sit down. Don’t be so formal. I just heard from Wenqian that Little Shang got married, so I came to ask about it. What’s going on with you two? Such a sudden marriage?”

“Little Song is quite something. Shang is the army’s hottest ‘star soldier.’ I never expected you could marry him.”

Song Yi was no teenage girl. If she had been, hearing Jiang Lan’s praise would have delighted her. But having lived this life before, she immediately sensed the underlying implication.

On the surface, Jiang Lan complimented her, but beneath that was an accusation—that Song Yi must have used some underhanded means to win Shang Chen over.

Otherwise, how could Shang Chen, cold and aloof as stone by nature, marry her less than a week after returning?

A cold glint flashed in Song Yi’s eyes as she replied carefully, “Shang Chen and I were betrothed as children. This marriage was arranged by our families.”

Ji Wenqian curled her lip. “What kind of era is this, still practicing child betrothal? Even the Chairman advocates free love now.”

She suggested that with Shang Chen’s excellence, there was no way he would choose a countryside girl.

It seemed the marriage was forced by family pressure—perhaps Song Yi’s family pushed for it.

How unfair! Absolutely outrageous!

Jiang Lan scolded, “You child, how can you say that? Maybe our Shang has his reasons.”

The two of them quickly portrayed Song Yi as a scheming woman who forced the marriage, while painting Shang Chen as the poor victim.

Song Yi laughed bitterly but said nothing, turning her gaze to Shang Chen.

To her, it didn’t matter whether the marriage existed or not. If Shang Chen agreed with Jiang Lan and Ji Wenqian’s view, divorce could be an option.

Shang Chen’s handsome face was as cold as stone, his brows tightly knit with displeasure. “Comrade Ji, please choose your words carefully. Though we were betrothed as children, this was entirely voluntary on both sides, and I was the one who proposed. There is no question of unwillingness.”

Ji Wenqian’s face paled but she still believed from the bottom of her heart that Shang Chen was coerced. “Brother Shang, I know you have your reasons, but don’t be afraid. If you don’t want this, I can have my father issue a statement to arrange a divorce.”

Shang Chen said coldly, “No need. Commanding Officer’s wife, if there’s nothing else, my wife and I will take our leave.”

He was clearly furious and even dismissed Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan’s expression darkened but she held back her anger, standing up with a smile. “Very well, then rest well. Little Song, right? I live in the building ahead. If you need anything, come find me.”

With no more entertainment, the crowd naturally dispersed, though gossip continued—most loudly from Mrs. Wang, who lived next door to Song Yi.

“I always wondered why Captain Shang married so quickly. Turns out he was framed.”

“Betting on a childhood betrothal is nonsense. It’s just that Shang Chen has shown promise, and she clung to him.”

“Maybe she’s using gratitude to force Captain Shang to marry her.”

“A village girl from the countryside, probably barely literate, how could she be worthy of Shang Chen? Only someone like Comrade Ji—beautiful, smart, and well-educated—suits him.”

Mrs. Wang, though barely educated, managed to use phrases like “using gratitude to manipulate,” which was quite sophisticated.

Her husband was the Commanding Officer’s driver and often schmoozed the Commanding Officer’s wife. Knowing Ji Wenqian liked Shang Chen, he frequently mentioned Ji in front of Shang Chen, hoping to bring them together.

Now with Song Yi’s interference, Mrs. Wang, who considered herself a loyal supporter of the Commanding Officer’s wife, could not tolerate it.

This meant losing a chance to curry favor with the Commanding Officer’s wife.

Besides, the Commanding Officer’s wife had made it clear between the lines that she was very dissatisfied with this marriage.

The crowd, having no personal ties to Song Yi, naturally sided with Mrs. Wang.

After all, her husband was the Commanding Officer’s driver.

“Exactly, and look at her face—she’s just like the seductress in the dramas, probably using that face to tempt Captain Shang.”

“Ugh, poor Captain Shang, such a great man destroyed by one woman.”

“I say, Captain Shang and Comrade Ji are the perfect match. She’s the army’s pride—beautiful, talented, and a future university student. I don’t know what Shang was thinking marrying a rural wife.”

“No way—we should petition Commanding Officer Ji to have Captain Shang divorce.”

“Yes, let’s go find Commanding Officer Ji.”

Xu Wan frowned sharply at the crowd flattering Mrs. Wang and saying anything to please her. “What nonsense are you all talking? Temptation, destruction—Captain Shang himself said this marriage was his initiative; both parties are willing. It’s none of your business to chatter here. Besides, I think Song Yi is quite good—pretty and poised.”

She truly disliked these people who would say anything for a bit of favor.

When the crowd saw Xu Wan daring to oppose them, they immediately grew displeased and began to criticize her loudly.

“You Zhu family girl, you’ve been deceived! Captain Shang’s words only show he’s kind and doesn’t want to expose Song Yi.”

“Yes, Li Wan, you’re young and don’t understand that appearances can be deceiving. Otherwise, why would Captain Shang with such a bright future marry a rural girl?”

Outnumbered by eight voices, Xu Wan picked up six-year-old An An. “I’m not arguing with you. I think Comrade Song Yi is very good, and I’m going to befriend her.”

Her husband had sacrificed himself. As a martyr’s family member, she feared no one’s hostility.

She believed Song Yi was a good person and was more than willing to be her friend.