Chapter 124: There’s Something Wrong with This Woman
After taking the family photo, the group hurriedly made their way to Fu Man Lou. Approaching the venue, they saw it packed inside and out with familiar faces from the military district. Everyone knew each other well; before the Song family had even arrived, the drinking had already begun.
Liu Guangmin, who hadn’t drunk in a long time, was flushed and boisterous before the meal started. His wife, Hu Xinxin, tried to reason with him but to no avail, so she simply moved aside to chat and laugh with the other ladies, choosing peace of mind over confrontation.
The atmosphere was harmonious, and with Lou Huaijin’s arrival, the military district was lively for once. Everyone wore bright, joyful expressions. Only one person stood apart, her demeanor calm and somewhat out of place.
That was Sun Xiaoqing, who had just come from the liaison office.
Although Song Tingshen had told her she didn’t need to attend the banquet, as a former comrade, it would have been improper for her not to come.
Yet, she felt uneasy. In the story, this joyous feast was meant to celebrate her and Song Tingshen’s union, which would only come two years later after the famine had ended. But now...
Suddenly, Sun Xiaoqing shuddered at the thought.
The famine.
At this very time next year, the military district would be enduring a great famine.
And she would play an absolutely pivotal role in it. It was precisely because of her great achievements during that famine that Song Tingshen would regard her differently.
Before she could dwell further, a burst of noise came from outside, with someone shouting, “The bride is so beautiful!” and “Congratulations to Commander Song!”
Sun Xiaoqing furrowed her brows.
Looking up, she saw Zhong Xiao, dressed in a red cheongsam, smiling brightly as she entered, with Song Tingshen beside her in a dark red Zhongshan suit. The pair stood together—one radiant as a rose, the other composed like pine and bamboo—light and dark, perfectly matched.
Those who had been drinking and laughing moments before stopped what they were doing and approached with broad smiles, greeting the newlyweds warmly.
“Happy wedding! Happy wedding!”
“Commander Song, your wife is truly beautiful. You’re very fortunate.”
“Commander Song, it’s your wedding day—make sure you don’t leave until you’re drunk!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Commander Song still has things to attend to tonight. How could he get drunk with you?”
Laughter erupted around, and Zhong Xiao blushed, lowering her head.
Song Tingshen noticed and glanced at her, signaling everyone to keep their jokes in check.
Many were already tipsy before eating, babbling nonsense. Zhong Xiao wasn’t one to mind jokes easily, just a little embarrassed. She’d get used to it soon.
As Song Qingfeng entered, Lou Huaijin and some old subordinates pulled him aside to talk. Zuo Lan chatted and laughed with the hospital staff. Jiang Yuan had several close sisters-in-law in the family quarters and was delighted to see them after so long.
Especially seeing Song Yanzhou brought joy to the sisters.
In the past, due to poor health and low self-esteem, Song Yanzhou rarely attended such gatherings, unwilling to face others’ pitying looks.
Even last year, when Zuo Lan held a birthday banquet, Song Yanzhou stayed home alone.
No one expected that on Song Tingshen’s wedding day, he would come out in a wheelchair.
“Big Brother Song and his younger brother really get along well. It’s been so long since we saw Big Brother Song; today he actually came out,” someone whispered nearby.
Another person added softly, “Of course they have a good relationship. Back then, Commander Song and the General almost split because the General’s mistake caused Big Brother Song’s paralysis...”
Before finishing, someone nearby covered the speaker’s mouth, glancing around nervously.
“You’re celebrating too much—you shouldn’t say that, you must be drunk.”
The speaker waved off the comment quickly.
But that random remark was overheard by Sun Xiaoqing in the corner.
She couldn’t help but recall the relationship between Song Tingshen and Song Qingfeng. What had caused the strain between them?
She seemed to remember that one year, Song Yanzhou was captured and held hostage by the enemy, and Commander Song was ordered to rescue him...
The details were hazy; she’d need to think it over carefully later.
At that moment, Sun Xiaoqing heard a gentle, smiling voice.
“You must be Comrade Sun Xiaoqing, right? I didn’t get a chance to greet you properly earlier. Sorry for the oversight.”
The speaker was the day’s heroine—the bride, Zhong Xiao.
Sun Xiaoqing stood and faced her, wearing a faint smile but feeling a deep resentment within.
This minor character, a discarded fiancée in the original tale, had clearly recognized Sun Xiaoqing’s hostility upon meeting her at the Song household. Yet now she feigned cordiality and greeted her.
Truly a disposable role.
Hypocritical and foolish.
The very thought of this woman stealing her spotlight and her man filled Sun Xiaoqing with anger, though she could only mask it with a forced smile as she responded perfunctorily.
“You’re too kind. I just came and went quickly earlier because I had business with Tingshen. Sorry I didn’t have more time to speak with you.”
That brief remark confirmed Zhong Xiao’s suspicions.
This Sun Xiaoqing was far from simple.
Today was Zhong Xiao and Song Tingshen’s wedding banquet. The woman before her kept calling him “Tingshen,” signaling a close relationship, yet she refused to address Zhong Xiao as “Sister-in-law.”
Her intentions were clear.
Zhong Xiao didn’t argue but smiled openly instead.
She didn’t mind an enemy.
What mattered was that with the enemy in the shadows and herself in the open, she now knew for sure that Sun Xiaoqing was no ally. Her mind was made up.
With a bright smile, Zhong Xiao replied graciously.
“Nonsense, Comrade Sun. You’re our guest. It’s us who haven’t been hospitable enough today. No need to be embarrassed. Feel free to enjoy yourself.”
With that, Zhong Xiao turned and took Song Tingshen’s wrist, leaving gracefully behind.