Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2449 - 2385: Taking a Clear Stand

Meng Xinian shook his head slowly.

"If he'd truly taken a life, how could he still be around for us to see? He never got the opportunity to strike; he just let the rumor spread, and that fellow, gripped by terror and panic, attempted to escape that very night, only to tumble to his death in a nearby canal. Ironically, the spot wasn't distant from the location where Zhu Shun's wife had suffered her assault."

Perhaps the heavens had lent a helping hand to Zhu Shun.

It couldn't bear to witness his fate turning so heartbreaking.

All three listeners breathed out heavy sighs of relief.

Chen Yin let out a sigh: "This tale seems a touch hard to believe, yet it's evident the heavens are watching over things, in the end."

Meng Xinian added: "Folks from their village claim Zhu Shun's wife sought vengeance on her own, unwilling to let him throw away his life as well. Zhu Shun appeared to accept this view too; afterward, he sent me a letter stating his life now belonged to his wife and parents, and if they wished to shield him, he'd cherish it fully."

Thus, Zhu Shun stayed away from the military and carried on with his easygoing existence.

And he's remained single ever since, right?

"Who would've thought Brother Shun, always cracking jokes and appearing so lighthearted and joyful, carried such a heavy history." Wang Yi wiped away tears, moved deeply. "So, he never tied the knot again?"

"Likely not," Chiang Xiao replied: "If he'd found someone new, why would his life look this solitary?"

Once they'd wrapped up their talk on Zhu Shun, the group enjoyed their bowls of noodle soup before splitting off to return home.

Upon reaching home, Chiang Xiao freshened up and settled before the vanity, dabbing on the nourishing lotion blended from spring water and herbal powder, when a memory from her previous life surfaced in her mind.

So, that individual harbored such a sorrowful backstory too.

"What's bothering you?" Meng Xinian emerged from his bath, stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and gazed with her at their reflection as a pair in the mirror.

He could tell she'd been somewhat distant that day.

Chiang Xiao shook her head and said: "Nothing much, just pondering Zhu Shun."

"Fine, put him out of your mind now."

Meng Xinian brought up Zhu Shun with a sigh of his own, but the past was set, those events lay years behind them, and if Zhu Shun had managed to find peace on his own, it was wiser for them to leave it alone and not stir things up.

Chiang Xiao murmured in agreement.

"Brother Xinian, any word on the outcome of the troop movement talks? And has Little Cai tried reaching out to you?"

"No decision yet, though the relocation of troops is definite; the higher-ups are still hashing out the details." Meng Xinian's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Little Cai.

He truly dreaded her anger.

If anything, the mere idea of her shutting him out, keeping distance, felt like pure agony.

He quickly responded: "I'm not sure if she's been seeking me out. These past days, I've been stuck in the Enclosed Camp, never caught sight of her, and no word has come through about her. If you hadn't brought it up, she'd have slipped my mind completely!"

Chiang Xiao shot him a sideways look. "Brother Xinian, why the jitters?"

"No jitters here, just clarifying where I stand." Meng Xinian shot back right away.

"Pfft."

What a straightforward position.

"Aren't there folks on your end keeping tabs on the Gao Family, Lu Family, and Long Family to check their moves?"

"I'm not involved in tracking that sort of thing right now; it's up to my superiors to manage."

Meng Xinian drew her to her feet, pulled her into an embrace, and they tumbled onto the bed together, where he drew the covers over them, sighed deeply, and murmured: "Soon enough, I'll get pulled into these messes too, so for the moment, let's steer clear while we can."