Rebirth to a Military Marriage: Good Morning Chief Chapter 2537 - Miao Jing and Zhai Yaohui (38)

“Brother Zhai, I’m here to offer my apologies on my brother’s behalf. Truly, he’s merely feeling protective of me. He didn’t intend to strike you; I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him. If you must place blame, let it fall upon me. My brother acted out of concern for me. I shall endeavor to manage my emotions more effectively hereafter, avoiding displays of sadness or distress, so my brother is not tempted to cause you further trouble.”

“Oh…”

A considerable pause later, Zhai Yaohui responded with indifference.

“Oh?” Qi Minlan couldn’t help but echo his response. What sort of reply was that?

She had been grievously wronged by Zhai Yaohui and endured so much hardship. She had restrained her brother from seeking retribution, and Zhai Yaohui’s only response was an ‘oh’?

Where was Zhai Yaohui’s conscience? Where was his guilt or remorse?

“Is there anything else?” Zhai Yaohui rose to his feet. He dried his face and neck with a towel.

One had to admit, the physique of a soldier was undeniably appealing. He was like a walking embodiment of masculine vitality.

Even those women who typically didn’t appreciate muscular men couldn’t help but blush upon witnessing such a sight.

Qi Minlan’s gaze drifted for a moment, avoiding Zhai Yaohui’s imposing and sharply defined pectoral muscles. “There is nothing else.”

“In that case, please return. I need to take a shower.”

“…” Qi Minlan drew a breath. “Brother Zhai, are you displeased with me because of my brother?”

Her brother had intended to assault Zhai Yaohui. What did that have to do with her? Zhai Yaohui’s demeanor seemed amiss. Had a dog truly devoured his conscience?

“No,” Zhai Yaohui said, placing the towel around his neck. “I genuinely have matters to attend to.”

“Oh. I shall depart then.”

Zhai Yaohui’s attitude was quite vexing. Was he angry from his altercation with Shi Peng? Qi Minlan couldn’t discern any anger from Zhai Yaohui’s impassive face, and even if he were, she couldn’t determine if his displeasure was directed at Shi Peng or herself.

Helplessly, Qi Minlan could only depart solemnly once more.

As soon as Qi Minlan left, Shi Peng emerged from the adjacent small room. After a moment of self-deprecating amusement, he sat beside Zhai Yaohui without uttering a word.

Zhai Yaohui regarded Shi Peng with a touch of pity. Shi Peng was quite unfortunate to have such a sister.

Shi Peng was not an irrational individual. Even if Qi Minlan had wept and thrown a tantrum, it was exceedingly unlikely that Shi Peng would have sought out Zhai Yaohui to engage him physically.

Both men possessed a habit of engaging in sparring sessions. In order to placate Qi Minlan, Shi Peng had come over to spar with Zhai Yaohui after offering her verbal assurances.

In truth, Qi Minlan lacked keen observation skills.

Victory had never been decisively claimed by either Zhai Yaohui or Shi Peng in their encounters. If the two had truly engaged in a physical fight, it would have been impossible for Zhai Yaohui to emerge with merely disheveled clothing and profuse sweat.

At the very least, his face would bear bruises and swelling, with perhaps blood trickling from the corners of his mouth, wouldn’t it?

Judging by Zhai Yaohui’s current appearance, it could only signify that he had been engaged in strenuous physical exertion, not a brawl.

Shi Peng remained silent upon his arrival. He merely stated his desire to practice with Zhai Yaohui.

Coincidentally, following the commotion instigated by Grandma Zhai, Zhai Yaohui felt a sense of unease, and sparring with Shi Peng offered a means to release his pent-up frustration.

Who could have foreseen that Qi Minlan would choose that precise moment to arrive and make her presence known separately to both Zhai Yaohui and Shi Peng?

Upon hearing Qi Minlan’s words, how could Zhai Yaohui not realize that Shi Peng had been coerced by her?

It was evident that Qi Minlan had compelled Shi Peng to confront Zhai Yaohui. In a swift turn of events, she distorted the truth and shifted all blame and responsibility solely onto Shi Peng.

Zhai Yaohui felt a sense of relief that he genuinely perceived Qi Minlan only as a sister.

Otherwise, given Qi Minlan’s nature, domestic tranquility would have been an unattainable ideal.

“Get lost. What’s with that look?” Shi Peng felt a turmoil within him. His sister’s true colors were finally revealed to Zhai Yaohui. However, finding himself the victim of deception, Shi Peng felt a profound sense of displeasure.

Zhai Yaohui placed a hand on Shi Peng’s shoulder. “If you’re feeling unsettled, don’t suppress it. You can spar with me. This situation involves me to some extent, after all.”

Shi Peng brushed Zhai Yaohui’s hand away. “There’s no need for that.”

Zhai Yaohui understood that his sister, Qi Minlan, harbored many hidden intentions. Could it be that Shi Peng was only now experiencing this realization for the first time?

Shi Peng had long since noticed that ever since Qi Minlan learned why her surname was Qi and not Shi, she had become peculiar, and her disposition was no longer as endearing as it once was.

It was merely that today, having become directly involved, he experienced this reality anew and with greater intensity.

“However, I still do have to offer congratulations that the marriage arrangement with my sister fell through. Otherwise, you would have faced a multitude of troubles at home moving forward.”

Despite her being his blood sister, Shi Peng had to concede that Qi Minlan was indeed a source of complications.

Zhai Yaohui let out a smile. “I won’t have to suffer a headache over your sister anymore. However, you will.”

The relationship between himself and Qi Minlan had concluded, and they were now merely familial connections. This meant that in the future, the two of them would have no further dealings with each other.

Yet, Qi Minlan would be Shi Peng’s sister in this particular lifetime. Would Shi Peng truly be able to avoid involvement in her affairs?

Shi Peng’s countenance darkened, and he slumped onto the ground, disinclined to move. “Thank you. I haven’t forgotten that. You don’t need to remind me.”

After Shi Peng’s return to the Shi family estate, Qi Minlan acted as if nothing had transpired between them. She stayed close to him, constantly addressing him as her dear brother.

The more warmth she displayed, the colder Shi Peng’s heart grew as he observed from the sidelines.

During a communal meal, Elder Shi suddenly inquired, “Shi Peng, how fares your competition with Zhai Yaohui? Is your likelihood of securing a promotion greater than Zhai Yaohui’s?”

Shi Peng halted his spoon mid-air. Initially, he had no intention of divulging this matter to his father.

He had not anticipated that his father would glean this information through unofficial channels.

The victor of this particular contention would possess a substantial probability of being designated the successor to Chief Zhai, a veteran revolutionary.

Qi Minlan’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Brother, will you be the prospective Chief if you emerge victorious?”

If such an outcome were to materialize, what would be the purpose of her relentless efforts to be with Zhai Yaohui?

While being recognized as the Chief’s sister might not hold the same prestige as being the Chief’s wife, it would at least signify a connection to the Chief!

“…” Witnessing the evident concern from his father and sister, Shi Peng experienced a profound sense of unease within his heart. Neither of these familial figures truly considered his well-being.

Faced with such self-serving solicitude, a chill permeated Shi Peng’s heart. “Indeed, such a matter is on the table.”

“Are you confident in your prospects?”

Old Master Shi’s hand began to tremble, and agitation seized him. He ceased partaking in his favored dishes.

Was this not the very position that Old Master Shi had strived to attain for all these years?