Chapter 169: There Will Be a Child

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: There Will Be a Child

The office was unusually quiet. Everyone was waiting for Jiang Moli to give her opinion.

Jiang Qing’s face was pale and she was swaying on her feet, her heart filled with despair and hatred.

’Knowing Jiang Moli’s viciousness, she definitely won’t let me off easy.’

’I’m finished this time.’

Jiang Moli’s feelings were incredibly complicated.

Everyone thought Jiang Qing was spouting nonsense. Only she knew that what Jiang Qing said was probably true.

In her past life, the person Lu Cheng was supposed to marry was Yang Lijiong.

She had stolen Yang Lijiong’s man, and now Yang Lijiong wanted to steal her script in return. It was hard not to see it as karma.

"Well, I think Jiang Qing is at fault, but her crime doesn’t warrant death. Firing her is a bit too harsh. Docking her allowance for, say, three to five years should be enough."

Docking her allowance for three to five years? Wasn’t that the same as working for free for that long?

This was far more vicious than firing her!

Jiang Qing was so furious she nearly coughed up blood.

Lu Cheng said, "I second the motion."

Zhong Weiguo shot him a look, then turned to ask for Yang Lijiong’s opinion.

In this matter, Yang Lijiong was the primary victim.

She was a respectable vice commander who had come all the way to this mountainous region to visit the soldiers, only to have baseless slander thrown at her. It was a terrible injustice.

Yang Lijiong glanced at Jiang Moli and said, "I stand by my opinion. Someone of such poor moral character is unfit to be a teacher."

Zhong Weiguo looked at Jiang Qing. "Teacher Jiang, if you are brave enough to admit your mistake, the army will give you another chance to correct it. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to report this and have you sent back."

’No, I can’t go back!’

’At least not chased back like a stray dog!’

Tears streamed down Jiang Qing’s face as she choked out, "I accidentally overheard some people from the art troupe saying that Vice Yang seemed to have feelings for Camp Commander Lu. I wanted to curry favor with Vice Yang, so I lost my mind and said those things. Vice Yang, Camp Commander Lu, please forgive me."

With these words, she kicked the blame right back to Yang Lijiong.

She was implying that the gossip had started because Yang Lijiong couldn’t manage her own troupe members.

Yang Lijiong looked at her coldly. "Who did you hear this from?"

Jiang Qing shook her head, crying pitifully. "They had their backs to me when they said it. I didn’t see their faces."

Although she suspected Jiang Qing was playing tricks, Yang Lijiong was helpless.

Jiang Qing lowered her head and sobbed, hiding the calculating and venomous look in her eyes.

She had deliberately exposed Yang Lijiong’s feelings for Lu Cheng. This was not only revenge against Yang Lijiong but also a deliberate attempt to provoke Jiang Moli.

’Given Jiang Moli’s arrogant and domineering nature, there’s no telling what kind of scene she’ll make now that she knows Yang Lijiong has designs on Lu Cheng.’

’I’ll just wait and watch the dog-eat-dog show!’

Zhong Weiguo had long noticed a hint of Yang Lijiong’s feelings for Lu Cheng, so for a moment, he wasn’t sure what to say.

Lu Cheng only watched Jiang Moli’s expression, his eyes pleading. ’Honey, I’m innocent!’

Jiang Moli remained silent, as if she were watching a play.

For a moment, a strange atmosphere descended upon the office.

Just as Zhong Weiguo was about to change the subject, he saw Yang Lijiong slowly turn her head to look at Lu Cheng.

"Camp Commander Lu, two months ago, the troupe told me about your situation. I did indeed come to Menghai this time with the thought of getting to know you. It’s just a shame I was a step too late, and you already have a lover."

After speaking, she turned to Jiang Moli. "Today was the first time I met Camp Commander Lu. I’ll be leaving after my official business is concluded, and I don’t expect to have any further opportunity to see or interact with him. Please, Ms. Jiang, don’t be misled by rumors."

Then she turned back to Zhong Weiguo. "Let’s handle today’s matter privately, to avoid any gossip that might cause trouble for me or for Camp Commander Lu and his wife. I’ll make sure to manage my troupe members and stop them from speaking carelessly when I return. I’ll leave the rest to you, Commander Zhong."

"Alright."

After Yang Lijiong left, Zhong Weiguo announced the punishment for Jiang Qing: she was fired from her job as a substitute teacher.

Jiang Qing looked as if her world had ended.

’I absolutely cannot be sent back home like this! I have to stay, even if I have to grovel!’

"I apologize for my big mouth to Vice Yang, Camp Commander Lu, and Moli. Please give me a chance to turn over a new leaf. I truly love teaching. I’m willing to stay at the school as a volunteer teacher, without any allowance or rations."

After consulting with Lu Cheng and Jiang Moli, Zhong Weiguo agreed to let Jiang Qing stay at the school. After all, the school was indeed short on teachers.

"Out of respect for Vice Yang’s opinion, your punishment won’t be publicly announced. Comrade Jiang Qing, you haven’t been with the unit for long, yet you’ve already made several mistakes. I hope you learn your lesson from this and watch your step!"

Zhong Weiguo’s warning not only left Jiang Qing mortified but also made Zhang Jia Ming overwhelmed with shame.

He didn’t even bother to excuse himself, simply grabbing Jiang Qing’s arm and dragging her away.

Zhong Weiguo didn’t mind. He said to Lu Cheng and Jiang Moli, "It’s getting late. You two should head back as well."

"Yes, sir."

Lu Cheng saluted, then turned to catch up with Jiang Moli, who had already started walking away.

"Are you angry?"

"No."

"But you didn’t wait for me just now. You must be angry. Don’t be angry, let me explain..."

"We’ll talk when we get back."

"Whatever you say."

Zhong Weiguo walked behind them, enjoying the drama while feeling a sense of disdain.

’You henpecked fool, you’re hopeless!’

...

Back in the school dormitory, Zhang Jia Ming slammed the door shut and raged at Jiang Qing.

"Why do you always have to provoke Jiang Moli? Can’t you just keep your head down and stop causing trouble?!"

It was the first time Zhang Jia Ming had ever yelled at her so fiercely since they got married.

Tears streamed from Jiang Qing’s eyes. "Jia Ming, I was wrong. I was only trying to curry favor with Vice Yang to help pave the way for you. She has a high position and a strong background. One word from her in the military region is more effective than any number of merits you could earn. I never thought my good intentions would backfire. I regret it so much."

But Zhang Jia Ming was truly furious this time. Her weeping and wailing didn’t soften him one bit.

She’d caused his own father to be beaten blind, forced him to make a public self-criticism for spreading rumors, and today she’d audaciously tried to ruin his superior’s marriage.

’And to think he’d laughed at his superior for marrying a troublemaker. Turns out, he was the biggest joke of all!’

He sighed wearily. "Forget it, Xiao Qing. You should just go back home."

Jiang Qing’s tears flowed even more fiercely.

’Neither her own family nor her in-laws would take her in. How could she survive if she went back?’

"No, I can’t go back!"

"I’ll book a ticket for you tomorrow. Pack your things tonight."

Seeing Zhang Jia Ming’s firm attitude, she bit her tongue. "Jia Ming, I’m pregnant!"

Zhang Jia Ming was left speechless, unable to process this for a long moment.

Jiang Qing took his hand and placed it on her lower abdomen, speaking softly, "Right here... we already have the fruit of our love. You’re going to be a father!"

Zhang Jia Ming’s gaze followed her words, sliding down to her stomach.

"Xiao Qing, are you serious?"

"Mhm, my period has always been regular, but this time it’s almost half a month late."

Zhang Jia Ming was dumbfounded, unsure whether to be angry or happy.

In the end, under Jiang Qing’s desperate pleas, he relented.

"Xiao Qing, fine, you can stay. But from now on, you must keep your head down and behave yourself. Don’t stir up any more trouble, you hear me?"

"Okay, I promise I won’t cause any more trouble."

Watching Zhang Jia Ming’s retreating back, Jiang Qing secretly sighed in relief.

Although the pregnancy was a lie, she wasn’t worried at all.

’According to the trajectory of her past life, Zhang Jia Ming would be promoted to platoon leader in another month.’

’At that point, she could legitimately become an accompanying family member, and she’d even have her own family quarters. Then, she could figure out a way to find another job.’

’As for the child... she’d get pregnant eventually.’