Jiang Yao agreed with Major Zhu. Besides, it would have been fine if the kidnappers had sold them to other families as foster children, but some human traffickers amputate their limbs to make them beg in the streets. Those kids were too pitiful.
Major Zhu and Sergeant Yang still had things to do, so they went off after a few words. When they returned home, the first thing Jiang Yao did was hide some stuff in her backpack. She had been glued to Lu Xingzhi almost 24 hours a day when they were back at their hometown. Therefore, she did not have the time to do it.
Since Lu Xingzhi’s birthday was in a few days, Jiang Yao was afraid that she did not have enough time to finish it. So in the next few days, whenever she had the time, she used it to fold the paper cranes.
Lu Xingzhi returned to his hometown for three days and finally managed to coax his wife, who had wanted to divorce him, to go back to the army with him. That news spread like wildfire in the army. Those who had said bad things about Jiang Yao in private did not dare to make another sound after she returned to the military. Some people even avoided Jiang Yao when they saw her; they were afraid that she would settle the score with them.
When Major He found out that Jiang Yao had returned that night, he brought his wife and mother-in-law to their home. Major He’s mother-in-law was also someone who doted on her daughter and son-in-law. When she found out that her daughter’s mother-in-law had caused so much trouble in the army, she rushed there to take care of her pregnant daughter even before the year ended.
It was not that old woman, so Jiang Yao welcomed them into their house, though Lu Xingzhi still treated them coldly. He sat on the sofa and only glanced at them. He did not even get up to greet them.
After Major He entered their home, he was not in a hurry to speak to Lu Xingzhi. Instead, he opened his mouth and apologized to Jiang Yao. “My mother thought that she was right when she heard a gossip. She wrote a report and then spread rumors everywhere. I’m very sorry. It was my negligence that prevented me from finding out in time to stop it. I don’t know how to apologize for the harm that I’ve caused you.”
Major He was a sincere person. The moment he entered the room, he did not rush to speak to Lu Xingzhi. Whether it was because he was more intelligent than ordinary people or because he sincerely understood that the one who had suffered was Jiang Yao, but his words and his sincere apology made Jiang Yao feel a little better.
“Come in and have a cup of tea.”
Jiang Yao felt better and was more tolerant toward them. She smiled at Major He’s wife. She thought that the woman looked much better. She knew that if someone else were there to take care of her, her days would definitely be much better.
Major He was moved by Jiang Yao’s kindness; he heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he held his pregnant wife’s hand and entered the room.
“Mrs. Lu, I’m Xiao Liang’s mother. The previous incident must have had a big impact on you. It is our fault. We have been very worried before you came home. We even discussed going to your hometown to apologize to you. We’re very relieved to see that you and Sergeant Lu are fine.”
“Let’s not talk about the past anymore.” Jiang Yao poured tea for all three of them. Even though Lu Xingzhi did not say anything, Jiang Yao could tell from his attitude that he would not pursue the matter anymore.
Major He must have felt aggrieved. He had been given a demerit record and solitary confinement because of that matter. Therefore, one should pray that they would not be as unlucky as to have a wife like Sergeant Ge’s wife or a mother like Major He’s mother.
