Royal Road
Chapter 874: Not Giving Him a Chance
Chapter 874: Not Giving Him a Chance
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhang Mei was not one to be dismissed lightly. When the soldier refused to receive her, it was a direct affront to her dignity. She was indignant, her voice laced with an icy edge as she retorted, “I am also a military family member. On what grounds do you refuse to receive me? Are you not afraid that I will report you?”
The soldier gave Zhang Mei a once-over, finding her lacking the demeanor of a military family member. Upholding his military discipline, he patiently explained, “Even if you are a military family member, we need to verify your identity. Furthermore, even if your identity is confirmed, we may not necessarily be able to receive you. Those who are welcomed by the Capital Military District’s ceremonial team are at least the family members of regimental-level officers. Who is your husband?”
Zhang Mei’s face paled. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Her husband was merely a battalion commander, a man who had failed to advance in rank over the years.
This disappointment, this stagnation, made her view him as increasingly incompetent. If he weren’t so incapable, would she have needed to ask Gong Zhan’s secretary to accompany her?
Even if Mo Li, the secretary, was willing to accompany her, the Southeast Military District was in the midst of a major exercise and troops were stretched thin. As Gong Zhan’s secretary, Mo Li was unable to arrange for soldiers to accompany them. At most, she could escort them to the train station. Regardless, Zhang Mei felt that this was far better than coming alone.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Before boarding the train, she had at least been able to put on a show of authority. The envious glances from the surrounding people as the soldiers escorted her had been gratifying. It bolstered Zhang Mei’s confidence. After all, she was Gong Zhan’s mother-in-law, and she was related by marriage to the leader of the Southeast Military District.
At that moment, she realized more than ever that she absolutely could not allow Lin Miao and Gong Zhan to divorce. The power and prestige of an official position were too important.
Just as she was about to flaunt this status, she overheard a few female soldiers nearby making sarcastic remarks. They were members of the art troupe that had accompanied the ceremonial team.
“With her little display, she dares to pretend to be an officer’s wife. It’s laughable. The ones who came from the south earlier, now they looked like officers’ wives, officers’ daughters. These two today, they don’t resemble them at all. They’re like a pair of jokes.”
“She might be a military family member, but her man’s rank is definitely not high. If we’re talking about prestige, Madam Gu Zi is the one who has it. She came with her children. When she got off the train, there were soldiers escorting her. As soon as she left the train station, there were two military vehicles to receive her, and a security team to escort her. That’s the real display of an officer’s wife. Who do they think they are?”
When Zhang Mei heard them mention Madam Gu Zi, she thought she had misheard. She turned to Mo Li, “Why is Gu Zi here? What is she doing here?”
In her heart, Mo Li scorned Zhang Mei for her foolishness, truly a fitting mother for Lin Miao. She now understood where Lin Miao’s stupidity stemmed from. However, on the surface, she treated Zhang Mei with respect. Pulling Zhang Mei aside, she deliberately stirred the pot, “Auntie, isn’t it obvious? With Mr. Gong’s current predicament, and considering how much she used to like him…”
Zhang Mei’s heart was immediately enveloped by a sense of foreboding. Regardless of whether this premonition was accurate, she retorted, “That Gu Zi, she’s shameless! She’s already married to Gong Zhan, they’ve both settled down, yet she refuses to let go. She’s clearly taking advantage of Gong Zhan’s vulnerability to win him back. She even arrived before us. Let’s hurry to the military hospital!”
Zhang Mei could no longer care about saving face. She rushed to the bus stop, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the military hospital. She was determined to prevent Gu Zi from ruining her daughter Lin Miao’s marriage. She wouldn’t give Gu Zi this opportunity!
Upon arriving at the military hospital, Zhang Mei, laden with bags, strode forward. She paid no mind to the aches and pains from days of train travel. All she wanted was to find Gu Zi, give her a piece of her mind, and remind her to respect the sanctity of marriage and not steal someone else’s husband. Mo Li followed her calmly, anticipating the drama that was about to unfold.
Coincidentally, as soon as they entered the hospital, they ran into Gu Zi. She was about to leave with her two stepsons. Seeing Zhang Mei and Mo Li, she remained indifferent, not surprised.
In the original story, it was Lin Miao who rushed to take care of Gong Zhan. But now, with Lin Miao in jail, the plot couldn’t unfold as it had before. Zhang Mei was unwilling to let go of Gong Zhan, her golden son-in-law, and naturally had to step in to show her concern on behalf of Lin Miao.
What did surprise her slightly was that Zhang Mei had brought Mo Li along. Could Zhang Mei not see that it was Mo Li who was truly after Gong Zhan?
It seemed that Mo Li had already gained Zhang Mei’s trust. Gu Zi and Mo Li exchanged glances, both slightly frowning. Mo Li’s attire was very similar to her own. At a glance, she looked at least fifty percent like her.
Gu Zi had a hunch about what Mo Li was up to. However, she didn’t like Zhang Mei or Lin Miao, and she didn’t have much affection for Mo Li either. She didn’t want to get too involved with these people. She treated them as if they were strangers and continued on her way.