Rebirth in the 1970s: Refusing to Be a Side Character

Chapter 35: Everything Exploded

◎ King of Turtles ◎

The news that Dong Jiaojiao, a woman from the countryside, had married Lu Jinzhu, the youngest and most promising researcher in the Southwestern Military Region, had sent shockwaves through the entire military compound.

 Everyone who knew Lu Jinzhu and Dong Jiaojiao was stunned.

The entire southwestern military district, and not just the family housing complex, was abuzz with the news.

Of course, this was thanks to Li Xiang's effective promotion.

When He Chengjun heard the news, he was completely stunned, unable to believe it. How could a woman from the countryside, someone he didn't want, end up marrying the youngest and most promising researcher in the military district, Lu Jinzhou?

It was impossible!

Some men are like this: when no one is competing with them, they find faults everywhere and feel like they're doing a favor by being with you. But when someone else shows interest, suddenly everything about you seems desirable, and they even fantasize about you coming back.

He Chengjun was one such person. His frustration was especially intense when others mocked him about Dong Jiaojiao's remarriage. These people were not genuinely happy for Dong Jiaojiao but were merely jealous that He Chengjun was outshone, so they took the opportunity to make fun of him.

"Hey, isn't that our He Chengjun? Still in the mood to practice punching bags. No matter how well you practice, it doesn't change the fact that your two pounds of flesh are inadequate. No wonder your wife wanted a divorce."

"Yeah, and right after the divorce, she climbed up to a better branch. Maybe she was already involved with Lu Jinzhou before the divorce?"

"So He Chengjun has become the turtle king with a green hat, hahaha..."

"Who else but him would be the turtle king? He's just not up to par."

"Anyway, even if he's lacking, Lu Yaoyao from the art troupe still comes to find him every day. Seems like He Chengjun still has some skills."

"Lu Yaoyao is the niece of Director Lu. If He Chengjun married Lu Yaoyao, he would have to call his ex-wife 'aunt'—imagine that!"

At these words, everyone burst into laughter.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "Hello, Political Commissar!"

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

Zhao Shichang, with a dark expression, angrily said, "Liu Jun, Zhao Jiefang, Su Weixing, Zhang Ming, you four have no discipline. Go run fifty laps on the field as a warning!"

Liu Jun, who had lost out to He Chengjun in the recent promotion assessment, was particularly upset. The slight difference in their scores left him feeling resentful.

Seeing Zhao Shichang favoring He Chengjun, Liu Jun was even more frustrated. He loudly protested, "Political Commissar, we're not talking nonsense. Lu Yaoyao comes to find He Chengjun every day, everyone sees it. It's their own misconduct."

"One hundred laps!" Zhao Shichang's voice was thunderous, his face like a blackened iron pot, radiating a terrifying aura.

Seeing Zhao Shichang's anger, Zhao Jiefang and the others quickly restrained Liu Jun, saying, "Yes, Political Commissar, we'll go immediately."

Liu Jun, despite his strength, was no match for several people pulling him, and was soon dragged away.

Zhao Shichang then gave a lecture to the onlookers, emphasizing that the military was a sacred place, not a marketplace, and advised everyone to stop gossiping like old hens.