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

Chapter 51: Standing Up for One Another

◎ Envy and Resentment ◎

This visit by Luo Caifeng was prompted by not receiving the allowance from her youngest son, He Chengjun, last month. She called to inquire, only to be told by the military that He Chengjun had been injured during a mission and had not yet been discharged from the hospital.

Worried about her youngest son, Luo Caifeng, along with her second son and daughter-in-law, came to visit him. They were still unaware of He Chengjun's divorce from Dong Jiaojiao.

He Chengjun had failed to gain any advantages from Lu Yao and had lost his wife in the process. Such a humiliating defeat was not something he would openly admit, especially not before finding a new, more presentable wife.

The only silver lining was that his actions didn't impact Lu Yao's situation, and his performance in the military had been acknowledged by higher-ups. This mission was supposed to be a great opportunity, and if he had successfully completed it, he might have been promoted to a higher rank. After all, he had just been promoted to battalion commander this year. Such rapid promotion was typically reserved for the male lead in a story.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Although the mission was completed successfully, He Chengjun suffered a severe leg injury. The doctor indicated that amputation might be necessary. The thought of losing his leg felt like a devastating blow to his life.

He Chengjun begged for any possible solution, willing to endure any pain to keep his leg. Luo Caifeng, hearing of his injury, decided to visit him. He Chengjun agreed to this, following the doctor's advice that having family around would help alleviate his psychological stress and aid in his recovery.

Luo Caifeng's initial motive was to get money, but seeing her son's severe condition, her concern shifted. Upon entering the hospital room and seeing her son's leg in traction, her eyes filled with tears.

"Third son, what happened? What did the doctor say? Can it be treated?" Luo Caifeng asked anxiously, firing questions in rapid succession.

"Third brother, we were all so worried when we heard about your injury. You must get better!" He Chengjun's second brother, He Chengwu, also expressed concern.

In contrast, He Chengjun's sister-in-law, Tian Xiaomei, looked around and not seeing Dong Jiaojiao, remarked sarcastically, "Third brother, where is Dong Jiaojiao? With such a severe injury, why isn't she here taking care of you? I always thought she was a seductress, always trying to entice men!"

Her comment immediately disrupted the family's reunion. Luo Caifeng frowned and added, "I said all along that Dong Jiaojiao wasn't a suitable wife. It's just that you were soft-hearted and agreed to marry her. I've been here for quite a while, and she hasn't shown up. What's she waiting for? For me, her mother-in-law, to visit her? I think she's gotten a bit too big for her britches since coming to the city! You shouldn't pamper her any longer. When I go back, I'll make sure she comes with me so I can teach her a lesson."

Tian Xiaomei immediately agreed, "Mother is right! Dong Jiaojiao needs to be brought back and properly disciplined to avoid embarrassing Third Brother here."

Since Dong Jiaojiao moved to the city with the military, all the household chores were left to her and the elder sister-in-law. Tian Xiaomei, who had to stay in the countryside, was filled with jealousy and resentment. She couldn't accept that Dong Jiaojiao was living a good life in the city while she was stuck in the countryside.

He Chengwu, standing aside, felt that these were matters for the women to deal with and didn't interfere.

He Chengjun grew increasingly annoyed by his mother and sister-in-law's comments and shouted, "Enough!"