Chen Can quickly grabbed Tan Jianping. “Tan Jianping, what do you mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like,” Tan Jianping stated bluntly. “The Regimental Commander is embarrassed by this. He sent me to get the details, and I’ve gotten them clearly. I’m going back to report.”
“As for how you’ll be dealt with, you’ll be notified later. But until then, you have to stay here.”
“Chen Can, getting caught red-handed… you’re really something! You’ve really brought honor to our regiment!” Tan Jianping shook off Chen Can’s grip and strode toward the door.
Xu Xun hurried after him. “Battalion Commander Tan.”
Tan Jianping stopped and turned to look at Xu Xun, who then glanced at Ye Zhiqiu beside him. “Comrade Ye, Battalion Commander Tan and I have a few words to discuss.”
“Brother Tan, I’ll wait for you outside.”
Watching Ye Zhiqiu exit the police station, Xu Xun pulled Tan Jianping aside. “Battalion Commander Tan, leaving Chen Can here like this might not be appropriate.”
“Comrade Xu, this is a matter for our regiment. Moreover, you’ve seen Chen Can’s issues for yourself. If I were to take him away now, it would further damage our regiment’s image and our reputation as soldiers.”
“Battalion Commander Tan, actually, this matter isn’t that serious, I think…”
Tan Jianping raised a hand to cut off Xu Xun. “Comrade Xu, I understand the relationship between Chen Can and your younger sister, Xu Wan. But I must ask you not to interfere in our regiment’s affairs.”
Xu Xun’s expression darkened. “You’ve misunderstood, Battalion Commander Tan. That wasn’t my intention. Additionally, Chen Can and my sister Xiao Wan are merely classmates. Please refrain from spreading unverified information; it could harm my sister’s reputation.”
After all, Chen Can wasn’t divorced yet. Even if everyone knew Xu Wan was with him, the Xu family would never admit it publicly.
To admit it would invite ridicule—people would say they allowed their daughter to be someone’s ‘worn-out shoe’.
The very thought made Xu Xun’s chest tighten.
He had told Xu Wan repeatedly not to get too close to Chen Can before his divorce was final, but she wouldn’t listen. Now it was common knowledge, turning their Xu family into a laughingstock.
“Comrade Xu, I need to return and report the situation to our Regimental Commander. My apologies, I must take my leave.”
Tan Jianping gave Xu Xun a nod and turned to leave. Xu Xun watched his retreating back, grinding his teeth in frustration.
This Tan Jianping was indeed just as the rumors said—utterly inflexible.
Xu Xun hurried back inside, only to find Xu Wan earnestly assuring Chen Can, “Ah Can, don’t worry. I will definitely get you out of here.”
“Xu Wan!”
Xu Xun stepped forward and pulled Xu Wan aside. Xu Wan twisted around and grabbed his arm, her knees bending as if to kneel. “Big Brother, please, I beg you, save Ah Can.”
“Xu Wan, if anyone’s crazy here, it’s you!”
Xu Xun, exasperated at her failure to see reason, slapped Xu Wan. He pointed at Chen Can. “What kind of bewitching potion has this Chen Can fed you, huh? Making you lose all sense of shame is one thing, but now you want to break the law too?”
“Big Brother, I’m not crazy! Ah Can is innocent. It’s all because of that—”
Xu Xun couldn’t bear to listen any longer. He gripped Xu Wan’s shoulders tightly, as if to shake her awake. “You still want to believe his nonsense? Didn’t you hear the police investigation? He was there looking for something. He didn’t dare tell the truth, so he resorted to slandering Comrade Ye.”
“Big Brother, that’s not true! I asked Shen Liya, and I asked Zhiqiu. That Shen Zhiqiu is a fox spirit, flirting with men everywhere!”
“Enough!”
Xu Xun dragged Xu Wan toward the exit. “Starting today, you will stay at home and reflect!”
He didn’t want to treat Xu Wan this way, but he understood her temperament. If he didn’t confine her, there was no telling what trouble she might stir up.
“Big Brother, no! I have to save Ah Can. I can’t let Ah Can stay in there. He’s being framed!”
“Big Brother, please, I beg you, save Ah Can!”
Xu Wan struggled the whole way. At one point, she even tried to grab the steering wheel to jump out of the car. Left with no choice, Xu Xun had to tie her up with rope.
After carrying her into her room at home, he instructed Kang Zhimiao, “Keep an eye on her. Don’t let her leave this room, not even a step.”
Meanwhile, Tan Jianping returned to the regiment and reported Chen Can’s situation truthfully. Regimental Commander Hao Weimin slammed the table in fury. “Outrageous!”
“Chen Can usually seems like a clever fellow. How could he do something so stupid?”
“Commander, there’s another matter.”
Tan Jianping placed Shen Liya’s notebook in front of Hao Weimin. “I believe Chen Can might have been trying to find this.”
After reading it, Hao Weimin’s brow furrowed so deeply it could crush a fly. “Are these things true?”
Tan Jianping replied, “We currently have some evidence that proves certain aspects are true.”
“Investigate! This matter must be investigated thoroughly! I had no idea our regiment was harboring such vermin!”
Hao Weimin’s face darkened. “Whether it’s Chen Can or anyone else involved, investigate them all!”
This matter was no trivial affair. They absolutely could not let it slide, or their regiment would be finished.
“Commander, what about Chen Can?”
“Let him stay in there for now.”
Hao Weimin picked up the phone and personally called the police station.
Back in the detention room, Chen Can was pacing anxiously, feeling like he was on fire. He had no idea why his luck had turned so sour lately.
It must be either Shen Liya or Xu Wan bringing him bad luck. Once he got out, he’d have to find someone to perform a cleansing.
And that Shen Zhiqiu… he wouldn’t let her off!
That bitch, daring to hit him, daring to call the police!
The incident of Chen Can being beaten up earlier had already become news in the compound. Now, the story about him and Huang Jing was spreading again.
Of course, Huang Jing’s name wasn’t mentioned; it was just rumored that Chen Can had another lover outside, and he was beaten up while visiting her.
But somehow, as the rumor spread, it morphed into Chen Can being caught in bed by the lover’s husband and getting a beating.
Gossip tends to grow more fantastical with each telling.
Soon, the story reached the ears of Xu Xun and Xu Changkong, and both were furious.
Xu Changkong ordered Xu Xun to investigate, and sure enough, it checked out.
Coincidentally, Xu Wan tried to escape again. Returning home in a rage, Xu Xun told Xu Wan about the incident in a fit of anger.
Naturally, Xu Wan refused to believe it, scrambling to find excuses and justifications for Chen Can.
Xu Changkong and Xu Xun were nearly driven mad with anger.
“Dad, it’s been several days already. Please, save Ah Can.” Xu Wan was still begging her father to rescue Chen Can.
Xu Changkong wished he could slap some sense into Xu Wan, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. “Xiao Wan, tell your father, what is it about this Chen Can that you like so much?”
Xu Wan was fanatically stubborn. “Dad, I just love him. I’ll marry no one else in this lifetime.”
“Xiao Wan, even if marrying him means leaving the Xu family, losing all of us?” Xu Changkong looked at his daughter with a pained heart.
Xu Wan paused for a moment, but still nodded.
“You are utterly hopeless!” Xu Xun felt equally heartbroken.
To Xu Wan, her loving family, who cared for her so much, was worth less than an outsider who had deceived her.
“Dad, Ah Can was just momentarily confused. He’ll be better in the future. I believe in him.”
