Xia He crouched at the window and looked at the surroundings as her breathing started to quicken. The car gradually slowed down. It was becoming difficult to drive on the road.
Qiao Mei noticed that Xia He was behaving abnormally and took out a water bottle to pour a glass of water for her. Her water bottle was filled with water mixed with 100-year-old ginseng juice. Drinking it would temporarily make one feel refreshed and comfortable.
Not long after, the car was unable to go forward anymore. They had arrived at the military camp at the foot of the mountain. The person who came to meet them was Xia Mao’s partner, Zhuang Pin. He was slightly younger than Xia Mao and they had been partners for more than 30 years. They had a very tacit understanding of each other and knew what each other wanted with just one look.
“You’re here!” Zhuang Pin hurriedly ran forward to greet them. When he turned around, he was very shocked to see the petite and pregnant Qiao Mei.
Zhuang Pin pointed at Xia Wen and shouted bluntly, “Xia Wen! Don’t you know what this place is! It’s already bad enough for you to bring your younger sister here! But you even have a pregnant woman with you! Don’t you know how dangerous it is here!”
Xia Wen lowered his head and endured the lecture obediently. He also felt that he did not handle this matter well, but with Qiao Mei’s stubborn temper, even ten donkeys would not be able to hold her back. Even if he did not bring Qiao Mei with him to look for Xia Mao, Qiao Mei would still find a way to get here. Therefore, it was better to keep her by his side.
“Godfather! Don’t scold my brother! We’re the ones who insist on coming with him. It has nothing to do with him!” Xia He quickly explained.
Zhuang Pin looked at Qiao Mei coldly. He knew that Xia Zhe had a young and beautiful wife who was pregnant with two eldest grandchildren of the Xia family. This news had long spread like wildfire in the army and many young men were envious that Xia Zhe had married such a good wife. They even said that in the future, they wanted to find a wife like Qiao Mei.
The Zhuang family and the Zheng family were also very good friends, so Zhuang Pin naturally knew about what happened with Zheng Yuan.
He had two daughters and one son. Ever since the children were young, he liked Zheng Yuan very much and treated her especially well. Zhuang Pin was not only the godfather of these children from the Xia family, but also godfather to Zheng Yuan and Zheng Peng. He did not have many hobbies, but he liked to go around collecting godchildren. It was a fun thing for him, but of course, he did not allow just anyone to join in the fun.
If not for the fact that Zheng Yuan liked Xia Zhe so wholeheartedly, Zhuang Pin would have long asked his son, Zhuang Hua, to marry Zheng Yuan. Despite that, the ending turned out to be not too bad. Zhuang Hua was trying his best and had followed Zheng Yuan to a local army unit for training.
The Zhuang family did not care about those big titles. They were not interested in becoming high-ranking officials and earning big money. Their family motto was to be loyal and righteous. Zhuang Pin was very supportive of Zhuang Hua giving up his career in pursuit of love. He was even very proud of it!
“You’re Xia Zhe’s wife?” Zhuang Pin said sulkily.
“Hello, Uncle Zhuang. My name is Qiao Mei and I’m Xia Zhe’s wife. I have come here this time despite the risk because I’m worried about my father’s health. Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble,” Qiao Mei said in a gentle manner.
She was a beautiful girl and spoke politely, thus Zhuang Pin could not pick on her at all. He could only purse his lips and say, “Then you can stay here and wait until the troops there send Xia Mao down.”
“No, I have to go up. I have to see my father today. It doesn’t matter even if I have to climb up by myself,” Qiao Mei said firmly as she looked at Zhuang Pin.
“Nonsense! Do you think your pregnancy is child’s play!” Zhuang Pin scolded angrily.
“I’m not talking nonsense! Instead of wasting time here, it’s better for us to go up the mountain now. I’ve lived in the mountain village since I was young and I’ve walked more mountain roads than you. I definitely won’t lose to any soldier!” Qiao Mei said firmly, not afraid of Zhuang Pin at all.
Xia He was stunned by what she was seeing as she stood behind Qiao Mei. From young, she had never dared to talk to Zhuang Pin in such a manner. He was as scary as Xia Mao, but the difference was that no matter how angry Xia Mao became, he would still talk calmly. On the other hand, Zhuang Pin would fly into a rage and criticize a person without holding back, just like what he was doing now.
Even Xia Wen was afraid of Zhuang Pin. He did not expect Qiao Mei to disregard everything to save Xia Mao.