Commander Qiao was at a loss for words, but given the stakes for his future, he wiped his face and said, "Deputy Regimental Commander Huo, my son made a mess earlier, and I’m sure you’ve heard about it. We didn’t educate him well.
I just got back from a mission and was summoned by the Regimental Commander for a reprimand. He said that if I can’t manage my family, I will take the punishment on their behalf."
Huo Jingrui didn’t want to waste time with him: "What are you trying to say?"
Commander Qiao coughed lightly: "Deputy Regimental Commander Huo, you are a life-and-death friend of Commander Wei and can speak easily to the Division Commander. Can you help plead for me? I will supervise them well in the future and ensure they don’t misbehave again."
Huo Jingrui’s face turned directly stern: "As soldiers, we should be strict with ourselves and obey orders. Your request, I cannot agree to, nor will I agree."
After speaking, he turned and walked toward his courtyard, leaving Commander Qiao standing there with a gloomy look.
He felt that Deputy Regimental Commander Huo was too unkind; it was just a matter of saying a few good words for himself, and yet he was cold-blooded enough.
Huo Jingrui felt that he had no rapport with Commander Qiao, not to mention what his wife and son had done over the years. Even someone like him living in a single dorm had heard of it. Why should he expend his social capital for him?
Yi’er would be staying at the family quarters from now on; he did not want today’s situation to repeat. If things were allowed to pass easily, wouldn’t it further fuel the arrogance of that mother and son?
*
In the innermost building of the family quarters, a two-story house, Feng Ruyan had tears welling in her eyes: "Aunt, didn’t you say you would help me?"
Feng Yuelan’s face looked equally displeased: "Ruyan, things have reached this point, Aunt has no options. Your uncle didn’t hint anything to me; I only just learned that Huo Jingrui brought his wife along with the troops."
Feng Ruyan got up swiftly: "Aunt, I already heard that as soon as Huo Jingrui returned, he applied for the family quarters and even found someone to tidy up the house. How could you not know this?"
With these words, Political Commissar Guan immediately understood: "She found out?"
Feng Yuelan’s face turned stony: "Guan Yueyang, I clearly told you that Ruyan was interested in Deputy Regimental Commander Huo; why didn’t you stop him when he submitted the marriage report?"
Political Commissar Guan’s face immediately sank: "What nonsense are you talking?"
Feng Yuelan’s rationality returned with his shout: "I, I meant at least give me a heads-up, let me be prepared, so it wouldn’t end up like this."
Political Commissar Guan took off his hat and hung it up: "Even if I gave you a heads-up, would it change anything?
I told you before that he had someone, yet you arranged for her to ’accidentally’ meet him behind my back. This whole situation is of your own making."

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