During dinner in the evening, Qi Taiguo seemed to be in a bad mood. He was silent, quietly eating without saying a word, even when Cheng Su and Qi Fengping were talking, his face was a bit gloomy.
Cheng Su found it strange. Since her pregnancy, Qi Taiguo would always ask how the baby was today, whether it was being good and such. What was going on today? He didnât say a word.
Who upset him?
Qi Fengping also noticed something was wrong. After dinner, she quickly cleaned up the dishes, washed them, and then hid in her room to read and review.
"Whatâs going on? Who ticked you off? You look like you want to eat someone," Cheng Su asked.
Qi Taiguo touched his face and said, "Do I look scary?"
"Even the baby is protesting," Cheng Su huffed. The baby had started moving some time ago; after meals, it got even more active.
Qi Taiguo touched her belly to soothe it and laughed, "No one upset me, and even if they did, could you help me vent it? Right, baby?"
Cheng Su said, "Of course, now I have money if I want it, people if I need them, and power... well, I kind of have it, too."
Qi Taiguo was amused by her and jokingly said, "Hearing you talk like that, I wouldnât dare to cross you. If I did, and you took revenge, I couldnât handle it."
Cheng Su made a hum and gave him a look that said, "As long as you know."
Qi Taiguoâs smile faded, and he said, "Itâs nothing else, just about that military personnel replacement list. I donât know who leaked it, but they said we operated in the dark, manipulating the list for money. This had a very bad impact."
"What!" Cheng Su sat up straight, her face serious.
Ever since the bribery issue, she had been particularly worried about such things happening, and now it had indeed happened?
Seeing her furrowed brows, Qi Taiguo said, "Donât worry, itâs all just rumors without any real evidence. No one can pin it on me."
"But just having such rumors isnât good. It shakes the troopsâ morale, as you said; it looks bad, and the reputation isnât good," Cheng Su frowned and said.
"A clear conscience need not fear accusation," Qi Taiguo pursed his lips and said, "I have already reported to Battalion Commander Chen and Regimental Commander Mai. Iâll also write a report about this."
"Then what are you worried about?"
Qi Taiguo said, "Itâs just that I feel itâs pointless. In the past, would such things ever occur? But now... When I see the gazes of those comrades, I feel uneasy, as if theyâve decided Iâve really taken benefits."
Cheng Su laughed and said, "Thatâs because your heart isnât strong enough, you have a fragile mind!"
Qi Taiguo frowned, glaring at her.
"Youâve said it yourself, a clear conscience need not fear accusation. As long as you havenât done it, or taken anything, youâre fair and upright, and can withstand their thorough investigations, then you shouldnât care about othersâ gazes. Stand tall, be innocent, and youâre not afraid of any investigation. Why worry about their looks?" Cheng Su patted his shoulder and said, "As long as you live up to the responsibilities of that military uniform, youâll pass the test, keep it up."
Qi Taiguo felt a bit better, but there was still some gloom in his eyes.
"Actually, whatâs most upsetting is that I didnât expect such things to happen in the army. I thought it only happened in civil affairs..." Qi Taiguo smiled bitterly.
Cheng Su sighed softly, "Thatâs the current atmosphere. It requires you leaders to be strict and set an example, to root out such bad practices. Itâs a tough and long road, brother."
Qi Taiguo felt a shiver in his heart as he tightly pursed his lips.