Zhan Zeyi was furious. As the battalion commander, even if Sister Zhao was not a soldier but only a family member, he still bore responsibility.
Political Commissar Wu, who had come along, said, "We've already sent someone to call him. He should be here soon."
Just then, Company Commander Wang rushed over, drenched in sweat.
"Where's my wife?"
He was terrified. The messenger had only told him that his wife had jumped into the sea and that he should hurry to the beach. He had no idea what had happened and had been anxious the entire way.
Zhan Zeyi kicked him. "Your wife bore your children, and you drove her to jump into the sea! You're a real bastard!"
The force of the kick sent Company Commander Wang stumbling to the side, right next to Sister Zhao and Tang Qiyue. Seeing his wife's pale, lifeless face, his heart sank.
Although they had argued the night before, he had never imagined she would try to take her own life.
"Peach Blossom, what's wrong with you? I really don't have another woman—why won't you believe me?"
He knelt beside her, tears streaming down his face. He was truly frightened.
Tang Qiyue performed two more rounds of CPR. Finally, Sister Zhao showed signs of response.
As soon as Tang Qiyue stopped, Sister Zhao began vomiting seawater. Xu Qiuju and the others hurried to support her, while Tang Qiyue sat to the side, catching her breath. Saving someone had taken a lot out of her.
Zhan Zeyi helped her up and pulled her into his arms.
"How are you? Should we go back first?"
He was genuinely worried, but Tang Qiyue shook her head.
"No, let's check on her first."
She still needed to make sure Sister Zhao was stable.
After vomiting for a while, Sister Zhao opened her eyes. Looking around, she realized she was still alive.
Silently, she tried to crawl back toward the sea.
Company Commander Wang reacted immediately and grabbed her.
"Wife, what are you doing?"
he cried in panic.
Sister Zhao beat against him weakly, shouting hoarsely, "Let me die! I've had enough! Your mother bullies me, you look down on me, and even the children don't want me as their mother! Just let me die!"
Her voice was rough from the seawater, but her words struck deeply.
The men might not have fully understood, but the wives present did. After marriage, how many women had good relationships with their mothers-in-law? Life was only tolerable if the husband stood by them. With a passive husband like Company Commander Wang—and even the children showing disdain—it was no wonder she had broken down.
Sister Zhao had no strength left. After struggling for a while, she collapsed into quiet sobs.
"My mother isn't even here. I don't despise you. The children are at fault—I'll deal with them when we get back. Please, don't do this again!"
Company Commander Wang tried to comfort her, his voice trembling.
Sister Zhao didn't respond, only cried softly.
Xu Qiuju and the others gathered around to console her.
Now that she had been rescued, the rest was a matter of emotional support.
This was where Political Commissar Wu stepped in. He assured Sister Zhao that Company Commander Wang would be held accountable and that her concerns would be properly addressed.
Seeing that Sister Zhao had stabilized, Tang Qiyue realized she shouldn't stay any longer. She was completely soaked.
After informing Li Erhong and the others, she prepared to head home to wash up.
Their earlier plan to buy fish and shrimp was forgotten. Everyone urged Zhan Zeyi to take Tang Qiyue home quickly and prepare some ginger and brown sugar water for her.
Zhan Zeyi, his expression still cold, carried Tang Qiyue away.
She felt a little embarrassed. "I can walk myself…"
"Quiet. Your man is strong enough to carry you."
Since he refused to let go, she didn't insist.
The entire way back, Zhan Zeyi didn't speak, but the tension around him was unmistakable.
Tang Qiyue poked his chin. "Are you angry?"
She was genuinely confused. She had saved someone—why was he upset?
"At least you're not blind," he replied.
The touch made his chin itch, and when he glanced down at her smiling face, some of his anger faded.
"Do you have a hero complex? You barely know how to swim, and with that clumsy technique, you still dared to jump into the sea to save someone? What were you thinking?"
Tang Qiyue couldn't explain her "special abilities," so she laughed awkwardly. "I'm really good at holding my breath…"
Even she didn't sound convincing.
"That's only because she had already fainted and couldn't grab onto you. If she had panicked and clung to you, both of you would've been dragged under!"
His anger flared again.
Only then did Tang Qiyue understand—he was worried about her.
"I checked carefully first. If she had been struggling, I wouldn't have gone in!"
Clearly, that didn't fully satisfy him.
They soon arrived home. Zhan Zeyi told her to go to the bathroom while he prepared hot water.
Tang Qiyue obediently went to wash up. Since he was home, she couldn't use any shortcuts and had to rinse herself with limited water. She only cleaned her body and didn't wash her hair.
Just as she finished changing, Zhan Zeyi spoke from outside.
"I've got more hot water—let me bring it in."
He hesitated briefly but then reminded himself she was his wife. What was wrong with seeing her?
He braced himself and spoke.
Unexpectedly, Tang Qiyue opened the door immediately.
Zhan Zeyi instinctively turned away.
He hadn't expected her to be so direct. Even though he had mentally prepared himself, his body reacted before his mind could.
Seeing his reaction—and the water sloshing in the bucket—Tang Qiyue laughed.
Zhan Zeyi regretted turning away so quickly. Turning back now felt awkward.
"It's broad daylight. Aren't you worried someone might see? Close the door!"
he snapped.
But Tang Qiyue had already stepped closer, tilting her head slightly, her hand brushing through her damp hair.
"Are you shy?"
she teased playfully.
Zhan Zeyi couldn't stand such teasing. He immediately turned back and looked at her.
He had prepared himself to stay calm no matter what he saw.
But what met his eyes wasn't just a woman fresh from bathing—
it was a captivating, teasing smile.