Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 526 - 510 Yao’er’s Justice

Lu Chi was transferred back to Beijing for work and reported to his unit.

Coincidentally, he and Jiang Jinghuai were under the same army group.

After reporting, he didn’t rush home but took some time to familiarize himself with the unit’s recent situation.

Unexpectedly, in just one year, there had been earth-shaking changes here.

Those who had gone to the frontline in the previous battles and returned—all those with achievements—had been promoted. Especially Jiang Jinghuai, who had earned a first-class merit. He was now considered Lu Chi’s superior.

What a lucky man, someone truly born under a good star.

Still, staying alive is good. He had never wished for Jiang Jinghuai’s death, after all, they were good brothers who grew up together. He even hoped for him to keep living, so he could witness him marrying Kunling.

Lu Chi didn’t go that time. His father had urged him to go to the frontline to gain experience, but he had refused. The reason he gave wasn’t anything special—he was afraid of accidents, afraid he couldn’t continue serving his purpose.

Tasks like going to the frontline were assigned to many of the senior officials’ children. Some were filled with scorching passion and volunteered to participate; others, when faced with such matters, could decline if they didn’t want to go. Lu Chi fell into the latter category.

He admitted it; he was afraid of death. That was his old problem, the one everyone looked down upon. He knew many people mocked him, calling him a coward behind his back.

But what did that matter? Protecting his life, avoiding meaningless sacrifices, that was the only way to laugh until the end.

He wasn’t willing to do that kind of dangerous work. One careless mistake, and he wouldn’t make it back alive. He still hadn’t won over Kunling; the thought of dying was unbearable to him.

Sacrifice—such a thing was the highest honor for a soldier.

But for Lu Chi, he looked down on it. From a young age, he never intended to follow in his father’s footsteps. He only wanted a stable job, a plain and simple life. Whether it was indifference to ambition or a timid nature, he just wanted peace and steadiness. Let those major endeavors be left to those people with supposedly lofty ideals!

Ever since what happened to Jiang Jiaqi, he had stopped considering it altogether. If it weren’t for that incident, he never would’ve joined the army. He was forced into it. After Jiaqi’s death, his life had become a complete mess.

Li Qiong’er specially changed into a new outfit—a light green, tight-fitting qipao.

Her hair was styled into a bun, adorned with golden earrings and a pearl necklace.

Graceful and elegant; this had always been her preferred style.

"Aunt Gui, Lu Chi is returning today. Make lunch a little more special."

"Alright, madam."

Li Qiong’er watched Aunt Gui bustling about, her eyes suddenly turning moist.

So many years ago, her mother had been a maid in Lu Chi’s household and would always be busy running around like this. Back then, she would always hide in the shadows and observe Madam Lu of the time—so dignified and elegant, exuding boundless charm. She secretly mimicked them, their every word, their every move, their every smile.

Later, her mother passed away from illness—tuberculosis. She saw it happen with her own eyes: the visible speed at which her mother withered, paled, and shrank, eventually turning into a lifeless corpse.

Overworking—that described her mother. She was a woman doomed to a bitter life—it was fate.

Some people labor intensively for a lifetime; others live richly for a lifetime.

Being doomed to toil wasn’t a problem; fortune was something you fought for yourself.

Li Qiong’er waited bitterly at the door, standing there for over an hour before finally seeing the weary Lu Chi return.

The couple hadn’t seen each other for a long time; Lu Chi still displayed his cultured and composed demeanor.

Li Qiong’er enthusiastically helped him take off his military jacket and held it in her hands. "Hungry? The food is ready."

Lu Chi nodded faintly, giving her a once-over. After a year apart, seeing Li Qiong’er felt like looking at a stranger. He couldn’t recall her, didn’t really recognize her. Lately, his memory had been poor—it seemed to revolve entirely around Kunling.

Li Qiong’er, naturally sensing his coldness, pretended as though nothing was amiss as she went to put his coat away.

At the dining table, she occasionally served him some dishes.

When they were almost done eating, she pressed her lips together and cautiously looked at him. "Lu Chi, Yao’er died in a car accident; I haven’t been able to let go of it for a year now. Who was it that reported her back then?"

Lu Chi froze for a moment before answering indifferently, "Yao’er’s situation was indeed unfortunate. I also felt sad about it. It was Jia Wenxiu who reported her—I learned about it later."

Li Qiong’er was visibly unsettled. "Jia Wenxiu?! How dare she? Weren’t they supposed to be on the same side?"

"Jia Wenxiu was targeting Zhao Chun. Yao’er was Zhao Chun’s partner—she didn’t know Yao’er was connected to us."

So Jia Wenxiu indirectly caused it? And to think, at that birthday banquet, she’d helped her deal with Tian Sangsang!

Ignorance could justify such reckless actions? Could it serve as an excuse for such behavior?!

Li Qiong’er held back her anger. "Yao’er’s car accident doesn’t seem simple. First, she was reported, then she got into an accident—there must be someone pulling strings behind the scenes."

"The car accident was an accident," Lu Chi said, his tone sharpening as he emphasized, "I investigated it. It was indeed a sudden incident. The driver was drunk at the time; he’s already been arrested and put behind bars."

"But..." Li Qiong’er shook her head, her voice trembling, "It’s all just too coincidental..."

Lu Chi replied dismissively, "Some things just happen to be coincidences. Alright, eat your meal." The final words carried evident impatience.

Seeing his expression, Li Qiong’er dared not continue speaking. Suddenly, she shivered, a chill running through her spine. Yao’er’s death was so unclear, and as Yao’er’s cousin—practically her sister—she felt a strong desire to seek justice for her. She remembered Tian Sangsang’s words; Yao’er had called out "brother-in-law" before she died...

Upon raising her eyes to look at Lu Chi again, she realized that he had changed greatly. He had become much deeper but also more unfamiliar.

That night, Lu Chi left his study and went straight to the bedroom to turn off the lights and sleep. In the darkness, Li Qiong’er slowly tried to draw closer to him, reaching out to hold him. In the past, he’d never required her to make the first move—if he needed it, he’d urgently undress her himself.

But tonight, Li Qiong’er’s attempt at seduction failed to spark any interest in Lu Chi. Apart from a single heavy breath, there wasn’t the slightest reaction from him. For a normal couple, a year apart would naturally stir physical desires, wouldn’t it?

Yet Lu Chi showed no signs. Li Qiong’er, constrained by the image she always worked to maintain, couldn’t bring herself to say anything—turning over on her side to sleep instead.

In the silence, she pondered: Could it be that this past year, Lu Chi had been with another woman? Guan Kunling? No, that didn’t make sense—when Kunling was in Beijing, Lu Chi hadn’t returned yet.

**

Unable to ingratiate herself with Jiang Jinghuai, Jia Wenxiu turned her thoughts to Lu Chi.

Upon hearing Lu Chi had returned, Jia Wenxiu couldn’t wait until the next day.

"Wenxiu." Li Qiong’er opened the door and stepped out, her eyes flashing with a hint of disdain. "Come in."

How could she not understand Jia Wenxiu’s intentions? She’d heard all about the incident at Beijing University—everyone was gossiping fervently. To her, Jia Wenxiu was nothing more than a clown, a fool. That was her perspective until yesterday. Today, in her eyes, Jia Wenxiu was also a murderer!