He Ping had served in the military for seven years and been a Party member for three. His family was working-class, and he himself had a high school education. Last year, he received a division-level commendation and was awarded the title of Model Soldier in the military district.
Huo Tingzhou said, "He Ping's scores are far ahead—there's no dispute about that. But now that he's in a relationship, things might get complicated."
"Why?" Jiang Si looked over in confusion. "Does the military academy have rules against dating?"
"Not exactly." Huo Tingzhou explained, "There are three paths for recommended admission. The first is the Primary Command School, with a one-and-a-half-year program. Graduates are commissioned as platoon-level officers."
"The second is the Political Academy, a two-year program. Graduates are commissioned as deputy company-level officers."
"The last is the Engineering and Technical Academy, a three-year program. After graduation, they must pass an assessment to be commissioned as either platoon-level or deputy battalion-level officers."
"Additionally, cadets are strictly prohibited from receiving family visits during their studies, and their correspondence is also restricted."
So that was how it was.
After hearing this, Jiang Si also felt the situation was tricky. She had seen He Ping's circumstances for herself today.
People often said a leader's style rubbed off on their subordinates. With Huo Tingzhou being such a romantic at heart, He Ping was probably not far behind.
But if He Ping wanted to consider future eligibility for military family relocation, his only option was the three-year Engineering and Technical Academy.
The problem was, he’d be gone for three years. Would the girl be willing to wait for him?
Even if she was, her parents might not agree.
Still, there was no point in overthinking it.
Jiang Si said, "After dinner, have a proper talk with He Ping about this. It’s his decision to make—we can’t give advice, and we shouldn’t interfere."
Huo Tingzhou nodded. That was exactly what he had in mind.
So after the meal, Huo Tingzhou called He Ping into his room.
"Regiment Commander, what’s up?" He Ping was still grinning like a sunflower.
Huo Tingzhou glanced at him. He wasn’t one to beat around the bush with his subordinates, so he got straight to the point.
"Your assessment scores this year ranked first among all four squads."
To prevent score manipulation, the details of how points were awarded or deducted for each assessment item were classified. Apart from direct superiors, no one knew their exact scores for the year.
So when He Ping heard he’d come in first, his jaw nearly hit the floor!
Having served under Huo Tingzhou for five years, he knew exactly what first place meant.
But the news was so unexpected that He Ping was momentarily stunned.
Huo Tingzhou said, "You should have the military academy materials. Go back and think it over carefully. Give me your answer by the 25th."
"Understood, Regiment Commander."
It should have been joyous news, but He Ping’s smile was strained. When he left the room, he was practically walking like a puppet.
Jiang Si was used to seeing He Ping carefree and grinning, so his sudden change in demeanor made her sigh.
Even late at night, as the two lay in bed, Jiang Si was still preoccupied with the matter.
Noticing she was still awake, Huo Tingzhou propped himself up on one arm and pulled her into his embrace with the other.
"Still thinking about earlier?"
Jiang Si nodded. "If you were He Ping, what would you choose?"
She knew it was a difficult question.
On one side was his future, on the other, love.
No matter what he chose, there would likely be regrets.
But Huo Tingzhou turned to her with a serious expression.
Feeling his gaze, Jiang Si looked up.
Their eyes met.
A faint smile lingered in Huo Tingzhou’s eyes. "Future and love don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I’m not He Ping, and I wouldn’t agonize like him. My answer has always been in your hands."
"If you want me to go, I’ll go."
"If you don’t, I’ll find another path."
"No matter which path I take, I’ll give it my all to give you the life you want."
Pressed against him and pinned under that intense gaze, Jiang Si coughed lightly, flustered.
"We’re talking about He Ping here. Why are you making declarations?"
Still, she had to admit sweet nothings sounded much better than grunts.
Though, to be fair, some of his grunts weren’t so bad either.
The thought made her cheeks warm.
Luckily, only a small bedside lamp was on, and Huo Tingzhou didn’t notice.
Shaking off those distracting thoughts, the two circled back to He Ping before drifting into chatter about life in the military family quarters.
Huo Tingzhou suddenly remembered something. "Before He Ping left, Sister-in-law Hu specifically told us to come over for lunch at their place tomorrow."
Jiang Si smiled. "Good timing. I brought gifts for them."
Seeing how late it was, Huo Tingzhou gently brushed her hair aside and murmured softly, like coaxing a child, "Sleep now. We have to get up early tomorrow."
Jiang Si nodded. "Just don’t stick so close to me."
With Qiongzhou Island’s temperature hovering in the twenties, Huo Tingzhou’s body heat was like a furnace.
After being held by him for just a little while, Jiang Si already felt herself breaking into a sweat.
No sooner had she spoken than she heard a faint creaking sound.
"There’s... there’s a rat!"
Ever since being startled by a rat once before, the mere sound of it now made every hair on Jiang Si’s body stand on end.
If she’d known there would be rats, she should’ve kept Dun Dun here overnight.
Dun Dun was the calico cat Jiang Si had brought home earlier, initially just called "Mimi."
But some time ago, whether from overfeeding or some other reason, the cat had grown quite plump.
Jiang Si had muttered a few words about it, and by chance, Huo Tingzhou overheard.
Ever since then, she could no longer look at the name "Mimi" the same way.
So she renamed the cat Dun Dun.
Just then, the creaking sound came again, this time even louder than before.
Jiang Si’s scalp prickled. "Maybe... maybe you should go to Third Uncle’s room and bring Dun Dun over."
"It’s not a rat," Huo Tingzhou said, gently covering Jiang Si’s ears with his hands.
"You’re just burying your head in the sand."
Jiang Si pushed his hands away. "I really heard it."
Ever since drinking the spiritual spring water, her senses had become razor-sharp!
Seeing his wife still clueless, Huo Tingzhou sighed and gave the other bed a slight shake.
As the metal frame wobbled, the same creaking noise instantly filled the room.
Jiang Si: "..."
Huo Tingzhou lowered his voice. "Not many military families can live on base. Others can only visit during leave."
"To ease the strain, the army set aside some rooms in the guesthouse as... couples’ quarters."
Since reunions were rare, even knowing the guesthouse walls were thin, there wasn’t much choice.
And so, the creaking went on late into the night, only stopping near dawn.
Jiang Si barely slept a wink. The next morning, she trudged downstairs looking thoroughly drained.
"You can rest a bit more once we’re in the car," Huo Tingzhou said.
No sooner had he spoken than he felt a chill down his spine.
Turning around, he met the "fond" gazes of Third Uncle and Uncle Zhong.
Huo Tingzhou: "..."
He decided he shouldn’t be called Huo Tingzhou anymore—he ought to rename himself Huo Dou E, the wronged man.
