Jiang Si's heart pounded wildly, though she couldn't fathom why he would be here at this moment.
But she had seen that figure countless times—she was certain she wasn’t mistaken.
Just then, another deafening crash!
“Not good! This window’s about to give way too.”
Amid the chaos, Battalion Commander Sun roared, “Second Platoon, grab whatever you can and block this window now!”
“Logistics Section, stand by for repairs.”
“Yes, Battalion Commander!” The young soldiers responded in unison.
But soon, they realized this approach wasn’t working.
The Second Platoon leader wiped his face, nearly distorted by the wind.
“Battalion Commander, it’s no use! The wind’s too strong—we can’t even keep our eyes open.”
Forget opening their eyes—they could barely stay on their feet.
Before Battalion Commander Sun could reply, that tall, familiar figure sprang into action.
In one swift motion, he grabbed a wooden crate meant for disposal and lunged forward.
The next second, he braced his arms—
—and slammed the crate against the shattered window, forcibly sealing the gap.
Battalion Commander Sun was about to ask who this hero was—
—until he got a closer look. “Huo… Regimental Commander Huo!”
At first glance, Battalion Commander Sun thought he was seeing things.
Wasn’t Regimental Commander Huo supposed to be on standby at the transit airport in Guangxi?
What was he doing back here?
But there was no time to dwell on it.
Snapping to attention, Battalion Commander Sun mimicked Huo Tingzhou, hefting another crate to reinforce the window’s other side.
With both crates wedged in place, the wind’s force noticeably eased.
Huo Tingzhou gritted his teeth. “Quick! Bring anything to plug this gap—whatever’s nearby, move fast!”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldiers hauled sandbags, swiftly building a barricade against the wind.
Meanwhile, the Logistics Section worked frantically, nailing every usable plank into place.
After nearly half an hour of relentless effort, both damaged windows were finally secured.
Yet no one dared let their guard down.
Huo Tingzhou glanced at the shattered glass and bloodstains on the floor. “How are the injured family members?”
Battalion Commander Sun reported, “One fractured her leg, but surgery’s impossible now—we’ve stabilized it with splints.”
“The others have minor injuries. The medic’s already bandaged them; they should be fine.”
Huo Tingzhou nodded. “These sandbag walls need another half-meter height. Reinforce the remaining windows too.”
“Understood. I’ll see to it.”
Section Chief Deng left with his team, leaving Battalion Commander Sun alone.
Noticing his hesitation, Huo Tingzhou frowned. “Speak your mind.”
Battalion Commander Sun explained, “Most families cooperated, but a few stirred up unrest. Their resistance spread to others.”
“Especially Deputy Battalion Commander Xiang’s mother—”
Huo Tingzhou cut him off coldly. “Document the names of the primary instigators.”
Battalion Commander Sun blinked. “Document?”
“Yes.”
Huo Tingzhou’s gaze turned razor-sharp.
The nation has its laws; the army has its discipline.
He couldn’t control these families, but with lives at stake, he wouldn’t tolerate anyone jeopardizing the mission.
Surprisingly, compliance followed swiftly.
Perhaps shaken by the shattered windows, when soldiers relayed new orders,
everyone surrendered all but essential belongings.
Possessions could be replaced. Lives couldn’t.
Even Old Lady Xiang, who’d earlier refused, grudgingly handed over her bulky luggage under the collective glare of the wives.
With excess items cleared, the auditorium felt notably emptier.
“Regimental Commander, the sandbag walls meet the required height.”
“The Logistics Section confirmed all windows are reinforced.”
As Battalion Commander Sun debriefed, Huo Tingzhou exhaled slightly.
They’d done all they could. The rest was fate’s call.
“Order all soldiers to rest where they are.”
“Yes, sir.”
Battalion Commander Sun nearly invited Huo Tingzhou to join his unit—but before he could speak,
Huo Tingzhou was already striding toward the person he’d longed to see.
Truthfully, he’d spotted her much earlier.
“Wife, why are you standing here alone?”
His eyes swept over her, ensuring she was unharmed, then scanned the surroundings.
“Where’s Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong? Aren’t they in the auditorium?”
Her reply was two words: “Bend down.”
Huo Tingzhou obeyed.
Jiang Si stepped closer, dabbing his rain-and-mud-streaked face with a prepared towel.
Only then did she explain, “We’re all fine. Third Granduncle and Uncle Zhong were carrying sandbags earlier; they’re resting in the storage room now.”
“Sister-in-law Hu and Sister-in-law Xu are with us too.”
After detailing their situation, she voiced her burning question:
“Why are you back so suddenly? Weren’t you supposed to return after the typhoon?”
Unbeknownst to her, her tone and eyes brimmed with worry.
Huo Tingzhou savored it but hurried to clarify.
“The island’s low on antibiotics and disinfectants. Command ordered emergency deliveries before the typhoon hits, so—”
“So you volunteered,” Jiang Si finished flatly.
At his rank, such missions were beneath him.
Huo Tingzhou didn’t deny it, just held her gaze.
As a soldier, he’d fulfilled his duty.
As a husband, he still fell short.
“Wife—” Her silence set off alarms in his mind.
“I’m not angry,” she said immediately.
But her look mirrored one reserved for fools. “Are you an idiot?”
Relieved, Huo Tingzhou quipped, “Mm. Fools have fortune—how else would I land a wife like you?”
“…” Jiang Si nearly laughed despite herself.
Yet she couldn’t deny one truth:
The moment she’d recognized Huo Tingzhou’s silhouette, joy had flooded her heart.
But it was short-lived.
As Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou headed to the storage room to rest—
The speakers above the auditorium suddenly crackled with a burst of static. Though the broadcast was intermittent, the moment the words "tornado" came through, everyone's expressions instantly changed.
"Everyone, crouch down immediately and cover your heads with both hands."
Huo Tingzhou's voice had barely faded when he pulled Jiang Si behind him, his arm tightly encircling her head and back.
"Don't be afraid. Nothing will happen."
His words brushed against the top of her head.
Jiang Si parted her lips, wanting to say she wasn’t scared.
But before she could speak, the ground began to tremble—
