As soon as the words were spoken, Huo Tingzhou released her.
He wasn’t blind to the slight curl of his wife’s lips, but in matters like this—
one was willing to play along, and the other was happy to indulge.
As long as she was happy, he was content to spoil her for a lifetime.
Gently kneading her calf, Huo Tingzhou turned to her with an attentive expression.
"Wife, go ahead and ask."
Jiang Si didn’t hesitate either, settling into a comfortable position against the back of the chair.
"A few days ago, I heard Political Commissar Li and the others mention that when the farm reconstruction begins, the provincial military district will send experts in geology and construction."
"But it’s been almost a week now, and there’s been no news at all. Why?"
Huo Tingzhou replied, "That’s true, but there’s been a slight complication."
Jiang Si tilted her head questioningly. "What kind of complication?"
He then explained the situation as he knew it.
"The provincial military district has reached out to several institutions, but none are willing to take on the project."
Jiang Si looked puzzled. "Why not?"
"Because the original factory buildings on the farm were designed by the First Design Institute of the Fifth Ministry of Machinery."
Jiang Si wasn’t very familiar with this institute. "Is this design institute particularly renowned?"
"Yes."
Huo Tingzhou nodded. "Currently, all the factory buildings for the Third Front construction projects are designed by this institute."
Hearing this, Jiang Si understood.
This institute was essentially the gold standard in the industry. If even their designs couldn’t withstand the recent typhoon, other institutes would face a dilemma.
If they took on the project and performed poorly, it would tarnish their reputation.
If they did well, it would be seen as a slight to the Fifth Ministry’s Design Institute.
Either way, it was a no-win situation, so they all unanimously declined.
Jiang Si sighed. "Then what do we do now? We can’t just leave things hanging like this."
"Probably not."
Seeing his wife’s concern, Huo Tingzhou carefully analyzed the situation for her.
"The Fourth Division’s annual military expenditure is several times that of other divisions. If the state farm can’t resume operations, the higher-ups will have to fill that gap."
"Suddenly covering such a large expense would strain the military budget, so it’s likely the military will assign a design institute directly."
At this point, Jiang Si had a sudden realization.
The current head of the military was Father Huo.
So, whether for public or private reasons, Father Huo would assign a design institute of equal standing.
Huo Tingzhou nodded, confirming her guess.
"Aside from the Fifth Ministry’s Design Institute, the only ones at the same level are the Barracks Design Institute under the General Logistics Department and the Beijing Industrial Design Institute under the Ministry of Construction."
Jiang Si wasn’t very familiar with the former.
But the latter was one she recognized well.
This was the later-famous China Architecture Design Institute, responsible for countless landmark projects.
Like Beijing Railway Station, Beijing Art Museum, Beijing Grand Hotel, the National Grand Theatre.
Even later projects like Daxing Airport and the Beijing CBD core area were all designed by them.
If they could be assigned the project, it would practically be a done deal.
With that in mind, Jiang Si revealed her plan for the remaining funds. "I intend to invest the remaining 200,000 entirely into the farm’s reconstruction."
Huo Tingzhou’s massaging hand paused. "All of it?"
Jiang Si smiled. "Yes."
She expected him to ask why, but instead, he simply replied with a single word.
"Okay."
"You don’t have anything else to ask me?" Jiang Si blinked her almond-shaped eyes, grinning mischievously.
This was 200,000 yuan—and in 1969, no less!
And all he had to say was a casual "okay"?
Huo Tingzhou lifted his gaze, his eyes lingering on her radiant face.
"You decide how the household money is spent."
If it ran out, he’d just earn more.
Hearing this, Jiang Si laughed. "Huo Tingzhou, you’re the best!"
Now that she thought about it, he had never once refused anything she wanted to do.
Well, except during her pregnancy.
Like right now—"Can I have an ice pop…?"
The smile on Huo Tingzhou’s face instantly froze.
"Not… just yet."
Jiang Si sighed. "What about half?"
She didn’t understand it herself—why did pregnancy make cravings so irrational?
Even if she got one, she’d probably only take a few bites.
But once the desire struck, she had to have it!
Otherwise, the thought would nag at her endlessly.
"Please?" Jiang Si pressed.
And she was honest—this wasn’t about the babies.
She just wanted it for herself!
Seeing her negotiate so earnestly just for a bite of ice pop, Huo Tingzhou felt an inexplicable pang in his chest.
On one hand, he pitied her for the sacrifices she’d made for their children—even something as simple as an ice pop was off-limits in the summer heat.
But on the other, he worried about her health.
His wife was carrying twins…
After an internal struggle, he finally said, "Wait here for me."
Jiang Si smiled in satisfaction.
She knew he’d give in eventually.
What she didn’t know was that the moment Huo Tingzhou stepped out, he rushed straight to the military hospital.
Seeing him arrive in a flustered sweat, Doctor Jiang immediately tensed.
"What’s wrong? Don’t panic, explain slowly!"
As she spoke, she glanced at the calendar on the wall.
While twin pregnancies often led to early labor, Comrade Jiang wasn’t even seven months along yet.
And her recent checkups had all been perfectly normal.
There shouldn’t be any issues.
But then again—wasn’t the biggest problem standing right in front of her?
She had reminded him countless times—pregnancy required caution.
Especially during the first and last trimesters. No intimacy!
Had Colonel Huo even listened?
Lost in thought, Huo Tingzhou’s voice snapped her back.
"Doctor Jiang, my wife really wants an ice pop. Would it be alright for her to have one?"
"……"
Doctor Jiang stared at him in silence for a long moment.
"That’s… that’s it?"
"Yes."
Noticing her expression, Huo Tingzhou pressed his lips together.
Then added, "If a whole one’s no good, would half be alright?"
Doctor Jiang sighed. "Theoretically, we don’t recommend it. But if she’s really craving it, a bite or two shouldn’t hurt."
Huo Tingzhou understood. "Thank you, Doctor Jiang."
With that, he dashed off like a gust of wind.
Doctor Jiang: "……"
Ten minutes later, Jiang Si finally got the ice pop she’d been longing for.
Though she didn’t get the whole thing, she still savored every bite, feeling a little unsatisfied afterward!
Seeing her like this, Huo Tingzhou’s heart ached.
Holding her close, he kissed her chilled lips and murmured, "Never again after this."
Jiang Si paused, then laughed teasingly.
"But didn’t you always want a daughter? What if this time it’s not one?"
Huo Tingzhou tightened his arms around her. "It’s fine if we don’t."
"……" Jiang Si didn’t believe him.
Until he added, "Having you is enough."
Jiang Si suddenly grinned. "I’ve noticed your words have been especially sweet lately."
With that, she carefully turned in his arms, cupped his face in her hands, and planted a kiss.
"Mmm, definitely sweet!"
But what happened next took Jiang Si by surprise.
Huo Tingzhou turned the tables completely, leaving her no chance to escape...
After what felt like an eternity, he finally released her.
His voice was husky, and there was a faint trace of grievance in his eyes as he spoke.
"Wife, can I sleep on the bed tonight?"
Jiang Si felt an inexplicable pang of guilt under his gaze.
After a long pause, she replied, "Alright."
...
Time flew by in the rhythm of everyday life, and before they knew it, several more days had passed.
At noon that day, Huo Tingzhou returned from training with two pieces of good news for her—
