After the previous round of elimination, only three names remained on the long list.
They were the Director of the Design Management Department, the Head of the Material Supply Division, and Deputy Minister Xu.
Though it was hard to believe, all three had directly or indirectly interfered in this matter.
Seeing Jiang Si staring at the list in silence for a long time, Huo Tingzhou pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head.
But before he could speak—
"I'm fine," Jiang Si leaned back against him, her voice slightly muffled. "I'm just... shocked."
At this, she turned to glance at Huo Tingzhou.
Just as he had said, these very individuals had offered her immense support and kindness during her time at work since she joined.
Because of their goodwill and care, Jiang Si had even remarked more than once over the phone how fortunate she was to have such wonderful superiors.
Frankly, if Chi Heng hadn’t explicitly told her there was a mole in the department,
she would never have suspected any of them.
"I understand," Huo Tingzhou said, sensing the words she left unspoken. After a pause, he added, "Appearances can be deceiving. It’s not uncommon for people to lose their way."
His voice was quiet, yet it carried an inexplicable calm that soothed her.
Almost instinctively, Jiang Si nestled deeper into his arms.
"Now that we know who they are, you’ll need to be extra cautious when dealing with them."
As he spoke, Huo Tingzhou’s gaze drifted back to the list in her hand.
"These individuals are seasoned veterans. Don’t confront them head-on."
Jiang Si nodded.
Now that the scope had been narrowed down, she would definitely be more vigilant.
"By the way," she changed the subject after settling the serious matter, "how long can you stay this time?"
Even as she asked, she already knew the answer.
Huo Tingzhou wouldn’t be home for long.
After all, his time was never his own—something she had come to terms with long before their marriage.
Especially now, with only three months left until the major military competition in October.
The competition wasn’t classified; she’d heard Father Huo mention it before.
This time, Huo Tingzhou would be piloting the newest fighter jet in the nation’s arsenal,
a model officially deployed this year, codenamed J-7I!
Its performance was a significant upgrade from previous models, but due to limited production, only 34 units existed nationwide.
So far, they had been allocated to just a handful of elite units.
Huo Tingzhou’s Fourth Division had received only three.
Jiang Si didn’t know much about these details, but she recalled Father Huo mentioning in passing that while the new aircraft was impressive,
its operating system had undergone major changes, requiring pilots to invest considerable time in adaptation and familiarization.
Additionally, Father Huo had said the competition would include a solo aerobatics segment,
where pilots like Huo Tingzhou would have to execute a series of high-difficulty maneuvers at altitudes below 500 meters—
with zero room for error.
Even though she had braced herself, hearing Huo Tingzhou say he had only two days left still made her freeze for a moment.
Huo Tingzhou took in her reaction.
Under such circumstances, he should have been by her side, shielding her from the storm.
Yet he couldn’t even provide the most basic companionship.
The thought filled him with guilt and self-reproach.
"Sorry, darling."
Jiang Si shook her head, interrupting him. "It's just a few months. It'll pass quickly."
Though she said this, her mind couldn't help but drift to another matter.
She wondered if he would make it back from his training in time for the twins' first birthday.
When the children turned one month old, they had been on Qiongzhou Island.
Apart from Mother Huo, no one else from the family had been able to attend.
Even now, the Old Master still regretted it deeply.
Fortunately, this year, the twins were staying in Capital City.
At least this regret could finally be made up for.
So, long ago, they had started discussing plans to throw a lively first birthday celebration for Suisui and Zhaozhao.
In fact, the Old Master had recently taken up calligraphy again, practicing daily.
He intended to personally write the invitations for the occasion.
The birthday party was scheduled for National Day, when the whole family would be together. If the children's father wasn’t there...
Jiang Si felt like something would be missing.
But the training was critical, and the schedule wasn’t something Huo Tingzhou could control.
So, she kept these thoughts to herself, never voicing them aloud.
Yet, as if he had read her mind, Huo Tingzhou suddenly said, "I’ll make it back before October 1st."
Jiang Si was completely taken aback. "R-really? Won’t that interfere with your work?"
"No," he replied firmly, knowing she’d worry if he didn’t explain.
So, he confessed honestly, "I’ve already gotten familiar with the new aircraft’s controls. The training should go smoothly."
At his words, Jiang Si was reminded of the two weeks he had been out of contact.
Unsurprisingly, Huo Tingzhou’s next words confirmed her suspicion.
Two weeks ago, after learning that the provincial military district had also been equipped with two of the latest J-7I fighter jets,
he had taken a group of elite pilots selected from several aviation academies to the Heilongjiang military flight base.
There, they had undergone a two-week closed-door training session.
"No wonder…" he had lost so much weight.
As she spoke, Jiang Si reached up and touched his face. "When you go back for training this time, take care of yourself."
Huo Tingzhou held her hand, understanding the concern in her eyes, and nodded solemnly.
"Mm. You too."
With only two days together, every minute and second felt precious.
Neither could say who initiated it, but once their serious conversation ended, the two of them ignited like dry wood meeting fire—unstoppable.
With the children not around, there were no restraints.
Huo Tingzhou’s stamina was, as always, astonishing. The sounds of their passion lingered in the room until the early hours before finally quieting.
Exhausted, Jiang Si fell asleep almost instantly.
Thankfully, her workplace had granted her three days off.
But by the time she woke up, half a day had already slipped away unnoticed.
Her entire body ached. Even after drinking the spiritual spring water, her legs still trembled as she tried to walk downstairs.
No one else was home at the moment, so Huo Tingzhou simply scooped her up and carried her to the sofa.
"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?"
His tone was serious—just like last night—making it impossible for Jiang Si not to overthink.
"No," she answered quickly, then changed the subject. "I’m hungry."
"Take a seat, I'll get it for you right now." With that, Huo Tingzhou dashed off to the kitchen like a gust of wind.
While Jiang Si ate, Huo Tingzhou sat patiently on the living room floor, playing building blocks with the two little ones.
It only dawned on Jiang Si later. "Why are Suisui and Zhaozhao so well-behaved today?"
