"I understand that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and I’ve never considered divorce."
Since Huo Tingzhou had said it so plainly, what else could Director Cao say?
"Make time to go to the military hospital for a health check. As for the marriage application, I’ll expedite the approval process—you’ll hear back by next week at the latest."
In this era, with many infectious diseases around, ensuring the safety of the troops and the stability of families was a priority.
For pilots getting married, both spouses had to undergo medical screenings at the military hospital for infectious diseases, genetic conditions, and reproductive health.
"Thank you, Director Cao."
After expressing his gratitude, Huo Tingzhou hung up and immediately dialed Director Li at the logistics department.
Upon hearing that his marriage application would likely be approved by next week, Director Li promptly signed off on the housing request for the family quarters.
Even Huo Tingzhou’s request to build a small courtyard outside was granted without hesitation.
He Ping had no idea his regimental commander had a hand in this. When he received the notice from the logistics department, he immediately reported it to Huo Tingzhou.
Though Huo Tingzhou felt a twinge of guilt, he still explained everything honestly to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si didn’t dwell on it. Moving into the family quarters sooner was fine by her—staying at the guesthouse had grown unbearably dull.
What pleased her most, though, was Huo Tingzhou’s attitude.
He was methodical, decisive, and never lied.
That was more than enough for her.
The next morning, Jiang Si woke up before six.
But Huo Tingzhou had left even earlier—according to the front desk staff, he’d headed out shortly after five.
At this hour, the canteens and state-run restaurants had just opened, and the breakfast rush was in full swing. Jiang Si decided not to join the crowds.
Lately, she’d been spending her evenings wandering around her space, feeding the piglets and ducklings.
Since the little ones dined on fruits and vegetables grown in the space and drank from the spiritual spring, they thrived.
The piglets, once barely 20 pounds, had ballooned to over 200 pounds in less than half a month.
The fluffy yellow chicks and ducklings had also grown plump and sturdy.
When Jiang Si checked the space this time, she was stunned—eight pink piglets had appeared in the pen!
The ducks and chickens had multiplied even more, now numbering close to fifty.
Once they moved into the family quarters, she’d need to plant some ordinary vegetables in the yard.
Otherwise, at this rate, her space would soon turn into an animal kingdom.
Oddly, the seafood and freshwater fish she’d raised, despite soaking in the spiritual spring, hadn’t grown wildly like the others.
Jiang Si shrugged. Maybe the space had its own logic.
With time to spare, she selected the [One-Click Slaughter] function and quickly left the space to pack her belongings.
Pork was delicious, but she had no stomach for the butchering process.
When she returned later, the fattened pigs had already been neatly butchered and portioned.
Jiang Si cut a three-pound piece of hind leg meat and scooped out about two pounds of flour.
After choosing [One-Click Cooking], ten minutes later, forty steaming, fragrant meat buns were ready.
She took a bite—the flavor was similar to the canteen’s, but upon closer taste, the ones from her space were undeniably better.
Packing a few buns into an aluminum lunchbox, she then grabbed a speckled rooster and a green-headed duck from the coop, tying them securely with straw rope.
The night before, Huo Tingzhou had mentioned that the men helping them move today were from his battalion—close comrades.
Once everything was settled, he wanted to invite them for a simple dinner to celebrate their new home early.
Moving furniture was hard work, so treating them to a meal was the least they could do. Jiang Si had no objections.
If not for Qiongzhou Island’s daytime temperatures soaring above 30°C—making it impossible to keep fresh pork until evening—she would’ve brought back a few pounds of fatty meat.
Still, with chicken, duck, and a few dishes from the canteen, it would be enough.
Around nine, Jiang Si carried her luggage downstairs.
Huo Tingzhou had settled the room fee the night before, so she only needed to return the key and sign out.
Before leaving, she asked the staff for directions to the nearest state-run market.
Fortunately, it wasn’t far—just a ten-minute drive.
Wandering through the market, Jiang Si marveled at the abundance of tropical fruits on Qiongzhou Island.
She didn’t buy much—just a few coconuts, a dozen mangoes, and some papayas for stewing with bird’s nest later.
When she had time, she’d stock up on local saplings to plant in her space.
After another ten minutes of browsing, she headed back.
While loading her purchases, she retrieved the bound chicken and duck from her space, laying thick newspaper in the trunk to keep it clean.
On second thought, she also took out thirty eggs and some seasonal vegetables.
When they arrived at the department store, most of the furniture had already been moved, and the workers were now securing it with hemp ropes.
The roads in the provincial capital were relatively smooth, but once they left the city and turned onto the county road, there was a particularly bumpy stretch.
That morning, Huo Tingzhou had come prepared, handing each worker a pack of cigarettes and asking them to use extra ropes for reinforcement.
While supervising, Huo Tingzhou kept glancing at the roadside.
When he saw Jiang Si park her car by the side of the road, he strode over with his long legs.
"It’ll be done in about ten minutes. You can rest in the car for now."
Jiang Si gave a soft "Mm" and took a steamed bun from the lunchbox, stuffing it directly into his mouth.
"I bought some buns—they’re really good. Eat them while they’re hot."
Huo Tingzhou froze for a moment before realizing she had just hand-fed him.
They were delicious.
He ended up wolfing down five in one go!
Jiang Si was stunned. How did he manage to finish such a large bun in just three bites?
"Slow down," she said, handing him a military canteen.
It was mostly filled with cooled boiled water, with just a small amount of spiritual spring water mixed in.
But instead of feeling overjoyed, Huo Tingzhou’s heart ached inexplicably when she passed him the canteen.
In the past, she would never let anyone touch her belongings, let alone share them.
The Third Elder Uncle only knew the gist of what had happened to the Jiang family. Over the phone, his most repeated words were, "You must treat her better from now on."
In a corner where no one could see, Huo Tingzhou clenched his fists.
He didn’t fully understand what had transpired.
But he knew—she must have suffered.
Jiang Si had no idea that simply handing him a canteen would make him overthink so much.
Nor did she know that because of this, he would pin all the blame on Shen Xiuwen.
As a result, someone who should have been released by the end of the month ended up being detained by the Red Committee for nearly two years.
After a long pause, Huo Tingzhou took the canteen.
He avoided touching the spout, tilting his head back to gulp down several mouthfuls.
Soon, the furniture was securely fastened.
Huo Tingzhou exchanged a few words with the transport team and, after slipping the driver another pack of cigarettes, took the driver’s seat.
The trip back to the military base from the provincial capital would take over three hours, including an hour and a half along a coastal road with breathtaking views.
At that moment, Jiang Si, leaning against the car window to admire the stunning ocean scenery, had no idea.
Because of her arrival, the entrance to the residential compound was already swarming with curious onlookers—
