Hu Meili didn't keep them in suspense. "Mingjuan and her family might be transferred to the capital city in a few months."
The few of them had been close back on the island. Even though they had been apart for two years now, keeping in touch with occasional calls and letters, the distance was simply too great.
Now that Mingjuan's family was moving to the capital, she was genuinely thrilled.
Before Jiang Si could say anything, Hu Meili added, "And Mingjuan is pregnant again."
Jiang Si was taken aback for a moment before understanding. "Sister-in-law Xu is pregnant?"
"Yes, just past three months," Hu Meili said.
With this child coming, Mingjuan could finally put a major worry to rest, especially since she had lost twins last time.
After a pause, Hu Meili continued, "I've really missed her these past two years she's been gone. It would be wonderful if we ended up in the same residential compound."
However, the transfer procedures weren't finalized yet, and Mingjuan wasn't sure which military unit would ultimately receive her husband Old Lei's file.
Jiang Si smiled. "Even if we're not in the same compound, it's fine. We'll all be in the capital city, so meeting up will still be convenient."
"That's true," Hu Meili agreed with a sigh. "It's also thanks to the current policies. Who would have dared to hope for this before? It's only been just over two years since his last promotion, and now he's getting another one."
The speed is almost like riding a rocket!
"From the sound of it, is Brother Xiao getting promoted too?"
Hu Meili shook her head with a smile. "It's not certain for my Old Xiao. But your Huo Tingzhou's promotion is pretty much a done deal."
"That probably won't happen," Jiang Si felt the possibility wasn't high.
Last time, Huo Tingzhou got promoted three ranks in one go. This time, she thought he'd have to wait another three to five years at least.
"Don't be so sure."
Hu Meili helped tidy up the packages on the floor. After they both sat down on the sofa, she lowered her voice.
"You've seen the recent newspapers, right?"
Jiang Si nodded. The news about the important foreign dignitary's visit to China had been making rounds in all the papers daily lately; it was impossible not to know.
Hu Meili blinked and brought up another high-profile figure.
That person had come twice last year, the first time being a secret visit.
The newspapers only announced the news several days after the person had already left.
Jiang Si knew about this too.
It was said that the person was in Pakistan at the time, with the official story being illness, but actually boarded a special plane to the capital city that very night.
But what did this have to do with Huo Tingzhou's promotion?
Wait! Jiang Si suddenly remembered something.
She recalled that last July, Huo Tingzhou had also been extremely busy for over a month, just like this time.
But back then, she had been swamped with orders for the facial feature database, shuttling between the embassy district and her study every day, so she hadn't paid much attention.
Now, hearing Teacher Hu mention this, a bold guess formed in Jiang Si's mind.
Could it be that Huo Tingzhou was in charge of the security details for both of that person's visits last year, plus this recent one?
Thinking about it carefully, it wasn't impossible. Huo Tingzhou was, after all, responsible for the entire capital's air defense security.
For such a person to arrive in China on a special plane in the middle of the night, the Chinese side couldn't possibly be unaware.
So the public story was just a cover, but in reality...
Seeing Jiang Si had finally caught on, Hu Meili smiled and said, "The newspapers are calling it a 'ice-breaking journey' for relations between the two countries. It's only natural for the higher-ups to want to reward those involved."
Having delivered the news, Teacher Hu didn't stay much longer. After chatting a while more, she said, "Don't cook lunch. Bring Suisui and Zhaozhao over to my place."
She owed a lot to Sister Jiang Si this time for bringing back so many fashionable goods for her.
It really takes a woman to understand a woman.
Her Old Xiao had bought her a coat not long ago. The color, the style... Hu Meili was almost embarrassed to say it; even a dog would turn its nose up at it.
"Alright, I'll come over in a bit," Jiang Si didn't stand on ceremony with her.
After getting ready, she took the two little ones over.
On the way, she remembered to bring the gifts for the children.
Weidong was a diligent and studious child. Only in fifth grade, he had already finished previewing all the first-year junior high school material.
With such a hardworking role model around, Weimin couldn't afford to be lazy either.
Sure enough, in last semester's final exams, both boys ranked at the top in all subjects.
Knowing the two boys were especially interested in model airplanes, Jiang Si bought one for each of them.
She naturally hadn't forgotten Qingqing's gift either. All the children were delighted with their presents.
...
Huo Tingzhou returned to the capital a week later, arriving home very late.
Perhaps knowing he had upset his wife last time, the first thing he did upon arriving was to apologize.
Nearly a month had passed since the incident, and the little anger Jiang Si had felt was mostly gone.
But to teach her man a lesson, she still pretended to be angry, keeping a stern face.
Fortunately, Huo Tingzhou was prepared. He placed a rolled-up document in front of Jiang Si.
"What's this?" Jiang Si looked at him, her mind racing with guesses but not daring to be sure.
Huo Tingzhou gestured with his eyes. "Open it and see."
Last time he was transferred, his appointment letter was collected directly by Father Huo. This time, after receiving it, he brought it home immediately.
He had never forgotten the look of admiration in his wife's eyes when she saw Father Huo in uniform receiving commendations in the newspaper.
Sure enough, after opening the appointment letter, the look Jiang Si gave him was clearly tinged with admiration.
Due to his outstanding performance over the past two years, Huo Tingzhou had successfully shed the "Deputy" from his title. He was now the bona fide Chief of Staff of the Air Force Headquarters!
No woman is immune to admiring strength, and Jiang Si was no exception.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling. "Promoted so fast... you're amazing!"
Seeing her so happy made Huo Tingzhou happy too.
Although, his wife had been looking at the appointment letter for a rather long time—a full two minutes without glancing at him.
So, seizing the chance to change the subject, he gently took the appointment letter from Jiang Si's hands and set it aside.
"Darling, Old Lei and his family are moving to the capital next month too."
"Yes, Teacher Hu told me." She had been meaning to ask Huo Tingzhou about it. "Which department received Brother Lei's file?"
"The Radar Corps."
Afraid Jiang Si might not understand, Huo Tingzhou added a few explanations.
The Radar Corps was a direct secondary unit under the Capital Air Force. After his transfer, Old Lei would serve as the Director of the Operations and Communications Department, mainly responsible for training plans, combat drills, and so on for several radar regiments below.
Jiang Si wasn't very familiar with these military details. "Will their assigned housing be in the Air Force compound too?"
Huo Tingzhou nodded. "Yes, the procedures are almost complete."
"That's good."
Sister-in-law Xu's move would take some time, so there was no rush. Jiang Si then brought up another matter.
"Now that you've been promoted, should we host a celebration dinner?"
Last time Huo Tingzhou was promoted, considering various reasons, they didn't hold a banquet.
If they skipped it again this time, it would seem a bit off.
Besides, basically every family in the Air Force compound hosted a few tables when someone got promoted.
After discussing it, the couple decided to follow the compound's custom and booked two tables in the large cafeteria.
There weren't many guests, just a few close friends and family.
After the midday feast, by evening the doors were closed, and the whole family gathered again for a lively, bustling dinner around the table.
