Jiang Si didn't say anything at the moment, just nodded.
But in her heart, she knew this matter was definitely not as simple as a memory blackout.
Unfortunately, even as the train traveled south all the way to Yangcheng, she still couldn't recall any useful clues.
Since Huo Tingzhou had another meeting in Yangcheng, the group stayed there for two days.
During this time, Jiang Si found an opportunity to go out alone.
She buried the items she had stored in her space ten years ago at the docks on a small hillside a few kilometers from the port.
These things didn't belong to the Jiang family, and holding onto them held no meaning for her.
Mainly, she simply didn't lack such things now.
After handling everything, she wrote an anonymous letter and mailed it to the relevant authorities.
As for how the matter would be handled afterwards, she didn't concern herself with it.
Two days later, the ship arrived at Xiuying Port on Hainan Island over an hour early.
The person who came to pick them up this time was still He Ping.
After a few years apart, He Ping had clearly matured and become much more steady.
But upon seeing Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou, his excitement hadn't diminished in the slightest.
"Regiment... Commander, Sister-in-law, you must be tired from the journey!" As soon as he finished speaking, He Ping's eyes were already rimmed with red.
Huo Tingzhou wasn't usually a man of many words.
But He Ping had served under him for several years; this bond wasn't something just anyone could match.
"If you're not used to it, you can still call me Regiment Commander."
"That won't do!" This was the Commander of the General Military Region! The thought that he had once worked by his side for years made He Ping instantly straighten his chest.
Don't ask, the answer is pure pride!
The wind was strong on the dock, so He Ping hurriedly urged them, "Sister-in-law, Grandpa, please get in the car."
Then, he looked at Jingxing and Jingyan.
When the siblings were born, He Ping had already gone to military academy for advanced studies.
This was his first time meeting them.
He Ping smiled, his eyes full of affection, "These must be Jingxing and Jingyan, right? They are so good-looking."
One resembled the Commander, the other resembled Sister-in-law, no wonder all the sisters-in-law praised them.
"Hello, Uncle He." Suisui and Zhaozhao often heard their parents mention Uncle He. Although they had never met him before, they still held great respect for him.
"Ah, hello, hello! Get in the car quickly."
He Ping helped with the luggage while introducing Hainan Island to the children, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.
That evening, the group checked into the Provincial Military District Guesthouse once again.
While handling the check-in procedures, the two staff members at the front desk stared at Jiang Si for quite a while.
They felt she looked very familiar, as if they had seen her somewhere before.
But they couldn't recall it immediately.
It wasn't until the next day, when Jiang Si came downstairs wearing the same style of white blouse and dark green long skirt from ten years ago, her hair still in its usual loose single ponytail tied with a dark green ribbon, that they remembered—these two had stayed here ten years ago!
Back then, they had said this couple was a perfect match of talent and beauty, and any children they had would be incredibly good-looking.
The facts proved their guess was absolutely correct!
Unlike last time when the two had discussed in hushed tones, this time their conversation was clearly heard by Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou walking behind them.
Hearing this, Huo Tingzhou glanced sideways at Jiang Si beside him.
Jiang Si happened to be looking at him too.
Their eyes met, and they couldn't help but smile.
The road to the Fourth Division had been rebuilt and renovated the year before last, now shortening the drive to just two hours.
The newly built road mostly followed the coastline. Along the way, coconut groves cast shadows, the sea was blue, and the sky was clear—the scenery was simply breathtaking.
For the siblings who were born on Hainan Island but had never once played by the sea, this was an utterly irresistible attraction.
A little over two hours later, the car came to a smooth stop at the back gate of the Fourth Division's family compound.
The reason for not entering through the main gate was all based on He Ping's experience.
A few days ago, Sister-in-law Hu and Sister-in-law Xu's arrival at the compound had already caused quite a stir. If they knew our Sister-in-law was also coming, wouldn't that be something?
But what He Ping didn't know was that the sisters-in-law had already anticipated his anticipation.
Just as the group got out of the car and before they could even finish unloading the luggage, the waiting sisters-in-law immediately swarmed in from all directions.
That day was spent amidst flowers and all kinds of greetings.
So much so that Jiang Si's wish to take a proper look around the family compound had to be abandoned.
"We can go now." Huo Tingzhou suddenly turned over. He glanced at the moonlight outside the window. "The moonlight is very good tonight."
"Now?" Jiang Si wore an expression that said, "Are you joking?" It was already almost nine o'clock at night.
But looking at Huo Tingzhou's eyes, she knew he wasn't joking.
As if bewitched, Jiang Si actually agreed.
That night, just like before, the two of them walked arm in arm, strolling slowly around the family compound under the moonlight for over an hour.
Over the past few years, the family compound had expanded considerably.
The earliest batch of low-rise courtyard houses had been demolished, and many coconut trees had been planted along the roadsides.
Unconsciously, they walked near their old residence again.
This house held too many memories of their initial acquaintance, adjustment, companionship. Just standing here for this short while, many scenes surfaced in Jiang Si's mind.
Good ones, bad ones, sour ones, sweet ones... by now, none of that mattered anymore.
What mattered was that these shared, beautiful memories had already merged into their lives and would accompany them for the rest of their days.
Knowing the two children were longing to go tide-pooling, after visiting old superiors like Division Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li, several families picked a fine, sunny day to go to the seaside.
Blue sky, white clouds, sandy beach.
The sun was just right, the breeze gentle.
The children were playing, she was laughing.
Time seemed to have pressed the pause button completely on all of this.
Even doing nothing, just sitting there quietly together, listening to the rhythmic sound of the waves, feeling the salty, moist sea breeze against their faces, felt uniquely wonderful.
Unconsciously, sunset had arrived.
Watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon, Huo Tingzhou suddenly turned to look at Jiang Si, who was leaning on his shoulder.
"Wife, thank you for coming to find me, thank you for giving me a home."
He paused, then looked into the distance again. "Thank you for making me look forward to every single day from now on."
Jiang Si looked up at him.
It was hard to imagine that such a reserved and restrained person could say these words to her face.
In fact, she should be the one saying thank you.
She hooked his finger, just like she did ten years ago when they took their wedding photos.
"Thank you, Huo Tingzhou."
Thank you for choosing her, believing in her, and loving her without reservation from beginning to end.
It was precisely because of his unwavering choice that she could live so vibrantly, freely, and happily.
