Unable to understand why, Mother Huo decided not to dwell on it. After all, in a few months, they would be dividing the household, and each family would live their own lives—whether well or poorly would depend entirely on their own efforts.
Mother Huo laid everything out clearly, detailing every sum of money and who had provided it. Seeing this, Jiang Si didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted it directly.
"Thank you, Mom."
"We’re family—no need for formalities. If anyone should be saying thanks, it’s your father and me."
After giving Jiang Si a heads-up about the household division, Mother Huo continued, "Over the years, we’ve owed the Jiang Family—and Little Zhou—far too much."
"Your grandparents said the house they live in will be left to you and Little Zhou. This will be written into the agreement when we divide the household."
"Once the division is done, we’ll also compensate you separately."
The Jiang Family had raised their third son so well, and Mother Huo had never forgotten this kindness.
Hearing her mother-in-law mention the household division, Jiang Si was quite surprised. But since the elders had their own ideas, she chose not to interfere.
"Mom, let’s eat first."
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Si suddenly asked, "Mom, would you like seafood noodles? We still have plenty of seafood at home."
This was probably the common habit of someone who had just learned to cook—always eager to whip up a dish or two, and Jiang Si was no exception.
Besides, in Capital City, there was a saying: "Dumplings for departure, noodles for arrival."
Jiang Si didn’t know how to make hand-pulled noodles, but seafood noodles with store-bought dried noodles were simple enough for her.
Mother Huo had heard that her daughter-in-law had recently taken up cooking. Not one to dampen enthusiasm, she cheerfully agreed.
"Then I’ll help out. I’ve never made this before—is it difficult?"
"Mom, it’s super easy."
As they chatted, the two headed to the kitchen. With mother-in-law and daughter-in-law working together, the task felt effortless.
Soon, two steaming bowls of noodles were ready.
Though called seafood noodles, the dish was mostly seafood with only a small portion of noodles.
After the meal, Mother Huo insisted on washing the dishes.
With nothing else to do in the afternoon, Jiang Si took Mother Huo for a stroll around the military compound.
Their laughter and cheerful conversation caught the attention of the other military wives, sparking curiosity once again.
This time, however, the focus of their debate was unusual: just who was the woman Jiang Si was walking arm-in-arm with?
Most of the wives thought, "Isn’t it obvious? That must be Comrade Jiang’s mother!"
In these times, strained mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships were everywhere. In their compound alone, who didn’t dread the mention of their mother-in-law?
But a few believed it must be her mother-in-law.
After all, Huo Tingzhou’s features closely resembled Mother Huo’s—the same tall stature, the same high nose bridge. They looked like they were carved from the same mold.
And then there was the way she looked at Jiang Si—exactly the same.
What started as a trivial matter somehow veered into a heated debate about mother-in-law relationships.
Before long, the discussion grew so intense that it nearly turned into an argument.
Unaware of the commotion they’d caused, the two women continued their walk, with Mother Huo now fixated on a propaganda mural in the compound.
Mother Huo studied the mural—a military wife holding a red book—then turned to her beloved daughter-in-law.
"Si Si, is… is this person supposed to be you?"
Though the painting paled in comparison to the real person, the more she looked, the more it seemed to resemble Jiang Si.
Jiang Si didn’t keep her in suspense and nodded. "Mom, you’re amazing—you recognized me at a glance."
When she’d first seen the mural a few days ago, Jiang Si had nearly been struck speechless.
It wasn’t a question of likeness.
At first glance, all she noticed were her own eyes—wide as a cow’s—and cheeks as red as a monkey’s backside.
If not for showing Mother Huo around today, she would never have looked at it again.
"It really is you?"
Mother Huo was stunned for a long moment. Initially, she’d thought the mural’s proportions were exaggerated and the overall effect odd.
But now that she knew it was Jiang Si, she found it quite charming!
Immediately, Mother Huo pulled out her camera.
"Si Si, take a few photos for me. Make sure the mural is in the shot."
Jiang Si: "..."
Was this really necessary?
Mother Huo’s actions answered: Yes, absolutely necessary.
She struck seven or eight poses in succession. Even after finishing, Mother Huo felt that since she’d come all this way, she simply had to take a few photos with her daughter-in-law.
Just as she was wondering who to ask for help, He Ping appeared in her line of sight.
Mother Huo suddenly remembered—wasn’t this her son’s orderly? She opened her mouth to call him over, but someone else spoke first.
"Guard He, wait a moment—"
A young soldier, panting, caught up to He Ping. "I’ve been looking for you everywhere."
"What is it?"
"Nothing much. There’s a call for your regiment commander."
At this, He Ping’s expression darkened. "Is it from Capital City?"
"Yeah, Capital City."
"I told them Commander Huo wasn’t available and that they could leave a message. But they said if Commander Huo wasn’t there, they’d speak to his wife instead."
The young soldier was baffled. Why hadn’t the caller just dialed Commander Huo’s office directly instead of routing through the communications battalion?
But what puzzled him even more was He Ping’s response—telling him to hang up immediately.
Hang up?
The soldier thought he’d misheard. "Guard He, the caller sounded urgent. Shouldn’t I run to the family quarters? It’s no trouble."
"No need. The commander’s wife is busy right now. Just hang up. I’ll take responsibility if anything comes of it."
With that, He Ping turned to leave—only to be stopped after two steps by Jiang Si and Mother Huo.
"Sister-in-law—"
"Auntie—"
Their expressions told He Ping everything. They’d overheard the conversation.
Jiang Si knew He Ping wasn’t the type to act recklessly, so this had to be on Huo Tingzhou’s orders.
She cut straight to the point. "Was the call from the Su Family… or the Huo Family?"
He Ping hesitated. "The Huo Family."
At the mention of the Huo Family, Mother Huo’s demeanor shifted instantly—gone was the gentle, affectionate expression.
How bold of them.
To call all the way to Qiongzhou Island.
"He Ping, who called? What did they say? Tell me everything—don’t leave out a single word."
