"It seems you two get along quite well. Keep up the good work. We’ll be selecting more people to join your training soon, and we hope everyone can progress together."
Dean Hu was very pleased.
"It’s getting late. Once you’ve finished your discussion, make sure to rest early. Health is the foundation of everything."
With that, Dean Hu left. Qin Nian glanced at her watch and realized it was already past the time the children were supposed to be back from school.
She quickly wrapped up the conversation, scheduled their next meeting for the day after tomorrow, and hurried home with Shen Xianjun.
"Auntie, once the children are on break, I’ll take them with me and bring them back when school starts again."
At home, the children had already eaten and were doing their homework. Hu Jun and Army Commander Liao were both at Qin Nian’s place.
"I trust you with the kids. What should we prepare for them?" Yang Yufen asked carefully.
"Just pack a few extra sets of clothes. Don’t worry about anything else, Auntie."
Hu Jun replied with a smile. The break wasn’t far off, and his mother had mentioned this to him earlier. He was taking it very seriously.
After Army Commander Liao’s explicit instructions, Hu Jun also felt these children should be nurtured from a young age to make the most of their talents.
"Mom, Old Commander? Brother."
Shen Xianjun was slightly surprised to see them when he walked in and immediately saluted.
"Enough of that. Just call me Uncle. I’m not your commander anymore. You’ve done well for yourself, and your kids are promising too. Make sure to raise them right!"
Army Commander Liao’s tone was solemn, but then he thought of his own youngest son. While others’ children were already running around, his son still refused to settle down—a real headache.
"Xianjun, since you’re working with Yuanjie now, talk to him about the benefits of marriage. See when he’ll finally agree to tie the knot. I don’t have high standards—just someone willing to start a family. We don’t care about the woman’s background, as long as she passes the political vetting."
"Yes, sir!" Shen Xianjun nodded promptly.
Hu Jun’s eyes flickered, then he felt a heavy pat on his shoulder.
"Yuanjie is under your command now. As his superior, you should also pay attention to his personal life. Settling down first will allow him to focus better on his work."
"Don’t worry, I’ll arrange some social events and make sure Yuanjie attends."
"Good, good! Well, I’ve been here long enough. Time for me to head back. Sister Yang, I’ll take my leave now. Comrade Qin, goodbye."
Army Commander Liao bid farewell to Yang Yufen, and the group saw him off.
Hu Jun reiterated the plans for the children’s break to Qin Nian and Shen Xianjun.
"Then we’ll trouble you, Brother. I’ve been quite busy lately. Although my mentor said I could work from home, I think the research institute would be better. Once I wrap up some tasks here, Xianjun can return to duty. Keeping him here would be a waste of his talents."
Qin Nian shared her own arrangements.
"Understood. I’ll report this to higher-ups."
Hu Jun had originally hoped to give the couple more time together, but their relationship was respectful and distant—perhaps for the best, as it didn’t interfere with their work.
Yang Yufen listened quietly. Her daughter-in-law was about to be swamped again, but she was doing important work and shouldn’t be held back. Besides, she already had two grandchildren—that was enough. The younger generation would find their own way.
Meanwhile, the children, having finished their homework, began poking and teasing each other.
"Big brother, is the military camp fun?"
"It is fun, but you have to endure hardship."
Hu Zhenghao tilted his head slightly in thought.
"Grandma Yang needs to sew extra layers on the pants, or else you might end up bare-bottomed."
"Huh? Why?"
Li Wu was curious.
"You’ll find out when the time comes."
Hu Zhenghao wore a mysterious expression.
Li Wen, however, lowered his head, lost in thought. "Brother, does that mean we won’t see Grandma for a long time?"
Li Wu froze at those words—oh no! He hadn’t even considered that.
"You’re big boys now, still clinging to your grandma all day. You play with toy guns all the time—how about I take you to see real ones? There are tanks and cannons too. Want to ride on a tank?"
Hu Jun walked in and chimed in, immediately capturing Li Wu’s attention.
The two boys were enthralled by Hu Jun’s description—it sounded so impressive they could hardly wait to climb onto a tank. Just imagining it made them feel invincible.
The next morning, Qin Nian, unusually, carried a bag as she stepped out. Professor Wen was already waiting outside.
"Mother-in-law, what are you doing here?"
Shen Xianjun was puzzled.
"Nian, you didn’t tell Xianjun?"
Professor Wen instantly picked up on his tone.
"I was afraid Xianjun would tell Mom, so I didn’t mention it beforehand. You’ll find out soon," Qin Nian said, turning to Shen Xianjun, who didn’t press further.
The three of them rode their bicycles and soon arrived near the newly built middle school.
"Why are you here today? We’re still tidying up—it’s a bit messy," the homeowner said.
"My daughter is here to take a look. If everything’s good, we can proceed with the transfer today."
Professor Wen smiled warmly, and the homeowner’s face brightened even more.
"Wonderful! Please, come inside. This must be your son-in-law? Not only is your daughter beautiful, but your son-in-law is so tall and strong. You’re truly blessed."
Qin Nian carefully inspected the place. It was similar to her family’s old home, and since the owners had taken good care of it—always occupied—the house, though aged, was still sturdy.
She nodded at Professor Wen.
The courtyard was nestled in a quiet spot, right next to the school yet away from the main street, making it convenient to come and go.
"These are all old pieces of furniture, and we can’t take them with us. They’re yours now—if you don’t like them, you can always use them as firewood," the homeowner added hastily, not wanting to miss the opportunity. His family was emigrating, and while there had been other potential buyers, they all balked at the price. Yet selling for too little pained him.
"Thirty-two thousand is too expensive. Can you lower it a bit?" Qin Nian asked.
"Honestly, I can’t go any lower. How about thirty-one thousand eight hundred? It sounds auspicious—‘prosperity’ and all that," the homeowner suggested after a pause.
"Deal."
Qin Nian nodded. In truth, she was just testing the waters—Professor Wen had already given her a rough estimate beforehand.
"Great! I have all the paperwork ready. If it’s convenient, we can finalize it right now."
The homeowner was thrilled. Seeing Qin Nian’s agreement, he hurried off to fetch the property deed.
"Mother-in-law, Nian, we already have a house at home. Why buy another one? And thirty thousand… I…"
Shen Xianjun hesitated, embarrassed to admit he didn’t have the money. Letting his mother-in-law pay was even more awkward.
"I’m buying this for Mom. I’ve brought enough money," Qin Nian said.
Shen Xianjun was stunned. Mom? Surely she didn’t mean his mother?
Shen Xianjun suddenly felt as if he was getting ahead of himself—no, no, this felt far too strange.
Not daring to press for details, Shen Xianjun followed along to the housing administration office, watching as Qin Nian produced her household registration booklet.
