Family Quarters Building.
Li Yanhong stood in the bright, sunlit room.
She took a deep breath; the air still carried the distinctive scent of fresh lime and wood from the new house.
Although it was a bit small, the advantage was that everything was brand new.
It was certainly much better than their old hometown place, and Li Yanhong was quite satisfied.
After getting her daughter to sleep, she began tidying up the house.
She spread the floral-print cloth brought from their hometown on the table, arranged several enamel mugs neatly on it, and hung a family portrait on the wall.
Gradually, this unfamiliar space began to feel like a home.
Li Yanhong wiped the sweat from her forehead, looked at the gradually cozy little house, and a smile unconsciously lifted the corners of her mouth.
As soon as training ended, Liu Bing hurried home as fast as he could.
His military uniform was soaked through with sweat and clung to his back, but he didn't have time to change. Earlier, a young soldier had already brought him the message that his wife had arrived at the family quarters.
So soon today?
He hadn't even gone to the gate to meet his wife and help carry her things yet!
Thinking of this, Liu Bing quickened his pace even more, taking the stairs two at a time.
By the time Liu Bing rushed breathlessly into the house, Li Yanhong had already cleaned it until the windows shone and everything was spotless.
Sunlight filtered through the thin gauze curtains, casting soft pools of light on the floor.
The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, making Liu Bing's stomach growl.
Looking at the home now filled with a lived-in warmth, Liu Bing's mouth involuntarily stretched into a wide grin, revealing a set of white teeth.
"Wife, you've worked hard."
Liu Bing rubbed his hands together and sidled up to Li Yanhong ingratiatingly.
Seeing Liu Bing, Li Yanhong's anger flared up.
She put down the rag in her hand and placed her hands on her hips.
"Do you have any idea how much stuff I brought today, and how tiring it was with Nannan too!"
Her voice was tinged with threads of anger.
"You didn't even know to come meet us and help."
As she spoke, her eyes grew slightly red.
"It seems we're not in your heart at all."
Alarm bells rang loudly in Liu Bing's mind, and he hurriedly tried to prove his sincerity.
He grabbed Li Yanhong's hand and pressed it against his own chest.
"Wife, that's so unfair!"
"My feelings for you, the sun and moon can bear witness."
His eyes were wide open, like a big wronged dog.
"It's not that I didn't want to pick you up, I was genuinely busy. There was emergency training this morning, and a meeting in the afternoon..."
Li Yanhong gave him a resentful look and shook off his hand.
"You're busy? Are you busier than Captain Pei?"
"He's a regiment commander now."
Liu Bing quietly added.
Li Yanhong, "..."
She snorted coldly.
"And you still have the nerve to call him a blockhead?"
Her voice rose an octave.
"Captain Pei went to pick up his wife at noon today."
Here, she pointed to the pile of local specialties in the corner.
"If it weren't for them, Nannan and I still wouldn't have made it to the base."
Liu Bing was speechless.
This Pei Zhengnian, with all his work, is he finished with it?
And he went to pick up his wife?
Getting him scolded by association.
Liu Bing patiently explained to Li Yanhong for a long time, talking about military discipline, training tasks, personal prospects, and family responsibilities, until he was nearly worn out from talking. Only then did Li Yanhong's anger subside.
"Alright, I know you work hard too."
Li Yanhong looked at Liu Bing's increasingly tanned face, a flicker of heartache in her eyes.
"I've already cooked the rice, just need to stir-fry a few dishes, and we can eat."
Her voice softened.
"Oh, on the table, I put some dried mushrooms and wood ear fungus from our hometown. Take them to Regimental Commander Pei's house."
She paused.
"Today, not only did they give me and Nannan a ride, they also helped carry the things and Nannan upstairs."
Liu Bing nodded, feeling as if granted a pardon.
"I'll go deliver them right now."
He grabbed the cloth bag on the table and dashed out of the house as if escaping, afraid his wife would remember something else to scold him about.
...
Liu Bing knew about Pei Zhengnian renovating the bungalow.
Back when housing was being assigned, he had even advised Pei Zhengnian to choose an apartment in the building, but the man was adamant about wanting the bungalow.
However, what exactly Pei Zhengnian had done with the renovation, Liu Bing didn't know.
Anyway, Liu Bing thought, even with renovation, could you really turn a bungalow into something spectacular? No matter what, the apartment building was better!
When Liu Bing arrived at Pei Zhengnian's place, even before entering, standing outside the courtyard wall, he was already somewhat surprised.
The wall and courtyard gate had been redone, painted snow white, with a few vibrant green rose vines climbing over them.
It was actually done up quite nicely.
"Regimental Commander Pei, are you home?" Liu Bing cleared his throat and called out loudly.
"I am."
Pei Zhengnian's voice came from inside the house, accompanied by footsteps.
The courtyard gate creaked open, revealing Pei Zhengnian's tall figure in the doorway.
Liu Bing handed the things he was holding to Pei Zhengnian. "These are some local specialties from our hometown. Please try them."
But his gaze couldn't help drifting into the courtyard.
This one glance was enough to shock him thoroughly.
Good gracious.
This courtyard was too beautiful!
Fixed up just like a city park.
Although the areas on either side of the bluestone path were still a bit bare, a small, delicate pavilion stood beside the courtyard, with a table and stools underneath.
Next to it was a grape arbor, with a swing hanging below.
Even though there was freshly turned black soil everywhere, not yet planted with anything, it was more than enough to amaze Liu Bing.
Was this still the shabby bungalow courtyard he remembered?
Inside the house, Shen Nanchu, hearing the commotion, came out.
"This is?"
Her gaze fell on Liu Bing, carrying a hint of puzzlement.
"I'm Liu Bing, deputy company commander of the third company under Regimental Commander Pei."
Liu Bing quickly introduced himself, unconsciously straightening his posture.
"Thank you, Regimental Commander and Ma'am, for giving my wife a ride back."
"These are some local products from our home. Please have a taste."
Liu Bing had a deep impression of Shen Nanchu. Last time she came to visit, her striking appearance had caused quite a stir in the unit.
Shen Nanchu had an impression of this Liu Bing; they had crossed paths in the cafeteria during her last visit.
"Deputy Company Commander Liu, come in for a cup of water!"
She invited politely.
Since he had brought gifts, Shen Nanchu called out courteously.
"Alright!"
Liu Bing agreed swiftly.
He didn't really want water; he just wanted to see what Pei Zhengnian had done with the bungalow renovation.
Curiosity drove him to step across the courtyard threshold, but once inside, Liu Bing regretted his decision.
The living room was spacious and bright, with a set of solid wood furniture arranged in a pleasing, well-spaced layout.
Liu Bing's heart soured with envy.
Compared to his own apartment, although on paper Pei Zhengnian only had one extra room, the actual space was considerably larger. And it was so bright.
Pei Zhengnian saw through Liu Bing's thoughts with just one glance.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he deliberately said,
"Deputy Company Commander Liu, would you like to take a tour of my new place?"
His tone was light, but his eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
Shen Nanchu raised an eyebrow. Was Pei Zhengnian planning to rub salt in the wound?
Watching Liu Bing's instantly stiffened expression, she almost laughed out loud.
Liu Bing nodded with difficulty.
If he looked, he was afraid his envy would grow worse.
If he didn't look, he was afraid his heart would feel more clogged with resentment.
Either way, he'd end up feeling worse, so he might as well look!
With a feeling of grim determination, he followed Pei Zhengnian into the house.
Pei Zhengnian led Liu Bing on a tour around the home.
From the living room to the kitchen, and from the kitchen to the bedroom, every spot left Liu Bing in awe.
Forget everything else for a moment; the sheer size alone was already a complete victory. Not to mention the spotlessly clean and tidy kitchen, the bedroom, and the ensuite bathroom attached to it.
When he saw the master bathroom with its marble-tiled shower area and the vanity counter in the bedroom, Liu Bing's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Did... did you do all this yourself?"
Liu Bing stammered, his fingers unconsciously tracing the smooth tile wall.
Pei Zhengnian nodded, his tone casual,
"Yeah, it took over a month."
He deliberately played it down, but the pride in his eyes was impossible to hide.
After the tour, Liu Bing's heart was riddled with holes.
He thought of the shared public toilet at his own place where you had to wait in line, and that tiny kitchen where it was hard to even turn around, and suddenly life felt profoundly unfair.
After bidding a dejected farewell, he dragged his heavy steps homeward, his retreating figure looking utterly desolate.
Shen Nanchu watched Liu Bing's departing back and asked Pei Zhengnian curiously,
"Aren't you worried that by provoking him like this, he'll get a complex and start slacking off on the job for you?"
She still remembered that this Liu Bing worked under Pei Zhengnian.
Pei Zhengnian shook his head, looking completely confident.
"It's fine, his mental fortitude is strong!"
"Besides, I'll just give him some extra 'attention' during training tomorrow."
Sure enough, once back home, Liu Bing devoured three big bowls of white rice with the tasty dishes his wife had cooked.
The fragrant and spicy stir-fried cured meat with garlic sprouts, the tangy and appetite-whetting pickled vegetables, and that steaming bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup instantly soothed his wounded soul.
Once he was full and satisfied, his spirits revived, and he even started scheming about how to convince his wife to agree to renovate their own house.
...
