The military district was massive. Rows of houses were neatly arranged, and every blade of grass and tree exuded a sense of order.
Not far away, a squad of soldiers jogged past, chanting slogans with magnificent momentum.
The further the car drove inside, the stronger the atmosphere of everyday life became.
Up ahead were two rows of recently built three-story buildings. Their white walls were quite the scenic sight for this era.
Going further in, there were individual single-story houses. Su Lang had applied for one of the older houses here.
The car pulled up to a stop in front of a house.
The house assigned to Su Lang was neither too big nor too small, featuring two bedrooms, a living room, and a small side bathroom. Out front was a small courtyard equipped with a water tap and a flame tree several meters tall.
As soon as Su Lang stepped out of the car, a group of military wives swarmed over, staring eagerly into the vehicle.
Lin Zhilan, who was just about to get out, felt a bit dazed by being suddenly surrounded by so many people, and she pulled her leg back in.
Su Lang massaged his forehead. He walked over to the car door, leaned in to carry his daughter, and then took his wife's hand, leading her out.
Holding his wife's hand with one hand and carrying his daughter with the other, he looked at the ladies who seemed frozen by some magic spell, frowning as he asked, Is there something you need, ladies?
His words were like flipping a switch, and the stunned crowd finally snapped back to their senses.
The woman standing at the very front gave a stiff smile and shook her head. It is nothing. We just heard you brought your family over, so everyone came to take a look.
They could not exactly admit they had come to watch a joke.
Su Lang was young and promising. More than a few families had their eyes on him to be a husband for their daughters or female cousins.
When he suddenly decided to marry a divorced country woman with a child, naturally, some people were unhappy. With a few exaggerated rumors, they had practically belittled this woman into the dirt.
Who would have thought that Commander Su's new wife would be this beautiful!
How could anyone look this good?
The child was pretty too, fair and tender, like a little fairy.
The group of people glued their eyes to the mother and daughter, reluctant to even blink, afraid they would miss out if they looked away for even a second.
Knowing she would be living here long-term, Lin Zhilan offered the crowd a smile. Hello everyone, I am Lin Zhilan, and this is my daughter Linlin. I will be in your care from now on.
Good, very good.
An auntie who had come to join the fun smiled and said, My name is Chen Hehua, just call me Aunt Hehua. I live right next door, so come find me if you need anything.
Why should she look for you? I do not live far either...
...
These people actually started arguing over who Lin Zhilan should go to for help.
Su Lang rubbed his temples and politely shooed them away. Zhilan and the child are a bit seasick. If you ladies have anything to say, we can talk about it later. We will not keep you any longer.
Alright, alright, Commander Su, hurry and take them inside to rest. The military wives looked concerned.
Su Lang: ...
Lin Zhilan nodded politely to the crowd and followed Su Lang into the courtyard.
Only when her figure completely disappeared did the women reluctantly withdraw their gazes.
In just half a day, the news that Commander Su's second wife looked like a fairy spread throughout the family compound.
Lin Zhilan, however, knew none of this.
After traveling by train, ship, and jeep, Lin Zhilan had finally set foot on solid ground. She did not even have time to carefully inspect the house before falling into a deep sleep with her daughter.
For Su Lang, compared to his physical exhaustion, he was more mentally excited.
His life suddenly had a beautiful wife and an adorable daughter, just like a dream.
Watching the mother and daughter sleep soundly, Su Lang gently closed the bedroom door and tidied up the house.
While he was away, Jiang Chengzhou had kept the house very clean, though it was also possible that the boy was out playing every day and simply never home.
After cleaning up, Su Lang changed into his military uniform to report back to the unit and cancel his leave.
Bai Yang was still waiting outside, holding onto a little guy.
Su Lang laughed. You brat, where did you run off to again?
Jiang Chengzhou stopped struggling and could not help but flash a bright, toothy grin.
His uncle's attitude had not changed, nor had his tone of voice.
The person he loved and admired most was his uncle. More than any aunt or little sister, he was afraid that his uncle would stop liking him.
Just like his dad used to.
Uncle, you are finally back!
Yeah, Su Lang patted his shoulder familiarly. Your aunt and sister are sleeping. Someone will come to deliver things later, so stay at home and wait, alright?
Alright!
Your aunt and little sister are girls, and you are a man. You will have to take care of them. Can you do that?
I can! Jiang Chengzhou said, then curled his lips. I can take care of them, but I am not washing diapers.
It was as if he had some sort of obsession with not washing diapers, constantly emphasizing this point.
The corners of Su Lang's mouth lifted slightly as he rubbed the boy's head. Your sister is almost three years old. She does not need diapers.
But Gangzi's sister is almost four and she pees her pants all the time, so his mom puts diapers on her.
Su Lang: Even if your sister needed her diapers changed, it would not be your turn to wash them.
What do you mean?
Bai Yang, standing to the side, laughed. The Commander means that he will be the one washing them.
Jiang Chengzhou looked at his uncle as if looking at a fool.
Su Lang glared at him in exasperation. Your aunt and sister are sleeping, so keep your voice down when you go inside.
Got it.
Watching his uncle and Bai Yang walk away, Jiang Chengzhou stood at the door in a daze.
Gangzi stood in the crowd and waved at him. Chengzhou, let's go! We are going to play fighting the devils.
Jiang Chengzhou shook his head. I am busy, you guys go.
Busy with what?
Stop yelling, his uncle just married a new aunt.
Then can he still come out to play in the future?
I do not know...
His friends' voices faded away as Jiang Chengzhou pushed the door open and walked inside, feeling dejected.
Unopened luggage sat in the living room. Jiang Chengzhou bypassed it and walked over to sit on a chair.
After a while, his uncle's bedroom door opened, and Jiang Chengzhou sprang to his feet.
Lin Zhilan had just woken up. Her long hair cascaded down casually, and her eyes were like clear pools of water. She stood gracefully; with just one glance, anyone could tell she was a true beauty.
Seeing a little boy in the house, Lin Zhilan smiled softly and greeted him, Are you Chengzhou?
Even children know the difference between pretty and ugly. Jiang Chengzhou nodded shyly, only to notice a little girl standing by his beautiful aunt's legs.
The little sister looked incredibly soft. She had little pigtails on her head, dark almond eyes, and cheeks as tender as tofu.
Noticing him looking her way, she buried her face behind her aunt's leg.
She was prettier than Qiangzi's sister!
No!
She was prettier than everyone's sister!
Amused, Lin Zhilan gently pulled her daughter forward and pointed at Jiang Chengzhou to introduce him. Baby, this is your older brother.
Linlin tilted her head up to inspect him. Her almond eyes curved into little crescents as she sweetly called out, Brother.
Jiang Chengzhou pretended to be aloof, giving a faint hum in response, but in reality, his heart was blooming with joy.
