The crowd responded enthusiastically, their faces beaming with barely suppressed joy as they left the battalion commander’s office, completely satisfied.
However, as soon as these tall and burly men stepped out of the office, they couldn’t help but huddle together, whispering and gossiping in hushed tones.
“Hey guys, did you all hear that? The battalion commander said it himself, he’ll cook for us in three days!” A company commander nudged the man next to him with his elbow, lowering his voice, his tone full of disbelief.
The instructor beside him thoughtfully pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, his eyes gleaming with gossip behind the lenses: “Hmm, I heard it, I heard it clearly. Tsk tsk, it’s clear from this… our Battalion Commander Long’s status at home from now on… is worrying!”
“That’s right! Who would believe it! The battalion commander used to eat all his meals in the mess hall. Now that he’s married, he still has to cook for himself!” Another platoon leader chimed in, his tone exaggerated.
“Tsk tsk tsk, I never even dared to imagine it! Our ‘Dragon King Yama,’ who was so decisive and authoritative on the training field, who could scold new recruits until they were covered in blood, has actually… actually come to this!”
“To be honest, I’m still a little dazed. I can’t believe it’s true. Our battalion commander… he just got married all of a sudden?”
“I’m so curious! My heart is itching like a cat’s claws! Tell me, who exactly is this new sister-in-law? She has such great abilities that she can completely melt our battalion commander’s heart, making him willingly go into the kitchen and cook for us!”
“That’s right! Do you guys remember? All those pretty female soldiers from the cultural troupe who practically offered themselves up, and those fresh-faced nurses from the military hospital—weren’t they all scared away by our battalion commander’s cold face, crying and begging?”
“Our battalion commander always treats all the female comrades and volunteers who take the initiative to approach him with an icy indifference, as if they were strangers and should be avoided at all costs!”
“No, no, in three days, I must open my titanium alloy dog eyes wide and take a good look at this legendary sister-in-law, to see if she has three heads and six arms, or if she has some kind of supernatural ability that makes our ‘Dragon Yama’ so obedient!”
A group of burly officers, excitedly whispering and exchanging their guesses and shocks, walked towards their respective company offices, each with a face full of curiosity, anticipation, and gossipy excitement at the prospect of witnessing a miracle.
Meanwhile, Xu Xiangsi was busy managing her little world in her new home.
She first opened her suitcase, hung up her clothes one by one, and put her belongings away one by one.
Immediately, with a thought, he secretly took out a number of good things from his personal space, which was inaccessible to others.
Several soft and comfortable pure cotton bedding items, and a finely stitched Suzhou embroidery pillow with an adorable cat design.
There were also a few books she enjoyed reading on a leisurely basis, and a few exquisite but unassuming little ornaments.
Before long, the originally somewhat monotonous bedroom of the military dependents’ quarters was transformed by her into an exceptionally warm and elegant space, filled with her own personal touch.
Xu Xiangsi clapped her hands in satisfaction, looking at the newly renovated room, a faint smile unconsciously curving her lips.
She walked to the window and opened it wide, letting the breeze, carrying the unique salty and humid scent of the island, blow in freely.
It’s breathable, helps dissipate odors, and also helps to dispel the fatigue and stress she brought from Shanghai.
After all that work and the fatigue of the journey, weariness washed over me like a tidal wave.
She yawned slightly and lay down on the bed covered with soft, plush sheets.
She was only covered with a thin air-conditioning blanket when she fell into a deep sleep.
…
When Long Peiye returned to the family compound and opened his own door, it was already getting dark.
The room was quiet.
He tiptoed in and immediately noticed that Xu Xiangsi’s bedroom door was ajar.
He thought she was awake and was about to speak when he caught a glimpse of the scene inside through the crack in the door, and he immediately stopped in his tracks.
Xu Xiangsi was lying on the bed, fast asleep and completely unsuspecting.
The weather in the south is still quite hot and dry; even in the evening, it feels stuffy indoors.
The thin blanket that had been covering her properly had somehow been kicked aside by her restless body and was now crumpled and piled up under her waist.
What’s worse, the hem of her thin nightgown had rolled up, probably from tossing and turning in her sleep, revealing a small patch of her flat, white belly.
The delicate skin shone so brightly in the dim light that it made one’s eyes dizzy.
Long Peiye was stunned, as if he had been frozen in place.
A sudden surge of heat shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his face, which was tanned by the sea breeze over the years, turned uncontrollably red, even his ears burning hot.
This…this…
He practically fled, quickly reaching out and gently, yet with a hint of panic, shut Xu Xiangsi’s door tightly.
Then, he held his breath and quietly slipped out.
Standing in the living room, Long Peiye touched his burning cheeks somewhat awkwardly, his heart still racing uncontrollably.
Xu Xiangsi, however, was abruptly awakened by the sudden heat in the room.
She opened her eyes groggily, feeling sticky and uncomfortable all over.
I instinctively reached out and touched it—wait, where’s the blanket?
Looking up again, I saw that the door, which had been open for ventilation, was now tightly shut.
She instantly became much more alert.
The sky outside the window had completely darkened, with only the distant lighthouse’s light flickering in and out.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately realized—Long Peiye was back.
Xu Xiangsi rubbed her still sleepy eyes and slowly got out of bed.
She slipped on her slippers, opened the door, and went out.
The lights were on in the living room.
Sure enough, Long Peiye has returned.
He was sitting at the dining table, his back to her, seemingly writing something with his head down.
On the dining table, several military green enamel lunch boxes were neatly arranged, wafting the aroma of food.