That was why Shen Jiaojiao had completely forgotten about this matter.
The soldier explained, “Comrade, you need an introduction letter to go to the island. Once you have the introduction letter, I can issue you a boat ticket.”
Hearing this, Shen Jiaojiao became anxious. She explained, “Comrade, the two of us are military dependents going to join our husbands stationed on the island. Our husbands are both soldiers there, and they even hold official positions. Can we just pay for the tickets?”
“No! To buy a ticket, you must have an introduction letter issued jointly by your local authorities and the military unit. Otherwise, you cannot go onto the island.”
“Why are you being like this? I already told you we’re going there to join our husbands! Do you not understand what I’m saying?” Shen Jiaojiao was furious. “It’s not that I deliberately didn’t bring it. My introduction letter was lost on the train. Can’t I just get a replacement after we get to the island?”
“Of course not!” The soldier didn’t indulge her at all. “Comrade, if you don’t have an introduction letter, go back and get a replacement first. I’ll give you a ticket once you have it. Most of the people stationed on the island are military personnel. It’s not a place where just anyone can enter. I hope you can understand and cooperate with our work.”
Hearing this, Shen Jiaojiao exploded. She planted her hands on her hips and began shouting, “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m a bad person?”
Her dowry had already been stolen, her face had been injured, and she was already in a terrible mood. Now that she was finally about to see Lu Yunshan, she was being stopped outside. How could she possibly tolerate this?
She was determined to get on that boat today!
With that, she tried to force her way inside.
The soldier stood straight and blocked Shen Jiaojiao with one hand, issuing a stern warning. “Comrade! Please do not interfere with our work, or I will have to take action!”
Seeing this, Shen Qingqing quickly stepped between them.
“Alright, alright, Jiaojiao, calm down first. Comrade, I’m really sorry. My younger sister and I really are military dependents going to join our husbands on the island. Our luggage was stolen on the train, and her introduction letter was lost along with it. We’re truly sorry.”
The soldier’s expression softened slightly.
“I’m sorry, Comrade. I understand your situation, but the military has its regulations. Without an introduction letter, I really don’t have the authority to let you enter.”
Shen Jiaojiao was about to start cursing again, but Shen Qingqing reached into her clothes and pulled out an envelope, handing it directly to the soldier.
“Comrade, is this what you mean?”
The soldier took it, opened it, and carefully checked the contents. Then he returned the envelope to Shen Qingqing and gave her a salute.
“Hello, Comrade. Your introduction letter is valid.”
“You can go in. Buy your ticket at the entrance after you board.”
Shen Qingqing smiled slightly. “Thank you, Comrade.”
Shen Jiaojiao, standing to the side, was dumbfounded.
“Wait, how do you still have your introduction letter?”
Shen Qingqing put the document away before innocently explaining, “Something this important naturally has to be kept close to me. So I took it out beforehand and sewed it into my clothing pocket instead of putting it with my luggage.”
Shen Jiaojiao knitted her brows and sarcastically remarked, “You’re pretty clever. Then why didn’t you tell me beforehand? Look what happened now. I can’t get in. Are you satisfied?”
Shen Qingqing wasn’t angry at all. She innocently replied, “How was I supposed to know you wouldn’t even keep something this important in mind?”
“You…”
Shen Jiaojiao was so angry that she nearly choked.
But far too many unlucky things had happened to her over the past two days. She didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore.
“Forget it, forget it. I can’t be bothered to argue with you. Let’s get onto the island first.”
Shen Jiaojiao thought that since her sister’s identity had been verified, she would be allowed to follow her onto the island as well.
Who would have thought that just as she was about to board, the soldier stopped her again.
“Comrade, your sister can enter the island, but you cannot. I hope you can understand.”
“Why?” Shen Jiaojiao demanded. “She’s my biological sister, and I’m her biological younger sister. Isn’t that enough?”
The soldier remained expressionless.
“No. The military has regulations. However, you can have your husband come and escort you onto the island.”
This time, Shen Jiaojiao was genuinely about to faint from anger.
Seeing that Shen Qingqing had already boarded the boat, she hurriedly called after her.
“Sis, you can’t leave me here alone!”
But Shen Qingqing couldn’t do anything either. She could only helplessly wave her hand.
“It’s not that I don’t want to take you with me. It’s just that the military has regulations. We should try to understand their difficulties, Jiaojiao. Don’t worry. Once I get onto the island, I’ll immediately go find your brother-in-law and have him come pick you up. Don’t worry!”
With that, she left in high spirits.
Shen Jiaojiao, however, reluctantly watched her departing figure and shouted, “You have to remember! Don’t forget! Come back and get me as soon as possible!”
Shen Qingqing bought her ticket at the front of the boat. Soon, the military vessel was filled with people.
The sailor started the engine, and the military boat headed toward the island.
Standing on the deck, Shen Jiaojiao felt the cool sea breeze against her face. The damp air carried a salty scent.
She enjoyed the refreshing sea breeze and the coolness of the ocean.
In this life, I’m definitely going to live for myself!
The boat traveled quickly. After a little over an hour, the shoreline finally came into view.
Shen Qingqing looked at the familiar place, exactly the same as in her previous life, yet the thoughts in her heart were completely different now.
After arriving on the island, the military had specially arranged personnel to receive the military dependents.
The most important thing was to carefully verify everyone’s identities again, then guide them to the military base where their family members were stationed.
Several staff members led everyone from the boat to a two-story red-brick building. The words Office of Administration were printed in black on the outer wall.
Shen Qingqing lined up and went inside. She presented her introduction letter and identification documents.
After the staff verified her identity and confirmed that everything was in order, they called over a young soldier from the back.
“Comrade, just follow this fellow soldier. He’ll take you to your husband.”
Shen Qingqing smiled and nodded.
She had already gone through all of this once in her previous life, and she was very familiar with the island. In truth, she didn’t need anyone to show her the way at all.
But unlike Shen Jiaojiao, she only wanted to quietly live as an ordinary person and didn’t want to attract any attention.
The young soldier looked about seventeen or eighteen years old. His baby-faced complexion had been tanned dark by the sun.
The moment he saw Shen Qingqing, he stood straight and gave her a proper salute before breaking into a brilliant smile.
When he smiled, a row of dazzlingly white teeth appeared.
“Comrade, please come with me. You must be exhausted after traveling all this way. I’ll take you to the rest room to sit for a while first. They should still be training at this hour.”
As he spoke, he awkwardly scratched his head.
“There are regulations over there that don’t allow family members to enter, so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait here for a while.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m perfectly fine waiting here.”
The young soldier gave a simple, honest smile.
“Alright, then. You wait here while I go get him. You’re the wife of Deputy Commander Zhou Yuanzheng of the Second Regiment, right? I remember now! I’ll go get him right away.”