“Alright, stop standing around at the door talking. Come in and have some water. You must be exhausted after traveling all this way. I’m not worried about you—you’ve got thick skin and a sturdy build—but poor little Xiao Shen. Just look at how delicate and fresh she is! Under this scorching sun, you didn’t even give her some water.”
As she spoke, she pulled the two of them inside.
It was a large open-plan home with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The place wasn’t big, but it had everything it needed. The rooms were spotless, with gleaming windows and clean floors. It was obvious that the lady of the house was someone who cared deeply about cleanliness.
Shen Qingqing’s impression of Sister-in-law Wang improved even further.
As soon as they entered, Sister-in-law Wang hurried into the kitchen.
“Deputy Commander Zhou, sit with Xiao Shen and chat for a while. I’ll get you some water.”
Zhou Yuanzheng sat upright in his chair and solemnly assured Shen Qingqing,
“Don’t worry. I’ll submit the marriage application as soon as possible, and then we’ll register our marriage. If there’s anything you need to buy over the next few days, just tell me. I may be a little busy normally, so if you can’t find me, you can ask Sister-in-law Wang. Although supplies are limited here, if there’s anything you need, you can go to the logistics supply office and register for it. They have people specifically responsible for delivering supplies to military families.”
After saying that, he pulled a roll of money from his pocket and stuffed it into Shen Qingqing’s hands.
He explained somewhat awkwardly,
“I left in such a hurry today that I didn’t bring much money. There’s a little over ten yuan here. Take it for now. Buy whatever you need. Don’t worry about money. I’ll bring you more the next time I come.”
Shen Qingqing quickly refused.
“No, no. I have money of my own. You don’t need to spend yours…”
But Zhou Yuanzheng was firm.
“If I’m giving it to you, then take it. Things aren’t like they are in the city. The conditions here really are a little difficult…”
As he spoke, his voice dropped slightly, and a trace of guilt flashed through his eyes.
“I know that coming to the island with me to join the army is indeed asking you to make some sacrifices. So if there’s anything you want, as long as I can get it, I’ll find a way.”
Looking at the young woman’s fair and delicate skin, he lowered his head somewhat helplessly.
The sun on the island was scorching, and the sea breeze, mixed with damp saltwater, could be harsh enough to make one’s face hurt.
Almost every young man who arrived on the island for the first time would start out looking fresh and energetic, but within a few days, the sun would peel several layers of skin off them, leaving their skin rough and weathered.
The men didn’t mind.
But women were different.
Zhou Yuanzheng couldn’t imagine whether such delicate skin as hers could withstand the island’s climate.
Shen Qingqing had no idea what was going through his mind. She could only reluctantly accept the money.
She really hadn’t lied—her money was safely stored in her space, and she genuinely wasn’t short of cash.
But seeing how determined he was, she couldn’t very well keep refusing.
Besides, they were going to get married sooner or later. There was nothing wrong with accepting his money.
Thinking of it that way, she accepted it without any further hesitation.
After getting Shen Qingqing settled, Zhou Yuanzheng prepared to return to training.
“Then stay here at Sister-in-law Wang’s place for now. I’ll come back to see you after I’m finished.”
Just as Zhou Yuanzheng was about to leave, Shen Qingqing suddenly exclaimed,
“Oh! Look at me. I completely forgot. My younger sister is still at the dock. I was going to tell you after I saw you, but somehow I forgot.”
It was getting late outside.
Shen Qingqing said somewhat regretfully,
“Jiaojiao is my younger sister. She came here with me to join the army, but our luggage was stolen on the way. Her introduction letter was inside her luggage and was lost too. When we arrived at the island, they said she couldn’t enter without an introduction letter unless a family member came to pick her up.”
She looked at Zhou Yuanzheng.
“Could you talk to Lu Yunshan and have him hurry to the dock to pick up Jiaojiao?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go find Lu Yunshan right now. Just wait here. Security at the dock is very strict, so she won’t be in any danger. Don’t blame yourself.”
Zhou Yuanzheng said goodbye to Sister-in-law Wang, who poked her head out of the kitchen.
“You’re leaving already? Aren’t you staying for dinner?”
“No, Sister-in-law Wang. There’s still work at the base. I’ll be going now. I’ll leave Xiao Shen in your care.”
Sister-in-law Wang smiled teasingly.
“Don’t worry about leaving Xiao Shen here with me. I’ll make sure your pretty little wife doesn’t get lost!”
Her words made both Shen Qingqing and Zhou Yuanzheng blush.
Zhou Yuanzheng fled as though a rabbit were chasing him, which made Sister-in-law Wang laugh even harder.
After Zhou Yuanzheng left, Sister-in-law Wang came out carrying a white enamel cup and placed it in front of Shen Qingqing.
The cup had the words People’s Liberation Army of China printed on it. Green tea leaves floated in the clear hot water, with wisps of steam rising from the surface.
“Xiao Shen, have some water. Just settle in and make yourself at home. We’re not strangers. Now that you’re here, treat this place like your own home. All of us military wives are one big family!”
Shen Qingqing smiled gratefully.
Her first impression of her neighbor, Sister-in-law Wang, was quite good.
Meanwhile, after returning to the training ground, Zhou Yuanzheng immediately found someone to go to the battalion and notify Lu Yunshan.
“What did you say?”
Lu Yunshan stared at the messenger in disbelief.
“Who did you say is here?”
The young soldier excitedly repeated himself.
“Deputy Battalion Commander Lu, Deputy Commander Zhou said your wife has arrived. She’s waiting for you at the dock outside the island. Hurry up and go pick her up. I heard she’s already been waiting there for quite a while.”
The young soldier failed to notice that the man standing nearby and overhearing their conversation had instantly turned pale.
Lu Yunshan’s expression, however, showed no joy.
Instead, he looked terrified.
He distractedly waved his hand.
“Thank you, Comrade. I’ll go right away.”
After the young soldier left, he still looked puzzled.
Most men would be overjoyed when their newlywed wife came to the island to join them.
Why didn’t Deputy Battalion Commander Lu look happy at all?
Once the young soldier had left, Lu Yunshan closed the office door.
There was another man inside the office.
It was Gu Qinghai, a platoon leader under Lu Yunshan.
Unlike the other soldiers, Gu Qinghai had fair, delicate features, red lips, and a slender build. Despite the scorching sun, his skin hadn’t darkened much.
He looked almost like a beautiful young woman.
Because of this, he had often been teased by the other soldiers in the battalion.
Now that only the two of them remained in the room, Gu Qinghai lowered his head dejectedly, his eyes gradually filling with tears.
“Didn’t you say I’d be the only one you’d ever have?”
Lu Yunshan hurriedly explained,
“Qinghai, things aren’t what you think. I didn’t know she would come.”
Gu Qinghai shook his head weakly.
“You don’t have to explain. Your new wife is waiting outside the island for you. Hurry up and go. I won’t disturb your reunion as husband and wife.”
As he spoke, a tear slipped down his cheek.
“No, that’s not how it is. I don’t love her at all. You’re the only person I love. You have to believe me.”
The sight of his lover’s tears deeply wounded Lu Yunshan.
He immediately pulled Gu Qinghai into his arms and said guiltily,
“I’m sorry. My parents only have me as their son. They forced me to get married, but I never wanted to. There’s only you in my heart. I only agreed to the marriage to shut my parents up. Don’t worry. I won’t have anything to do with her.”
“But she’s already here, isn’t she? Why aren’t you going to pick her up? Don’t keep your future wife waiting.”
Gu Qinghai stubbornly raised his head, pretending that he didn’t care.
But his eyes were as red as a rabbit’s.
Lu Yunshan’s eyes filled with tenderness.
“If you’re worried about it, then I won’t go pick her up, alright? Qinghai, you’re my only lover. Other than you, I won’t love anyone else, especially not some wife from an arranged marriage.”
Gu Qinghai broke into a smile through his tears and wrapped his arms around him.
“I knew you loved me. Then promise me—you absolutely won’t touch her.”
Lu Yunshan’s gaze softened.
He gently kissed Gu Qinghai’s forehead.
“You fool. Having you is enough for me. Why would I ever touch anyone else?”