“I don’t know what misunderstanding lies between you,” Zhao Beishan said earnestly, “but becoming husband and wife is a rare bond. Moreover, the island’s development urgently needs talents like you. Stay, and give each other a chance.”
Su Manqing gazed out the window at the morning sun, the sea breeze carrying a salty, damp scent. The documents in her hand felt heavy, as if bearing the unspoken sincerity of a certain stubborn man.
After a long while, she nodded.
“Alright, I’ll stay!”
Regardless of what Huo Yuanzheng truly thought, she needed this opportunity to remain.
When she emerged again, Su Manqing still carried her luggage bag in one hand, but now held a file folder in the other.
The young soldier at the entrance, having received orders from Zhao Beishan, led her all the way to the family quarters.
The family quarters were also within the military camp, separated by a wall, accessible through an iron gate.
According to the young soldier, the wives usually did not enter or exit through the main camp gate but used a separate small door designated for the family quarters.
To register and enter the family quarters, they had to go through a side entrance.
Militia personnel were on duty at the gate. The young soldier helped her with her documents, had her register her information, and then escorted her to a single-story building.
Su Manqing looked up and saw a sign on the door that read “Family Committee Office.”
The young soldier knocked on the door.
“Deputy Director Liu, this is Comrade Su from Battalion Commander Huo’s family of the Third Battalion. The battalion commander instructed before the training exercise to bring her here to complete the family registration procedures.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a brisk and firm voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
The young soldier gestured for Su Manqing to enter.
Su Manqing unconsciously tightened her grip on the luggage bag, took a barely noticeable breath, and stepped into the office.
Inside, a female comrade with ear-length short hair was buried in writing something.
Without looking up, she spoke concisely and quickly: “Have you brought all the required materials? Marriage certificate, letter of introduction, household registration transfer proof—not a single item can be missing.”
Clutching the military accompaniment documents in her hand, Su Manqing still felt a sense of unreality.
After a pause, she opened the file folder, took out the documents, and placed them on the table.
Liu Hongying finally looked up.
Her sharp gaze fell on Su Manqing, lingering for a few seconds before she said, “You’re Comrade Huo Yuanzheng’s family member, right? First, fill out the registration form. The fountain pen is here—no corrections allowed.”
Su Manqing nodded and replied calmly, “Understood, thank you, Deputy Director Liu.”
With that, she picked up the fountain pen and registration form, sat down, and began filling it out carefully.
Her elegant handwriting flowed stroke by stroke onto the pristine paper.
Anyone could see how meticulously the person filling it out was working.
Sure enough, when the registration form was completed, there wasn’t a single correction mark on it.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Liu Hongying’s eyes.
She took the registration form, reviewed the documents, and after confirming everything was in order, issued Su Manqing the “Military Family Member Approval Form,” the “Grain and Oil Relations Transfer Letter,” and a “Camp Area Access Pass” with a black-and-white photo attached.
Su Manqing accepted the documents, her face filled with curiosity.
But before she could examine them further, she heard Liu Hongying’s slightly stern voice again.
“The family quarters are not like the outside world. There are many rules here. Since you’ve decided to accompany the military, you must adapt to life here as quickly as possible.”
Thinking this was just routine advice, Su Manqing didn’t dwell on it and simply nodded.
"I understand, thank you, Deputy Director Liu. I will do my best to integrate into the big family of the dependents' compound as soon as possible."
Seeing her unexpectedly positive attitude, Liu Hongying was even more surprised.
She didn't seem as spoiled and willful as the rumors suggested.
But what was with her eyes? They looked red and swollen.
However, she only kept these thoughts to herself, not revealing a trace on her face.
Just then, a female comrade walked in.
She had short hair cut just above her ears and was wearing a green military uniform, looking neat and efficient.
"Comrade Xingmei, you've come at just the right time. Battalion Commander Huo's family member from the third battalion has arrived to join the army. Please make the arrangements."
Liu Hongying pointed toward Su Manqing as she spoke.
The newcomer was Wang Xingmei.
She was a staff member of the family committee and also the wife of the second battalion commander.
As soon as she entered, she had noticed this unfamiliar female comrade, but she hadn't expected her to be the legendary delicate young lady from Jingshi, Battalion Commander Huo's wife.
"Oh! So you're Battalion Commander Huo's family member?"
As she spoke, her eyes swept up and down, sizing her up.
After a moment, she pursed her lips and said, "No wonder you're from Jingshi. Your skin looks so tender it could be pinched to draw water. I wonder if you can handle the hardships here."
Su Manqing: …
Liu Hongying chuckled softly, her tone neither light nor heavy.
"I asked you to take someone with you, why do you have so much to say?"
It sounded like a reprimand, but anyone could sense the indulgence in her words.
Wang Xingmei glanced at Liu Hongying with some surprise, clearly puzzled and unable to make sense of it.
Her gaze fell on Su Manqing again, and she pursed her lips. "Come on, I'll take you to see your house."
With that, she walked straight out the door without waiting for Su Manqing behind her.
The young soldier, seeing Wang Xingmei's impolite attitude, couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
Had he properly settled the sister-in-law, or hadn't he?
Would the political commissar give him a hard time later?