By noon, the sky over Qiongzhou Island was a clear, brilliant blue.
The newly repaired stove couldn’t be used for the time being.
Lu Zhiyan patted Ji Nanxi’s shoulder and pointed into the distance. “There’s a military canteen on the island. I’ll take you to get familiar with the surroundings.”
“When I’m away on missions in the future, if you don’t feel like cooking, you can make do with the canteen.”
Ji Nanxi followed his gaze, nodded in agreement, and followed him deeper into the area.
She walked half a step behind, her eyes scanning the surroundings like a little radar, full of curiosity about everything.
After passing through a grove of oak trees, the core area of the Base suddenly came into view.
Ji Nanxi knew that the military garrison on this island was called Oakwood Harbor Base.
Neatly arranged barracks stood like a chessboard, and on the open training ground, soldiers were drilling in formation. The sounds of bugle calls, commands, and synchronized footsteps intertwined like a stirring military anthem.
The atmosphere here was completely different from the desolate and quiet old courtyard where they lived—it was brimming with vibrant life.
“This is the core area of the Base,” Lu Zhiyan slowed his pace and turned slightly toward Ji Nanxi, his voice steady and clear. “Our courtyard is on the edge of the Base, near Gujia Village, so it’s relatively quiet and secluded.”
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness. “When you have nothing to do, don’t wander around the training area or the office buildings.”
Ji Nanxi raised an eyebrow. He was worried that the original owner would cause trouble here and bring him headaches.
She deliberately drew out her words, adding a touch of playfulness. “Don’t worry, hubby, I understand! I promise to follow military discipline and won’t cause you any trouble.”
She intentionally blinked, and this little gesture made the corners of Lu Zhiyan’s mouth lift ever so slightly, even crinkling the corners of his eyes.
“The canteen is just ahead.”
He continued walking forward, explaining as he went. “Supply ships come to the island twice a month, so fresh vegetables and meat are limited.”
“Mostly, it’s canned goods, dried provisions, and ingredients produced locally in Nanyue Province. So, the food at the military canteen is nothing special, but it’ll fill you up.”
As they spoke, they arrived in front of a slightly larger two-story flat-roofed building.
It was mealtime, and the sounds of chatter and the clinking of bowls and utensils came from inside. People entering and exiting the doorway were either soldiers in uniform or military dependents in civilian clothes.
Seeing Lu Zhiyan leading Ji Nanxi over, their gazes held curiosity as they discreetly sized her up.
“Regimental Commander Lu, bringing your wife to eat?” a middle-aged man carrying an aluminum lunchbox greeted them cheerfully, his eyes lingering on Ji Nanxi with curiosity.
“Yes, Squad Leader Li,” Lu Zhiyan nodded in acknowledgment but didn’t offer further introductions.
Ji Nanxi, however, smiled warmly and greeted him proactively. “Hello, Squad Leader Li. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ji Nanxi.”
Squad Leader Li was momentarily taken aback before nodding in response. “Hello, Comrade Ji!”
Entering the canteen, the space was spacious enough to accommodate five hundred people at once without issue.
Fifty long tables and benches were arranged inside, with eight serving windows, each with a short but steady line.
The dishes were indeed simple: a large basin of canned meat stewed with seaweed, another large basin of slightly overcooked stir-fried greens, and small mountains of coarse grain steamed buns and mixed grain rice.
Lu Zhiyan went to get two portions of food. “The second floor of the cafeteria is the military auditorium. Award ceremonies or cultural performances are usually held there.”
Ji Nanxi nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember that.”
Lu Zhiyan placed a portion in front of her. Ji Nanxi lowered her head and took a bite. The vegetables were a bit tough, the seaweed and meat were stewed too soft, and the flavor was overly salty.
Even though it wasn’t particularly tasty, Ji Nanxi didn’t complain and quietly continued eating.
In the Interstellar era, she had survived on Nutrient Agent every day for over three years.
Now, even if the ingredients didn’t taste great, at least it wasn’t that artificially processed Nutrient Agent.
Ji Nanxi thought to herself that her own stove would probably be usable the day after tomorrow.
Now, she was still missing a wok!
After finishing the meal, Lu Zhiyan wasn’t in a hurry to return. Instead, he took her around to the other side of the Base.
There stood a modest-sized single-story house with a sign that read “Military Service Center,” warm yellow light glowing from its windows.
“This is the Military Service Center. They sell daily necessities like soap, matches, needles and thread, simple stationery, grains, dried goods, and occasionally some fruit candies and canned goods.”
Lu Zhiyan stood at the entrance and explained, “You can buy things here with ration coupons or money. Grain and cloth coupons are issued monthly according to standard quotas.”
“If something isn’t available here, you’ll have to go to the supply and marketing cooperative in Ya County.”
“Every Saturday at 8 a.m., Squad Leader Li from the cafeteria drives a military vehicle to take family members to the city to purchase supplies. They return to the Base by 4 p.m.”
“The day after tomorrow happens to be Saturday. I’ll go with you to the supply and marketing cooperative in Ya County to buy a wok and install it on our stove.”
Ji Nanxi peeked inside. The shelves in the service center were indeed sparse, with supplies not very abundant—just a few scattered items.
With the wok issue resolved, Ji Nanxi remembered the large hole in their roof and couldn’t help but ask Lu Zhiyan, “What about buying things like beds or cabinets, or tiles for our roof?”
“For building materials like tiles and lumber, as well as farming tools for clearing the land, you can go to Gujia Village.”
Lu Zhiyan motioned for her to follow. The two walked along a well-trodden dirt path toward the interior of the island.
“The garrison and the villagers have a good relationship.”
He spoke as they walked. “Gujia Village also has a market, but the selection isn’t very extensive.”
“You can barter with the villagers, exchanging grain coupons, cloth coupons, or industrial products like soap and matches for their vegetables, eggs, occasional game meat, or tiles, bricks, and handwoven baskets they make themselves.”
At this point, Lu Zhiyan paused. “Tomorrow, I’m going to the village to buy tiles. If you’d like to come, you can join me and familiarize yourself with the way.”
Ji Nanxi’s eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded. “Sure!”
Lu Zhiyan looked at her, his tone somewhat stiff and awkward. “The villagers are simple and honest. Try to… keep your temper in check.”
His words were meant for the original host, and Ji Nanxi naturally understood the underlying meaning.
The original host was a troublemaker and a capitalist young lady. In the month since marrying Lu Zhiyan, her reputation hadn’t been great.
Upon hearing his words, Ji Nanxi looked up with a smile, her eyes sparkling. “Husband, I promise you, I’ll keep my temper in check and won’t act like before.”
The sea breeze brushed past, lifting Ji Nanxi’s hair. Lu Zhiyan looked at her smiling face and quickly averted his gaze. “Mm, remember the way.”
“Don’t come this way alone at night, there might be snakes in the woods.”
Ji Nanxi nodded in agreement, “Alright.”
Tomorrow, when she goes to Gujia Village with Lu Zhiyan, besides roof tiles, she wonders if she can also exchange for some vegetable seeds or small chickens and ducks?
She still hasn’t used the Gene Repair Agent x1 from the beginner’s gift pack!
She’ll have to wait until the stove is ready, then mix the Gene Repair Agent into the soup so she and Lu Zhiyan can eat it together without anyone noticing.
Good things should be shared, after all!
Only when those in charge see the changes in Lu Zhiyan can she hand over the System!
“Let’s go back. We still need to tidy up the room, otherwise we won’t be able to rest tonight.”
Lu Zhiyan turned and walked back toward the direction of the old courtyard.
“Alright, husband, don’t walk so fast!”
Ji Nanxi quickened her pace, nearly walking side by side with him.
In this life, she could even transmigrate into a book and survive—how wonderful!
And she even got a handsome husband out of nowhere—this was definitely a win!
Thinking of this, Ji Nanxi’s steps couldn’t help but lighten, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably, making it clear to anyone who saw her that she was in an excellent mood.