In the afternoon, they returned to the old courtyard.
Lu Zhiyan and Ji Nanxi began dividing the tasks.
After Lu Zhiyan cleared the trash from the rooms, Ji Nanxi fetched water and washed the floors with a broom.
There was a well in the backyard of the two-story building, making water easily accessible.
Once the floors were washed, Lu Zhiyan first gathered the discarded, insect-infested wood in the house and piled it up in the woodshed to be used as firewood later.
For the planks that were still relatively sturdy, Lu Zhiyan pieced them together and assembled a makeshift bed frame.
Lu Zhiyan instructed Ji Nanxi, “You’ll have to make do with this bed frame tonight. Tomorrow, when we go to Gujia Village, I’ll find a carpenter to buy a new bed.”
Ji Nanxi was taken aback. “What about you?”
Lu Zhiyan replied calmly, “I’ll sleep in the next room. I can just spread some newspapers on the floor.”
He would give her the bed frame while he slept on the floor?
How could that be acceptable?
Ji Nanxi frowned. “Don’t sleep on the floor. The bed frame isn’t small—we can sleep together!”
Lu Zhiyan froze. “Sleep together?”
Ji Nanxi retorted matter-of-factly, “Of course! We’re legally married. Why can’t we sleep together?”
Lu Zhiyan: “…”
Ji Nanxi’s attitude toward him had clearly softened today, but it left Lu Zhiyan feeling troubled.
The naval deployment on Qiongzhou Island was centered around the Qionghai Fleet, one of the three major fleets of the Chinese Navy, primarily responsible for the defense of the Qionghai Sea area.
The Qionghai Fleet comprised nine vessel squadrons, one Xianglin Base, and three aviation regiments.
Its forces were directly stationed on Qiong Island, including main combat vessels such as destroyers, frigates, and submarines, as well as auxiliary supply ships and reconnaissance vessels.
Lu Zhiyan was currently the commander of the Ninth Squadron of the Qionghai Fleet. His duty was to guard the Qionghai Sea area and defend against foreign threats.
The military family quarters were established at the Xianglin Port Base, where defensive and patrol missions were carried out.
All soldiers stationed on the island worked on a half-month rotation schedule.
For example, they would patrol at sea on naval vessels during the first half of the month and return to the Base for defensive training during the second half.
On the day they registered their marriage, Lu Zhiyan had received military orders to carry out a half-month mission away from home.
After returning, Ji Nanxi had often complained about this, saying he shouldn’t have left her alone at home on their wedding day, neglecting her completely.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhiyan’s expression darkened.
Ji Nanxi noticed his change. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
Lu Zhiyan brushed the dust off his hands, turned around, and looked more serious than ever before.
“Ji Nanxi,” he began, his voice deeper than usual. “There’s something I think I must make clear to you now.”
Ji Nanxi’s breath hitched slightly, and she tightened her grip on the broom. “Go ahead.”
Lu Zhiyan raised his head, his gaze calm yet weighty as it settled on her face. “You are my wife, and by all rights, I should take care of you.”
“But as a soldier stationed on the island, my life will be completely different from what you might imagine.”
“My duty is to guard the Qionghai Sea area. Every half-month, I must patrol at sea with the fleet. The remaining half-month, I return to the Base for closed training.”
“That means, for at least half of the year, you’ll be alone in this house.”
“I won’t be home as often as you might think.”
At this point, Lu Zhiyan observed Ji Nanxi’s reaction and continued in a matter-of-fact tone, “Qiongzhou Island is not like Guangdong Province. The living conditions here are harsh, and supplies are not as convenient as in Guangdong.”
“The typhoon season on the island is long, and there are plenty of mosquitoes, insects, snakes, and ants.”
“Everyone living in the family quarters are military dependents, so we look out for each other. But daily tasks like fetching water, cooking, and dealing with everything on the island will have to be done by yourself.”
“Living on Qiongzhou Island isn’t like studying abroad or going on vacation. It’s real, day-to-day life that requires grit and perseverance.”
Ji Nanxi listened quietly, her expression gradually turning thoughtful and serious.
Seeing that she didn’t respond immediately, Lu Zhiyan’s mood grew heavy, and he voiced his initial decision. “Ji Nanxi, I’m giving you a choice.”
“If you feel you can’t endure life on the island, if you can’t bear the loneliness and hardship, it’s not too late to change your mind now.”
Lu Zhiyan took a step forward, his tone becoming clearer, more decisive, even carrying a sense of resolute finality. “The one who was originally engaged to you was my elder brother, not me.”
“We married under our grandfather’s arrangement, and truthfully, there isn’t much affection between us.”
“During our arguments after marriage, you repeatedly mentioned wanting a divorce. If we do divorce, I will compensate you with one thousand yuan.”
“That money will be enough for you to return to Guangdong and reconnect with my elder brother to resume your previous relationship.”
After speaking, Lu Zhiyan stood still, waiting for her decision.
The room was so quiet that the sound of their breathing could be heard.
Lu Zhiyan had told Ji Nanxi about the hardships on the island, honestly and sincerely.
Proposing divorce and offering compensation was the greatest gesture of goodwill within his power.
As for this marriage, Lu Zhiyan felt he should take responsibility.
He truly couldn’t give Ji Nanxi the companionship and stability she desired, so it was better to let go and give her freedom.
Ji Nanxi raised her eyes, her gaze clear and direct as she looked at him. There was none of the shock, grievance, or anger Lu Zhiyan had expected.
Nor was there any crying, tantrums, or shouting.
She simply tilted her head slightly and asked a question, “Lu Zhiyan, if you’re away from home for half a month, will you be home for the other half?”
Lu Zhiyan was taken aback, not expecting her to ask this first. “Not necessarily. When I’m not on patrol and there are no urgent tasks, I’ll come home.”
Ji Nanxi continued, her tone even carrying a hint of probing, “If you’re home, will you fetch water, cook, share the household chores, and accompany me to the beach to look for food?”
“…Yes.”
Ji Nanxi suddenly took a small step forward, standing right in front of Lu Zhiyan, her eyes bright as she looked at him. “If we don’t divorce, could you use that one thousand yuan to install glass in all the windows at home?”
“And maybe add some pots, pans, bowls, and utensils.”
“Our backyard is quite spacious. Could you also build a chicken coop and a duck shed?”
“If possible, buy a sewing machine! When clothes get torn, I can mend them.”
Lu Zhiyan’s throat tightened. Ji Nanxi’s reaction was beyond his expectations.
He had imagined many possible reactions from her, but never this one.
From his stunned expression, Ji Nanxi got her answer. She curved her lips into a smile, one that seemed to cut through the fog with its brightness.
“Lu Zhiyan, don’t push me away using the excuse that it’s for my own good.”
Her voice was soft, yet every word was clear. “I’ve known about the marriage contract between the Lu and Ji families for a long time, but I never took it seriously.”
“You say we don’t have much of a relationship, but in reality, I have no emotional entanglements with your older brother either. What do you mean by rekindling an old flame?”
“I know life on the island is tough, and I understand what the term ‘military wife’ entails.”
Ji Nanxi’s gaze swept across the room—old and worn, yet being cleaned up by the two of them together—and her tone grew resolute. “I won’t divorce you!”
“Marriage is between two people. You guard the island and defend the country, and I’ll guard our home.”
“If I can’t see you for half a month, then I’ll wait at home for you to return.”
Meeting his gaze, Ji Nanxi’s voice softened slightly but remained loud enough for Lu Zhiyan to hear clearly. “As for us sleeping together… if you feel uncomfortable, I’ll give you time to adjust.”