The jeep slowly drove into No. 1 Family Compound.
It was a completely different world from the guesthouse.
Red-brick, green-roofed small apartment buildings lined up neatly, white poplar trees stood in orderly rows, and occasionally you could see cadres’ families in Lenin-style outfits walking by.
Everything carried a strict, “proper revolutionary” atmosphere.
The apartment assigned to Qin Zhan was on the third floor—one of the best units in the area: south-facing, bright, and well ventilated.
“We’re here.”
Qin Zhan parked the car and carried two huge woven sacks in one hand, while holding the simple drone device in the other, walking upstairs with long strides.
Lin Wan followed behind holding Tangtang’s hand, carrying only a bottle of Arctic Ocean soda she had just bought at the supply store, sipping it while looking around.
【Nice environment.】
【If this were the future, this would be a multimillion-yuan luxury home.】
【But why are there so many heads in the hallway?】
Lin Wan immediately noticed it.
From the moment they entered the stairwell, almost every door seemed to have a pair of eyes watching them.
On the first floor, Aunt Zhang pretended to be trimming vegetables, but her eyes kept drifting toward Lin Wan.
On the second floor, Aunt Li was polishing shoes slowly, her ears practically pressed against the railing.
“That’s Qin Zhan’s rural wife?”
“She’s pretty, but looks lazy. Even the luggage is carried by the man.”
“Heard she’s uneducated too. No idea how Qin Zhan ended up with her.”
“And who’s that little girl? She looks familiar… isn’t she that unwanted wild child?”
The whispers were soft, but in the empty stairwell, they still reached Lin Wan’s ears.
If it were the original host, she would probably already be too ashamed to lift her head.
But Lin Wan was not that kind of person anymore.
She suddenly stopped, turned toward one of the eavesdropping aunties, and smiled brightly.
“Auntie, your chives look really fresh. Planning to make dumplings tonight?”
The aunt froze. “Ah… yes, yes.”
“Chives are good,” Lin Wan added with a smile. “Very good for… stamina.”
The aunt’s face turned beet red and she slammed the door shut.
【Tch. Combat power level: 5.】
【Dare to gossip about me? Go ask around what happened to Lin Xue first.】
Up ahead, Qin Zhan almost slipped and dropped the sacks.
Stamina?
Could this woman ever say anything normal?
But he didn’t look back, just quickened his pace.
On the third floor, Qin Zhan opened the door.
A faint smell of dust drifted out.
The apartment was a standard two-bedroom unit with a living room: cement floor, white walls, and very basic furniture—bare wooden bed, square table, chairs, and a peeling cabinet.
“Conditions are simple. Make do for now,” Qin Zhan said, rolling up his sleeves. “I’ll fetch water and mop the floor.”
Lin Wan looked around and seemed satisfied.
【Simple, but quiet.】
【And the living room is big—add a sofa, a TV… this life could be nice.】
She sat down on a creaky chair and instructed Tangtang:
“Go help… uh, help dad wipe the table.”
Tangtang obediently ran off with a rag.
Soon, the “father and daughter” team came back with basins of water.
Qin Zhan worked quickly—mopping, wiping, organizing. In less than an hour, the room looked much cleaner.
Lin Wan also helped a bit, laying out bedding and arranging cups and basins.
Just then—
Knock knock knock.
A gentle female voice came from outside:
“Is Captain Qin home?”
Qin Zhan opened the door.
A woman in a floral dress stood there, holding a plate of steaming dumplings. Her hair was permed, makeup neat, looking like she came from the cultural troupe.
“I’m your neighbor, Liu Mei,” she said warmly. “Heard you moved in today, so I made dumplings to welcome you.”
Her smile was flawless.
But Lin Wan instantly caught the slight shyness and eagerness in her eyes when she looked at Qin Zhan.
【Oh-ho. Here we go again.】
【First Lin Xue, now upgraded white lotus version?】
【This isn’t dumplings. This is flirting delivery service.】
Without hesitation, Lin Wan stepped forward, bypassed Qin Zhan, and took the plate directly.
“Wow, how kind of you! We haven’t eaten yet!”
She sniffed the dumplings. “Oh! Chive and egg filling! Just like I said downstairs—chives are good for stamina. Looks like everyone here is very unified in ideology!”
Liu Mei’s smile froze.
Who the hell mentioned ideology? Who’s trying to boost stamina?!
Her prepared polite conversation got stuck in her throat.
Behind her, Qin Zhan’s face darkened like a pot bottom. He remembered the “five centimeters” comment from the morning again.
“Then… eat while hot. I won’t disturb you.”
Liu Mei forced a laugh and quickly left, feeling like this new military wife had a very strange brain circuit.
After the door closed, Lin Wan put the dumplings on the table and happily took one.
“Mmm, not bad. Just a bit salty.”
Tangtang looked up eagerly. “Sister, I want some too.”
“Eat up!” Lin Wan said generously. “Free food from neighbors, don’t waste it.”
Qin Zhan looked at the two of them and sighed helplessly.
He had a feeling—his future days were going to be anything but peaceful.