Chapter 14

At 15, He Hongyuan joined the military, driven by a fearless, youthful vigor. His outstanding performance earned him numerous commendations. Over time, he was steadily promoted and gained the favor of Captain Yang, who provided him with an opportunity to attend a military academy. Now, at 25, he has become the youngest regiment commander of the 119th division, with a bright future ahead.

In the past decade, He Hongyuan rarely returned home. Despite repeatedly suggesting that his mother move to live with him near the army, she flatly refused. She preferred to stay in their hometown, rooted to her small patch of land, unwilling to relocate.

The years between 15 and 25 passed quickly, marked by sweat and blood, shaping He Hongyuan into a resolute soldier. He faced life-and-death situations with unshakable composure.

But now…

Zhang Huafeng and Jiang Weijun watched in astonishment as He Hongyuan’s expression changed, his brows knitting tightly. This was a rare sight.

What could trouble the usually composed He Hongyuan?

Eager for drama, the two leaned in. “What’s wrong? What happened?” They even tried to sneak a glance at the note.

He Hongyuan crumpled the note into a ball, hiding it in his palm. Looking at his two chatterbox comrades—brothers-in-arms through thick and thin—he decided this was a matter they didn’t need to know about.

“Nothing,” he replied coldly, his tone laced with subtle impatience.

Having known He Hongyuan for a decade, Zhang and Jiang exchanged a glance, reading each other’s thoughts: Something’s up!

But they also knew his personality. If he didn’t want to talk, there was no way to pry it out of him. They’d have to find out later, somehow.

“Fine, don’t tell us. But if there’s trouble, remember to let us know. Don’t bottle it up,” Zhang said.

The crumpled note remained in He Hongyuan’s hand. He truly didn’t know who to confide in. He needed to handle this matter quickly.

An arranged marriage? A bride chosen by his family?

He didn’t want to marry. He didn’t even want to date.

His temples throbbed as frustration mounted. What nonsense was this?

Unable to see the note, Zhang’s curiosity was piqued but to no avail. After all, even teaming up with Jiang, he couldn’t outmatch He in strength. Frustrated, he changed the subject.

“By the way, I’m heading to Nanwang this afternoon to visit Old Zhang and deliver some relief funds. You’ve got leave now. Want to come along?”

Suppressing his irritation, He Hongyuan stuffed the note into his pocket. “Sure.”

---

The green train rumbled along the tracks, weaving through mountains and forests like a coiling dragon. After two nights and two days of travel, the third morning arrived.

As the faint morning light filtered through the windows, Lin Xiang slowly opened her eyes. Her first instinct was to check if her belongings were still secure.

Having endured two grueling days and nights, Lin Xiang felt disheveled and sore. The hard seat was uncomfortable, and her back and legs ached. She frequently got up to stretch and massage her calves.

Thankfully, this was the last day. By the afternoon, she’d arrive in Jinbian City.

Passengers in the carriage had grown familiar with each other, with people occasionally moving between Carriages 6, 7, and 8 to chat. Many passengers shared similar destinations. Some would disembark at the next stop, Nanwang City, while others—like Lin Xiang—would continue for another three hours to Jinbian City.

Her breakfast was a steamed corn bun made by Aunt He, softened with hot water. It wasn’t exactly tasty but served its purpose.

Next to her sat Shen Chunli, a fair-skinned and delicate young woman whose appearance drew attention. While eating breakfast, two male students had already come over to chat with her. Blushing, Shen stammered through her responses. But whenever the men glanced at Lin Xiang, their expressions noticeably changed, as if her looks had startled them.

Lin Xiang: … Truly helpless.

To make matters worse, an elderly lady across from them, clearly judging by appearances, chatted warmly with Shen while treating Lin Xiang as invisible.

“Chunli, you’re so beautiful! I’ve never seen such a pretty girl!” exclaimed the elderly woman, surnamed Mao. “You’re even more striking than those actresses on the movie posters.”

Shen Chunli, pampered from a young age due to her beauty, basked in the compliments. Her delicate brows arched in satisfaction. “Oh, it’s just my mom’s genes,” she replied, a hint of pride in her tone.

Turning her head slightly, Shen caught sight of Lin Xiang’s tanned, freckled face and couldn’t help but purse her lips before quickly looking away.

Lin Xiang didn’t mind. She enjoyed the quiet, undisturbed by others—a rare comfort.

In her past life, Lin Xiang had often been approached by men. She had been beautiful, her natural features captivating even without makeup. Her almond-shaped eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, combined innocence and allure, creating a unique charm.

Back then, boys at school sought her attention, and male colleagues at work often tried to strike up conversations. But growing up as an orphan, Lin Xiang prioritized making money over relationships. Men didn’t matter; financial security did.

Now, however, she had neither money nor the chance to enjoy a handsome man’s attention.

She leaned against the window, relishing the cool breeze that swept away the carriage’s stuffiness. The chatter of passengers drifted to her ears.

Aunt Mao, ever the social butterfly, chatted with everyone. She especially liked talking to Shen Chunli, offering her snacks from her bag. Over time, the two became as close as mother and daughter.

Lin Xiang was deeply struck—was this the legendary enthusiasm of the 1970s?

Take Aunt Mao, for instance. Ever since she caught sight of Lin Xiang’s face, she barely exchanged a word with her anymore. Instead, she devoted all her attention to chatting with Shen Chunli, practically fawning over her with unmatched warmth compared to anyone else.

Some vague thoughts floated through Lin Xiang’s mind, but before she could figure them out, the aroma of food suddenly filled the air, disrupting her train of thought.

As the sun climbed higher, the conductor pushed a food cart through the aisle, selling meals. The fragrance of freshly cooked food wafted through the train, making everyone salivate.

You didn’t need ration coupons to buy meat dishes on the train, though the prices were steep. Many passengers were unwilling to spend and instead gnawed on their dry rations.

Lin Xiang spent one yuan and fifty cents on a meal of rice, braised pork, and tomato scrambled eggs.

Among those in her vicinity, only she and Shen Chunli were willing to splurge. Shen Chunli clearly came from a wealthy family; she wore a crisp, high-quality Dacron blouse, which was considered a luxury item of the era.

In contrast, the shirts worn by Lin Xiang and most other passengers were made from softer, shapeless fabrics—this difference was evident at a glance.

Lin Xiang had once inquired at a supply and marketing cooperative and learned that Dacron fabric cost more than three times as much as regular cotton and was incredibly difficult to acquire.

As the aroma of food filled the train, many passengers sneaked glances at Lin Xiang’s and Shen Chunli’s lunchboxes, their eyes fixating on the large, glistening chunks of meat. The mere sight of it made mouths water.

After finishing her hearty meal, Lin Xiang took her lunchbox to the connection area between train cars to wash it. Coincidentally, Shen Chunli was there as well, and amid the sound of running water, Lin Xiang heard Shen Chunli’s clear, melodious voice.

“Comrade Lin, don’t be too upset. Men can be so shallow sometimes.”

Lin Xiang froze for a moment, then took a moment to process what Shen Chunli meant—she was trying to console her over the reaction of the young male intellectuals earlier.

Just as Lin Xiang was about to explain that she really didn’t care—who had time to worry about superficial men who only valued appearances?—Shen Chunli added earnestly, “Honestly, you’re not that unattractive. Truly.”

Lin Xiang: “…”

Is this what you call comfort?!

After lunch, the usual drowsiness set in. Lin Xiang wiped her lunchbox dry with a handkerchief and tucked it back into her bag before leaning against the window for a nap. As her thoughts drifted, she faintly heard the conductor announce their arrival at Nanwang City Station.

Not far now from Jinbian City. She felt both anticipation and a touch of anxiety. What kind of person was this He Hongyuan, anyway?

---

“Hongyuan, the train’s here. Which car are we in again?”

Nanwang City train station platform.

As the whistle blew, passengers began bustling about, preparing to board.

In the crowd, two men in crisp white military uniforms stood out, tall and commanding with chiseled features.

He Hongyuan helped two elderly passengers lift their heavy bags and answered casually, “Carriage No.8.”

“Alright, just three more hours till we’re back at the unit. Time for a good rest.”

Zhang Huafeng and He Hongyuan had taken leave to visit a disabled, retired comrade in Nanwang City yesterday afternoon, bringing with them a donation collected by their unit’s soldiers. They had planned to return the same day but were warmly hosted overnight. Now, they were boarding the train back to Jinbian City.

This train had several cars filled with educated youths—urban young people heading to the countryside for rural support work. The remaining passengers were mostly visiting family, lugging large bags that took up significant space.

Among them, He Hongyuan and Zhang Huafeng were rare exceptions, carrying nothing at all. They had refused the gifts of local specialties their comrade’s family tried to send with them, unwilling to take even a needle or thread from the not-so-affluent household.

The train stopped briefly before rattling forward again.

Zhang Huafeng and He Hongyuan stood in the back of Carriage No.8, near the connection to Carriage No.7. With little else to do, Zhang Huafeng couldn’t resist prying, “Hongyuan, are we still brothers or what? Be straight with me—nothing going on between you and Dr. Meng?”

Without lifting his head, He Hongyuan gave a cursory glance at the crowd in the car and replied, “Nothing.”

He cast Zhang Huafeng a faint look. “Could you stop being so nosy?”

“Hey.” Zhang Huafeng wanted to scold this impudent junior, especially since he was a full six months older, but he thought better of it. After all, he couldn’t win in a fight. He muttered, “Fine, but listen—next week, you have to come with me to the social. Forget Dr. Meng. How about the performing arts troupe?”

Recently, Zhang Huafeng had hit it off with Yan Min, a dancer in the troupe. They were just on the verge of becoming an official couple. Yan Min happened to have a colleague—a singer in the troupe—who had long been smitten with He Hongyuan. Yan Min had begged Zhang Huafeng to bring He Hongyuan along as a potential match.

Unfortunately, this plan would work on anyone but He Hongyuan. He dismissed it without hesitation, “Not going. You go if you want.”

Zhang Huafeng nearly stomped his feet in frustration. “Are you even my brother? Yan Min asked me for this favor!”

He Hongyuan, unyielding: “Then we’re not brothers.”

Zhang Huafeng: “…”

Heartless! Absolutely heartless!

While Carriage No.8 buzzed with lively chatter, Carriage No.7 was no less animated.

Perhaps it was because Jinbian City was only two hours away; the passengers were growing restless. Aunt Mao was already chatting with Shen Chunli about their plans to disembark together.

“Chunli, how can you be such a good girl? So beautiful and with such a kind heart.”

Aunt Mao, along with her little granddaughter who couldn’t read and was unfamiliar with the area, only had a note in hand. The journey to find her son wasn’t easy, so she asked Shen Chunli to help her follow the address and search together.

Shen Chunli had gotten along well with people on the train, and upon hearing this, she immediately agreed without hesitation: “No problem, I’ll do my best, just like Lei Feng!”

Lin Xiang, seeing how close and friendly they were, was ignored, so she decided to stretch her legs and move around. Her calves were sore and weak, and while waiting at the connection between Carriage 7 and Carriage 6 for quite a while, she suddenly saw Aunt Mao, who had seemed frail earlier, quickly stride from Carriage 7 to Carriage 6. She exchanged a glance with a man in his thirties.

Her expression and demeanor were far from the kind, gentle image she had earlier.

In no time, Aunt Mao walked back, and Lin Xiang immediately turned her back, pretending to be a passerby. After Aunt Mao walked past her, Lin Xiang noticed that she blended into the crowd and headed toward Carriage 8. A moment later, she stopped and exchanged a glance with a male passenger.

Lin Xiang’s heart skipped a beat, and her brows furrowed. She suddenly remembered Aunt He’s words about how human traffickers target young, beautiful women. Even in the future, this tactic of taking advantage of a woman’s kindness and sympathy to deceive her was well-known…

Lin Xiang waited in the carriage for a while, and when Aunt Mao returned to her seat, she approached her with a somewhat strained smile: “Aunt Mao, I’ll go with you when we get off. Strength in numbers, I’ll help you find the address.”

Aunt Mao, who had been talking to Shen Chunli with a friendly expression, suddenly stiffened when she heard Lin Xiang’s words. She turned to look at her, and for a brief moment, irritation flashed in her eyes.

Though it was quick, Lin Xiang’s suspicion was solidified, and she kept a close eye on Aunt Mao, catching that fleeting emotion.

“It’s okay, Lin, we won’t trouble you. We’ve already bothered Chunli enough. We don’t want to trouble another person,” Aunt Mao repeatedly declined Lin Xiang’s offer, clearly unwilling to have her accompany them.

Lin Xiang’s suspicion grew: “Aunt Mao, don’t you have any relatives or friends with you? It’s so unsafe to travel alone like this.”

“No, we don’t know anyone,” Aunt Mao said with a worried look, and then continued to complain to Shen Chunli about her family’s poverty, making Shen Chunli almost tear up.

Lin Xiang didn’t have any hard evidence, but her suspicion that Aunt Mao might be involved in human trafficking only grew stronger. After a while, as Shen Chunli went outside for some air, Lin Xiang followed her.

“Chunli,” Lin Xiang cautiously approached her. “Are you really going to help Aunt Mao find her son’s address when we get off the train?”

Chunli nodded: “Yes, Aunt Mao can’t read, and her health isn’t great. Her granddaughter is too young. They’re strangers in this area, so I’m helping them out.”

She had already looked at the address on the note, but wasn’t familiar with it and would probably need to ask for directions.

“Maybe you should ask the police for help. You’re a young girl, and it’s not safe to go alone. If something happens… once you get to their place, it’ll be their turf. You won’t have time to run,” Lin Xiang tried to remind her, but was met with a stern warning from Shen Chunli.

“Lin, what are you saying? You think Aunt Mao is a bad person?” Chunli looked at Lin Xiang seriously and then sighed. “Did she offend you? Oh, was it because she had a strong reaction to your face? You’re being overly sensitive, and anyway, you—”

It was indeed a bit frightening, a little ugly.

Never mind, it would have been hurtful to say.

Shen Chunli didn’t seem to appreciate the concern, and walked away with a huff.

Lin Xiang: “…”

She was truly innocent!

Although Shen Chunli didn’t appreciate it, Lin Xiang remained suspicious. Being cautious, she decided to report the situation to the conductor. If Aunt Mao was really involved in human trafficking, it would be a good deed; if not, quietly investigating wouldn’t hurt.

But as the train approached the station, the carriages became crowded, and there was no sign of the conductor. Lin Xiang tried to walk through more carriages but found it difficult because the aisles were packed with people and luggage.

Just when Lin Xiang was at a loss, she suddenly saw the figure of a soldier in a white naval uniform at the end of Carriage 8!

A naval uniform!

If she couldn’t find the police or the conductor, a soldier would do just as well!

Struggling to make her way through the crowd, Lin Xiang finally reached Carriage 8. She walked up to the tall figure in the white military uniform and softly said, “Soldier, I need to report something…”

---

Half an hour before reaching Jinbian City Station, the conductors were moving back and forth between the carriages.

Lin Xiang blinked, carefully observing the conductor’s frequent glances at Aunt Mao. She now had a clear idea in her mind.

The soldier must have exchanged information with the conductor. After multiple confirmations, it was clear that Aunt Mao was involved in something suspicious!

With official intervention, Lin Xiang felt relieved. Her appearance, though unattractive and plain, had worked in her favor. Aunt Mao had ignored her several times, especially when she had offered to accompany them.

“They only want to abduct young and beautiful women. They wouldn’t even look at someone like Lin Xiang.”

This was also why when Aunt Mao went to meet her accomplices, she didn’t notice that Lin Xiang had been paying attention to her.

Earlier, Lin Xiang had approached a soldier nearby, explaining her suspicions and hoping they could investigate. The soldier, tall and straight in his white military uniform, was friendly but became alert when he heard her. He told Lin Xiang to return to her seat, not to show any signs of suspicion, and assured her he would look into it.

As Lin Xiang was deep in thought, someone else was observing her.

Zhang Huafeng and He Hongyuan had been quietly watching the human trafficker from a distance. After a moment, Zhang Huafeng nudged He Hongyuan with his elbow, pointing at a woman in a worn gray shirt. He said, “There’s another clever young woman on the train. She casually suspects and ends up catching a big fish.”

Zhang Huafeng, after being contacted by Lin Xiang, shared the information with He Hongyuan, who had just resolved a near-fight situation in another car. The two of them, along with the train’s crew, discussed the possibility that Sister Mei, the head of a human trafficking ring active in the southern regions, might be on the train. Sister Mei, in her fifties, often pretended to be weak and helpless to gain the sympathy and trust of young, beautiful women, then abducted them when they were vulnerable.

Six months ago, He Hongyuan had helped the police catch a human trafficking gang in Jinbian City, but Sister Mei had escaped. It seemed she was now using the alias “Aunt Mao” to try again.

He Hongyuan looked through the crowd, his indifferent gaze focusing on the woman known as Aunt Mao. When Zhang Huafeng mentioned her, his eyes shifted to the woman in the gray shirt, her dark, yellow skin and pockmarked face drawing attention.

The woman was slender, and though her oversized shirt hid most of her figure, she still looked gaunt. Her small face was striking, but her rough complexion and pockmarks were hard to ignore.

He Hongyuan’s eyes skimmed over her, and just as he was about to look away, the woman lifted her eyes and briefly made eye contact with someone, revealing bright and clear eyes that seemed out of place against her appearance. For a moment, her white wrist showed as she pulled back her sleeve, but she quickly concealed it again.

According to Zhang Huafeng, the woman had pointed out Aunt Mao’s suspicious behavior, even identifying the locations and appearances of two men she was meeting.

“Seems pretty sharp, with good observation skills.”

“The traffickers seem to have targeted that young woman. I heard her name is Shen, and she’s really pretty. But since she’s young and inexperienced, she fell for the trick. Thankfully, the woman next to her was sharp. But honestly, this woman…,” Zhang Huafeng trailed off, then added tactfully, “Her appearance saved her life. The traffickers didn’t target her.”

Sister Mei had an eye for attractive women because they were easier to sell.

He Hongyuan let out a cold laugh, “You really think the woman reporting the trafficker looked like that?”

“Huh?” Zhang Huafeng turned to look at him, confused. “Isn’t that right? She looked dark and yellow, with pockmarks.”

He Hongyuan walked away, throwing over his shoulder, “Her face is a disguise.”

Even with the disguise, her eyes were clearly bright and lively—completely out of place.

Zhang Huafeng paused, surprised, then hurried after He Hongyuan, whispering, “Wait, a disguise? That’s amazing! So, she might be really beautiful. Can you tell what she really looks like underneath?”

He Hongyuan smirked, “If Yan Min hears you saying that…”

Zhang Huafeng instantly fell silent and muttered, “I was just asking.”

Half an hour before the train arrived at Jinbian City, the conductor approached Aunt Mao to verify her identification papers. Lin Xiang silently watched, knowing this meant they were luring her in for investigation and arrest.

Sure enough, after Aunt Mao and her granddaughter left, they didn’t return.

The train was crowded and chaotic, and even though they had identified Aunt Mao as a trafficker, it was too risky to arrest her directly in the crowd. It was better to strike when the time was right.

---

As the train pulled into Jinbian City station with a long, loud whistle, Lin Xiang, weary from the journey, stood on the crowded platform, feeling a mixture of emotions.

Before she boarded the train, Aunt He had reminded her that He Hongyuan was likely still on duty and hadn’t called home, but his third uncle would arrange for someone to meet her.

In the bustling station, after disembarking with the crowd, Lin Xiang happened to see Shen Chunli stepping onto the platform.

She was still looking around, wondering where Aunt Mao had gone since she had promised to help find someone. “Where did she go? Shouldn’t we be looking for people?”

“Comrade Shen,” Lin Xiang kindly reminded her, “You should go ahead. Aunt Mao won’t be coming back. She’s a trafficker.”

“Comrade Lin, I think you’re overthinking. Aunt Mao is a kind-hearted person. How could you think she’s a trafficker?” Shen Chunli replied firmly, her expression earnest. “It doesn’t matter if she’s not beautiful, what matters is her heart!”

Lin Xiang: “…”

“Who have I offended?!”

Forget it, I won’t argue with this young lady.

After looking around for a while and not spotting anyone, Shen Chunli had no choice but to give up and leave with her wicker suitcase.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiang was still waiting, scanning the crowd to see who was there to pick her up. If she couldn’t find anyone to meet her, she’d figure out a way to contact the military base herself.

As she searched, Lin Xiang noticed a group of people gathered on a distant platform. Train attendants and two soldiers in white uniforms were handing over the human trafficker to the station’s police officers.

“Aunt Mao” was glaring at everyone as she was forcibly escorted away.

Lin Xiang shifted her gaze and caught sight of the soldier she had spoken to earlier on the train, who had a dark complexion but a friendly demeanor. After hearing her report, he complimented her, calling her a good comrade.

Next to him stood another soldier, who had his back to her. Lin Xiang hadn’t seen him before but noticed he was taller than the first, standing with a straight posture in his uniform, exuding a cold and stern presence.

He was a true soldier—just looking at his silhouette was enough to tell.

“Are you Comrade Lin Xiang?” A clear voice called her name, and Lin Xiang turned to see a young woman standing in front of her.

Could this be the person her uncle had sent to pick her up?

She paused for a moment, “Yes, I am. And you are?”

“My name is Zhou Yuezhu, I’m He Hongyuan’s cousin!” The young woman winked at Lin Xiang, her eyes filled with shock, and a smile spread across her face as she said warmly, “By the way, my second aunt said you came from the Xifeng Steel Mill. She brought you some salted duck eggs and oranges.”

Lin Xiang smiled and nodded, “Yes.”

When she heard this, Lin Xiang knew that it was indeed her second aunt who had arranged everything.

Before Lin Xiang left, her second aunt had called He Hongyuan’s uncle and given him a description of her appearance and clothing, making it easy for Zhou Yuezhu to identify her when she arrived at the station.

“Wow, my second aunt said she put something on your face so that bad people wouldn’t notice you. That’s impressive!” Zhou Yuezhu was talkative, linking arms with Lin Xiang. “I heard from my dad that my third cousin actually has a girlfriend now! So, you must be my cousin-in-law!”

Lin Xiang smiled at Zhou Yuezhu’s directness, liking the girl’s openness. However, the term “cousin-in-law” was hard to respond to since she hadn’t even met He Hongyuan yet.

The two of them left the station and made their way to the dock to catch a boat.

There were three docks in Jinbian City, with boats to Langhua Island departing from the North Shore Dock. Military personnel and their families usually relied on these boats for personal travel.

As they walked, Zhou Yuezhu eagerly introduced the military situation to Lin Xiang, and gradually, the blue sea came into view. The waves shimmered under the sunlight, and the vast sea seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon.

Lin Xiang, who had always loved the ocean, gazed out at the sea of the 1970s, feeling a wave of emotion.

The sea was calm, like a huge blue gemstone. As the sun began to set, it cast golden rays across the water, and boats with green and white paint slowly approached the dock, preparing to disembark passengers.

Zhou Yuezhu bought two boat tickets for a dime and led Lin Xiang onto the boat.

The boat gently rocked on the water. Lin Xiang turned to look at the water, which seemed so close she could touch it. A slight smile appeared on her lips—this scenery was much better than in Xifeng City. She didn’t care much for industrial cities; places with mountains and the sea were much more to her liking.

“Cousin-in-law, is this your first time on a boat?” Zhou Yuezhu kindly handed her a sour plum candy. “Eat this, it’ll help you avoid seasickness.”

“Thank you.” Lin Xiang wasn’t prone to seasickness, but since the young girl was being so considerate, she didn’t want to refuse. “But I haven’t even met your cousin yet, so maybe…”

Zhou Yuezhu didn’t seem to care much about that. She confidently said, “You two have an arranged marriage contract, so it’s only right! I don’t think he’d dare back out!”

Zhou Yuezhu was eager to see her usually stiff and cold cousin get married and couldn’t wait for them to meet. But she also wondered what her cousin-in-law would look like. If she hadn’t been told by her second aunt how Lin Xiang was dressed up, she might have been startled.

The boat ride from the North Shore Dock to Langhua Island took about forty minutes. Lin Xiang, full of curiosity, didn’t find the time difficult to bear.

Most of the people on the boat were military wives, coming out for a trip and carrying many life supplies. They were all heading to the island with big and small bags.

As the boat docked, everyone began to disembark. Lin Xiang stood at the dock and looked up to see the 119th Division Naval Base’s headquarters. The white brick gate stood tall and imposing, with a red star embedded at the top, shining brightly.

“Cousin-in-law, my mom knows you’re here and made a whole table of dishes for you.” Zhou Yuezhu led Lin Xiang through the back gate of the family compound. After a brief registration at the security check, they entered.

The family compound of the 119th Division was located in the northwest of the base, covering a large area. The stone-paved roads were clean and flat, with neatly lined coconut trees on either side. Their green leaves fluttered in the evening breeze. According to Zhou Yuezhu, the compound mostly consisted of tube-shaped buildings and two-story houses.

Each tube-shaped building had five floors, with five households per floor. The space was neither too big nor too small, and usually, a family of four could live comfortably. But if there were more people, it would feel cramped.

“Cousin-in-law, once my cousin comes over to file the marriage report, you can apply for housing right away! With his current position, he can apply for a two-story house!” Zhou Yuezhu enthusiastically suggested, even sharing the pros and cons of the vacant houses in the family compound. Lin Xiang couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

She and He Hongyuan aren’t even engaged yet!

Oh, wait, they are, technically. She does have their marriage certificate in her bag.

Alright, it’s just one stroke short of a proper engagement.

But after seeing the environment in Jinbian City, she’s already made up her mind. No matter what happens with He Hongyuan, she’s going to find a way to stay here!

Zhou Yuezhu’s house is nestled amidst dense coconut groves, with a small red brick building standing tall, blending with the lush greenery and blue waters, radiating vitality and brightness.

“Mom, my sister-in-law’s here!” Zhou Yuezhu, with a single-minded focus, had already accepted the title of “sister-in-law” and immediately introduced Lin Xiang, “You see, second aunt took such good care of her, they say she made a beautiful girl look like this!”

Zhou Yuezhu’s father is Zhou Shenghuai, the brigade commander of the 119th Division’s Fourth Regiment, and her mother, Feng Li, married into the military and was currently busy in the kitchen.

Lin Xiang saw a slender, youthful-looking middle-aged woman come out.

Feng Li wiped her hands on her apron. Even though she had been mentally prepared, she was still surprised upon seeing Lin Xiang’s “dignity.” She smiled kindly, “Your second aunt is skilled; she’ll help you with your face next time. You’re Lin Xiang, right? Please sit down, it must have been tiring for you to travel all this way. Yuezhu, get Lin Xiang a cup of tea.”

“Hi!”

“Hello, Aunt Feng.” The warmth from the mother and daughter made Lin Xiang feel quite at ease.

The kitchen was almost ready, and Lin Xiang wanted to help but was stopped by Feng Li, who hurriedly said, “You’ve traveled for days, so sit down and rest. Yuezhu, go check if your dad and cousin have arrived yet.”

Today, upon hearing that Lin Xiang would be dining at their home, Zhou Shenghuai had someone notify He Hongyuan.

---

After assisting in apprehending a human trafficker on the train and briefly exchanging information with the police, He Hongyuan left with comrades on a jeep headed back to the unit after the task.

The only land route to Langhua Island is a military strategic path that civilians cannot access. As a result, others travel by boat, which naturally takes longer.

After finishing his work at the regiment, He Hongyuan absentmindedly touched his pocket, feeling the lump of paper inside. He remembered his childhood engagement… Perhaps the person was already at his uncle’s house.

Headache. A real headache.

“Old He, let’s go take a shower,” Zhang Huafeng called out to He Hongyuan, leading the way to the bathhouse, then they planned to head to the cafeteria for a meal.

This is the life of a bachelor—boring and dull.

Zhang Huafeng looked over at Jiang Weijun, who was neatly dressed, preparing to meet his girlfriend for dinner. He felt a pang of jealousy!

Thankfully, with He Hongyuan as his companion, he wasn’t the most miserable one!

Good brothers for life!

But just as Zhang Huafeng was about to get happy, Zhou Shenghuai’s bodyguard hurried over and said in a low voice, “Commander He, your fiancée has already arrived at the Zhou family home. Commander Zhou asked me to inform you to come over for dinner.”

He Hongyuan: …

Zhang Huafeng: ???

Wait, they’re all single here?

Since when does this guy have a fiancée?

Zhang Huafeng stared at He Hongyuan, stuttering, “Fiancée? He Hongyuan, where did you get a fiancée!”

He Hongyuan turned and gave him a cold look, silently saying, “I wish I knew.”

His fiancée had already arrived at his uncle’s home, and it was his mother who personally sent her on the train. He Hongyuan sighed, feeling like he was going to battle, and said in a low voice, “Let’s go.”

…

Lin Xiang didn’t have the chance to wash off the makeup on her face yet. The berries needed to be slowly boiled into water, but luckily, she had gotten used to it over the past few days. Now, she could help with serving the dishes on the table without any burden.

She also listened to Zhou Yuezhu eagerly chat about her stoic cousin, He Hongyuan.

Lin Xiang was actually a bit curious. Since He Hongyuan’s last name was He, how could he and Zhou Yuezhu be cousins? It was rare for someone to take their mother’s surname in this era, could it be that his surname was changed later?

But since she was new here, she didn’t want to ask too many personal questions right away.

Zhou Yuezhu described her cousin He Hongyuan as a fearless man, full of thorns, who would charge deep into enemy lines alone and even challenge the regiment commander, sticking to his own strategies.

Especially with the soldiers under his command—he was ruthless, like a living king of hell. His motto was that if you don’t train hard, you’ll die on the battlefield.

Quite ruthless!

Lin Xiang silently listened, and as she pictured He Hongyuan from the photograph, she could already imagine him as a tough, stern man. His hard and resolute appearance made him seem like no ordinary person.

She thought for a moment, then looked up. Amidst Zhou Yuezhu’s enthusiastic talking, she saw a man in white military attire walk in, and he looked exactly like the soldier in the photograph.

“My cousin is really handsome, and many girls like him. Don’t worry, sister-in-law, you have the official marriage certificate, I support you!”

As Zhou Yuezhu finished her sentence, He Hongyuan’s gaze followed, and unexpectedly, he met Lin Xiang’s eyes.

Lin Xiang had seen many handsome men in her past life, and back then, the popular aesthetic leaned towards delicate men. While she could appreciate a pretty face, she was more drawn to a man with a tough, masculine aura.

Clearly, He Hongyuan was one such man.

Standing at about 1.85 meters tall, with a straight back, broad shoulders, and long legs that seemed to go on forever, he stood still like a mountain—calm and composed. His hard face was framed by sharp eyebrows, and his deep, cold eyes held a sea of emotions, revealing no signs of wavering. His thin lips curved in an unhappy line, indicating his current mood.

He is really handsome! Completely handsome in Lin Xiang’s aesthetic taste!

The authority and the imposing presence are truly overwhelming!

“Cousin, you’re here!” Zhou Yuezhu heard the footsteps, turned around, and saw the person. She quickly stood up and excitedly introduced, “This is my sister-in-law! I picked her up from the train station!”

She looked as though she was waiting for praise.

He Hongyuan gave his cousin a faint glance, didn’t say anything, and instead turned to Lin Xiang, looking down at her as though from a high position, and said, “We need to talk.”

The study door of the Zhou family was tightly shut. Zhou Yuezhu sneaked closer to the wooden door, trying to eavesdrop on what the two inside were saying, but was stopped by her mother. “Look at you! Go back and sit down.”

“Ah, I’m just worried.” Zhou Yuezhu had already accepted Lin Xiang as her sister-in-law, but she also knew her cousin’s temper too well, “I hope he doesn’t end up making sister-in-law cry.”

With his fierce look, it really seemed like he could do such a thing!

Inside the study, Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan were sitting across from each other, and it was surprisingly calm.

She took the marriage certificate out of her bag and handed it over, “This is our marriage certificate, take a look.”

Anyone who didn’t know might think she was negotiating a contract, like she was in talks with a business partner.

He Hongyuan silently took the old, yellowed marriage certificate. He raised an eyelid, briefly glanced at it, then casually placed it on the table. Coldly, he said, “A childhood betrothal from over a decade ago has no need to exist. Our engagement is dissolved, and I’ll send you back. If you want any compensation, feel free to ask.”