Chapter 49

Lin Xiang stared up at the man on top of her, her eyes full of confusion: “You’re not drunk?”

He Hongyuan still smelled strongly of alcohol, but his expression was completely normal, not at all like the drunken state he had been in earlier at the banquet.

He raised an eyebrow, and Lin Xiang understood before he could even answer.

“You were pretending to be drunk?” Lin Xiang was truly surprised. He Hongyuan was always sharp, tough, and straightforward; she never expected him to do something like this. “I didn’t expect our Captain He would pretend to be drunk~”

Hearing her teasing without any attempt to hide it, He Hongyuan curled his lips into a smirk. “Today’s a special day. I couldn’t let those little brats mess things up.”

Lin Xiang smiled, her eyes twinkling. “You really know when to bend and when to stretch. You know today’s a big day.”

If it had truly ended with the groom drunkenly stumbling through the wedding night, Lin Xiang wouldn’t have had much choice, but she would have felt a bit disappointed.

“I’m not talking about that.” He Hongyuan’s expression grew serious as he corrected her.

“Mm?” Lin Xiang didn’t immediately understand what he meant, but after a few moments of locking eyes with him, she seemed to see wild fire in his dark gaze. Suddenly, her mind exploded — this was about their wedding night!

Heat rushed to Lin Xiang’s face, coloring her cheeks a delicate pink. Seeing her blush, He Hongyuan’s heart skipped a beat. His gaze deepened with something uncontrollable.

He slowly leaned down, moving with an uncharacteristic slowness. Lin Xiang could feel the distance between them closing, their breaths gradually colliding, and even the air felt thinner.

Her slender fingers curled, gripping the large red bedspread beneath them. This bedspread, chosen by Lin Xiang herself, was a bright red symbol of their wedding, with golden threads outlining a pair of mandarin ducks, symbolizing the two of them.

It felt as though they, too, were like those mandarin ducks.

Her white fingers clutched the bedspread tightly, twisting the red fabric in a chaotic swirl.

But just as their bodies were nearly touching, He Hongyuan stopped. His hand, with its defined knuckles, gently brushed over his lips, his rough fingertips lightly gliding across the lipstick stain. “What’s this? So red, and it smells nice.”

The lipstick had been a special item sent by Yan Min, a stage makeup product, a domestic brand with bright red color and a faint rose fragrance.

Lin Xiang lightly parted her lips, her mouth brushing against his fingers as she spoke. “I put on some lipstick, it smells like roses.”

She had wanted to look nice for the wedding but hadn’t dared to apply too much, worried it would look too showy and give others something to criticize.

“Really?” He Hongyuan’s fingers tingled as they brushed her lips, sending a shiver through him. He lowered his body to her, his voice deep and hoarse, “Let me taste it.”

At the end of October, the heat of summer had already passed in Jinbian City. The autumn breeze made the weather refreshing, but inside the neatly kept two-story house, the temperature was rising, making it feel almost unbearable.

The man seemed to have cast aside his layers of pretense, and with a desperate and passionate urgency, he kissed her, forcing his way into her mouth, entangling their lips and tongues as they exchanged breaths.

The temperature between them climbed as their breaths collided, and the large bed beneath them rippled with waves of red. At the foot of the bed, their military uniform and wedding dress lay in a tangled heap, mixing the red and white into an indistinguishable mess.

…

Lin Xiang woke up in the early hours of the morning.

Her body regained consciousness before her mind, feeling sore and soft all over, and then various images forcefully surged into her mind…

He Hongyuan had physically proven he was indeed capable.

The man beside her breathed long and steady, one arm around her, holding her to him, offering her neck as a pillow, his other hand tightly gripping her waist. Even in his sleep, he didn’t let go.

Thinking back on the scenes from earlier, Lin Xiang’s face turned red again, and her heart seemed to rain down in a flurry of emotions. She remembered how the man had alternated between being forceful and tender, sometimes pushing forward relentlessly, and other times whispering gently. As sleepiness began to take over, Lin Xiang shifted toward He Hongyuan, burying her face into his chest. She placed her hand on his bare chest, feeling the faint scratches on his firm muscles.

Hmm, not only had she touched his abs, but she had also left several shallow scratch marks on his skin.

Wasn’t that a form of progress?

++++

They had one day off for their honeymoon. After the wedding night, they slept soundly, and even He Hongyuan, who usually never skipped his morning training, remained in bed until 8 AM.

He Hongyuan lowered his gaze and quietly watched the woman still lost in her dreams. Lin Xiang, exhausted, slept deeply. Her fair cheek was flushed, and her curled lashes rested peacefully, casting shadows on her eyelids like two little fans. The vivid lipstick from earlier had been worn away, leaving her lips a soft, delicate pink, making her look incredibly adorable.

He Hongyuan didn’t disturb her. He leaned down and lightly kissed her lips before getting up.

By the time Lin Xiang fully woke up, it was already 10 AM.

She had been so exhausted the night before, and her body’s soreness was an honest reflection of the intensity of their earlier activities. As she slowly moved her body, she changed into her clothes and got out of bed. When she looked up, she saw the clear blue sky and the vast ocean outside the master bedroom’s balcony.

The autumn sea was beautiful in a different way from the summer’s fiery brilliance. The scorching sun cast golden rays across the sky, while the autumn sea was calm and serene, as though it was gently embracing the world. The autumn wind blew softly, undisturbed by waves.

Lin Xiang’s eyes twinkled with a smile, and while gazing at the sea, she gathered her silky black hair and loosely braided it, tying it behind her head. She had truly begun living her dream life—waking up to face the sea.

There was some movement downstairs, and Lin Xiang hurried to the living room, where she saw that the man had seemingly returned to his usual serious self and was cleaning the house.

Hearing the sounds of her footsteps, He Hongyuan looked up and locked eyes with his wife. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? The breakfast is warming up. Let me bring it over.”

Lin Xiang indeed felt famished. Her stomach was growling. The two of them had spent the evening before fooling around, having some snacks and chatting, and the high-intensity activities through the night left her exhausted and starving.

The square table was made of sturdy wood, with smooth corners and sides etched with patterns of auspicious clouds, making it quite beautiful.

He Hongyuan peeled the salted duck egg his mother had brought and placed it on the table, along with the porridge he had cooked earlier and a small dish of pickled vegetables.

“Have you tried this?” Lin Xiang took a sip of the porridge, which warmed her body and made her feel comfortable.

“No, I was waiting to have it with you,” He Hongyuan replied. He was used to being solitary, but now, he looked forward to having meals with someone, living his life with a partner.

“You could have eaten by yourself, no need to wait for me,” Lin Xiang said, biting into the salted duck egg white. The savory taste immediately filled her mouth.

The salted duck egg was soft and creamy, and the yolk was golden and smooth. One bite, and the oils gently flowed out, rich and satisfying.

With the porridge, Lin Xiang finished the egg, feeling truly content.

Not long after, He Guifang arrived, ready to cook for the couple. She had gone out early to buy groceries and, living inland for years, was unfamiliar with the vast array of seafood. The two large tanks she had seen were filled with various ocean creatures. She only knew fish, shrimp, and crabs, so she bought a yellow croaker and some shrimp, along with four black, spiny things that a military wife had praised. She was skeptical but bought them anyway.

She walked around a bit longer, making sure the couple was awake before heading over.

“Mom, you bought so many things so early! Today’s meal will be special,” He Hongyuan greeted his mother as usual, looking energetic and even gentler than before. His sharp features seemed softened today.

He Guifang looked into the house. “Is Xiangxiang up?”

“She’s up,” He Hongyuan said, carrying the groceries into the kitchen. He called upstairs, “Xiangxiang, mom’s here.”

Soon, Lin Xiang, who had been applying some cream on the second floor, hurried downstairs, her red shirt fluttering as if she were a butterfly. “Mom, you’re here! Have you had breakfast? There’s still some salted duck egg, want me to heat it up for you?”

“I’ve already eaten,” He Guifang said, happy to see her daughter-in-law smiling so brightly. “I bought some groceries. We’re cooking here today, and at noon, your Uncle San will come with his family for some fun.”

For their first proper meal in the new home, He Guifang had intended to do all the cooking, but the couple kept trying to sneak into the kitchen.

Especially after she brought in those spiny black things, she was at a loss on how to handle them.

“Ah, I shouldn’t have bought these. Can they even be eaten?”

Lin Xiang glanced over and realized what they were. It was sea urchin!

In the future, sea urchins could be sold for thirty apiece, and her mother-in-law had bought four for barely any cost. How could she even complain?

“Mom, I’ll handle the sea urchins. Just steam some eggs,” Lin Xiang said.

While He Guifang and He Hongyuan prepared the fish, shrimp, and chicken soup, Lin Xiang focused on the sea urchins. The waters around Langhua Island were known for their abundant seafood, and the sea urchins were plump and delicious. She carefully scooped out the meat, mixed it with the egg liquid, and steamed it for a few minutes.

When it was ready, the rich aroma filled the air, blending the fresh, creamy flavor of the sea urchin with the smoothness of the egg. The fragrance spread everywhere. She topped it with a sprinkle of fresh green onions and a few drops of sesame oil. Perfect!

At lunchtime, Zhou Shenghuai and Zhou Yuezhu returned from the military, and it was the first time everyone was trying sea urchin steamed eggs. They were surprised by how delicious it was, and the four sea urchins turned out to be too few. Each person happily devoured half of one.

After the meal, Zhou Shenghuai asked, “Did you do that to Hongfei?”

Zhou Shenghuai had just learned that his nephew, Zhou Hongfei, had been locked in a guesthouse room for most of the day yesterday. When he finally came out, he was grumbling and swearing.

Zhou Shenghuai knew He Hongyuan well. It was highly likely he had handled it.

He Hongyuan admitted it without hesitation. “Next time, it won’t be so simple.”

Zhou Shenghuai was speechless. He had originally planned to deal with Hongfei if he caused trouble at the banquet, but he hadn’t expected He Hongyuan to act first and preemptively handle the situation.

He still remembered how, in the afternoon, Hongfei had stormed to him, claiming someone was messing with him, and accusing He Hongyuan in particular.

“Dad!” Zhou Yuezhu had been touring the house, but when she returned to the living room, she overheard the conversation between her father and cousin. With a proud smile, she rushed over. “I was involved too! I made sure the door stayed shut tight. He couldn’t get out even if he tried!”

Zhou Shenghuai: “…”

This girl!

Forget it, Zhou Hongfei had already stormed off in anger yesterday. Before leaving, he had threatened to tell his father about how he had been treated by He Hongyuan, likely planning to complain and make himself out to be the victim, hoping his second uncle would punish Hongyuan and sympathize with him.

---

Lin Xiang was busy with her newlywed life and didn’t pay much attention to Zhou Hongfei after learning he had been disciplined. With only half a day left of her wedding leave, she went to the seafood market with her mother-in-law in the afternoon to buy more sea urchins for the steamed egg dish they hadn’t had enough of for lunch. She kept three for herself and sent four to the neighbors as a thank-you gift.

The plate was filled with steaming sea urchin egg custard, along with a few pieces of wedding candy, making for a nice offering.

Neighbor Jiang Wenfang saw the newlywed couple visiting and quickly congratulated them, her pregnant belly nearly six months along. Three of her daughters, drawn by the scent, surrounded her.

“Captain He, Comrade Lin Xiang, congratulations! Are you settling in well here?” Jiang Wenfang spoke politely, her smile warm and inviting, making one feel at ease.

Lin Xiang smiled and nodded. As she handed over the plate, she said, “It’s going pretty well. Everything here is great. By the way, Sister Jiang, we were so busy yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to give you any wedding candy. Please let the girls have some, and there are also some sea urchin egg custards—eat them while they’re hot.”

Jiang Wenfang had never bought such prickly things and hadn’t expected them to be prepared this way, but the fragrant aroma couldn’t be mistaken. “You’re too kind,” she replied.

By now, Instructor Sun was still at the military base, so Jiang Wenfang saved one for him and shared three with her daughters. The fresh, tender, and fragrant sea urchin egg custard immediately amazed everyone, their eyes wide with surprise.

“Mom, this is so good!” the eldest daughter exclaimed, savoring the taste.

“Yes, Lin Xiang Auntie next door really knows how to cook.”

After Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan had returned the favor, she began packing up the remaining wedding candy to take to her workplace. “I’ve split the different kinds of candy into two portions, one for each of us. It’s just a little gesture.”

He Hongyuan saw how thoughtful his wife was about the social exchanges, feeling a warm current in his heart. She was truly thinking about their little home.

“Alright, I’ll remember to take it with me tomorrow.”

“By the way, there’s this.” Lin Xiang, being thoughtful, especially towards those who had shown kindness to her, added, “Yesterday, Yan Min gave me some lipstick. Can you pass this on to Comrade Zhang for her? We should invite them and Captain Jiang and his wife over for dinner sometime.”

He Hongyuan took the handkerchief, unsure what was inside, but since it was a gift from his wife, he accepted it without hesitation.

The day after their wedding leave ended, Lin Xiang returned to the factory, handing out wedding candy to everyone, bringing cheer to the workplace. The workers, many of whom had been married for years, playfully teased the newlywed. The older women especially made their comments more suggestive, prompting Lin Xiang to find an excuse to escape.

She couldn’t handle their enthusiasm!

Marriage is a big event in life, and as the days went by, she knew their marriage would eventually settle into the everyday routines of life—cooking, chores, and simple living.

Lin Xiang quickly adjusted back to work mode. After all, in these times, there’s no honeymoon; it’s back to work immediately after the wedding.

The factory’s coconut juice had been on sale for a few days, and the results were still unknown. The 300-bottle order had been sent to major department stores, but there was no sale on the island itself. Typically, the grain and oil company contacts them once a week, and if sales are good, they place more orders. If not, they refuse to continue business with them.

While the factory was waiting for news, they first heard the news about the Shiwei food factory.

“Have you heard? The grain and oil company is no longer selling Shiwei’s coconut water,” Qiu Hongxia shared. She had gone with Zhao Jianjun to the city to sign a deal with the company and had spent some time talking to the guards at the gate to gather some gossip.

The guard had said the people from Shiwei were leaving in a hurry, and it seemed the coconut water wasn’t selling well. New flavors would no longer be sold.

The grain and oil company had effectively sentenced them to failure: even if they produced the product, they had nowhere to sell it. Anyone who tried to sell it privately would be violating regulations.

Some were excited: “That’s great! If they can’t sell it, it’s good for us!”

Others were worried: “Could it be that the people in Jinbian City don’t like coconut water? If theirs isn’t selling, what if ours doesn’t sell either?”

Their confidence faltered as they spoke.

Lin Xiang disagreed. Her factory’s coconut water was far superior in appearance, color, taste, and quality compared to Shiwei’s crude version, which was tainted with artificial flavors. The added essence destroyed the natural sweetness of the coconut water, making it worse.

It was no surprise that their product wasn’t selling well.

“Let’s wait three more days for feedback. We shouldn’t panic yet,” Lin Xiang reassured the worried workers. “Our coconut water tastes so much better, it has to do well, much better than Shiwei’s.”

Hearing this, everyone’s spirits were lifted!

That’s right!

Lin Xiang chatted with the workers for a while, and when she returned to the office, she found that Director Zhao wasn’t there. Kong Zhenzhen was busy with the factory gloves, and Ma Defa, who always looked disinterested, was muttering about fighting poems, still a thoughtful person despite his outward appearance.

“Director Zhao!” Lin Xiang called out, noticing Kong Zhenzhen’s fine handiwork with the needle and thread.

Kong Zhenzhen, who was busy, quickly looked up and replied, “He left looking miserable.”

Under the Sago Palm tree in the remote corner of the Factory No.2, a swirl of white smoke rose into the air. Zhao Jianjun was standing there, smoking, his brow furrowed deeply.

“Director Zhao,” Lin Xiang had never seen the usually jovial, humorous Director Zhao so troubled. It must have been the pressure of the pledge he made in front of the Factory No.1 leaders regarding the coconut juice sales.

“Oh, Lin, here,” Zhao Jianjun flicked the cigarette butt to the ground, crushing it under his worn-out shoes, and looked up at Lin Xiang with his usual friendly, relaxed demeanor. “What brings you here?”

“Director Zhao, are you worried about the coconut juice…?”

Before Lin Xiang could finish her sentence, Director Zhao waved his hand, interrupting her. “Worried? The sky could fall, and it wouldn’t hit me—someone tall would be there to take the blow. Don’t waste your energy worrying.”

Lin Xiang didn’t argue, just went along with his words. “You’re right, and I believe our coconut juice will definitely sell well.”

Zhao Jianjun couldn’t understand how this 20-year-old girl could remain so calm and confident that the coconut juice would succeed. Despite his own confidence, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. “If it doesn’t sell well, I won’t let the Grain and Oil Company take it back. I’ll make sure the vice-general manager there repays the big favor he owes me.”

Lin Xiang couldn’t help but smile. Director Zhao’s “big favor” to the vice-general manager of the Grain and Oil Company was a plate of wild vegetables 30 years ago, shared over a big pot meal.

Director Zhao then imparted some life advice. “We have to be adaptable. You’ve got to remember, you must network when necessary!”

Lin Xiang: “Understood!”

---

“Director, Director Zhao!”

While they were talking under the tree, they suddenly heard the voice of Qiu Hongxia, shouting as if something urgent had happened. When they walked back to the workshop, Lin Xiang saw a man wearing blue overalls and black-rimmed glasses, with large white letters on his chest reading “Jinbian City Grain and Oil Company.”

The Grain and Oil Company staff had arrived?!

Zhao Jianjun invited him into the office, quickly asking Ma Defa to brew strong tea, while Lin Xiang and Kong Zhenzhen waited nearby to hear what was going on.

Everyone had different personalities, so no one knew why the Grain and Oil Company was here at this time.

The coconut juice from the Factory No.2 had only been on sale for four days, and they still needed to wait three more days to determine the success of the trial sale.

“Director Zhao, I’m here to talk to you about the 119 coconut juice,” the visitor, a staff member from the Product Inspection Department, said.

Zhao Jianjun’s heart skipped a beat, his nerves rattled. He swallowed hard. “Director Zou, what’s going on?”

“Your factory’s coconut juice is selling very well. People love it. The department stores sold out 300 bottles in just four days,” Director Zou said, still surprised at how the seemingly ordinary coconut juice had managed to surpass even the most popular orange soda. It was truly bizarre.

Most importantly, the new coconut water from the Shiwei Food Factory had flopped. Customers who bought it complained, saying it tasted worse than picking a coconut from a tree and drinking from it. Some even demanded compensation.

With Shiwei’s failure as a backdrop, the Grain and Oil Company hadn’t expected much from the 119 coconut juice, but the results were astonishing.

When Zhao Jianjun heard Director Zou’s words, his previously tense heart settled. Meanwhile, Kong Zhenzhen gasped in excitement, her reaction so strong that everyone turned to look at her.

She shyly smiled and said, “Please continue with your conversation.”

Lin Xiang secretly sighed with relief. Confidence was one thing, but hearing an affirmation was a whole different matter!

They had taken a solid first step!

From here on, things went smoothly. The Grain and Oil Company placed an additional order for coconut juice, and the supply to the department stores would be increased. They were also planning to expand to the county sales offices across the city—hundreds of them.

The Factory No.2’s coconut juice was finally standing tall!

With the deal secured, Zhao Jianjun quickly organized production tasks, reducing production of pear soda to focus on coconut juice.

Full of energy, Director Zhao marched over to the Factory No.1, proudly announcing to everyone, “Hey, isn’t this old Zhao? How did you know our factory’s coconut juice was such a hit that we need to ramp up production?”

“Little Qin, have you eaten? Oh, I haven’t had time myself, with the Grain and Oil Company asking us to increase coconut juice orders. We’re working so hard that we don’t even have time to eat!”

“By the way, is Secretary Tang in the office?”

“Oh, he’s not here. Well, I’ll come back to see him later.”

…

Lin Xiang knew that Director Zhao couldn’t resist bragging about the coconut juice success at the Factory No.1, especially to show off in front of Secretary Tang. She almost burst into laughter.

After his quick visit to the Factory No.1, Zhao Jianjun came back to give Lin Xiang a second lesson in life: “This is what we call seizing the moment to boast. Who cares what happens next, but this chance to show off must not be missed!”

Lin Xiang: “Got it!”

With the new orders in place, they now needed to hire people to help pick coconuts. This was easy enough. They would report the temporary labor to the labor bureau, just like they used to for work provided to people with no jobs. These jobs were in high demand, and everyone was eager to sign up.

The issue of hiring workers cannot be handled directly by the factory; otherwise, it could be accused of exploiting labor and committing capitalist errors. Everything must be done through collective action.

Workers earn one cent for picking ten coconuts, and the factory establishes clear standards for collecting the coconuts: they must be intact, not overly dry, broken, or too small. This provides an excellent opportunity for unemployed individuals to earn a little extra money.

As the saying goes, “Each shows their skills,” and soon, there was a rush on the island to pick coconuts.

Kong Zhenzhen and Lin Xiang were responsible for registering and counting the coconuts brought in for exchange. The collected coconuts, hundreds of them, were piled up in the warehouse. They kept coming in, and workers quickly began to cut open the coconuts, extracting the juice, scooping out the coconut flesh, and sending it into machines to be crushed and juiced. The production line ran smoothly, with bottles of creamy coconut juice being moved along the conveyor belt, capped, and finally packed into boxes by workers at the end.

Lin Xiang discussed optimizing the production process with Director Zhao: “Director, we still need to upgrade our equipment. The first step, cutting open the coconuts, is very labor-intensive. I wonder if the factory manager has secured the equipment allocation?”

Director Zhao thought for a moment, clearly aware of the labor cost: “Old Huang is on a business trip to the Shanghai market. If he doesn’t manage to secure the equipment quota, he won’t have the face to come back and face us.”

Lin Xiang thought: …No wonder Director Zhao is so bold!

Two days later, Factory Manager Huang returned from his business trip. As he was preparing to hold a leadership meeting to discuss the results of the trip, he suddenly remembered something and told his secretary: “Xiao You, let the Factory No.2 know that we’ve secured the equipment for them. I’ll meet with them after finishing up here.”

++++

After work on Saturday, Lin Xiang rode her bicycle to the supply and marketing cooperative. She had just received her October salary, and the Factory No.2’s bonus had increased slightly. With her pocket now fuller and her savings steadily growing, things were looking good. Sales of orange and pear soda had started to decline, but the new coconut juice bonus would surely bring things up again next month.

Using her newly issued pastry and sugar coupons, Lin Xiang bought half a pound of egg cake and half a pound of nougat, then stopped at the seafood stall to buy a bag of prawns before heading home.

The cool breeze made the ride comfortable. The climate on Langhua Island in November was just right—not too hot, not too cold—perfect for the season.

The door to the red house was wide open, and her mother-in-law, He Guifang, was busy inside. She was working hard with a hoe, digging the soil energetically.

Chinese people have a strong agricultural gene—wherever there’s land, there’s gardening.

After coming to Langhua Island to see her son settle down, He Guifang was completely at ease. She spent her days cooking and providing logistical support for the young couple. In her spare time, she couldn’t resist staring at the spacious front yard and feeling the urge to plant vegetables.

Such a nice piece of land—what a shame not to plant anything!

Without hesitation, He Guifang borrowed a hoe and started digging, leveling the soil. She also asked her son to get some vegetable seedlings from the army’s cooking class responsible for gardening.

Now, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of wild vegetable soup, and she hurried outside to tend to the plants.

“Mom, did you plant all the seedlings?” Lin Xiang had always enjoyed planting flowers and vegetables, but only in small pots in the cramped rental apartment. In big cities, where space is precious, it was a luxury to have a spacious yard.

Now, she had one!

“Yes, Xiang Xiang, come see! This side is the loofah seedlings, and here’s the eggplant. Along the wall are the spring onions,” He Guifang said, putting down the hoe to water the plants. Then she suddenly slapped her thigh and said, “Oh no, my dough lumps!”

Rushing into the kitchen, He Guifang quickly stretched and dropped the dough lumps into the boiling wild vegetable soup. The dough lumps, thin and irregular in shape, floated in the soup, one after another like little boats on a lake.

Lin Xiang couldn’t help but take a deep breath of the delicious smell. She put the prawns into the sink to clean them. “It smells so good, Mom, your dough lumps are amazing!”

“Hongyuan loved this dish when he was a child. Make sure to eat more later; these dough lumps are top-notch,” He Guifang said.

Lin Xiang smiled and got the prawns ready, preparing seasoning. She added pig lard into a hot iron pot. Soon, white smoke rose, and the sizzling prawns turned a bright red as they were stir-fried with chili. The oil-coated prawns released a rich, fragrant aroma.

A plate of stir-fried prawns was placed on the table next to the hot soup, making it even more vibrant.

After marriage, He Hongyuan, with his busy work in the military, especially lately with sudden assignments requiring him to lead teams out to sea, was often swamped with preparations. Tonight, he only managed to return after dinner was ready.

In the past, he would have eaten hastily at the canteen, but now, after finishing his work, thinking of his red house on Langhua Island, he was eager to return home.

At the table, He Hongyuan, eating his mother’s dough lump soup, sighed with nostalgia: “Mom, this dough lump tastes just like when I was a kid—nothing’s changed.”

He Guifang smiled contentedly: “You always loved this. When you were young, just having some salted duck eggs and a bowl of this soup on New Year’s would make you so happy.”

He Hongyuan smiled at his mother’s teasing, while Lin Xiang listened with interest. Her mother-in-law’s dough lump-making skills were exceptional. The dough lumps were chewy yet tender, and the soup, mixed with wild vegetables, was rich and flavorful—so satisfying and hearty.

“The shrimp tastes really good.” He Guifang didn’t usually eat much shrimp; she always thought pork was more satisfying, but the stir-fried shrimp that her daughter-in-law made today was different. The hot wok and stir-frying made the shrimp glossy and red, the shells slightly cracked, the meat firm and tender, with a slight sweet-sour taste. It was truly a different experience! “It’s still the seaside that knows how to cook.”

Lin Xiang enthusiastically introduced a variety of seafood to her mother-in-law: “Mom, starting tomorrow, we’ll eat more seafood from the sea, I’m sure you’ll like it!”

He Guifang had come out with a family visit permit, and her team leader had approved a month’s leave, just when the autumn harvest was over, and it was the slack season on the farm, so she could spare some time.

However, every time she went out, He Guifang would frequently mention the fruits and vegetables in her vegetable garden and the two old hens. She had left the hens with her eldest son to take care of, repeatedly instructing him to look after them, as she was counting on them to lay eggs.

The older generation always feels reluctant when leaving home, constantly thinking about what’s left behind.

After dinner, He Hongyuan went back to the military camp for a meeting to discuss the upcoming sea mission, while Lin Xiang took her mother-in-law for a walk around. He Guifang was straightforward and had already made friends with many neighbors in the family compound during her short stay, able to chat with everyone.

As they walked by Instructor Sun’s house, they ran into Jiang Wenfang, who was pregnant and out for a walk with her three daughters after dinner.

“Lin, He, have you eaten yet?” Jiang Wenfang’s belly had grown noticeably, as she was already over six months along.

“We’ve eaten, Sister Jiang, are you out for a walk with the kids?” Lin Xiang looked at Jiang Wenfang’s three daughters, who were very cute, and couldn’t help but tease them. But the little girls were a bit shy and quickly ran behind their mother.

He Guifang looked at the children and felt a bit envious. She turned to ask Jiang Wenfang about the baby she was expecting. But when Jiang Wenfang confidently said it was definitely a son, He Guifang’s eyes hesitated.

After they said goodbye to their neighbors, He Guifang couldn’t help but mention, “I think Sister Jiang’s baby looks like a girl.”

Lin Xiang recalled that He Guifang had mentioned that Instructor Sun’s family was hoping for a son: “Sister Jiang must be under a lot of pressure. I heard Instructor Sun’s family often talks about it.”

He Guifang understood well. “Every family wants a son these days,” she said, then remembered Lin Xiang’s own family situation, how her father had forgotten about his daughter after having a son with his new wife, which was truly hateful.

“If you ask me, isn’t it all the same?” He Guifang sighed, full of pride, “I work just as hard as any man in the field.”

The setting sun over the sea looked like molten gold, a rare beauty not often seen in the inland. He Guifang, moved, looked out over the vast ocean and comforted her daughter-in-law: “Xiang Xiang, being a military wife is tough, with your husband often having to go on missions and be on the battlefield, his life in danger. Look at Hongyuan, he’s only been married for less than a month and has to go already, you’ve really had a hard time.”

Everyone empathizes with others. When her mother-in-law expressed understanding, Lin Xiang tried to comfort her in return: “Mom, I understand. When I decided to be with Hongyuan, I knew this would be the life I would live. Besides, he’s a soldier, and his duty is to protect the country. As his wife, I’ve also accepted this responsibility.”

He Guifang was relieved to hear her daughter-in-law speak so clearly: “You’re a wise girl!”

Later, patrol soldiers spotted suspicious activity in the nearby sea, and He Hongyuan prepared to lead his team to assist. At 8 pm, he finished packing, and they were to assemble and depart at 5 am the next morning. He Hongyuan felt increasingly guilty about leaving his new wife so soon.

“Xiang Xiang, we just got married, and now I have to go on a mission…” He Hongyuan’s face was serious, but Lin Xiang interrupted him with a smile.

“You make it sound like it’s no big deal, I’ve packed your clean clothes for you.” This was the first time Lin Xiang packed his things for him. Since she decided to marry a soldier, she had expected moments like this. “Hongyuan, remember to come back soon! Mom and I will be waiting for you.”

“Okay, I’ll be back soon,” He Hongyuan’s heart felt warm.

Lin Xiang could sense his guilt. She stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear.

He Hongyuan’s deep eyes immediately brightened, and his voice became hoarse: “Don’t beg me when the time comes.”

Lin Xiang gave him an angry glare, her bright eyes sparkling. Just as he raised his hand to undo her buttons, she slapped his hand away.

He Hongyuan raised an eyebrow, as if he had learned to expect this playful side of her.

“It’s always you unbuttoning my clothes.” Lin Xiang whispered in his ear, “It’s time for me to do it.”

He Hongyuan’s white military uniform seemed to be a permanent part of him, every button gleaming with metallic luster, carefully buttoned from bottom to top, radiating seriousness and authority.

Now, as Lin Xiang’s delicate fingers moved quickly, each button came undone, and the white uniform slid off He Hongyuan’s body…

…

When Lin Xiang woke up, her body sore, her first instinct was to reach for the spot next to her. The sheets were cool, and He Hongyuan had clearly left some time ago.

It was only a short time since their marriage, and Lin Xiang still felt a little reluctant. She hoped that his mission would go smoothly and that he would return soon.

It was a day off, and since He Hongyuan had gone out to sea, Lin Xiang decided to go out with her mother-in-law and Aunt Feng, heading into the city. Yuezhu had found an excuse to go out for a date, and Lin Xiang didn’t expose her.

The three of them took a boat to the city, and He Guifang seemed to be adapting better than before. By the time they arrived, she had already recovered a bit, breathing in the fresh city air.

Although Lin Xiang could drink free coconut juice at the factory, she still decided to buy a bottle of coconut juice from her own factory at the department store with a sense of ceremony.

The department store was bustling, with the majority of shoppers there to buy fabric, trinkets, or snacks, and the recently popular 119 coconut juice had become a hot commodity.

When Lin Xiang entered, she observed for a moment and saw that seven or eight bottles of coconut juice had already been sold.

“Comrade, I’d like three bottles of 119 coconut juice,” Lin Xiang said as she handed over 45 cents. She casually asked, “Is coconut juice selling well these days?”

The department store clerk raised an eyebrow: “Of course! It’s selling better than orange soda right now. You’re lucky—it sold out yesterday, and this batch just arrived this morning.”

Lin Xiang couldn’t hide her smile, praising, “The taste really is good, so it’s no surprise it’s selling well.”

He Guifang knew her daughter-in-law was doing well at the factory, even helping with the coconut juice blending. She was so proud that she couldn’t help but praise Lin Xiang to Aunt Feng.

The two of them chatted and laughed, elevating Lin Xiang’s praises to the skies.

After buying fabric at the department store to make a new outfit for her mother-in-law, Lin Xiang firmly “overruled” He Guifang’s reluctance to accept the gift. She also enlisted Aunt Feng to help. “Aunt Feng, do you think this fabric would be good for making a dress for Mom?”

Aunt Feng naturally went along with it, saying, “Guilty as charged, you should accept it, Guifang! This color will look great on you, it’ll bring out your complexion.”

Under the pressure of the two, He Guifang was gradually worn down.

After finishing shopping, they went to a state-run restaurant for a meal. Lin Xiang then bought three movie tickets at the cinema. He Guifang had never been so extravagant before—usually, she watched outdoor movies in the village, but today, they went to a real cinema. After the movie ended around 4 p.m., the three of them hurried to the dock to catch the boat.

Perhaps it was because the day had been different from the usual, but on the way back, He Guifang wasn’t seasick at all. After disembarking, she walked briskly, and was no longer interested in eating at the state-run restaurant. She wanted to go home and cook: “Lier doesn’t need to go back, is Zhou Lu still busy at the military camp? You should come to our place for dinner tonight.”

Aunt Feng remembered her daughter had said she wouldn’t come home for dinner, and since she’d be alone otherwise, she immediately agreed: “Then I won’t go back either. Let’s stop by the seafood station and buy a fish. It’ll just be the three of us tonight, let’s make it festive.”

“Great!” He Guifang seemed to reminisce about the past, when conditions were poor in the village, and catching a grass carp from the river could make anyone overjoyed. With the fish boiling away in the pot, various vegetables cooking, they didn’t even need rice to feel full.

The two middle-aged sisters-in-law went to buy vegetables, while Lin Xiang carried the things she’d bought in the city. With one hand holding fabric and the other carrying an oiled paper bag, she realized that despite spending the whole day with her mother-in-law and Aunt Feng, she hadn’t really thought about He Hongyuan.

But just as she caught sight of the vast sea, she thought of the man drifting on the ocean… wondering how he was doing.

Lost in thought, she arrived at the family compound entrance, where she greeted a few familiar military wives who were leaving. Suddenly, one of them called out to her: “Lin! You’re back! Your relatives are here!”

Lin Xiang was stunned for a moment. What relatives could she have here?