Chapter 11: The Flower of the Military Camp Compound  

On the other side.  

The military headquarters office, which also served as the command center for the entire military camp.  

It was a simple two-story cement building, yet it was already the best house on the entire island.  

Inside the office.  

Zhou Chongshan was looking down at some documents, his sharp and firm expression fully focused.  

Just as Zhao Guosheng, the commander of the Second Regiment, pushed the door open, he happened to see this scene.  

Before Zhao Guosheng could even speak, Zhou Chongshan, who had only heard the sound of the door opening and footsteps, suddenly stiffened.  

He immediately folded the documents in his hands and swiftly placed them into the drawer.  

Upon seeing this, Zhao Guosheng laughed heartily.  

“Old Third, what are you looking at? There can’t be some top-secret military intelligence in this office that even I’m not allowed to see, right?”  

Zhao Guosheng was from the Northeast, with the typical straightforward personality of Northeasterners and the tall, sturdy build to match.  

Though he was already thirty-five this year and had retired from the frontline several years ago, he had gained some weight and was noticeably heavier than before.  

As for the nickname “Old Third.” it came from Zhou Chongshan’s position in his family—he was the third child.  

Coincidentally, in the military unit, he was also the commander of the Third Regiment, making him “Old Third” there as well.  

There were a total of five regiments on the island. Among the five regiment commanders, Zhou Chongshan was the youngest and the only one who was still unmarried.

The other regiment commanders, who were already married, often liked to tease Zhou Chongshan.  

Joking remarks were common.  

Zhou Chongshan had always remained calm and composed, never engaging in such topics or taking them to heart.  

But this time…  

His reaction was rather subtle—an almost imperceptible moment of awkwardness flashed across his face.  

He said: “It’s not military documents.”  

As for what it actually was, he didn’t elaborate.  

Because it was… Jiang Rou’s personal records, which she had given him.  

The information on it was simple and clear, detailing her education and work history from childhood to adulthood, along with basic details such as her date of birth.  

And at the same time…  

There was also a small, black-and-white, one-inch photograph of Jiang Rou attached to it.  

In the photo, Jiang Rou looked even younger—it must have been taken when she was in school, at most sixteen or seventeen years old.  

At that time, she still had a bit of baby fat, and her hair was shorter than it was now.  

Her short braids were tied into twin plaits, quietly resting on her shoulders.  

She looked pure and fresh, as if she were as clear as spring water.  

Now, however, she had gained a more mature charm, exuding a beauty unique to women.  

Zhou Chongshan had been staring at that photo, lost in thought, which was why he hadn’t noticed Zhao Guosheng’s footsteps—leading to the moment of flustered concealment.  

Fortunately, Zhao Guosheng didn’t seem to mind.  

After entering the office, he retrieved a foldable steel-framed cot and a military blanket from the corner.  

As he made the bed, he spoke with his back to Zhou Chongshan.  

“Zhou Chongshan, you sly dog! Hiding such a beautiful wife in the countryside all this time and only now bringing her over. Let me tell you, it took just half a day for the entire military camp to know that your wife is a great beauty. From now on, she’s officially the ‘flower’ of the compound. You should’ve seen how jealous those Battalion Commanders and Company Commanders were.”

Zhou Chongshan replied in a low voice: “She’s not my wife yet.”  

“If not now, then eventually, right? The girl came all this way just to marry you. Don’t tell me you’re too blind to see how lucky you are?”  

As Zhao Guosheng spoke, he turned to glance at Zhou Chongshan.  

And with just that one look—  

“My God! Zhou Chongshan, don’t tell me you’re actually giving up such a beautiful wife because of those two kids? Are you planning to be a bachelor for life?”  

Zhao Guosheng let out an exclamation.  

He knew just how much Zhou Chongshan cared about the two orphaned children of his fallen comrade from the same village. He also knew that Zhou Chongshan had no intention of having children of his own.  

But even if he didn’t want kids, how could he go without a wife?!  

Faced with Zhao Guosheng’s questioning, Zhou Chongshan felt his throat go unbearably dry. This time, he couldn’t bring himself to say those firm, resolute words as he had before.  

Zhao Guosheng noticed his hesitation.  

As someone who had been through it all—and as a brother who had fought alongside him in the trenches—he offered some words of advice.  

“Old Third, listen to me. If you don’t want that wife of yours, the single men in this camp are like a pack of hungry wolves—they’ll be lining up to snatch her away! Think it over carefully, or you’ll regret it later.”  

Zhao Guosheng spoke in an unhurried tone.  

He casually threw his blanket onto the steel-framed cot, then flopped down on it without even bothering to take off his shoes.  

Zhou Chongshan heard Zhao Guosheng’s words and immediately furrowed his brows.  

The mere thought of Jiang Rou being surrounded by a group of men ignited a flicker of anger in his deep, dark eyes.  

He quickly took a deep breath, suppressing the thoughts that shouldn’t have surfaced.  

Then, shifting his attention, he focused on Zhao Guosheng, who had come to the military headquarters office in the middle of the night to sleep.  

“Commander Zhao, why aren’t you sleeping at home? Won’t your wife be worried?”  

“Don’t even get me started on that woman! Ever since we came to this island, she’s been nagging non-stop—either complaining that I don’t wash my feet before bed or that I don’t wash my ass before sleeping! Wash for what?! Back when I was on the frontline, I went ten, fifteen days without a bath, and she never complained! Now that life’s better, she’s suddenly gotten all picky…”  

Zhao Guosheng’s wife was from the same village as him.

Zhao Guifen shared the same surname, Zhao.  

The two of them had practically grown up together since infancy and could be considered childhood sweethearts.  

They married when they were young. Later, Zhao Guosheng joined the army, while Zhao Guifen remained in their hometown, waiting for him.  

They had been married for over ten years and had two sons.  

After Zhao Guosheng was stationed on the island, he brought Zhao Guifen and the children to live with him.  

In their daily lives, the couple was very affectionate.  

However, Zhao Guosheng’s rough and unpolished lifestyle often made Zhao Guifen resentful.  

“I led my soldiers on a thirty-kilometer training march today. My feet are soaked in sweat and stink. If I go home like this, my wife will definitely dislike it. I won’t make things difficult for myself—I’ll just sleep in the office tonight and head back for breakfast in the morning…”  

Zhao Guosheng spoke with his eyes closed. As he talked, he gradually drifted off into sleep.  

Sitting nearby, Zhou Chongshan listened to Zhao Guosheng’s words with a thoughtful expression.  

So, a husband who didn’t wash his feet or his backside would be disliked by his wife.  

A rule of married life—he mentally noted it down.  

…  

The next morning.  

The sunrise on the island was especially early. Sunlight, carried by the sea breeze, illuminated the land at dawn.  

When Jiang Rou woke up, the first issue she needed to address was her clothing.  

The outfit she had worn after bathing the previous night was no longer wearable.  

That tight white shirt had nearly caused her embarrassment in front of Zhou Chongshan yesterday. If she wore it again today and something like a button popping off happened, she would absolutely die of social humiliation.  

Jiang Rou had not expected that the original owner of this body had an even better figure than she did in her past life.  

Slim where she should be slim, curvy where she should be curvy.  

Her body was exceptionally well-proportioned.  

The old clothes she had brought were also unsuitable.  

With no other option, she had to rummage through the wardrobe.  

Zhou Chongshan’s house was filled with the aura of a bachelor, and the wardrobe was no exception.  

All the clothes inside were folded meticulously, stacked in neat, uniform squares.

Zhou Chongshan did not have many clothes—just a few sets of military uniforms for daily wear.  

Aside from those, there were a few old, worn-out uniforms in the corner.  

The clothes had patches on them and had shrunk from being washed too many times.  

Jiang Rou picked up one of the uniforms and held it against her body. It seemed like it could fit.  

She put on the white navy uniform. The long sleeves were rolled up, and with a few quick stitches at the elbows, they were secured in place.  

The hem was too long, so she grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped it shorter.  

Then, she tied a knot at the waist with the fabric at the bottom.  

The once-loose shirt instantly became a perfect fit.  

Jiang Rou glanced down at herself and was quite satisfied.  

When she stepped out of the room, she saw that the two children were already awake, still wearing the same clothes from yesterday.  

Although their clothes were dirty, every button was carefully fastened.  

The two little ones had moved small stools under the eaves and were sitting there, staring at the empty courtyard as if they were waiting for someone.  

Jiang Rou curiously glanced at them a few times.  

Zhou Xiaochuan, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, immediately turned around and glared at her.  

At the same time, his small hands reached out and pulled Zhou Xiaohua protectively into his arms.  

It seemed that, in Zhou Xiaochuan’s eyes, Jiang Rou’s face still had “wicked stepmother” written all over it.  

Just as the atmosphere was growing subtly tense—  

A series of footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.  

The moment that sound reached their ears—  

Zhou Xiaohua instantly stood up from her stool in excitement, bouncing up and down as if she were about to rush out.  

She was swiftly pulled back by her brother, Zhou Xiaochuan.  

“Xiaohua, sit properly. If you run too fast, you’ll trip. Last time you fell, you cried because it hurt so much—have you already forgotten?”  

Zhou Xiaohua could not speak, so she could only nod obediently and sit back down.  

Her rosy cheeks still carried a bright, sweet smile.  

Even the little wolf cub, Zhou Xiaochuan, had eyes that sparkled as he eagerly gazed toward the entrance.  

Jiang Rou took in everything, curiosity rising in her heart.

Who exactly could make these two children so happy and eager with anticipation?