She knew both girls had finished junior high, with much of their tuition covered by Huo Xiao and his mother. Having been a teacher, Lin Ting believed that at 17 and 18, they still had a chance to study again.

Both of them were confused. After all, it had been more than a year since they graduated from junior high school.

Huo Furong said, “What’s the point of going to high school? If you can’t get into college, you still need connections to find a good job.”

Danier didn’t speak, but her expression showed she agreed.

Lin Ting raised an eyebrow. “Who says you don’t have connections? Doesn’t your eldest cousin have one? As long as you have a high school diploma and can prove your ability, no one will take your job away.”

Seeing the girls’ faces light up, Lin Ting continued, “Also, every year, the old secretary of the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University ^[1]a university system during China’s Cultural Revolution that admitted students based on political and social background rather than exams. has recommendation quotas. If you work hard, your turn will come. Or you can apply when the army recruits.”

Huo Furong was tempted but hesitated. “It’s hard for women to get in.”

Lin Ting encouraged them, “I’m just giving you a suggestion. Opportunities are for those who are prepared. If you’re good enough, you’ll have more choices in work and marriage.”

These words were simple, yet no one had ever said them to Huo Nini and Huo Furong before.

In their world, women were expected to marry and have children by seventeen or eighteen. Based on their family conditions, their future seemed no different from their mothers’—

Giving birth, farming, washing clothes, cooking…

A dull, repetitive cycle until death.

But now, someone told them that life had different choices.

This realization was shocking.

After a long silence, emotions surged within them.

_

The next morning, Lin Shengli and Li Taohong arrived at dawn. They brought half a bag of pickled rabbit and fish.

Seeing their red-rimmed eyes, Lin Ting felt uncomfortable. She feared that if she cried, the old couple would too, so she held it in.

Only when Minister Hu’s car drove farther away, leaving her parents’ figures behind, did she finally break down.

Miaomiao, sitting on her lap, didn’t understand separation but still stretched out her small hands to wipe Lin Ting’s tears. “Mommy, don’t cry! Don’t cry!”

Hu Xiu, holding Guoguo beside her, also cried but patted Lin Ting for comfort. “Next year, Xiao will go back with you to visit your in-laws.”

Lin Ting, recalling every farewell from her past life, forced a smile. “Will he even have time?”

Seeing her daughter-in-law smile, Hu Xiu was relieved. “If he doesn’t, Mom will go with you.”

Lin Ting grinned. “I’ll remember that.”

“Remember it well. Mom keeps her word.”

_

Yesterday was hectic, and Lin Ting’s brothers didn’t know she was leaving.

So, after arriving in the county, she first went to the furniture factory to say goodbye to her eldest brother, Lin Ming. Then, she rushed to the county high school to see her youngest brother, Lin Hong. Finally, she stopped by the county supply and marketing cooperative to visit her second brother, Lin Wei.

Since Lin Ting was joining the army, Lin Wei had avoided long business trips recently.

Time was short, so Lin Ting got straight to the point. “Second Brother, visit home when you can. Mom and Dad cried earlier, especially Dad. He even hid and cried on my wedding day. I’m worried. Can you check on him?”

Lin Wei immediately agreed. He had already planned to do so, but noticing Lin Ting’s red eyes, he smiled and touched her forehead. “You’ve been crying too!”

Lin Ting swatted his hand away. “So what? You might cry later too, and that’d be embarrassing.”

Lin Wei laughed. “Me? Cry? No way!” But in his heart, he thought that if he had another business trip to Shanghai or Tianjin, he would go just to see how his little sister was doing.

Lin Ting, unaware of his thoughts, asked, “How’s our eldest sister?”

Lin Wei’s expression darkened slightly, but he smiled. “Tingting is all grown up and cares about Big Sister now… Okay, okay, I won’t tease you. Where did you learn to kick people? I haven’t found out much yet, but don’t worry, she won’t suffer.”

Knowing her second brother was smart, Lin Ting changed the subject.

_

Lin Ting’s arrival at the supply and marketing cooperative stirred up quite a commotion.

Lin Wei was handsome and capable, and many believed he would take over when the old manager retired. Naturally, he was the center of attention.

Now, seeing an unfamiliar beauty visiting him and acting so close, people were curious.

After Lin Ting left, Lin Wei was immediately surrounded by his colleagues, eager for gossip.

Even the usually reserved female clerks who admired Lin Wei pricked up their ears.

Lin Wei knew what they were thinking and scolded them with a smile, “Get lost! That’s my sister. And she’s married.”

“What?! You have such a beautiful sister, and you let an outsider marry her? Lin Wei, you have no conscience!”

“How many sisters do you have?”

“Brother, be a real brother. I don’t mind waiting for a younger one!”

“You bunch of beasts, are you even speaking like humans? Brother-in-law, look at me…”

Lin Wei’s expression turned cold when he heard this. “My sister is gone. Do you think I can still do it?”

Everyone laughed and quickly dispersed.

Meanwhile, Lin Ting had no idea about the commotion happening at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Lin Ting and her mother-in-law, along with two others, hurried to the train station in a military jeep, arriving just before 3 PM. With nearly two and a half hours until departure, they chose to wait inside the vehicle due to the freezing weather and the lack of a proper waiting room.

Luckily, despite the icy conditions, the train arrived a few minutes early. Minister Hu, who highly valued Huo Xiao, had made sure to arrange everything properly. He not only sent a driver and Wang Hai but also assigned a young soldier named Han Cheng to accompany them.

Han Cheng, a lively and resourceful man, immediately approached the conductor, explaining that they had excess luggage that needed to be placed separately in the cargo compartment. He discreetly slipped two packs of cigarettes into the conductor’s pocket and politely asked him to take care of their group during the journey.

At the time, soldiers were held in high regard. Upon hearing they were a military family, the conductor quickly agreed. Receiving two packs of high-quality cigarettes only made him more cooperative. He even waived any extra charges, personally helped load their seven or eight large bags, and instructed the sleeper attendant to look after them.

His enthusiasm made Hu Xiu, Lin Ting’s mother-in-law, call him a “good comrade.”

Lin Ting, amused by her mother-in-law’s naivety, chose not to explain. Instead, she took a medium-sized bag filled with snacks they had packed the night before and got out of the car to thank Wang Hai, Han Cheng, and the driver for their help. While Huo Xiao had ensured their safe passage through Minister Hu’s connections, it was only right to express gratitude to the young soldier who had worked tirelessly for them.

Rather than giving money or tickets, which would be inappropriate, they gifted a few pounds of food and snacks. As expected, the three men were delighted and happily accepted.

_

Tianjin Military District ^[2]a strategic military region near China’s southeastern border. held great importance due to its proximity to multiple neighboring countries. With its strong armed forces, securing leadership roles there was highly competitive.

Huo Xiao had been promoted to tank division commander at a young age, blocking the path of many aspiring officers. Naturally, he faced resistance, making the past month difficult as he worked to establish his authority. Now that he had gained acceptance from most, he still couldn’t spare a full week to personally bring his family home. However, he found time to prepare their assigned house.

When he received a call from Minister Hu confirming that his mother, wife, and children had boarded the train, excitement surged through him. That evening, he skipped overtime, had a quick meal at the cafeteria, and rushed to the family compound.

On the way, his colleague, Political Commissar Xing, saw him hurrying and called out, “Old Huo, where are you rushing off to?”

Without stopping, Huo Xiao replied, “My family is arriving soon. I need to clean up the house.”

The tall man disappeared from sight before Xing could respond. Huo Xiao had only received the house four days ago. While the interior was clean, the yard was overgrown with weeds and dead branches. Remembering that his mother and wife liked cleanliness, he decided to repaint the walls with lime powder ^[3]a traditional material used for whitewashing walls..

Watching him go, Xing Guoqiang smirked. “Didn’t expect Old Huo, who looks so cold, to be such a family man.”

Later, at home, he mentioned to his wife, “I think Old Huo really loves his wife. When she arrives, be welcoming.”

Tang Wenlan, who grew up in the city, was reluctant. “Of course, I’ll be polite, but I heard Captain Huo’s wife is from the countryside. What could we possibly have in common?”

She nearly implied that she didn’t associate with rural people.

Xing Guoqiang frowned. He knew his wife wasn’t malicious but had a bias against military wives from the countryside. She mostly socialized with city-born women.

However, Huo Xiao wasn’t just any officer. He and Xing would be working closely for years. If their wives didn’t get along, it would be awkward.

With a firm expression, he set his chopsticks down with a bang. “I’m not asking you to be best friends, but at least be civil. Also, Captain Huo may be from the mountains, but he’s a 29-year-old colonel, far more accomplished than me. Don’t let me hear any nonsense about city people versus country people again.”

Despite usually being cheerful, Xing’s serious tone was intimidating. Tang Wenlan, realizing she had crossed a line, straightened up.

After a moment, curiosity got the better of her. “Hey, Old Xing, has Captain Huo ever mentioned his family?”

Xing, quickly finishing his meal, planned to help Huo Xiao later. Since his wife wouldn’t assist, he had to step in. He replied vaguely, “His widowed mother, his wife, and a pair of twins.”

Tang Wenlan: “No more?”

Xing Guoqiang: “What else do you want to ask?”

Tang Wenlan gave her husband a disdainful look: “Captain Huo is so good-looking. Didn’t you ask if his wife is pretty?”

Many young women and married ladies were drawn to Captain Huo when he first arrived. If he hadn’t repeatedly stated he was married, some older girls might have even fought over him!

Xing Guoqiang, unaware of his wife’s thoughts, said helplessly, “Only you women care about these things.”

Tang Wenlan retorted, “If I cared about looks, would I have chosen you?”

Xing Guoqiang had a big round face…