Chapter 34

Time flew by, and soon another week passed. As people switched from lined jackets to lighter clothing, spring had officially arrived.

Lin Ting had been worried about her family in her hometown. Finally, in April, she received good news.

Her eldest sister, Lin Shuang, had successfully divorced. Meanwhile, Zhao Kai and Wang Meimei, who had been held up as negative examples, were sentenced to 10 years of forced labor ^[1]a form of punishment involving hard labor for crimes.. Before that, they had been paraded through the streets for a week ^[2]a form of public humiliation as punishment..

Even better, since Lin Qing was the victim and had family support, her divorce wasn’t met with much criticism.

The only problem was Zhao Kai’s parents. They frequently caused trouble at the Lin family’s home, crying and making a scene, trying to take the child away.

The Lin family was not easy to bully, so Lin Ting was not too worried.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated competition for the deputy regimental chief of staff position had come to an unexpected conclusion.

To everyone’s surprise, the position did not go to the most competitive officer but instead to a paratrooper transferred from another unit.

When the announcement was made, both Lin Ting’s and Tang Wenlan’s families became quiet. In contrast, Huo Xiao and Political Commissar Xing became busier.

For Huo Xiao, this was the second time this year an outsider was assigned to a high position, causing dissatisfaction among the lower-ranking officers. Many felt the army had plenty of talented people, yet promotions were repeatedly given to outsiders.

As a result, whether they had competed for the position or not, many officers were frustrated. Huo Xiao and Xing Guoqiang had to put in extra effort to manage the situation.

Lin Ting, however, was focused on other things. She was at her desk, grading monthly exam papers, while her colleagues discussed the new chief of staff.

“I heard he’s only 26 years old, young and promising! Just as manly as Teacher Lin.”

“I also heard he comes from a family of officials.”

“No wonder he was able to surpass so many people. But not everyone can be as capable as Captain Huo.”

“That’s not fair. Background doesn’t determine ability. He might be truly talented.”

“True, we shouldn’t judge without evidence.”

“I happened to see him when he arrived. He’s quite handsome. If he weren’t married, he’d be very popular.”

“Haha… If he were single, many girls would go after him…”

At that moment, everyone suddenly fell silent as if they had remembered something.

The atmosphere grew tense until someone changed the subject, making the room lively again.

Zhou Fang, who sat next to Lin Ting, leaned over and whispered, “They must be thinking about Liu Wenyan.”

Lin Ting, who had stayed out of the conversation, was puzzled. “Isn’t Liu Wenyan still chasing Captain Cao?” She had heard from her husband, Huo Xiao, that Liu Wenyan had become more discreet, likely to avoid being found out by her father, Political Commissar Liu.

Zhou Fang rolled her eyes. “Are you clueless? They’re both unmarried. And if the new chief of staff is good-looking, has a strong background, and is young, Liu Wenyan might just set her sights on him instead.”

Lin Ting didn’t respond. After all, nothing had happened yet.

“But Liu Wenyan is doing it all wrong. If you want to win someone over, shouldn’t you be sweet and patient first? At least trick them into liking you before showing your true colors!”

Lin Ting glanced at Zhou Fang suspiciously.

Feeling uncomfortable under Lin Ting’s stare, Zhou Fang shifted away. “What are you looking at?”

Lin Ting thought to herself, You sound like you have experience…

But instead of saying it aloud, she replied flatly, “You worry too much about Liu Wenyan. Have you finished grading your test papers?”

Zhou Fang grinned. “The students will be busy performing for the soldiers in the next two days, so they’re focused on rehearsals. What’s the rush?” Then she teased, “Aren’t you curious about the new chief of staff?”

Lin Ting was curious but said, “What’s there to be curious about? He has two eyes and a nose, just like everyone else. He can’t be better than my Huo Xiao.”

Zhou Fang shuddered and stepped back. “…You’re shameless.”

Lin Ting just smiled—finally, some peace and quiet.

That evening, Lin Ting finally met the new chief of staff everyone was talking about.

After coming home from school, she was squatting at the doorstep, helping her mother-in-law plant vegetables.

Early April was the time to plant cucumbers, beans, eggplants, tomatoes, and loofahs. Living in a bungalow had its advantages; they didn’t need to travel two miles to the designated army vegetable plots since they had a garden right outside their home.

Lin Ting’s mother-in-law was a meticulous woman. Growing flowers was considered wasteful and “bourgeois,” so she had divided the space into twelve small plots, each with different vegetables. Though the seedlings were still small, Lin Ting could already picture how lush and green they would become. When the cucumbers, loofahs, and beans bloomed, they would look just as beautiful as flowers.

Just then, Huo Xiao returned with a man in a four-pocket uniform.

Lin Ting, still holding a small shovel covered in dirt, stood up.

Despite her messy appearance, she put on a welcoming smile and said, “You’re back. Who is this?”

Huo Xiao introduced them, “This is my comrade, Dong Cheng, the new chief of staff.” Then, turning to Dong Cheng, he added, “This is my mother, Aunt Xiu, and this is my wife, Lin Ting. You can call her sister-in-law.”

Lin Ting, who had been smiling the whole time, was momentarily surprised.

She wasn’t shocked by Dong Cheng himself but rather by how familiar Huo Xiao sounded when introducing him. Her husband wasn’t usually so warm with people. Could it be that they had known each other before?

Sure enough, Dong Cheng flashed a bright smile, showing his white teeth. “Hello, Aunt Xiu, hello, sister-in-law! My name is Dong Cheng. You can just call me Xiao Dong. I’ve been friends with Lao Huo for years.”

This was unexpected. As her mother-in-law warmly greeted him, Lin Ting couldn’t help but steal a few curious glances.

First, she was surprised that the new transfer was actually a friend of her husband. Second, Dong Cheng was indeed good-looking—tall, broad-shouldered, with a sunny and cheerful demeanor. The type elders adore.

Didn’t you see how quickly her mother-in-law’s face lit up after just a few words?

“What are you looking at?” Noticing his wife’s eyes lingering on Dong Cheng, Huo Xiao casually moved in front of her, lowering his head to stare at her.

With her view blocked, Lin Ting instinctively tilted her head. “Everyone says the new chief of staff is handsome. I’m just curious.”

Huo Xiao pressed his lips together. “Did you get a good look?”

Lin Ting suddenly realized what he was implying. She looked up at his straight face and deliberately said, “He is quite good-looking and smiles a lot.”

Huo Xiao…

Without a word, Huo Xiao turned and walked into the house.

Seeing this, Lin Ting couldn’t hold back her laughter and followed him inside. “You and Comrade Dong Cheng are really good friends? You were in the same army? Why haven’t I heard you mention him before?”

Huo Xiao walked even faster.

Lin Ting…was holding back laughter so hard it hurt.

With a guest arriving unexpectedly, the food originally prepared wasn’t enough.

Fortunately, there were extra ingredients at home. While there wasn’t enough time to prepare the pickled fish and meat, she quickly added a dish of stir-fried leeks with eggs and sautéed the last piece of sausage with green peppers.

In twenty minutes, the meal was ready.

Dong Cheng was chatty and outgoing, filling the conversation effortlessly. At the same time, he was smart—he knew when to stop, never making people feel uncomfortable.

That, too, was a skill.

Lin Ting also learned that Dong Cheng’s family background was quite impressive. His father was a brigade commander.

It turned out he and her husband weren’t comrades-in-arms but had been classmates at the military academy. They had shared a dormitory, eaten, and trained together for three years, forming a close bond.

That explained how two people from different places, with completely opposite personalities, became friends.

“Sister-in-law, you don’t know how serious Lao Huo was back then. He always had a cold face, as if someone owed him money. At first, I couldn’t stand it, so I deliberately provoked him every day.”

Lin Ting listened carefully. She glanced at her husband before curiously asking, “Then how did you end up becoming such close friends?”

Huo Xiao shot his friend a cold look. “Can’t you shut up even when eating?”

After warning his wife with his gaze, he picked up a piece of sausage and said, “Eat.”

Though his words were still blunt, his tone was noticeably softer, which annoyed Dong Cheng.

Who would have thought that this cold-hearted Huo Xiao would turn into a different person after marriage? Just look at him now.

No, wait, he hasn’t changed—at least not toward me.

Feeling a little unbalanced, Dong Cheng ignored the warning and continued, “Sister-in-law, you have no idea how cruel Lao Huo was. He ignored me at first, but after I annoyed him enough, he finally snapped and beat me up. We became friends because of his violence.”

That was half true, half false. Although Dong Cheng looked outgoing and cheerful, he was actually quite proud. While he was indeed intimidated by Huo Xiao’s skills at first, he later sincerely admired him, and their friendship naturally formed.

Of course, what he didn’t mention was that his transfer here was actually arranged by his father to keep an eye on Huo Xiao, the old leader’s son.

Thinking of this, Dong Cheng subtly glanced at the twins.

While feeling relieved, he couldn’t help but admire how well they were raised.

Most of the credit should go to Aunt Xiu and Lin Ting.

Huo Xiao was truly lucky to have married such an outstanding wife.

Lin Ting wasn’t aware of the real reason for Dong Cheng’s transfer. She was simply happy that her husband had a good friend around.

She picked up a piece of his favorite dish, smiling. “I made this. See if I’ve improved.”

Huo Xiao tasted it, chewed twice, and nodded. “It’s delicious.”

Lin Ting beamed and picked up two more pieces for him. “If you like it, eat more.”

Dong Cheng…was even more envious.

Since the school was preparing for a performance these past two days, Lin Ting didn’t have to prepare lessons. That night, after washing up, she climbed into bed, ready to read.

Just as she was getting drowsy, the door opened, and a damp Huo Xiao walked in.

Seeing her husband shirtless, water still clinging to his skin, Lin Ting frowned. “Did you take a cold shower again?”

Huo Xiao wiped his hair with a towel and walked over. “Cold water is convenient. I’m not cold.”

Lin Ting didn’t believe him. She lifted the blanket, knelt behind him, and took the towel from his hands to dry his hair. “You’ll regret it if you catch a cold. The elders always say that if you don’t keep warm, you’ll have cold legs when you’re older.”

Huo Xiao closed his eyes, enjoying her care. Hearing that, he chuckled. “Don’t worry, even with cold legs, I can still hold you.”

Bragger… Lin Ting rolled her eyes silently.

Not hearing a response, Huo Xiao turned around.

Lin Ting paused. “I haven’t finished wiping your hair. What’s wrong?”

Huo Xiao narrowed his eyes. “Who do you think is more handsome, me or him?”

“Who? Which him?” Lin Ting was momentarily confused.

Huo Xiao pursed his lips and reluctantly said, “Dong Cheng.”

Lin Ting’s scalp tightened, quickly explaining, “You’re the handsome one, not Dong Cheng. My colleague said that, not me.”

Huo Xiao pulled her into his arms, narrowing his eyes. “You’re discussing handsome men with colleagues? Which colleague?”

Lin Ting regretted teasing him. She struggled but couldn’t break free.

Remembering something, Lin Ting blushed and coaxed him, “Brother, you’re handsome…”

Huo Xiao, never called that by his wife, froze instantly, feeling numb all over.

Seeing him motionless, Lin Ting seized the chance to escape, trying not to laugh. “Brother is the most handsome…”

Just as she left his arms, Lin Ting was pulled back by his passion.

“Mr. Huo! You bit me again… Ugh…”

“Call me brother!”

Call you sister!