Lin Ting shouted in her heart but asked, “So are you a special recruit ^[1]phrase used to describe someone selected outside standard procedures.?”

Thinking of the director’s excitement earlier and his own unexpected talent, Lin Wei chuckled and nodded. “Your brother… is unexpectedly gifted.”

Shameless! Lin Ting rolled her eyes but was soon happy again.

When her second brother joined the art troupe, the travel time between them would shrink from three to four days to just two hours. Meeting up would be much easier.

“Have you bought your ticket back?” she asked.

Lin Wei… Weren’t you just reluctant to let me leave?

_

After Lin Wei left, Lin Ting’s life returned to normal.

She attended classes daily and spent time with her family.

She used to help with housework, but ever since her pregnancy, her mother-in-law, husband, and even the twins treated her like fragile glass.

While Lin Ting found it amusing, she spent more time at her desk, recording the warm moments of life.

When she and Huo Xiao grew old and their children were grown, reminiscing over these notes would be wonderful.

_

Thousands of miles away, in a dusty farm battered by wind and sand, Jiang Kexian sat under a kerosene lamp, reading each word carefully.

After numerous twists and turns, the photos and diary had finally reached him.

He was only 58, not old.

But two years ago, on top of the child he had lost in war years before, his only son, Jiang Jun, was also persecuted ^[2]phrase used to describe political oppression or targeted punishment..

The grief turned half his hair white and left him gaunt.

Yet, no matter how much he suffered, his sharp, penetrating gaze never changed—just like his ever-straight spine.

A loyal subordinate, who had risked his life to deliver the package, was relieved to see his old leader smile. He couldn’t help but say, “Chief, it was the right decision to entrust the child to Huo Xiao.”

Huo Xiao was not one of Jiang Kexian’s subordinates—just Jiang Jun’s classmate from military school.

It was through Dong Cheng that they unexpectedly became friends. Few knew of their bond.

On his deathbed, Jiang Jun insisted that his child be sent to Huo Xiao, trusting his character completely.

At the time, everyone agreed it was the best choice. As long as the trail was erased, no one would ever find the child.

But would time change things?

No one knew how long this storm would last.

If anything happened, the old leader’s bloodline would end.

In an era where lineage is crucial, most people saw losing one’s bloodline as a serious issue.

Now, after several years, we finally obtained specific information beyond a few scattered words.

Looking at the photo of the fair, chubby, and lively child, anyone could tell he was raised with great love.

At this moment, he felt nothing but gratitude toward Huo Xiao’s family.

Jiang Kexian read an entry from the diary: “Guoguo, the child, ate a red pepper out of greed and jumped around, saying it felt like popcorn exploding in his mouth.” He simply responded with a soft “Hmm” and kept flipping through the pages.

Seeing this, the subordinate refrained from disturbing him. He planned to take the photos and diary away as a precaution, thinking it best for the old leader to examine them more closely.

A few minutes later, the subordinate remembered something and asked, “Commander, should we help Huo Xiao?”

Jiang Ke understood immediately. Without looking up, he said calmly, “Huo Xiao is capable. A 29-year-old captain is already impressive. If we intervene now, making him too prominent could do more harm than good… Don’t worry, his chance will come.”

Hearing this, the subordinate grew excited and rubbed his hands in disbelief. “Old Chief, are you saying…”

Jiang Kexian turned another page. “Five years at most.”

_

It was Sunday.

Lin Ting and Huo Xiao both had the day off.

It also happened to be Hu Xiu’s birthday.

Huo Xiao went to the city to pick up a sewing machine.

Meanwhile, Lin Ting, fearing exposure, visited Gu Fang’s home with the twins in hand.

Gu Fang knew Tingting was preparing a gift for her mother-in-law. She admired the twins, brought them snacks, and then sat down to chat about gossip.

For instance, a teacher had an embarrassing moment at work when they accidentally farted, and everyone in the office pretended not to notice.

Or that Political Commissar Liu, rarely seen angry, had scolded his spoiled wife, Wenhui. Rumors suggested Wenhui had secretly received something, though there was no proof.

Or that Liu Wenyan had been treating Lin Ting kindly lately. People speculated she had once liked Lin Wei but never expected him to leave so quickly.

Lin Ting kept her second brother’s special recruitment a secret since it wasn’t finalized yet. However, she was surprised to hear that Liu Wenyan had feelings for him. “Really? Wasn’t she chasing Captain Cao Wenze?”

Gu Fang rolled her eyes. “You’re too surprised. Can’t people compare their options?”

Lin Ting sighed and changed the subject. “Forget it. But what about you? Has your brother Rong Xuan come back?”

Gu Fang, who struggled with seeing her husband often, envied her friend. “He’s busy. New recruits are arriving for spring training. I’d feel bad bothering him.”

Lin Ting teased, “Fangfang is so considerate.”

Gu Fang laughed. “I know, right? I’m almost moved by myself.”

They continued chatting and laughing.

At 10:30 AM, Lin Ting debated whether to go back and help her mother-in-law cook when a commotion arose in the courtyard.

Gu Fang quickly stood up. “Let’s go! It must be your Captain Huo.”

_

The sewing machine had arrived.

The military family compound, quiet for half a month, buzzed with excitement again.

Word spread quickly that Lin Ting had bought a sewing machine as a birthday gift for her mother-in-law—a rare and thoughtful gesture.

While sewing machines were common in military households, most women received them at marriage, not as gifts from daughters-in-law.

Hu Xiu stood at the door, watching her son and a young soldier unload the machine from a military truck. She beamed with pride as neighbors expressed envy and admiration.

Her praise for Lin Ting became more eloquent by the minute as she shared her joy with anyone who would listen.

Hearing the news, Lin Ting blushed and hid in the kitchen, pretending to be busy kneading dough. She had to hurry—Huo Xiao was supposed to make longevity noodles ^[3]which is symbolic birthday noodles for long life..

Just as Lin Ting was about to roll out the dough, the noise outside finally settled.

A few minutes later, Huo Xiao entered the kitchen, tying an apron around his waist.

Lin Ting smiled and stepped aside to let him work.

While washing his hands, Huo Xiao casually said, “I was born on May 5th, so my birthday is in two weeks.”

Lin Ting hesitated.

Hu Xiu, entering the kitchen to grab a kettle, laughed. “You’re so old and still don’t know the difference between lunar and solar calendars? It’s May 5th of the lunar calendar ^[4]traditional Chinese calendar system., which means you have more than two months.”

Lin Ting fell silent.

Huo Xiao insisted, “I can have two birthdays.”

Hu Xiu and Lin Ting both stared at him.