Chapter 16: The Island

The old lady, dressed in a plain indigo cloth without a single patch, gave a quick glance around and walked over holding a large bowl, persistently begging for food. “You’re all eating so little, why don’t you share some with this old lady?” she insisted.

Jiang Ningning, being a beautiful young woman with a shy disposition, couldn’t possibly refuse her request in public.

“Sure,” Jiang Ningning nodded.

“Big girl, you have such a good heart. When we’re out and about, we should help each other,” the old lady grinned, pushing her luck. “While you’re at it, why don’t you share a couple of buns with me?”

The twins immediately became agitated at this.

Their grandmother had done the same thing—gradually asking for more and more, always taking advantage of their mother’s kindness.

Jiang Ningning calmed them with a gentle look, then extended her soft, delicate hand to the old lady.

“One spoonful of sauce costs a little money. How many spoonfuls do you want?”

The old lady exploded on the spot. “What?! How dare you ask for money?”

“Sauce costs money!” Jiang Ningning tilted her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Aren’t we helping each other? I’m a bit short on cash.”

“…”

Seeing that soft words didn’t work, the old lady was about to resort to force when Zhu Changguang suddenly stood up. His tall figure gave off a strong aura, and the old lady, startled, grabbed her bowl and fled.

The others in the car, witnessing this, quickly reconsidered their own ideas. Some of them scolded their kids while muttering sarcastically, while others, fed up with the situation, spoke up bluntly: “You guys look better than Jiang Xitong, you’re shameless.”

The car fell into silence immediately, with only the sounds of a spoiled child crying and throwing a tantrum.

The brat’s behavior was unpleasant, but it was a result of poor upbringing—his parents were to blame from the start.

Jiang Ningning sighed and turned her attention back to her two little rice balls, watching them clean their eyes.

After finishing the meal, Zhu Changguang automatically went to wash the dishes.

Xiaxia, pulling out a pocket watch from her bag, trotted over with her short legs and handed it back to Xue Lao. “Grandpa, the parts inside your watch have fallen out.”

This watch had long since stopped ticking. It was a keepsake from Xue Lao’s late wife, and he treasured it greatly, keeping it in his pocket. He smiled and asked, “Little friend, how did you know the parts had fallen out? You’re really clever.”

Even the best watchmaker in the capital had declared it beyond repair, so his words were more to humor the child.

Xiaxia, pointing to her ear with her small finger, responded seriously, “I could hear it.”

At the scrap yard, there were many broken machines, and sometimes when her brother didn’t have time to play with her, Xiaxia would sit on the ground and fiddle with them.

She didn’t know why, but she seemed to have an innate intuition for such things.

The green train stayed in Wenxing City for quite a while, and only after the criminal gang was completely apprehended did the train finally continue its journey.

Huo Donglin, seemingly struck by an invisible force, glanced up at the train window.

Just as he was about to look longer, Guan Wenxue suddenly blocked his view.

“Donglin, thank you for saving me,” she said, her face slightly flushed, biting her lip, her voice weak.

Her beautiful eyes were completely filled with his image.

Under the soft light at the station, it seemed like any man would fall for the devotion and admiration in those eyes.

But Huo Donglin was as cold as ever.

“You acted recklessly and nearly compromised the mission. I will report everything truthfully,” he said coldly, disapproving of her causing trouble, and walked away, leaving only his indifferent back.

Guan Wenxue stood there, speechless.

What was he? A man?

Though there were some bumps along the way, on the third day, the train finally arrived in Jiangcheng.

The island city greeted them with a humid, hot wave, even in the middle of winter.

Jiang Ningning felt a layer of sweat on her back. She discussed with Zhu Changguang, “Let’s first find a guesthouse to freshen up and rest for half a day. We can figure out how to get to the island later.”

Even though they had been traveling in sleeper cars, the limited space and hard beds had left her sore and aching after several days. It was truly uncomfortable.

When Zhu Changguang heard that staying at a guesthouse would cost quite a bit, he was about to protest, but when he saw the two little rice balls looking exhausted, he immediately changed his mind.

“Alright, you three can take one room. Jiangcheng is hot, and I’ll just sleep in the hallway on the floor.”

After a long journey, the adults could endure, but the two four-year-old children found it difficult to bear.

Before Jiang Ningning could persuade them, the little ones eagerly suggested, “Once we get you to the guesthouse, I’ll go to the bus station to ask for directions and stop by the state-run hotel to buy lunch to bring back.”

Along the way, Jiang Ningning had been spending money, and Zhang Guang felt guilty in his heart.

“No need to trouble yourself!”

Suddenly, a clear voice came from behind, “Are you planning to head to the Tenth Army? The island prohibits ordinary people from entering. I’ll have Xiao Li send you there.”

After three days together, the group had become quite familiar with each other.

The two little dumplings, with sweet voices, began to shower praise.

“Grandpa Xue knows so much!”

“Grandpa Xue, you’re amazing! One day when you’re free, come visit our house, and let my dad treat you to a meal.”

As for why they didn’t mention Mama, it was because they didn’t want Mama to be too tired!

Black Egg Dad had already grown ugly, and if he didn’t work harder, he might be rejected.

Grandpa Xue seemed really powerful—if Black Egg Dad didn’t take charge, Grandpa Xue would stand up for them!

The dragon and phoenix twins had calculated things thoroughly, and their mouths were honey-coated as they showered compliments.

Xue Lao laughed so much he could hardly close his mouth. “Actually, in two days, I’ll be going to the island for a seminar, and I’ll definitely come visit your house.”

Once he obtained the recruitment documents from the propaganda department, he would invite Jiang Ningning to show his sincerity.

Just then, the sound of a car horn rang out at the train station.

A military-green jeep immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Someone quickly jumped down from it and saluted Xue Lao. “Old Xue, the accommodation has already been arranged.”

Jiang Ningning’s gaze flickered slightly.

She hadn’t expected that the elderly man in front of her was such an important figure, and she was relieved that she hadn’t offended him along the way.

Xue Lao smiled, “They are the family of Huo Donglin. We’ll send them to the island first.”

“Ah, so they are the family of Captain Huo!” The person looked at Jiang Ningning and the children with admiration, his voice subtly excited.

He couldn’t help but stare.

Captain Huo’s wife was so beautiful, and the two children were as adorable as jade statues. The whole family had such high looks!

There was a fixed schedule for the ferry to the island, and the group didn’t dare to waste any time, quickly getting into the jeep.

In Qu County, only the county mayor had such a vehicle.

Zhang Guang and the two little dumplings were unsure where to put their hands and feet, feeling awkward.

Only Jiang Ningning remained composed, gracefully bending to get into the car, not forgetting to buckle up her children’s seat belts.

Xiao Li silently swallowed his words of advice, no longer underestimating Jiang Ningning.

Once they left the city, the jeep accelerated, speeding through the country roads. They barely managed to catch the ferry before it departed from the dock.

Since they were Captain Huo’s family, and there had been no prior notification, the checkpoint personnel conducted a very thorough inspection.

Jiang Ningning showed them her marriage certificate, household registration, her two children’s birth certificates, and most importantly, a letter of introduction from the street office explaining the reason for their visit to the island.

When the checkpoint personnel saw that it said “oppressed by the in-laws,” and then looked at the tattered cotton coat Jiang Ningning was wearing and her emaciated figure, their hearts softened instantly.

Captain Huo was a hero protecting the country, yet his wife and children were being mistreated at home. That old lady was truly too much!

“I had no other choice but to follow the army. I only hope the military area can provide a shelter for us.”

Jiang Ningning lowered her eyelashes, pulling her two children closer to her, speaking in a soft and gentle tone, “We’re not asking for anything for free. We’ll help with cleaning, picking up trash, and earning a living by selling it.”

“Uncle, don’t worry. I know how to pick up trash,” Manman said, pulling out a wad of small bills from his pocket. “Look, this is the money my sister and I earned.”

Summer, clever as always, understood what adults liked most in children. Her eyes welled up with tears, and with a pout, she said, “Mama’s not feeling well and needs medicine. We’ll take care of Mama.”

The letter of introduction contained only a few brief words, but the impact it had on the personnel was powerful.

The checkpoint officers, all big men, couldn’t help but have tears well up in their eyes. They immediately made a call to report to the island and let the four of them pass.

Summer tugged at her brother’s sleeve and pointed to a red banner nearby.

The twins had a tacit understanding.

Manman stepped forward, pulled two candies from his pocket, and offered them. “Handsome soldier uncle, can I trade some paper and pens for these milk candies?”

Meanwhile, Huo Donglin, leading his assault team, was flying back to the base via helicopter. The communications officer caught his attention as he called out, “Captain Huo, there’s an urgent call from your hometown in Qu County.”