Chapter 25: The Discipline Tightens Around the Throat

“Achoo!”

In their own yard.

Jiang Ningning had just finished showering when she sneezed twice in a row. Her misty, beautiful eyes gazed into the distance, wondering if someone was thinking about her.

After three days of train travel, she couldn’t stand the sour smell on her body anymore.

After lunch, while Zhu Zhangguang was napping at the military dormitory, she quickly directed her husband to boil water for a bath, while also giving the two kids a good scrub.

The three of them changed into padded jackets.

The padded jackets from this era were quite similar, with simple designs and colors predominantly in gray, black, blue, and green. Since they had to leave in a rush, Jiang Ningning had grabbed three identical indigo-colored jackets.

Standing together—one large and two small—they looked like a typical mother and children combination, drawing attention in the crowd.

However, the clothes didn’t fit very well. The jackets hung loosely on their bodies, possibly because the original owner was too thin.

Manman strutted over to Huo Donglin, proudly showing off, “Look, look, Mommy specially bought these clothes for us. Too bad there’s none for Black Egg Dad.”

Huo Donglin: “…”

Although he had only spent half a day with the mother and children, he had quickly realized that the two siblings were completely devoted to their mother.

As for him, his status in this family was at the bottom.

Huo Donglin felt a slight pang of jealousy, but he had to admit, standing in the yard, Jiang Ningning’s lips curled into a sweet smile, her eyes crescent-shaped with joy.

Her presence was soft and serene, with a kind of irresistible allure that made anyone want to draw closer.

Jiang Ningning, without noticing, let her voice soften in the breeze, “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the supply store to see if they have any suitable clothes. I’ll buy one for you, too.”

If she wanted her husband to work hard for her, she first needed to make him feel appreciated.

Looking at how, in just a short morning, a few long benches and a coffee table had been added to the house, she realized that the man not only took initiative but was also quite handy. Based on this, living together didn’t seem like a bad deal.

As for buying fabric to make clothes, Jiang Ningning couldn’t even sew socks, so it was better not to waste the material.

The dress code in the military base was strict—soldiers could only wear military uniforms.

Huo Donglin almost rejected, but then he caught a glimpse of his son’s smug little face from the corner of his eye, and instantly changed his mind. “Alright, I’ll wear matching outfits with you.”

Manman was stunned.

He immediately objected, “But Comrade Huo, you’re too ugly. Wearing matching outfits with us will lower the overall attractiveness!”

“Attractiveness” was a term that Manman had learned from his mother, referring to beautiful little children like him.

After hearing this, Huo Donglin’s face darkened. He stood up suddenly.

Quick-witted Manman immediately darted behind his mother, daringly popping his head out. “Comrade Huo, you can’t hit the kids if they misbehave. Otherwise, who will help you clean up the mess later?”

In response to his challenge, Huo Donglin’s large body moved quickly, sweeping him up effortlessly.

Manman had learned his lesson this time, clinging to Huo Donglin like a small koala, using both hands and feet.

Before he could enjoy his victory, Huo Donglin swiftly grabbed him with one hand and looked at Jiang Ningning with a hint of apology in his dark eyes.

“This afternoon, I still need to write a mission summary report. I won’t be able to go to the beach with you. But in a few days, I’ll adjust my schedule with my team. How about we take the whole family to the department store in Jiang City?”

She had traveled so far to be with him, but he had spent less than half a day with her and the kids.

But aside from the report, he also had to handle the issues from his hometown and the investigation into their family situation, so they wouldn’t have any worries in the future.

Huo Donglin stood straight, his back rigid like a drawn military knife, exuding the cold, powerful presence of a man who had walked out of the flames of war. Yet, it was a feeling that gave those around him a sense of safety.

Jiang Ningning smiled, her voice clear and composed, like the cold, pure air of the Northern Border, “A country must come before the family. As a military wife, one must always be prepared. You go ahead and handle your matters. Don’t worry about us. Will you come for dinner tonight?”

The more understanding his wife was, the more Huo Donglin felt guilty, even a little ashamed. “I should be back. If there’s a sudden mission, I’ll send someone to inform you.”

“Alright, I’ll cook and wait for you to come back.”

Jiang Ningning suddenly took a few steps closer, stood on her tiptoes, and reached out to pick up Manman, unintentionally brushing past Huo Donglin’s hand, where his veins were slightly visible.

“Sweetheart, come down, don’t delay Dad from going to work.”

With the jasmine-scented breath, Huo Donglin’s Adam’s apple rose, and his jaw tightened, his skin around the neck and chin tightening.

“You…”

As he lowered his gaze, he caught sight of a section of her snowy white neck, with water droplets from her hair trailing down her collarbone, glistening under the light like tiny golden sparks.

Huo Donglin suddenly took a step back, the sound of his boots scraping against the cement floor.

When he met Jiang Ningning’s surprised gaze, he quickly came up with an explanation. “I plan to take Manman to see the tanks and airplanes.”

Jiang Ningning didn’t make a fuss about it. It was a good thing for the father and son to get close. She also hoped that in the future, her child would grow into a strong and upright man.

Manman’s little face was troubled. As a boy, he was naturally curious about cold weapons, but…

“I want to stay with Mommy at the dock and help her carry things.”

At that moment, a soft spot in Jiang Ningning’s heart melted. How could there be such a cute child in the world?

She reached out to ruffle the little one’s hair, her lips curving into a small dimple. “Mom has never seen a tank before. Can you go and have a look for me, then come back and tell us about it?”

The small dimple immediately tugged at the hearts of both children.

Not only was Manman charmed, but even Huo Donglin’s voice involuntarily softened. “The dock is very safe. There are railings around it. Don’t worry about sudden waves. There are also patrol officers and lifeguards by the sea. If you buy a lot of things, just tell them my name, and they will help carry them. Later, I’ll make sure to properly thank them.”

The guards at the door were stunned.

This was the first time they had seen their captain talk so much outside of work!

When their gazes fell on Jiang Ningning’s face, it suddenly became clear.

The group of them exchanged mischievous glances. Was this what they called “tough steel turning soft in the hands of a beauty”? Even the most heroic man couldn’t resist the charm of a woman?

Then they grew frustrated again. Their captain and wife were so affectionate, yet there were so many unpleasant rumors circulating around the base.

“Captain, the senior officer has something important to discuss with you.”

Huo Donglin’s first reaction was that another mission was coming up.

Looking at Jiang Ningning’s worried eyes, he felt a rare pang of reluctance, but it lasted only a moment.

Jiang Ningning suggested, “Why don’t you let Manman stay here? Don’t let him delay your work.”

“It’s fine. I’ll have the guards take Manman to see the tank. There are also some model airplanes to try out.”

When he made a promise, he kept it—even if it was just for a child.

Huo Donglin took one last deep look at her, then picked up Manman and turned to leave.

For some reason, as she watched them leave, Jiang Ningning couldn’t shake off an inexplicable sense of unease.

Suddenly, her sleeve was tugged. “Mom, the big ship is here.”

Xia Xia hurried under the eaves, struggling to lift a bamboo basket taller than herself.

She took a few steps, gasping for air, then continued to move the basket outside.

Xia Xia thought to herself: “Mom is too weak. Since my brother isn’t helping, I have to take care of Mom.”

But she completely forgot that she was just a small child herself.