Huo Jingyuan’s eyes widened.

Why was she suddenly asking about his physical strength? After a moment of contemplation, he looked into her eyes and replied earnestly, “Comrade Jiang Ci, I’ve won first place in all three events at the Northwest Military Region every year. My physical strength is beyond doubt. When we return to the Northwest Military Region, I can show you.”

“No need to wait for the Northwest Military Region. Tonight will do.”

“Huh?”

Huo Jingyuan was filled with question marks. He felt he couldn’t quite understand Jiang Ci. She always spoke boldly, her words layered with meaning.

“How are we going to demonstrate physical strength tonight?” Huo Jingyuan asked.

Was she suggesting a competition with his comrades from the Beijing Military Region to test their physical strength?
Wen Ci raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t get it?”

Huo Jingyuan shook his head. “I don’t.”

Wen Ci stared straight at Huo Jingyuan. They stood under the shade of a tree, the sound of cicadas buzzing above them. She curled her lips and said, word by word, “What newlyweds are supposed to do.”

She emphasized the word “do.”

Huo Jingyuan instantly understood, his ears turning red. Even his tanned cheeks betrayed a hint of shyness as he lowered his head.

Wen Ci, seeing how flushed he was, smiled brightly. She then pointed to the large red characters on the wall. “Quality births and upbringing, Comrade Huo. We should also respond to the call, shouldn’t we?”

Having spent years in the military region, living among a group of men, he had only heard them speak of their wives in reserved terms. But why was it so different for him?

---

Suddenly, Wen Ci heard the murmurs of middle-aged women. She turned her head and saw a few middle-aged women standing behind them. She tilted her head slightly.

“Is that Xiao Huo?”

“Yes, he looks so much like Old Master Huo.”

“I heard Xiao Huo has married the girl from the Jiang family. So, the one next to him must be the Jiang family’s daughter, right?”

Wen Ci frowned and was about to speak when a large hand grasped hers. Huo Jingyuan gave her a meaningful look, then put on a gentle smile and called out, “Auntie Chen, Auntie Zhang, Auntie Wang, Auntie Li.”

Only families with notable achievements could be allocated housing in the military compound.

Huo Jingyuan was no stranger to these middle-aged women. They had served as medics under his grandfather and were now retired.

“It really is Xiao Huo.”

They immediately stepped forward, glancing at Huo Jingyuan a few times, then at Wen Ci. They teased, “They say the Jiang family’s daughter is beautiful, but this is the first time we’ve seen her.”

Wen Ci smiled.

“Where is Xiao Huo stationed now?”

Huo Jingyuan replied, “The Northwest Military Region.”

“What’s your rank?”

Huo Jingyuan smiled but didn’t answer. The women quickly realized they had overstepped. While the military region could be mentioned, his rank was not something to be disclosed.

“When will we get to toast at your wedding?”

“Remember how the old commander always hoped you’d marry and have children? But now…”

As they spoke, their tone grew melancholic.

Seeing the aunts’ sorrowful expressions, Huo Jingyuan replied gently, “My leave this time is short, so there’s no time to hold a banquet.”

“How can that be? Come to our place tonight, and we’ll prepare a feast for you. Consider it your wedding celebration!”

Wen Ci felt the aunts’ enthusiasm but wasn’t accustomed to such unfamiliar warmth. She tugged at Huo Jingyuan’s sleeve and whispered, “Jingyuan, I need to go back to the Jiang family tonight to pack my things.”

“Is Xiao Jiang planning to join the military with you?”

Wen Ci nodded. “Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. Now that I’m the Huo family’s daughter-in-law, I can’t live apart from my husband.”

“Joining the military is good, very good. The old commander always hoped for a grandchild. Xiao Huo is no longer young, so living apart just won’t do.”