Chapter 72: Everyone Knows About Regiment Commander Zhou’s Beautiful Wife  

Zhao Guifen immediately became enthusiastic and eagerly explained.  

“On normal days, it wouldn’t be allowed. Especially when they’re conducting those… secret training exercises. The security is so tight that they don’t even let us near the camp gate.”  

“But today is different. Recently, the military unit hasn’t had many training missions, and since it’s a holiday, I heard they’re even holding events and giving soldiers time off.”  

“At times like this, going there won’t be a problem, and no one will say anything. Sister Rou, you’ve been here for so long, but Regiment Commander Zhou still hasn’t taken you around the military camp, has he? Come on, sister-in-law, I’ll take you for a tour.”  

That last sentence deeply piqued Jiang Rou’s interest.  

Ever since she had crossed over to this world, the only time she had been to the military unit was that stormy night when she carried Zhou Xiaochuan to the medical room.  

It had been dark with only the moon high in the sky, and she had been in such a panic that she hadn’t even gotten a proper look at the military unit, let alone the military camp. She hadn’t even caught a glimpse of the red flag.  

What did a military camp in the 1970s look like?  

She was genuinely curious.  

“Sister Guifen, then I’ll trouble you to take me for a visit.”  

Zhao Guifen laughed heartily. “It’s nothing! No trouble at all. I’ll also take the chance to see my old Zhao. These men can’t manage without us women.”  

After finalizing their plan, the two of them went their separate ways to prepare.  

Since they were going to deliver food, lunch had to be well-prepared.  

Jiang Rou immediately got busy cooking.

Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua ate several qingtuan in one go, their little bellies round as they sat on the stools, burping contentedly.  

Because of that, Jiang Rou only prepared lunch for Zhou Zhongshan that day.  

Although it was just for one person, he was a rough man with a big appetite—one who could eat as much as three people—so Jiang Rou made a generous portion.  

She packed a rectangular lunchbox full of rice and placed steamed egg with minced meat on top.  

The savory juices from the steamed egg seeped into the rice.  

When mixed with chopsticks before eating, it became incredibly fragrant and delicious.  

Besides that, Jiang Rou also steamed the qingtuan she had made that morning.  

She found a bamboo basket and carefully lined the bottom with layers of perilla leaves before placing the steamed qingtuan and Qingming rice cakes inside.  

Before long, the basket was filled to the brim.  

Just then—  

“Sister Rou, are you ready?”  

Zhao Guifen’s loud voice rang out from outside the house.  

“All done, all done, Sister Guifen! I’m coming out now…”  

Jiang Rou hurriedly covered the bamboo basket with a towel, swiftly removed the sleeves she had been wearing for cooking, and pulled off the triangular headscarf tied around her hair.  

She didn’t even have time to fix her messy hair.  

With the lunchbox in one hand and the bamboo basket in the other, she rushed outside in a hurry.

Zhao Guifen was also carrying a lunchbox, along with three large steamed buns, which looked much simpler in comparison.  

She had also brought Da Huzi and Er Huzi along.  

The two boys were older, just the right age to stay home and watch over Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua.  

“Xiaochuan, Xiaohua, play in the courtyard and listen to your two older brothers. I’ll be back very soon.”  

Before leaving, Jiang Rou gave them careful instructions.  

Zhao Guifen watched from the side and chuckled.  

“Sister Rou, you’re really good to these two kids. I’ve seen so many biological mothers who aren’t as attentive and loving as you, a stepmother.”  

It was meant as a compliment.  

However, the moment the word stepmother was spoken, Zhou Xiaochuan’s expression changed slightly.  

Jiang Rou was in a hurry to leave and didn’t notice. She simply patted the child’s head before picking up the bamboo basket and heading out.  

---

When they arrived at the military camp gate once again, things were slightly different from before.  

Zhao Guifen greeted the sentry soldier.  

“We’re here to deliver food. I’m the wife of Zhao Guosheng, the deputy regiment commander of the second battalion, and this is—”  

Before she could finish, the sentry soldier interrupted her.  

“We know, we know. This is Regiment Commander Zhou’s wife.”  

He pulled out the registration book. “Sisters-in-law, just sign here, and you can go in.”

Jiang Rou smiled at the other party before bending down to sign her name.  

Zhao Guifen, on the other hand, pulled the person aside and spoke: “I remember the last time someone else was on duty. You haven’t seen Sister Rou before, so how did you know she is Regiment Commander Zhou’s wife?”  

“Sister-in-law, you don’t know this, but word has already spread throughout our Military Unit.”  

“What are they saying?”  

“We all know that Regiment Commander Zhou married a beautiful wife. Everyone says she looks especially stunning—so fair-skinned, with long hair tied into two thick braids, just like the girls in the cultural troupe who play the White-Haired Girl. There’s no doubt she must be Regiment Commander Zhou’s wife!”  

The sentry soldier spoke with great enthusiasm.  

Hearing this, Zhao Guifen burst into laughter.  

“Hahahaha! That’s quite right. Our Sister Rou is indeed beautiful—she’s even prettier than the girls in the cultural troupe.”  

Amidst the hearty laughter, Jiang Rou finally stepped into the Military Camp.  

Given the era, the facilities inside the Military Camp were not much different from those in the military family quarters.  

The training ground was covered in yellow earth, with a track encircling it. Around the track, there were a few horizontal bars—the only training equipment available.  

Under the scorching midday sun, a group of soldiers continued their training.  

One by one, they stood shirtless, sweat streaming down their bodies as they shouted synchronized slogans in unison.  

The scene was truly a sight to behold.  

The buildings inside the Military Camp were all single-story houses for the most part, with only a few two-story structures scattered here and there.  

At the very center of the entire Military Camp stood a flagpole, with a battle flag waving proudly in the wind.  

This was a simple and unadorned place, yet it was filled with faith and devotion.

Ever since entering the Military Camp, Zhao Guifen no longer spoke in her usual loud and carefree manner. Instead, she lowered her voice, speaking softly and walking close to the edges of the path.  

Perhaps she had been influenced by the solemn atmosphere that permeated the Military Camp.  

As they walked, they passed by a squad of soldiers.  

The young soldiers marched in a perfectly orderly formation, their footsteps synchronized. The soldier leading the group was likely the Squad Leader—he even gave them a proper military salute as they passed.  

All of this was an entirely new experience for Jiang Rou.  

Her heart pounded violently in her chest.  

At that moment, she finally understood why some people dedicated their entire lives to becoming soldiers.  

The ever-present seriousness, the passion that radiated from their very bones, and the unwavering sense of duty to protect their country—it was truly something to admire.  

Jiang Rou and Zhao Guifen continued walking through most of the Military Camp until they finally reached the office area in the rear.  

“Sister Rou, their office is right here. Once you go inside, turn right—it’s the second room on the left. My old Zhao and your Zhou Zhongshan, they share an office—”  

Zhao Guifen led the way, carefully explaining the directions to Jiang Rou.  

She was still talking when, all of a sudden, the office door they were heading toward swung open.  

As the door opened, Zhou Zhongshan’s figure appeared before them.  

At the same time, an unpleasant stench wafted out.  

Jiang Rou immediately frowned, instinctively raising her hand to cover her nose and mouth.  

Zhao Guifen, however, reacted far more dramatically.  

In a fit of anger, she shouted,  

“Zhao Guosheng! I was wondering why I couldn’t find your filthy socks when I was doing laundry these past few days! You little—did you secretly stash all your stinking socks in the office?!”