Hu Xiu, used to her daughter-in-law’s love for sleeping in, chuckled. “Alright, I’ll make a shopping list.”

Lin Ting added, “Sister Lan mentioned that the military supply store doesn’t have everything. We might need to check the department store in the city.”

The army base was in the southern suburbs, a remote area. The supply store met basic needs but lacked variety.

Looking at her daughter drawing at the table, Lin Ting said, “Miaomiao likes to draw. I want to buy her some colored crayons.”

Hu Xiu was surprised. “They sell those?”

“I think so. If not, the kindergarten should have them.”

Hu Xiu nodded. “I asked around this morning. Lan said kids can start kindergarten at three. Ours are old enough.”

Lin Ting reassured her. “Kindergarten is mostly for play. I just want Miaomiao and Guoguo to make friends.”

Hu Xiu hesitated. “The school year hasn’t started yet. I wonder if they’ll accept late enrollments.”

“I’ll ask Huo Xiao later.”

That night, the house remained quiet.

Huo Xiao originally planned to take his mother, wife, and children to the cafeteria for dinner, but they didn’t want to be stared at like a spectacle. So, he went alone to bring back food.

There were green vegetables, potatoes stewed with tofu, stir-fried green peppers with dried tofu, and a few leftover pieces of braised pork from lunch.

During the meal, Lin Ting put the braised pork she had saved for her husband into his bowl and brought up her plan to send the children to kindergarten. “It’s not the right time now. Can they start later?”

Huo Xiao picked out the lean meat from the braised pork and placed portions into his mother’s and wife’s bowls before replying, “That’s fine. I’ll talk to Sister Pang later.”

Lin Ting looked at the lean meat in her bowl and curled her lips. She couldn’t stand fatty meat. “Who is Sister Pang?”

Huo Xiao swallowed his food and said, “The wife of the brigade’s political commissar and also the kindergarten principal.”

Even though the tank division is a division-level unit, its headquarters, consisting of over 10,000 soldiers, is not stationed together. They are spread out. Huo Xiao’s regiment belongs to the Second Brigade, and its camp is about ten kilometers away from the Third Regiment.

The headquarters of the Second Brigade is where the family quarters, schools, and supply stores are located. Officers of the Second and Third Regiments usually stay at their camps and return home only once a week or even once every half month. If the brigade commander calls a meeting, they must travel to the First Regiment, and if the division headquarters holds a meeting, Huo Xiao and his team must attend at the superior unit.

Lin Ting said, “Then I’ll go with you to find Sister Pang later.”

Huo Xiao checked his watch. “In about half an hour. The brigade commander is probably having dinner at home right now.”

Lin Ting nodded. “No rush. Let Guoguo and Miaomiao get used to each other first.”

Huo Xiao had no experience raising children, but he thought his wife had a point. “Sister Pang will probably invite us for dinner in the next few days. We can ask then.”

Hu Xiu became nervous. “Why do we have to go to the brigade commander’s house for dinner?”

Before coming here, she had learned from Lin Ting that the brigade commander was a strict person. She was already scared of visiting the commune secretary, let alone someone of such high rank.

Seeing her mother-in-law’s pale face, Lin Ting quickly reassured her. “It’s not a special invitation. It’s a routine courtesy. For example, if Ding Feiyan joins later, since Huo Xiao is her husband’s superior, we would have to invite her family to dinner. Don’t worry, just come and enjoy the meal.”

Hu Xiu looked at her son for confirmation. “Is that true?”

Huo Xiao smiled and nodded. “Yes. But if you don’t want to go, it’s fine. The brigade commander and Mrs. Pang won’t mind.”

Although Hu Xiu was hesitant, she understood social etiquette. “I’ll go. It’s good to experience new things. You don’t get to meet high-ranking officials often.”

Lin Ting teased her, “When you write home, tell Second Aunt about meeting the brigade commander. She’ll be so envious her eyes will turn red.”

Hu Xiu chuckled. “You’re so mischievous.”

_

In spring, the sun sets later than in winter. By the time they finished dinner, it was past six, but the sky was still dimly lit.

Huo Xiao washed the dishes while Hu Xiu and Lin Ting cleaned and dressed the children. Since they had already bathed earlier in the day and the temperature dropped in the evening, they only washed the twins’ faces, hands, and feet.

After settling the children and turning on the radio, Lin Ting took some time to freshen up.

By the way, the army had electricity, which made Lin Ting feel like crying with relief.

Kerosene lamps were such a hassle—not only was the light dim, but they required frequent cleaning, and if handled poorly, they left black soot in the nostrils.

Although army lights were turned off at 10 p.m., Lin Ting was still grateful. After all, without mobile phones, computers, or televisions, people went to bed early anyway.

Thinking about life in Xiangyang Brigade, she was reminded of many things.

After tossing and turning twice, she climbed out from under the blanket, found a pen and paper, and started writing a letter home.

Huo Xiao had already called her parents earlier that day to say she had arrived safely, but she wanted to write in detail about her life so her family wouldn’t worry.

“What are you writing?” Huo Xiao asked as he walked in and found his wife at the desk.

“A letter to my parents,” Lin Ting replied without looking up.

Huo Xiao walked over, glanced at her neat handwriting, and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Let me write a few words too.”

Lin Ting glanced at him. “Seizing the opportunity to show off, huh?”

Huo Xiao, like most men, didn’t back down easily. Seeing his wife smile, he suddenly felt daring.

Without a word, he bent down, picked her up, and sat her on his lap as she let out a startled gasp.

Lin Ting’s face turned bright red. Sitting on his lap like this…

Huo Xiao had never been overly concerned about relationships before. Focused on his career and surrounded mostly by men in the army, he hadn’t given much thought to romance. Especially after adopting Guoguo and Miaomiao, he felt no urgency.

But that didn’t mean he had never imagined what his future partner would be like. He was no saint.

Feeling her warmth on his lap, his ears grew hot, and he wasn’t sure where to place his hands. But seeing his wife’s face turn red made him less embarrassed.

His arms wrapped around her waist naturally, pulling her into his embrace. Satisfied, he said, “Keep writing.”

Lin Ting’s face felt like it was on fire. How was she supposed to concentrate now?

But no matter what, he never thought he would be this lucky.

The wife his mother chose was perfect for him in both looks and personality.

So, he can’t help but hug, kiss, and sometimes… even bite her.

At this moment, her small, white earlobe was right in front of him, and once again, he had the urge to take a bite.

Huo Xiao couldn’t explain why. He just loved the girl in his arms so much that he could hardly control himself.

But he didn’t want to scare her, so he forced himself to look away, cleared his throat, and changed the subject. “The army’s procurement vehicle is going to the city the day after tomorrow. You and Mom can go shopping. Do you want a sewing machine?”

Lin Ting, relaxed in his arms, replied without thinking, “Mom and I don’t know how to sew. Why would we need a sewing machine?”

As soon as she said it, she realized something and looked up at him.

Then, she met his amused gaze.

She wasn’t someone who laughed often, but… he looked really good when he did. “Ahem… you knew?”

Seeing her guilty expression, Huo Xiao chuckled. “Are you talking about the shirt you ‘made’ for me but only sewed two stitches on?”

Even though she hadn’t lied, Lin Ting still felt embarrassed. “How did you know?” There was no way her mother-in-law had told him.

Huo Xiao tapped her nose playfully. “Not only do I know, but my dad knows too. He just pretended not to. He said as long as Mom is happy, it’s fine.”

Lin Ting was stunned by his answer. After a moment, she said, “Your dad… is actually quite romantic.”

Huo Xiao raised an eyebrow. Seeing that she was completely relaxed, he decided to stop talking and carried her straight to the bed.

They were adults. Lin Ting knew what would happen next.

Even as he kissed her, she still couldn’t understand—weren’t they just talking about sewing machines?!

“Tomorrow… I have to get up early tomorrow.”

“I’ll wake you up.”

That’s not what she meant!

“Turn off the lights…”

With a “click,” Huo Xiao pulled the cord, and the room fell into complete darkness.

They could no longer see each other, but Lin Ting, her face burning, felt a sense of security in the dark.

However, just as she was about to relax, she suddenly gasped. “Hiss… why are you biting me?”

“…Sorry.”

“It’s… it’s fine. I forgive you… wait, you’re still biting!”

“Mm… sorry, I can’t help it.”

“…” What’s the point of apologizing if you won’t stop?!