After the New Year, Bao Ni's mother tearfully saw her youngest son off on a boat, feeling that time had passed too quickly; he had only been back for a few days before leaving again.

Bao Ni's mother hadn't even been saddened for a few days when she received a telegram from her second son, Lin Tao: "Come home to get married," just four words. Holding the telegram, Bao Ni's mother was furious and cursed for a long time at home.

This kid is so unreliable! He wanted to get married but didn't write home earlier to explain the situation. Instead, he sends this telegram at the last minute. It's like leaving us completely clueless; we have nothing at home.

Meanwhile, Lin Tao, who was being scolded by Bao Ni's mother, was already on the train.

After their marriage application was approved, their regimental commander urged them to go home and get married as soon as possible, since they were already quite old. Lin Tao and Hao Mei thought it made sense; the sooner they got married, the better. It just so happened that Lin Tao had been promoted to deputy battalion commander before the new year and could apply for a house in the family compound.

"Hao Mei, are you hungry? I'll go buy some food."

"I'm not hungry yet, so don't bother. If you get hungry later, we can eat what's in the bag first, so as not to waste food."

Hao Mei did some mental calculations. She joined the army at 17, and this year marks five years. Her allowance was limited before, and she only managed to save some money in the last two years at the hospital, but not much. She has several siblings, and she's somewhere in the middle, so her parents don't pay much attention to her.

Lin Tao's family lived on an island, a place she had never been to, but she could imagine the environment was quite harsh. She didn't know if Lin Tao had saved any money during his years in the army; they would have to be frugal after getting married.

Lin Tao was unaware of Hao Mei's thoughts; his mind was completely occupied with getting married and having a wife. His face was practically contorted in a grin, and he kept chuckling to himself.

Looking at Lin Tao like this, who resembled a憨憨 (simple and honest) big dog, Hao Mei felt quite happy inside. During the time they'd known each other, she understood Lin Tao; he was a responsible man with his own plans, someone she could entrust her life to.

With a long whistle, the train arrived at the station.

Lin Tao and Hao Mei got out of the car and arrived at a familiar place, still feeling excited.

"I'll take you home, and I'll give you a formal visit tomorrow."

Lin Tao wanted to go back to the island first and then come out again early tomorrow morning. He had to go home and see his mother; she'd probably scold him when she got the telegram. There was no other way; as soon as he returned from his mission, the regimental commander was urgently urging him to come home and get married, and I hadn't had time to write to him beforehand.

"You go to the dock quickly, I'll go back by myself, the ship should be leaving soon."

Lin Tao glanced at his watch; there was still time, so he insisted on taking Hao Mei home.

Upon entering the residential compound where Hao Mei lived, the familiar neighbors were quite surprised to see Hao Mei return.

Both were wearing military uniforms and looked particularly handsome from a distance, attracting attention.

"Alright, hurry up and go to the dock, or we'll be too late."

"Okay, I'll be going now. I'll come visit tomorrow."

Lin Tao turned and left; any further delay would truly be too late.

"Hao Mei's back. Who was that young man who just left? He looked quite energetic."

"Hello, Auntie, that's my boyfriend. We've come back to get married."

Hao Mei didn't give them a chance to gossip and quickly walked towards her home.

She lives on the second floor of a staff dormitory building. It's a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment with seven family members, so it's quite crowded.

"Mom, I'm home."

Hao Mei pushed open the door and entered the house. Her mother was home, and she could hear the child crying inside.

"Meimei is back?"

Hao's mother came out carrying her grandson, whose tears were still wet on his face.

"Yeah, you're back. Are you home alone?"

"No, your brother just got home a little while ago and is sleeping inside."

Hao Mei knew that his brother worked for the railway bureau, working a few days on and a few days off.

"Why did you suddenly come back? You didn't write to say you were coming back before?"

Hao's mother found it quite strange. Her eldest daughter was quite independent and methodical in her actions, so her sudden return was a mystery.

"My marriage application has been approved, so I'm coming back to get married."

"What? Marriage? Didn't you only start dating your partner a short time ago?"

Hao's mother was a little incredulous. She received a letter from Hao Mei before the New Year saying that she was dating someone who was also in the military. They were quite happy, except that his family was from an island, which they were not very satisfied with.

Hao Mei works at a military hospital in Beijing, which is far from home. She's also of marriageable age, and they'd be happy if she had a boyfriend, otherwise she'd be an old maid. But it's an island, such a backward place. Are the fishermen on the island easy to get along with?

But with the emperor far away, their opinions didn't matter, and Hao Mei was a woman of her own mind. Unexpectedly, less than six months later, the two were getting married. Hao's mother didn't know what to say; she decided to wait for her father to return.

Hao Mei knew her mother had never worked and always listened to her father in everything at home. After washing up, she decided to take a nap first. There were no more rooms available for her, so she had to sleep in her brother's bed for the time being.

Lin Tao, still excited as he boarded the boat, was finally getting married. His grandmother and mother could finally relax and stop nagging him. He wondered how long he'd be at home, and how Bao Ni was doing, and whether Sanqi was easy to care for…

Stepping back into his home again, Lin Tao felt a pang of homesickness. But remembering his telegram, he lost his excitement. Who knew how his mother would scold him, or even hit him?

"Grandma, I'm back."

In the courtyard, Grandma and Erbao were drying small fish together. Hearing the sound, they looked up and exclaimed, "Xiao Tao is back!"

"Yes, I'm back, Grandma. Where are my grandpa, dad, and mom?"

“Your grandfather went to your uncle’s house; he’s not feeling well. Your father and the others should be at the team headquarters. Your mother was just here; she’ll be back soon.”

Leaving aside how Lin Tao faced his mother's anger, Hao Mei was also not at peace at home.

That evening, the Hao family all returned home. Hao's mother said that Hao Mei had come back and was catching up on sleep in her room.

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