Lian Xiao, carrying his luggage, walked behind and gritted his teeth when he saw this scene.

He wanted to button up Xu Xinghe's clothes... but he didn't dare, and he couldn't!

Jiang Linchuan ignored his resentful gaze and focused only on Xu Xinghe.

Looking at the bustling crowd on the platform and the station sign not far away, Xu Xinghe felt a surge of longing.

Although it's mostly cold here, quite different from Shanghai, it's the place she wants to settle down.

“It’s still early, let’s take a stroll around the provincial capital before heading back to the military headquarters?” Lian Xiao suggested. “I remember there’s a state-run restaurant here that makes particularly authentic sweet and sour pork, we can let Xinghe try it.”

Xu Xinghe's eyes lit up and she immediately nodded, "Great! I've been wanting to eat Northeastern-style sweet and sour pork for ages!"

Jiang Linchuan naturally had no objections. He first took the two to a nearby guesthouse, booked three rooms, and put down their luggage.

The guesthouse rooms weren't large, but they were very clean, and the chill in the air dissipated as soon as I entered.

Xu Xinghe carefully put her things away before following the two out the door.

The streets of the provincial capital are bustling with activity, with people coming and going from time to time. Compared to Shanghai, the city seems to have a stronger sense of everyday life here.

Xu Xinghe held Jiang Linchuan's hand, and they would stop every now and then to look at the items on the stall.

"Let's eat first, then we can stroll around at our leisure." Jiang Linchuan ruffled her hair helplessly and led her toward the state-run restaurant.

The state-run restaurant was bustling with noise. After finally finding an empty seat, Lian Xiao skillfully ordered the dishes: "One serving of sweet and sour pork, one plate of stir-fried potatoes, green peppers, and eggplant, a hot pot of pickled cabbage and pork, and three bowls of rice."

While waiting for the food, Xu Xinghe leaned on the table, looking at the scenery outside the window, and whispered to Jiang Linchuan, "This place is really nice. Although it's still a bit cold, it's lively and has a different feel to it."

"If you like it, I'll bring you to the provincial capital when I have time in the future." Jiang Linchuan held her hand under the table.

Soon, the dishes were served.

The sweet and sour pork was golden and crispy, coated with a sweet and sour sauce. One bite revealed its crispy exterior and tender interior. Xu Xinghe squinted her eyes as she ate, occasionally serving food to Jiang Linchuan and Lian Xiao. The three chatted and laughed, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.

After dinner, the three of them strolled around the streets and bought quite a few things.

We strolled around until evening, when it gradually got dark, before finally returning to the guesthouse.

After a quick night's sleep, they finally set off for the military headquarters the next day.

It was evening.

The familiar outline of the military compound finally appeared in the distance.

A gray wall surrounds the neat barracks, and the sentries at the gate stand tall in the cool breeze. When they see a vehicle approaching, they immediately raise their hands in salute.

In May, the snow in Heilongjiang Province has long since melted, and tender green buds are sprouting from the poplar branches along the roadside. The air is filled with the fresh scent of soil and grass.

"We've arrived." Jiang Linchuan gently patted Xu Xinghe, who was leaning on his shoulder, his voice tender.

Xu Xinghe immediately sat up straight, looked out the window, her eyes full of anticipation.

The car slowly came to a stop in front of the military headquarters. Before they could even get out, a middle-aged man in military uniform strode over. It was Political Commissar Wang.

"Lin Chuan, Lian Xiao, and Comrade Xu, you're finally back!" Political Commissar Wang smiled broadly and patted Jiang Lin Chuan on the shoulder. "How is Elder Lian's health? How was your trip to Shanghai?"

"Commissar Lao is concerned. Grandpa is much better and everything is going smoothly in Shanghai," Lian Xiao said with a smile as he got out of the car first.

"Oh my, you seem to have matured since you went back to Shanghai." Political Commissar Wang looked Lian Xiao up and down. He really did seem to have grown up, at least the prickly feeling he had was much less.

After they finished exchanging pleasantries, Xu Xinghe spoke up, "Political Commissar Wang, before we leave, is there any progress in the case of Er Laizi and his father? Have they found the murderer?"

At the time, she was in a hurry to go to Shanghai to save Mr. Lian, and she never got to wait for the results.

Now that I've just returned to the military headquarters, this is the matter I'm most concerned about.

Commissar Wang's smile faded slightly, and he sighed softly, his brows furrowing. "Sigh, to be honest, we haven't found the murderer yet. We've sent many people to investigate in the village and surrounding areas, interviewed many villagers, and checked on suspicious individuals in the vicinity, but we haven't found any clues. The murderer seems to have vanished into thin air, leaving no useful trace."

Xu Xinghe's heart sank. Seeing this, Jiang Linchuan reached out and gently patted her back, signaling her not to be too anxious.

Political Commissar Wang continued, "But don't worry too much. We've already arranged for people to be stationed in the village, patrolling day and night, and we've also worked with the village officials to strengthen security. The village is currently in good order, and we can guarantee the safety of the people. Right now is the spring planting season, and we can't let the case affect everyone's farming. As long as the murderer dares to show his face again, we will definitely be able to catch him."

"That's good. As long as the safety of the people is guaranteed and spring plowing is not delayed." Xu Xinghe breathed a sigh of relief, and his worries were relieved a little. "If there is anything I can help with later, please let me know, Political Commissar."

"Okay, I'll definitely come to you if I need anything." Political Commissar Wang nodded with a smile, then turned to Jiang Linchuan and Lian Xiao, "You two just got back, you must be tired. Go back and rest first, we can talk about it tomorrow. The canteen has already saved some hot food for you, go and eat some later, and try the wild vegetable dumplings that the cooks made, to enjoy the spring scenery."

Jiang Linchuan and Lian Xiao nodded in agreement, and the three of them, carrying their belongings, followed Political Commissar Wang into the military compound.

The lawn in the yard is sprouting new green shoots, and several peach trees are blooming with pink and white flowers.

The familiar surroundings made Xu Xinghe feel particularly at ease.

After a simple meal of wild vegetable dumplings and hot soup at the military canteen, Jiang Linchuan accompanied Xu Xinghe to the courtyard.

The evening breeze rustled through the poplar trees along the roadside, carrying the unique gentleness of spring.

Xu Xinghe froze as soon as she reached the courtyard gate.

The brass lock on the gate was polished to a shine, and it made no rusty sound when pushed open. The blue brick ground in the courtyard was swept clean, and even the weeds in the corners of the walls were neatly cleared. The flowerpots that she had casually placed on the stone steps were not only free of dust, but the green plants inside were also bright and vibrant.

"It's so clean..." Xu Xinghe bent down and touched the edge of the flowerpot. Not a speck of dust touched her fingertips. She immediately knew the answer in her heart, "It must be Aunt Mei who often comes over to help clean."

Before leaving, she specially left the key to Wang Chunmei next door, asking her to come and check on the yard occasionally. Unexpectedly, Aunt Mei came to clean every day and took such good care of the flowers and plants.

Xu Xinghe couldn't help but mutter, "I have to give Aunt Mei a big share of the local specialties I brought from Shanghai, as well as Aunt Li and Aunt Zhang. They always helped me out before, so I have to give them some too. I can't forget their kindness."

Jiang Linchuan followed behind her, watching her serious calculations, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

He stepped forward and put the luggage bag inside. "Don't think about these things for now. You've been on the train for three days, you must be tired. Get some rest."

Although the house is regularly cleaned, it still feels a bit cold after being unoccupied for a long time.

"The weather isn't fully warm yet, and there's a big temperature difference between night and night. Keep the kang (heated brick bed) slightly heated so you don't get cold. Spring is the easiest time to catch a cold."

Xu Xinghe nodded, sat down in his usual chair, and let out a comfortable sigh.

The room was tidy and organized. The enamel cups on the table were neatly arranged, and the quilt that had been folded at the head of the bed was now fluffy from the sun and carried a faint scent of sunshine.

She felt a warmth in her heart. "Okay, you should go home and get some rest too. You must be exhausted today."

"Wait until the kang is heated before you leave." Jiang Linchuan didn't move, but took out firewood from the corner of the wall. "I'm worried about you doing all this by yourself."

The two worked together, with Jiang Linchuan adding firewood to start a fire, while Xu Xinghe helped by handing over tools.

The flames in the stove gradually grew stronger, and the orange-red light reflected on the two people's faces, making the room slowly warmer.

Before long, the kang (heated brick bed) began to heat up, the heat seeping through the mattress and making one feel relaxed all over.

"Alright, the kang is warm now, I'm going back." Jiang Linchuan helped her put away the firewood, checked the stove again to make sure there were no safety hazards, and then turned to leave. "If it gets cold tonight, add some more firewood. Don't try to tough it out."

"Okay, be careful on your way." Xu Xinghe saw him to the door and watched his figure disappear into the twilight before closing the door.

She took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed) after lifting the quilt.

The familiar surroundings allowed her to completely relax after several days of tension.

A few days ago on the train, the hard sleeper berth was uncomfortable. Later I went to a guesthouse, which was clean, but it didn't feel like home.

Now back in her own courtyard, lying on the familiar kang (heated brick bed), she can finally get a good night's sleep.

Xu Xinghe closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep, without even having a dream, sleeping exceptionally soundly.