Chapter 14 Three Updates in One (Catching Bugs)

He Hongyuan joined the army at the age of fifteen. With his courage and determination, he performed well and made many military achievements. He was later promoted all the way and was recognized by Brigade Commander Yang, who gave him the opportunity to study in a military academy. Today, he has become the youngest regiment commander of the 119th Division and his future is limitless.

During these ten years, He Hongyuan seldom returned home. He proposed several times to bring his mother to join the army, but Aunt He refused outright. She was willing to live on the three mu of land in her hometown and was unwilling to move away.

The time between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five passed quickly, mostly wrapped in sweat and blood, and trained He Hongyuan into a resolute soldier who could remain calm and composed even in the face of life and death situations.

But now...

Zhang Huafeng and Jiang Weijun watched He Hongyuan's expression change and his brows furrowed. Wow, this is strange!

What could make the usually calm He Tuan so troubled?

Seeing the excitement, they hurried over and asked, "What's going on? What happened?"

I tried to glance at the note with my remaining eyes.

He Hongyuan crumpled the note into a ball and held it in his palm. He looked up at the two brothers who had been through life and death together but were talkative and troublesome. He was determined not to let them know about this.

"Nothing." The voice was cold and indifferent. If you listened carefully, you could also hear a hint of impatience.

Zhang Huafeng and Jiang Weijun have known He Hongyuan for ten years, how could they not understand him?

The two looked at each other and read the message from each other's eyes - something happened!

However, He Hongyuan has always been tight-lipped. No one can ask him about things he doesn't want to talk about. I can only ask him quietly later.

"It's fine if you don't want to tell me, but if you have any troubles, remember to tell your brothers. Don't keep it to yourself."

The paper ball was still in his palm. He Hongyuan really didn't know who to tell. He had to deal with this matter as soon as possible.

What kind of child marriage? What kind of daughter-in-law is arranged by the family?

He doesn't want to get married or date at all.

He Hongyuan's temple was throbbing and aching slightly. What was going on?

Zhang Huafeng didn't look at the note. He was very curious, but he could do nothing. After all, he and Jiang Weijun couldn't beat He Hongyuan together. He could only curl his lips and give up. He turned around and mentioned another matter: "By the way, I have to go to Nanwang to see Lao Zhang in the afternoon and give him some condolence money. Aren't you on holiday? Do you want to go?"

He Hongyuan put aside his annoyed look and stuffed the paper ball into his military pants pocket: "Go."

====

The green train rumbled along the track, passing through the mountains and forests, winding and circling like a swimming dragon. After two days and two nights of driving, the third day arrived.

In the early morning light, Lin Xiang slowly opened her eyes, and her first reaction was to feel her belongings to see if they were safe.

After two tiring days and nights, Lin Xiang felt that she was a little sluggish. The hard seat was uncomfortable, and her back, waist and calves ached after sitting for a long time. From time to time, she would get up to stretch her muscles and rub her calves.

Fortunately, there is only one day left and we can reach Phnom Penh in the afternoon!

The passengers in the carriages gradually became familiar with each other, and some even visited each other. Lin Xiang was in carriage 7, and passengers from carriages 6 and 8 would come over and talk from time to time. The people in this carriage had similar destinations, and some got off at the next stop, Nam Vang, and then they would reach Phnom Penh after another three hours of driving.

Lin Xiang's breakfast was cornmeal steamed buns made by Aunt He. She ate them by soaking them in hot water, so they were at least edible.

The female comrade next to her, Shen Chunli, was good-looking, fair and tender, and quite eye-catching. While she was having breakfast, two male educated youth came over to talk to her. Her face turned red and she stuttered a little when she spoke. However, when the male comrades saw Lin Xiang from the corner of their eyes, their faces changed drastically, as if they were shocked by her ugliness.

Lin Xiang: ...I am really helpless~

Not to mention that there was an old lady sitting opposite who was always asking Shen Chunli about her well-being, so she felt like she was just a decoration.

"Chun Li, you are so beautiful. I have never seen such a beautiful woman before! You are even prettier than the actresses in the posters outside the cinema." The old lady's surname was Mao. She and her granddaughter came from their hometown to visit their son and also got off the bus in Phnom Penh.

Shen Chunli was spoiled by her family since she was a child. Because of her fair skin and beautiful appearance, she was treated like a star wherever she went. When she heard the compliments, she smiled and said, "It's OK. I'm like my mother."

There was a hint of arrogance in his words.

Turning her head, Shen Chunli saw Lin Xiang, whose skin was dark and yellow and had several pockmarks on her cheeks. She wondered how this person could be so tanned. She curled her lips and immediately turned her head away.

Lin Xiang enjoyed the peace and quiet, no one came to disturb her, how comfortable it was.

Lin Xiang had been approached by many people in her previous life. She was beautiful, and although she didn't dress up too exquisitely, even without makeup, her eyebrows and eyes were as beautiful as a painting, especially her slightly upturned almond-shaped eyes, which were slightly seductive and pure, perfectly interpreting what it meant to be pure and beautiful.

Although these two temperaments are incompatible, they blend strangely on her face, creating an exceptional temptation.

When she was a child, it was her male classmates who loved to talk to her, and after she started working, it was her male colleagues. At that time, Lin Xiang was only focused on making money. Growing up as an orphan, she lacked a sense of security. Men were not important, money was the most important, and she ignored everyone.

Good guy, now you have no money and you have never enjoyed being a handsome man.

It's a pity.

She leaned leisurely against the window, feeling the gentle breeze that dispelled the stuffiness in the carriage, and the sounds of passengers chatting occasionally entered her ears.

Aunt Mao was a very outgoing person and could chat with anyone. She especially liked talking to Shen Chunli and would always pass any food in her bag to her. As time went by, the two of them became as close as real mother and daughter.

Lin Xiang was shocked. Is this the passion of the 1970s?

It was just that Aunt Mao was too concerned with appearance. Ever since she saw this face of hers, she hardly spoke to Lin Xiang anymore. She concentrated on chatting with Shen Chunli and was really attentive, more enthusiastic and considerate than anyone else.

Something vaguely flashed through Lin Xiang's mind, but she couldn't figure it out. Suddenly, the smell of food came and disturbed her thoughts.

As the sun rose higher, the crew members started selling lunch with the dining cart. The food smelled delicious and made people salivate.

You don't need a food ticket to buy meat and vegetables on the train, but the price is higher. However, many passengers are reluctant to buy them and would rather eat dry food.

Lin Xiang paid 1.5 yuan to buy a meal, which included rice, braised pork, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

In the area where she was sitting, she and Shen Chunli were the only ones willing to spend the money. Shen Chunli was obviously from a wealthy family. She was wearing a Dacron shirt with a crisp cut, which was a high-end item of that era.

For example, the shirts worn by Lin Xiang and other passengers were made of soft fabrics and had no shape. That was the difference.

Lin Xiang had previously inquired through the supply and marketing cooperative and found out that Dacron fabric is more than three times more expensive than ordinary cotton fabric and is also extremely difficult to buy.

The train compartment was filled with the aroma of food, and many people were looking at Lin Xiang and Shen Chunli's lunch boxes. They were full of meat, and they looked huge chunks, sizzling with oil and emitting a fishy smell, which made people drool just by smelling it.

After a sumptuous lunch, Lin Xiang took her lunch box to the connection between the carriages to wash it. She happened to be walking behind Shen Chunli. Amid the sound of water, Lin Xiang heard Shen Chunli's clear voice.

"Comrade Lin, don't be too sad. That's just the reality of those gay men."

Lin Xiang was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a while she realized what Shen Chunli was talking about. She was trying to comfort herself based on the reactions of those male educated youth.

She was just about to say that she didn't mind, who cares how the male educated youth treat her, they are just dogs who only look at her face! Then she heard Shen Chunli comforting her: "Actually, you are not that ugly, really."

Lin Xiang: "..."

Is this comfort?!

After lunch, she usually felt sleepy. Lin Xiang wiped the lunch box with a handkerchief and put it in her bag. She took a nap by the window. Her mind was hazy and she seemed to hear the flight attendant announcing that the flight had arrived in Nanwang City...

They were not far from Phnom Penh, and she felt a little excited but also a little worried. She didn't know what this He Hongyuan was like.

.....

"Hongyuan, the car is here. By the way, which car are we in?"

Nanwang Railway Station Platform.

As the whistle sounded, the passengers became restless and prepared to get on the bus.

Among the crowd, two soldiers in white uniforms stood out. They were tall and straight, with resolute faces.

He Hongyuan helped the two elderly people carry their bulging bags and replied, "Carriage No. 8."

"Okay, we'll be back at the base in three hours, so you need to take a good rest."

Zhang Huafeng and He Hongyuan took advantage of the holiday and set out yesterday afternoon to visit their comrades who had amputated and retired from the army in Nanwang City, and gave them a sum of consolation money raised by the soldiers of the regiment. They were originally planning to go back that day, but they were warmly invited to stay overnight, and only then did they board the train to return to Phnom Penh.

Several carriages on this train were filled with educated youth, a group of urban youths who went to the countryside to support rural construction. The rest were mostly passengers visiting relatives, all carrying large and small bags, which took up quite a bit of space.

He Hongyuan and Zhang Huafeng were the rare passengers who came empty-handed. Their comrades’ families had offered them some local specialties, but they had refused them. Their comrades’ families were not well off, so they could not take even a single needle or thread.

The train stopped for a short time and soon began to rumble forward again.

Zhang Huafeng and He Hongyuan found two seats at the end of Carriage 8 connecting Carriage 7. With nothing to do, Zhang Huafeng started to wonder again: "He Hongyuan, are you still a brother? Tell me the truth, is there really no hope for you and Dr. Meng?"

He Hongyuan didn't even look up, just glanced at everyone in the carriage and said, "No."

He glanced at Zhang Huafeng calmly: "Can you please not do this?"

"Hey." Zhang Huafeng wanted to teach this disrespectful brother a lesson. He was obviously half a year older than him. Whatever, he couldn't beat him after all, so he should be the one to bully others. "Then let's do this. You must come with me to the social gathering next week. It doesn't matter if Dr. Meng is out of the game. Just look at the art troupe."

Zhang Huafeng has recently fallen in love with Yan Min, a female dancer in the art troupe. The two are at a critical moment when they are about to break up. Yan Min has a colleague, a female soldier who sings in the art troupe, who has long been in love with He Hongyuan. So she asks Yan Min to ask Zhang Huafeng to ask He Hongyuan to help.

Unfortunately, if this happened to other gay men, He Hongyuan was merciless: "No, if you want to go, go by yourself."

Zhang Huafeng was so angry that he jumped up and down: "Are we still brothers? Yan Min is asking me to take care of this matter!"

He Hongyuan was ruthless: "It doesn't have to be."

Zhang Huafeng: ...

Damn it, so heartless and ungrateful!

Carriage No. 8 was bustling with activity, and the adjacent Carriage No. 7 was no less lively.

Perhaps because it was only two hours' drive from Phnom Penh, everyone was getting a little agitated. Auntie Mao was already chatting with Shen Chunli about getting off the bus.

"Chun Li, how can there be such a good girl like you? You are beautiful and kind-hearted."

Aunt Mao and her granddaughter are illiterate and unfamiliar with the place. They only have a piece of paper in their hands. It is not easy to find their son this time, so they want to ask Shen Chunli to help them look for him according to the address.

Shen Chunli got along well with the people on the train, so she agreed without hesitation: "No problem, let's show the spirit of Lei Feng!"

Seeing that they were being so friendly and no one was paying attention to her, Lin Xiang simply went out to stretch her muscles. Her calves were really sore, so she waited at the connection between Carriage 7 and Carriage 6 for a long time. Suddenly, she saw Aunt Mao, who was trembling just now and seemed to be in poor health, walking briskly from Carriage 7 to Carriage 6 and exchanging eyes with a man who was about thirty years old.

There is no trace of kindness in his look.

In less than a moment, Aunt Mao walked back. Lin Xiang turned her back and pretended to be a passerby. After the people passed by her, she saw Aunt Mao blending in the crowd and walking towards car No. 8. After a while, she stopped and made eye contact with a male passenger as they passed by.

Lin Xiang's heart skipped a beat, and she frowned as she thought. Suddenly, she remembered what Aunt He said. Many traffickers targeted young and beautiful lesbians. Even in later generations, there were still such tricks, taking advantage of the kindness and compassion of lesbians to deceive people...

Lin Xiang returned to the carriage and waited for a while. Seeing Auntie Mao trembling and staggering back to her seat, she hurried over with an ugly face and said, "Auntie Mao, I'll go with you when you get off the train. There's strength in numbers. I'll also help you find the address."

Aunt Mao, who had a kind smile on her face, was originally talking to Shen Chunli, but when she heard the words, her face suddenly froze, and she turned to look at Lin Xiang with a flash of annoyance in her eyes.

Although it was only a flash, Lin Xiang planted the seed of doubt in his heart and stared at her closely, thus catching the strange emotion.

"I hope I won't trouble you anymore, Comrade Lin. This trip for my granddaughter and I is not easy. I am already sorry to trouble Chunli. How can I trouble you again?"

Aunt Mao rejected Lin Xiang's kindness and looked unwilling to go with her.

Lin Xiang's suspicions grew even stronger: "Auntie Mao, you two go out together, don't you have any relatives, friends or acquaintances with you? It's so unsafe."

"No, we don't know anyone there." Aunt Mao looked worried. She turned to Shen Chunli and started talking about the poverty at home and the difficulties of life. Shen Chunli almost wiped away tears when she heard it.

Lin Xiang had no actual evidence, but she was already suspicious that Aunt Mao was a human trafficker. After a while, she followed Shen Chunli when she went outside to get some fresh air.

"Comrade Shen." Lin Xiang thought that one must be on guard against others, so she had to remind him, "After you get off the bus, are you going to go with Auntie Mao to find the address of her son?"

Shen Chunli nodded: "Yes, Auntie Mao is illiterate and in poor health. Her granddaughter is also young. This orphan and widow are unfamiliar with the place. I will help send them over."

She looked at the address on the note in advance, but was not familiar with it, so she thought she would have to ask for directions.

"Otherwise, ask the public security comrades for help. After all, you are a young girl. If you go there alone and really encounter any danger...when you get there, it will be someone else's territory, and it will be too late to run away." Lin Xiang tried to remind her, but heard Shen Chunli's righteous warning.

"Comrade Lin, what are you talking about? You actually think Auntie Mao is a bad person..." Shen Chunli looked at Lin Xiang seriously, then sighed, "Did Auntie Mao offend you in some way? Oh, could it be that she had a big reaction when she saw your face? You are too petty, and you..."

It's indeed a bit scary and ugly.

Forget it, it’s quite hurtful to say it out loud.

Shen Chunli did not appreciate it. She turned around and left, leaving only a light snort behind before leaving.

Lin Xiang: "..."

She is really wronged!

Although Shen Chunli did not appreciate it, Lin Xiang still had doubts in her heart. With a cautious mindset, she prepared to find the flight attendant to report the situation. If Aunt Mao was really a human trafficker, it would be a good thing. If not, there should be no loss if she quietly investigated.

However, as the train approached the station, people moved around in the carriage and there was no sign of the train attendant. Lin Xiang tried to walk a few more carriages, but she couldn't move her legs at all. The aisle was full of people and bags were piled everywhere.

Just when Lin Xiang was at a loss, she suddenly saw a shadow of a white military uniform at the rear of carriage No. 8!

Marine uniform!

If you can't find the police and flight attendants, the same goes for finding the military!

She took a few steps with great effort and finally approached Carriage No. 8. Facing the tall figure in white military uniform, she whispered, "Comrade, I have something to report..."

——

With half an hour left before arriving at Phnom Penh Railway Station, the train attendants were coming and going in the carriages, entering and exiting Carriage No. 7 several times.

Lin Xiang blinked her eyelashes and watched the flight attendant's eyes fall on Aunt Mao several times inadvertently. She already knew what was going on.

That military comrade must have exchanged information with the train crew, and this time they confirmed many times that there must be something fishy going on with Aunt Mao!

Since there was official intervention, Lin Xiang felt relieved. Her outfit really helped a lot. It was a bit ugly, and her clothes were plain and worn out. Aunt Mao didn't even look at her several times, especially when she heard that she wanted to go with them, she rejected her.

He only wants to seduce young and beautiful lesbians and doesn't like people like Lin Xiang at all.

It was also for this reason that when Aunt Mao went to meet her accomplice, she did not realize that Lin Xiang had noticed her.

Just now, Lin Xiang found a soldier nearby and explained his guess to him, hoping that they could investigate. The soldier was dressed in a white military uniform, tall and straight, with a friendly attitude. Hearing what he said, he became alert and asked Lin Xiang to go back to his seat and not show any doubts, and he would find someone to investigate.

Just as Lin Xiang frowned in thought, someone was looking at her.

Zhang Huafeng and He Hong were observing the traffickers from a distance. After a while, Zhang Huafeng nudged He Hongyuan with his elbow and pointed to a female comrade in a worn grey shirt in the distance ahead and said, "There is such a clever female comrade on this train. She caught a big fish with just a random suspicion."

Zhang Huafeng was stopped by Lin Xiang and reported the situation. He then shared the information with He Hongyuan, who had just returned from another carriage to resolve a dispute that almost led to a fight. The two negotiated with the train attendant and mentioned that Sister Mei, the leader of a human trafficker gang roaming around the south, might be on the train. This woman, code-named Sister Mei, was in her fifties and always liked to pretend to be weak, deceive young and beautiful female comrades into sympathy and trust, and then abduct and sell them when they were least prepared.

Half a year ago, when He Hongyuan was on vacation, he ran into the Phnom Penh Public Security Bureau arresting a human trafficker gang and helped out. However, that time, the leader, Sister Mei, escaped.

Now it seems that this person is using the alias of Aunt Mao and wants to strike again.

He Hong looked from afar, his indifferent eyes wandering around the person who called herself Auntie Mao. After hearing what Zhang Huafeng said, his eyes shifted to the woman who was a informant vendor, wearing a gray shirt, with dark yellow skin and a face full of pockmarks.

The woman had a slim figure, and even though she was covered by a loose shirt, she still looked a bit empty. She had a small face, but her skin was very dark and yellow, which immediately attracted attention, not to mention the pockmarks on her cheeks, which looked a bit funny.

He Hong's eyes flickered to the distance, and just when he was about to look away, the woman raised her eyes, but he didn't know where she was looking, but he could see her eyes clearly. He moved his eyes downward again, and a white wrist was exposed under the washed and frayed cuffs, and then it retracted in an instant.

Zhang Huafeng said that this female comrade found him and analyzed the suspicious points about Aunt Mao. She also carefully pointed out the approximate locations and appearance and clothing features of the two men who had contact with Aunt Mao.

It's really clever and has good observation skills.

"The traffickers must have targeted that pretty young lesbian. I heard her last name was Shen. She looked really pretty. Plus, she was inexperienced and was deceived. Fortunately, the lesbian next to her was smart, but this lesbian was really..." Zhang Huafeng didn't know what to say, so he just said tactfully, "This appearance saved her life and she wasn't targeted by the traffickers."

This sister Mei has a sharp eye. She only picks good-looking girls because it's easier to sell them for money.

He Hongyuan looked away, and after hearing this, he sneered, "Do you really think that lesbian who reported people to the police looks like that?"

"Ah?" Zhang Huafeng turned his head and looked at He Hongyuan in confusion, "Isn't it? It looks black and yellow, and has pockmarks."

He Hongyuan turned and left, leaving only one sentence: "Her face is fake."

It's a pity that no matter how well she pretends to be on the face, her eyes are so bright and watery that they seem a little out of place.

Zhang Huafeng was stunned when he heard this, and then followed He Hongyuan's steps and left, gossiping with a little excitement: "What? She's pretending? So amazing! It seems that this female comrade has foresight and is worried about the danger of riding the train. Maybe she is very beautiful. Can you tell what she really looks like?"

He Hongyuan curled his lips and said, "If Yan Min heard this..."

Zhang Huafeng shut up immediately after hearing Yan Min's question, and only muttered softly, "I was just asking casually."

When there was still half an hour's drive before arriving in Phnom Penh, the flight attendant found Aunt Mao and asked her to check the letter of introduction. Lin Xiang watched silently, knowing that the person must have been tricked into going over for investigation and arrest.

As expected, Aunt Mao took her granddaughter away and never came back.

There are too many people in the carriage and it is chaotic. Even if the identity of the human trafficker is confirmed, it is not easy to arrest him directly to avoid accidental injuries. It is better to defeat them one by one.

......

Accompanied by a loud and long whistle sound, the train drove into Phnom Penh Railway Station and stopped.

Lin Xiang had come a long way, and now standing on the crowded platform, he couldn't help but feel agitated.

Before getting on the train, Aunt He specifically reminded her that she thought He Hongyuan had not finished his mission yet and had not called home, so she asked He Hongyuan's third uncle to arrange someone to pick her up.

Time was tight, and Lin Xiang only heard Aunt He briefly mention a few words. It turned out that He Hongyuan served in the same unit as his third uncle.

The train station was packed with people. After Lin Xiang got off the train with the rest of the group, she happened to run into Shen Chunli stepping onto the platform.

She was still looking around, wondering why Auntie Mao, who had promised to help find someone, had disappeared: "Where did she go? Do you still want to find her?"

"Comrade Shen." Lin Xiang kindly reminded her, "You should leave quickly. Aunt Mao will not come back. She is a human trafficker."

"Comrade Lin, I think you are overthinking. Auntie Mao is a kind-hearted person, but you actually think she is a trafficker?" Shen Chunli said to Lin Xiang's dark and yellow face, "It doesn't matter if she is ugly, the most important thing is that her heart must not be ugly!"

Lin Xiang: "..."

Who did I offend?

Forget it, I won’t bother with this young lady.

Shen Chunli looked around for a while, but seeing no one in sight, she had no choice but to give up and left with her wicker suitcase.

Lin Xiang was also waiting to find out who was coming to pick her up among the vast crowd. If she couldn't meet up with anyone, she could ask around and find the troops herself.

While looking around, Lin Xiang caught a glimpse of a group of people gathered on the platform in the distance. The train attendant and two soldiers in white uniforms were handing over the human traffickers to the public security comrades at the train station.

Aunt Mao stared at everyone with a hateful look and was forcibly taken away.

Lin Xiang retracted her gaze and only saw the profile of the soldier to whom she had reported the situation on the train. The soldier had dark skin, but was easygoing and friendly. After listening to her feedback, he even praised her a few words, saying that she was a good comrade.

As for the other soldier standing next to the soldier with his back to him, Lin Xiang had never seen him before. He only saw that he was half a head taller than him, tall and slender, with a military uniform that looked straight and cool, just like a pine tree.

He is indeed a soldier, and he looks quite handsome from the back.

"Is it Comrade Lin Xiang?" A crisp voice rang in his ears. Lin Xiang retracted his gaze and stared at the young female comrade who appeared in front of him.

Could this be the person sent by Uncle He Hongyuan to pick him up?

She was silent for a moment: "I am, comrade, who are you?"

"My name is Zhou Yuezhu, and I'm He Hongyuan's cousin!" The young girl blinked at Lin Xiang, a hint of shock flashed in her eyes, and a smile appeared on the corner of her lips. She said affectionately, "By the way, my second aunt said you came from the Xifeng Steel Mill, and she also brought you salted duck eggs and oranges."

Lin Xiang smiled and replied: "Yes."

Having said that, it was certain that it was arranged by Aunt He.

After Lin Xiang left, Aunt He called Uncle He Hongyuan and told them about Lin Xiang's appearance and dress. Lin Xiang's dark yellow skin and pockmarks made her very easy to recognize. Zhou Yuezhu searched for her on the platform for a while and confirmed her identity.

"Wow, Second Aunt said to put something on your face to prevent you from being targeted by bad guys. That's too good." Zhou Yuezhu was very outgoing and took her hand and said, "I heard from my dad that Third Cousin actually has a girlfriend! Then you are my cousin's wife!"

Seeing that Zhou Yuezhu was a straightforward girl who spoke whatever she wanted, Lin Xiang immediately felt fond of her. However, she didn't know how to respond to her cousin's words, after all, she hadn't even met He Hongyuan yet.

The two left Phnom Penh Railway Station and went to the pier together to take a boat.

There are three piers in Phnom Penh, and all ships heading to Langhua Island are docked at the North Shore Pier. Usually, soldiers and their families travel by boat for personal reasons.

As Lin Xiang walked, he listened to Zhou Yuezhu's enthusiastic introduction of the troops' situation. The azure blue sea gradually appeared in his sight. Amid the rippling blue waves, there was an endless sea level that gradually spread to the horizon.

Lin Xiang, who has always loved the sea, looked at the sea in the 1970s and her heart was filled with emotion.

The sea was calm and quiet, like a huge blue gem. The sun was setting in the west, casting specks of gold on the surface of the sea, with ripples of light. A ship painted green on top and white on the bottom was sailing on the sea and slowly docked at the pier, lowering the steps, waiting for passengers to get on and off the ship.

Zhou Yuezhu paid a dime to buy two tickets and took Lin Xiang on board.

The ship was drifting on the sea. Lin Xiang turned sideways and looked at the sea water that seemed to be within reach, with a slight smile on her lips. This was much better than the scenery in Xifeng City. She didn't like industrial cities, and she preferred places with mountains and sea.

"Cousin, is this your first time on a boat?" Zhou Yuezhu handed over a piece of sour plum candy considerately, "Eating this will prevent you from getting seasick."

"Thank you." Lin Xiang was not actually seasick, but the girl she just met was so warm and kind that she couldn't refuse. "But, I haven't met your cousin yet, maybe..."

Zhou Yuezhu didn't care about that and said decisively: "You two have a marriage certificate, it's legitimate. I don't think he dares to regret it!"

Zhou Yuezhu was eager to see her tough and cold cousin looking for a wife, and she couldn't wait to let the two meet immediately.

She just didn't know what this cousin's wife looked like. If she hadn't known in advance that this was a dress-up given to Lin Xiang by her second aunt, she would have been shocked.

It takes more than 40 minutes to take a boat from the North Shore Pier to Langhua Island. Lin Xiang's heart and eyes were full of curiosity, so the time was not difficult to endure.

Most of the people on the boat were military wives. It was not easy for them to make the trip, so they bought a lot of daily necessities and carried the large and small bags to the island.

The ship docked at the shore, and a group of people slid down. Lin Xiang stood at the dock and looked up. The 119th Division Naval Base appeared in his sight. The white brick gate stood tall, with a red star inlaid on the top, dazzling the eyes.

"Cousin, my mother knew you were coming and prepared a table full of dishes." Zhou Yuezhu led Lin Xiang in through the back door of the family compound. After registering after being questioned by the guard at the gate, they walked inside.

The 119th Division Family Courtyard is located in the northwest of the base. It covers a large area, paved with bluestone, clean and flat. Coconut trees are neatly arranged on both sides of the road, and their green leaves are like cattail fans, swaying in the summer evening breeze. After listening to Zhou Yuezhu's introduction, Lin Xiang learned that the family courtyard is mainly built with tube buildings and two-story small buildings.

Each tube-shaped building has five floors, with five households on each floor. The area is neither too big nor too small, and it is generally suitable for a family of four. However, it will seem crowded if there are more people.

"Cousin, wait until your cousin comes over and reports his marriage, then you should hurry up and apply for housing. With his current position, he can apply for a two-story building!" Zhou Yuezhu offered advice enthusiastically, and even introduced to Lin Xiang the pros and cons of the vacant building in the family compound, which made Lin Xiang blush.

She and He Hongyuan haven't even started dating yet!

Oh, no, there is already a clue. There is our marriage certificate in her bag.

Okay, there is still one stroke missing in the eight characters.

However, after seeing the environment in Phnom Penh, she had decided that no matter what happened with He Hongyuan, she would find a way to stay!

Zhou Yuezhu's home is hidden among the dense coconut groves. The small red brick building stands tall, dotted among the lush greenery and blue waves, exuding a touch of vitality and brightness.

"Mom, my cousin's wife is here!" Zhou Yuezhu had already recognized her as her cousin's wife, and she introduced her loudly as soon as she entered the room, "Look at the color my second aunt painted on my cousin's wife's face. I heard that such a beautiful girl has become like this!"

Zhou Yuezhu's father is Zhou Shenghuai, the commander of the 4th Brigade of the 119th Division. Her mother Feng Li married and followed the army. She is busy in the kitchen at this moment.

Lin Xiang saw a middle-aged woman with a slim figure and a young face coming out.

Feng Li wiped her hands on her apron. Seeing Lin Xiang's "honor", she was still surprised even though she was mentally prepared. She smiled kindly and said, "Your aunt is good at cooking. Let her help you wipe your face some other time. Lin Xiang, right? Come and sit down. It's not easy to come here. You must be tired. Yuezhu, go and pour Xiao Lin a cup of tea."

"Why!"

"Hello, Aunt Feng." Feng Li and her daughter showed kindness and took great care of Lin Xiang, which made Lin Xiang feel at ease.

The food in the kitchen was basically ready. Lin Xiang wanted to help but was stopped. Feng Li hurriedly said, "You've been tired for a few days, sit down and rest. Yuezhu, go see if your father and cousin are here?"

Today, Zhou Shenghuai received news that Lin Xiang would have dinner at home, so he sent someone to inform He Hongyuan.

——

After helping to catch the human traffickers on the train, He Hongyuan and Zhang Huafeng briefly negotiated with the police, and then left in a jeep with their comrades who were out purchasing supplies and returning to the army.

The only land route to Langhua Island is a military strategic road that ordinary people cannot pass through. Therefore, other people have to take a boat back and forth, which naturally takes longer.

After finishing his work and returning to the regiment headquarters, He Hongyuan unexpectedly touched his trouser pocket, feeling the bulge of paper ball. He remembered that there was a potential marriage partner... maybe the person was already in his third uncle's house.

It’s a headache. What a headache.

"Old He, let's go and take a shower." Zhang Huafeng called He Hongyuan to go to the bathhouse to take a shower, and then go to the cafeteria to eat.

Such is the life of a single man, dull and boring.

Zhang Huafeng looked at Jiang Weijun, who was dressed up and about to meet his partner for dinner, and he felt jealous!

Fortunately, when I turned around, I had He Hongyuan, a single man, to accompany me, so I was not the worst!

Good brothers, for life!

However, before Zhang Huafeng could be happy for a few seconds, the guard of the Fourth Brigade Commander Zhou Shenghuai came hurriedly and said in a deep voice: "Captain He, your target has arrived at Brigade Commander Zhou's house. Brigade Commander Zhou asked me to come and inform you to come over for dinner."

He Hongyuan: ...

Zhang Huafeng: ???

What about talking to singles?

Bro, where did this person come from?

Zhang Huafeng looked at He Hongyuan in shock and stammered, "Target...target? He Hongyuan, where the hell do you have a target?"

He Hongyuan turned his head and looked at him indifferently, as if telling him silently, I also want to know.

The person was already at Uncle San's house, and his mother had personally sent him there. He Hongyuan had a headache, as if he was going to a battlefield. He whispered, "Let's go."

......

Lin Xiang didn't have time to wash the makeup on her face, and the berries had to be slowly boiled into water. Fortunately, she had adapted to the situation over a few days, and now she helped serve the dishes to the table without any burden.

By the way, I listened to Zhou Yuezhu talking about her cold and hard cousin.

Lin Xiang was actually a little curious. He Hongyuan's last name was He, so how come he and Zhou Yuezhu were cousins? In that era, it was rare for people to take their mother's surname. Did they change it later?

However, she had just arrived and did not dare to ask people directly about the secrets.

Zhou Yuezhu's cousin He Hongyuan is a fearless man with thorns all over his body. He dares to fight alone deep into the enemy's territory and challenge the brigade commander, insisting on his own marching strategy.

Especially when it comes to his soldiers, he is so cruel, like a living Yan Wang. This man's motto is not to train to death, and only death will happen on the battlefield.

So cruel!

Lin Xiang listened silently, the image of He Hongyuan in the photo emerging in her mind. Looking at the sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and the tough and resolute man, such a personality was actually within Lin Xiang's expectations.

Such a man is not simple at first glance.

She thought for a moment, then raised her head. As Zhou Yuezhu's voice entered her ears, she saw a man in white military uniform walking in. He looked exactly like the soldier in the photo.

"But my cousin is so handsome, and there are a lot of lesbians who like him. Don't worry, cousin, you have a formal marriage certificate, I support you!"

Zhou Yuezhu's words "I support you" attracted He Hongyuan's attention and he met Lin Xiang unexpectedly.

Lin Xiang had seen many handsome men in later life. At that time, the aesthetics were mostly for pretty boys who were delicate but not tough enough. Lin Xiang could appreciate pretty boys, but she was more attracted to men with tough temperament.

Obviously, this is the case with He Hongyuan.

He was about 1.85 meters tall, with a straight body, broad shoulders and narrow waist, and two long legs that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. He stood there motionless like a mountain, steady and calm. His tough face was covered with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes. His dark eyebrows were slightly frowned, and his phoenix eyes were deep and indifferent, as if they contained an ocean, deep and without any ripples. His thin lips were pursed into an arc of displeasure, telling of his mood at the moment.

Really handsome! Completely handsome in Lin Xiang's aesthetic taste!

The majesty and aura are really astonishing!

"Cousin, you're here!" Zhou Yuezhu heard footsteps, turned around and saw the person coming, stood up and introduced him, "This is my cousin's wife! I picked her up from the train station!"

A boastful look as if seeking praise.

He Hongyuan glanced at his cousin calmly without saying anything. He then turned to Lin Xiang and said, "Let's talk."

The door to the Zhou family study was closed. Zhou Yuezhu sneaked up to the wooden door and tried to eavesdrop on what the two people were saying inside, but was stopped by her mother: "Look at what it looks like. Go back and sit down."

"Oh, I'm worried." Zhou Yuezhu had already determined that Lin Xiang was her cousin's wife, but she knew her cousin's temper too well. "He won't make her cry, will he?"

Looking at his ferocious appearance, he is really capable of doing such a thing!

In the study, Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan were in the same room, and it was relatively peaceful.

The two sat facing each other. She took out the marriage certificate from her bundle and handed it to him: "This is our marriage certificate. Take a look."

If you don't know, you might think she is signing a contract and is negotiating with the other party.

He Hongyuan silently took the old, yellowed marriage certificate, glanced at it briefly, and placed it on the table without much concern. He said indifferently, "The child marriage that took place more than ten years ago is no longer necessary. We will cancel the engagement and send you back. You can ask for any compensation you want."