Chapter 16

The green train was running on the track, and the long carriages were rumbling past, raising dust and noise.

When it was time for dinner, passengers with better conditions started paying for meals on the train.

It was the first time for Jian Lu to eat food on a train from the 1970s. The food tasted quite good, one pot-wrapped pork and one roasted goose. The meat was firm and fragrant. She had traveled through time for more than a month and had only eaten meat once on New Year's Eve. Now she could eat to her heart's content on the train. She was so happy.

However, most passengers were reluctant to spend a couple of bucks on meat dishes, and most of them brought their own dry food. The three people sitting opposite Jian Lu took out a big pancake from their bags and ate it at mealtime, looking at the food opposite them as they ate, which seemed to go well with rice.

The train ride lasted five days in total. At first, out of curiosity and novelty, Jane Lu felt she could still bear it, but on the third day, she became increasingly uncomfortable.

The seats were so hard that they stood up from time to time to stretch their muscles, but later their buttocks still hurt and their calves were sore.

"You need to massage your legs, otherwise it will be uncomfortable when you get to the place and it will be difficult to walk." Feng Xiuhui was experienced. She reached out and massaged Jian Lu's calves. She was much stronger than Jian Lu, so the effect was naturally much better.

Jian Lu originally didn't want to trouble anyone, but Feng Xiuhui was so enthusiastic that she could only thank her repeatedly.

After rubbing Jian Lu's body, Feng Xiuhui let her son Dunzi jump around in the carriage. Children often stand, run and move around, which is much better than adults.

"Dunzi, go find your father and let him take you for some exercise." Feng Xiuhui gave an order, and Dunzi hurried to another carriage. Liang Haisheng met his former comrade-in-arms and was chatting with him.

"This is your first time riding a train, right? You have to sit on it for such a long time right after you get on it. Is it uncomfortable?"

"Yes." Jian Lu did not hide it. She really did not expect that these five days would be so long. She really did not want to take the train again in the short term.

"It's good to be there. After getting off the train, let's go to the state-owned hotel for a meal and relax. We'll take a boat to the island in the afternoon." Feng Xiuhui seemed to suddenly remember something and asked her hurriedly, "Are you seasick? This is not a small wooden boat in a creek. It will be there in a short while. A big boat on the sea will take a lot of effort and will shake a lot."

Feng Xiuhui recalled that when she first went to the island with the army, she felt so uncomfortable that she vomited as soon as she got off the boat. It took her several years to get used to it.

Of course Jian Lu wasn't dizzy. She used to like going to the island for vacation, but she had never been on one before. "It should be fine."

"When we get to H City, see if there are any oranges. I'll give you some orange peels. I used to rely on them when I was seasick."

Feng Xiuhui was thoughtful, enthusiastic and attentive. After talking about this, she couldn't help but ask Jian Lu about her and Cheng Zheng.

After all, there are not many girls who are willing to marry into the army like this. Of course, it is true that Comrade Cheng Zheng is very outstanding.

"I heard from Aunt Wang that you liked Captain Cheng before?" When talking about gossip, even the honest Feng Xiuhui became excited, and the expression on her face was as if she was waiting for a big melon, and she was just about to take some melon seeds in her hands.

Jian Lu was stunned at first, then she remembered what she said that day to strike back at the He family. Words spoken are like spilled water. She could only nod and pretend to be a little shy, "Yes."

Feng Xiuhui could see that the girl was shy. "Captain Cheng is really good. It's hard for you to miss him even though he hasn't been back for several years. Our Lao Liang and he are old comrades-in-arms. They have fought for their lives on the battlefield. Captain Cheng even risked his life to save our Lao Liang. My husband and I both treat him as our brother. I'll tell you the truth. Captain Cheng is good in every way, but he looks scary. Don't be afraid, he has a good heart. You can see how handsome he is, but he always keeps a stern face. He even scared a military doctor to tears before."

"Ah?" Jian Lu immediately became interested. Is Cheng Zheng a handsome man or a dark-faced door god? "So scary?"

"That's not true. Lao Liang even joked that he couldn't find a wife like this. Even if someone liked him, he would scare them away."

Jian Lu was smart and understood immediately after hearing this. It was 99% likely that a lesbian was confessing her love to Cheng Zheng. After all, this man was the supporting male character designated by the author of the original book as someone who had no interest in love. If she rejected him directly, she would make the girl sad.

"He must have rejected people too bluntly."

"How do you know..." Feng Xiuhui was halfway through her words when she suddenly realized what she was saying in front of Cheng Zheng's fiancée! Isn't this provoking others? But before the other person even arrived at the military region, he had already left a bad impression on Jian Lu.

It's all her fault. She hasn't been able to fully accept the fact that Cheng Zheng already has a fiancée, so she spoke without restraint.

"That's not the case. Captain Cheng has no contact with other female comrades. Don't worry!"

Jian Lu smiled. She knew that, after all, that was the character setting given to him by the author of the original book. "Sister-in-law, don't be nervous. I know what's going on. Please tell me more about Brother Cheng."

Anyway, I'm bored on the train, so there's nothing wrong with listening to some gossip!

Seeing that Jian Lu was in a good mood, Feng Xiuhui was also bored, so she immediately told her about what had happened in the past few years, mainly praising Cheng Zheng, saying that he had made great contributions and should be commended. At the end, she mentioned that he had no contact with any female comrades.

"Sister Lulu, don't worry. There is really no one around Captain Cheng who is as good as a mosquito. But I believe he will like you. You look good and have a good temper. You look very likable."

Jian Lu blushed. Could she force Cheng Zheng to change his mind?

=

H City in southern China.

The sea was calm and deep, the azure waters stretched to the horizon, the sunset dyed the sea red, the fishermen had just finished their winter fishing, their nets were filled with fish and shrimps of all sizes, a group of people were carrying their nets back home, they saw a warship appearing in the distance on the peaceful coast ahead.

The pure white warship seemed to come from the sky, and every inch of its streamlined hull looked like a carefully carved arc, just like a swordfish drawing an arc on the sea.

"Comrade Navy is back!"

"Yes, look, there are marines on the deck, right?"

The distance was too far for the fishermen to see clearly, but they could always imagine the scene: the navy stationed on the nearby islands would go out on missions from time to time, and every time they returned from a mission, they could see the warships passing by in the distance.

There are also red flags flying on the masts and soldiers wearing white naval uniforms on the deck.

Cheng Zheng was standing on the deck at this moment, wearing a white marine uniform, with an upright posture, standing like a pine tree, watching the distance ahead getting closer and closer.

Finally, the warship docked, they successfully completed a one-month sea cruise mission and returned to the island base.

"Commander, the brigade commander asked you to go back to his office." The signalman Xiao Zhao welcomed his commander back and couldn't wait to explain the task assigned by the brigade commander.

"Got it." Cheng Zheng's voice was deep and rich. He simply gave a few instructions to the signalman and walked towards the brigade commander's office.

The 625th Unit of the South China Sea Fleet is stationed on Crescent Island. The brigade commander Song Zhaokang has served for more than 40 years and has made great military achievements. Cheng Zheng was promoted by him.

From discovering this talented person in the naval battle to recommending him to study in the military academy and serving as the deputy regiment commander and then the regiment commander, Song Zhaokang valued this subordinate very much.

Cheng Zheng carefully reported the maritime patrol mission to the brigade commander and cooperated with the coastal defense to repel a suspicious enemy ship.

Brigade Song looked at this subordinate with excellent physical and military qualities with admiration, nodding frequently, "This cruise mission is long and heavy, and there are enemy troops on the border who are eyeing us covetously. You have done a good job."

"Report to the brigade commander. This is what we should do."

After finishing the official business, Cheng Zheng stood at attention, saluted, and prepared to leave. "Brigade Commander, I will go back to the regiment first."

"Wait a moment." Brigade Commander Song picked up the enamel cup slowly, blew away the tea foam inside, took a sip, and savored the tea fragrance filling his mouth. "In a little over a week, after our brigade's award ceremony, we will organize a social dance with the female soldiers of the Red Flag Military Region Art Troupe. You should dress up and remember to go."

When asked to let Cheng Zheng dress up, Brigade Song knew exactly what was going on. With Cheng Zheng's looks, even if he wore tattered old clothes, he could steal the limelight from other soldiers in the army. There was nothing he could do about it, he was too handsome.

But this guy always has a cold face, and I don’t know how many little girls he has scared away.

Cheng Zheng tapped the seam of the navy's trousers with his fingers and said nonchalantly, "Brigade Commander, I just came back and there are many things to do in the regiment. I am afraid I will not have time to go there by then. I appreciate your kindness."

"Bullshit! What's the urgent matter in your group?" Song Lu was impatient. Seeing that the person was not willing to give in to softness, he took the tough approach. "I order you to go that night!"

If he doesn't solve his life-long problem, the three words "Song Zhaokang" will be written backwards. He just doesn't believe that he can't take down this kid!

Cheng Zheng smiled, breaking the cold and serious expression on his face. "Commander, this is not official business. I don't have to listen to it."

After saying this, he immediately turned around and left.

Only the sound of cursing could be heard from the brigade commander's office.

After returning to the Third Regiment, Cheng Zheng went to the cafeteria to eat by himself. After Chief of Staff Xu Lang came back, he went straight home. His wife and children were at home, so there was no reason for him to eat in the cafeteria with Cheng Zheng, a lonely man.

Cheng Zheng had nothing to do and had just finished his mission. He originally had a week's vacation, but he couldn't sit still, so he simply went back to the office to sort out important matters.

Boom boom boom

There was a knock on the door of the Third Regiment's commander's office, and Xiao Zhao, a signalman, came in with a few envelopes in his hands. "Commander, your family sent two letters and a telegram. Since you haven't been home yet, I'm just bringing them here."

"Leave it there." Cheng Zheng took a look at the three envelopes that Xiao Zhao had placed on the table and knew that they must have been sent by his mother.

Wang Xia loves to send letters to her son, and Cheng Zheng has become accustomed to it. He receives the letters and reads them, but whether he listens to them or not is another matter.

Cheng Zheng opened the first letter and saw only a few words written on it: If you don't get married, we will end our relationship and you will live on your island for the rest of your life.

When it comes to urging her son to get married, her mother has always been harsh in words but kind in heart. She says harsh words over and over again, but since she loves her son so much, she naturally can't bear to be so cruel.

Putting the letter aside, Cheng Zheng opened the second letter calmly. This time, the handwriting on the letter surprised him. It was obviously not written by Tiezhu next door. His mother could not write, so she asked her neighbor Tiezhu to write for her every time she sent a letter. Therefore, Cheng Zheng was used to Tiezhu's handwriting.

As for the handwriting on the second letter, it looked like it was written by a primary school student. His eyes were deep, thinking that it was really funny that his mother asked a first-grade primary school student to write - Son, please have pity on your mother.

It was the third envelope, but there was no letter in it. Looking at the words "urgent telegram" on it, Cheng Zheng gradually sat up straight. His mother had never sent a telegram before, for the simple reason that the old lady was reluctant to do so, let alone an expedited one, the price would be doubled.

What happened at home that required an urgent telegram?

He quickly tore open the envelope and took out the telegram inside...

After seeing the words clearly, Cheng Zheng's whole body tensed up involuntarily, his eyes slightly widened, as if he couldn't believe his eyes, and his gaze swept back and forth across the line of words.

——You have a wife now, and she is on the way to the island, so treat her well.

What do you mean you have a wife?

When did you get a wife?