Feng Mingshu was unaware that the two couples next door had a minor argument because of her.
She was discussing with Zhou Jinshan how to cook seafood. Zhou Jinshan said, "I've seen fishermen prepare seafood and fish at sea before. They basically just boil or steam it and add a little salt."
“Then let’s do it that way too,” Feng Mingshu immediately decided.
Half an hour later, the boiled clams and cockles were ready. Feng Mingshu thought they were alright, but not as good as the ones she used to eat in restaurants when she was a child.
She thought she should ask the locals how to cook seafood another day, otherwise she would waste such good ingredients.
"Mingshu, are you getting used to things here?"
After Zhou Jinshan finished rinsing the dishes, he held her hand and asked.
Feng Mingshu took a breath of the damp air, then pointed to the sunset glow over the sea and laughed, "It's just a little hard to get used to, but if I can see such beautiful scenery every day, I'd be willing to stay."
Zhou Jinshan laughed: "Then the island I chose is not bad."
The man's smile was softened by the glow of the sunset, and his cold face became gentle. Feng Mingshu's heart skipped a beat. She looked away and said, "I promised to draw your portrait on the train. I'll go inside to get the sketchbook."
But as soon as she took a step, Zhou Jinshan pulled her back: "Don't rush the portrait, let's go out for a walk and get to know our neighbors."
Feng Mingshu agreed, and the couple went out together.
In the residential compound, many families would come out for a walk after dinner, so the couple got to know people along the way.
Everyone was very friendly, but the conversation was brief and didn't go into much detail.
Finally, the couple visited Commander Tong's home.
The men quickly got into the conversation about work, so Feng Mingshu went to chat with his sister-in-law in the yard.
The commander's yard was also full of vegetables, such as chives, peppers, tomatoes, and green beans.
Seeing her looking at the vegetable garden, her sister-in-law looked at her delicate hands and smiled, "Little Feng, do you know how to grow vegetables?"
Feng Mingshu said shyly, "I know a little, but not much."
"Practice makes perfect, and growing vegetables is no exception. When you leave later, pick some seedlings to take home."
Feng Mingshu was even more embarrassed: "My yard hasn't been renovated yet."
"Then come over and pull up the rice seedlings after you've finished tidying up the yard," her sister-in-law said with a smile, glancing at her hands. "Your hands are even softer than my daughter's. If you really can't do this work, don't force yourself. You can come to my yard to pick vegetables in the future. I grow so much that we can't even finish eating it all ourselves."
Feng Mingshu felt embarrassed and quickly said that he was capable. He then squatted down and pulled out a few weeds from the chives.
Her sister-in-law quickly pulled her up and said with a smile, "You're such an honest child, come and wash your hands."
After the young couple left, the sister-in-law said to Commander Tong with a smile, "Little Zhou's wife, despite her young age, is very honest." She then recounted the story of pulling weeds in the leek field.
Commander Tong: "You like this child?"
The couple, both nearing fifty, treated Zhou Jinshan and Feng Mingshu like two children.
“I like all pretty kids, but what’s rare is that Xiao Feng is willing to adapt to life on the island,” the sister-in-law said with a touch of emotion.
There are quite a few military wives who have accompanied their husbands to the island. Most of them come from rural areas and are hardworking, but some are from the city and couldn't adapt to life here, so they went back. Others even tried to persuade their husbands to be transferred to other posts and leave the island.
After being married for many years, Commander Tong naturally knew what his wife was thinking: "You're thinking about Xiao Wang's husband, aren't you?"
"Yes, I wonder how long they can stay on the island."
"Don't worry about it. Once we're on the island, family members can leave if they want, but soldiers have to obey orders. If I don't approve, no one can leave," Commander Tong said sternly.
"Keep bragging. There are plenty of people higher up than you. When the transfer order comes, will you dare refuse to release him?"
Commander Tong: "..."
The weather on the island can change in an instant. Before Feng Mingshu and Zhou Jinshan even reached their doorstep, a strong wind whipped up dark clouds, and large raindrops began to fall.
The couple rushed home and closed the doors and windows.
Soon, the light bulb went out with a buzz, plunging the surroundings into darkness, with only occasional flashes of lightning providing a brief glimmer of light.
"Mingshu, are you scared?"
Just as the lightning struck, Zhou Jinshan asked a question.
At first, Feng Mingshu's heart was pounding, but at this moment, she pointed to the direction of the doors and windows and said, "The wind and rain are kept out, so there's nothing to fear."
In the darkness, the man chuckled, then pulled her into his arms, nuzzling his chin against her cheek as he said, "Ming Shu, don't worry, I will shield you from all the storms."
Sweet words really sound nice.
Feng Mingshu struggled slightly in his arms: "We just got a little rained on, but there's hot water on the stove. Let's take a shower and then go to sleep."
"good."
Zhou Jinshan agreed, making an excuse that it was getting dark and they should shower together, but Feng Mingshu took out a flashlight from the cabinet.
After taking separate showers, the couple went upstairs in raincoats and almost got soaked.
The wind and rain were intense, unlike anything Feng Mingshu had experienced in her years in Bincheng, but she slept soundly in bed.
I fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Because the worse the natural environment, the less political turmoil there will be.
Moreover, this is the first line of defense against Taiwan.
Hearing his wife's long, even breaths, Zhou Jinshan paused for a moment, then chuckled and pulled her into his arms before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
The next day.
Feng Mingshu woke up to the sound of bugles. When she drew back the curtains, she saw a clear blue sky and a bright red sun rising over the sea, casting orange-red light that was so beautiful it was hard to look away.
"Ming Shu, I'm going to the barracks now. There's breakfast in the mess hall."
Zhou Jinshan stood downstairs, said something to her, and walked out.
"Have you eaten yet?" Feng Mingshu asked hurriedly.
"I've already eaten. I probably won't be able to come back for lunch. Go to the cafeteria and grab a bite yourself," Zhou Jinshan said before walking out of the courtyard.
The neighbors on either side happened to be coming out as well, and they had obviously overheard his two sentences; their expressions were somewhat subtle.
Zhou Jinshan, however, was quite unperturbed. He nodded slightly to his two neighbors and strode forward first.
Battalion Commander Qin and Chief of Staff Wang quickly composed themselves and hurried after them.
Feng Mingshu went downstairs and had just finished eating breakfast when Yan Jiayi arrived at his door with a bag of fruit, all smiles.
"Jiayi, you're too kind. You've come all this way, why bring fruit? Take it back with you later," Feng Mingshu said with a smile, politely declining.
Yan Jiayi placed the fruit on the table and said with a smile, "This is my first time visiting your home, how could I not bring a gift? Otherwise, my husband will scold me again."
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