Chapter 37: Staying
He Tingjun took Yun Qiao to Fangqie in the family area.
The flat road is lined with tall birch trees, and under the birch trees is a row of low holly trees. Rows of red brick and tile houses are neatly arranged on both sides of the road, and every blade of grass and tree reveals regularity.
Behind the bungalow are two three-story office buildings with very dark exterior walls, probably having been built not long ago.
Seeing Yun Qiao looking over there, He Tingjun said to her: "That's the office building built by the army. Let's not go there."
Just as she guessed.
He Tingjun continued, "Only soldiers at the rank of deputy battalion commander and above can apply for family housing. I'm currently a company commander, and I still live in a single dormitory. The guesthouse is poor, far from here, and there are bugs in the house. It's not good for a little girl like you to live there by yourself. So today I'll arrange for you to stay at my battalion commander's house for one night. You can make do with it."
"Okay, but won't it be too much trouble for others?"
Yun Qiao had no objection to where they stayed. She was leaving early tomorrow morning anyway. It was just a matter of visiting the house and the other party had not made any preparations in advance. She was worried that it might not be a good idea.
"No, my battalion commander and I have a life-or-death bond. Mrs. Zeng Qi is also a very hospitable person. Many of the family members of our soldiers who came to visit have temporarily stayed at her house."
After He Tingjun said this, Yun Qiao nodded and accepted his arrangement.
Afterwards, Yun Qiao met a group of patrol soldiers on the road. They were lined up in a long, neat row, each carrying a long rifle behind them. They looked very imposing and intimidating.
She withdrew her gaze, not daring to look around again.
When you enter the family compound, the majestic atmosphere of the army becomes less, and the further you go inside, the more lively the atmosphere becomes.
There were children playing football in the small square on one side, and several military wives were sitting on benches, watching the children while doing some handicrafts, some were knitting, some were sewing soles, and from time to time there were some hearty laughs.
They probably knew each other, and He Tingjun even greeted them.
As we walked deeper into the family compound, we met more people.
Being an introvert, he just said hello and that was it. Even if he was curious about who was following He Tingjun, he would just smile politely and didn't dare to ask.
There was a military wife with an unusual personality. She couldn't hold back her words and immediately asked He Tingjun: "Tingjun, it's rare that you brought someone back from your vacation this time. This little girl is really pretty. Why don't you introduce her to your sister-in-law?"
He Tingjun: "Sister-in-law, this is my friend's niece. She came to the 58 Farm next door to work in the countryside."
The military wife couldn't hide her disappointment on her face: "Not a good match?"
"No." He Tingjun denied: "It's late, and there's still work to do. Sister-in-law, I won't talk to you for now."
"Okay, okay, come on."
He Tingjun took Yun Qiao to the end of the main road to the staff quarters, turned around, and finally stopped in front of a slightly shabby courtyard.
The gate to the yard was open, and standing at the door one could see the whole yard at a glance. The yard was not big, with a small vegetable garden in the middle, and there were still a few choy sum plants in the garden.
He Tingjun stood at the door and called in: "Sister-in-law Zeng Qi? Is sister-in-law home?"
"Yes, at home." A crisp female voice came from the yard, and then a woman with an apron around her waist came out of the kitchen.
I guess this is the sister-in-law Zeng Qi that He Tingjun mentioned.
Zeng Qi was about thirty years old, with short hair that reached her ears. Her face, weathered by time, still retained traces of her youthful beauty.
Seeing that it was He Tingjun, she smiled: "It's Tingjun, you're back from vacation. Come in."
It was not until He Tingjun entered the yard that she saw Yun Qiao who was blocked behind him.
She looked puzzled: "Who is this?"
He Tingjun explained to her, "Sister-in-law, this is Yun Qiao, my good friend's niece. She's here in the Great Northern Wilderness to work in the countryside. I have some things to do tomorrow, so I want her to stay at your house tonight. Sister-in-law, is that okay with you?"
"Okay, of course I can. We have an empty room at home." Zeng Qi said to Yun Qiao with a smile, "Yun Qiao, right? Come in quickly. It's cold outside."
Yun Qiao walked in: "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry to trouble you."
"Oh, stop talking like that. I'm so bored at home all day. It's so refreshing to have someone to keep me company." Zeng Qi beckoned Yun Qiao over to him, looked her over, and asked, "You don't look very old. Are you 18?"
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