Huo Jingyuan's eyes widened.
'Why is she suddenly asking about my stamina?'
Huo Jingyuan pondered for a moment, then looked her in the eye and said earnestly, "Comrade Jiang Ci, I take first place in the Northwest Military Region's three events every year. My stamina is beyond question. I can give you a demonstration when we get back to the Northwest Military Region."
"We don't need the Northwest Military Region. Tonight will do."
"Huh?"
Huo Jingyuan was completely bewildered. He felt like he couldn't understand Jiang Ci at all. She was always so audacious, her words laced with hidden meanings.
"How am I supposed to demonstrate my stamina tonight?" Huo Jingyuan asked.
'Does she expect me to have a contest of strength with my comrades from the Beijing Military District?'
Wen Ci raised an eyebrow. "You really don't get it?"
Huo Jingyuan shook his head. "I don't."
Wen Ci stared directly at Huo Jingyuan. They stood under the shade of a tree as cicadas buzzed overhead. A smirk played on her lips as she said, word by word, "The things... a newlywed couple... should be doing."
She put heavy emphasis on the word "doing."
It dawned on Huo Jingyuan in an instant. The tips of his ears flushed red, and even through his tan, a blush of embarrassment was visible on his cheeks. He lowered his head.
Seeing his face turn an impossible shade of red, Wen Ci beamed. She pointed to the big red characters painted on the wall. "For better births and healthier upbringing, Mr. Huo. We should answer the call, shouldn't we?"
'He spent his years in the military district, living with a bunch of rough men. He'd only ever heard them mention their wives in the most reserved of terms. So why, when it came to him...'
-
Suddenly, Wen Ci heard the muttering of middle-aged women. Turning, she saw several of them standing behind them and couldn't help but tilt her head in curiosity.
"Is that Xiao Huo?"
"I think so. He looks just like Mr. Huo Sr."
"I heard Xiao Huo married someone from the Jiang Family. Is the one next to him their daughter?"
Wen Ci had just frowned and was about to speak when a large hand took hers. Huo Jingyuan shot her a look, then his face broke into a warm smile as he called out, "Aunt Chen, Aunt Zhang, Aunt Wang, Aunt Li."
Only the families of those with meritorious service were assigned housing in the military compound.
Huo Jingyuan was familiar with the women before him. They had served as medics under his maternal grandfather and were now retired.
"It really is you, Xiao Huo."
The women immediately crowded closer, sizing up Huo Jingyuan and then Wen Ci. One of them teased, "We've always heard the Jiang Family's daughter was a beauty. This is our first time seeing you."
Wen Ci smiled.
"So, where are you stationed now, Xiao Huo?"
Huo Jingyuan answered, "The Northwest Military Region."
"And what's your rank?"
Huo Jingyuan just smiled without answering. The women immediately realized they had overstepped. The military region was fine to mention, but one's rank was not something to be disclosed casually.
"So when are we getting invited to your wedding banquet?"
"I remember how the Old Commander always looked forward to you getting married and having children. But now..."
As they spoke, the women grew melancholic.
Seeing the sorrow on the aunts' faces, Huo Jingyuan replied gently, "My leave is too short this time. We don't have time to hold a banquet."
"That simply won't do! Come to this auntie's house tonight. I'll cook you a feast, and we'll count that as your wedding celebration!"
Wen Ci could feel the aunts' warmth, but she wasn't accustomed to such enthusiasm from strangers. She tugged on Huo Jingyuan's sleeve and whispered, "Jingyuan, I need to go back to the Jiang Family home tonight to pack."
"Are you going to join him at his post, Xiao Jiang?"
Wen Ci nodded. "As the saying goes, a wife should follow her husband. Now that I'm part of the Huo family, I can't very well live apart from him."
"Joining him is good, very good! The Old Commander always hoped to hold a grandchild before he passed. And Xiao Huo isn't getting any younger. You two certainly can't be living apart."