The government provided communal boats, and every day, everyone went out together. A portion of the catch was handed over to the collective, while the rest was distributed to each household.
This system was actually similar to that of Huaihua Village, where each household worked the fields to earn work points. Each year, part of the harvest was submitted as public grain, and the remainder was allocated to families based on their work points.
As Sheng Zexi explained this, Gu Jianing thought about the future.
Soon, the Household Responsibility System would be implemented.
At that time, land could be contracted out, mountains and forests could be leased, and fishermen could even buy their own boats from the government and set out to sea independently.
It was coming—soon, in the near future.
“I wonder if the military wives on the island will be easy to get along with…” Gu Jianing murmured to herself.
After several years of interaction with the military wives in the Northwestern Military District, Gu Jianing had formed a very positive impression of them.
Though there were a few who weren’t as friendly, given her status as a doctor, Sheng Zexi’s position as deputy regiment commander, and his reputation as the “Jade-Faced King of Hell” in the military district, no one dared to disrespect Gu Jianing.
“Don’t worry. If anyone dares to bully you, Xingxing, or Yueyue, just fight back boldly. I’ll back you up,” Sheng Zexi said, almost thumping his chest in assurance.
Gu Jianing smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. “You’re so good to me.”
Having a husband who always had her back was truly wonderful.
Xingxing and Yueyue also looked at their father with shining eyes, full of admiration.
“I remember you mentioned before that there’s a kindergarten on the island, specifically for military families’ children?” Gu Jianing asked.
“Yes, there is.” Since they were moving to the island, Sheng Zexi had naturally familiarized himself with the local conditions.
As it happened, Sheng Zexi had a comrade-in-arms, Zhao Weiguo, who served as the director of the Logistics Department in the Huansha Island Military District. So, Sheng Zexi had already inquired about the situation there.
“Are you planning to send Xingxing and Yueyue to that kindergarten?” Sheng Zexi guessed Gu Jianing’s thoughts.
“Mm. You’ll be busy, and I’ll also be transferred to work at the hospital on Huansha Island. We won’t have much time. Xingxing and Yueyue are over two years old in actual age and almost three in nominal age. I think sending them to kindergarten won’t be a problem.”
“Xingxing, Yueyue, do you want to go?” Gu Jianing suddenly realized she hadn’t asked for the children’s opinions, so she bent down and asked.
Kindergarten was a novel concept for Xingxing and Yueyue. After Gu Jianing explained what it was, both children nodded.
“Mom, if we go to kindergarten, you won’t be so tired anymore.”
“Mom has a little brother in her belly too.”
Yueyue placed her small hand on Gu Jianing’s stomach and spoke in a soft voice.
Xingxing also nodded. Though he spoke little, he agreed with his sister’s words.
Gu Jianing was momentarily stunned—their willingness to go to kindergarten was actually to keep her from being overworked.
At such a young age, they were already thinking about their mother’s well-being.
Her eyes grew warm as she pulled the two children into her arms. “You’re so good.”
“Mom thinks… Mom must have done so many good deeds in the past for Xingxing and Yueyue to become my children.”
What mother wouldn’t adore such considerate little angels?
Xingxing and Yueyue nestled in Gu Jianing’s embrace, their eyes also curving happily.
Then, Xingxing suddenly remembered something.
“Dad, have Amber and her babies arrived there yet?” Xingxing asked.
“They have. Amber and her litter arrived long ago. They’re probably guarding our new home for us now.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve asked a friend of mine to feed Amber and her babies every day.”
Hearing this, Xingxing and Yueyue sighed in relief.
The two little ones shared a deep bond with Amber and her puppies. Since birth, Amber and her litter had been by their side.
Now that their family was moving from the Northwestern Military District to Huansha Island, Amber’s family of five would naturally follow.
However, since they were spending a month in Huaihua Village first, bringing Amber and her puppies along would be inconvenient.
So, they had arranged for someone to take Amber’s family of five to Huansha Island ahead of time.
“Right now, Amber and her family are waiting for us in our new home. We’ll see them again very soon.”
“Okay.”
Huansha Island has a highly changeable climate.
At this time in October, it had just rained on Huansha Island, bringing down the temperature a bit.
The temperature, which had been around 33°C (91°F), had now dropped to about 20°C (68°F). Recently, the island’s daytime heat remained intense, though mornings and evenings carried a cooler breeze.
At this moment, inside the military family quarters of the island’s garrison, an old woman stared at the newest—and largest—bungalow. Seeing its door ajar, she hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.
“My Dajun is a regimental-level officer. How could they give this house to some outsider instead of him? This is so unfair!”
“I heard there’s still a lot of good stuff left inside.”
“No way—even if we can’t live here, I’m taking something back with me!”
The old woman, Niu Fen, had followed her eldest son, Zhang Jianjun, to Huansha Island years ago as a military dependent.
Not long ago, Zhang Jianjun had been promoted to regimental rank, making him eligible for a larger house in the family quarters. Niu Fen had long had her eye on this particular bungalow—it had only been lived in by one family before, the Jiangs, but they had recently been reassigned and moved away.
Now the house stood empty, with many of its furnishings still inside.
Niu Fen had urged her son to request it.
Zhang Jianjun did as she asked, but the house wasn’t assigned to them. Instead, it went to an officer transferring from another region—someone named Sheng.
The house Zhang Jianjun was eventually assigned wasn’t bad—it was spacious—but its location wasn’t as desirable, and worst of all, it was completely bare. They’d have to spend their own money to furnish it.
Furious, Niu Fen had even gone to the higher-ups to complain—but to no avail.
Ever since, every time she passed by this house, she burned with resentment.
Before, the door had always been locked. But today, it was open.
She didn’t know why, but it was her chance to go inside.
It wasn’t her who opened the door—she was just taking a look.
(Of course, only Niu Fen herself knew her true intentions.)
She had heard that this Officer Sheng would arrive in the next couple of days. Once he did, her opportunity would be gone for good.
And Niu Fen hated giving up.
Even if she could only take one thing from this house, it’d be worth it.
Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, she boldly stepped inside.
The interior was mostly empty, but her eyes immediately locked onto the thermos flask sitting on a table.
Her face lit up—that was a valuable item!
She had to take it!
She quickly grabbed the thermos, but just as she was about to check for anything else—
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
She felt… like something was watching her!
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