Huo Jingyuan got off the bicycle and stood beside Wen Ci. The corners of his eyes lifted slightly, and his voice carried a hint of lazy amusement as he introduced, “This is my beloved, Wen Ci.”
Hearing this, Wen Ci’s eyes curved into a smile, and a gentle expression appeared on her face as she nodded slightly to greet the group.
“Then, sister-in-law, you’ll need to attend the meeting too.”
Wen Ci glanced at Huo Jingyuan in confusion. She had just heard that the meeting was for new military family members, but she didn’t think she counted as new anymore. She blinked and asked, “I don’t think I’m a new family member, do I still need to attend your meeting?”
“Yep, all family members are required to attend.”
Wen Ci obediently nodded.
After the group left, Wen Ci turned her gaze to the man’s handsome face and said slowly, “I don’t really need this bicycle. You should keep it for yourself.”
“Then I’ll take you to and from work.”
Wen Ci: “…”
This 28-inch bicycle was probably the first of its kind in the entire Northwest Military District. If Huo Jingyuan were to take her to and from work on it, they would undoubtedly become the center of attention.
Huo Jingyuan noticed Wen Ci’s reluctant expression. He raised an eyebrow, his deep eyes seemingly pondering something. After a moment, he said, “If you really don’t like it, I’ll give the bicycle to the winner of the Hell Week?”
“That works.” Wen Ci nodded.
Hell Week was a training program designed to push soldiers to their physical limits, with punishments but no rewards. Giving away the bicycle could motivate the soldiers to push themselves harder.
“Don’t you feel bad about it?” Huo Jingyuan asked.
Wen Ci licked her lips. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel bad—after all, it was a 28-inch bicycle. But in the Northwest Military District, it really wasn’t of much use. “No, I don’t feel bad.”
When Wen Ci arrived at the open space in the family quarters, many family members had already gathered. Several large round tables were set up with melon seeds, biscuits, and tea.
Zhu Jing and a few others had saved a seat for Wen Ci. As soon as they saw her, they waved her over. “Wen Ci, over here! We saved you a spot.”
Wen Ci sat down and asked curiously, “Sister Jing, what’s this meeting about?”
“No idea. They just notified all military family members to be here.”
Zhu Jing answered while cracking melon seeds. Items like melon seeds and biscuits were usually only bought by ordinary families during the New Year as holiday treats.
Everyone was happy to enjoy them for free.
Xiang Qin handed a handful of melon seeds to Wen Ci and asked with a gossipy tone, “I heard someone say that Regimental Commander Huo rode a 28-inch bicycle to the family quarters?”
“Don’t you like it?”
Wen Ci nodded, lowering her voice. “It’s too flashy. In the Northwest Military District, it only takes a few minutes to walk anywhere. There’s no need for a bicycle.”
“That’s true.”
As they chatted, the noise level naturally rose in a place filled with women. Since they were all military family members, they quickly got along.
“This girl is really pretty.”
Suddenly, Wen Ci heard a few compliments directed at her. She maintained a stiff smile on her face and soon felt many eyes on her.
“Yeah, her skin looks so soft and fair. She must be a hardworking wife. I wonder which man is lucky enough to have her.”
Wen Ci: “…”
She wasn’t hardworking at all. Most of the housework was done by Huo Jingyuan. She usually only washed the dishes, and even the cooking was done by Huo Jingyuan.
Among the second batch of family members who had moved to the military district were a few older women in their fifties and sixties. They had come to the Northwest Military District to retire after the family quarters were built.
Zhu Jing introduced them to Wen Ci. “The sister who just complimented you is the wife of the deputy regimental commander of the Fifth Regiment. The one sitting next to her is the wife of the Fifth Regiment’s commander.”
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