“What I mean is, just worrying is useless. You have to let others see your good qualities, your potential, and your determination to be with Xiaoxin no matter what.”
He Yuan glared at him, feeling for the first time that Zhao Qiang’s mind wasn’t sharp enough.
“Being poor is the current situation, but it doesn’t define the future. You have to make them understand that if you’re with Xiaoxin, you can fight for a better future.”
After he finished speaking, Ji Shuyu refilled their teacups and said, “When do your merit evaluations and advanced commendations take place?”
Zhao Qiang, enlightened by He Yuan and Ji Shuyu’s advice, felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes.
His gaze carried unprecedented seriousness.
“Merit evaluations and advanced commendations?”
Zhao Qiang was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up: “Reporting, Regimental Commander! The quarterly evaluation is next month! The annual one will be around the end of the year!”
He Yuan smiled and nodded, tapping his fingers on the table: “This is an opportunity. Give it your all and strive to become this quarter’s training pacesetter or advanced individual.”
“A certificate of merit or a commendation notice is solid proof—proof that Zhao Qiang is outstanding in the army, that he has promise, no less than those section chiefs in the county.”
“Yes, Regimental Commander! I will definitely earn an honor!”
Zhao Qiang straightened his back, his voice loud and clear, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
This wasn’t just for honor—it was for his and Xiaoxin’s future.
After Zhao Qiang left, Ji Shuyu looked at He Yuan and smiled. “They say parents who love their children plan deeply for them. Now I can understand Xiaoxin’s parents’ concerns.”
Her words initially stunned He Yuan, but then he reached out and took Ji Shuyu’s hand.
“Isn’t that quote from ‘Chulong Persuades Empress Dowager Zhao’?”
Ji Shuyu sat on He Yuan’s lap, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. “Our Regimental Commander He is quite knowledgeable, isn’t he?”
He Yuan lowered his head and nuzzled her neck, his voice deep. “My education isn’t as advanced as Second Brother’s, but I’m afraid you, the great intellectual, would look down on me. And I’m even more afraid…”
He Yuan reached out, his warm palm resting on Ji Shuyu’s slightly rounded abdomen.
His tone softened, filled with tenderness. “I’m afraid when the child is born, they’ll think I’m an illiterate.”
Natural aptitude means some people may lack ability in studying but excel in other areas.
He Yuan was like that—leading troops, training for combat, he was skilled in every aspect.
It was just studying that gave him a headache.
After getting to know Ji Shuyu, he had started reading.
But how could he catch up in a short time with knowledge she had accumulated over more than twenty years?
He Yuan could only read more, so he wouldn’t be completely in the dark or illiterate.
Hearing He Yuan’s words, Ji Shuyu cupped his face in her hands.
“You can teach them your skills, and I can teach them mine.”
“No one says you have to be highly educated to earn respect.”
The world needs diversity to keep turning.
“Wife, I’ve noticed you always know just how to enlighten me.”
Her words always hit the mark, making him happy.
“Sweet talker. By the way, I’ve almost finished preparing everything for the research institute. Auntie Qin helped find a place to serve as the base.”
“But the institute is newly established, and we’re short on staff. I’d like you to ask around—do you have any comrades who are about to be transferred or discharged, with at least a high school education, preferably good at math?”
In this era, there aren’t many people studying materials science.
Talented individuals are scarce and hard to find, so she had to gather a few to make do and teach them slowly.
“Alright, I’ll ask around for you. My wife is amazing, successful in everything she does.”
The supply and marketing cooperative is thriving, and so is the research institute.
Ji Shuyu smiled without speaking, ignoring He Yuan’s sweet talk.
After leaving He Yuan’s house, Zhao Qiang seemed like a completely different person.
On the training ground, he pushed himself harder than anyone, striving for perfection in every move. Extra training sessions became routine for him.
While others rested, he continued to ponder tactical maneuvers.
He knew that determination alone wasn’t enough—he needed solid achievements to prove himself.
Meanwhile, the preparation work for the island materials research institute, led by Ji Shuyu, entered its substantive phase.
She was incredibly busy, coordinating equipment and conducting preliminary screenings of researcher candidates.
Many basic materials and tools were exchanged through the points mall, which indeed saved a lot of cost and turnaround time.
But the extensive coordination and organizational work remained tedious.
He Yuan, feeling distressed for her doing so much while pregnant, directly recruited the currently idle He Ze and He Han to help.
Even their younger sister He Min came to assist Ji Shuyu with organizing things whenever she had time.
The He family never expected that Ji Shuyu would also venture into research.
Although the elderly couple at home didn’t fully understand, they fully supported her.
They provided Ji Shuyu with funds, and this time she didn’t refuse, stating it would count as their investment shares.
Her second sister-in-law Su Wenjuan and second brother He Hai, being educated individuals, started visiting frequently upon hearing about the research institute.
However, even they could only assist with minor tasks, as Ji Shuyu’s work was beyond their understanding.
Occasionally, when Ji Shuyu went to the supply and marketing cooperative and ran into Xiaoxin, she would casually mention,
“Zhao Qiang has been training like his life depends on it lately, saying he’s determined to become a pacesetter.”
Xiaoxin would just listen, occasionally responding with a noncommittal “mm,” but Ji Shuyu could see the struggle in her eyes.
They still needed time and an opportunity for Xiaoxin’s parents to change their perception of Zhao Qiang.
If Zhao Qiang were no good, or if Xiaoxin didn’t like him, Ji Shuyu wouldn’t try to matchmake.
But it was clear there was still something between them, so there was nothing wrong with Ji Shuyu giving them a helping hand.
Whether it would work out depended on how deep their fate was.
One day, the old warehouse temporarily storing the institute’s supplies needed urgent clearing to make way for soon-to-arrive equipment.
He Yuan directly recruited Zhao Qiang and a few others for the task.
This was contributing to the island’s development—something even Political Commissar Qi supported—so it couldn’t be considered an abuse of power.
Zhao Qiang worked the hardest, covered in dust and sweating profusely, but he never complained. He even efficiently directed his comrades in cleaning out the warehouse spotlessly.
When Ji Shuyu came to check the progress, she deliberately raised her voice: “Thank you for your hard work, everyone! We really owe it to you—the efficiency is amazing!”
Zhao Qiang wiped his sweat and said brightly, “No need to be polite, sister-in-law! It’s our duty to contribute to the research institute!”
His eyes unintentionally drifted toward the direction of the supply and marketing cooperative. He knew that around this time, Xiaoxin would be getting off work soon.
Sure enough, Xiaoxin and a few colleagues happened to pass by and witnessed the scene.
Zhao Qiang’s dusty yet driven appearance caught her eye.
Xiao Zhang, linking arms with Xiaoxin, teased, “Xiaoxin, isn’t that the soldier who often looks for you? He’s really capable.”
Although she didn’t know why the two seemed distant lately, Xiao Zhang, unaware of the details, assumed they were just shy and said so.
Xiaoxin’s face flushed, and she remained silent but couldn’t help stealing a few more glances.
The next day, Zhao Qiang mustered his courage and went to find Xiaoxin again.
This time, he didn’t go empty-handed but carried a small package carefully wrapped in old newspaper.
“Comrade Xiaoxin.”
“This… is for you.”
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