Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"Great!" Ji Yunshu beamed. "Are there any other activities on the island?"

Pei Yufeng thought for a moment, then said, "On the last Sunday evening of every month, they show movies on the beach. Sometimes they're also shown in the military auditorium, but anyone can watch the beach movies. For the auditorium ones, it depends on whether you can get tickets."

Ji Yunshu nodded in understanding—the movies at the Capital Military Region's auditorium operated the same way. The auditorium couldn't hold all the officers and soldiers at once, so they went in batches. Back when Ji Haiguo was a division commander and it was his division's turn to watch a film, he could get tickets to take her to the auditorium.

"During the National Day holiday in October, the troops hold beach volleyball and tug-of-war competitions," Pei Yufeng continued. "There's also an evening cultural performance, all staged on the beach. The art troupe, soldiers, and family members all put on acts, and nearby residents can come watch too."

"Beach volleyball?!" Ji Yunshu had never seen that before. Back in the Capital compound, it was mostly basketball games. Ji Yunting and Pei Yufeng had even played a match once—Ji Yunting lost, and she'd teased him about it for ages.

Though... she couldn't quite recall what Pei Yufeng's expression had been at the time.

"Will Brother Pei play?" Ji Yunshu's eyes sparkled. "Has Brother Pei competed before?"

"I've never played in the volleyball tournament, but I've competed in tug-of-war. Our regiment has won first place in the military region's tug-of-war competition three years in a row." Pei Yufeng's voice was calm, as if winning first place three consecutive years was no big deal.

As for why he didn't compete in volleyball—because he was so dominant on the informal volleyball courts that the commander had flat-out banned him from competing, making him the referee and scorekeeper for every single tournament instead.

Of course, he didn't tell Ji Yunshu that, or it might sound like he was bragging.

"That's awesome!" Ji Yunshu knew Pei Yufeng was outstanding, but she hadn't expected his whole regiment to be so impressive. She didn't skimp on the praise. "Brother Pei would definitely take the championship in volleyball too!"

His ears turned red at the tips from her compliments.

Pei Yufeng then went on to tell Ji Yunshu about other activities on the island. There were commemorative gatherings on major historical anniversaries, the Family Members Committee organized activities for the dependents, and there were study groups and mutual aid associations among the family members. All in all, life was simple but had its own charm.

Ji Yunshu listened while swirling her cassava sweet soup, until she couldn't resist scooping up a spoonful and putting it in her mouth. The cassava was cooked soft and sticky, melting slowly on her tongue with a grainy texture. Her eyes lit up instantly. She took another sip of the freshly squeezed coconut milk—rich and fragrant, with a refreshing coolness that slid down her throat.

"This is amazing!" Ji Yunshu set down her bowl and sighed with genuine admiration. "It's even more refreshing than mung bean soup! How is that even possible?!"

Pei Yufeng sat across from her watching, seeing her expression relaxed and the corners of her mouth turned up, her whole face lit up by that bowl of sweet soup. He set down his chopsticks, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You've finished your soup but barely touched your food. Eat up."

Ji Yunshu felt a little embarrassed at his words. She lowered her head and picked up a piece of fish, using the braising sauce to scoop up two big mouthfuls of rice, her cheeks puffed out. The rice was local Hainan rice, each grain distinct and stickier than northern rice, tasting amazing as she chewed it mixed with the fish sauce.

Pei Yufeng watched Ji Yunshu eat with enthusiasm and said nothing more, quietly drinking his own bowl of cabbage and tofu soup. The soup was light, the cabbage leaves stewed until tender, tofu cut into small cubes floating gently in the broth. He took a couple of sips, his gaze lingering on her downcast eyes the whole time.

Ji Yunshu drank every drop of that fresh coconut milk, leaving only a few bits of coconut meat at the bottom. She scraped at them with her spoon, gave up when she couldn't get them out, and set the spoon in the bowl. She looked up and met Pei Yufeng's gaze.

He had already finished every bite of his meal at some point without her noticing, just sitting there watching her. His elbow rested on the table's edge, fingers loosely resting on the rim of his enamel cup, his posture relaxed. But his eyes were intense—like he wasn't just watching her eat, but taking in a whole landscape worth savoring.

"What is it?" Ji Yunshu instinctively touched the corner of her mouth. "Do I have rice on my face?"

"No." Pei Yufeng looked away, stood up, and gathered the dishes. "Let's go. We'll stop by the co-op to pick up a few things."

"Okay!" Ji Yunshu rubbed her stomach, discovering she was completely stuffed—her belly was sticking out a little—but she felt very satisfied.

The two left the cafeteria, and Pei Yufeng wheeled over his bicycle. Ji Yunshu climbed on and wrapped her arms around his waist again. The sun was still a bright pale gold, hanging low above the coconut grove, bathing the entire sandy road in a warm yellow glow. The sea breeze was still warm, lazily brushing past them, smelling of salt and the faint sweet tang of the distant fishing harbor.

The supply cooperative was a two or three minute bike ride from the cafeteria. It wasn't very large—a few stacks of empty cardboard boxes sat by the entrance, along with two big bamboo baskets for fishing nets and gear. Squatting on the edge of one basket was a plump orange-and-white cat, dozing in the sun. It gave a lazy flick of its tail when it saw them approach, too lazy to even budge.

Ji Yunshu was instantly drawn to the chubby orange cat. She really wanted to crouch down and pet its round head, but the moment her hand got close, the cat turned around, turning its chubby butt to her.

Well, that was a rejection.

Ji Yunshu didn't let it get her down, though, and followed Pei Yufeng into the cooperative.

Inside, it was much bigger than she'd imagined. The ceiling was high, with two fluorescent lights hanging from the beams—one of them buzzing and flickering, casting the shelves in shifting light and shadow. The shelves ran in rows, packed full, with aisles so narrow only one person could squeeze through at a time. The left wall was dedicated to fishing supplies—rope, netting, fishhooks, everything imaginable—while the right side was the daily necessities section: rice, flour, cooking oil, cloth, soap, needles and thread, all neatly organized on the shelves. In the farthest corner stood several large vats filled with bulk soy sauce and pickled vegetables, their mouths covered with white gauze weighed down by bamboo lids.

Pei Yufeng navigated straight to the back corner, where a shelf held lamps and kerosene. He picked up two kerosene lamps, examined them under the light, unscrewed the wicks to check them, and held the glass chimneys up to the light to confirm there were no cracks or chips. Only then did he turn to Ji Yunshu and say, "The power often goes out during typhoons. Having two at home means we won't be fumbling in the dark."

Ji Yunshu took one to look at it. The lamp was made of iron, with a heavy base and a spotless glass chimney. She tapped the chimney with her fingertip, producing a clear ring.

"One for the bedroom upstairs, one for downstairs." Pei Yufeng tightened the wick again, checked it once more, and placed it in the shopping basket beside him. The basket was woven from bamboo strips by locals and was also sold to customers—handy for carrying things home.

Ji Yunshu's gaze, however, had landed on the dried seafood shelf, and she found she couldn't tear herself away.

The dried seafood shelf sat across from the kerosene lamps, divided into wooden compartments, each filled with various dried ocean goods—dried squid rolled into tubes with a strong fishy smell; dried scallops ranging from fingernail-sized to palm-sized; dried shrimp in a pinkish hue, thoroughly sun-dried with every ridge on their shells clearly visible... Ji Yunshu counted—sixteen compartments in total, sixteen kinds of dried seafood!

The shop assistant was already enthusiastically calling out, "Comrade, how about some dried seafood? You can eat it as a snack or cook it into dishes—both are delicious."

Ji Yunshu tugged at Pei Yufeng's sleeve. "Which ones are good?"

"You've already tried the dried red snapper—that one's not too fishy. Dried squid is a bit fishy, so you might not like it. Dried scallops and shrimp are good. Sea cucumber you might not care for either, but if you want to try it, we can get a bit of everything." Pei Yufeng said.

"Then let's get four kinds, a small pack of each?" Ji Yunshu asked. "Skip the squid, but get dried oysters instead."

"Fine." Pei Yufeng turned to the shop assistant. "One small pack each of dried scallops, dried shrimp, dried oysters, and sea cucumber, plus two packs of dried red snapper."

"Coming right up!" The assistant quickly wrapped up Ji Yunshu's order, and Pei Yufeng took the packages and put them in the basket.

As the two headed toward the counter to check out, Pei Yufeng casually grabbed a fresh coconut from a nearby shelf. Then he added a jar of kumquat preserves and a jar of lychee preserves to the basket—both locally produced on the island. The fruits soaking in the glass jars of syrup were plump and round, the kumquats golden and translucent, the lychees white as jade, looking sweet just by sight.

"Try the local fruit preserves," Pei Yufeng said. "On our day off, I'll take you to the military farm to pick bananas and pineapples."

Ji Yunshu looked at the jars, the corners of her mouth curling up. "I love them! Though it'd be even better if they had grape preserves!"

"Comrade, we don't have those, I'm afraid. But if you really want some, you can register with us. If we can get them on next month's purchasing trip to Yuecheng, we'll bring some back for you," the shop assistant said.

They could do that?! This supply cooperative was way too good! Ji Yunshu nodded eagerly. "Yes, I want them!"

"The purchase requires one non-staple food coupon, and the price is three yuan. Is that acceptable?" the shop assistant asked.

The preserves on display in the cooperative were generally one to one-twenty yuan each. At this price, you could buy a whole catty of fresh pork. Preserves had always been considered a luxury item. Shipping one jar up from the north cost three yuan—only a fool would buy that!

The other customers in the cooperative pricked up their ears. This woman was clearly new—had she never managed a household, didn't she know the value of money? Three yuan could buy two and a half catties of pork, enough to feed a family of four for days!

"I want it." Ji Yunshu did think the price was a bit steep, but it wasn't like she couldn't afford it. She looked at Pei Yufeng with pleading eyes. "Brother Pei, buy it for me first, and I'll pay you back when we get home."

"No need to pay me back. If you like it, it's worth it." Pei Yufeng didn't hesitate for a second, pulling out the coupon and cash, completely ignoring the stunned looks from everyone around them.

Good heavens, what kind of family was this, spending three yuan on a jar of grape preserves?! And now they were buying two regular jars to take home too!

The people around them were a mix of envy and disdain. Some thought this woman seemed difficult, someone who didn't understand thrift or cherishing things; others envied how generous her husband was, agreeing to such a wasteful request without a second thought.

The shop assistant took the money and coupon, wrote down Ji Yunshu's request in a notebook, and gave her a receipt ticket to come pick up her order on the third of next month, restocking day.

Ji Yunshu folded the ticket with delight and tucked it into her skirt pocket, beaming as she hooked her arm through Pei Yufeng's and showered him with praise. Pei Yufeng listened, a doting smile on his face.

He had now completely figured out Ji Yunshu's personality—as long as her requests were met, she'd flatter him with sweet words. And her sweet talk was something else; everything that came out of her mouth sounded particularly lovely.

Pei Yufeng had noticed the disdainful or astonished looks from the people around them, but he had the money and could afford to support her. He couldn't care less what others thought. Ji Yunshu was happy—that was what mattered most.

Finally, Pei Yufeng walked to another shelf and grabbed a few packs of loose fruit candies. He hadn't originally planned to bring wedding candies to the island. Grandma had said that close comrades and ordinary comrades shouldn't be treated the same, and Pei Yufeng figured she had a point. He'd brought a few packs from the capital for his closest brothers-in-arms. As for everyone else and the younger soldiers, he'd just buy some from the cooperative and hand them out to share the joy.

The two bought a pile of things, Pei Yufeng paid, and carried the basket stuffed full as he followed Ji Yunshu out.

Neither of them knew that this one shopping trip would make Ji Yunshu famous throughout the entire family compound.

——A real handful and a spendthrift has just moved into the family compound—she's the wife of Pei Yufeng from the Second Regiment, a man with an impeccable record and distinguished service. Hard to believe!

--

After leaving the supply store, Pei Yufeng hung the bamboo basket on the handlebars and secured it with rope. He wrapped the rope three times, tied a sturdy square knot, and gave it two firm tugs to make sure it wouldn't come loose before letting go.

Ji Yunshu steadied the bike for him, watching as he methodically tied and fastened each item, his movements swift and precise. His fingers wove through the knots, his knuckles prominent, and for a moment, she was completely mesmerized.

"All done." Pei Yufeng confirmed the basket's contents wouldn't topple, brushed the dust off his hands, and glanced up at the sky. "Hop on."

Ji Yunshu climbed on and wrapped her arms around his waist. The bike was heavier now than on the way there, but Pei Yufeng pedaled steadily, leaning slightly forward on the uphill stretches, the muscles of his back flexing in smooth lines beneath his shirt.

Ji Yunshu rested half her face against his back, feeling his firm spine and the gentle sea breeze, thinking how nice life on the island was.

At their doorstep, just as Pei Yufeng stopped the bike, the gate of the neighboring courtyard swung open.

A man in his thirties stepped out, followed by a woman and a boy of seven or eight.

The man was of medium build, his skin tanned a deep reddish-brown, like stone worn by years of sea wind and sun. He wore a gray short-sleeved shirt, revealing sturdy arms, with a faint old scar on his forearm—likely from training. His face was square, with high brow bones and full lips, giving him an honest, dependable look. The natural upward curve at the corners of his mouth made him look like he was smiling even when he wasn't.

The woman beside him was small and slender, a full head shorter than him. Her hair was coiled in a bun at the nape of her neck, secured with two silver hairpins tipped with small round beads that swayed as she walked, catching the sunlight in delicate glints. Her features were more pronounced than those of the northern women Ji Yunshu had seen—slightly deep-set eyes, high cheekbones, and a slender, prominent nose—a typical look of the southern coast.

The boy was sturdy and lively, with his father's square face but his mother's eyes. He wore a small olive-green satchel and held a half-eaten banana.

The man spotted Pei Yufeng, paused, then broke into a wide grin and strode over: "Yufeng! When did you get back?"

"Just arrived today." Pei Yufeng stopped the bike, one foot on the ground, and turned to the man. "Brother Liu, this is my wife, Ji Yunshu. She's here to join me as a military spouse."

Pei Yufeng then turned to Ji Yunshu, his voice softening a little, "Xiaoshu, this is our neighbor, Regiment Commander Liu Jun, his wife Huang Paimei, and their oldest son, Xiaocheng."

Liu Jun smiled and nodded at Ji Yunshu in greeting, then turned and gave Pei Yufeng a hearty slap on the shoulder—a solid thwack—"Congratulations! A young deputy regiment commander, and now with such a beautiful wife here—double happiness!"

Pei Yufeng's lips curved slightly—the most happiness he ever showed: "You're too kind."

Ji Yunshu greeted Huang Paimei with a slight bow, smiling, her voice clear and gentle: "Hello, I'm Ji Yunshu, just moved to the island. We're neighbors now—I hope we'll get along."

Huang Paimei gave a shy smile, nodded, and said a soft "Hello." Her voice was soft, tinged with an accent, not clearly enunciated but gentle—like an early summer evening breeze, light and soothing.

She glanced up at Ji Yunshu, her gaze lingering on her face for a moment, then dropped, as if shy or unsure what to say. Her hand rested on her son's shoulder—slender fingers, neatly trimmed nails, and a silver bracelet with delicate engravings on her wrist.

Her son piped up, "Hello, Uncle and Auntie!" His voice was loud and full of energy. He took another bite of his banana, cheeks puffed out. Huang Paimei bent down to wipe the banana from his mouth, then took his hand and stepped forward, turning back to give Ji Yunshu another shy smile—wider than before but still reserved.

Liu Jun waved at them: "We're taking the kid to school—he's got afternoon classes. We'll catch up later!" He took a few steps, then turned back and called to Pei Yufeng, "Come over for drinks the day after tomorrow! Becoming neighbors is fate—if your wife needs anything, just call on mine. She's a local, knows her way around!"

"Thanks!" Pei Yufeng nodded and waved goodbye.

The family walked off, Huang Paimei's silver hairpins glinting with each step until they turned the corner and disappeared. Liu Jun caught up and hoisted the boy onto his shoulders. The child giggled, the laughter drifting back on the wind before fading.

Ji Yunshu watched them go, a smile unconsciously forming on her lips. That woman, Huang Paimei, seemed approachable. Her gaze was soft, carrying a natural kindness, and though her smile was small, Ji Yunshu could feel no rejection from her.

"She seems like a really nice person," Ji Yunshu remarked.

Pei Yufeng grunted in agreement, wheeling the bike into the courtyard and untying the basket's rope as he spoke: "I don't know her well—only that her Mandarin isn't great, so she doesn't talk much, but she's genuinely sincere. When Brother Liu was hurt and in the hospital, I filled in leading his troops for a while. His wife brought him meals every day, never repeating a single dish—made plenty of officers jealous."

He set the coconut on the kitchen counter and turned around: "They're our neighbors—we can ask them for help if we need it. Regiment Commander Liu and I have worked together for years; he's dependable."

Ji Yunshu nodded, filing the name and that smiling face away in her memory.

Inside, Pei Yufeng put away the purchases one by one. Dried scallops and dried shrimp went into boxes; dried oysters and squid were wrapped in gauze bags and hung in the kitchen's airy spot. Kerosene lamps—one on the first-floor living room table, one carried upstairs to the nightstand in the bedroom. The kumquat and lychee cans lined up on the dining table, while the coconut was saved for the evening so Ji Yunshu could have it fresh.

Pei Yufeng looked over the arranged items, then checked his watch: "It's getting late—I need to report to the unit and take care of some paperwork. Rest at home for a bit; don't go out in the heat. I'll come back this evening to take you to the mess hall."

"Okay." Ji Yunshu had no intention of suffering—she got Pei Yufeng to open the lychee can and savored it happily.

Pei Yufeng changed into his uniform, and Ji Yunshu stood there with the can, watching his figure until it was swallowed by the coconut grove, then turned and went back inside.

The courtyard fell quiet. Afternoon sunlight spilled down, scattering gold across the ground.

Ji Yunshu closed the door and went upstairs. The bedroom window was open, sea breeze pouring in; the sun had shifted westward, and the air was cool and pleasant.

She lay down to rest—the days of nonstop travel had truly worn her out. The moment her head hit the latex pillow, her breathing evened out, and she was soon fast asleep.

When Ji Yunshu opened her eyes again, the light outside had completely changed. From harsh white to soft orange, the distant sea painted in a vast expanse of shattered gold, each wave crest dancing with tiny golden sparks.

Startled, she quickly checked her watch—

Five-thirty.

She'd slept nearly four hours—Pei Yufeng would be off work soon!

Ji Yunshu sat up hastily, rubbing her eyes. The pillow bore a small indentation, and her cheeks had faint crease marks. She hurried downstairs to wash her face, then returned to the bedroom, catching her reflection in the vanity mirror—cheeks flushed pink, lingering sleepiness in her eyes, hair mussed with stray strands sticking up at the temples.

She quickly began combing her hair. Just as she finished redoing it, she heard the courtyard gate open and close below.

Pei Yufeng was already back!

Ji Yunshu felt the afternoon had vanished in a flash—she'd done nothing, known nothing, just slept it away!

Perhaps from oversleeping, she didn't feel hungry. So when Pei Yufeng asked, she suggested walking to the mess hall—it was cooler now, and she could learn the route.

Pei Yufeng agreed, and the two walked together to the officers' mess.

Walking this path for the first time felt entirely different from riding on the bike. The elevated terrain offered a view of the staggered scenery in the distance—the bay opposite housed the military camp, off-limits to civilians, so Ji Yunshu's range was limited to the compound and the stretch of beach connecting it to the camp.

Along the way, they encountered several groups. Uniformed officers stopped to greet Pei Yufeng, who introduced her one by one: "This is my wife, Ji Yunshu, just arrived for settlement." Ji Yunshu smiled and nodded, offering a polite "Hello."

Others—family members in simple cloth clothes carrying buckets or baskets for water or beachcombing—glanced at Ji Yunshu with surprise, as if recalling something, their expressions slightly puzzled or distracted during the introductions.

Ji Yunshu found it odd but, not knowing them, said nothing, greeting politely before falling silent.

Pei Yufeng noticed the strange looks and wanted to ask directly, but suspecting it involved Ji Yunshu, decided to question someone privately tomorrow.

Ji Yunshu didn't dwell on the probing glances. She diligently memorized the names and faces Pei Yufeng introduced—Staff Officer Wang, medium height, glasses, northern accent; Instructor Li, dark and thin, bright smile with white teeth; Deputy Division Commander Zhang, round face, slight paunch, slow speech; Regiment Commander Zhao, tall, a mole on his chin, walking with a limp—Pei Yufeng said he'd injured himself in training recently...

Ji Yunshu tried hard to remember every face and silently repeated each name twice, but there were too many—her head felt like it might burst, faces and names scattered like a jumbled puzzle she couldn't quite piece together.

Of course, she didn't intend to stress herself out. She quickly let it go, deciding that until she knew everyone in the compound, she'd always bring Pei Yufeng along when going out.

Just as they neared the officers' mess, two more people approached.

They appeared to be a couple, both around fifty, seemingly mid-argument, their expressions tense. The moment Pei Yufeng saw them, he snapped to attention and saluted: "Political Commissar Fang, Aunt Bai!"

Hearing his address, Ji Yunshu dutifully echoed: "Political Commissar Fang, Aunt Bai."

"Mm, Xiao Pei." Aunt Bai—Bai Qiumei—let her gaze rest on Pei Yufeng, her tone neither warm nor cold, a perfunctory elder's greeting. Then her eyes shifted half an inch to Ji Yunshu, pausing for a moment.

This look held no elder's curiosity—it was a cold, appraising stare, sweeping from head to toe, face to clothes, rapid and precise, as if measuring Ji Yunshu with an invisible ruler. After the assessment, Bai Qiumei's expression remained neutral as she asked flatly, "So this is your wife?"

Even Ji Yunshu, slow as she might be, could detect the hostility in the Political Commissar's wife's tone. She recalled Xiao Wang's words and it clicked—oh, so this must be the mother of Fang Xue, the one who'd been pestering Pei Yufeng on the island.

No wonder she didn't like her.

Author's note:

Xiaoshu: I'm too pretty to waste words on people who don't like me! Thanks for reading.