Because it was too late to tidy up the new home, Shen Chi did not take Lin Xiaoguai to the Military District but instead found a hotel to stay in.
"Let’s stay here for one night, get a good rest, as there’s a lot to do tomorrow," Shen Chi said, not only referring to himself but also to Lin Xiaoguai.
Although he didn’t plan to stay long in Shanghai, he still needed to maintain good relationships with his colleagues. As for Lin Xiaoguai, she busied herself at home, managing to prepare all sorts of things others had requested. Yet, their family of three had come to Shanghai with nothing but money, enough clothes, and their son’s belongings.
This also had to do with Lin Xiaoguai’s reluctance to bring too many burdens.
Little Niangao was very excited all day, not even taking his afternoon nap. By now, he was very tired, and before even having dinner, Lin Xiaoguai simply laid him on the hotel bed, only to find him asleep when she turned back.
Lin Xiaoguai frowned slightly, and Shen Chi said, "I’ll go out for a bit, let’s have dinner in the room." Knowing his wife’s concerns, he, too, wasn’t comfortable leaving his son alone in the room to go out for dinner.
"Okay," Lin Xiaoguai nodded.
After a hurried dinner, the family of three rested for the night.
In the middle of the night, Lin Xiaoguai was awakened by the crying of her son and groggily got up to feed him.
So, when Shen Chi awoke early in the morning, he saw an extremely sensual scene—his lovely wife sleeping peacefully, her black hair spread out, clothes half-undone, revealing the snowy white of one side of her chest, their son clutching that whiteness in both hands, his little mouth half-enclosing the pink cherry above it as he slept soundly.
—It turned out Lin Xiaoguai had fallen asleep while breastfeeding.
Heat surged through him, Shen Chi subconsciously covered his nose, taking a good while to calm down. Carefully he moved the pink cherry from his son’s mouth, swallowing hard and with trembling hands, he managed to fasten his wife’s nightgown buttons.
By the time he finished, Shen Chi was sweating profusely, breathing heavily.
Lin Xiaoguai slept very deeply, so she had no idea what had happened in the night, and of course, it helped that Shen Chi gave no sign of anything unusual.
This time, Shen Chi was transferred to the Magic City Guard Zone. With his rank, he was a significant officer indeed. Lin Xiaoguai remembered that in her previous life, he was transferred here too, only with a not-so-high rank. After earning many military merits, he reached his current position. Later, he had the opportunity to go to a military region in N city that offered better prospects. Back then, she eagerly wanted to be separated from him, and her work was at a critical moment, so she insisted on staying in Shanghai. In the end, Shen Chi didn’t go and remained in the Magic City Guard Zone. After their divorce, she never understood his thoughts, but he never left his post. Even so, his promotion was rapid, eventually becoming the commander in charge of the Guard Zone, wielding great power which even the military regions were wary of. Eventually, from a unit corresponding to a regular military region, the Guard Zone produced an Admiral, Shen Chi.
Back then, she wasn’t interested in finding out why, but now she couldn’t find out anymore.
Once they arrived, Shen Chi received his transfer orders and went to report to the barracks, while Lin Xiaoguai stayed with Little Niangao waiting for him.
Soon, Shen Chi came out accompanied by a young man in olive-green military uniform.
"Wanwan, this is Wang Wei Jun, who volunteered to be our guide," Shen Chi introduced.
"Hello," Lin Xiaoguai discreetly glanced at the other’s shoulder insignia, three thick bars plus one symbol, indicating a Sixth-level Noncommissioned Officer.
Indeed, not many could climb to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at a young age like Shen Chi.
"Sister-in-law, hello, it’s fine to just call me Xiao Wang," Wang Wei Jun said shyly, hesitant to even look at such a beautiful woman like Lin Xiaoguai in the Magic City Guard Zone.
"Hello, Xiao Wang," Lin Xiaoguai responded kindly.
Her smile was friendly, making Wang Wei Jun even more embarrassed, stammering, "The Military Family Area is this way, sister-in-law, please follow me." By now, he had already pushed Shen Chi to the back of his mind.
Shen Chi’s lips curved into a slight smile, seemingly unconcerned with the scene before him, but only he knew the truth of his feelings.
The Military Family Area was not close to the barracks; it was about a half-hour walk. Wang Wei Jun led them to a five-story building.
"The room on the east side of the third floor is yours, sister-in-law, it’s easy to find. You guys can go in by yourselves, I won’t disturb you," Wang Wei Jun felt that Shen Chi, the Admiral, had a smile that was somewhat unsettling. Upon closer inspection, though, it seemed to be his own misperception. Confused, he thought it best to leave the keys and excuse himself.