Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Clever Hands and Keen Mind

Suddenly, with a clatter, Xiao Wang, who had been peeping at the doorway, was accidentally pushed into the room.

He stumbled in, his gaze meeting that of his own regiment commander.

“Report to the commander! There’s a group of guys outside peeking in!” Xiao Wang quickly stood at attention, saluting and sternly reported his comrades.

Outside, the guys looked at each other in bewilderment.

In the blink of an eye, the group swiftly scattered from the spot, sprinting a hundred meters to flee the scene.

Huo Shiqian ignored these troublesome soldier underlings and directly took out a package in his hand, starting to examine its use.

“Eh, is this the thing that the little sister-in-law sent? What is this?” Xiao Wang finally glanced at the gift, and due to sheer surprise, blurted out.

A chill of cold light suddenly struck towards him.

“Uh, I’ve heard that an artist’s creation is always quite unique.” Xiao Wang praised earnestly, his eyes bright and shining, as if from the bottom of his heart.

“Little sister-in-law is really ingenious and skillful!”

His will to survive was indeed very strong.

Huo Shiqian remained noncommittal, only turning the object over and over before finally figuring out how to wear it on his hands.

The elastic properties of the wool allowed his hands to slip in easily, with his fingers half-exposed, moving flexibly.

On the back of the gloves, his name was embroidered, along with a five-pointed star.

Wearing this pair of creative gloves, Huo Shiqian, with an unchanged expression, said lightly, “Indeed, ingenious and skillful.”

“Sister-in-law is ingenious and skillful, commander has good taste indeed!” Xiao Wang immediately responded loudly.

“Mm,” Huo Shiqian unapologetically concurred.

“Call over the regiment’s propaganda team. It’s time for a response from the last mission.” After complimenting his wife, he directly instructed Xiao Wang, “Remember to tell them that no more lousy ideas like ghostwriting and copying love poems are needed.”

“Yes!” Xiao Wang responded loudly and quickly left the room.

The scene shifts back to Xia Chuyi’s perspective.

This year was Xia Chuyi’s first New Year at Uncle Xia’s house.

Moreover, it was also the first time in her two lifetimes she could celebrate New Year with her family after many years away, making it especially meaningful.

The Zhao family was not large, but the years she spent there were far more relaxed and joyful than those she remembered with the Xia Family.

There were no intense rivalries nor unfair traditions.

Killing the New Year’s pig, eating stew from the scraped pot, stuffing sausages, making New Year cakes — the family busily prepared together, soon welcoming the New Year.

On the fourth day of the New Year, Xia Chuyi was helping Aunt Xia welcome the Kitchen God when there was a knock at the courtyard gate.

“Coming!” She put down what she was doing, went out, and opened the door to find Xia Lan standing there.

She glanced at Xia Lan’s attire.

She saw her dressed in a red floral jacket, wrapped in a red scarf, wearing a small flower made of red fabric on her head, her face made up — a typical bride’s attire.

Was Xia Lan’s big day today?

She hadn’t heard any movement at all.

It turned out, the affair between Xia Lan and He Qing was now well-known in He Mountain Village, and both the He and Xia families hadn’t planned anything grand. They just had He Qing file a marriage report, taking advantage of the New Year holiday to come back and get married straight away.

Because of past events, both the He and Xia families felt awkward about sending a wedding invite to Uncle Xia’s side.

At this moment, Xia Lan smiled radiantly, meeting Xia Chuyi and, seeming not to see her cold face, said, “Chuyi, today is your sister’s big happy day. Let’s forgive and forget any past resentments between us, sisters.”