Zhan Zeyi covered his lips, still stunned as he watched Tang Qiyue walk into the bathroom with a basin. It took a long moment to process what had just happened.
He had just been forcefully kissed by his own wife.
Zhan Zeyi lightly slapped his face, wondering if something was wrong with him. Otherwise, why would he react like that?
Thankfully, the bathroom door was already closed. The sound of water soon followed, giving him time to hide his embarrassment.
Inside, Tang Qiyue was not as calm as she appeared. She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. The kiss had worked better than imagined.
While pouring hot water into the basin, a thought crossed her mind—if Zhan Zeyi lost his temper again, this method could be used.
Men really do respond to this kind of closeness.
Pleased with this discovery, Tang Qiyue relaxed and even began humming while bathing.
Outside, Zhan Zeyi stayed in the yard, worried someone might suddenly walk in during the day. Then he heard the soft singing.
"Not bad…" he murmured with a faint smile.
The smile quickly disappeared.
His brother-in-law had been watching him suspiciously—he couldn't let his guard down.
After finishing, Tang Qiyue stepped out. Zhan Zeyi was still in the yard.
"I'm heading to the office. I'll bring dinner later. Dry your hair first."
After saying this, Zhan Zeyi hurried off.
Tang Qiyue dried her hair. Even without being told, cooking right after bathing wasn't appealing.
Since no one was around, there was no need to hold back. After tying up her hair, she checked the day's earnings.
If Zhan Zeyi hadn't been nearby earlier, everything would have already been exchanged for points.
But considering his sharp awareness, taking risks wasn't worth it. The exchange could wait—perhaps somewhere safer, like the beach.
With that thought, Tang Qiyue looked at the seafood in the wooden bucket. Sea cucumbers and conches could be stored, but fish couldn't. It would be better to prepare and steam them as an extra dish.
After cleaning and seasoning the fish, the fire was lit in the kitchen.
Just then, Zheng Hongjuan hurried in.
"Why are you still cooking?"
The tone was blunt, almost rude.
Tang Qiyue ignored it at first, but noticing Zheng Hongjuan's awkward expression, it was clear she didn't know how to address her.
"I'm not 'hey,'" Tang Qiyue said calmly.
Zheng Hongjuan hesitated. After their previous arguments, even a simple form of address felt difficult.
"I can't call you 'sister-in-law'… how about calling you Qiyue? I'm older anyway."
That was true. Zheng Hongjuan had seen her records.
Tang Qiyue nodded. Being called by name was acceptable.
"What do you need?"
A stool was handed over. Zheng Hongjuan sat down and watched the fire being tended.
"Didn't Battalion Commander Zhan tell you? Doctor Qin didn't return with the ship. She'll be back in three days. During that time, someone needs to stay at the infirmary in her place."
Zheng Hongjuan was only a nurse and couldn't handle treatment alone. That's why she came to ask.
But Zhan Zeyi hadn't mentioned anything.
Tang Qiyue immediately refused.
"I'm not a doctor, not a soldier, and not under Doctor Qin. There's no reason to follow her arrangements."
Zheng Hongjuan was left speechless.
After a moment, she sighed. The arrangement did seem unreasonable.
"It's only three days anyway. There probably won't be many patients. If I don't want to go, I won't."
She quickly let it go.
Seeing the fish almost ready, Zheng Hongjuan stood up to leave instead of staying for a free meal.
Tang Qiyue didn't stop her. Running into Zhan Zeyi might complicate things—and more importantly, Doctor Qin wasn't someone she liked.
After seeing her off, Tang Qiyue noticed Xu Qiuju leaning over the fence, waving.
"Was Hongjuan bothering you again?"
Though Xu Qiuju loved gossip, she wasn't annoying. Talking with her was easy.
"Not really. Aren't you cooking?"
Xu Qiuju pointed at the day's catch.
"These still need cleaning. The fish and shrimp will be stewed later—no rush."
Then she leaned closer and whispered,
"I heard the people who arrived today are technicians. They're going to do research here. What kind of research could it be? It's not like the Japanese making poison gas again, right?"
Tang Qiyue laughed softly.
Even though times had improved, memories of the past still lingered.
"It shouldn't be anything like that. I don't know the details, but it must be for the country's benefit."
Xu Qiuju slapped her own mouth.
"Listen to me talking nonsense. With soldiers guarding this place, it has to be important work."
Tang Qiyue smiled.
At that moment, Xu Qiuju's children came running back, covered in dirt. She immediately started shouting at them.
Tang Qiyue shook her head.
Thankfully, there were no children to deal with yet. Managing several energetic kids every day didn't sound peaceful at all.
Amid the noise, Tang Qiyue's thoughts drifted to Bai Xu and Tang Xiuyuan.
What exactly was Bai Xu doing?
There was no memory of him being a technician. After entering university, he rarely returned home, only mentioning research with his professor—never explaining further.
And Tang Xiuyuan… skilled in physics, yes—but why come here?
While Tang Qiyue remained puzzled, Zhan Zeyi was elsewhere, questioning an elderly man.
"Tell the truth. Shouldn't people like you be in the desert? Why come to this island? And why request this place specifically?"
The old man waved a palm-leaf fan and chuckled.
"Afraid your newlywed wife will discover your true identity?"