The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 66: Here, Drink Up

Chapter 66: Here, Drink Up

Long Peiye was completely stunned.

His mind seemed to have been struck by the words “good husband,” instantly short-circuiting into a blank slate.

He could only stare blankly at the hand extended before him.

That hand was small and fair, with slender fingers that glowed with a warm, jade-like luster under the orange sunset.

Before he could react, Xu Xiangsi grew impatient.

She took a step forward and decisively slipped her small hand into his large one, which was slightly curled from nervousness.

Hiss—

The moment their palms touched, Long Peiye felt as if an electric current shot from his hand and surged through his entire body!

How could her hand be so soft?

So soft… it seemed boneless.

So small and smooth.

Held in his rough, broad palm, it felt as though it might shatter with the slightest pressure.

Long Peiye stood rigid, his mind fixated on a single thought.

Am… am I dreaming?

Just as he was dazed and unable to make sense of it all, a cheerful female voice broke the ambiguous silence between them.

“Hey! I’m back!”

Sister-in-Law Yan hurried over energetically, carrying a large bucket filled to the brim.

At a glance, she spotted the small iron bucket by Xu Xiangsi’s feet. She dumped the shells inside into a nearby burlap sack, then poured all the lively shrimp, crabs, and plump razor clams from her own bucket into Xu Xiangsi’s small iron bucket.

It was full and heavy.

Sister-in-Law Yan clapped her hands, then looked up with a genuinely warm and enthusiastic smile. “Battalion Commander Long, Xiangsi, it’s getting late. Hurry back and change into dry clothes—don’t catch a cold!”

Her gaze inadvertently swept over their tightly clasped hands.

The smile at the corners of her mouth instantly turned meaningful—the kind of knowing, amused, and affectionate grin of an experienced elder watching young love blossom.

Xu Xiangsi’s eyes lit up at the sight of the full bucket of “spoils.”

Without any hesitation, she thanked her generously, “Thank you, Sister-in-Law!”

Then, she deliberately shook their joined hands and looked up at the man beside her, who was as stiff as a stone statue, her eyes crinkling into happy crescents.

“Battalion Commander Long, can we go home now?”

Long Peiye seemed to be jolted awake by the shake.

He snapped back to reality, a faint blush spreading uncontrollably across his sun-tanned face.

“L-let’s go.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his large hand instinctively tightened around her small one.

He took the small shovel handed to him by Sister-in-Law Yan, still feeling dazed, and allowed himself to be led by Xu Xiangsi toward the family quarters.

After a few steps, he belatedly realized something.

Wait a minute!

He quickly stopped and turned to look at Xu Xiangsi. “Let me carry that bucket. It’s full—it must be heavy.”

But Xu Xiangsi pulled the bucket back and playfully lifted her chin at him.

“No way.”

“If you carry it, people will think you caught all of this when we get back.”

She spoke with conviction and a hint of pride.

“If I carry it, that’s different! This full bucket is all my spoils!”

Long Peiye looked at her possessive little expression, feeling both amused and exasperated.

The tension and embarrassment in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by an emotion he hadn’t even noticed himself—something called “doting.”

He felt that his little wife was truly… unbearably adorable.

Long Peiye had completely surrendered.

His voice softened, carrying a tenderness he himself hadn’t detected.

“Alright, whatever you say.”

The last glimmer of sunset sank below the horizon, and night spread like a vast expanse of ink-black velvet.

The sea breeze brushed gently, carrying a faint, cool dampness.

On the beach, two figures—one tall, one short—walked hand in hand, carrying a bucket of seafood. They treaded through the deepening night, slowly making their way back to the residential compound where lights were gradually flickering on.

The moment they stepped through the small gate of the compound, the small hand that had been tightly clasped in Long Peiye’s palm slipped away suddenly, like a slippery fish.

Long Peiye’s tall frame stiffened abruptly.

The warmth, softness, and delicate texture in his palm vanished instantly, leaving only a trace of coolness brushed by the evening wind.

He instinctively curled his fingers, as if trying to grasp the lingering sensation.

An indescribable sense of loss, like seawater receding at low tide, silently washed over him, completely immersing his heart.

He turned his head and saw Xu Xiangsi, already as cheerful as a little bird, completely unaware of his unusual state.

“Ah, I need to get them settled quickly!”

Xu Xiangsi had no time to dwell on the man’s complicated thoughts. All her attention was captivated by the bucket full of “spoils.”

She dashed over to the faucet in the yard and began filling it with water, splashing noisily.

As she worked, she didn’t forget to turn and direct the man who was still standing there, dazed.

“Long Peiye! Quick! Go inside and get me some salt and cooking oil!”

Her bossy, loud demeanor was like a bandit queen surveying her treasure trove.

Long Peiye looked at her small face, dotted with water droplets and glowing under the dim yellow light. The faint sense of loss in his heart was suddenly washed away by a wave of warmth.

He couldn’t help but let the corners of his lips curl into a doting smile, one he hadn’t even noticed himself.

“Alright, leave it be.”

He strode over, his voice deep and firm. “I’ll handle this. You don’t know how.”

Xu Xiangsi thought about it and agreed.

As someone who’d only recently picked this up, how could she compare to him, a soldier who’d spent years by the sea and knew all the tricks?

So she readily let go and handed over the “command.”

“Fine, you handle it. I’m counting on a feast tomorrow!”

Long Peiye took the bucket and glanced at her still-damp clothes.

His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Go take a bath.”

“Even though it’s still warm, the wind is strong at night. You’ll catch a cold if you stay like this. Go on, change into dry clothes after.”

Only then did Xu Xiangsi realize how uncomfortable her half-dry clothes felt clinging to her skin, especially her hair, which was tangled with the smell of the sea. “I’ll go take a bath then!”

She turned and headed back into the house, efficiently grabbing a thermos of hot water and finding a set of clean clothes before making her way to the bathhouse on the other side of the yard.

Long Peiye watched her figure disappear behind the door before finally withdrawing his gaze.

He skillfully poured the seafood from the bucket into a large basin, sorted and categorized them, then followed Sister-in-law Yan’s method by sprinkling salt into the water and adding a few drops of clear oil.

After finishing this, he turned and entered the kitchen, carrying out a kettle to boil another large pot of hot water.

While waiting for the water to boil, he thought for a moment, then rummaged through the kitchen corner and found several pieces of dried ginger. After smashing them, he tossed them into a small pot, added water and several chunks of brown sugar, and began simmering a pot of steaming ginger soup.

Steam rose in wisps, filling the entire small courtyard with a pungent yet slightly cloyingly sweet aroma.

By the time Xu Xiangsi returned from the bathhouse, humming a little tune with her hair wrapped in a dry towel and feeling thoroughly refreshed, she was greeted by a bowl of dark, steaming unknown liquid.

“Here, drink this.”

Long Peiye handed a coarse porcelain bowl to her.