Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 10

“Did you find out anything? What’s the real background of the Huo family?”

In one of the households within the military compound, a couple is discussing the newly transferred Commander Huo and his family.

Wang Juan carries a bowl of freshly cut watermelon into the living room and nudges her husband, who is sitting on the sofa smoking.

“When Commander Liu is about to retire, everyone says that Commander Jiang will be promoted, but in the end, he’s outdone by this Commander Huo who comes from somewhere else. If he doesn’t have some kind of backing, do you really think the higher-ups would ignore Commander Liu’s preferences and appoint someone that not even the soldiers here are familiar with to lead the team?”

Everyone in the compound knows that Captain Jiang is closely tied to Captain Liu. Not only does Captain Jiang serve under Captain Liu when he first joins the military, but he also marries a distant cousin of Captain Liu’s wife. The connection between their families runs deep. Captain Liu, now retiring, clearly hopes someone in his circle—like Captain Jiang—will take over his role.

But out of nowhere comes Captain Huo, transferred all the way from the Nanshan Military Region. It’s a surprising move—there’s been no warning, no prior discussions, and no rumors. For someone to leapfrog Captain Jiang and assume command, connections in high places seem inevitable.

Yet, Wang Juan can’t help but wonder. Nanshan is far more developed than Xihuai. The salaries and officer benefits there are reportedly better, too. Why would Captain Huo leave such a desirable place to come to Xihuai? Most officers would rather remain company commanders in Nanshan than take on regiment-level positions here.

“Huo Xiongying and his family are too tight-lipped. Even their kid, who seems easygoing, never lets anything slip. It’s been over a month, and all we know is that they came from Nanshan. That’s it,” Jiang Chengshi says with a shake of his head, taking a long drag from his cigarette.

As a company political instructor, Jiang Chengshi isn’t responsible for military strategy. His job revolves around political oversight and maintaining the company’s ideological standards—a role akin to the deputy secretary of the party branch. But with the battalion instructor’s promotion, his position is up for grabs. Among the three company instructors in the battalion, Jiang Chengshi knows his ability isn’t the strongest, but he excels at managing his reputation and connections. He is determined to secure the promotion.

However, he needs to evaluate whether Captain Huo is a worthy ally before choosing to back him.

“I have a feeling the Huo family isn’t ordinary. That person… invites Captain Huo over twice this month.” Jiang Chengshi gestures toward the eastern part of the compound, where senior cadre officers—brigade commanders and above—reside.

Those houses are a stark contrast to the crowded tube buildings in the rest of the compound. They are large bungalows with private courtyards, the smallest of which have four bedrooms.

Although Wang Juan doesn’t know exactly which senior leader her husband is referring to, she understands that anyone living in that area wields considerable power.

“Now that you mention it, I noticed something recently,” Wang Juan says thoughtfully. “Huo Jun quickly gets along with the kids here. Even the ones who don’t listen to their parents call him ‘Brother Zhun’ and follow him around. That includes the little grandson of Division Commander Wang. If even those kids are giving him face, it’s probably because their families told them to.”

Wang Juan’s words spark a flicker of interest in Jiang Chengshi’s eyes. “If that’s the case, it’s worth exploring this connection,” he murmurs.

As someone who values his reputation, Jiang Chengshi keeps a polite distance from the Huo family since their arrival. Aside from attending the welcome banquet, he and his wife haven’t reached out. Part of it is caution—he doesn’t know Captain Huo’s background well enough to take the risk. But if the Huo family’s influence runs as deep as it seems, it might be time to change that approach.

“I heard Huo Jun is causing a stir at home recently, saying he doesn’t want to attend the military primary school anymore. He wants to transfer to the Xinhong Commune Primary School,” Wang Juan adds after a moment’s thought.

“The Xinhong Commune?” Jiang Chengshi frowns, trying to recall where that is. “It’s a bit remote, isn’t it? Just a regular commune school with teachers who’ve barely graduated from junior high themselves, or maybe some educated youth sent down during the campaigns. How could it possibly compare to the military primary school? What’s the Huo family’s stance? Are they really letting their kid do whatever he wants?”

“I heard Huo Jun has a friend studying there. That’s probably the reason. But now the other kids in the compound are throwing tantrums, saying they want to transfer schools too. Haven’t you noticed all the crying recently? It’s because their parents are furious and scolding them,” Wang Juan replies, shaking her head.

If it weren’t for Huo Jun being the regiment leader’s son, Wang Juan would dismiss him outright. Here’s a boy with access to the best resources, yet he seems determined to squander them. Instead of befriending other capable kids in the compound, he chooses to mingle with rural children. To Wang Juan, it speaks of both stubbornness and a lack of foresight.

“But it seems the Huo family doesn’t care. Huo Xiongying and his wife appear to have agreed to the transfer,” she adds.

Jiang Chengshi remains silent, deep in thought. While he can’t fully grasp the Huo family’s motivations, one thing is becoming clear—their influence and connections run deeper than he initially suspects.

Thinking of Huo Xiongying’s wife, Wang Juan’s smile dims noticeably.

Most of the military dependents living in the compound accompany their husbands to take up their posts. Many of them don’t work or have simple, civilian jobs. Female soldiers in the compound are rare.

Perhaps it’s due to the physical differences between men and women. Among the sprawling Xihuai Military Region, there’s only one regiment of female soldiers, and Huo Xiongying’s wife, Yu Nan, happens to be one of these “strong roses.”

Despite her young age, Yu Nan is already a company-level officer—an achievement she earns entirely through merit, not family connections. She has received a second-class commendation once and four third-class commendations. During a mission on the Dian-Myanmar border, she leads the female artillery regiment to repel an enemy battalion. Her career is built on real combat exploits.

For a homemaker like Wang Juan, who focuses on her husband, children, and family, a woman like Yu Nan—who wears short hair, dons camouflage uniforms every day, shuns makeup, and exudes toughness—is an anomaly.

“Huo Jun is pitiful,” Wang Juan mutters, curling her lips in disdain for Yu Nan. “She doesn’t care about her child at all. All she cares about is her career. She doesn’t even realize how much she’s neglecting such a good kid.”

“Let’s wait and see. If the Huo family really transfers Huo Jun to Xinhong Commune Primary School, you can transfer Mingmiao and Mingting there as well,” says Jiang Chengshi, crushing his cigarette butt in the ashtray.

Jiang Mingmiao and Jiang Mingting are his niece and biological daughter, respectively. Jiang Chengshi is the second child in his family, and Mingmiao is the daughter of his late elder brother. When a devastating flood strikes their hometown, everyone in the family perishes except Mingmiao, who is placed in a wooden barrel and miraculously survives.

Afterward, Jiang Chengshi travels to countless orphanages before finally locating Mingmiao and adopting her. This act of kindness earns him widespread praise in the military, with many leaders describing him as humane and compassionate. It’s this reputation that catalyzes his first promotion.

Since then, Jiang Chengshi has grown accustomed to the benefits of a sterling reputation. Even after his biological daughter is born, he continues to shower Mingmiao with the most attention. This behavior further cements his reputation as a selfless and exemplary man.

“Make sure to collect some extra cloth coupons and sew a few new dresses for Mingmiao,” he adds, lighting another cigarette.

What could be more convincing than fostering ties through children?

Jiang Mingmiao is a strikingly beautiful girl. At just eleven years old, she already carries the budding charm of a peony about to bloom. Mingmiao is also well-behaved and sensible, winning the affection of everyone in the compound. Several families have even jokingly expressed interest in her becoming their future daughter-in-law.

But Jiang Chengshi has no intention of entertaining such matches. Now, with the Huo family in mind, he sees a perfect opportunity. Huo Xiongying is his superior, and Huo Jun is the family’s only son. At the same age as Mingmiao, they seem to be an ideal match.

“I just made two skirts for Mingmiao this spring. Cloth coupons are a bit tight now. I’ll have to figure out how to get more,” Wang Juan says, though a flicker of displeasure crosses her face. She quickly conceals it, and Jiang Chengshi doesn’t notice.

As someone who has no blood ties to Jiang Mingmiao, Wang Juan can’t genuinely like the girl. However, she knows better than to challenge her husband’s authority.

Wang Juan also craves praise, enjoying the compliments from others who call her a “good aunt” for treating her niece even better than her own daughter.

Over the years, Jiang Mingmiao always gets the first of anything good in the family. When they get cloth, new clothes are made for Mingmiao first, while her younger cousin, Jiang Mingting, has to settle for hand-me-downs. At mealtime, Mingting can only have the leftover meat once she claims she is “too full” or “doesn’t want it.”

Inside and outside the home, the couple teaches their biological daughter that her cousin has suffered greatly, and as her younger sister, she should respect and take care of her.

As a mother, Wang Juan knows how much her daughter resents this treatment. But she doesn’t care. After all, Mingting is just a girl. For years, Wang Juan has been yearning for a son, but now, with Mingting already ten years old, she suspects that her inability to conceive again is due to complications from her first delivery.

This resentment makes her even colder toward her daughter.

“Still, we can’t make it too obvious. Other children in the compound will definitely transfer schools if Huo Jun does. When the time comes, here’s what we’ll do: I’ll find you a light civilian job so you can start working. Isn’t there an aunt of yours who works in Xinhong Commune? You can ask her to help take care of the kids and quietly transfer their school registrations,” Jiang Chengshi instructs.

He is well aware that others might suspect his motives, but he doesn’t mind a little speculation. If Huo Xiongying sees his actions in a favorable light, all the better.

Wang Juan doesn’t want to start working, but at this moment, she obediently nods.

Inwardly, however, she thinks about what she needs to do as a prelude. She will make visits to people in the coming days, subtly mentioning her intention to find work…

The couple each has their own thoughts, but neither of them considers asking whether Jiang Mingmiao and Jiang Mingting are willing to transfer to a completely unfamiliar commune primary school.

Jiang Minging is one year younger than Jiang Mingmiao, but they’re both in the third grade. Fearing that their shy and gentle niece might be bullied by bad kids at school, Jiang Chengshi and his wife pull some strings to get Jiang Minging enrolled a year early.

As it happens, after transferring to the commune elementary school, the two girls end up in the same class as Zhen Baoli.

The teacher, knowing the girls have transferred from the army’s elementary school and come from a well-connected family, deliberately gives them seats in the middle of the classroom. She even arranges for Zhen Baoli to sit behind them, since he’s the most well-behaved child in the class and absolutely won’t playfully tug on the braids of the girls in front of him.

Before transferring, Jiang Mingmiao already knows her aunt and uncle’s motives from overhearing them, but she’s still unhappy about attending this rundown, rustic school. So once she sits in her seat, she looks listless and shows no interest in making friends with the other students.

Jiang Minging, on the other hand, can’t stop talking and quickly becomes close with her new classmates.

Jiang Mingmiao glances sideways at her “immodest” cousin and thinks she’s disgracefully lacking in self-respect.

But in a way, that’s better—because the more disappointing Jiang Minging turns out to be, the more her aunt and uncle will value her, their niece.

“Little liar!” After school at noon, Huo Jun rushes out of the classroom first and stands waiting at the school gate. A few minutes later, he spots his target. “You obviously know how to box!”

A few days are enough for Huo Zhun to dig into Zhen Baobao’s background, and now he’s certain—he was playing that day.

Baobao is startled by the sudden appearance of the boy and doesn’t understand why he’s standing at the gate of the commune primary school.

“I only knew a little before, it’s nothing compared to what my brother teaches,” Baobao blinks innocently, pretending to be clueless.

Her tone is incredibly sincere, and her gaze is full of earnestness. Young and inexperienced, Huo Zhun can’t tell whether this fake doll is lying to him again.

But he also feels his own teaching is excellent, so maybe this time she really isn’t lying.

“You…” Huo Jun begins, but is interrupted.

“Sister!” Zhen Baoli comes running over like a little cannonball, grinning ear to ear, looking as happy as a playful husky.

The Jiang sisters walk behind him.

As soon as Jiang Mingmiao spots Huo Jun in the crowd, she immediately shakes off her earlier gloom, her eyes flashing with an unusual expression.

Jiang Mingmiao is young, but she’s no stranger to the ways of the world. Since the death of her parents, she’s learned to rely on herself to fight for what she wants. She knows how to use her life experiences to her advantage. The scar she once kept hidden is now a weapon. It allows her uncle and aunt to treat her better and makes them wary of mistreating her. It also garners sympathy and pity from the emotional military families.

She once despised the feeling of being pitied, but now, she finds herself enjoying it.

Especially when she realizes that it isn’t just women, but men too, who are drawn to this type of sympathy. The more she grasps this aspect of her demeanor, the more skilled she becomes at using it to her advantage.

“Brother Huo Jun.” Jiang Mingmiao quickens her pace, walks up to Huo Jun, and stands in front of him. She tilts her head slightly, looking charming. “Hello, my name is Jiang Mingmiao. I live in Room 606, Building 6, Military Compound, and my uncle is the instructor.”

Jiang Mingmiao’s voice is soft and sweet.

Huo Jun furrows his brow, sensing a strange familiarity in her tone.

He glances at the “fake doll” who is trying to slip away and grabs her collar. With a gentle tug, he easily lifts her off the ground.

Isn’t this the same tone the “fake doll” uses when bluffing people? Although the doll speaks more naturally.

“Brother Huo Jun, can I go home with you after school? I’ve been in poor health since I was a child, and I’m a little scared to go home alone.” Jiang Mingmiao’s peripheral vision catches sight of Baobao, and she looks at her clothes with disdain in her heart.

“But Jiang Mingmiao, aren’t you going to school with your sister? How could you be alone?” Naive Baoli scratches his head. He finds this new classmate odd—she can’t even count past ten.

Jiang Mingmiao never imagined that someone would be so tactless as to expose her directly.

“Brother, let’s go home.” Baobao shoots her simple-minded brother a look. Clearly this girl has come for Huo Jun. What is he butting in for?

“You two are siblings? That’s so nice.” Jiang Mingmiao suddenly interrupts, looking at Baobao and Baoli with envy. “My parents died when I was very young. My uncle and aunt have been raising me all these years, and I’m so grateful to them. My cousin… it’s all my fault. Because of my existence, many things at home can’t be given to her alone… She…”

Jiang Mingmiao hesitates, her words stumbling as she reveals the tension between the cousins. Her words also explain why Mingming has to go home alone after school, even though she goes to school with her sister. It’s why she has to ask Huo Jun, the boy who lives in the same compound, to walk her to school.

“I really envy you for having a complete family and a healthy body,” she adds, her voice filled with longing. She glances at Huo Jun beside her before lowering her head, a trace of sadness in her expression.

Not far away, Jiang Mingting watches her cousin closely, then turns and walks off in the opposite direction.

Healthy Body?

Huo Jun furrows his brow as he glances at the “fake doll.”

According to his father, the doll has been in recovery for years and might never reach a state of intense training before she turns fifteen. He thinks she looks too small. Her arms and legs are so thin, it seems like they could snap with just a pinch. This girl doesn’t just say strange things, her eyes also seem… off.

In truth, Jiang Mingmiao has completely jumped to conclusions. She assumes Baobao, like her cousin Jiang Minging, has started school early. So to her, a six- or seven-year-old girl looking like that is perfectly normal.

Baobao takes a sharp breath. After being in this world for so long, she’s finally met someone who can match her.

It’s normal for a little girl to have some thoughts, but Baobao doesn’t like it when others use her and her brother as stepping stones.

“Brother, hold my hand.” Baobao extends her small hand in a polite gesture.

Simpleton Baoli is just about to take his sister’s hand when, to his surprise, that soft, white paw stretches out toward Huo Jun instead.

“The wind is so strong today, I’m afraid I’ll be blown away.” Baobao glances at Huo Jun timidly, then suddenly turns her head and flashes a bright smile at Jiang Mingmiao. “I envy sister’s round and smooth figure. You probably never have to worry about something like that.”

With that, Baobao grabs Huo Jun’s hand and her brother’s, and confidently walks out of the school gate.

Jiang Mingmiao stands there, stunned at first, then embarrassed, and finally, she stomps her foot in frustration.

After walking for a while, Huo Jun suddenly smiles. He leans over and whispers in Baobao’s ear. “What wind could blow you away? A Category 10 hurricane?”

Now he’s sure that this “fake doll” has a way with words that can scare people, but compared to the delicate and harmless appearance she initially shows, this clever and lively little girl is much more likable.

Baobao puffs out her cheeks in protest. How dare this boy not feel sorry for her when she’s clearly a delicate lotus flower!