Back at the guesthouse, they moved things back to the room. Seeing that the people in the nearby rooms were not in, Lin Lishan didn’t go to find Grandpa Lin and the others, guessing they were at the canteen having a gathering. She took out some milk candies and chocolates and put them in Xi Zi’s pocket for him to eat first.
After washing their faces and tidying up, the two of them went to the guesthouse canteen. It was just meal time, and the canteen was quite crowded. Looking around, she didn’t find Grandpa Lin and the others, guessing they were at the military district canteen. Lin Lishan specifically ordered Xi Zi’s favorites: braised pork, stewed eggs, pork rib soup, and buns.
After eating and drinking their fill and resting for a while, Lin Lishan leisurely took Xi Zi back to their room. As dusk approached, she took him, carrying two packs of newly bought snacks, to visit her girlfriends in the Big Courtyard.
Her girlfriend was also in the Art Troupe and had transferred to the Northern Military Region with her child for her husband a couple of years ago. Normally, their relationship was neither too close nor too distant, but now in this unfamiliar place and short of tickets, it was a good time to visit each other.
Later in the evening, she directly asked the guard at the entrance for Fang Jianmei’s address. With her officer’s ID, the young soldier quickly led her to the base housing. Lin Lishan repeatedly thanked him before sending the young soldier off and went upstairs with Xi Zi.
Fang Jianmei lived on the second floor of the base housing, in a two-bedroom apartment. Both she and her husband were military personnel. They had two sons, who were both in school. The youngest was 12, dark and robust, not shy upon seeing visitors, and quite mischievous. Both sides were quite happy to see each other, not expecting to meet Lin Lishan here.
Fang Jianmei happily made tea, pulling her to sit down, took out a fruit plate, and handed it to her son, asking him to take Xi Zi to his room to play.
Seeing the two boys hand in hand walking in without any conflict, Lin Lishan breathed a sigh of relief. She was indeed worried that the mischievous boy would bully Xi Zi.
Fang Jianmei cheerfully said, "I haven’t seen you in two years. I just heard that your grandfather has come to the military district with your grandson-in-law for a meeting. I was puzzled why you didn’t come, too. I heard your daughter gave you a grandson. Congratulations."


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