At the military's group wedding, my best friend and I swapped husbands.

Chapter 6 Arrival at the Military Camp

The car continued to bump along the Gobi Desert.

As far as the eye can see, there is only yellow sand and exposed rocks, with the occasional clump of camel thorns, all gray and dusty.

The sun rose, and its heat was scorching hot on people.

The wind was strong, whipping up sand that stung my face.

Su Wanwan leaned against Bai Rongbei's chest, closed her eyes, and felt that time was passing particularly slowly.

Every minute was torture; it felt like my bones were about to break.

Lin Weiwei wasn't much better off. She leaned against Bai Si'an's legs, listless and unable to speak.

After bouncing around like this for an unknown amount of time, just when Su Wanwan felt she was about to give up, the car finally slowed down.

The outline of barracks appeared ahead, with red flags fluttering on the rooftops.

Arrived.

The car was parked in an open space in front of a row of bungalows.

Bai Rongbei jumped out of the car first, then turned around and reached out to help Su Wanwan. Su Wanwan's legs were weak, and he half-carried and half-supported her out of the car. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she almost knelt down, but Bai Rongbei caught her.

"Are you alright?" Bai Rongbei asked.

Su Wanwan shook her head, her face pale, unable to speak.

On Lin Weiwei's side, Bai Si'an had already gotten out of the car and was standing by it.

Lin Weiwei stood up, holding onto the railing. Her legs were weak. She took a deep breath and prepared to jump.

Bai Si'an suddenly reached out: "Don't jump."

Lin Weiwei was taken aback.

Bai Si'an walked up to her, put his arm around her waist, and supported her knees with his other hand, lifting her out of the car.

His movements weren't as easy as Bai Rongbei's, after all, he had difficulty walking, but he held him very steadily.

Lin Weiwei subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling into his embrace, and could smell the faint scent of soap and sweat on him.

Bai Si'an put her down, released her grip, and said calmly, "I have the strength too."

Lin Weiwei steadied herself, looked at him, and suddenly smiled: "Yes, I know."

Bai Rongbei helped Su Wanwan to a stone bench and sat her down. He poured her some water from the kettle and handed it to her, saying, "Drink some water and calm down."

Su Wanwan took it and drank it in small sips.

After drinking warm water, the nausea subsided somewhat.

Lin Weiwei also came over and sat down, and Bai Si'an poured her some water.

The two drank some water and sat for a while before they felt better.

He looked up and surveyed his surroundings.

This is the regimental headquarters, which is much larger than the battalion headquarters we visited this morning.

Rows of red brick bungalows stand neatly in a row, with a training ground in the middle where soldiers are training and shouting slogans.

In the distance, you can see several two-story buildings, which should be office areas and dormitories.

Beyond that lies the endless Gobi Desert, a vast and desolate expanse of sky and land.

"Is this your group?" Lin Weiwei asked.

Bai Si'an nodded: "Yes. My brother and I are both here. He's the commander, and I'm in the technical department."

Just then, a young officer ran over and saluted Bai Rongbei: "Regimental Commander! The Political Commissar wants you to attend a meeting as soon as you return!"

Bai Rongbei nodded and looked at Su Wanwan: "I'll go to a meeting first. I'll have Bai Si'an take you to your accommodations and help you settle in."

He then told Bai Si'an, "Please leave their luggage in my dorm room for now, and we'll make arrangements for them tonight."

Bai Si'an agreed.

Bai Rongbei glanced at Su Wanwan again, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only said, "Get some rest." Then he turned around and followed the officer.

Bai Si'an led Su Wanwan and Lin Weiwei toward the family quarters.

Many people he met on the way greeted Bai Si'an and called him "Technician Bai," but their eyes kept glancing curiously at the two girls.

The family quarters are located to the west of the barracks. They are also red brick bungalows, but newer than the barracks. There are small courtyards in front of the houses, some with vegetables planted in them, and others with clothes hanging out to dry.

It was daytime, and the men had all gone to work. The courtyard was mostly filled with women and children. When they saw Bai Si'an bringing two unfamiliar faces over, they all stood at the door or in the courtyard to watch.

Bai Si'an walked to the innermost bungalow, took out his key, and opened the door.

"This is my dorm room." He pushed open the door. "Rest here for now. Your accommodations will be arranged after my meeting."

The house wasn't big, but it was very clean.

Upon entering, there is a small hall with a wooden table and two chairs. On the wall are a portrait of Chairman Mao and several maps.

To the left is the bedroom. The door is open, and you can see a single bed inside, covered with a military green sheet, and the quilt is folded into a neat square.

There's also a small kitchen on the right, complete with pots, pans, and utensils, but it doesn't look like it's used much.

"The conditions are basic, but we'll have to make do," Bai Si'an said.

Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan walked in, looking around curiously.

The house was indeed simple for them, but it was clean and tidy.

"Where do you live?" Lin Weiwei asked Bai Si'an.

Bai Si'an pointed to the next room: "I live in the one next door, the layout is the same as this one."

Lin Weiwei walked to the window and looked out. She could see the doors and windows of the neighbors next door. "So we'll be neighbors from now on?"

"Hmm," Bai Si'an responded, walked to the table, picked up the thermos and shook it; it was empty.

"I'll go get some water. You all sit down and rest."

He went out carrying the thermos.

Only Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan remained in the room. They exchanged a glance, both breathed a sigh of relief, and slumped into their chairs.

"My God..." Lin Weiwei rubbed her lower back, "I feel like my internal organs have shifted from this car ride."

Su Wanwan rubbed her temples, "Me too... my head is still spinning."

"However," Lin Weiwei suddenly laughed, lowering her voice, "your husband looked quite handsome when he carried you out of the car."

Su Wanwan blushed: "Don't talk nonsense. Didn't your husband hug you too?"

"That's true." Lin Weiwei nodded, recalling what Bai Si'an said when he carried her out of the car, and couldn't help but laugh, "He even specifically said 'I have the strength too,' oh my, he's quite concerned about saving face."

Just then, Bai Si'an returned with water.

He poured water for the two of them, then sat down in another chair.

The atmosphere was somewhat silent.

Bai Si'an wasn't very good at dealing with lesbians, especially his current wife in name only.

He adjusted his glasses and tried to start a conversation: "Are you... getting used to it here?"

Lin Weiwei took a sip of water and said honestly, "I'm not used to it, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Su Wanwan said softly, "You'll get used to it eventually."

Bai Si'an nodded, then fell silent.

Seeing his expression, Lin Weiwei took the initiative to speak: "Um... Technician Bai, what kind of technology do you work in?"

"Military machinery," Baisian said.

"That's impressive," Lin Weiwei said sincerely. "This is a technical skill."

Bai Si'an glanced at her, seemingly surprised by her comment. "It's nothing, I just learned this."

"Then your leg..." Lin Weiwei regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth and quickly shut up.

Bai Si'an's expression softened, but he wasn't angry: "I injured my leg when the machine fell down while I was rescuing the equipment. It's healed and that's how it is. It won't affect my work."

"Oh..." Lin Weiwei responded, unsure how to continue the conversation.

Su Wanwan gently kicked her under the table.

The three remained silent for a while before Bai Si'an stood up. "You guys rest first. I need to go back to the technical office; I have something to take care of. I'll call you when it's lunchtime. Once my brother and I are done, we'll apply for the family housing, and then you won't have to live in the dormitory with us anymore."

"Okay," Su Wanwan replied.

Bai Si'an went out and gently closed the door behind him.

There were only two people left in the room again.

Lin Weiwei let out a long sigh and slumped into her chair: "Awkward, so embarrassing."

Su Wanwan also relaxed: "Take it slow, we have to get used to it eventually."

"That's true." Lin Weiwei sat up straight, looking at the simple but tidy room, and suddenly said, "Wanwan, do you think we can really live here?"

Su Wanwan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Whether we can or not, we have to get through this. At least... it's better than the ending in the book, right?"

Lin Weiwei thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes. Besides, I don't think Bai Rongbei and Bai Si'an are bad people. If we make the best of a bad situation, maybe we can actually make it work."

She stood up, walked to the window, looked at the vast sky over the Gobi Desert, and took a deep breath: "So be it. From today onwards, I, Lin Weiwei, will take root in this Gobi Desert!"

Su Wanwan also stood up and walked to her side, the two of them looking out the window side by side.

The shouts of training from afar drifted on the wind, carrying a raw vitality.