The soldiers in the engineering battalion came from various skilled trades, including electricians, painters, carpenters, and masons. In their free time, they often crafted practical items from leftover construction materials and handled all maintenance work for the battalion.
Ah-Tu learned some woodworking skills from a comrade who was originally a carpenter. He started by making small stools, then progressed to making document cabinets, and even crafted a suitcase for Ashan, which turned out to be quite handy.
The soldiers also made various weightlifting equipment from concrete. Because of this, every time they relocated, an extra truck was needed to transport all these 'creations,' much to the frustration of the company commander, who wondered why there was always a shortage of trucks during each move. He eventually ordered the soldiers to stop making things on the side, though exceptions were made if the higher-ups requested it.
After the power plant project, the unit moved to a new location for a confidential defensive construction project, with Ashan overseeing the crossfire plan. This special task was completed just before Lunar New Year. Most of the soldiers were spending the holiday away from home for the first time, feeling homesick, though comforted by the thought that they’d be returning to Taiwan in two months. So, during the New Year's Eve dinner, they felt a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
With a few shots of Kaoliang spirit, everyone became warm and cheerful, exchanging toasts and New Year greetings. They didn't stop until the table was a mess and their bellies were full.
After the soldiers went to bed, still a bit tipsy, the company commander said to Ashan, ‘Peace is a blessing. My duty is to return you civilian soldiers safely to your parents once your service is done.’ Ashan looked at the commander and couldn’t help but feel deep respect for the career officer.
Finally, everyone boarded the ship back. The engineering battalion had the most luggage, with many document cabinets—most of them filled with Kaoliang liquor that the soldiers planned to bring home as gifts for their families. The commander gave them a special pass for this and didn’t say a word.
Most of the soldiers were too excited to sleep, except for Ah-Tu, who slept like a log. But as soon as someone on the deck shouted, 'We’re nearing Taiwan!' Ah-Tu woke up instantly and joined the others on deck.
Ashan and the others stood on the deck, scanning the dark sea, eagerly searching for the shore lights. After what felt like ages, and just as they were getting impatient, a faint light appeared ahead, growing in number and brightness until Kaohsiung Harbor came into view. The entire deck erupted in cheers—'Beautiful Formosa, we’re home!'
Once they disembarked, Ashan stomped his foot firmly on the ground—solid earth, not sand. From that day on, he wouldn’t need to keep track of even and odd days anymore. Taiwan truly was a precious island—without going to Kinmen for military service, he would never have realized the happiness of living in Taiwan!
工兵連裏的阿兵哥們有各式各樣的技工背景，有水電工、油漆工、木工及泥水工等，閒來也常用一些工程廢料做一些實用的用具，也一手包下連部所有的修繕工程。
阿土也向一位原本是木工師傅的弟兄學起手藝來。起初做一些小板凳，然後學會做文書櫃，甚至還為阿三做了一個行李箱，還蠻實用的。
弟兄也用混凝土做了各式各樣的舉重器材。也因為如此，每一次遷移工地，就多出一軍車的「成果」，搞得連長直叫為什麼每次搬家軍車都調度不過來，後來就下令不准阿兵哥再私下製作任何器具。不過上級長官的要求就另當別論了。
在發電廠工程告一段落後，部隊又轉移到另一地點，進行機密性的陣地工程。阿三還負責交叉火網的規劃。這個特別任務完成時正好要過農曆新年，連上大部份的弟兄都是第一次不在家中過年，想家的心情特別重，好在部隊再過兩個月就要調回台灣了，所以在年夜飯時弟兄們既有思鄉的傷感，又有期待的快樂。
在幾杯高粱酒下肚後，大家熱絡的像個大家庭，敬酒及恭禧之聲此起彼落。直到杯盤狼藉，酒醉飯飽方才罷休。
待連上弟兄帶著醉意就寢後，連長心有所感的對阿三說：「平安就是福，我的責任就是把你們這些老百姓兵在服役後，平安地交還給你們的父母。」阿三看著連長，不免對這位職業軍人起了敬愛之意。
終於部隊都上了船，工兵連的家當最多，多了不少的文書櫃。不過櫃子大多裝的是高粱酒，弟兄們準備返台休假時好帶回去孝敬父母，連長也特別通融不再囉嗦了。
大部份的弟兄都興奮的無法入睡，只有阿土睡的像頭豬一樣。不過一聽到甲板上有人叫著：「快到台灣了！」阿土立刻醒來和弟兄們衝上甲板去。
阿三和大家站在甲板上，望著黑漆漆的海面，努力地尋找岸上的燈光。等了好久好久，等的都累得坐了下來，還沒有看見燈光，大伙們都不耐煩了。
突然前面出現了微弱燈光，然後漸漸地愈來愈多，愈來愈亮，終於快到高雄港了。全甲板的弟兄都歡呼了起來，「美麗的寶島，我們回來了。」
下了船，阿三用力踩了踩地，是硬地不是沙灘。從今起，也不必再去記當天是單日還是雙日了。台灣真是個寶島，不去金門當兵，還真不知道住在台灣的幸福！
