To be honest, Shen Mu Ning is quite the foodie.

She would eat even unpalatable food just to fill her stomach.

But given the choice, I will still make sure my diet is good.

She had never eaten Chu Mingxu's cooking before, so she was a little skeptical and hesitant.

She was even a little tempted to ask Lin Siqi to cook a few dishes for her.

There was nothing she could do; in just over ten days, Lin Siqi had spoiled her appetite.

I don't really like eating things that don't taste good.

It was Chu Mingxu's confidence that dispelled her idea.

"Don't worry, although my cooking skills are not up to the level of a professional chef, they are still pretty good."

Just kidding. When you first joined the army, which soldier didn't do odd jobs in the mess hall?

Even if someone couldn't distinguish between sugar and salt at home before, after spending some time inside, they can cook decent meals.

Moreover, Chu Mingxu, who had practiced cooking at home, was undoubtedly skilled in the craft.

If you had the recipe and seasonings, it would definitely taste better than what Shen Mu Ning makes herself.

"Then, you decide what to do?"

Shen Mu Ning was skeptical, but handed the chicken to Chu Ming Xu.

Although Chu Mingxu was treating, Shen Mu Ning didn't want to take advantage of him too much.

I'll just take a chicken and some vegetables, and that'll be my food.

Chu Mingxu also knew that it was impossible to let her just eat.

Because he had already discovered that Shen Mu Ning was rather solitary.

They are always reluctant to trouble others or owe favors to people.

In everything we do, we prefer an equal exchange.

If we don't take her chicken, she might not even want to eat.

So I didn't argue with her much and quickly took the chicken.

Of course, he invited her to dinner mainly because he wanted to spend more time with her and hopefully develop a relationship with her.

Naturally, they wouldn't let Chen Mu Ning leave so easily; instead, they asked her for help.

"Shen Zhiqing, Zhang Jiayang just disappeared. I can't handle everything by myself, could you please help me?"

Zhang Jiayang: Bah! What do you mean I'm nowhere to be seen? Didn't you tell me not to come and get in your way?

Otherwise, in the dead of winter, instead of squatting on the kang (heated brick bed), he would insist on going out to suffer.

Shen Mu Ning didn't see Zhang Jia Yang, and feeling embarrassed to just wait around for dinner, she nodded.

Seeing this, Chu Mingxu's eyes were filled with a smile.

He casually asked Shen Mu Ning to help him peel garlic, doing some small tasks that didn't require getting wet, while chatting with her.

"Shen Zhiqing, what are your plans for the future?"

Chu Mingxu knew that Shen Mu Ning hadn't been with the brigade before, saying she had gone to visit some relatives.

But judging from what they've done before, she must be off to do something big.

Logically speaking, given Shen Mu Ning's abilities, the military shouldn't have let such a talented individual go to waste.

He also wanted to adjust his future plans based on Shen Mu Ning's choice.

"Hmm? What are your plans?"

Shen Mu Ning hadn't expected this at all, which confused her.

Chu Mingxu prompted, "Hypnosis."

Upon hearing those two words, Shen Mu Ning finally realized what was happening.

"Well, I don't have any plans. I'll just continue living my life in the Johor Bahru brigade!"

To be honest, Shen Mu Ning was always alone, no matter which world she was in.

Even though she now acknowledges Sun Wu as her grandfather, she doesn't feel much of a sense of belonging.

She didn't say she necessarily wanted to stay by his side; in fact, she preferred to be alone.

She wanted to live freely and according to her own ideas.

However, when the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility.

She will not refuse to step forward when there is a real need for her.

Moreover, the dissemination of martial arts must continue, as she wants to elevate the military strength of the Chinese army to a new level.

They need to be able to fight back or win when facing powerful enemies.

As for the rest, let nature take its course.

Chu Mingxu was a little surprised to hear her words.

"I thought you would be specially admitted?"

Shen Mu Ning smiled nonchalantly, "They do have that idea, but I don't want to be tied down."

She had always admired soldiers, but never thought of becoming one herself.

"I see." Chu Mingxu nodded knowingly and began to explain his plans for the future.

"I will probably go back to the army after my grandfather and the others are exonerated."

After thinking it over, Chu Mingxu still didn't express his feelings.

Because he discovered that women like Shen Mu Ning were strong and confident.

He likes her, but she doesn't like him.

The only reason they can have a proper conversation is because they've had a lot of contact before.

If he rashly reveals his true feelings, he might not even be able to remain friends with him in the future.

Having figured all this out, Chu Mingxu felt a little more relaxed.

Thinking of the rumors I'd heard before, I still reminded him:

"If you... if you want to take the college entrance exam, you can start preparing now."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mu Ning finally lost her composure.

Instead, he asked with some surprise, "The college entrance exam? Is there a rumor that it's going to be reinstated?"

Wait a minute, let her sort it out.

She remembered reading in a novel that the college entrance examination was reinstated in 1977.

Zhang Jiayang had previously said that the policy might change and that the Chu family would soon be exonerated, but we hadn't realized it yet.

Looking back now, the timeline is utterly chaotic.

The time for exoneration has been brought forward, and rumors of the college entrance examination have also surfaced earlier than expected.

Wow, with just a flap of her little butterfly wings, she created such a "big wind"?

Seeing Chu Mingxu nod affirmatively, "There are some rumors circulating that the higher-ups are having a meeting about whether to recall the professors who have been demoted."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do."

Shen Mu Ning knew that Chu Ming Xu had no reason to lie to her.

He said there were rumors, so the college entrance exam must be coming soon, at the latest by the end of next year.

It seems she needs to give Lin Siqi a hint; the timeline is messed up, and she needs to prepare as soon as possible.

After that, the two didn't talk about that anymore, but instead focused on what to eat and what their tastes were like.

When the two of them had almost finished cooking, Zhang Jiayang appeared looking radiant.

Not only did he return by himself, but he also brought a silly roe deer with him.

It was such a coincidence that he was sent away by Chu Mingxu, not wanting to wander aimlessly outside.

I decided to walk up the mountain, and there I saw this silly roe deer, frozen stiff in the snow.

That's how he managed to snag a bargain and carry it back.