These words, carrying the stench of blood from the battlefield and the absolute authority of a company commander, struck Ma Jinbao's heart like a heavy hammer.

His legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground.

Looking at Chen Jianshan's murderous gaze and then at the unfriendly stares of the educated youth and workers around him, Ma Jinbao completely chickened out.

"I...I..." His lips trembled, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back. He dared not mention reporting it anymore.

"I was wrong! Company Commander! I was wrong!" Ma Jinbao cried out, almost shouting, as he repeatedly bowed to Chen Jianshan.

"Brother Du... I was wrong! I shouldn't have talked nonsense! I... I was foul-mouthed! I deserve to be hit!"

He then turned to Du Jianshan and Ayiguli, not daring to lift his head: "A...Comrade Ayiguli, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was just talking nonsense! Please don't take it to heart!"

After saying that, he was chased by a ghost, ignoring the pain in his feet, and scrambled out of the dugout.

The dugout was quiet for a few seconds.

"Pah! Cowardly coward!" Wang Tieniu spat disdainfully.

Chen Jianshan finally let out a long breath, rubbed his temples, and the fierce look on his face faded, revealing a hint of fatigue.

He glanced at the bubbling goose meat in the pot and at everyone else, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, it's nothing, you guys continue... eating."

He turned to leave as he spoke.

"Hey, Company Commander!"

Du Jianshan quickly called out to him, his hearty smile returning to his face.

He stepped forward, picked up a clean bowl from the table, scooped out the fattest and most tender piece of goose leg meat from the pot, and shoved it into Chen Jianshan's hand without saying a word.

"Company Commander, look at you, running all this way for such a trivial matter, you haven't even had a meal yet! Come on, have a taste! It's fresh out of the pot, it smells delicious!"

"This...this won't do! We have rules! We can't take even a needle or thread from the people!"

Chen Jianshan instinctively refused, but his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Chen Jianshan instinctively refused, but his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

The dark reddish-brown chunks of meat trembled precariously, glistening with oil and looking incredibly tempting.

"What 'masses' nonsense!" Du Jianshan shoved the chopsticks into his hand. "You're our company commander, our backbone! This meat was earned with my work points. Try it, give me some pointers on my cooking. What kind of nonsense is this, taking things from the masses?"

"Besides, it's so late at night, we won't feel at ease eating if you don't try it!"

Chen Jianshan was both amused and exasperated by what he said, but he couldn't resist the tempting aroma of the meat, and he was also quite hungry after his outburst of anger.

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well... I'll just try a small bite..."

He picked up the piece of goose leg meat with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

"Um?"

The moment he stepped into the mouth, Chen Jianshan's eyes widened in shock!

The goose meat was stewed until it was extremely tender, requiring almost no chewing.

The rich aroma of the sauce and the meat burst in his mouth, fatty yet not greasy, lean yet not dry, with a unique mellow and delicious flavor that was more fragrant than any stewed meat he had ever eaten!

"This...this taste..." Chen Jianshan didn't have time to speak. He picked up another piece, stuffed it into his mouth, and squinted his eyes to savor it.

The seriousness on his face completely vanished, replaced by pure enjoyment and surprise.

"Delicious! It's fucking delicious!" he couldn't help but exclaim, picking up another piece.

"Company commander, another cornbread! The one that's soaked up the broth!" Wang Tieniu eagerly handed over a golden cornbread.

Chen Jianshan took it and took a big bite. The flatbread, soaked in the rich broth, was fragrant and soft, even more satisfying than meat!

He completely forgot about the "discipline" and "politeness" from before, and also forgot what he was there to do. He plopped down on the tree stump that Wang Tieniu had given up, and joined the army of people eating.

The atmosphere became lively again, even more so than before.

With the company commander's "authoritative certification" joining, everyone ate even more heartily, and laughter filled the air.

Du Jianshan would occasionally put some good meat on Ayiguli's plate. Ayiguli blushed and ate in small bites, her earlier grievances and unease long gone.

The stewed goose in an iron pot was a satisfying meal, and everyone was quite content; the pot was almost empty.

Seeing everyone's lingering excitement, Du Jianshan smiled mysteriously and said, "Wait a minute, there's more good stuff!"

He turned and went into the inner room, pretending to rummage through something, but actually took out a cold cantaloupe from his storage space.

This cantaloupe has been soaking in the spring water in the space for three days, and it's as cold as if it was just taken out of the freezer.

"Wow! Hami melon!" Old Zhang's eyes lit up.

"It was frozen?"

Accountant Liu pushed up his glasses in surprise. Ice was a rare commodity in the Gobi Desert!

Du Jianshan deftly cut the melon open, revealing a golden-red, juicy, and sandy flesh. The cool air mixed with the melon's aroma instantly dissipated.

"Here, have a taste! Iced cantaloupe, it'll cut through the richness!"

None of them had ever seen such a scene before.

They picked up a melon segment, took a bite, and the cool, sweet juice exploded in their mouths!

"Hiss... Cool! Refreshing!"

"My God! This melon...it's so sweet! And it was even chilled!"

"Brother Du! You're amazing! Where did you get the ice from in this vast Gobi Desert?"

Everyone raved about the food, even Chen Jianshan forgot all about his image, munching on the melon with juice dripping down his face, exclaiming with satisfaction: "Delicious! So delicious! Du kid, you're living a better life than the regimental commander!"

For a moment, only the sounds of satisfied chewing and exclamations of praise filled the dugout, creating an atmosphere of utmost harmony.

Chen Jianshan ate two large pieces of melon and drank a large bowl of cold boiled water before letting out a satisfied burp.

He rubbed his stomach, looked at the empty pot and melon rinds, and then suddenly slapped his thigh: "Oh dear! What a lapse in judgment! I was so busy eating that I almost forgot about the important matter!"

He looked at Du Jianshan, who was clearing away the dishes, his face showing a mix of embarrassment and seriousness:

"Young Du, actually, besides this mess, there's something really important I need your help with today!"