"Originally, there was nothing to worry about. But it's a long story. It was a sunny afternoon..."

Just as the person in charge was about to launch into a long speech, Ruan Xianxian interrupted, "Then just keep it short."

“This year, the county was flooded, and many low-lying villages and farmland were destroyed by the rain. I was soft-hearted and agreed to let several communes buy fish from the first day of the river.”

Private buying and selling is not allowed now, but all transactions in the form of state-owned or collective ownership are permitted.

People today are also characterized by their simplicity and enthusiasm.

Ruan Xianxian understood. The other party had only realized that supply exceeded demand after agreeing to the agreement, and that they were making a profit or loss every day. Even with a secure government job, they would be held accountable by their superiors.

After thinking about it, I felt it wasn't a big problem, but I said aloud, "Your gimmick isn't enough!"

The person in charge looked distressed. He had the authority to decide how many vegetables to collect each day and what kind of vegetables to collect, but the prices were fixed, and he couldn't make decisions about making them cheaper.

"How about this," Ruan Xianxian said, feeling the time was right, "every day, your market should prioritize supplying eggs to our group."

The deal will continue until the flood subsides and the troops return to camp. If everything is fine, I'll report back to my superiors.

Although Ruan Xianxian only took office today, she has already figured out what the camp lacks and urgently needs. The meat supply is provided by the farms that Feng Bai had arranged in advance.

Eggs are really hard to come by. It's inconvenient to raise chickens in the city, and there are restrictions on the number of chickens that can be raised in the countryside. Not to mention that eggs are hard to come by, even in the city, every household is short of eggs.

Eggs on the black market are snapped up as quickly as grains, and they're sold out as soon as they're put out to the market.

Seeing the person in charge's dilemma, she added, "Don't worry, the military isn't a bandit's den. We're just giving you priority access; we won't monopolize everything and make things difficult for you."

Upon hearing this, the person in charge breathed a sigh of relief and gave a genuine smile: "Little sister, from now on you're like my own little sister."

The communes that were waiting to sell fish to get through the crisis would also thank you.

"No need for thanks." Ruan Xianxian smiled. "If I ever need your help in the future, please don't refuse without even listening to my advice."

She has some thoughts about getting to know this person, but she's not in a hurry for now!

After the exchange, they agreed to give a reply the next day. Meanwhile, the purchased supplies had been loaded and unloaded, and Ruan Xianxian carried five catties of freshly caught river fish that her brother had given her to "try."

The driver glanced at her a few times. "Buying this to cook for yourself?"

Ruan Xianxian winked: "Teaching and answering questions is the mark of a master. Master Li taught me to drive without holding back, so I have to treat you to a good meal to thank and reward you."

These words warmed Old Li's heart. He was generous in sharing his driving skills. Since military vehicles couldn't be used without permission, he couldn't provide practical advice, but he would generally answer any questions anyone had about the theory.

But those people took it for granted, even as casual conversation, while only the girl in the passenger seat truly cared about it.

He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, "Then I won't hold back."

The truck drove back to the riverbank, and Ruan Xianxian got off and returned to the camp. Chen Zhaodi pulled her aside and started telling her about how a shameless person had been tricked by Mu Xia into memorizing half of the Little Red Book that afternoon.

After saying that, she squeezed Ruan Xianxian's small hand tightly, "You won't give the formula to those people, will you?"

Ruan Xianxian exchanged a glance with Mu Xia without making it obvious. They both noticed that Chen Zhaodi had become much more lively recently than when she first came to the countryside, which was a good thing.

She looked away and smiled back at Chen Zhaodi, saying, "No, I won't give my formula to anyone for free. Are you relieved now, little housekeeper?"

Just kidding, the braised meat recipe is Old Man Ruan's most treasured possession, which he carefully kept locked in his ancestral tomb. She guessed it was a recipe that had leaked from the palace back then.

Want the recipe? You might as well kill her.

"Are you making braised pork noodles again tonight?" The usually quiet girl, seeing their lively conversation, mustered her courage and approached to speak, her voice soft and gentle:

"My name is Liu Pandi, what's yours?"

Chen Zhaodi: ? ? ?

Chen Zhaodi: ...

Chen Zhaodi: !!

"Pfft! It's confirmed, same family, same dad." Ruan Xianxian was overjoyed.

Seeing that they were all laughing, Liu Pandi looked blank. Mu Xia pulled her aside to prepare the food, "Don't mind them. They're just being silly. You'll get used to it."

Ruan Xianxian announced: "I brought back a lot of good stuff from the farm. Tonight, our camp will be making a pork stew!"

Pig liver, pig intestines, plus blood sausage and sauerkraut—she'd been craving this since the day she arrived in Heilongjiang Province, and thanks to the soldier, her wish was finally fulfilled today.

Liu Pandi volunteered, "I'll steam the blood sausage. Grandma was an expert at making blood sausage when she was alive."

Having made the decision, Ruan Xianxian went to report to Deputy Regiment Commander Qian. Coincidentally, he had just returned from the other side of the dam and unconsciously swallowed his saliva when he heard about the pork stew.

"When you mention this, it reminds me of the New Year celebrations in Xiaonei. Every family starts preparing as soon as Laba Festival arrives, it's so lively."

Oh wow, when I'm happy, even the smell of corn husks comes out!

Ruan Xianxian loved to hear this, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter. Qian Wei glanced at her and decided to speak up for his brother:

"Ahem! Next time I'm not around, if you need anything, just go to Commander Feng. Don't let his cold appearance fool you, he's got a lot on his mind and he's easy to talk to."

"Forget it!" Ruan Xianxian pouted. Killing a petty scoundrel who intended to harm her was suspected of being an enemy agent.

If one day she saves up enough money and has another episode, and buys the system a large, advanced weapon of mass destruction that can raze the island nation to the ground with a single shot, wouldn't he suspect she's an alien?

Although Feng Bai has selfish motives and desires, his faith is in his motherland.

It's good, but it's not suitable for her, who likes to walk in the gray area. Having lived three lifetimes, she is unwilling to compromise for anyone again. She doesn't want to and will never make sacrifices for anyone again. She only wants the ultimate favoritism.

If you meet her, you can fall in love; if you don't, wait until she retires at thirty, and wouldn't it be better to support three or five younger men?!

Sensing that Qian Wei was trying to play matchmaker, she turned her head and teased him.

"Forget about Commander Feng, is there anyone as handsome as him, but with a love-struck brain who only cares about romance and has no regard for the country or the world?"

"If you have any, you can introduce me. Family background doesn't matter. I'll become an enemy agent to earn money and support him!"

Qian Wei stopped in his tracks, his mouth slightly open.

Isn't Comrade Ruan's criteria for choosing a spouse a bit too unconventional?

No! We should find a chance to talk to Xiaobai. He can't control that wild horse on this vast grassland!

Qian Wei shook his head and was about to get busy when Ruan Xianxian called him back, remembering something.

"By the way, Deputy Regiment Commander Qian, isn't our regiment short of meat and eggs? I spoke with the head of the state-run vegetable market this afternoon."

He greatly admired soldiers, and as soon as I mentioned my difficulties, he promised to prioritize supplying the soldiers with the freshly caught river fish and eggs that were about to be harvested.

Qian Wei's eyes lit up. Meat, eggs, and milk are always in short supply, but the military region is not a bandit's den. While replenishing military supplies, the needs of the people must also be taken into account.

Even without Xiaobai's help, all you can get is pig offal? It's not that we can't get better ones, but the military can't compete with the people for profit; that's an ironclad rule.

The military region will not refuse supplies obtained without infringing upon the interests of the people.

He thought for a moment and said, "I'm not in charge of this. You should talk to the political commissar for details. See him by the river, the one with glasses, smiling and strolling around with his hands behind his back?"