What Wu Sicheng couldn't say was that with supplies so scarce, who would give so much to their friends? Even relatives were few and far between, especially when it came to medicine. Only she, with her wealth and ability, could manage to get good stuff from the mountains. Let others try.

The two sat in the house chatting idly. The aroma of food in the kitchen grew stronger and stronger. An Moxue felt that it was almost ready, so she got up and went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks. Wu Sicheng also went out to help her serve the dishes.

After An Moxue finished serving the rice in the pot, she wanted to lift the lid of the other pot containing roe deer meat, but Wu Sicheng quickly stopped her, saying, "Just put the rice on the table. This is hot. I'll do it. Which part of the meat do you want to eat?"

As she carried the food bowl into the house, she replied, "Bone, the rest is up to you."

Wu Sicheng scooped up some bones, picked up a few pieces of meat, and placed them on the cutting board, cutting up a small bowl full of meat and bones. He carried the meat into the house, placing the bone side on An Moxue's side. An Moxue then brought in a plate of steamed buns with red bean filling.

He said, "You sit down, I'll go get the chicken. Is there anything else you need?"

"That's all. Use that big bowl to serve it." After saying that, he put the plate on the table, sat down at one side of the table, and picked up chopsticks, a bowl, and a bone plate, one set for each person.

Wu Sicheng brought in a large bowl of chicken. Seeing the meat and vegetables, the red and green colors on the table, and smelling the aroma that filled his nostrils, he quickened his pace unconsciously.

An Moxue saw him sit on the other side of the table and said, "I didn't know if you wanted rice or noodles, so I didn't serve you any. Help yourself, don't be shy."

Wu Sicheng didn't stand on ceremony. He took a steamed bun, put it in his bowl, and the two of them started eating.

His mouth watered at the sight of the bright red kimchi. He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth; it was sweet and sour, and very crunchy, which was incredibly appetizing. He unconsciously picked up another piece and paired it with a bite of steamed bun and a bite of meat. The tender, succulent meat and the kimchi were so delicious together, refreshing and not greasy at all. He just couldn't stop eating it.

He thought to himself, "For so many years, the best and most delicious meals I've had recently have all been at Mo Xue's place. I really want to eat here again after this meal."

Seeing how much he was eating, An Moxue felt her own appetite improve as well. Without realizing it, she ate faster and ate more. When she was almost finished, she realized that it's best to have a partner with a great appetite to enjoy food, eat more, and feel better.

The two of them ate in silence, and before they knew it, they had eaten almost all the food on the table.

The two finished eating at the same time, looked up at each other, and then looked at the table. An Moxue's smile turned into a hearty laugh, an exceptionally bright smile that infected Wu Sicheng, who also slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

"I haven't eaten this happily in a long time! Eating tastes better when you have someone to eat with." Her face was full of satisfaction as she said this.

When Wu Sicheng heard what she said, his heart ached slightly. How long had she been lonely? Eating alone, sleeping alone, growing up alone, crying alone, laughing alone. Only one meal had someone to accompany her, and she was happy and content with that.

This was the happiest meal An Moxue had ever had since her loved ones fell ill, passed away, and arrived in this strange world.

To distract her, he said, "Mo Xue, you have no idea how long it's been since I've had such delicious food. The last time I ate here was at your place. You know how it is with the army's communal meals; it's just like that. As long as you're full, that's fine. It's impossible to eat well." Wu Sicheng's expression was quite helpless.

"It's nothing. If you want to eat it in the future, just come over when you have time, and I'll cook it for you." As soon as she said it, she regretted it. Wasn't she just asking for trouble? The words were already out, and she couldn't take them back. She could only hope that he wouldn't agree.

But things don't always go as planned. Wu Sicheng pretended not to see her annoyed little expression and readily agreed, "Okay, don't worry, I'll prepare the ingredients myself." Afraid that she would find it troublesome, he added, "But there may not be many opportunities. First, the army is quite a distance from here, and second, I have been busy with missions for the past few years and rarely have time. If I could have time during the New Year or other holidays, it would be a wonderful thing to eat such delicious food. I'm just afraid that I won't have time."

Hearing him say that, An Moxue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It's good that he doesn't come often. There are no restaurants, and she has to cook for herself, which is too troublesome. She usually cooks some food on a whim and stores it in her space. With the food stored in her space, it's enough to eat for a long time. Cooking every meal every day would drive her crazy!

Seeing that the meal was finished, Wu Sicheng took the initiative to clear the table. An Moxue sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and brewed a pot of barley tea. When he finished cleaning up and came back, she poured him a cup as well: "Have some, it'll help with digestion." She then handed it to him on the table.

"Mo Xue, I have to leave after I finish this cup of tea. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay, here's some meat for you to take."

Wu Sicheng thought of his comrades who ate like wolves, and decided it would be better to save the food for Mo Xue. He shook his head decisively: "No need, I have other things to do, it's inconvenient."

An Moxue didn't insist and handed him the medicine bottle beside her: "Take the same amount as last time. Be sure to take it on time. The worst thing you can do with Chinese medicine is to take it on and off."

"I know, I won't forget." He took the medicine bottle, put it in his pocket, finished the tea that An Moxue poured for him, and stood up. "Moxue, I'm leaving."

An Moxue got out of bed, put on her shoes, and went out of the house with Wu Sicheng. When the two little ones saw An Moxue and Wu Sicheng come out of the house together, they followed them out. She said to them, "Little darlings, your Brother Wu is leaving. Say goodbye to him."

The two little ones understood her words and circled around Wu Sicheng, making "woof, woof" noises, until they reached the gate. An Moxue called to them, "Come back, you can't go out the gate." Only then did the two little ones stand beside An Moxue and stop walking forward.

Wu Sicheng joked, "Spending so much time with them still isn't as good as with you, Mo Xue! I've handed these two little ones over to you safely, my mission is complete. Okay, that's enough for now, you can close the door and go back."

An Moxue waved goodbye to him, closed the courtyard gate, and took the two little ones back to the house.

Wu Sicheng entered the woods, his hands in his pockets, his fingers repeatedly stroking the medicine bottle An Moxue had given him. He turned back to look at her house, but she was no longer in sight. He gently shook his head and asked himself, what was there to hope for? She was still an innocent little girl. He turned and disappeared into the woods.

An Moxue returned to her room, and after eating and drinking her fill, she wanted to take a nap. She closed the door, spread out the blankets, took off her clothes, and crawled under the covers. She fell asleep in no time, her little face flushed and the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.