Some people remained the same, while others seemed lost in thought.

Xu Qiang observed silently.

The simple few were completely unaffected, but Cheng Rui was probably emboldened by what had just been said. On the way back, Cheng Rui was not idle for a moment. He skipped and jumped around, chasing chickens and rabbits. He did not waste any of his youthful vigor. When he reached the halfway point of the hillside, he had three pheasants and five rabbits in his basket. He was very proud of himself.

"Sis, look, look! My skills haven't gotten too bad, have they?"

"Great job! Keep it up!"

Once up the mountain, the rules weren't as strict, nor were they excessive, for fear of disturbing the insects and snakes in the mountains. But even so, the others' harvest wasn't as plentiful as Cheng Rui's. For a moment, the gazes of these people became somewhat subtle.

Accusing someone of cheating?

All of this happened in public; the things in the mountains couldn't possibly have been arranged in advance.

Then there's only one possibility: they really do have that ability.

Xu Qiang suppressed a laugh, looked at Jian Dan, and ultimately didn't want to completely crush morale.

They didn't encounter any large wild animals today. As they walked, Jian Dan explained things to Cheng Rui and the other person, but his voice wasn't low. Xu Qiang knew perfectly well that they couldn't bring themselves to listen, so he signaled his close friends to quietly move closer and eavesdrop, openly eavesdropping. Jian Dan and the others pretended not to see anything.

The three of them acted like they were putting on a show the whole way, it was exhausting to talk about.

However, everyone else was listening intently, including Xu Qiang. The more he listened, the more interested he became. It was as if they had heard the teacher say something similar in class, which they found boring and tedious. But now, watching them explain and demonstrate with real objects, with Cheng Rui and Cheng An even trying out each step themselves, it was incredibly detailed and interesting. Not to mention them, even children would probably remember it.

"We've gone a bit further," Cheng Rui muttered to himself.

"Sis, when will this be completed?"

Cheng An looked back.

"Having tasted success this time, we won't be the ones in a rush next time; someone will come to invite us on their own initiative."

They don't believe anyone is stronger than them, but that's on an equal footing. Faced with true power, the difference in strength becomes immediately apparent; their statuses are fundamentally unequal. Then none of that matters. Don't worry.

"Sis, shall we go any further in?"

Let's take a quick look back.

"Look at these people's thirst for knowledge. What are your thoughts?"

"them,"

Cheng Rui's pent-up complaints suddenly deflated.

"I was just venting. I know they've learned some skills, which might save their lives someday,"

"Hehe, my child has grown up and is quite sensible."

Some things don't need to be said. They are the descendants of soldiers, and they grew up in military compounds since childhood. This awareness is ingrained in their bones, almost as natural as eating and drinking.

"But sister, I always have this feeling that you're being used by them, and it makes me uncomfortable,"

"Hehe, don't worry. There's never been anyone who could use me and then walk away unscathed. Just you wait, someone will show their true colors soon."

Cheng An has always been very insightful, but Jian Dan wasn't too bothered by this matter.

"It wasn't exactly exploitation; it was a matter of mutual consent."

But think about it from another angle. Even if I can ignore it, can they avoid going up the mountain? And if they go up the mountain, will they be safe? If these things can't be guaranteed, what if something happens and there are injuries or deaths? Won't your brother-in-law, the political commissar, bear responsibility? Won't he feel bad? Won't that burden be even heavier?

It's a good thing that can prevent problems before they occur, isn't it?

Rather than dealing with countless troubles later, it's better to prepare now. If everyone has enough self-rescue skills, it will be a good thing for both the military region and the border region.

This place is now our base, our home.

We are not ordinary military dependents; we are now the families of leaders, so our perspective on issues is naturally different from before, and our level of understanding has risen, hasn't it?

"By thinking more and doing more now, we can reduce potential problems for your uncle, brother-in-law, and Brother Chao in the future."

"Are we now considered family members of leaders?"

"So you don't realize that yet? You'd better get used to it quickly; the family members of leaders need to have a broader perspective!"

People gradually caught up, and some who didn't understand began to muster the courage to ask questions. Jian Dan didn't hold back, and slowly, the atmosphere became much more harmonious.

Cheng Rui and Cheng An watched, and although they still wanted to sigh, their faces unconsciously filled with smiles.

"Xiao An, tell me, my vision is really amazing, isn't it?"

Cheng An rolled her eyes at him.

You think you're like me? You think I didn't realize you were doing it on purpose?

It was just an excuse for her to explain things to us more, to help us get used to our current roles, and to remind us to be aware of potential problems in the smallest details. However, she also said that we shouldn't get bogged down in trivial matters or unnecessary arguments.

"Xiao An, to be honest, I don't feel that our identities have changed. It's the same as before. The political commissar is my uncle, my brother-in-law is the political commissar, and my brother is also in charge. There's no difference from before, but I also feel that some things are indeed different."

"Judging by your identity, it is true that it is the same as before. But brother, in the past, the troops here were under the jurisdiction and even controlled by the higher-ups and the troops in Beijing. We were just like other family members. Now, in recent years, you should have felt the changes here."

The changes began when my sister started building greenhouses for vegetables and raising pigs—or rather, when she started connecting that village with businesses selling vegetables, mountain produce, and handicrafts.

Look at the massive construction projects here—the land reclamation, the farming, the pig and chicken raising—did you see that harvester? And the schools too. Tell me, which of these didn't cost money?

This is almost the complete opposite of his previous penny-pinching style. Bro, I don't believe you didn't notice?

There have been no changes in the military region, and no changes in the troops. The people are still the same people, the same people we know. So tell me, what's the reason?"

Cheng Rui was a bit carefree, but he wasn't stupid; he just couldn't believe it.

"I thought it was just my imagination..."

Cheng An shook his head.

"Let's not talk about that. We're still kids, and we don't want to think about that too much. Our parents and brothers are all working hard to make this place we live in better. Sister is right, this is our base, this is our home."

We might be overestimating ourselves by offering to help, but we can't hold them back or embarrass them, can we?