In his anxiety, this was written all over his face. He quickly glanced at the unconscious person on the ground.

"Uncle, you can go ahead if you need to. He's sick and can't move around for a while anyway. I'll come find you after he wakes up."

A delicate young girl and a burly man—the disparity was obvious. Although Liu Weimin knew that Jian was skilled at hunting wild boars and shouldn't be in danger, he was still very conflicted. He was even planning to ask Jian to find his wife to come and keep him company.

It was already getting dark, and there were no lights on. Only the embers in the stove flickered, illuminating the three people's faces.

There was another knock on the door, followed by Liu Jianshe's shout. Liu Weimin visibly breathed a sigh of relief and excitedly stood up.

"They must have found someone to help with the construction."

There was no response. The footsteps sounded quite different from Lin Zhengde's domineering style; they seemed more gentle and steady.

Before they even reached the door, Liu Weimin opened it and went out to greet them.

"Oh, Commander Lin, you've finally returned..."

He turned around and pointed the gun at his unreliable son.

"What's wrong with you? Didn't I tell you to go find Commander Lin?"

Lin Jianshe was also wronged, so he quickly spoke up before his father got angry.

"Father, we haven't found Commander Lin, but,"

Liu Weimin was getting a little irritable at this moment.

"Why did you come back if you couldn't find me?"

The two people who had followed stepped forward.

"Village Chief Liu, don't worry. The regiment commander's training exercise is indefinitely scheduled, so I came to check on things first. I'm Cheng Jin, the political commissar of Regiment Commander Lin. You can talk to me if you need anything."

Upon hearing that it was the political commissar, Liu Weimin paused for a moment, recalling what Cheng Chao had said earlier, and hesitated whether to tell him.

The moment the door opened, they met, exchanged a few words, and before they even entered the house, the cold air rushed in. Cheng Chao, whose fever had just subsided, shivered and barely managed to open his eyes.

Cheng Jin, who was speaking, was let in. One person was lying on the floor, and then another entered, instantly making the kitchen as crowded as before. Cheng Chao struggled to sit up.

"Uncle Lin?"

Upon hearing the arrival of the person, they went inside, grabbed a candle, lit it, and brought it out, making the small kitchen more visible.

He was a patient, Liu Weimin ignored him and spoke to Cheng Jin.

"Comrade Political Commissar, this is the man. Take a look and see if he is your comrade."

Human life is at stake. The person was saved by Xiao Jian, an educated youth. We don't know the details, so we dare not just keep him.

He wanted to find Commander Lin, so I thought it best to have him come and identify him. If it wasn't Commander Lin, we could report it to the police. If he really was there for legitimate business, we shouldn't delay. There's a spare room in the village office; it's quiet and peaceful in winter, perfect for recuperating.”

Jian Dan nodded to herself. Yes, that's it. It doesn't matter how you handle it, just don't leave it with me.

"Village Chief Liu, I knew it! Your level of awareness is truly exceptional. No wonder the regimental commander praised you so much when he returned."

They both felt that the other's voice was somewhat familiar. The person on the ground looked up, while the person next to them looked down.

The candlelight was dim, but for someone who knew them well, that was no problem. At a glance, just by looking at their silhouette, they could tell if it was the person they were looking for.

Cheng Chao felt much clearer-headed and more comfortable after this nap; at least, tilting his head back so far didn't cause him any obvious discomfort.

However, this person looks so familiar.

Political Commissar Cheng Jin is more reliable, but I was still quite surprised.

"Xiaochao?"

Seeing him like this, Cheng Chao was certain, and his heart settled down. He grinned, his voice tinged with a hint of grievance and dependence, like a child who had been bullied seeing a loved one.

"Uncle!"

The scene quickly turned into a family reunion. Although Liu Weimin and Jian Dan were curious, they wanted to avoid it, but the circumstances simply did not allow it.

Seeing that the light outside was dimming, and after all that fuss, Jian Dan was exhausted. After much hesitation, she finally had to awkwardly speak up.

"Excuse me, now that you've exchanged the code, this person must be alright, right? Hehe, could you move him around?"

Liu Weimin nearly fainted on the spot. This brat, is that how you say things? Couldn't you be a little more tactful?

Hurry up and fix it.

"Political Commissar Cheng, as you can see, this is where she lives alone, and the space is very cramped. We had no choice but to put this comrade here, but this is not a long-term solution. After all, it is the kitchen, which faces the door and is exposed to cold winds and dust. The floor is also cold. We should move him to a safe and comfortable place."

Moreover, this is where a female educated youth lives.

Cheng Jin didn't think much of it; he was simply surprised by the straightforwardness of the situation.

"Xiao Chao, have you completed your mission?"

"It's done, I've got the stuff."

Cheng Jin made the final decision.

"Alright, then come with me. It's really inconvenient for you to stay in the female educated youth's residence. I've brought some people with me, so we'll be discreet and not alert anyone."

"But your skills aren't up to par; you'll have to get a young girl to save you."

Cheng Jin felt sorry for his nephew, but he still had to say what needed to be said. Then he turned to look at Jian Dan.

"You're Xiao Jian, the educated youth, right? I've heard so much about you. I never expected to meet you under these circumstances. I won't say any more polite words. This time is different from before. I will remember your life-saving grace."

I've disturbed you today, so I'll take this kid with me now.

Jian Dan was eager for them to leave, but Cheng Chao seemed a little reluctant to part with them. His gaze kept drifting towards the stove. Jian Dan made a bold guess: was he hungry again?

This can't be right, can it? Those dozen or so big steamed buns, a pot of porridge, and a bowl of steamed egg custard—most of them ended up in his stomach. And in such a short time? Three hours?

Does sleeping consume energy?

In any other family, even Liu Weimin's family, this would be enough for almost a week's worth of food, especially eggs. They wouldn't even dare to eat that many eggs in a month. But these two people ate them all in one meal.

You're still thinking about it?

Cheng Jin naturally noticed this gaze as well, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice,

"Xiao Chao, are you hungry? I'll have someone get you some from the cafeteria when we get back."

canteen?

Cheng Chao's gaze was filled with endless resentment, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He couldn't blame his uncle.

In other words, after eating such a sumptuous, filling, and oily meal, who would still have any expectations for the cafeteria food?

It's not like he's never eaten before; it's all bland and watery. Occasionally there's meat, but he's never really craved it. He's always just happy to be full. This is the first time he's ever had any expectations for food.

"Uncle, do we really have to leave?"

Can't I stay here?

I'm still a wounded soldier.

"How can you bear to torment me like this?"