"Grandpa, you two chat. I'll go make some dry food for Aunt Li, and then I'll ask Xiao Li to buy some sesame cakes. I also need to prepare some daily necessities."

"Go."

After watching Zhang Hongmei leave, Gu Chuanming sighed, "Are you really letting her leave tomorrow?"

"Go ahead, and come back soon. I can feel at ease with my dad around."

"How much longer can it last?"

"He should live for at least another two or three years."

"Shouyi, there's no point in doing this."

"Mr. Gu, this is meaningful. Don't worry, I'm careful in my actions and won't leave any evidence against me."

"It's good that you understand. I can't bear to see my comrades who fought alongside me in such pain."

"We have no other choice now, we have to do everything we can. Actually, you don't understand him. Even if he has to live in this pain, he doesn't want to die."

"Sigh! I can't think straight." Gu Chuanming shook his head. Maybe he hadn't reached that point yet. He was thinking that if he were in Gu Chuanming's situation, he would end his own life. It was too painful to watch.

Sigh! Maybe when I'm about to die, I'll want to live too. People say whatever comes to mind.

"Where is Zhou Yuanqing?"

"With someone by his side, don't worry. I'll let him live to a ripe old age. It's just that Jiang Zhaoqing is not so good. Yesterday, Da Tou suddenly fell ill because of Jiang Zhaoqing's provocation. So, we can't let that woman get away with it. Let's have a military court."

"Then Zhou Yuanqing can't escape either."

"Hehe, if it were a few years ago, Da Tou would have given the only exemption right to Zhou Yuanqing. Since that's the case, I will definitely fulfill Da Tou's wish."

"Fine, I just hope you don't leave any evidence that people will find fault with you."

"Hehe. How could that be?"

"Even having this girl hasn't made you any more at peace."

"I think I'm much more soft-hearted now. Okay. I'm not going to stay with you anymore. I have to go find my girl; we'll be separated for several weeks soon."

Zhang Hongmei wasn't in the kitchen either. Aunt Li didn't need her and pushed her out, so she just packed a few clothes in the house. After all, it was summer, and she still needed to bring some clean clothes.

Zhang Shouyi sat next to Zhang Hongmei, watching her pack a small bundle.

"Will you blame me?"

"Huh? Blame you? Blame you for what?"

"There are many reasons, such as not being able to come home on time, having little time to spend with you, and potentially causing you trouble in the future. And so on."

“Brother Zhang, we’re friends now, so none of what you’re saying applies to us. And even if we become lovers or family in the future, I don’t think I’ll care about these things. So you’re overthinking it, and most importantly, you’re thinking too soon.”

"Hehe, I'm just telling you in advance. Zhang Hongmei, although you didn't ask me, I don't plan to let you know too much, but the only thing I can tell you is that you don't need to worry about my personal safety."

"Okay, I understand, I trust you. Brother Zhang, do you have any words or letters to say to Uncle Zhang?"

“There’s an important letter. Keep it safe. My father will burn it after he reads it.” Zhang Shouyi took out the letter and handed it to Zhang Hongmei.

"Okay." Zhang Hongmei, in front of Zhang Shouyi, effortlessly put away her worries. Zhang Shouyi gave Zhang Hongmei a thumbs up!

"Is there anything else you need to bring?"

"Hehe, you'll take care of the rest. I won't worry about it."

The three people she sent out have all come back to report. Zhang Hongmei decided to set off at four o'clock tomorrow morning to avoid attracting attention and trouble.

Zhang Hongmei had everything arranged, but Zhang Shouyi still hadn't left. "Brother Zhang, go and rest."

"Hongmei, do you want me to find a place to hide the things in your sleeves for you? That way, you'll have more space."

"No need, the food here is taking up too much space. I'll give all of this to Uncle Zhang this time. That way, we can free up most of the space."

"Okay, you can get some sleep," Zhang Shouyi said before leaving.

Zhang Hongmei really didn't have anything she wanted to prepare. She took a nap in the afternoon and wasn't sleepy now, but she still forced herself to lie in bed, even if she couldn't fall asleep, she would close her eyes and rest.

I was half asleep when I felt a little while later, there was some noise in the yard. I checked the time and it was only two o'clock. I turned over and went back to sleep.

But with something on my mind, how could I possibly sleep soundly? I woke up again at three o'clock, lay in bed for a while, and then resignedly got up.

Zhang Hongmei knew the truck was parked at the gate, so she took out the two bundles she had packed, and the rest of the load was food.

The gate was wide open. When I went out, I saw Uncle Li, Aunt Li, Chengzi, and Wang Ying.

What are you doing here?

"Hongmei, you're up? We're packing the things Aunt Li prepared."

By shining the flashlight, Zhang Hongmei was astonished. There was a cooking pot, a kettle for boiling water, and a thermos. Don't ask Zhang Hongmei how she knew it was a thermos; it was just her intuition. And then, at first glance, it looked like a straw basket.

There are also two rice bowls, two lunch boxes, rice spoons, a spatula, a cutting board, a kitchen knife, and a rolling pin. There are also two large 20-pound plastic buckets, a bag of flour, and a bag of rice that I brought back last time.

Looking at another pile, these are household items. Two large bundles, which appear to be bedding, two washbasins, soap, and towels. There are also two new sets of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and tooth cups. Next to them is another bundle, which looks like food—probably some kind of flatbread.

"Heh, you're really well prepared. Looking at the bundle in my hand, I feel a bit like an idiot."

Aunt Li's voice came from behind, "Hurry up and see if there's anything missing. If everything is ready, come and eat."

Zhang Hongmei put her two bundles in the car, hurried back to wash up, and said she could leave after having dinner.

Zhang Shouyi stood at the door, watching Zhang Hongmei laugh. Zhang Hongmei felt he was mocking her, so she glared at him and ran back to tidy herself up.

Breakfast was still dumplings filled with tender pumpkin and meat. Zhang Hongmei picked up a dumpling and said, "Aunt Li, you haven't slept all night, have you?"

"Go to sleep, go to sleep. Hongmei, eat more. Or you can take me with you, I'll cook for you."

"Aunt Li, no need. You just stay home and take care of my grandfather. We can both cook, so don't worry, we won't go hungry."

After dinner, Gu Chuanming gave Zhang Hongmei a small leather bag. "What's this?" When she opened it, she found it was full of money.

"Grandpa, what are you going to do with so much money?"

“I’m afraid the food that Shouyi prepared won’t be enough. If you have any connections, please bring more. The troops fighting now are my old troops, and it hurts me to think that they are not getting enough to eat.”