"Don't worry about me. You said you're stationed here, do you think there's only wild animals in the mountains and forests? How could you be so hungry?"

"There are too many people and not enough food, there's nothing we can do." Er Lengzi felt quite wronged, but he wasn't the only one going hungry. Whether it was the soldiers or the generals, everyone was in the same boat, and the generals ate even less.

"Brother Er Lengzi, I brought you some food here. It's all durable, especially rock sugar. You're so thin, you must be anemic. Eating a few pieces when you feel dizzy will help."

"Okay, thank you so much." Er Lengzi didn't stand on ceremony and took the bag Zhang Hongmei handed him.

"My sister is amazing, she even got into the University of the Capital." Er Lengzi chuckled foolishly.

"Brother Er Lengzi, you have to be careful. Swords and spears have no eyes. Your family is worried about you. Your great-grandmother has told me more than once that she regrets not agreeing to let you join the army sooner, especially now."

My third uncle always sighs when he talks about you. If you have any free time, please go home right away.

"I understand, Hongmei. I'm telling you, I don't regret it at all."

Er Lengzi moved closer to Zhang Hongmei and whispered, "If I had joined the army during peacetime, I would be a squad leader at most. Although I have connections with my superiors, I got to this position through my own merits. I'm a deputy battalion commander now, and I reckon I'll reach the rank of battalion commander by the time we leave."

Why did I join the army? Protecting my country is a given, but it's also an opportunity to realize my own potential. Hongmei, go home and write to your parents, tell them not to worry about me. I know what's important and what's urgent. I can analyze the pros and cons.

"Since you've said that, I understand and support you. It's your luck to have the leader protecting you, but you can't take your safety lightly. All the wealth, honor, and high-ranking positions are things you have to be alive to enjoy."

"Yes, I know what I'm doing."

It was already quite dark by then, almost eight o'clock. Zhang Xingguo sent Wang Ying to call Zhang Hongmei back.

"Hongmei, go back now, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Will you come back?"

"Come on, I'll come see you again. I'll bring you some more meat."

"Hehe, that's great! Next time you come, give me your school's address, and I'll write to you when I have time."

"I'm going abroad. I'll tell you the details next time I come. Take good care of yourself."

Zhang Xingguo was furious at the sight of Zhang Hongmei and Wang Baoguo's reluctant farewell. He knew from back in Liujiatun that the two had a good relationship. Although he knew they were like siblings, he still didn't like Er Lengzi. If Hongmei hadn't mentioned it to him, he wouldn't have promoted him.

Zhang Hongmei looked dejected after getting into the car. "Uncle Zhang, how can the soldiers have the strength to fight the enemy like this?"

"Don't think about these things anymore. With the food you brought, the military's supplies will arrive in another month, and then everything will be fine."

Zhang Hongmei fell silent. What if she hadn't come? What if she didn't have her space? What if there was no food in her space? What would she have done? Thinking of Er Lengzi's appearance, her eyes reddened again. Even in the most difficult times, no one in the village had ever starved to the point of looking like Er Lengzi, who had become so emaciated.

Zhang Xingguo patted Zhang Hongmei's head and said, "Everything will be alright."

Yes, everything will be alright. But the waiting process is too painful and too long for those who are suffering. The slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin.

No, I still need to get food. I'll save only one ton of food from my storage space and leave the rest for the troops. I can't enjoy their protection while they go hungry. I can't control others, but I just need to do my best.

Thinking of this, Zhang Hongmei's eyes lit up. She seemed to be filled with energy.

Although Wang Xiaoshun and Wang Ying are trustworthy, it's still important to let them know and tell them.

“Uncle Zhang, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go back and get food. Even if the supplies arrive next month, we must make sure all the soldiers are well-fed this month. I’ll give them all of Brother Zhang’s savings.”

"Okay, your Brother Zhang will agree too. I thank you on behalf of all the soldiers."

"Hehe, this is what I should do. As a fellow countryman, I should do my part."

Wang Xiaoshun and Wang Ying were both very excited when they heard this. Yes, they couldn't go to the battlefield to fight the enemy, but they could do what they could and contribute their strength.

Wang Ying, in particular, felt a pang of sorrow seeing the soldiers so emaciated and wolfing down their food. She knew this had once been Gu Chuanming's direct unit, and many of her comrades' families belonged to this unit. Although they had sacrificed their lives, this was still their own home. Seeing her loved ones suffering like this, and remembering how well she usually ate and drank, she felt guilty.

The journey was always like this; it always felt slow going out but fast coming back. Zhang Hongmei felt like she had just been lost in thought for a short while when she returned to the temporary military headquarters at the rear.

After getting off the bus, everyone went back to wash up and go to bed.

Lying in bed, Zhang Hongmei calculated. It was mid-August, and she really didn't have much time. But going back like this was impossible. Tomorrow, she would find a place to put all the supplies from her spatial storage, and then have Zhang Xingguo find someone to transport them back. This was the fastest way, since she had other things to do, and she wanted to make the most of her time.

After thinking all this through, I finally closed my eyes to rest. Today's impact on me was too great. I still feel a dull ache in my heart. I'm like that myself. Er Lengzi is practically family, so he feels the pain more directly. If I had only heard about it or seen a stranger like that, I would just feel sorry for them and realize how hard-won my comfortable life is, but I wouldn't feel this bad.

I don't know how I fell asleep, but I opened my eyes when I heard the reveille.

After getting up and washing up, I shook my head at Wang Ying's hesitant expression. "Wang Ying, I don't know what to do this time, so you'll just have to stay here. I might not be back for two or three days. Don't worry about me."

After saying that, he drove off without eating, leaving Wang Ying stamping her feet in frustration. Her bodyguard was completely useless.

Wang Xiaoshun watched from afar and felt that Zhang Hongmei was really taking a risk, after all, this place was not safe, but this little girl was so determined that even the commander couldn't do anything about it.

Zhang Xingguo watched the car drive away, feeling a mix of emotions, though he wasn't exactly happy.