I shook my head, realizing I was being delusional. There's always a way out, and things will work themselves out.

Go to bed, wash up, and go to sleep. It's no big deal.

Zhang Hongmei lay in bed counting sheep. She'd experienced so much today—sorrow, joy, and shock—no wonder she couldn't sleep. A sleepless night without entertainment was truly unbearable. She got up, lit a candle, took out a book of poetry, and lay back in bed to read.

The contents were almost driving Zhang Hongmei to the brink of collapse. As a science and engineering student, she couldn't handle it; the obscure and difficult words were deadly. However, it wasn't without its benefits; she felt sleepy.

I read a few pages, then dozed off, blew out the candles, and went to sleep.

Zhang Hongmei got up before dawn. Yu Chenglong said that they were going to the city's armed forces department today, so breakfast had to be made early.

As soon as the water was heated, Yu Chenglong and the young soldier got up. "Hongmei, you don't need to make breakfast. Let's go out to eat. Uncle Yu will treat you to fried dough sticks and tofu pudding."

"Alright, the water's hot, let's wash up." After the three of them finished washing up, Zhang Hongmei locked the door and got into the car.

"Uncle Yu, I put my mom's watch on, but I don't know if the time is set correctly yet."

"It's 5:45 now, do you know how to do it?"

"No, can you teach me?"

"Pull up the handle to adjust the time, then press it down and turn it a few turns in the opposite direction. Stop when it can't be turned anymore, and it's done. Your mother's watch is a Hongmei brand. Last time it lasted for two days. Don't forget to adjust the watch, or you'll have to find someone to adjust the time again."

Yu Chenglong handed the watch to Zhang Hongmei, gesturing for her to put it on.

Zhang Hongmei thought to herself, "This is such a hassle. The electronic watch in my own space is much better; one battery can last for decades."

Neither of them wanted to speak, but the young soldier was clearly excited. He was the minister's driver, and he wondered if the minister missed him while he was away for the past two days, and why the road home seemed so long.

Zhang Hongmei was suffering terribly in the bumpy jeep. She had been jolted around so much that she was thrown around, but the two people in front of her didn't seem to react at all.

It felt like they stopped after a short while. They had arrived in the county. The young soldier stopped right in front of a breakfast stall, where the aroma of fried dough sticks filled half the street.

"Hongmei, come down for lunch. We'll leave after we've eaten our fill. Comrade, have ten fried dough sticks and three bowls of tofu pudding first."

"A fried dough stick costs one cent and one tael of grain coupons, and tofu pudding costs five cents without coupons." The waiter was still very polite to the three people who got off the military vehicle.

Yu Chenglong handed the waiter a 1.15 yuan grain coupon and said, "Hongmei, go sit at that table. I'll bring it over when it's ready."

Zhang Hongmei agreed and went to sit down to wait for Yu Chenglong. She saw that there were people eating sesame cakes and felt a little tempted, but she couldn't buy them herself in this situation.

Yu Chenglong had been observing Zhang Hongmei. Seeing the longing look on her face, he smiled inwardly. She was still a little girl who couldn't hide her feelings. "Five more sesame cakes, please."

Zhang Hongmei blushed instantly upon hearing Yu Chenglong's voice. Honestly, it was so embarrassing.

When breakfast was served, Zhang Hongmei was shocked to see a huge bowl of tofu pudding. "Uncle Yu, I haven't eaten yet. I'll share half with you. It would be a waste if I couldn't finish it."

"Okay, you eat first, and I'll eat the rest."

"No, I'll give it to you now. I'm very hygienic."

The waiter on the side curled his lip upon hearing this. He then handed the young soldier an empty bowl.

Zhang Hongmei ate less than half a bowl of tofu pudding, a sesame seed cake, and a fried dough stick. She patted her bulging belly, feeling full, and the remaining food was left for the two of them.

At 8:30, they arrived at the city's armed forces department. The young soldier drove in knowing the way like a newlywed bride returning to her parents' home.

Yu Chenglong slung his bag over his shoulder and said, "Hongmei, come with me. We need to hurry; we still have to get back to the county."

Watching Yu Chenglong stride ahead, Zhang Hongmei felt tears welling up in her eyes. She had to jog to keep up, determined to believe that her physique would eventually grow into long legs.

Yu Chenglong knocked on the door and only entered after hearing a reply from inside. He gave a standard military salute and said, "Greetings, Commander!"

"No need for formalities, I'm no longer a leader. Hurry up and hand over the application form so I can stamp it for you."

Zhang Hongmei saw a one-armed middle-aged man in his forties who gave off an impression of being decisive, ruthless, and resolute.

Sensing Zhang Hongmei looking at him, he raised an eyebrow. "This is Zhang Aiguo's daughter? Not bad. If anyone bullies you in the future, come to me, but you can't bully others."

Zhang Hongmei was speechless. What was wrong with her? She was a lady, how could she bully others? Really.

"Zhang Hongmei, this is your father's former platoon leader, Zhang Xingguo," Yu Chenglong introduced to Zhang Hongmei.

"Greetings, Commander!" Zhang Hongmei bowed deeply.

"Just call me Uncle Zhang. Hurry up, you still need to go to the municipal government to get a stamp in a bit. You're comfortable with my driver, but I have to drive several miles every day."

"Yes, sir."

Zhang Hongmei only saw Zhang Xingguo stamping the seal repeatedly on the paper that Yu Chenglong was flipping over.

"Yu Chenglong, Xiao Wang will take you there yourself. Just let the girl wait here." He waved his hand, signaling him to hurry inside.

Zhang Hongmei thought to herself, "Why are you keeping me here?" A puzzled expression appeared on her face.

"Do you think I'd eat you? Going to the city government won't get you anywhere, so you might as well stay here and warm up. Sit down and tell me about your life now."

“Uncle Zhang, I’m doing well. Everyone in the village takes care of me. I’ve been living on my own since I was five years old, and I’ll only live better in the future.”

“That’s ambitious. I’ve heard about your parents’ situation. You’re still young, so just stay put and don’t let things get out of hand. You have to be pragmatic. Look at me, I’ve come to this small city to make a living.”

Zhang Hongmei understood what Zhang Xingguo meant. "Thank you, Uncle Zhang. I understand. I will go to school and make something of myself so that I can speak with confidence in the future."

"Okay, that's how it should be. It's better than your parents, who are so stubborn and inflexible."

It seems this person also knows the reason for Zhang Aiguo's sacrifice, but won't tell me now. No rush, I'll build up my strength first and succeed in one fell swoop.

Zhang Xingguo opened a drawer, took out an envelope, and handed it to Zhang Hongmei. "Here you go. I'm a rough man, so buy whatever you need yourself. Don't refuse. After all, I'm your dad's boss, so it's their responsibility."

Zhang Hongmei was exasperated. She had no choice but to accept it. Since that was the case, she'd open it in front of him and take a look. Wow, there were ten large unity coupons, fifty jin of national grain coupons, and twenty industrial coupons. Quite a lot.

"Uncle Zhang, isn't this too much?"

"Is it a lot? I don't know. My son prepared it. Just take it. Kids always have so many things on their minds."

Why am I so worried? Why not take it? Zhang Hongmei thought defiantly, stuffing it into her coat pocket—a windfall!

Is there anything you need?

"I'm missing my junior high and high school textbooks. Can you find them for me?"