Chapter 97

Someone like Jiang Zhi is a rare talent, no matter where they are placed.

And it's not just her ability to heal mental pollution.

Without Jiang Zhi, their entire trip through Hunan Province would likely have resulted in heavy losses for them.

This alone makes it worthwhile for the base to spend a lot of money to recruit him.

Not to mention that the brother and sister have also tamed a white eagle and a golden retriever.

Jiang Zhi looked somewhat helpless.

She knew this was a topic she couldn't avoid.

Jiang Zhi declined sincerely but firmly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Captain Wang, but I may not be suitable."

She didn't know Wang Jianguo's rank, but someone Huang Xianming reported to must be of a high rank.

However, Jiang Zhi couldn't distinguish between ranks like officers, so she simply addressed the other party as "captain".

Wang Jianguo did not show any displeasure at being rejected, nor was he dissatisfied with the way Jiang Zhi addressed him. Instead, he asked with great interest, "Oh? Why do you feel it's inappropriate? Tell me, is it because you feel it's too restrictive, or do you have other concerns? As long as you bring it up, we can discuss it."

Jiang Zhi met his gaze without the slightest hesitation or awkwardness, as if she were simply stating a perfectly simple fact:

"Neither. Rules are necessary, and treatment is not an issue."

Wang Jianguo could sense an almost simple sincerity in the young girl's tone:

"I'm used to being free and have a wild personality. I'm afraid that being confined within the system will prevent me from doing a good job. Besides, I have elderly parents and children to take care of at home—if I really get a stable job, I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of these things."

Wang Jianguo had already heard these reasons for refusal from Huang Xianming once.

He smiled and found a seat: "If you're worried about the elderly and children, you can have them move into Block B. I'll arrange a house that your Jiang family will be happy with."

To be honest, Jiang Zhi was tempted by the houses in Block B for a second.

But it only lasts for a second.

This is not what Jiangzhi wanted.

She preferred to stay where she could see them.

After experiencing the cold wave, Grandpa Jiang became particularly sensitive to the cold, so she tried to find things that could keep him warm.

Ms. Ye always had something on her mind: adding practical items like oil, salt, and fabric to her home. Jiang Zhi saw this and became even more motivated to earn points.

My uncle and aunt were worried about my cousin's legs, fearing he would have no future. So they asked around for ways to make replacements for his legs and also to teach him a skill that would allow him to make a living, putting their minds at ease.

...

These are all things Jiangzhi wants to do for her family.

In Jiang Zhi's view, whether life is peaceful or not does not depend on how new or big the house is, but on whether the old man's kang (heated brick bed) is warm enough, whether the old woman has enough points to spend, and whether the family members are happy.

And every day when I come home, I hear my family nagging and hear the aroma of food coming from the kitchen.

They will be able to own a house in Block B in the future, but they will live in it the way she wants.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhi's gaze returned to Wang Jianguo's stern face. "Captain Wang, I understand that you care about the stability of the base. But I'm different. I just want to take care of my own family. Whether the old folks' beds are warm, whether we can steam white rice in the pot, whether my family members have smiles on their faces... These real, everyday things are what drive me forward, and why I can't join the government. Don't think I'm narrow-minded; for me, protecting these things is more important than anything else."

Wang Jianguo did not speak.

The lounge fell silent after Jiang Zhi refused.

Wang Jianguo's expression shifted from initial inquiry to focused listening, and finally to a deep sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion/reflection).

He didn't feel offended; instead, it was as if he had seen a rough gem that was already showing its sharp edge.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest twice, and suddenly smiled.

The smile no longer held the previous probing and guidance, but only pure appreciation and a hint of barely perceptible envy.

Not everyone can stay true to their original aspirations and stick to their initial goals.

"Good!" he praised in a strong voice, looking sharply at Jiang Zhi. "You little girl, you're more insightful than most people! The base has no shortage of good soldiers and generals! But there aren't many young people like you who have such a clear understanding of their goals and can still stick to their principles!"

Wang Jianguo stood up, his tall figure radiating an invisible pressure, but this pressure carried a sense of approval:

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't force you. You can't force a fruit to ripen; forcing you into the system might just dampen your enthusiasm."

He changed the subject, his gaze sharp:

"But you can't keep turning down the position of Security Honorary Advisor, can you? This isn't a guaranteed job. No clocking in, no rules or regulations, no salary or set rules for you. We'll give you maximum freedom and convenience. All the base's resources and intelligence, except for classified information, will be open to you! You'll protect your own family, and the base will be your support, so you won't have any worries!"

This honorary advisor position isn't meant to restrict you, but rather so that when the base faces a crisis like today, where the soldiers' lives hang in the balance and only you can help, you'll lend a hand out of consideration for our shared identity as members of Ancheng! What do you say?

Jiang Zhi felt both helpless and amused.

These people in positions of power... they all love to dig traps for people to fall into...

I was also somewhat moved.

For someone of their stature to offer such terms, it's already a huge favor to her.

Having said all that, how could she possibly refuse the other person's kindness?

Jiang Zhi smiled helplessly, "Since you've put it this way, it would be rude of me to refuse... I'll accept this advisory role. If the base ever encounters difficulties in the future and needs my help, you don't need to say anything, I'll definitely lend a hand."

Wang Jianguo laughed: "Good! I feel relieved to hear that!"

He stood up, his tone gentle: "I won't keep you from resting any longer. The logistics team will contact you later to coordinate. You've done a great job on this mission, and the base will reward you according to regulations. If you have any special needs, just let me know."

After saying that, he turned to leave, but turned back at the door and added, his voice becoming more serious: "This is all you deserve!"

Just as he had come, this man arrived with a large entourage of guards, and now, as he left, he led the same group of guards away in perfect unison.

As Jiang Zhi watched the other person's departing figure, the huge weight that had been hanging over her heart finally lifted.

Unexpectedly, the base leaders were so understanding. Jiang Zhi's previous anxiety subsided considerably, and even the fatigue from mental exhaustion eased a lot.

She couldn't help but start wondering what reward the base would give her.

And then there's my brother's and dad's share, it'll definitely add up to a lot!

Jiang Zhi felt warmer and warmer as she thought about it. She couldn't wait to run home and tell her family about it. She couldn't stay in the clinic any longer and decided to go straight back.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped out of the rest room, I saw that the corridor was full of medical staff in white coats, and even the open space at the door was packed with people.

The hushed whispers ceased the moment she appeared, and dozens of eyes fell upon her, like sparks ignited, dazzlingly bright.

A young nurse wearing glasses in the front row, her cheeks slightly flushed, asked with barely suppressed excitement, "Comrade Jiang, have you rested well?"

Jiang Zhi was completely bewildered.

She instinctively stopped in her tracks, looking at the vast crowd before her and the undisguised eagerness in their eyes…

What... is going on?

Seeing her stunned expression, the young nurse took another half step forward, her voice tinged with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement: "Comrade Jiang, we've all heard! You saved more than twenty soldiers, and everyone wanted to come and tell you how hard you've worked..."

Before he could finish speaking, someone immediately chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, I heard you exhausted your mental energy to save people. How are you feeling now?"

Someone rushed over and, without saying a word, stuffed a few pieces of candy wrapped in leaves into her hand, their tone full of genuine concern: "These are what we usually keep on hand to tide us over. Have some, so you don't go hungry."

The chatter of the crowd was filled with genuine concern and admiration.

Jiang Zhi was somewhat taken aback by this sudden enthusiasm.

She blushed and waved to everyone, saying, "Thank you... I'm fine, I just need some rest."

At this moment, Dean Diao walked over with a frown, his tone feigning anger: "What are you all doing, crowding around Comrade Jiang? Have you all finished your work? Get back to your posts!"

After being reprimanded by him, everyone responded with smiles and "Understood, Dean," before scattering in a flurry of quick steps.

As she turned to leave, someone turned back and waved to Jiang Zhi, their voice clear and bright: "Comrade Jiang, please get some rest!"

Seeing the crowd disperse, Dean Diao quickly smiled at Jiang Zhi and said, "I'm sorry, Comrade Jiang. These medical staff are used to being unruly. Please don't take it to heart."

Jiang Zhi found it somewhat amusing.

What kind of fierce and evil person did Dean Diao take her for?

She didn't say much, but just smiled and said, "Dean Diao, my treatment here is finished, so I'll head back now."

Dean Diao was a little nervous: "How can that be? You just overexerted your mental energy, how can you go back by yourself? I'll have Xiao Zhou take you back, he's fast on his bike."

Gou An and the others were whispering among their newly awakened comrades. Jiang Zhi didn't intend to let them take her back, and she certainly didn't need to ask Dean Diao to take her.

Jiang Zhi quickly waved her hand to decline, saying, "No need to trouble the dean. I can go back by myself to clear my head. Besides, it's not far. There's really no need to send someone to take me."

She patted the candy in her hand, her smile becoming more genuine. "Look how busy everyone is, let's not waste any more time."

Seeing her insistence and noticing that her complexion had indeed improved considerably, Dean Diao did not press her further, only instructing her, "Take care on the road, rest as soon as you get home, and come to the institute anytime if you feel unwell."

After saying that, he seemed to feel it was unlucky, and spat a few more times, saying, "Look at my mouth."

Jiang Zhi chuckled, waved, and left the clinic.

Although she didn't ask anyone to take her, Jiang Zhi still felt that it would be much more convenient to ride a bike back.

It's a pity that the bicycle tire Luo Yonghui gave me was flat, otherwise I could have ridden it home directly.

On the way back, pedestrians hurried by.

After the cold wave, the temperature gradually cooled down.

Many people on the street wrapped themselves tightly in their thin clothes.

With temperatures currently around 7 or 8 degrees Celsius, many people are still risking going out to "scavenge" – specifically looking for mutated beasts that have been frozen to death.

If you're lucky enough to find some mutated animals that haven't completely thawed, you'll make a fortune.

Unfortunately, almost all the plants in the collection area were wiped out in that cold wave.

Some people who are not so physically agile can only hold onto a sliver of hope as they search for plants that are less frozen.

So lately, the base has become quite lively.

Not long after leaving Zone C, Jiang Zhi saw that the bulletin board by the roadside was surrounded by people, who were gathered in twos and threes looking at something, and their discussions could be heard from time to time.

Which district are you planning to go to?

"That must be Section B and Section C, because the two meals served in those two places are very thick."

"Sigh, I'd like to go too, but they require you to have a skill."

...

Jiang Zhi went to check it out and found the bulletin board covered with notices.

With no power at the base and the screen in the consular hall for issuing missions unusable, the staff simply posted the missions on the bulletin boards of each small area.

In addition to the list of the dead printed in black letters, there was a long list of newly released mission announcements.

From clearing the bodies of the victims and disinfecting key areas, to checking the survival status of frozen plants in the collection area and calculating the losses, to repairing the walls of the base that were cracked by the cold wave and reinforcing the outer protective netting...

The notice was filled with densely packed handwriting listing various tasks to be done, with each task marked with a corresponding points reward. Many people were pointing at the notice and discussing in hushed tones, figuring out which task to take on next.

Tasks like helping the base repair its infrastructure are more popular with the local people.

The daily wage is 3 jin of highland barley, plus two meals.

Jiang Zhi looked at the tasks listed and found that not many were suitable for the Jiang family.

The most pressing need at home right now is firewood for heating, and we don't know what the situation is like in the collection area.

It would be great if the base could reward them with some kind of warm clothing...

As Jiang Zhi was pondering the reward, she took a step forward when she caught a glimpse of A Yu, who had previously delivered a refrigerated display case to Old Jiang's house, registering his tasks with a few of his underlings at the notice board on the other side.

Jiang Zhixin's heart stirred.

Remembering what Ye Qingyun had said about how much help A Yu and the others had given him, he couldn't help but walk over.

"Ayu, what are you doing here?"

When Ayu saw Jiang Zhi, his eyes lit up. "Sister Zhi! You're back from the research institute?"

Previously, when Han Lei and his group were staying with the Jiang family in the air-raid shelter, Ye Qingyun told others that the brother and sister had gone to the research institute to help out.

Jiang Zhi was a little embarrassed and changed the subject, asking, "Are you guys preparing for a mission?"

Ayu scratched his head. "Yeah, there's no other way. The cold wave emptied Lei's savings. If he doesn't work, he won't have anything to eat."

They didn't have a spacecraft, so a lot of food had to be left at the company, and most of it was frozen when they came out.

When Jiang Zhi heard him say that, she thought to herself that even the 100,000 points she had given Han Lei to help buy food were barely enough.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Ayu continued, "But don't worry, Sister Zhi, before the cold wave came, Brother Lei bought you some mutated mutton. It was in the refrigerator and wasn't affected. It's still edible after thawing. When do you want me to send it to you?"

Jiang Zhi was overjoyed to hear this; she hadn't expected such an unexpected surprise.

This kind of weather is perfect for eating hot pot with lamb.

He immediately said, "Let's go back tonight and tell Brother Lei to have everyone come to our house."

Jiang Zhi felt that it was truly commendable that Han Lei was still able to lend a helping hand during that critical moment.

We must sincerely express our gratitude for this timely help.

She was thinking that she could use the mutton that Han Lei had bought for her to make a pot of hot mutton soup and invite him to have a hot meal together.

Judging from Ayu and the others' current state, they're probably not having an easy time either. We should take advantage of the mealtime to discuss how to get through this winter more safely.

Ayu, unaware of Jiangzhi's thoughts, assumed she had something important to help with, and said, "Okay! Sister Zhi, we'll go over later."

Jiangzhi: "Remember to come early."

When Jiang Zhi got home, she immediately saw several men repairing the roof tiles.

The previous cold wave cracked many of the roof tiles, so we have to pick them out one by one before the snow falls.

Otherwise, it would be tough if it snowed.

Wu Xiu and the others were all busy with their own work, but when they saw Jiang Zhi return, they immediately gathered around and started asking her all sorts of questions about the clinic.

Everyone was very happy to hear that Jiang Zhi had successfully resolved the issue.

Wu Xiu patted her chest and said, "Thank goodness. I was worried when Da Shu told me you were going to save so many people. What if you, a young girl, couldn't save them all? What if you were blamed?"

Yuan Ying nodded repeatedly in agreement, "That's right! We were just discussing whether to go and help. We were all thinking about how much pressure you must be under carrying such a heavy burden all by yourself. Now that you've told us that everything has been saved, thank goodness! Sit down and rest. I'll go make you a bowl of hot sugar water to warm you up."

As he spoke, he turned around and walked briskly toward the kitchen, his steps becoming much lighter.

Jiang Zhi felt a warm glow in her heart. Outsiders would envy her abilities and even be jealous of the benefits she had received.

But only her family truly understands the burden on her shoulders and worries that she might be overwhelmed by such pressure.

She turned to look at her mother standing to the side.

Ye Qingyun smiled and raised her hand to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear: "Our Azhi has worked hard today."

Jiang Zhi instantly felt all her fatigue vanish.

Unable to resist sharing what had just happened, she said, "Mom, I just saw Ayu and the others."

She mentioned her idea of ​​treating Han Lei and the others to a meal that evening, and Grandma Jiang nodded repeatedly, "We should thank them properly. We've been busy with things at home these past few days. We were thinking of sending them some things later, but since Azhi brought it up, we might as well take this opportunity to get together."

Ye Qingyun laughed and said, "That's great! Someone just came to tell us that your dad will be back tonight too. We can have a family reunion dinner together."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shu sprang out as if his feet were on springs, before the words had even finished: "Then I'll go tell Brother Dali and the others!"

Hot pot with mutton! Set up a pot inside, and the red and white mutton rolls up as soon as it's dipped in the boiling broth. Dip it in the sauce, and pop it into your mouth... It would be so delicious to eat a meal like this on a day like this.

Ye Qingyun laughed and scolded, "You brat! Slow down!"

As Jiang Shu stepped out the door, he touched the tip of his nose and chuckled, feeling that this time when he returned, the elders in his family seemed to be less "stingy."

Who would have dared to imagine that before? If I ate a meal with meat during the day, I was guaranteed to have thin porridge and pickled vegetables for dinner.

It's not that Ye Qingyun and the others have become more generous.

You still have to save money when you should.

However, this was specifically to thank Han Lei and the others, so we couldn't be too stingy.

Let's get right to it.

Han Lei has many younger brothers, and the women in his family have to do a lot of work just to prepare for it.

Fearing there wouldn't be enough room for everyone, Ye Qingyun simply removed the chairs and carefully tidied up the hall. She found the old furniture that had been damaged by the cold, pieced together the dismantled planks, and used them as temporary dining tables. She also laid some soft old cotton wadding or thick cloth mats on the floor so that everyone would be more comfortable even if they sat on the floor.

Since we're having hot pot with mutton, we need to prepare side dishes and dipping sauces.

Several women were busy running around in the kitchen.

Yuan Ying and Wu Xiu were responsible for cleaning and washing the fresh baby bok choy they had bought from Han Lei, and also soaking the dried spinach.

Take out all the remaining mole cricket meat, yam beans, potatoes, and lotus root, slice them, and set them aside.

Too busy to make time for dinner, Grandma Jiang asked Jiang Hai and Jiang He to wash some mutated apples and cut some mutated bananas.

The dipping sauce is the soul of the dish.

They didn't have the means, they didn't have sesame paste.

You can only make other flavored dipping sauces.

In situations like this, only Ye Qingyun's intervention can prevent things from going wrong.

Ye Qingyun chopped the chives into small pieces, then mixed a small bowl of chopped scallions and minced garlic together, added some juice from the mutated apple, salt, a little oil, and a little bit of Japanese knotweed water, and finally drizzled a spoonful of freshly fried chili oil on top.

As the knife moves, the fresh aroma of chives mingles with the pungent fragrance of scallions and the rich flavor of minced garlic, releasing its aroma first.

As soon as the sweetness of the mutated apple juice seeps in, the fresh scent of herbs comes alive. Then, mixed with the umami of salt, the smoothness of oil, and the subtle sourness of the Japanese knotweed water... Finally, a spoonful of scalding hot chili oil is poured in with a "sizzle," and the bright red oil droplets instantly explode with several flavors.

All the aromas were twisted into a hot, warm current, which penetrated the lungs through the nasal cavity, causing a tingling, itchy sensation in the throat of those around them.

Just the smell makes your mouth water.

Not long after, Liu Xu arrived with Niu Dali and Niu Xiaolu, carrying a basket of things.

"Aunties, we were worried you'd be too busy, so we came to help first," Liu Xu said with a smile. "I just made some hand-pulled noodles with flour, so I brought them over for everyone to try."

Ye Qingyun said reproachfully, "You're here, why did you bring food?"

Flour is a precious commodity nowadays, so the fact that she could bring in willow catkins shows that she knows how to behave appropriately.

Liu Xu just smiled and didn't say anything.

After letting Niu Xiaolu and Jiang Si play together, I joined in to help.

Ye Qingyun didn't intend to use only mutton.

We still have snake and wild boar meat that haven't been made into jerky, as well as some processed crayfish meat at home. They were all kept in the refrigerator before, so now it's a good time to take them out and eat them together.

Looking at the dishes prepared by the Jiang family, Liu Xu secretly clicked her tongue in amazement. She hadn't expected the Jiang family to have such a solid financial foundation, capable of producing so many rare and delicious dishes.

Just as I was thinking this, Jiang Shu rushed in.

"Mom! We're in for a treat today! Look what this is!"

When everyone looked into his hand, they saw a piece of solidly frozen red meat exposed—the meat was a glossy dark red, with a thin layer of white frost around the edges, and the fat and lean meat were evenly distributed between the muscle fibers. Even though it was frozen, it couldn't hide the firmness that was unique to fresh meat.

Ye Qingyun was taken aback. "This is... beef?"

Jiang Shu chuckled, "Bingo! That's right! Grandpa Lin knows we're having a big meal today. He said it's to make up for the meal we had at noon."

Jiang Shu lifted the meat and weighed it; it was a full thirty jin (about 15 catties), which was more than what his family had brought out!

He placed the frozen beef on the table, some frost flakes falling off, and he couldn't hide the smugness in his eyes. "Now our hot pot is finally ready!"

Ye Qingyun laughed, "It is indeed the icing on the cake!"

Grandma Jiang looked at the white and fluffy meat and was very pleased. "This meat looks fresh. It will definitely taste delicious when it's cooked in hot pot!"

As everyone busied themselves, the sky gradually darkened.

Not long after, Han Lei arrived with seven or eight of his brothers, pushing a tricycle.

The Jiang family had seen that small cart before; A-Yu used it when he delivered goods.

Now, the two old wheels of different sizes wobble as they turn, with mud and ice shards still stuck to their edges. They look like they were just put together because they were damaged by the cold wave.

The temperature at night is several degrees lower than during the day. The young people were dressed very lightly, and they looked cold.

Grandma Jiang opened the door and, seeing the situation, said, "Why are you children dressed so lightly?"

Han Lei directed his men to move the things from the tricycle inside, laughing as he said, "I'm used to it, it's not that cold."

Jiang Zhi stood by the door to help, but her eyes were fixed on the feet of the group.

The soles of the straw sandals worn smooth in the summer were worn shiny, the fabric around the ankles was frayed, and the exposed ankles were red from the cold, with even some slightly purplish frostbite marks visible.

She sighed inwardly: It's not that it's not cold, it's just that the conditions don't allow it, otherwise who would want to freeze in this freezing weather?

Seeing how cheerful they were as they carried the things, without showing the slightest sign of distress, Jiang Zhi couldn't help but hand them some freshly boiled hot water: "Come in quickly, it's warm inside!"

Han Lei grinned: "Alright!"

Once everyone had entered the house.

Han Lei then said, "Azhi, I'm sorry, I didn't buy much with the 100,000 points you gave me before. I was originally looking for some cost-effective food, but I didn't expect to run into this cold wave. In the end, I couldn't buy anything, and only these few mutated lambs survived."

I couldn't buy it then, so there's even less chance of buying it now.

As he spoke, he transferred the remaining 70,000 points to Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi waved her hand with a smile: "I'm already thankful that I was able to get these sheep, Brother Lei, please don't take it to heart."

She knew exactly what was going on.

In this day and age, getting four strong, mutated lambs for 30,000 points is practically an incredible bargain.

With supplies so scarce right now, many people are holding onto their points but still can't buy anything. If Han Lei were to resell these lambs to someone else, he could easily make several times the profit.

But he kept it for himself without hesitation, proving that he was a man of his word.

Ye Qingyun, who was in front, didn't stand on ceremony at all and directly directed several young men to help deal with a sheep.

"Come on, all you young men, don't just sit there, come and help. Let's get this done quickly so we can eat sooner."

The young people were taken aback.

Have a meal?

They looked at Han Lei with some confusion.

Han Lei was also a little stunned, "Auntie..."

As Ye Qingyun rinsed the frozen, mutated lamb with water, he said with a smile, "Don't ask me, ask Azhi."

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Brother Lei, we've been so grateful for your help taking care of the family the other day. We've always remembered that kindness! Today, we've invited you all here for a hot pot meal as a way of showing our appreciation. Please don't be shy!"

Han Lei: "This...this is too much trouble!"

His brothers had appetites like pigs; he was afraid that if he ate a meal with them, the Jiang family would refuse him entry.

Wu Xiu smiled and said, "There's no need to be shy. Eat as much as you want today. There's plenty of meat."

If it weren't for Brother Yu helping to carry Grandpa Jiang, they definitely wouldn't have made it back to the base in time.

It's no exaggeration to say that it saved my life.

At worst, we can just be more frugal with our spending afterwards.

Just as things were getting lively, Jiang Shan's voice rang out from behind: "It's getting lively, isn't it?"

Ye Qingyun was overjoyed: "Dashan! Dashan is back!"

She put down the knife in her hand and went straight to meet him.

Ye Qingyun felt a pang of sadness when she saw that her husband had gone out and looked much more haggard.

We've been married for so long, we can tell what the other is thinking with just a glance.

Jiang Shan grinned at her, "What? Don't you recognize me?"

Ye Qingyun glared at him, "You're so unruly, come in here."

Jiang Shan entered the house. Seeing the table full of steaming dishes and smiling faces, his face, which had been stiff from the cold, softened, and he said with a smile, "I knew I could smell the aroma from afar. Turns out it's a hot pot feast at home. What a coincidence, I'm just in time for a hot meal!"

He waved the bag in his hand and said, "Perfect timing to add another dish!"

Everyone was surprised to see that it was tofu!

The tender white tofu was wrapped in a clean cotton cloth, still slightly warm, with no bumps or scratches on the edges. In this season of scarcity, fresh tofu is even rarer than meat.

There are actually 6 big pieces!

Jiang Shu's eyes lit up. "Dad, where did this come from?"

"The research institute made this especially to welcome us back."

Ye Qingyun quickly took it, gently pressed it with her fingers, and found it soft and fragrant with soybeans. She laughed and said, "If you cook this tofu in a clear broth, I guarantee you'll be amazed by how delicious it is!"

Ten minutes later, all the ingredients needed for the hot pot were ready.

One by one, everyone entered the hall.

After the cold wave, the daytime hours became shorter, and by 7 a.m., it was almost completely dark.

Power has not been restored to the base yet.

The Jiang family asked Liu Xu to bring her own kerosene lamps, and they placed one in each of the four corners of the hall.

The golden light felt very warm.

The weather was damp and chilly. The Jiang family's house wasn't small, but it felt a bit cramped when there were many people.

But this actually makes it warmer.

Tables and chairs were placed against the corner of the wall, and even cotton mats were laid on the floor for the children to sit around. The white breath exhaled by each person mixed with the aroma of food, keeping the cold air out of the door.

Two charcoal stoves were set up side by side in the middle of the hall, and the soup in the two pots was bubbling away. One soup was red with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, and the other was clear soup with scallions and ginger. The steam rose high into the air.

The pungent aroma of the mutated side dishes filled the entire hall.

Two identical dishes were placed next to the stove. The baby bok choy in the basket looked very fresh, and the sliced ​​meat on the plate was neatly arranged. Even the dipping sauce dishes were in two separate portions, so anyone could reach out and grab whatever they wanted.

"Big Tree, go and call your Grandpa Lin over."

Jiang Shu responded and left quickly.

Jiang Sui and Jiang Si helped Grandpa Jiang out. The old man coughed a few times, and seemed to be in much better condition than in the morning.

"Ahem, don't rush to eat yet, Wen, go and get the wine I brewed earlier."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

—They even have wine!?

Grandpa Jiang brewed two barrels of wine.

When the cold wave hit, people didn't have time to put things away, and they were frozen solid.

Now that the temperature has risen, some of the ice has melted, but it still has some partially melted ice crystals.

Jiang Wen quickly brought over a barrel of wine.

Upon opening the barrel, the liquor inside, mixed with crushed ice, sloshed about, and its originally clear color became somewhat cloudy.

Jiang Shan walked over and smelled it; a faint fruity fragrance still wafted out. He smiled and said, "Although it's frozen, at least it's not spoiled. We'll heat it up later, and it'll be perfect for warming up!"

What should we drink to warm ourselves up?

Just then, Grandpa Lin walked in.

Grandma Jiang looked behind him and asked, "Where's the Lin family boy? My Dashan is back, but he's still not back?"

Grandpa Lin waved his hand, "He's busy, don't worry about him."

He sniffed eagerly, and when he caught a whiff of alcohol, his previously serious face lit up instantly. He took a few steps toward the barrel of alcohol that was surrounded by the crowd.

In an instant.

A fragrant aroma of wine mixed with ice wafted over, and Old Master Lin took a deep breath, his beard bristling as he laughed heartily: "Brother Jiang, you're quite something, hiding such fine stuff! I knew something smelled off from afar, turns out it's good wine!"

Grandpa Jiang smiled and said, "We can heat it up a bit and then have a few sips."

Grandpa Lin didn't care about any of that. "Frozen wine is even stronger. Quickly fill me a bowl. I'm going to have a couple of good drinks today!"

With everyone present, Grandma Jiang was delighted: "Good, good, everyone eat as much as you want today! There's plenty to go around!"

As soon as Grandma Jiang finished speaking, she poured a plate of freshly sliced ​​mutton into the boiling clear soup.

The slices of meat rolled in the clear broth, instantly curling into a beautiful arc. Everyone was already impatient, their chopsticks clattering as they reached into the pot—

In the spicy hot pot, the mutated beef is cooked until tender and translucent. Dipped in a numbing and fragrant sauce, it bursts with juice on the tongue, and the spiciness mixed with the aroma of meat shoots straight to the top of your head.

The lamb in the clear broth hot pot is cooked until tender, and each bite is full of the unique muttony flavor of the mutton cake.

To everyone's surprise, the mutated lamb was exceptionally tender. Dipped in Ye Qingyun's special sauce, everyone felt as if they had returned to the old days when they could easily eat hot pot.

Jiang Shu poured a cup of warm wine for everyone except the children.

Grandpa Lin insisted on having a cold drink, but Ye Qingyun stopped him: "You should listen to my advice, sir. Don't ruin your health, or your grandson will come after us later!"

Old Master Lin tried to persuade Ye Qingyun, but Ye ignored him.

There was no other way but to drink warm wine with everyone else.

The warm wine, upon first tasting, had a refreshing coolness after the ice melted, mixed with the aroma of fermented fruit that spread across the tongue. As it was swallowed, the warmth flowed down the throat to the stomach, instantly soothing the chill from the body.

Grandpa Jiang had not yet recovered, and Grandma Jiang was also restraining him, only allowing him to taste a few bites.

The old man looked extremely regretful.

"If I'd known you'd act like this, I wouldn't have brought out the wine, cough cough..."

Grandma Jiang snorted, "It's too late for you to regret it now!"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

At first, Han Lei and his brothers were a bit reserved, only daring to pick up one or two pieces with their chopsticks, afraid of losing face by eating too quickly.

But when the beef bubbling in the hot pot is dipped in the sauce, and the numbing and fragrant aroma mixed with the meat juices explodes in your mouth, who cares about being polite?

The chopsticks flew into the pot.

The spiciness of the red broth, the freshness of the clear broth, and the aroma of the dipping sauce linger on the tip of the tongue, while the hot meat and soup gradually fill the stomach that has been empty for a long time.

As Ah Song ate, he kept praising, "Delicious! Auntie, your cooking is amazing! It's so delicious!"

Ye Qingyun's eyes crinkled with laughter at the compliment. "You've got a sweet tongue, young man."

Ah Song thought to himself, "He's not just being sweet-talking; he's telling the truth."

This was the first time since the cataclysm that the brothers had been able to eat so freely.

Especially in the last few days, because of the loss of a lot of food, almost no one has had enough to eat.

I woke up hungry several nights in a row.

My stomach had been empty for too long, but it was gradually filled by the hot meat and delicious soup. Warmth spread throughout my body, and even my eyes felt a little hot.

Life was hard after the catastrophe, and they had long forgotten what it felt like to be well-fed.

These days, it's normal for them to eat frozen dry rations and drink water with ice crystals; they even dream of a hot meal.

But at this moment, the laughter that filled the room enveloped them with warmth, washing away most of the cold, hunger, and panic they had felt in those days.

Han Lei looked at the long-lost relaxation on his brothers' faces. Some burped with satisfied sighs, while others held their hot soup bowls, reluctant to put them down. Their restraint was long gone, leaving only unguarded comfort.

This meal was more than just eating and drinking; it warmed them from the inside out, even as they braved the cold wind.

No one expected that Han Lei would be completely won over in just one meal.

For Jiang Shu, the only good thing about winter is this hot pot.

On freezing cold days, the wind howls outside, but inside the house, the charcoal fire burns brightly, and the soup in the pot bubbles and gurgles.

That's the atmosphere!

Sitting next to the ginger branch, Liu Xu felt that the wine and dishes today were especially delicious.

Niu Xiaolu, nestled in her arms, had bright, sparkling eyes. When no one was looking, he whispered in her ear, "Mommy, I love the Jiang family so much!"

Liu Xu chuckled. She then whispered, "Because Aunt Jiangzhi's house has delicious food?"

Niu Xiaolu shook his head, "No, I like it even without food."

Liu Xu smiled and patted her son's head.

She knew what her son was trying to say.

Here, adults and children huddle together, chatting noisily, greeting each other as they pass food, and even the grown men share a piece of meat with the children when they drink.

Anyone who gets cold will huddle up to the fire, and anyone whose bowl is empty will have soup added immediately. Even the quarreling sounds are filled with warmth.

This warm feeling of being huddled together yet not distant, of being able to laugh and say "enough is enough" even in hard times, is what children cherish most.

Niu Xiaolu glanced next door, her little face full of excitement, and snuggled closer to Liu Xu: "It's warm here, and everyone is smiling."

Liu Xu's heart softened. Yes, no matter how hard life is, with such warmth surrounding her, she was afraid of nothing...

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, and were covered in sweat, the young men lay down on the ground, looking completely satisfied.

Jiangzhi ate until his belly was round and full.

Seeing that everyone had eaten enough, Jiang Zhi said, "Now that everyone has eaten their fill, let's get down to business."

Everyone was taken aback and turned to look at Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "As you all know, it's getting colder every day. Once winter truly arrives, the situation outside will definitely be dire. Although we still have some food on hand, we can't just sit around and do nothing. So, we must find a way to survive the winter."

As soon as Jiang Zhi finished speaking, the noisy room fell silent. The bubbling sound of the hot pot was exceptionally clear.

The willow catkins looked at the ginger twigs with sparkling eyes.

His eyes were full of admiration.

—She knew it! She knew that no matter how difficult it was, Jiangzhi could lead them out of a predicament!

Han Lei: "A-Zhi, what do you want to do?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Actually, we have two other paths."

She looked at Jiang Shu, "Brother, do you remember when we went ice fishing in Northeast China in the winter?"

Jiang Shu instantly understood, his eyes lighting up. "A-Zhi, you mean..."

Jiang Zhi nodded: "That's right. It will freeze over in winter, but the water temperature won't be that low. We can chisel a hole in the ice and go ice fishing then."

Han Lei's heart skipped a beat, "You mean... that dangerous river in the No. 3 collection area?!"

Talking to smart people is effortless.

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "That's right."

The river hasn't frozen yet, and that dangerous river is still quite perilous, after all, it connects to the sea and the cave she previously explored that hadn't been cleared by the base's exploration team.

Jiang Zhi plans to go back to that cave to explore it when she has the chance.

Upon hearing this, everyone agreed that the method was feasible.

Willow catkins asked, "A-Zhi, what about the other road?"

Jiang Zhi glanced at everyone and, seeing the expectant looks on their faces, smiled and said, "The second path is the Qiling Mountains."