However, Su An's actions did not stop.
After she finished picking up the first piece, she picked up the second one.
This time, the chopsticks steadily reached towards Liu Landi and placed a piece of lean meat into her bowl.
"Landi, you're the vanguard in the swamp assault. Being the first one to scout ahead is the most dangerous part. You've worked hard."
Liu Landi looked up at Su An, then at the meat in her bowl, a faint smile playing on her lips, and whispered, "Thank you."
Then the third piece landed in Chen Xiaocao's bowl.
"Little grass, without your nose and botanical knowledge, we wouldn't be able to get out of that swamp."
Chen Xiaocao's face flushed red instantly, and she waved her hands repeatedly, flattered and overwhelmed: "No, it's no trouble at all! Sister Su An, this is what I should do! I... I didn't do anything..."
Before she could finish speaking, Su An picked up another piece and put it into the bowl of Wang Jin, a fellow police officer standing next to her.
"Wang Jin, you're in charge of covering the rear. You'll be the one most under pressure, having to be vigilant about all directions behind you. This is for you."
Wang Jin was covering his mouth, laughing so hard he was shaking, when suddenly a piece of meat appeared in his bowl, and his laughter stopped abruptly.
He stared blankly at Su An, then at the meat in his bowl, overwhelmed with excitement. He straightened up abruptly and exclaimed, "Yes! Thank you, Teacher Su!"
"Li Si, you're in charge of the outer perimeter security. You haven't slept a wink all night, and your concentration is extremely high. It's the most mentally taxing job."
"And Xiao Zhang, you used up too much energy in the mud and need to replenish it."
"..."
Su An's chopsticks, like the fairest referee, precisely distributed the high mountain of food, piece by piece, to each member of the raiding squad.
She moved slowly, and with each piece of meat she picked up, she would give a short but precise reason.
She remembers the responsibilities of each team member in the operation and the contributions of each individual.
The laughter in the cafeteria gradually subsided.
Everyone fell silent, staring blankly at the scene.
The initial laughter and spectator mentality gradually transformed into a deep sense of awe and spontaneous admiration.
Those members of the raiding squad who received meat stood tall, their faces beaming with excitement and pride at being recognized and remembered. That piece of braised pork in their bowls seemed to shine brighter than a medal of honor.
The soldiers who hadn't participated in the raid watched with envy. They weren't envious of the meat itself, but of the honor of being acknowledged by their squad leader.
Su An transformed an embarrassing personal farce into an inspiring post-war commendation with a plate of braised pork.
She didn't utter a single grand statement, but through her actions, she showed everyone that the credit belongs to everyone and the honor belongs to the collective.
Gao Kai stared blankly, and the grievances and frustrations in his heart vanished without him realizing it.
He looked at Su An's profile. Under the bright lights of the cafeteria, her features appeared so soft, but her behavior was more magnanimous and upright than any man's.
He understood.
Teacher Su was neither rejecting him nor disliking him.
She was using this method to maintain the unity of the team and to protect Gao Kai's face.
If she accepts, then Gao Kai will become an opportunist who, in full view of everyone, tries to curry favor with his superiors.
If she directly refuses, then Gao Kai will be a fool who has been publicly humiliated and will be unable to save face.
Only now, by elevating his "selfish motives" to a "reward" for the entire team, has Gao Kai's behavior transformed from "showing favor" into "representing everyone's respect for a meritorious person."
Teacher Su...she...she was protecting me.
Having figured this out, Gao Kai's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and an emotion far more turbulent than before surged into his heart.
He picked up his chopsticks, took the piece of meat that Su An had personally placed in his bowl, stuffed it into his mouth, and began to chew it heartily.
The meat is still the same piece of meat, but the taste is completely different.
It smells amazing! It smells fucking amazing!
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