These things aren't hard to find.
There are winter fishing activities in the nearby river, and fresh fish can be bought.
The military raises its own chickens, but the price is higher during the Lunar New Year period than usual.
Everything else is available in the cafeteria's storeroom; just tell the manager and you can get it.
"I'll go prepare these things. You can come over when the time comes!" Xu Xinghe glanced at the wall clock; it was getting late. She waved and walked out. "You guys get busy, I'll go back and pack up!"
She had barely stepped out of the office when Lian Xiao kicked the stool next to her.
The stool legs scraped against the ground with a screeching sound.
"This Zhang Cishu, he ruined my plans as soon as he arrived!" he cursed through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with resentment.
Jiang Linchuan gave him a cold look, his tone carrying a warning, "This is Political Commissar Wang's arrangement. You have your own place to live, so don't keep eyeing things that don't belong to you."
These words were pointed, referring both to the neighboring courtyard and alluding to Xu Xinghe.
If you're not his woman, don't get your hopes up.
Lian Xiao scoffed, completely disregarding his warning. "What do you mean it doesn't belong to me? If it's not engraved with my name, then anyone can fight for it! What I want, I'll take it by force, and nobody can stop me!"
After saying that, he grabbed the hat on the table and put it on his head. "Write the report yourself. I don't have time to waste with you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Jiang Linchuan stared at the report on the table, his pen hovering for a long time without falling.
The man named Zhang Cishu is handsome and refined, and he has had dealings with Xu Xinghe before. It's possible that he might develop feelings for someone he shouldn't.
He gripped the pen tightly, a sense of crisis surging within him like a tidal wave.
Xinghe is so wonderful, vibrant and warm, who wouldn't like it?
If only I could keep her at home, so that no one else could see how good she is...
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Jiang Linchuan suppressed it.
He got up, grabbed his military overcoat, and left the office.
The midday sun hung in the sky, but it offered little warmth.
Zhang Cishu remained seated in the empty room, without moving an inch.
He was new to the place and unfamiliar with everything around him, so he had little appetite.
He had asked for directions to the cafeteria before he arrived and remembered the way, but he didn't want to go.
Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard.
"Knock knock knock—Dictionary, are you there?"
“You call me by my full name, not by my full name, like you’re some kind of acquaintance.”
"Comrade Lian, it's very impolite to say such things at someone else's doorstep."
Zhang Cishu stood up and went to open the door.
Sure enough, three familiar figures were standing outside the door.
Xu Xinghe was carrying a fish in her left hand and a chicken in her right. When she saw him open the door, she immediately raised the things in her hands with a smile, as if presenting a treasure.
“Dictionary, we’ve come to warm your home! Look, this fish is whole, symbolizing abundance year after year. This chicken and rice represent having meat and grain, and a stable life. And this!” She waved the strings of red chilies and dried corn hanging on her arm, “Hang this by the kitchen door, and your life will be prosperous and thriving!”
Zhang Cishu's fingers unconsciously gripped the door frame, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.
This feeling was something he had never experienced before; it was both strange and special.
"Hurry up and go inside. It's windy outside. You're dressed so lightly, don't catch a cold." Xu Xinghe stuffed the things in her hands into his arms. Her fingertips accidentally touched the back of his hand, which was icy cold. She urged him again.
Zhang Cishu then came to his senses, took the things, and said, "Come in."
The door creaked shut, finally keeping the cold wind out.
Xu Xinghe rubbed her little hands, which were red from the cold, and breathed on them. "That's all for today! It's auspicious to cook when moving into a new house. By the way, Cishu, you boil some water first. Jiang Linchuan said that boiling water in the new house symbolizes a clean and honest life in the future. We should do that, it's sure to be right."
She couldn't really explain the origin of these customs, but she felt that following them would make things lively and help Zhang Cishu integrate into the community more quickly and find a sense of belonging.
Zhang Cishu nodded, picked up the things and walked towards the kitchen, and Jiang Linchuan followed.
One was adding firewood, and the other was washing the fish.
Lian Xiao, however, plopped down in a chair, crossed his legs, and didn't move an inch, just like a pampered lord waiting to be served.
Xu Xinghe couldn't stand it and whispered, "Why don't you go and help out? You'll be comrades in the same military unit from now on, you'll see each other all the time. Besides, you might have even met when you were kids."
She wasn't wrong either; Grandpa Lian and General Zhang were of similar status and did have interactions when they were young. They might have even brought their children to meet.
"Who has any old acquaintance with him!" Lian Xiao grabbed a piece of fruit candy from the table, crunched it into pieces, and said in a harsh tone, "I, Lian Xiao, don't know just anyone."
Seeing his stubbornness, Xu Xinghe didn't bother to say anything more and waved her hand, "Fine, whatever."
Anyway, since things have already been said to this extent, it's up to him whether he listens or not.
Lian Xiao coughed lightly, "Are you angry?"
"I'm not angry," Xu Xinghe said, but she was still a little angry inside.
She was the one who invited Lian Xiao, hoping everyone would get along well, but now, instead of creating a lively atmosphere, it's just added to the awkwardness.
Lian Xiao is like a hedgehog covered in thorns, pointing his sharp quills at everyone, but he can be gentler with himself.
He disliked Jiang Linchuan, but at least he had some reasons, such as their competitive relationship...
But Zhang Cishu had only just arrived at the military headquarters and hadn't even exchanged a few words with him when he showed her complete rejection, making her feel uncomfortable being caught in the middle.
If I had known it would turn out like this, I really shouldn't have invited him in the first place.
Lian Xiao sensed her insincerity, chewed the candy in his mouth and swallowed it. "Don't be upset. I'll go help, okay? I just think this kid looks too weak. He probably got into the military through connections and will be crying and begging to go back in a few days. Spending time with him now is just a waste of time."
"You can't judge a book by its cover," Xu Xinghe couldn't help but retort. "He also comes from a military family, and in terms of background, he's not necessarily worse than you. I'm not trying to lecture you, but if you always keep this prejudice against others, your popularity in the military will only get worse. I know you don't care about these things, but Grandpa Lian sent you here so you could gain experience and learn something. If you always hide yourself away, how can you see other people's strengths, how can you learn anything?"
Lian Xiao licked his cheek, automatically filtering out all the grand principles of experience and learning that followed, but he remembered only the first sentence.
How is that pretty boy, who looks like he could be blown away by the wind, any better than him?
So what if someone is good-looking and comes from a good family?
He stood up and strode towards the kitchen, still grumbling, "Zhang Cishu, let me help you! With your skinny arms and legs, don't bump into things while carrying a pot. If your bodyguards come, they might think I'm bullying you."
Xu Xinghe listened from behind and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Lian Xiao's mouth is more offensive than a knife!
He has a handsome and pleasing face, but the moment he opens his mouth, he seems like a completely different person. No wonder many soldiers are afraid of him.
If it were her, she would probably choose to keep her distance if she hadn't known him beforehand.
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