The female educated youth's gaze unconsciously drifted towards the cloth bag in the guard post, concealing a hint of barely perceptible guilt.
The soldier didn't think much of it; finally someone had taken care of things. He quickly took out the cloth bag and handed it over. "Great! Go back and tell Comrade Ye that she must never send anything to the military headquarters again. Commander Jiang really won't accept it, lest she make a wasted trip and get cold."
"I understand, thank you, comrade." The female educated youth took the cloth bag, hugged it tightly to her chest, and left quickly, her steps much faster than when she came.
As soon as she was out of the military headquarters' sight, she couldn't wait to find a sheltered corner and, shivering, untied her cloth bag.
Sure enough, there were milk candies, dried fruit, and a few crumpled food coupons inside—all the things she desperately needed right now.
Her name is Lin Wanqiu. She has an older brother and a younger brother. She is sandwiched in the middle and is a girl. She has been neglected since childhood.
Despite having two boys in her family, her parents insisted that she come to the countryside this time.
She had no intention of coming to Heilongjiang Province to suffer. She even considered running away along the way. She thought that even finding a man to marry in a strange city would be better than starving and freezing in the village.
But he was caught by his family before he got very far. He was not only beaten, but also locked in the barn. He didn't get a full meal for several days. He didn't have a single comfortable day until he boarded the train.
So when she arrived in Hongqi Village, her family never sent her anything. Her food coupons were almost used up, and she didn't even dare to dream of sugar or dried fruit.
She was on the verge of running out of food and didn't want to lose face in front of the other educated youth, so she racked her brains to find a solution.
When she accompanied Ye Wenshu to the military headquarters earlier, she saw that the other party left so many things for the soldiers, and she had a wicked idea.
Such a good opportunity! If we could seize it for ourselves, it would solve our immediate problem.
At first, she was afraid of being exposed, but then she thought, what if? What if no one notices?
Commander Jiang doesn't like to meddle in other people's business, so he definitely won't ask where the items went. Ye Wenshu is straightforward and easily trusts people, so she can just make up an excuse and get away with it.
With that thought, Lin Wanqiu felt much more at ease. She quickly took out an old cloth bag that she had prepared beforehand from her bosom, carefully put the candy, dried fruit and food coupons into it, and threw Ye Wenshu's original cloth bag into the woods not far away.
She had accompanied Ye Wenshu earlier, but when Ye Wenshu ran away just now, she made an excuse to go to town to buy something and didn't let the other person come with her.
When she slowly walked back to the village, the timing was just right. The educated youth would only assume that she bought these things at the town's supply and marketing cooperative, and no one would suspect her.
Lin Wanqiu patted the cloth bag to make sure everything was in place before wrapping her cotton-padded coat tighter and walking towards Hongqi Village.
By the time she returned to the educated youth settlement in Hongqi Village, nearly two hours had passed.
Her cotton shoes were already soaked through with snow water, and her toes were numb from the cold. As soon as she entered the room, she couldn't wait to take off her shoes and crawl into the quilt to warm up.
"Late Autumn, didn't you go to town to buy things? What did you buy?"
Before Lin Wanqiu could speak, a female educated youth had already reached for the cloth bag, untied the knot, and after seeing what was inside, couldn't help but mutter, "Hey? The candy and dried fruit you bought are almost the same as what Wen Shu was going to give to Commander Jiang yesterday?"
Lin Wanqiu's heart skipped a beat. She sat up abruptly from the covers, snatched the cloth bag and hugged it to her chest, her voice tinged with panic, "Why are you going through other people's things like that! I bought this myself at the supply and marketing cooperative in town. What does it have to do with Ye Wenshu!"
The female educated youth was startled by her reaction and pursed her lips, "I was just saying it casually, why are you reacting so strongly?"
Lin Wanqiu's fingers, gripping the cloth bag, turned white. Feeling the gazes of the other educated youths fixed on her, she panicked even more. If she were exposed, not only would she lose the bag, but she would also be branded as a thief.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and made up an excuse, "Ye Wenshu's things were sent to the military headquarters a long time ago. I heard that Commander Jiang accepted them. How could they be here with me? I just had a craving when I saw her preparing them yesterday, so I went to town to buy them today. Is that not allowed?"
"Are you telling the truth? Commander Jiang really accepted it?" Ye Wenshu suddenly jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed), rushed to Lin Wanqiu, pressed her hands on her shoulders, and her eyes were frighteningly bright.
In her haste, Lin Wanqiu made up an excuse, and now she can't take it back.
One lie leads to countless others to cover it up.
She could only nod reluctantly, her tone vague, "When I went to town, I passed by the military headquarters and casually asked the soldier on guard duty. He said that the things had been given to Commander Jiang... but I don't know whether he accepted them or not, the soldier didn't go into details."
"That's great!" Ye Wenshu, completely oblivious to the guilt in her tone, excitedly spun around on the spot.
She knew it! Commander Jiang definitely had feelings for her!
The reason I refused before was simply because my fiancée was there, and it wasn't convenient for me to show it!
Otherwise, why did we ask the villagers to return the items last time, but accept them this time?
He only dared to reveal his true feelings because his fiancée wasn't around!
The more Ye Wenshu thought about it, the more she realized it made sense, and a sudden, inexplicable sense of responsibility welled up inside her.
Commander Jiang clearly likes me, but he's forced to be with someone he doesn't love. How painful that must be!
So many lovers in the book couldn't be together in the end, and died in despair. She absolutely couldn't let Commander Jiang end up like that!
There are still many possibilities and many stories to be told between them!
Ye Wenshu excitedly walked to the table and rummaged through the drawer for paper and pen.
The fire in the house was small, and the cold air seeped in through the mud walls, freezing her fingers stiff, but she didn't care at all.
The warmth in my heart is enough to dispel all the cold!
She unfolded the letter, pen in hand, "Mom and Dad, I need you to send me some more food coupons and money. I know this is selfish, but I met my soulmate in Heilongjiang Province. He's a very good person, a commander in the military, a true warrior, carrying a heavy responsibility. I don't want to be a burden to him; I want to do something for him, like bringing him some food, helping him with his worries... Please support me, this is the most important choice I've ever made..."
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