Upon seeing this, the soldiers immediately fell silent and looked over, embarrassed.
Pei Jiwang's gaze swept over Zi Xi's slightly red hand, and then looked at the almost untouched food in her lunchbox.
He put down the cornbread in his hand and picked up his clean, unused aluminum lunchbox lid.
He shoved the few untouched pieces of braised canned meat and some radish that looked overcooked into the lid of his lunchbox, then pushed it in front of her.
"The canned meat is stewed until very tender, and the radish is also flavorful. Try this; just drinking the soup won't fill you up."
"It's okay if you can't finish it all. Eat as much as you can, and I'll boil some eggs for you when we get back."
His movements were natural, and his face showed no particular expression.
Zi Xi was stunned. She looked up at him blankly, then at the meat and radish in front of her that were steaming slightly.
[Old Pei... he gave me his own food?]
Why? Is it out of pity? Or... are you afraid I'll starve to death here and embarrass him?
[But this meat does look... a bit softer and more tender than mine?]
"Eat up, I might have something to do this afternoon."
Pei Jiwang didn't explain, but simply picked up his cornbread again, as if he had just done something completely ordinary.
Zi Xi looked at his expressionless profile, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She hesitated for a moment, then picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece of meat, and put it in her mouth.
The meat was indeed softer than she had imagined, with the characteristic salty seasoning of canned food.
For her, who was used to the refined local cuisine, it wasn't exactly delicious, but at least she could swallow it.
Zi Xi silently ate the meat and radish in the lunchbox lid in small bites. Although she didn't say anything, her tense shoulders seemed to relax a little.
Pei Jiwang caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye that she had finally started eating. Although she was still having a hard time eating, at least she wasn't starving herself anymore.
He calmly withdrew his gaze and continued to finish the remaining cornbread and cabbage.
"Company Commander Pei, what a coincidence, you just finished eating too?"
The two had just finished eating and were about to leave the cafeteria when a clear, melodious female voice, tinged with laughter, came from beside them.
Zi Xi looked in the direction of the sound.
A young female soldier, dressed in a well-fitting military uniform and with two glossy black braids, walked over.
She had a tall and straight figure, a pretty face, healthy wheat-colored skin, and particularly bright eyes. When she smiled, she had two shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth.
Compared to other female soldiers, she possesses a distinct artistic temperament and confidence.
They must be from the performing arts troupe.
Zi Xi made a judgment immediately.
"Officer Su."
Pei Jiwang nodded slightly to her as a greeting, his attitude polite but distant.
"This must be Comrade Zixi, right? Hello, I'm Su Wanting from the Division's Cultural Troupe."
"I'd heard long ago that Company Commander Pei married a beautiful and cultured woman from Shanghai. Today I finally get to meet her!"
The officer's gaze shifted to Zi Xi beside Pei Jiwang, and his smile became even more friendly and sweet.
She extended her hand proactively, her gesture graceful and appropriate.
Looking at the impeccable smile on her face, and those seemingly kind but actually scrutinizing and probing eyes, Zi Xi felt an alarm bell ring in her heart.
[Here it comes! A classic scene from a TV series!]
[These two sisters seem friendly on the surface, but inside they're probably cursing!]
[That look, that tone of voice—standard entrance setup for an opponent!]
[Isn't that Su Wanting that the aunties were talking about? I think she was a star performer in the performing arts troupe?]
Look at the way she looks at Pei Jiwang, her eyes are practically chapped with longing!
That scoundrel Lao Pei, he's definitely up to something!
Despite her inner rant, Zi Xi quickly switched back to her timid and naive demeanor.
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