"Hongmei, what brings you here? Did Brother Shouyi let you come? And did you come in the truck from the back?"
"Brother Xiaoshun, your question is hilarious. Why would I need his permission to come over?"
"Yes, yes, I was wrong, okay?"
"I forgive you. The truck behind was driven by me. It contained some grain, as well as seaweed and dried shrimp that I brought with me."
"Haha, that's great! We need to ensure that our supplies reach our comrades who are going to the battlefield. Now we can improve their meals."
"I brought rice."
"Rice is great! I've never eaten it since I arrived here."
"Wang Xiaoshun, do you want to go back?"
"Hey, sir, you're trying to scare me. I just saw my family and that's why I blurted it out. I'm sorry, I won't say anything more."
Zhang Hongmei whispered in Zhang Xingguo's ear, "Uncle Zhang, I can get forty tons of grain. We'll talk about it when we get back."
Zhang Xingguo immediately perked up, but he also knew that now was not the time to talk about these things.
Finally arriving at the command center, Zhang Hongmei looked at the clean but simple living quarters and felt a little sorry for Zhang Xingguo. It was damp and stuffy here, and his arm must be very uncomfortable.
Wang Ying saluted Zhang Xingguo. "Greetings, Commander."
After Zhang Xingguo returned the greeting, he said, "Wang Xiaoshun, take this woman and drive over to unload all the supplies."
"Wait, let's unload our own stuff first. Wang Ying, you go cook. As for the supplies, Wang Xiaoshun can handle them alone."
"Hongmei, don't worry, I know." The two acknowledged the order and left.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Zhang Hongmei took out a thick letter from Zhang Shouyi from her handbag and handed it to him. "Uncle Zhang, this is a letter from Brother Zhang to you. I'm going outside to help Wang Ying cook. Just call me when you need me."
"No need, you can just wait here. Do we need to avoid suspicion?"
"Hehe, I wasn't trying to avoid suspicion, I was just a little hungry, and it'll be faster to cook for two."
"Are you hungry? Wait, Uncle has some food here." Zhang Xingguo said, taking out a paper package, placing it on the table, opening it, and pushing it in front of Zhang Hongmei. Zhang Xingguo scratched his head, a little embarrassed. He knew the snacks were all dried out, but there was nothing better than this.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Hongmei's nose immediately stung and her eyes reddened. This was just an ordinary peach shortbread; Zhang Xingguo must have been saving it for himself, unwilling to eat it, and now he was giving it to her. She picked up a hard piece of shortbread, took a bite, and felt her teeth ache, but she still ate it bite by bite until she finished it.
Zhang Xingguo handed Zhang Hongmei a glass of water. "There's nothing else to eat here, and our supplies aren't enough."
"Uncle Zhang, don't worry. Gu Chuanming gave me more than 20,000 yuan before I came. I found a way, and I will drive over to load it myself tomorrow. I will be back in two days."
"You yourself?"
"Yes, it's just me, don't worry. I'll go tomorrow morning with rice, wheat flour, millet, cornmeal, salt, baking soda, and oil. Uncle Zhang, don't worry, I will never let you suffer again."
"Hongmei, what's your connection to this?"
"Uncle Zhang, you have to believe me."
"How can I trust you? You're going out alone?" Zhang Xingguo stood up agitatedly and paced back and forth a few steps.
"Please read my brother Zhang's letter first. I'll go check if lunch is ready. Also, you need to prepare accommodations for Wang Ying and me."
"What am I supposed to do with you? Alright, go cook, I've read the letter."
Wang Ying steamed rice, and for the side dish, she used potatoes and smoked meat that they had brought with them. The aroma wafted far and wide, and Zhang Hongmei felt a little embarrassed. Was she eating alone? Eating alone in front of the soldiers who had risked their lives for her?
"Wang Ying, take all the remaining meat to the cafeteria, and leave the meat in the pot."
Wang Ying had absolutely no doubt about Zhang Hongmei's decision and followed it exactly as instructed.
By the time Zhang Hongmei finished cooking, Wang Xiaoshun and Wang Ying still hadn't returned. Left with no other option, she took the portion meant for Zhang Xingguo into the house.
By this time, Zhang Xingguo should have already finished reading the letter and burned it; he was just sitting there in a daze.
"Uncle Zhang, the food is ready. You eat first. I'll go see why they haven't come back yet."
"Yes, Hongmei, I'll go with you."
The two arrived at the canteen, where they found themselves helping to unload supplies from the truck.
Gu Chuanming prepared the rice. There were two tons of it, along with a thousand catties of white sugar, a thousand catties of brown sugar, and also kelp and dried shrimp—quite a lot.
Seeing Zhang Hongmei approach, Wang Ying wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Hongmei, you should go back first. It'll be ready soon."
"Okay, the food is ready, we've been waiting for you."
When the head cook saw Zhang Xingguo coming over, he ran over and saluted.
"Go ahead, we'll treat everyone to a better meal tonight. Don't be stingy, the higher-ups will be sending more supplies. In any case, let's all have a good meal first."
"Yes, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished. I'll make sure everyone can have meat."
Wang Xiaoshun drove back, while the remaining three walked back.
"Uncle Zhang, is rice or noodles more convenient here?"
"Make sure you eat plenty of noodles to avoid going hungry."
"Understood, I'll handle it accordingly."
At the dinner table, Zhang Hongmei kept putting meat on Zhang Xingguo's plate and also urged Wang Xiaoshun to eat more.
“You can eat the red plums yourself. These past two weeks have been tough on you two girls.”
"It's not difficult. My biggest regret is that I didn't bring enough food."
"It's alright, as long as you can get the food. Nothing else matters."
"Okay, I'll leave tomorrow morning. I'll have Wang Ying cook for you here; you need to eat well."
Wang Ying hesitated, but she knew Zhang Hongmei hadn't intended to bring her anyway, so she figured she should just obediently follow instructions. Otherwise, there might not be a next time.
"You two will stay here tonight; we'll be in the office next door."
"Okay, we brought our own bedding, Uncle Zhang, don't worry about us. We'll take care of ourselves. We're not here to cause you any trouble."
"I understand. Be careful."
"I know. I'll arrange everything."
Actually, if we hadn't brought Wang Ying along, the car would have been full of food. This has its advantages and disadvantages. If it were just me, we wouldn't be here now.
"Uncle Zhang, don't worry about me. It might be a day or two later, but you have to trust me."
"Okay, I believe you."
Zhang Hongmei smiled, a happy smile. Seeing Zhang Xingguo's conflicted expression, she knew he was worried, but he could also let go of his child—that's what elders are like.
Wang Xiaoshun didn't eat as much as before, which puzzled Zhang Hongmei. It turned out he was saving food for the other four. "I can't just eat well myself and ignore my comrades," she said.
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