The two arrived at the dining room in front, where Aunt Li had already prepared the meal, all of which were Zhang Xingguo's favorite dishes, including a whole pot of braised pork.
"You two sit down first. There's still some food to cook; I'll go cook it right away."
"Aunt Li, wait a moment, we'll start cooking when Uncle Zhang arrives."
"Okay, the rice is in the pot too. I'll put the meat in the pot to keep it warm."
Xiao Shun brought Zhang Hongmei a cup of milk and Zhang Shouyi a cup of tea.
"Brother Zhang, would you like some coffee?"
"I won't drink it; it's not as good for your health as tea."
"Haha, that's true. It's not bad to start taking care of your health in your twenties."
Are you mocking me?
"How could that be? It's just that I think Brother Zhang's forward-thinking is too strong. He should take care of his health, especially people like you who don't have a regular lifestyle."
"Hehe, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
Zhang Hongmei glanced helplessly at Zhang Shouyi. "This has little to do with me, does it? If you die, I'll just lose my right to be a creditor, right?"
Zhang Xingguo arrived half an hour later, and Xiao Li had already prepared the bathwater.
"Hongmei, I'm going to wash up first." Zhang Xingguo said and hurriedly left.
"Hehe, Hongmei, my dad only has eyes for you now, he can't even see his own son."
Are you jealous?
"No, why would I be jealous of you? The better my dad treats you, the happier I am."
"There's nothing I can do, I just want to please the elders, and there's nothing I can do about their jealousy." Zhang Hongmei shrugged, looking troubled.
"Hehe, it's good to be likable, but just don't try to be likable by the opposite sex."
"Of course you have to win the favor of the opposite sex, or else become a nun?"
Zhang Shouyi just laughed and said, "You have no chance to become a nun."
Aunt Li was also cooking in the kitchen when Wang Xiaoshun returned after washing up. He leaned close to Zhang Hongmei and said, "Hongmei, I'm going out with the commander soon, and the thought of not being able to eat your braised pork makes me feel really sad."
"Hehe, we have braised pork today."
"What? Don't you want to go?" Zhang Shouyi's sinister voice came from beside him.
Wang Xiaoshun was startled. "Brother Shouyi, how could that be? My dream is to go to the battlefield, that's right, that's right."
"You can refuse, but you must protect Uncle Zhang well; that's your mission."
"Of course, I am the commander's shield. Don't worry, Hongmei, I will never let the commander get hurt."
"Wang Xiaoshun, can I trust you?"
"Yes, absolutely." Wang Xiaoshun stood at attention and gave a sharp salute.
Zhang Shouyi watched with a smile, feeling a warm glow from Zhang Hongmei's earnestness. Nothing in this life could stop him from having this girl.
Wang Xiaoshun immediately reverted to his true nature, "Hongmei, can I have both the dried sweet potatoes?"
"Okay, take it all, including fruit candies, milk candies, and chocolates. Take them all; these will quickly replenish your energy."
"Wang Xiaoshun, you good-for-nothing, all you know is eating. Hongmei, don't give him any good food."
"Commander, how could you do this?"
"Alright, stop fooling around, let's eat. Our flight is at nine tonight."
"Uncle Zhang, you can't not go, can you?"
"Of course not. Remember, a soldier's job is to protect the country."
"Okay, okay, I'll go back and pack some things for you later, and I'll have Wang Xiaoshun take them with you. Don't think it's too much trouble. They might not seem useful now, but you never know when you might need them. Also, I won't bring you too much stuff."
Aunt Li brought in the last dish, followed by Uncle Li carrying braised pork.
"Everyone, sit down and eat. There's no alcohol today."
Zhang Hongmei smiled secretly. It's better without wine.
Wang Xiaoshun picked up a piece of braised pork and ate it. "Hongmei, this pork isn't as good as yours."
"No, I think it tastes pretty good. I'll make you braised pork and sliced meat when you come back safely."
"I guarantee I'll complete the mission." Even if it's just for the meat, I have to work hard.
Zhang Xingguo was extremely excited and eager to lead the battle at the border. Therefore, he paid no attention to Zhang Hongmei's concerns.
After dinner, Zhang Hongmei followed Zhang Xingguo's car back to the courtyard house. Once inside, she took out about fifty jin of dried sweet potatoes, three jin of rock sugar, two jin of milk candy, two boxes of chocolate, and three jin of fruit candy from the storeroom. Nothing else could be taken out; everything was neatly packed, and Wang Xiaoshun loaded it into the car.
"Uncle Zhang, be careful. You're not feeling well. Don't act rashly."
"I know, don't worry. You also need to take good care of yourself and keep an eye on Shouyi's meals. He doesn't even have time to eat when he's busy."
"I know, we'll all be fine, and you take care too."
Xiao Li arrived by car, and Zhang Shouyi got out and said, "Hongmei, come inside and rest. We're leaving."
Zhang Hongmei saw them off and went home. She felt a little disappointed; weapons have no eyes, and this kind of safety issue couldn't be guaranteed.
Parting is always the most painful, especially in jobs with low safety levels, which is heartbreaking.
Feeling unwell, Zhang Hongmei would take a shower and go to sleep immediately. This was her habit; she would sleep whenever she didn't want to face something or anything that was difficult for her. In fact, this was a subconscious form of escapism.
After waking up, I drank a glass of water, read for a few hours, left the space, and went to sleep.
Tuesdays are earlier than usual because my bicycle is still in Xinyuan, so I have to walk to school. After lunch, I have to put on my bag and go to Xinyuan, where my lunchbox and schoolbag are still.
I ate a steamed bun with red bean filling, drank a glass of milk, and when I opened the door, I saw Uncle Li and his bicycle outside.
"Uncle Li, I can go by myself from now on. It's good to take a walk in the morning."
"Hehe. You're young, sleep a little longer."
The two arrived at Xinyuan. Zhang Hongmei, carrying her schoolbag and lunchbox, rode her bicycle to school.
Zhang Hongmei was listless and dispirited all day.
However, Zhang Hongmei got a little carried away during lunchtime, because Zheng Meinu started coming over to share a table with them again.
She still clung to Liu Jingze as always, but she had become more sophisticated. She rarely spoke, but she took great care of Liu Jingze. Even Zhang Hongmei envied Liu Jingze.
Because there were many people, Liu Jingze didn't ask any questions, and the two agreed to meet on the playground after dinner.
"Hongmei, why do you seem so listless today?"
"It's nothing, it's just that Uncle Zhang went to the border. I'm a little worried about him."
"Don't worry about that. Uncle Zhang has been a soldier his whole life and has a wealth of experience."
"Ugh! I know, but I can't help worrying. Okay, it'll be fine tomorrow, don't worry about me. I'm going back to the classroom."
Zhang Hongmei didn't feel relaxed until school was over. She had been forcing herself to listen all day, and her efficiency wasn't very high.
"Zhang Hongmei, don't worry about tomorrow's election. You'll be fine." Wei Huaqiang couldn't help but offer Zhang Hongmei a few words of advice in the end.
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