"Brother, where are we going to play?"
The little girl, carrying a bag of snacks, followed her brother out of the yard and looked at everything in the army's living area with great interest.
"Today, let's just walk around the living area and see where the supply and marketing cooperative is. It will be convenient for us to buy things in the future."
Of course, Zhang Shuguang doesn't need to buy anything outside, but if he lives here without buying any daily necessities, it will definitely arouse suspicion over time.
It’s not that he doesn’t want to go out and play, it’s just that he doesn’t have a pass yet, and the guard at the door is not the auntie from the entrance of their Zhangzhuang village.
Tomorrow his father will get him a pass, and then it will be convenient for him to go in and out.
"OK!"
The little girl took a piece of peach cake from the snack bag, ate it in small bites, and followed her big brother obediently.
In the early days of the People's Republic of China, it was difficult for military dependents to find jobs in the garrison, and almost all jobs were held by soldiers.
Including the sanitation of the living area, the supply and marketing cooperative, the guesthouse, and the canteen, all positions are staffed by active-duty military personnel.
The military families have nothing to do. Almost all of them are full-time housewives whose job is to take care of the children, do the laundry and cook, so people can be seen everywhere in the living area.
"Brother, don't they have to go to work?"
The little girl felt a little embarrassed when being stared at on the road, so she had to quickly catch up with her brother and find a sense of security beside him.
“Yes, this border area is mostly covered with deep mountains and old forests. There is no land for farming, so no one needs to work.
Look, sister, there are many children of your age in the living area. You can become friends with them and play together in the future."
Perhaps because they can have enough food to eat, the children in the military living area are obviously more energetic than the children in Zhangzhuang.
They ran and played games tirelessly in the living area. Everywhere you could hear their chasing each other and their chattering laughter.
"Young man, you look unfamiliar. Have you recently joined the army?"
No matter where you are, there is always a shortage of curious people.
"Yes, Auntie, I am the son of Zhang Xiangnan from the Second Brigade, Third Regiment. This is my sister, Zhang Panpan. We just arrived in Southern Xinjiang this morning."
Zhang Shuguang was very experienced. He knew that if he didn't explain clearly, these idle aunts and sisters would continue to question him, just like checking his household registration.
"So you're Captain Zhang's child. Your father is a great hero in our army."
In the army, Zhang Xiangnan may not be the highest-ranking one, but he is definitely the most famous.
"Come here, girl, I have some candy for you."
"Are you Panpan? You're so cute. My girl is about your age. You can play with her in the future."
"Captain Zhang looks very energetic, and his two children are equally good-looking."
…
When they heard that they were Zhang Xiangnan's children, the aunts and sisters became very cordial.
"I was wondering why it's so lively here! So it's Xiaoguang who's here? Is this your sister?"
At this time, a gentle voice sounded, interrupting the enthusiasm of the women here and helping Zhang Shuguang and his sister out of trouble.
"Good afternoon, Grandma Zhao."
Zhang Shuguang looked closely and saw that the person coming was none other than Zhao Xiumei, whom he had just treated with acupuncture today, followed by his son and his family of four.
"Aunt Zhao, I haven't seen you out for a few days. How are you feeling lately?"
"Aunt Zhao, your grandchildren have grown up so fast!"
"Aunt Zhao, please sit down. I'll go home and get some stools."
Zhao Xiumei has always been popular, and she is also the lover of a senior leader. As soon as she came over, everyone quickly surrounded her.
"I was not feeling well a while ago. Fortunately, Xiaoguang came and helped me cure my illness."
Zhao Xiumei looked at Zhang Shuguang with gratitude.
"Grandma Zhao, you're too polite. There's nothing serious wrong with your health."
Zhang Shuguang quickly winked at Zhao Xiumei. He didn't want to become the focus of the army's living area as soon as he arrived.
"Xiao Guang, I didn't want my mother to come out today. I wanted her to rest more, but I couldn't stop her."
There was still some worry in Cao Guangming's eyes.
"Uncle Cao, don't worry. Grandma Zhao has fully recovered. It would be beneficial for her to move more."
Zhang Shuguang gave him a reassuring look.
"That's good, that's good."
At this time, in Cao Guangming's eyes, Zhang Shuguang was a miracle doctor.
"Are you relieved now? How is my health? Don't you know it myself?"
Since the beginning of the year, Zhao Xiumei's health has been deteriorating and she has not been out for a long time.
After Zhang Shuguang gave her acupuncture today, Zhao Xiumei felt that her body had never been so relaxed.
That's why he ignored the advice of his son and daughter-in-law and insisted on taking his grandchildren out for a walk.
"I also ate meat at my grandfather's house at noon today. Lots of meat."
As the saying goes, a happy heart makes the body fat, but Cao Qiangjun is obviously an exception.
Don't be fooled by his chubby appearance, he is a vengeful kid. It is obvious that he still remembers that he didn't get to eat meat on the train.
"What's so great about this? I'm almost tired of eating meat."
Zhang Panpan rolled her eyes.
"My grandma said that the nearby mountains are full of wild game. Tomorrow I'll have my grandpa arrange for people to go hunting. Then we'll have more meat than we can eat."
The little fat man continued to show off proudly.
"Look at what you've accomplished! It's a pity it's not cold enough here. Back home, I always had fox fur collars, deerskin boots, and rabbit fur hats.
I don’t like wild boar meat very much, I always feel that it has a strange taste. I still like wild goat meat. Whether it is used in soup or grilled lamb skewers, it is delicious.
Have you ever eaten bear paw? The meat is juicy, fatty but not greasy, and melts in your mouth.
The little girl scoffed.
Someone actually dared to show off this in front of her. It was easier for her elder brother to go hunting in the mountains than to buy goods, and there was never a shortage of wild game at home.
"Grandma, I also want to eat mutton, drink mutton soup, and eat trembling bear paws."
After just two rounds, the fat boy was completely defeated by the little girl and went straight to his grandmother to act coquettishly.
"Hunting depends entirely on luck. Grandma can't guarantee what you'll catch, or even if you can catch anything."
The dense forests on the border are somewhat dangerous, and Zhao Xiumei will not require the guards to hit something just because of her grandson's request.
"What should we do then?"
The little fat boy was stunned. He didn't expect to get this answer from his grandma.
"I think you should get along well with sister Panpan. Didn't our Uncle Zhang just say that Brother Xiaoguang is an expert in both medicine and martial arts?
Sister Panpan can eat all kinds of wild game, which must have been hunted by brother Xiaoguang.
If you build a good relationship with Sister Panpan, you can go to Uncle Zhang's house and eat meat."
Cao Qiangjun's sister Cao Jingjing is a smart and clever girl.
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