Lin Fengxia’s injuries were quite severe, and it took her seven days of rest at the base before she could fully recover.
As promised, Qin Jianguo assigned her work.
Lin Fengxia could barely read and had little education, so she couldn’t handle delicate tasks. He placed her in the kitchen unit.
The kitchen team had four cooks and one procurement officer. Since Lin Fengxia was new and still recovering, she was given lighter, miscellaneous tasks.
While she was picking vegetables, she heard someone talking behind her — it was the procurement officer returning.
Hearing that a young girl had joined the kitchen, the woman stepped forward to greet her.
When she saw Lin Fengxia’s face clearly, she exclaimed with delight, “It’s you!”
Lin Fengxia stared at her for a moment. “What a coincidence, ma’am!”
This procurement officer was the same woman who had bought the wild vegetables from her at a high price that day.
The woman suddenly grabbed her hand.
Lin Fengxia froze and quickly pulled her hand back.
“Ma’am, my hands are full of mud.”
“Let go quickly!”
The woman laughed, as if she hadn’t heard.
“Girl, where did you pick those wild vegetables last time?”
“They were pricey, but incredibly delicious.”
“I’ve never eaten wild vegetables that tasted so good in my life!”
Originally, those vegetables were meant for the kitchen, but the woman had been tempted by their appearance and took some home to cook. She ended up nearly swooning from the flavor!
“I want to pick some myself.”
Lin Fengxia forced a smile; she couldn’t exactly say they came from her system space.
“Ma’am, I picked them near my home. I’ll pick some again in a few days; you can come and see.”
The woman nodded eagerly, licking her lips in anticipation.
“I didn’t expect such delicious wild vegetables here.”
A few cooks approached. “What are you talking about?”
The woman animatedly recounted her experience buying Lin Fengxia’s vegetables, even drooling a little, making everyone else laugh.
She wiped her mouth with a cloth, adopting a serious expression. “Don’t laugh — once you taste these wild vegetables, you’ll know I’m not exaggerating.”
“Ever since I tried them that one time…”
She was still longing for the taste in her dreams.
The others didn’t believe her, thinking she was exaggerating.
The woman gave up explaining. “Suit yourselves. I’m going to pick more wild vegetables now!”
She grabbed her basket and hurried off, afraid someone would steal her vegetables.
As soon as the woman left, the cooks crowded around Lin Fengxia.
“Girl, are those vegetables really that good?”
Lin Fengxia nodded. “Yes, they’re really delicious, different from ordinary wild vegetables.”
The older cooks wanted to try them too, but they were busy in the kitchen and didn’t have the chance to pick vegetables themselves.
“Girl, can you bring some for me?”
“Changping, come on — picking wild vegetables isn’t easy, you should show some appreciation to the young girl.”
A nearby woman waved her ladle, reminding him.
Changping laughed warmly. “Yes, yes. Cuiping reminded me — if you bring some vegetables, I’ll pay you.”
The others chimed in as well.
Lin Fengxia didn’t mind. “Sure, but it’ll have to wait a few days. I picked all of them last time, so who knows when we’ll see them again.”
The others weren’t in a hurry.
“What are you two talking about?”
Qin Jianguo’s voice came from behind.
Seeing him, everyone’s eyes lit up, and they crowded around.
“Jianguo, what brings you here?”
“Been a few days — you look even more handsome.”
The group didn’t hold back on compliments.
Qin Jianguo’s serious face reddened slightly.
“Cuiping, don’t tease me.”
“I just heard you talking about wild vegetables. Are we having some today?”
Wang Cuiping replied, “No, Lin sold some to Bai the other day.”
“Bai said they were delicious. We’re curious and want to try them too.”
Qin Jianguo was intrigued.
“Comrade Lin, can you tell me where the vegetables were picked?”
“Coincidentally, I was going to check the terrain.”
Lin Fengxia wiped sweat from her forehead. “I picked them right where Captain Qin saved me. But going back now, we might not find any — those vegetables are very rare.”
Qin Jianguo’s eyes curved into a smile. “Alright, I’ll try my luck.”
Lin Fengxia felt a little guilty. She knew that even searching the vegetable field thoroughly, she might not find them. She’d have to get some more from her space.
“You two chat, we’ll prep the food.”
Meal time was approaching. Wang Cuiping grabbed Sun Changping and the other two cooks to start chopping vegetables.
Qin Jianguo and Lin Fengxia exchanged a glance, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere.
“Captain Qin, thank you.”
“No need to mention it.”
After some small talk, Qin Jianguo suddenly said, “Wait a moment.”
Lin Fengxia was surprised and looked up at him.
He pulled out a cloth, half-squatted, and leaned close with his large brows and eyes.
“You have mud on your face.”
He carefully wiped the mud from her forehead.
Lin Fengxia blinked for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you.”
“I noticed your hands were muddy too, so I acted hastily to help. If I offended you, I apologize.”
“No, it’s fine,” she replied. She didn’t feel it was rude; she actually appreciated his attention to detail.
“By the way, Wang Dazhuang has been disciplined.”
“The military base cannot harbor outsiders, so he was returned. Don’t worry, he will be educated again once back in his village.”
“He’ll have to realize the errors in his thinking.”
Lin Fengxia: “Thank you, Captain Qin.”
“You’re welcome.”
Lin Fengxia stood up, looking at her muddy hands, feeling a bit awkward.
She thought for a moment: “Captain Qin, you’ve helped me so much. When I go pick vegetables, I’ll make you some wild vegetable and mushroom soup.”
“That’s not considered a gift, right?”
Qin Jianguo smiled. “Good, I’d like to taste Comrade Lin’s cooking.”
The next day.
Lin Fengxia grabbed the vegetable basket from Sun Changping to wash the vegetables.
As she filled it with water, she heard Wang Dazhuang’s voice behind her.
“Fengxia, I was wrong!”
She turned to see Wang Dazhuang, dusty and disheveled.
Once as big as a bull, he had lost a lot of weight in just a few days.
Seeing his gaunt, hollow face, she barely recognized him.
“Oh.”
She continued rinsing the vegetables, barely glancing at him.
Wang Dazhuang stepped forward a few paces. The soldiers, on high alert, warned sharply: “No loud noises inside the base!”
He forced a smile. “I… I just wanted to say a few words to her.”
Lin Fengxia shook the water from the basket. “I have nothing to say to you.”
She knew Wang Dazhuang’s nature well; he would never admit fault easily.
Seeing Lin Fengxia about to leave, he forced a pained expression. “Whether you believe it or not, I truly like you and want to marry you.”
“What does that have to do with me?”