The hunger that hits after morning drills is one of the deepest memories every soldier carries.
After a three-kilometer cross-country run and five hundred push-ups, their stomachs were so empty they could have swallowed an entire cow.
A long line had already formed outside the anti-drug unit’s mess hall.
The soldiers held their chipped enamel cups and stretched their necks to peek through the serving window.
“Old Zhang, what’s for breakfast today?”
Zhang Li stood in the middle of the line and asked the mess-hall cook, Old Wang, in a weak voice.
Old Wang sighed and banged the ladle in his hand against the pot.
“What else could there be? The same old three!”
“Steamed buns, watery porridge, and pickled vegetables.”
“The supply truck broke down on the road recently. We’re lucky to have something hot to eat, so stop being so picky.”
The moment they heard that, a chorus of groans rose from the line.
“Steamed buns again? I’m starting to feel like I’m turning into one!”
“My mouth is so bland I could hatch birds in it. I’d be happy with even a little chili sauce!”
A bunch of vigorous young men stared at the two black wheat buns in their hands, which were harder than rocks, and the bowl of thin, watery porridge.
Though they complained, they still stuffed the food into their mouths by the handful.
There was no choice.
If they didn’t eat, they wouldn’t have the strength to train.
And without the strength to train, they wouldn’t have the strength to fight.
Just as everyone was grimacing and struggling with the buns in their hands, an overwhelmingly rich, mouthwatering, utterly unreasonable aroma suddenly drifted over on the wind.
It was a heady combination of smoky charcoal, the freshness of fish, and the intense fragrance of chilies and Sichuan peppercorns bursting in hot oil.
The scent was like an invisible little hand, grabbing every person’s sense of smell and giving it a hard tug.
“Holy crap! What’s that smell?”
The bun nearly slipped from Zhang Li’s hand as his nose twitched wildly.
“That smells incredible! Who’s cooking something special?”
“This smell… It seems to be coming from the commander’s quarters!”
Everyone’s eyes simultaneously turned toward the row of family quarters at the easternmost end of the camp.
Sure enough, wisps of smoke were drifting out of the windows of Huo Feng’s usually quiet quarters.
The aroma was coming from there!
Grrr—
Someone’s stomach growled.
Then, as though triggering a chain reaction, the entire area outside the mess hall erupted with one stomach growl after another.
The black wheat buns in their hands suddenly lost all their appeal.
They had even become difficult to swallow.
Meanwhile, inside Huo Feng’s quarters.
Su Man sat on the Miao-patterned carpet, holding a palm fan and gently fanning the purple-copper charcoal brazier in front of her.
Three plump bamboo fish were roasting on the iron rack above the fire, sizzling as their fat dripped onto the coals. Their skins were golden and crispy, coated with special Miaojiang spices and chili powder.
The aroma was enough to tempt a person’s very soul out of their body.
“Are they ready yet, Mommy? Dahua’s drool is about to soak the carpet!”
Huo Xiaoman lay beside her, her big eyes fixed on the grilled fish, a string of drool hanging from the corner of her mouth.
Dahua was even more shameless. The giant wild boar rested its enormous head on the edge of the carpet, staring longingly at the brazier while making impatient snorting noises.
Even the usually aloof Huo Xiaoxie had put down his game console. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
“What’s the hurry? Haste makes waste.”
Su Man poked the fish with her chopsticks. The meat was tender and juicy inside while perfectly charred on the outside.
“That’s enough. Dig in!”
At her command, the two children immediately cheered. Each grabbed a fish and began devouring it.
Su Man picked up the last one and was just about to take a bite.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone suddenly knocked on the door.
The knocking sounded hesitant yet urgent.
“Who is it?” Su Man asked irritably. Having her meal interrupted put her in a very bad mood.
“Ahem… It’s me, Huo Feng.”
Huo Feng’s slightly awkward voice came from outside.
“Routine… safety inspection.”
Su Man rolled her eyes.
Safety inspection?
He obviously smelled the food and came over.
“The door’s unlocked. Come in.”
The door opened a crack.
Huo Feng’s stern face appeared in the doorway.
He had originally come to see whether the mother and children had caused any trouble. After all, the guards had just reported smoke coming from the room, and he was worried they might have set the place on fire.
But the moment the door opened, an aroma so rich it was practically tangible smacked him right in the face.
Huo Feng’s gaze passed over the obstacle at the doorway and landed inside.
Then this elite soldier, who had seen more than his share of major situations, froze completely.
The bachelor quarters that had previously looked like a dog kennel were now covered with an exotic Miao-style carpet.
Strings of dried chilies and garlic hung on the walls, while exquisite silver bowls sat on the table.
And his wife and children were gathered around a purple-copper brazier that looked like something straight out of a high-end restaurant, eating grilled fish!
The fish was snowy white and tender, covered in a generous sprinkling of bright-red chili powder. Just looking at it was enough to make one’s mouth water.
And on the table beside it sat a plate of sliced cured meat, a basket of fresh fruit, and even a pot of glutinous rice wine being kept warm!
How was this being under house arrest?
This was practically a vacation!
Huo Feng glanced at the black wheat bun he still held in his hand.
Suddenly, he felt that the thing belonged in the trash.
“Where… did you get all this?”
Huo Feng swallowed. Although he tried his best to remain composed, his eyes kept drifting involuntarily toward the grilled fish.
Su Man took a bite of fish and sucked in a breath at the heat. Her red lips parted slightly, and Huo Feng’s heart gave an unexpected jolt.
“I told you. It’s part of my dowry.”
“What? Is Commander Huo planning to inspect my personal belongings?”
Su Man gave him a teasing smile and deliberately picked up a piece of fish, waving it enticingly in the air.
“Want some?”
Huo Feng’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
His rational mind told him that as a commander, he couldn’t take even a needle or thread belonging to the people.
But his instincts told him that if he didn’t eat a bite soon, the aroma was going to drive him insane.
“Ahem. I came to make sure there aren’t any fire hazards.”
Huo Feng came up with a terrible excuse and walked inside, casually closing the door behind him and cutting off the row of heads pressed against the window outside, all of them drooling.
“Since these are part of your dowry, then I suppose I’m also… family, aren’t I?”
He walked over to the brazier and sat down somewhat awkwardly.
Dahua, the wild boar, gave an unhappy snort, seemingly protesting that this man was stealing its spot.
Seeing how desperately he wanted to eat while still trying to maintain his dignity, Su Man couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
The smile was like snow melting and flowers blooming.
Huo Feng stared at her for a moment, slightly dazed.
“Enough. Stop pretending.”
Su Man casually pulled another set of bowls and chopsticks from the bamboo basket and tossed them into his arms.
“Since you’re family, then you can wash the dishes.”
“Eat. I’ll charge you five thousand yuan for this meal and put it on your tab.”
Huo Feng caught the bowls and chopsticks. Looking at the silver chopsticks, he felt a warm current flow through his heart.
He didn’t care about the five thousand yuan anymore. He simply picked up a piece of cured meat and put it into his mouth.
The moment it touched his tongue, his taste buds seemed to explode like fireworks.
Perfectly savory, rich without being greasy, with a unique smoky flavor.
This was definitely the most delicious thing he had ever eaten in his life!
“Is there more?”
Huo Feng wolfed down an entire bowl of rice, then looked expectantly at the magical little bamboo basket.
“The brothers outside… haven’t been eating well these past few days.”
He thought of the brothers who had fought alongside him through life and death. Watching them gnaw on dry buns while he ate such delicious food alone didn’t sit right with him.
Su Man’s hands paused.
She looked at the anticipation and guilt in Huo Feng’s eyes.
This man was practically starving himself, yet the first thing he thought of was still his comrades.
What an adorably foolish man.
“You want to treat them?” Su Man raised an eyebrow. “My food isn’t cheap.”
“I’ll pay!” Huo Feng answered without hesitation. “Deduct it from my allowance until it’s all paid off!”
Su Man stared at him for several seconds before suddenly setting down her chopsticks.
“Fine.”
“But I have one condition.”
“What condition?”
“From now on, I make the decisions in this household.”
Huo Feng froze for a moment.
Then he looked around at the warm, lively atmosphere filling the room and the satisfied smiles on the children’s faces.
Suddenly, he felt that handing over command authority didn’t seem like such a bad idea.
“Deal.”
Just as the two reached an agreement and were about to start pulling supplies from the bamboo basket that seemed connected to an endless treasure vault—
a burst of noisy footsteps suddenly came from outside, accompanied by that irritating sound of high heels.
“She’s in there! I saw that woman starting a fire with my own eyes!”
“Political Commissar, this is a serious violation of discipline! And the source of those supplies is unknown. She must be using them as a signal to contact enemy agents!”
Lin Xue’s shrill voice was like a thorn, instantly piercing the warm atmosphere inside the room.
Huo Feng’s expression darkened.
The silver chopsticks in his hand bent slightly under his grip.
Su Man, however, calmly wiped her mouth and kicked the bamboo basket behind her.
“Looks like we won’t be able to enjoy this meal in peace.”
She stood up and brushed the dust from her skirt, a cold glint flashing through her eyes.
“Perfect. We’ve eaten our fill. Time to get some exercise.”
“Since someone is practically putting their face in front of me and asking to be slapped, I won’t be polite.”