By the time they returned to the Base from Ya County, the sun was already setting in the west.
Squad Leader Li drove the military truck, carrying the sewing machine, Lu Zhiyan, and Ji Nanxi all the way back to the Base.
The truck came to a steady stop at the entrance of the canteen. Squad Leader Li jumped out and, together with Lu Zhiyan, carefully lifted down the Butterfly brand sewing machine, which was securely tied with hemp rope and fixed to a wooden frame.
Squad Leader Li offered, “Regimental Commander Lu, let me help you carry it back together!”
Lu Zhiyan nodded, “Alright!”
So, Squad Leader Li went into the canteen’s logistics department to fetch a carrying pole and a long hemp rope. They hoisted the sewing machine onto the pole, with Lu Zhiyan taking the front end and Squad Leader Li the back.
Working together, the two of them carried the sewing machine back to the two-story old courtyard building.
Once inside, they moved the sewing machine into the main hall and placed it in a bright spot near the window.
Lu Zhiyan inspected the sewing machine to confirm it hadn’t suffered any bumps or damage during transport. Only then did he straighten up and dust off his hands.
“Squad Leader Li, thank you for your hard work. Come inside for a drink of water before you go.”
“No trouble at all, it’s my duty.”
Squad Leader Li waved his hand, but his eyes quickly darted toward Ji Nanxi standing nearby, his face revealing a hint of hesitation.
Understanding his meaning, Ji Nanxi said softly to Lu Zhiyan, “Zhiyan, why don’t you go and organize the other things we bought today? I actually have something I’d like to ask Squad Leader Li.”
Lu Zhiyan didn’t suspect anything and nodded, “Alright, you two talk.”
With that, he turned to sort out the other miscellaneous items they had purchased that day.
Seeing Lu Zhiyan walk away, Ji Nanxi headed toward the courtyard, and Squad Leader Li immediately followed.
Squad Leader Li leaned in closer, lowering his voice, which was filled with barely concealed urgency and excitement. “Comrade Ji, I finally got a chance to speak with you alone!”
Ji Nanxi also lowered her voice, a knowing smile on her face. “Squad Leader Li, what is it? Is it about the meat?”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Squad Leader Li nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining. “It’s exactly about the meat!”
“Last time, after I took those fifty catties of pork and fifty catties of beef from you to the canteen, the mess officer personally took charge and tried cooking a few dishes.”
“Good heavens, the aroma drew everyone from the entire kitchen over!”
“The soldiers ate their dinner with such relish, they even scraped the pots clean!”
“The mess officer filed a report that very night. After the logistics department leaders tasted it, they approved it right away!”
He rubbed his hands together, his tone growing even more eager. “The leaders’ opinion is, as long as the supply is stable and the quality reliable, our Base canteen can purchase it long-term and in large quantities!”
“So, the mess officer asked me to hurry and ask you, when can you deliver next?”
“And can the quantity be increased?”
Ji Nanxi felt reassured—this matter had indeed succeeded.
Her smile remained unchanged as she asked softly, “Squad Leader Li, roughly how much do you and the mess officer need? Are there any specific requirements for the types of meat?”
“Requirements?”
Squad Leader Li’s eyes lit up even more as he counted on his fingers. “Comrade Ji, you have no idea, the thing our island lacks most is fresh meat. Although there’s plenty of fish and shrimp, the soldiers can’t eat that every day.”
“The mess officer said, the more variety, the better!”
“Beef, pork, chicken—these are the basics. If we could have mutton, goose, donkey meat, or something else a bit rarer, that would be even better!”
“As long as the quantity is large and the variety is plentiful, our canteen can also get creative and improve the meals for the soldiers, right?”
“As for the quantity, it would be best if we could get over two hundred jin each time.”
At this point, Squad Leader Li somewhat sheepishly scratched his head and added, “It’s just the price of the meat—will it still be the same as last time?”
“This is something the quartermaster insisted I clarify. Although our funds have been approved, we still need to budget carefully.”
Ji Nanxi had anticipated this question. She calmly nodded and gave a firm reply, “Squad Leader Li, don’t worry. The supply will be absolutely stable, and the quality will be guaranteed.”
“As for the types of meat you mentioned, most of them can be provided. As for the price…”
She paused briefly, considering the long-term cooperation and her original intention of improving the soldiers’ meals.
Ji Nanxi didn’t want to profit from this; what she needed was System Credit Points.
Only when the Credit Points reached a million could the Auction Column be unlocked.
After thinking it over, she said to him seriously, “How about this, Squad Leader Li. Next time I deliver meat to the canteen, I’ll include a detailed price list.”
“It will list the varieties and unit prices of different meats, such as whole cows, whole pigs, and whole chickens. But I must clarify in advance that each type of meat will be cut into pieces.”
“The bones will be included for free, and no ration coupons are required. What do you think?”
“Great! That’s perfect!”
Squad Leader Li was overjoyed and slapped his thigh enthusiastically. “Comrade Ji, you’re so thorough!”
“A price list is best—clear and straightforward. It’ll also make bookkeeping easier for the quartermaster.”
“So, it’s settled then?”
“When can you make the next delivery?”
“As for the quantity,” Ji Nanxi took over, giving a number that delighted Squad Leader Li, “since the canteen needs it, let’s tentatively set it at two hundred jin.”
“The variety will be more comprehensive later. Beef, pork, and chicken will definitely be available. I’ll do my best to include lamb and goose.”
“As for the timing, we can set a fixed schedule of every three days, with around two hundred jin each time.”
“If two hundred jin isn’t enough, we can discuss the specific types and quantities a day in advance. How does that sound?”
“Two hundred jin every three days?!” Squad Leader Li gasped in surprise, then broke into a wide grin, clasping his hands repeatedly. “Excellent! That’s wonderful!”
“Comrade Ji, you’ve really solved an urgent problem for our canteen and brought great benefits to the soldiers at our Base!”
“On behalf of the soldiers, I thank you in advance!”
“By the way, the payment for the hundred jin of meat from the other day—I’ll settle it together when you deliver the meat in three days. Is that alright with you?”
“Of course, Squad Leader Li, you’re too kind. This is what I should do.” Ji Nanxi smiled. “Then it’s settled. In three days, I’ll prepare the price list in advance.”
“Perfect! No problem! I’ll head back now—I need to share this good news with the quartermaster right away!” Satisfied, Squad Leader Li left the courtyard with light steps.
Before leaving, he couldn’t help but glance once more at Lu Zhiyan inside the house, feeling even more admiration for the capabilities and boldness of Regimental Commander Lu’s newlywed wife.
After seeing Squad Leader Li off, Ji Nanxi turned and went back to the main room.
Lu Zhiyan had already tidied up most of the things and was examining the sewing machine.
“Finished talking with Squad Leader Li?”
Lu Zhiyan asked casually as she entered.
“Yes, we’re done.”
Ji Nanxi walked over, her fingers lightly brushing across the sewing machine’s glossy surface, her eyes filled with anticipation for the future. “I asked Squad Leader Li to keep an eye out for me, to see if we could trade for some dried seafood from the local residents.”
Lu Zhiyan’s gaze softened. “So that’s why Squad Leader Li seemed quite pleased to see you.”
Knowing she couldn’t hide it from the perceptive Lu Zhiyan, Ji Nanxi smiled, half-truthfully. “Yes, Squad Leader Li said the recipe for the spicy braised pork I made last time was quite good. The cafeteria wants to try some new dishes and asked if I could braise other meats.”
Lu Zhiyan nodded, not pressing further.
He walked over to Ji Nanxi, took her hand, and gently rubbed the brand-new gold ring on her ring finger, his voice low and warm. “You must be tired today.”
“What would you like for dinner? I can go to the cafeteria to get food, or I can make something simple for you?”
Ji Nanxi leaned into his embrace, shook her head, and looked up with a smile. “I’m not tired.”
“We still have vegetables at home. I’ll just make something simple, and we can have a light meal.”
“But you, you just got back from a mission and spent the whole day with me in Ya County. You’re the one who should rest.”
The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the window frames, still without glass, casting a long shadow over the tightly embraced couple.
In the small courtyard, chickens and ducks made soft noises in their corner coops, while the freshly turned vegetable garden in the backyard filled the air with the scent of soil.
Life on the island for this young couple had only just begun!