Chapter 101.2

When she was about to reach the kindergarten, Wen Nuan ran into Lele’s playmate, Huahua’s, elder family member.

Huahua’s father was Colonel Lin Guoqiang from the 44th Regiment, and her mother, Liu Chunyan, worked at a medical equipment factory. The children at home were cared for by Grandma.

However, Huahua’s Grandma didn’t just take care of Huahua and her siblings. When she came to the North, she also brought Lin Guoqiang’s brother’s son along, intending for the child to enlist in the army.

When Wen Nuan saw Aunt Lin, she took the initiative to greet her. “Aunt Lin, you’re here to pick up Huahua too?”

Aunt Lin smiled when she saw Wen Nuan and walked over. “I was supposed to have her older brother pick her up, but Huahua, that little girl, insisted that her mom come instead.”

Then, she smiled helplessly. “She insisted that Lele’s mom picks him up, but her mom is too busy to come. She’s working, so she can’t pick her up. That’s why I’m here.”

In Aunt Lin’s eyes, the child’s behavior was just a bit of mischief. As long as someone came to pick them up, it didn’t matter who, but the child insisted on having their parents do it. Adults didn’t have so much free time.

Wen Nuan, hearing this, calmly said, “Children are young, and maybe they feel more at ease with an adult.”

Aunt Lin shook her head and snorted. “We’re in the army compound, it’s very safe here. The child can find her way back home herself, it’s no problem. But those teachers still insist that parents come pick them up. It’s really annoying.”

“Besides,” she continued, “this child plays around in the compound until she’s seven or eight, then she’ll go to elementary school. Why make her go to kindergarten? Isn’t that just unnecessary trouble?”

It also meant she had to cook and pick up the child, which was tiring.

The kindergarten also charged fees, and it wasn’t funded by the army. If she had known this would be the case, she wouldn’t have sent Huahua to kindergarten.

Wen Nuan furrowed her brows when she heard Aunt Lin’s words.

However, there were many older people like Aunt Lin who had this kind of mindset, so Wen Nuan didn’t intend to argue with her. She said, “It’s not exactly like that. Going to school allows children to make some friends. I see that Lele really likes playing with your Huahua.”

Wen Nuan had met Huahua’s mother before, but at that time, she was probably in a rush to get back to work, so they didn’t talk much before parting ways.

Huahua’s mother was quite nice, but maybe she was just too busy to pay attention to her child.

Aunt Lin glanced at Wen Nuan and immediately smiled. “Yes, Huahua often talks about your Lele.”

The whole family compound knew that Wen Nuan was a big deal. Although Huahua was still just a child, if she got along well with Wen Nuan, she might be able to get her old self into that factory.

Even if she couldn’t get into the factory, joining the Kitchen Unit would be fine!

As they walked and talked, they quickly arrived at the kindergarten.

Fortunately, Wen Nuan had arrived early. Lele, the little impatient one, wanted to rush out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang, but this time, Teacher Xueli caught her.

Wen Nuan quickened her pace by a few steps and used a hand gesture to remind Lele that she hadn’t put on her backpack yet.

The little one went back to get her small backpack and, under the teacher’s guidance, stood in line and slowly walked out of the classroom.

Wen Nuan waved at the little one, and when the teacher said they could leave, Lele ran toward Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan patted the child’s head and noticed that it was already soaking with sweat. She had worked up quite a sweat.

She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her forehead, saying, “Don’t rush, look at all your sweat.”

Lele smiled, lifted her small head, and hugged Wen Nuan proudly. “Mom, I was the first one to run out again!”

“Next time, don’t be in such a hurry,” Wen Nuan said, “You need to make sure Mom has arrived first. If Mom hasn’t gotten here yet, you should wait by the teacher, alright?”

Wen Nuan knew Lele was eager to get home, but she still needed to guide her properly.

Although they were in the army compound, danger still existed for such a young child.

It might not be something like abduction, but any small accident on the way home would still make parents feel worried and upset.

Lele listened to her mom’s words, smiling as she nodded. Then, she pressed her damp little head against Wen Nuan’s stomach and said cheerfully, “I know, Mom! Let me listen and see if the little baby has been naughty today.”

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but laugh, but she didn’t stop Lele’s actions. She softly asked, “So? Has the little baby been good today?”

Because Gu Qinghan always felt the baby’s movements like this before bed, Lele had gotten used to it and liked to imitate her.

Lele looked up, her voice soft and childish. “Don’t worry, Mom, the little baby is very good!”

Wen Nuan’s face lit up with a smile. “Really?”

Lele nodded enthusiastically. “Of course it’s true! Dad’s not home, so I’m here to protect Mom!”

Then Lele patted Wen Nuan’s stomach and smiled. “The little baby has been very good today. I’ll praise you! When Lele Jie Jie gets some candy, I’ll buy some for you!”

Wen Nuan was amused by the child’s words. She patted Lele’s head and said, “Since our Lele is so good, these biscuits are for you.”

With that, she handed over the biscuits that Quartermaster Luo had given her for Lele.

This time, Lele didn’t need to say she was hungry.

They usually had to go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy snacks, especially since summer had arrived. Once the weather got hot, the child kept asking for ice cream all the time.

Sometimes, Huahua would also ask for some, but Aunt Lin was unwilling to buy it, fearing that Huahua would get used to it and keep asking for ice cream.

Originally, Wen Nuan had thought of buying some for Huahua as well, but since Aunt Lin clearly didn’t like the idea, she gave up on it.

Moreover, buying snacks for children wasn’t something to do recklessly. If the child ended up feeling unwell, she would be to blame.

So, it was easier to avoid complications. When Wen Nuan took Lele to buy ice cream, she would deliberately avoid Huahua, so that the child wouldn’t feel envious and it wouldn’t be so pitiful.

Lele took the paper package that Wen Nuan handed her and happily exclaimed, “Wow, more biscuits? What kind of biscuits are these? Are they chocolate-flavored?”

Earlier, Lele had eaten chocolate-flavored wafers in Beijing, and since then, she kept asking for those.

However, such fashionable snacks weren’t available in the North. The ones in Beijing’s Wangfujing were bought from the largest state-run store, and Lele had remembered those chocolate biscuits ever since.

Wen Nuan shook her head. “No, they’re just regular biscuits. Do you want to eat them?”

Lele had already torn open the paper package, smiling as she said, “Of course, I want one! I’ll give one to Huahua too!”

Before Wen Nuan could say anything, the little one had already taken the package and, with quick steps, chased after Huahua ahead.

Wen Nuan watched as Lele handed the package to Huahua. The two children, both about the same age, were laughing happily.

Just as Wen Nuan worried that Aunt Lin might have an issue with it, Lele handed the package to Aunt Lin as well, seemingly offering her one.

Aunt Lin didn’t hesitate at all. She reached into the package and took three biscuits.

Then, with a smile, she patted Lele’s head. “So good, Grandma thanks you.”

After distributing the biscuits, Lele quickly ran back to Wen Nuan’s side, saying cheerfully, “Mom, I gave biscuits to Huahua and her Grandma, and now they’re all gone.”

Wen Nuan replied, “That’s okay. If Lele wants more, Mom will make some for you tomorrow.”

“Hmm…” Lele turned the paper bag upside down, still a little doubtful that the biscuits were truly gone. Then, with a slight pout, she said, “I was going to save one for you…”

“Or…” Lele held out the half-eaten biscuit to Wen Nuan. The little one wasn’t tall enough, so she had to stand on tiptoe. “This one, you can eat, Mom.”

Wen Nuan crouched down slightly, meeting Lele’s eyes. “I’ll have one bite, and the rest is for Lele.”

She took a bite, savoring it slowly, but it didn’t seem sweet enough.

“Well, I’ll eat it.”

“Go ahead. Let’s head home now.”

As the setting sun stretched their shadows long, Wen Nuan held Lele’s hand as the little one skipped along, heading toward the family compound.

——-

The next day, after dropping off her child, Wen Nuan returned to the Kitchen Unit.

As soon as Quartermaster Luo saw her, he immediately brought out the compressed biscuits and asked, “Comrade Wen Nuan, take a look. Do you think these biscuits are done?”

“Wait a minute, let me wash my hands,” Wen Nuan glanced at the biscuits before going to wash her hands. When she came back, she took one of the biscuits Quartermaster Luo handed her and gently snapped it in half.

Wen Nuan looked at the easily broken biscuit crumbs and slowly said, “Not yet. They still need more compression.”

Quartermaster Luo took the biscuit back, took a bite, and frowned. “It’s pretty hard.”

Seeing that Quartermaster Luo still seemed uncertain, Wen Nuan said, “It’s not enough yet, and the sweetness needs to be increased a bit.”

She had tried a small bite yesterday. Although it was already quite good, the primary purpose of the compressed biscuit was to provide energy.

A moderate amount of sugar was key to replenishing energy, and since this wasn’t something to be eaten every day, a little more sweetness would likely make it more suitable for emergency use.

Quartermaster Luo didn’t disagree. Since Wen Nuan said it wasn’t quite right, it seemed they would need to use the machine again.

A few days later, Quartermaster Luo personally went to Beijing to get a machine, and they tested it again.

He then brought the test batch to Wen Nuan for her to try.

Wen Nuan weighed the small, compressed biscuit that had been pressed under the hydraulic machine. It still had some weight, and she said, “The weight is there. Let’s see how it tastes.”

Compressed biscuits were different from regular biscuits. They were hard and lacked the crisp flavor of regular biscuits.

Wen Nuan took a small bite and smiled under Quartermaster Luo’s expectant gaze. Then, she said, “It’s almost there. But to improve the taste, I suggest adding some sesame and green onion flavors.”

She also gave him a reminder: “Sesame should be toasted first, or it won’t be aromatic. The onion should be dehydrated to prevent the biscuits from becoming too moist.”

Quartermaster Luo nodded repeatedly, saying, “Got it, I’ll let everyone know right away!”

After two more rounds of testing, they finally finished making the compressed biscuits. Wen Nuan tried them and said, “Take these to General Xu. At least twenty people need to try them and see how long one packet can last.”

Seeing Quartermaster Luo already in a hurry to leave, Wen Nuan couldn’t help but remind him, “Don’t let General Xu eat them, his stomach isn’t good.”

Sister Ju Xiang looked at Wen Nuan and gave her a thumbs-up. “Xiao Nuan, you’re really thoughtful. No wonder everyone likes you!”

Wen Nuan’s popularity in the Kitchen Unit and the factory wasn’t undeserved.

Not only did she work for everyone’s benefit, but she also cared about each person here.

Wen Nuan smiled. “It’s because everyone treats me so well, always covering for me when I’m late or leave early.”

Old Zhong scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean? Our Kitchen Unit cares for comrades in need, and that’s something to be praised!”

“Who the hell dares to talk back to our Kitchen Unit? I won’t spare them!”

Sister Juxiang quickly covered Wen Nuan’s ears and shot Old Zhong an angry look. “Go on, go on! Do you think everyone is as rude as you? Don’t let the child hear this, it’s bad for prenatal education.”

Old Zhong patted his mouth and smiled, saying, “My fault, my fault, next time I’ll be more civilized.”

Wen Nuan looked at the harmonious scene and smiled along with them.