Lin Qingqing hazily replied, “I’ll sleep for another half hour; I’ll get up at four-thirty.”

Lu Cheng didn’t continue to call her and left the room instead.

With nothing to do, he decided to fetch some water.

Yesterday, the three of them had showered, and now that he had boiled hot water, the wooden tub was empty.

By the time Lu Cheng returned with the water, it was almost four-thirty.

He called her again: “Qingqing, it’s four-thirty; time to get up.”

Since the light was on, Lin Qingqing wasn’t sleeping as deeply as before, so she didn’t linger in bed.

As soon as Lu Cheng called, she got up.

Today she was wearing her newly bought clothes: a blue-and-white striped sailor shirt and cream-colored trousers.

Since she was going to the cafeteria and might be busy, she tied her hair up in a bun; otherwise, her hair would be inconvenient while working.

Lu Cheng placed the four boiled eggs on the table, watching her as she moved around.

The sailor shirt and cream-colored trousers made her look even more energetic.

Once Lin Qingqing finished getting ready, Lu Cheng said, “These are freshly boiled eggs; eat them on your way.”

“You made these?” A man who can make breakfast is great!

Lu Cheng replied, “Yeah.”

Lin Qingqing took two boiled eggs. “Thank you; I’ll head out now.”

She placed the two eggs in her bag and went to grab the marinated delicacies.

“I’ll help you carry it.” That large bucket of marinated food was heavy.

“Okay.” Lin Qingqing didn’t refuse, as she had just lifted it and found it quite heavy.

Lu Cheng accompanied Lin Qingqing to the door before heading back, as there was still a little kid sleeping at home, and he felt uneasy leaving him alone.

While waiting at the door, Lin Qingqing quickly finished the two boiled eggs.

Not long after, she saw a vehicle approaching.

“Comrade Lin…” Team Leader Qi waved at her. “Comrade Lin, are you getting on the car?”

Lin Qingqing replied, “I will. I’ve ridden with Lu Cheng before, but you’ll need to help me with something; can you lift this bucket onto the car?”

Upon hearing this, Team Leader Qi hurriedly got out. “This is marinated pig intestines and pig’s head; Comrade Lin, where are you taking this?”

Lin Qingqing replied, “I’m taking it to the county supply and marketing cooperative…”

After getting into the car, she explained the situation about the marinated food.

Since the families living in the compound would find out sooner or later, she decided to just say it now.

“Comrade Lin is really impressive.” With Deputy Regiment Leader Lu earning a good salary, Comrade Lin is also making money like this; it’s truly remarkable.

Lin Qingqing smiled, and the two of them chatted casually on the way to the county.

Normally, during procurement trips, two comrades would go together, and Team Leader Qi would bring another person.

However, since Lin Qingqing came along this time, he didn’t bring anyone else.

Team Leader Qi began discussing the procurement details with Lin Qingqing.

After saying this lightly, the procurement process for the military was actually quite convenient.

Their unit was located in the suburbs of the county town, so it was much easier for them.

If the units were stationed in remote areas or on islands, they might have to travel several days just to procure supplies.

However, for units like theirs, the national and local governments coordinated well, so they only needed to go to the county town for procurement.

From the grain and oil depot to the processed food factory, and then to the market, Lin Qingqing got to witness the entire procurement process.

Qi Shao pulled out the military documents, and someone helped load the supplies onto the vehicle; everyone was familiar with the operational procedures.

The final stop at the market was the most eye-opening for Lin Qingqing.

Perhaps because they arrived early, the variety of vegetables, meats, and seafood was abundant.

However, not everything there was for the military.

After finishing the procurement, it was nearly 7:30 PM, and they were ready to head back.

On the way back, Qi Shao stopped in front of the supply and marketing cooperative.

Lin Qingqing wanted to carry the wooden bucket over, but it was too heavy, so Qi Shao helped her carry it inside.

Ten minutes later, Lin Qingqing emerged with Director Ma, who was holding the wooden bucket, which naturally contained today’s pig intestines and pig head.

When the procurement truck arrived at the gate of the military base, it was almost 8 PM.

Lin Qingqing had not yet gotten out of the vehicle when she saw a little boy squatting at the gate, holding a bowl and chopsticks.

“Squad leader, please stop at the gate for a moment; my son is out there,” Lin Qingqing said.

That little boy was none other than Lu Haici.

Qi Shao replied, “Let Hai Ci get on the truck later; he can come with us.”

Lin Qingqing said, “There’s no need for that; we can just walk over.”

Qi Shao didn’t insist, “Alright then.”

As the procurement truck arrived at the military gate, Lu Haici, who had been squatting, stood up, curiously watching.

When he saw his mother get out of the truck, he excitedly shouted, “Mommy…”

“Hey.” Lin Qingqing casually closed the door behind her.

“Mommy, you rode in a car!” Although Lu Haici had also been in cars and even on trains, to him, riding in a vehicle was a fascinating experience.

“Yes, Mommy worked today and went to do some business with the uncles from the cafeteria. What are you doing here?” Lin Qingqing held his hand.

Ever since she learned about his background, she felt even more affection for him.

She already liked him, and when you like someone, their virtues are magnified infinitely.

Now, in her eyes, Lu Haici was the best little boy ever.

Lu Haici held his mother’s hand and chattered about his day. “I didn’t see Mommy when I woke up. Dad said Mommy went out with the uncles from the cafeteria to buy vegetables…”

Lin Qingqing, not understanding much, was left with only one option, so Lu Cheng explained simply and directly about buying vegetables: “Dad said to wait here for him; after his morning training, he would come pick me up, and we would go to the cafeteria where Mom works for breakfast. Mom, what are we having today?”

Lin Qingqing thought about how he had been squatting there, feeling both pity and amusement: “I don’t know what we’re having either. The uncles in the cafeteria have already prepared everything. Fortunately, he’ll soon be on summer break, so he can come with me to the cafeteria.”

Hearing that the uncles in the cafeteria had prepared food, Lu Haici couldn’t help but sigh: “Then it definitely won’t taste as good as what Mom makes.”

At such a young age, he often went to the cafeteria to get food, so he had already developed some experience.

Lin Qingqing found it amusing; the little guy’s tone was just too funny.

The breakfast at the cooking class cafeteria was already prepared, and the cooks had finished their meals, waiting for the soldiers to come in to eat.

Breakfast consisted of sweet potato porridge and coarse wheat flour steamed buns.

This coarse flour wasn’t like the refined flour of later years; it still had bits of wheat husk, making it a bit rough to swallow.

Lin Qingqing ladled out a bowl of sweet potato porridge for the little one and settled him in a relatively cornered spot, while she also served herself a bowl of porridge.

“Mom, here’s an egg for you.”

Lin Qingqing watched as Lu Haici took out two boiled eggs from his little backpack. “Dad boiled them.”

Lin Qingqing remembered the two boiled eggs she had eaten that morning and felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

She had rushed out in the morning and didn’t think much about it; now seeing the boiled eggs made her recall Lu Cheng’s thoughtfulness.

However… “You eat them; I’ve already had some. Your dad boiled me two boiled eggs this morning.”

Hearing that his mom had already eaten eggs, Lu Haici put one back into his little backpack.

Lu Haici was a slow eater, which is typical for children.

Lin Qingqing was anxious because she had to start working by eight, so she quickly finished her sweet potato porridge.

Besides, she wasn’t very hungry after having eaten two eggs.

After finishing her porridge, Lin Qingqing said, “Haici, I’ll be working inside. If you want to find me, just come in, okay?”

Lu Haici obediently replied, “I know, Mom; you can go to work without worrying.”

Lin Qingqing patted his head.

At eight o’clock, the signal for breakfast rang out.

Lu Cheng ran out as soon as the time was up, because his son was waiting at the door.

However, when he arrived at the entrance, he didn’t see his son.

Lu Cheng asked the soldier on guard, “Comrade, have you seen my son?”

Lu Haici often waited at the door for Lu Cheng, so the guards stationed there all recognized him.

Previously, when it was just the two of them, Lu Haici would wait at the door to greet his father.

Lu Haici often waited here for Lu Cheng to eat together.

“Deputy Regiment Commander Lu, Lu Hai Ci has left with your wife,” a soldier said.

Lu Cheng…

He was worried about his son waiting, but it turned out the two of them had already left him behind. “Thank you.”

As soon as Lu Cheng entered the dining hall of the Third Company’s kitchen, he looked around and soon spotted the little rascal eating breakfast in a corner.

Lu Cheng strode over.

Feeling a shadow looming over him, Lu Haici slowly looked up and said, “Dad.”

Lu Cheng was both angry and helpless. “This is my bowl.”

He was referring to the bowl next to the little rascal.

“Mm, Dad, Mom is working inside,” Lu Haici replied.

Lu Cheng said, “I understand. Don’t disturb her.”

“I won’t!” Lu Hai Ci replied confidently.

He was the cutest, most obedient, and best baby in the world.

How could he disturb Mom while she was working?

“Then take your time eating. I’m going to get food,” Lu Cheng said.

Lu Cheng went to the serving window to line up, glancing inside but not seeing Lin Qingqing.

“Deputy Regiment Commander Lu, you’re eating here today too?” a soldier greeted him.