Chapter 151: No Family Is Well-Off

He Jinglan smiled and was about to accept the aunt's kindness, but Gu Xixi quietly pulled her hand.

Gu Xixi smiled at the woman and said, "We appreciate the aunt's kindness, but we left food at home early; if we don't eat it, it'll spoil, so we'll go back to eat. Anyway, it's not far, just a short walk back and forth."

Having said that, Gu Xixi pulled He Jinglan and walked away.

After walking a distance, she then explained the reason, "Right now it's the lean season between harvests; ordinary families barely have enough to eat."

"Look at their dry rations—they're mixed with bran and coarse sorghum flour, showing how hard it is to get grain. They probably have to eat measured portions every day."

"So if we eat, they'll have to eat less."

He Jinglan nodded obediently, feeling a bit ashamed, and said, "No wonder my elder brother said I've been living too well."

"I never imagined that some people in the world can't even eat these coarse foods freely."

Gu Xixi comforted her, saying, "This isn't your problem; I was just born into a farming family, so I happen to see more of this than you do."

He Jinglan's expression brightened again, "My elder brother went south to relieve famine two years ago; I suppose he's seen many such things. That year I asked him what he wished for his birthday, and he said he hoped everyone in the world could have enough to eat."

"Now I seem to understand a little why he thought that way."

Gu Xixi sighed lightly, "I've seen in the village that where there's no arable land, even the small space in front of and behind the houses is planted with vegetables."

"Grain and other expenses are probably bought with the family's military stipend."

He Jinglan nodded and said, "If the land in Xi Bei's borderlands could easily grow grain, General Huo wouldn't have to worry for years, repeatedly petitioning the Imperial Court for grain and fodder."

She smiled, patted Gu Xixi's shoulder, and said, "But now it's fine—you've arrived, a lucky general!"

"Even the wastelands of Xi Bei will grow grain—our own grain! Every time Meng Chengping says that, his expression…"

Realizing she had casually mentioned "that guy" again, He Jinglan unnaturally changed the subject.

"You said there's food left at home? I didn't know about that."

Earlier, Meng Chengping had arranged two married women to clean and cook in the small courtyard, but today they also went out of the village to dig sheep's epilepsy grass.

Logically, there should be no sign of anyone in the small courtyard right now.

However, Gu Xixi saying there's food at home isn't just coaxing a child with nonsense.

She laughed, "Isn't there food in the kitchen? Don't worry, you definitely won't go hungry, Miss He!"

He Jinglan listened and became even more worried, "Hey, who among us can cook?"

"You can't be serious?"

In the small courtyard's kitchen, there are rice, flour, oil, meat, eggs, and vegetables—though the variety isn't large, everything needed is present.

Only because the Grand General had previously said, out of respect for the He family as allies, we must not wrong the He family's young lady.

At this moment, the lover was not far from the small courtyard; Gu Xixi simply didn't reply, pulling He Jinglan into a run.

Just as she stepped over the threshold, she smelled a waft of food aroma.

He Jinglan was shocked, "Isn't there nobody at home?"

Gu Xixi smiled mysteriously, "Maybe it's some kind-hearted snail boy delivering food to the door?"

He Jinglan realized something, immediately sank her face, turned, and walked out.

Gu Xixi quickly grabbed her, saying, "That person, you can treat him however you want, but our stomachs are our own—you were just hungry, right? Why make things difficult for yourself just to avoid him?"

He Jinglan took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and became dignified and composed.

"As I said, this is our turf—why should I leave just because he comes?"

"Besides, I have to keep working this afternoon—how can I do that without eating my fill?"

The two walked into the middle of the courtyard; Meng Chengping came out of the kitchen, his face streaked with black grime, and when he grinned widely, he looked especially comical.

"You're back? I borrowed the kitchen to heat the meal sent by the Quartermaster Battalion—wash your hands and eat."

He Jinglan glared at him arrogantly, "How did you know we'd be back to eat right now? Are you watching us?"

Facing He Jinglan, Meng Chengping still felt ashamed to meet her gaze, "I wouldn't dare."

"Boss Gu said I'm too conspicuous; if observant people notice, it could cause suspicion, which wouldn't be good."

"The Grand General gave me the same duty: guard the village, protect the military families, so that outside flies don't come in, destabilizing the rear—how could the troops then charge forward with peace of mind?"

He explained earnestly, not daring to be careless or perfunctory in a single word.

Then he gathered courage and glanced at He Jinglan, "As for the news of your return, I asked the brothers on rotating duty."

"Changing duty?" Gu Xixi caught the keyword, narrowing her eyes.

Meng Chengping gave a stiff smile, "Not dissatisfied with Boss Gu, but the Grand General said we must fully protect you, so… wherever you stay, the surroundings have… secret sentries."

Gu Xixi felt the veins on her forehead twitch a few times.

"Even Miss He doesn't get this treatment—why only me?"

Seeing her smile, Meng Chengping felt a chill down his back and instinctively moved closer to He Jinglan.

He Jinglan rolled her eyes, "When I ask you a question, just answer—who dares to do it but won't admit it?"

Gu Xixi stared at Meng Chengping, her smile deepening a few degrees, "Is it because of Mu Nan Zhao?"

Meng Chengping, who had been lowering his head, suddenly jumped up in shock, "I didn't say that!"

Gu Xixi turned expressionlessly, "Please convey to the Grand General that I have already appreciated this painstaking effort."

"However, the military is busy before the war; to allocate so many people just for me, wasting time and effort, I feel uneasy—please withdraw them."

Saying this, she lifted the curtain and entered the kitchen; it was still the simple big pot of vegetables, already heated.

Beside the stove, several buns were being baked.

Gu Xixi scooped water, called He Jinglan to wash her hands, dished the vegetables and took the buns, and they each sat on a small stool to eat.

The two of them ignored Meng Chengping entirely.

Meng Chengping had unspeakable bitterness, deeply feeling what it meant to be neither inside nor outside—treated as an outsider.

"Actually…" he pondered, then spoke again, "This matter can't be wholly blamed on my elder brother Mu."

"Sending secret sentries was also the Grand General's idea; Boss Gu has always done work for the military but isn't a military person—by reason and sentiment, you shouldn't be kept here, risking yourself."

He Jinglan agreed to this, "Xixi, people aren't indifferent to my life or death, they just want to send me away, far from danger, to settle everything once and for all."

"You are different now, you are useful to them, temporarily can't leave. Later, for a very long time, they will need you. So they should protect you well!"

Gu Xixi glanced sideways, "If I didn't know your temperament, I would think you are being sarcastic towards me."

He Jinglan laughed, "That's admiration."

She said while giving Meng Chengping a glance, letting him continue speaking.

"Even if my own marriage is severed, the red thread between sisters and childhood friends, should still be pulled!"

Meng Chengping, as if receiving a military order, spoke more fluently, "My Mu brother didn't intend to interfere with your doing anything, he just wanted to settle you properly before the great battle."