amaotonovel Chapter 410 Hmph, can't you even tell a little lie?
Chapter 410 Hmph, can't you even tell a little lie?
"Since we're already here, let's have some food together!" He turned to Commander He and asked, "The leader doesn't mind, does he?"
"Of course not, come in, Xiao Zhang, we're in for a treat tonight!"
Commander He laughed heartily and called for someone to sit next to him.
Qiao Manman served rice to everyone, and Lu Yuan placed today's main dish—potato and pork ribs—in the center of the table.
Several vegetarian dishes were laid out around them, while in front of Commander He and Comrade Xiao Zhang were braised pork and pork stew with vermicelli, which had been brought back from the canteen.
However, their attention was entirely focused on the potato and pork rib dish. The aroma was incredibly enticing.
Qiao Manman took a deep sniff, thinking to herself that it was indeed a mutated potato from the space.
Even though they've just sprouted, they already have such a strong aroma. How delicious they'll be when they're fully grown and harvested!
Just as I was about to pick up my chopsticks, I heard someone knocking on the door.
Lu Yuan frowned as he checked the situation. When he opened the door, wow, there were seven or eight people gathered at the entrance.
Two of them were unfamiliar faces!
Political Commissar Zou, who was in the lead, touched his nose sheepishly and said, "We heard your wife is back, so we came to welcome her back!"
That's a terrible excuse, they didn't put any thought into it at all!
Political Commissar Zou patted the things in his hands, indicating that he hadn't come empty-handed.
The others also grinned and took out their gifts.
Lu Yuan welcomed them in and said, "A meal is fine, but gifts are not. Take your things with you when you leave!"
Everyone nodded perfunctorily, their eyes fixed intently on the dining table.
Qiao Manman invited them in to sit down, brought them bowls and chopsticks, and said apologetically, "I didn't expect everyone to come, so I didn't prepare enough staple food."
"It's alright, it's alright, we brought steamed buns!" Saying this, she opened the bundle, revealing dozens of golden-yellow cornbread buns.
There were also lunchboxes containing Mapo Tofu, cucumber salad, and eggplant with green beans.
A group of people ate and chatted, quickly reaching their chopsticks into the pork ribs and potatoes.
In just a few seconds, the enamel basin was empty.
Brigade Commander He glared displeasedly at Xiao Zhang, who was pretending to be a quail: "Serves you right for being so talkative!"
Xiao Zhang said aggrievedly, "I didn't say anything, Political Commissar Zou guessed it!"
"Hmph, can't you even tell a little lie?"
Xiao Zhang blushed and said, "The big boss said we must be realistic!"
Commander He was so choked up that he almost couldn't breathe.
Lu Yuan picked up a piece of braised pork for him: "Eat quickly, or they'll snatch it all up!"
Brigade Commander He glared resentfully at Political Commissar Zou before burying his head in his food.
Political Commissar Zou was not annoyed and praised Qiao Manman's bravery at the dinner table.
"The Northwest Military Region called specifically to commend you."
They said the burn ointment you formulated helped them solve a lot of problems. During this wildfire, there were basically no deaths due to infection.
As soon as she finished speaking, all those who had come to freeload looked at Qiao Manman with shock and admiration in their eyes.
Qiao Manman said modestly, "You flatter me. I didn't expect the burn ointment to be so effective!"
"They called, wanting to buy a batch of burn ointment and scar removal cream from you. They said a young soldier's scars fell off, leaving him somewhat disfigured!"
Qiao Manman slapped her forehead: "I forgot! We only had a limited supply of medicine at the time, so we only gave them burn ointment and told them to prepare scar removal ointment and mail it to them when we got back."
After so many days of travel, my head is spinning. I'll mail the medicine to them tomorrow after I get it.
"Haha, just reminding you, don't forget about this. They sent the medical expenses over there as a special thank you!"
He then took out the remittance slip and handed it to Qiao Manman.
Qiao Manman glanced at it: "Two hundred yuan? Let me do the math..."
After deducting the cost of the medicinal herbs, I should have about thirty yuan left. I'll get them some health-boosting pills, and that'll be it."
He returned the remittance slip, saying, "I'll write up a list in a bit, and I'll trouble Political Commissar Zou to pick up some medicine from the military hospital for me. I'll settle the payment with this remittance slip!"
Political Commissar Zou raised an eyebrow: "No labor fee?"
"We should be more careful about what others say. The Northwest fire is somewhat related to us, and since we're going to do a good deed to the end, there's no need to leave a bad impression on others over these trivial matters."
"Isn't this a bit unfair to you? You've given so much, you can't expect to get nothing in return."
"It wasn't without its rewards. I made a lot of friends there, including Dr. Yuan, Nurse Ma, Company Commander Qin, and Master Hu..."
Aren't these all connections?
"Comrade Xiao Qiao is very magnanimous!" Political Commissar Zou said, glancing at the two people in the corner out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing the two nod almost imperceptibly, he changed the subject: "Where's Big Yellow? I haven't seen it."
"It..." Before Qiao Manman could speak, Da Huang came out with the dog bowl in its mouth.
Looking at the people in the room, she wasn't intimidated at all. She lay on the ground and whimpered, "There's no meat, just a little grain, not enough to eat!"
"Oh dear, have you been wronged? Why don't you come home with me? I'll have my wife stew a big pork knuckle for you!"
Commissar Zou tried to coax and entice Da Huang with his burning gaze, but Da Huang didn't take the bait at all.
With a glare in his eyes and a wiggle of his bottom, he hid behind Qiao Manman.
It looked wary, as if afraid someone would kidnap it.
Qiao Manman rubbed its head: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Uncle Zou is just joking with you!"
Big Yellow stuck out its tongue, found a comfortable spot to lie down, and listened to everyone chatter.
Getting impatient, it nudged their legs. Qiao Manman explained, "It wants to go out and play!"
“Go out to play? Sure, I’ll go with it!” Commander He stood up: “Big Yellow, come on, Uncle He will take you for a walk.”
Big Yellow nodded and opened the door with its paw.
The wind in the hallway ruffled its fur, and Big Yellow barked and ran outside, leaving a trail of tails as it hurriedly chased after it.
Soon, there weren't many people left in the room.
Xiao Zhang said shyly, "Sister-in-law, let me help you clear the dishes!"
"No need, no need, you go play with them, I'll take care of it!"
"Lu Yuan, there's still some watermelon left, cut it up and take it to everyone!"
Lu Yuan grunted in agreement, rolled up his sleeves, and went into the kitchen.
Cut up the remaining watermelon and carried it downstairs.
Only Qiao Manman and Xiao Hua remained in the room. After looking at each other, they felt a sense of relief.
Qiao Manman slumped on the sofa and took out a small box of mutated wheat grains as a reward for Xiaohua.
Little Flower's beady eyes were black and bright, and she was fluttering her wings with great joy.
"I'm so tired!" After resting for five minutes, I got up, cleared the dishes and chopsticks into the kitchen, wiped the table, and went back to my bedroom to rest.
I only planned to take a short nap, but I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.
When he woke up, it was already past midnight. Da Huang was obediently squatting by the bed. Lu Yuan had gone to the kitchen to wash the dishes and was mopping the floor.
Seeing her get up, he asked with concern, "Did you sleep well?"
Qiao Manman nodded: "You look much more energetic!"
She stretched and got up, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, darling!"
Lu Yuan shook his head: "You're clearly the one who's worked harder! Here, Political Commissar Zou sent this over, for you to use as you see fit!"
Qiao Manman got out of bed and glanced at the package: "Wow, that's a huge bag. He's treating me like a workhorse!"
You said he should have paid the fee privately, how could I accept it in front of so many people!