48: dinner

Jiang Feifei, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, let out a startled cry and recoiled sharply. Covering her cheek that had been "molested," she glared at Jiang Xin with a mix of shame and annoyance. Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes shimmered with moisture, filled with a hint of panic amidst her feigned anger: "Com... Commander! Why... why did you touch my face!"

"Alright, that's enough." Jiang Xin knew when to stop. He instantly put away his playful expression, resuming his serious demeanor as Commander, as if nothing had just happened. "Stop overthinking. Go and process the work reports that were just submitted from the residential area. Focus on the sections regarding production quotas and dispute mediation." He pointed to another pile of documents on the corner of the table.

"Oh... yes!" Jiang Feifei felt a lump in her throat, neither able to swallow it nor spit it out. This feeling was like having her heartstrings plucked, only for him to dismiss her with a breezy "Get to work?" She looked at Jiang Xin's serious, business-like face and could only swallow her grievances and petty emotions. She responded sullenly, sat down at her desk in a huff, and picked up her pen, scratching forcefully on the documents as if to vent that inexplicable "evil fire" onto the paper. As a Red Alert Soldier, she knew she had to absolutely obey the Commander's orders; she at least had that much awareness.

And so, harboring her little grievances, Jiang Feifei buried herself in her work, staying busy until the sky outside was dyed a deep orange by the setting sun.

Just as she was intently reviewing a report on grain distribution, she suddenly felt a presence beside her. She subconsciously turned her head—

She saw that Jiang Xin had silently appeared behind the side of her chair at some point. He was leaning over slightly, his nose almost touching a lock of her long, black hair that hung over her shoulder! He had his eyes closed and took a deep breath, a look of intoxication on his face, as if he were savoring some world-class vintage wine.

"Commander..." This time, Jiang Feifei didn't cry out. Instead, she was amused by his actions, and most of her previous sullenness dissipated. Far from dodging away, she actively tilted her head, bringing a lock of hair that smelled of fresh soap even closer to his nose, and smiled charmingly: "Is Jiang Feifei's hair... fragrant?" Her voice carried a hint of teasing and indulgence.

Jiang Xin didn't stand on ceremony and took a few more deep inhales before straightening up, satisfied. He nodded solemnly: "Hmm, acceptable." Immediately after, he put on airs again, as if the person who had just been secretly sniffing her hair wasn't him. "Let's go, come eat with me!"

Watching Jiang Xin act like this—clearly wanting to be close but forcing himself to appear serious, with that touch of adolescent awkwardness—Jiang Feifei couldn't help but let out a "pfft" of laughter. She finally understood: this young Commander was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, but in private matters between men and women, he was like a boy who had just discovered love. He had the heart and a bit of the courage for it, but when it came to a critical moment, he was adorably timid, only daring to take small advantages occasionally and just talking big to get his kicks. This contrast made her feel both amused and... a little heart-fluttered.

Barracks - Dormitory

Simple food was laid out on the small dining table, packed by Jiang Xin and Jiang Feifei from the Barracks cafeteria: a few steaming mantou buns, a basin of soft-stewed canned mutant beast meat, and a plate of stir-fried dehydrated vegetables. Although it wasn't sumptuous, it was rare in the apocalypse.

Jiang Xin's family of three (Jiang Xin, Jiang Jun, and Mother Jiang) and Jiang Feifei sat around together. The atmosphere was slightly subtle.

As soon as they sat down, Mother Jiang couldn't help but look Jiang Feifei up and down several times. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. Finally, she couldn't help but speak, her face full of a kind smile: "Son, who is this young lady...?" The expectation and curiosity in her tone were almost overflowing.

"Mom, her name is Jiang Feifei," Jiang Xin introduced with a smile, while signaling to Jiang Feifei with his eyes, "She is my bodyguard and secretary." He deliberately emphasized their working relationship, but his tone was natural.

Jiang Feifei immediately understood, put down her chopsticks, straightened her back, and offered a polite and slightly shy smile to Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Jun: "Hello, Uncle and Auntie! I am Jiang Feifei, the Commander's bodyguard." Her voice was clear, and her demeanor was graceful.

"Oh my! Miss Jiang Feifei, hello, hello!" Mother Jiang was so happy she couldn't close her mouth, her eyes crinkling into smiles. "You look so fresh and lovely, truly beautiful!" She praised without reservation.

"Auntie, you flatter me. You are also very beautiful and have a wonderful temperament." Jiang Feifei was a bit embarrassed by the praise. Her fingers, hidden under the dining table, twisted together unconsciously. She kept her legs together, sat even straighter, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Her expression was exactly that of a young girl meeting her partner's parents for the first time, feeling anxious inside yet trying hard to make a good impression.

"Jiang Feifei, how old are you this year?" Mother Jiang started her interrogation mode, smiling as she picked up a piece of meat for Jiang Feifei.

"Auntie, I'm 24." Jiang Feifei replied in a low voice, feeling a bit nervous. Would Auntie mind that she was six years older than the Commander?

"24 is good!" Mother Jiang slapped her thigh, her smile growing even wider. "A 24-year-old girl is steady and knows how to take care of people! Our Jiang Xin is young and a workaholic; in the future, I'll have to trouble you to take care of his daily life!" There wasn't a hint of disapproval in her tone, only full of approval and a sense of entrusting him to her. In the apocalypse, she saw things very clearly. Female survivors were already scarce in the base, and a girl like Jiang Feifei—beautiful, well-proportioned, healthy and strong (at 168cm, she was tall for a woman), and looking heroic in her military uniform—was the perfect daughter-in-law candidate, impossible to find even with a lantern! The more she looked at Jiang Feifei, the more she liked her, and she couldn't help but beam with joy while eating.

"Mom, let's eat! The food is going to get cold!" Jiang Xin interrupted at the right moment, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, but he did not refute his mother's words. He had brought Jiang Feifei here with the intention of making his parents happy and at ease. Seeing the affection his parents showed toward Jiang Feifei, a warmth also welled up in his heart.

Although Jiang Jun didn't say much, his gaze toward Jiang Feifei carried gentle approval, and he silently pushed the good dishes on the plate toward her and his son.

In the small dormitory, under the dim light, the four of them sat around eating their simple meal. Mother Jiang kept picking food for Jiang Feifei, asking after her well-being; Jiang Feifei answered obediently, trying her best to play the role of a "good girl"; Jiang Xin watched this rare, heartwarming scene with a faint smile on his lips; Jiang Jun listened quietly, occasionally chiming in. The light clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the chattering care of family intertwined into a precious, harmonious melody in the apocalypse, temporarily dispelling the gloom and crisis outside the window.