The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

"Several months ago, folks. When was the last time you ate fresh fruit?" Liang Zhe changed the subject, turning his gaze to the crowd.

Zhang Fang and several other women looked at each other, thinking carefully for a long time before one of them hesitated and said, "Oh dear, now that you mention it, it really has been a long time since we've had any fruit, not even an apple."

"Girl, you must be joking. My kid hasn't seen what fruit looks like in at least a year."

"That's right! I've never even seen a hawthorn slice, let alone an apple or a pear."

The crowd started talking amongst themselves, and the more they discussed it, the more something seemed amiss. They all looked surprised: "That's not right. Even if supplies are scarce, surely the entire town shouldn't be completely without fruit?"

In the past, everyone was focused solely on filling their stomachs, and they never even thought about snacks like fruit to satisfy their cravings. Just not going hungry was considered a blessing.

"Director Tie, I just remembered something!" someone suddenly shouted from the crowd. "Last year during the Spring Festival, the mayor's sister-in-law ate oranges! My son and her daughter are in the same class, and my son told me about it when he came back!" "Oh, now that you mention it, I remember too! Officer Lin from the Finance Bureau lives next door to me, and I saw with my own eyes that there were grape skins in their trash can when they took out the garbage!"

Once this conversation started, it was like pressing a button on memories for everyone. More and more people chimed in, it wasn't that they hadn't seen fruit before, it was just that those fruits were never something ordinary people could afford; they all ended up in the homes of the town's leaders and officials.

"Something's not right!" someone exclaimed indignantly, realizing the situation. "So, even if we ordinary people have money, we can't buy fruit. It's become a special supply for the officials?"

"Quiet down! Quiet down!" Seeing things were getting out of hand, Tie Jieshan quickly raised his hand and shouted to stop them. He tried to remain calm and reassured them, "Folks, you must have made a mistake! The supply of fruit is always limited, so it's normal that you can't buy any!"

"Normal? Even if it's normal, we can't always miss it, can we? With so many people here, who has ever seen fruit on the shelves of the supply and marketing cooperative?" The crowd persisted, shaking their heads.

"There aren't many in total, so of course they're hard to buy. What's the big deal?" Yao Guilian couldn't hold back any longer and couldn't help but interject.

"So you're saying that those leaders get to eat fruit while we ordinary people can only watch?" Zhang Fang, true to her fiery nature and ability to challenge Yao Guilian, immediately seized the opportunity to press for answers.

"Fellow villagers, this is all old news!" Tie Jieshan quickly changed the subject, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Let's not dwell on it! We really haven't had any fruit for the past few months, but we can't just listen to this leader's side of the story and start doubting our comrades at the supply and marketing cooperative!"

As he spoke, he rubbed his slightly protruding belly and coughed twice on purpose. The clerk beside him reacted quickly, stepping forward to support him: "Director! You're not in good health. The doctor said you can't get stressed or anxious; you must take care of yourself!"

Tie Jieshan's self-inflicted injury was so convincing that it moved many people. The previous doubts also subsided.

Seeing this, Tie Jieshan immediately pressed his advantage, forcing a sincere smile: "Sir, you're a reasonable person. Since the supply and marketing cooperative really doesn't have any fruit, please don't make things difficult for us. How about this, you leave your work address, and if the province allocates fruit in the future, I'll definitely notify you immediately so that the troops can be given priority. Is that alright?"

His sincere attitude touched some people, and some spoke up for him, saying, "Yes, it's not easy for anyone. The supplies are what they are right now, so let's be more understanding."

"Director Tie seems quite conscientious and responsible, so please don't make things difficult for him, sir."

Liang Zhe observed everyone's discussion, but instead of showing any displeasure, he nodded as if he agreed with what they said.

"Everyone's point is valid. Since the supply and marketing cooperative really doesn't have any fruit, I won't insist."

Tie Jieshan breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "You are so wise, Commander. Comrade Yao, quickly get the Commander a few more pieces of candy and put it on my tab. It's a treat for the child."

Yao Guilian pouted and reluctantly opened the glass jar. She first took out two pieces of candy, hesitated for a moment, and then gritted her teeth and took three more.

Seeing this, Tie Jieshan immediately straightened his face and scolded, "Comrade Yao! You're getting worse and worse at handling things! What's so special about fruit candy? Go to the gift section and get a few White Rabbit milk candies! No matter how difficult things are, we can't let our comrades who are protecting our country suffer!" As he spoke, he took out a dollar from his pocket and slapped it on the counter. "I'll pay for this; consider it a gift for the kids!"

Yao Guilian cursed inwardly, thinking that this man's obstinate habit of putting on an act was incorrigible. How much could one yuan buy? This scoundrel was getting a good deal. But she dared not retort aloud. Just as she was about to turn and get some milk candy, Liang Zhe spoke up in time: "No need."

He held Tian Tian in his arms, his voice as calm and soothing as ever, "We don't accept a single needle or thread from the public. If you want to buy candy, I'll pay for it myself."

"You're being too polite!" Tie Jieshan quickly waved his hand, his face sincere. "We just wanted to express our support for the army; a few pieces of candy aren't worth much!"

"I appreciate the sentiment." Liang Zhe nodded slightly, his gaze suddenly passing over Tie Jieshan and landing on an inconspicuous door on the second floor of the supply and marketing cooperative. He slowly asked, "Director Tie, is that room the cooperative's warehouse?"

Tie Jieshan was racking his brains, trying to figure out how to flatter Liang Zhe a few more times, when he suddenly heard Liang Zhe mention the second floor. The smile on his lips instantly froze, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

But he reacted quickly and immediately calmed down: "It's not a proper warehouse, it's just a junk storage room, and the door is locked all year round."

"Really?" Liang Zhe's tone was casual, yet laced with a sharp edge. "Then why is there a fruity smell coming from inside?"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, not only was Tie Jieshan stunned, but the onlookers were also dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.

Tie Jieshan chuckled dryly, "Chief, are you joking? Even if there were fruit inside, how could the smell possibly travel downstairs through the floor and door? You're not just making trouble for no reason, are you?"

Liang Zhe's face suddenly darkened, and his tone turned cold: "Tie Jieshan, watch your words! Who gave you the audacity to slander soldiers at will?"

Liang Zhe's face darkened: "Tie Jieshan, watch your words. How can you so easily slander soldiers?"

"I can't just make baseless accusations, but you can't just spread rumors without evidence, can you?" Tie Jieshan retorted, his neck stiff. "Where did this fruity smell come from? You say it exists, where's the proof?"

Before Liang Zhe could speak, Tian Tian, ​​nestled in her father's arms, saw his ugly face and frowned, puffing out her cheeks as she exclaimed loudly, "Tian Tian smells it! It smells like fruit!"