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

"Sigh, it's nothing, it's nothing." Xing Yuxiu waved her hand and said helplessly, "I was thinking that eating something sour would make me feel better, but it didn't work."

Seeing that she didn't look well, Shen Ruowen advised, "Aunt Xing, why don't you sit down and rest for a while? Would you like some water?"

"No need, I'm not that delicate," Xing Yuxiu laughed heartily. "After I bring you the fruit, I still have to get to the kitchen. You just rest in the room and wait for dinner; there'll be something good tonight!"

She acted as if nothing was wrong, which only made Shen Ruowen more curious. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Aunt Xing, is your husband also in the military camp?"

"Yes, I am, but I'm so busy that I can only see him every three or four days." Xing Yuxiu sighed, then smiled. "The commanders were worried that I would be lonely living alone, so they let me move into this small courtyard. I'll go to our barracks when he comes back."

Aunt Xing was clearly a straightforward person who couldn't keep things to herself. Shen Ruowen's eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "Sister-in-law, you must be working very hard too."

"What's so hard about it!" Xing Yuxiu waved her hand. "My husband is working for the country. He didn't have much education and comes from a peasant background. Now the country doesn't look down on him and let him join the army. He's staying in such a good base, and the leaders take extra care of him. It's just that we see each other less often, it's nothing."

As she spoke, she pointed to the sea buckthorn berries in the bowl and said, "Reporter Shen, don't underestimate these berries. I've heard that eating some of these can help with mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. It's very windy and sandy here, so it's not easy to get a bowl of these berries. The leaders never keep any for themselves; they share them with everyone. Just for that reason alone, don't you think our base is great?"

Shen Ruowen frowned slightly, then nodded subconsciously: "Indeed, very good."

"So don't worry, eat without worry." Xing Yuxiu patted her hand. "There's even better food tonight, I need to hurry and help out."

"Better food?" Shen Ruowen asked, somewhat surprised. In this vast Gobi Desert, how good could the food be? It was nothing more than cornmeal and cornbread, with a sweet potato at most. The bowl of sweet potato porridge she ate in the morning was already a rare treat, something she could hardly find even in town.

Xing Yuxiu smiled mysteriously: "You'll find out when the time comes! The commanders said everyone will get a share, even ordinary soldiers."

"Sister-in-law, I really don't understand," Shen Ruowen said hesitantly. "With supplies scarce nationwide, how can our base afford such good food?"

Although Xing Yuxiu was straightforward, she wasn't stupid. Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow: "What's up, Reporter Shen? Are you here to interview me?"

"Ah, no, no," Shen Ruowen quickly waved her hand. "I was just asking casually, I was just curious."

"What's so strange about that?" Xing Yuxiu smiled. "There are plenty of good things hidden in the desert, and we just happened to stumble upon them." As she spoke, she straightened her apron. "I'm going to the mess hall now. You get some rest."

"Sister Xing!" Shen Ruowen called out to her hurriedly, then asked hesitantly, "Where is Commander Liang Zhe? I haven't seen him all day, nor his daughter."

"He's busier than my husband!" Xing Yuxiu said with a smile. "What's up, do you need to see him?"

"No, no." Shen Ruowen quickly shook her head. "I just arrived at the base and only recognize him. He even saved me before, so I was just asking casually."

"Oh, I see." Xing Yuxiu looked her over carefully again, then smiled and said, "Reporter Shen, I see you're a few years younger than me, so I'll call you 'little sister,' okay?"

"Sure." Shen Ruowen nodded.

"Alright, if I see Commander Liang, I'll tell him you're thinking about him, okay?" Xing Yuxiu joked.

"Sister-in-law, don't say that." Shen Ruowen blushed and quickly lowered her head. "I was just asking casually. Since Commander Liang is busy, I won't bother him."

"Hey, what's there to be shy about!" Xing Yuxiu laughed heartily. "Marriage is a serious matter, what's there to be shy about? But speaking of which, you've met Liang Tuan's daughter, she's incredibly cute, I just don't know if you can accept her."

Shen Ruowen was completely stunned, feeling both surprised and embarrassed—wasn't this Sister Xing too direct? She had only casually asked Liang Zhe a question, and she was already trying to matchmake the two of them?

"No, I really didn't mean that," Shen Ruowen hurriedly explained, her tone urgent. "Sister-in-law, please don't misunderstand, and please don't tell anyone else, so as not to put Commander Liang in a difficult position."

"Look how nervous you are." Xing Yuxiu waved her hand with a smile. "Your sister-in-law doesn't treat you like an outsider. Don't be offended, but my mother is a matchmaker. I've been influenced by her since I was little, and I always want to play matchmaker when I see someone suitable. But Liang Tuan is really a good person. Not only is he kind-hearted, but he's also one of the best-looking young men in our base. The fact that you're interested in him shows that you have good taste."

Shen Ruowen's face flushed even more, feeling both amused and exasperated. She hadn't expected that after knowing her for so long, Aunt Xing would be so informal, actually offering to act as a matchmaker for her. She hadn't even considered that possibility.

"Look at my mouth, I just can't keep it to myself," Xing Yuxiu said, patting her mouth a little embarrassed. "My husband has criticized me for it several times. Don't take it to heart, sis. It's almost dinnertime, I have to go back and get busy. If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll bring it over for you tonight."

"No, no, thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law," Shen Ruowen quickly replied.

After Xing Yuxiu left, Shen Ruowen touched her burning cheeks and couldn't help but laugh. She was really overthinking things. Her and Liang Zhe? Absolutely impossible.

At dinner time, Li Guihua delivered the food. Xing Yuxiu couldn't leave the stove, so she asked Li Guihua to bring the food over. The lunchbox contained steamed sweet potatoes, steamed fish, and a bowl of thick egg drop soup, all smelling delicious.

Shen Ruowen was completely stunned by the lavish meal; she could hardly believe her eyes. It was already incredible enough to have fish in this Gobi Desert base, but a bowl of egg drop soup?

Back in town, egg prices were consistently high, and more importantly, they were scarce, requiring rationing. Even if you lined up before dawn every day, you might not be able to buy more than a few. But here, she could actually get such a thick bowl of egg drop soup—and the key point was that if she could get it, the others must be able to too. How was that possible? Did the cooks have some kind of magic touch, managing to get both fish and so many eggs?

She gazed at the steaming, fragrant soup, and couldn't help but lick her lips, almost reluctant to drink it.

Li Guihua put down the lunchbox and asked with a smile, "Reporter Shen, why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking?"

"No, no," Shen Ruowen quickly shook her head, then asked hesitantly, "Sister Li, how come your base... can you eat so well?"

"We were lucky today. The soldiers encountered wild geese nearby and collected a few duck eggs," Li Guihua explained with a smile. "The commander said to boil the duck eggs into egg drop soup so that every comrade could have a sip to nourish their bodies."

"But I'm not from your base, how can I get a share?" Shen Ruowen still couldn't quite believe it.

"What are you saying!" Li Guihua gave her a reproachful look. "You're not from the base, but you're still a citizen of Great Xia! We're all compatriots, all working to build the country. Why distinguish between 'yours' and 'mine'? Besides, you're a civilian. Our army has an obligation to take care of the people. How can we let you suffer injustice at the base?"

Shen Ruowen's heart was instantly touched. In these famine years when food was more precious than gold, she had prepared herself for harsh treatment, but she never expected that the people at the base would not only not reject her, but would also share the best food with her and treat her the same as the other comrades. This sincerity and warmth brought tears to her eyes.

"Thank you." She looked up and thanked Li Guihua.

This time, she was sincere.