"Ca... Captain, the eggs are all gone," stammered the kitchen squad leader serving the meal.
If he had known the Captain would come to eat this morning, he would have saved more dishes. But now, all the tasty dishes have been eagerly taken by the warriors.
"Itâs fine, weâll eat whateverâs available," Yang Yunhai said, though he felt a pang of regret in his heart.
What if the little girl doesnât like the military food and never comes here again?
He was hoping to coax her into coming to the military base.
"Itâs really delicious," Gu Lingling said, looking content.
Though there wasnât much food left, the taste was still great. Gu Lingling, who loves cooking herself, could tell that the squad leader had put a lot of effort into making such flavorful dishes for the troops.
Seeing Yang Yunhaiâs disbelief, Gu Lingling took a few more big bites. "Making big pot meals taste good isnât easy, Brother Yang. Your kitchen squad leader is really impressive."
The kitchen squad leader, who hurriedly fried two eggs for the Captain, almost knelt down before Gu Lingling.
The Special Teamâs training is much more intense than other squads, so their food requirements are higher. Heâs constantly trying to find ways to nourish the warriors.
Only the people in the cooking squad know the hardships involved.
And this little girl, on her first time dining here, could feel his effort with just one bite. The cooking squad leader felt he had finally met someone who understood him.
"Cap... Captain, weâre out of dishes, so I fried you an egg," the squad leader said with a choked voice, placing the plate on the table before turning away.
"Brother Yang, whatâs up with him?" Gu Lingling asked in confusion.
"Nothing, just touched," Yang Yunhai replied with a smile, glancing at the squad leader wiping his tears in the kitchen.
The little girl didnât know that her casual comment had already won over the entire cooking squad.
What was he touched about?
Gu Lingling wondered, but since Yang Yunhai said no more, she continued eating.
Suddenly, a pair of chopsticks holding a fried egg appeared before her. "Try this fried egg, donât just keep your head down eating."
"Thank you, Brother Yang," Gu Lingling said, blushing.
She could sense the eyes from all directions without even looking up. Gu Lingling knew that after she left the mess hall, thereâd be quite the uproar.
Gu Lingling felt unprecedented pressure while eating, not from Yang Yunhai opposite her, but from the scrutinizing gazes.
Letting Gu Lingling wait for him under the tree, Yang Yunhai walked back into the mess hall once again.
And just as Gu Lingling imagined, the mess hall was abuzz discussing Gu Lingling and Yang Yunhaiâs relationship.
"When did our Captain become so gentle? Did you see? The Captain even served her food," said Fu Duoduo from the publicity department, whose quick wit made him one of the Special Teamâs favorites.
"Oh my, the Captain is so gentle."
"Is that so? Should I be gentle to you as well?" Yang Yunhaiâs icy voice came from behind, causing Fu Duoduo to turn around with a despairing look and smile at him. "Ca... Captain, what a... what a coincidence."
"Watch your mouths. If I hear any bad talk..."
"We were just eating, saw nothing," Li Hongjun, ever quick-witted, assured, and the others quickly followed suit.
Yang Yunhai nodded in satisfaction, glanced at Fu Duoduo, and said, "Run thirty kilometers on the training field, Li Hongjun, supervise."
Fu Duoduo, "..."
Damn this mouth, why couldnât it keep quiet?
"Where is she?" Yang Yunhai came outside, expecting to find Gu Lingling waiting under the tree, but instead found a note from her on the ground, "I went back."
Yang Yunhai smiled fondly.
This girl must be playing ostrich again for a while.