The Green Tea’s Crushing Victories in the ’70s

After assigning Wen Rugui a nice guy card, Tong Xuelu cut to the reason that she was there.

“I came looking for you to see if there’s any dishes that Comrade Wen enjoys particularly.
He has helped me a lot and I would like to make some food for him to thank him.”

Pu Jianyi had an excited I-knew-you-were-fond-of-Wen-Rugui look on him as he said, “Comrade Tong is going to cook for Rugui?”

Tong Xuelu corrected him, “As a token of appreciation.”

Pu Jianyi automatically filtered that part out.
“Rugui likes fish, any kind of fish.”

Tong Xuelu thought about it some and asked, “Can he eat spicy food?”

Pu Jianyi nodded.
“I think so, but nothing too spicy.”

This was much easier knowing that he could handle spicy food.

Tong Xuelu’s lips curved and she smiled.
“Thank you, Comrade Pu.
I will be on my way then.”

Pu Jianyi, “…………”

That’s it? Just like that?

He was the one who actually did the work.
Shouldn’t she give him some food as well?

That was terrible!

He was mad.

***

Wen Rugui returned to the military compound.

The second he stepped foot inside, he saw a pot of green grass on top of the dinner table.
Then there was another one on the cabinet next to the television.

Baffled, Wen Rugui turned and asked Uncle Zong.
“Uncle Zong, I thought we’ve always only had flowers.
Why do we have these two pots of grass all of a sudden?”

Uncle Zhong took a look outside.
He made sure that Old Mr.
Wen was nowhere to be seen before he said in a low voice, “Commander said to leave two pots of grass around as a reminder for you.”

Wen Rugui, “To remind me?”

Uncle Zong nodded heavily.
“Remind you to bring young grass home some time!”

Wen Rugui, “……”

That did sound like something that his grandfather would do.

Uncle Zong let out a sigh.
“Commander is not getting any younger.
He always says that he worries that he wouldn’t be able to see his great grandchild.
It saddens me every time I hear that coming from him.
I know you don’t like us nagging you like this, but you are not young anymore.
You will need to find someone to take care of you at some point.
Am I right?”

Wen Rugui looked calm.
Pausing a little, he said, “I get it, Uncle Zong.”

Then he turned and went upstairs.