Chapter 5 Enemy Whistle
After that night Master left as well. Sister Mudan was different from Sister Lanxiang. She was assigned specially to serve The General.
I took over Master's work, from fire-tending girl to head cook.
Zhang Ming came on an ordinary night, a wild pheasant in his hand.
He had grown taller again. I was now a head shorter than him.
These days I had heard some things about him in the camp. Though young, Zhang Ming was fierce enough. After he saved The General from the enemy, he was kept at The General's side.
The camp was not that large. We ran into each other now and then. The people around him were all men who could speak with authority. When we brushed past, I kept my head down, afraid of offending a superior.
I thought he had long forgotten me.
Zhang Ming stared at me and tossed the pheasant beside the stove.
In the past, he and I would skim a little of the game meant for Master and roast it ourselves in this rear kitchen.
I had not eaten meat in a long time. Even knowing Zhang Ming was watching, I still wolfed down half the chicken.
Zhang Ming did not move the whole time.
"Eat it all."
When I stopped, the person across from me spoke.
I was a bit too full.
The atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.
Just then a piercing whistle came from outside.
Zhang Ming stood up abruptly. It was an enemy raid.
"The blade is still with you?"
He looked back at me before he left. I nodded.