Night fell swiftly.
Several bonfires were lit in the middle of the camp, driving away the night's chill.
Fang Yuan sat down against a cartwheel, took out a packet of dried meat wrapped in oil paper from his bundle, and silently began chewing.
The strips of meat had been cut to an even thickness and air-dried to perfection. Clearly, someone had put thought into preparing them.
Zhang Shun came over and plopped down beside him, pulling out several hard, rough-edged flatbreads of his own.
Seeing the neat strips of meat in Fang Yuan's hand, he suddenly found his own flatbreads tasteless.
"Who would've thought Brother Fang got married so young? What good fortune!"
Fang Yuan froze at that, looking at Zhang Shun in surprise. He could tell even that?
Zhang Shun seemed to see his confusion. He gestured with the flatbread at the rations in their hands and chuckled.
"Isn't it obvious? Only a wife who cares for her man would prepare meat so carefully.
"Bachelors like us just throw together some dry rations, as long as they fill our bellies."
Fang Yuan lowered his head to look at the neatly cut meat strips in his hand and could not help recalling Wanwan carefully packing his luggage beneath the lamplight.
A faint smile unconsciously touched his lips.
He gave a soft "Mm," tacitly admitting it.
Seeing him acknowledge it, Zhang Shun grew even friendlier. He pulled a small wineskin from his chest, removed the stopper, and the pungent fragrance of strong liquor drifted out.
"Come on, Brother Fang, have a drink? Warm yourself up!"
But Fang Yuan shook his head. His gaze swept over the dancing bonfire and settled on the heavy darkness beyond.
"Thanks, Brother Zhang. But tonight probably won't be peaceful. Better stay sober."
He needed to recover