Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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Ji Yan’s assigned apartment was on the third floor, a two-bedroom unit. Although small, it was fully equipped and could be quite nice with some careful arrangement. Tang Tang was very satisfied.
Ji Xiaozhuo was even more satisfied than Tang Tang, excitedly running around the apartment, thoroughly enjoying herself.
The others carried Tang Tang’s belongings upstairs and then said their goodbyes, as they had to return to training later.
Seeing that the people had helped them move things for so long without even getting a cup of tea, Tang Tang felt bad. But she couldn’t offer them any, so she took some of her homemade sauce from a box and handed it to them as a thank you: “Thank you for your help. We have nothing at home right now, not even enough to offer you a cup of tea. We’ll treat you when the house is tidied up. This is some sauce I made myself, please take it, don’t mind it.”
One of the young soldiers, only in his early twenties, immediately declined, saying shyly, “Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. Moving these things is nothing, it’s what we should do, no need to thank us, please take it back.”
Dong Li and Zhang Cheng exchanged a glance, their eyes simultaneously lighting up as they both remembered the sauce Ji Yan had eaten in the canteen last time.
Zhang Cheng unceremoniously took the jar from Tang Tang’s hand. “Then I won’t be polite, sister-in-law. This sauce is especially delicious. Your cooking is amazing! You have no idea how stingy Ji Yan is. He won’t even let us have a taste of your sauce. You have to have a good talk with him later.”
Tang Tang smiled and glanced at Ji Yan, feeling sweet inside.
Ji Yan kicked Zhang Cheng expressionlessly, making him howl.
Although Dong Li didn’t have a good impression of Tang Tang, he couldn’t bear to refuse such delicious sauce. He couldn’t go against his stomach, so he accepted it and awkwardly said thank you.
Seeing how much the two treasured the sauce, the others understood the situation and swallowed their polite words, choosing to accept it. Only the young soldier who had just refused blushed, unsure whether to accept it or not.
Tang Tang noticed his embarrassment and shoved a jar of sauce into his hand. “Alright, take this too, don’t be shy.”
The young soldier stammered, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”
A smile involuntarily flashed in Ji Yan’s eyes as he said, “Okay, take it all, don’t be shy, go back to training.” The group left happily.
Ji Yue and Gu Chang’an had a meeting the next morning and had to leave as well. Ji Yue hugged Tang Tang and Ji Xiaozhuo reluctantly, promising to visit them again when she had time, before leaving with a heavy heart.
After everyone left, Ji Yan looked at the empty room and said to Tang Tang, “This room can’t be used tonight. I’ll take you to the guesthouse for the night. Tomorrow I’ll arrange for someone to take you to buy furniture, and you can move in once it’s ready.”
“Mmm.” Tang Tang nodded obediently, then took out all the remaining sauce from the box. “Honey, I originally made these sauces as a gift for the neighbors, but now there are only four bottles left. Is that enough?”
Ji Yan hadn’t expected Tang Tang to be so thoughtful in preparing these things, and he was quite pleased. He nodded and said, “That’s enough. Zhang Cheng’s family, who moved things today, live right across from us. You’ve already given theirs to them, so you don’t need to give anymore to them. Give two more bottles to the head of the group’s family, to the sister-in-law who spoke to us today.That’s the regimental commander’s wife. I’ll give the remaining two bottles to Dong Li.”
After Ji Yan finished speaking, he picked up two bottles of sauce with one hand and scooped up Ji Xiaozhuo with the other. “Come on, I’ll take you to the regimental commander’s house. I’ll also ask the regimental commander’s wife to accompany you to the city to buy things tomorrow. She’s very experienced, so I feel at ease with her along.”
The regimental commander’s family lived in the next building. When the regimental commander’s wife saw that it was them, she brought them fruit and drinks, and she especially stuffed a lot of snacks that her daughter had bought into Ji Xiaozhuo’s arms, which were almost overflowing.
Ji Xiaozhuo glanced reluctantly at the snacks in his arms, then shook his head and refused, saying, “Auntie, I can’t eat so much. I’m already too fat. I need to lose weight.”
Wen Wen, the high school daughter of the regimental commander’s wife, couldn’t help but poke Ji Xiaozhuo’s chubby belly and tease him, “Hmm, I think you really need to lose weight. Look at your ‘spare tire’! This won’t do. The first requirement for a handsome guy is that he can’t be fat.”
The regimental commander’s wife slapped Wen Wen’s hand and laughed, “Go away, how can you say that? Kids are all chubby. He’ll naturally slim down when they grow up. Xiao Zhuo will definitely be very handsome when he grows up.”
Ji Xiaozhuo nodded in agreement and said seriously to everyone present, “My current weight gain is only temporary. I will be as handsome as my dad in the future because my mom says I look like my dad. My mom says my dad is very, very handsome, so I will be very, very handsome too~”
“Really? Your mom is right. Your dad is very handsome!” The regimental commander’s wife echoed Ji Xiaozhuo while teasing Tang Tang.
Tang Tang bit her lip, too embarrassed to even look at Ji Yan. She had indeed said that to Ji Xiaozhuo, but it was to motivate him to lose weight. Who knew he would betray her? Waaah, she wondered if her baby’s dad would think she wasn’t reserved enough. Ji Yan, who had been praised for being very handsome, didn’t show any change in expression. He merely glanced at Tang Tang, who was looking down like an ostrich, and pursed his lips.
Seeing how shy Tang Tang was, the regimental commander’s wife didn’t tease her anymore and changed the subject: “You can’t cook tonight, right? Stay at my house for dinner tonight. Consider it a welcome dinner from your wife and your regimental commander.”
Seeing that Ji Yan seemed about to refuse, the regimental commander’s wife deliberately put on a stern face and said, “Don’t refuse, or I will be angry.”
Ji Yan had no choice but to nod in agreement.
The regimental commander’s wife immediately instructed Ji Yan, “Then call Dong Li and Zhang Cheng over too. You guys and your regimental commander have a good drink tonight.”
Ji Yan agreed. As a grown man, he didn’t feel comfortable chatting with several women, so he stood up and said, “I’ll go to the camp to take care of some things first. I’ll also call those two. Tang Tang and Xiao Zhuo will have to stay here, sister-in-law.”
The regimental commander’s wife waved her hand, “No need to trouble yourself, go ahead.”
As soon as Ji Yan left, the regimental commander’s wife saw that there wasn’t much time left before evening, so she immediately started preparing dinner. She took all the food out of the refrigerator and said thankfully, “Luckily, I just bought a lot of groceries yesterday. There’ll be enough for tonight.”
The troupe leader’s wife planned to have Wen Wen greet Tang Tang and Ji Xiaozhuo, but found that Wen Wen was more like a guest than a guest, already engrossed in a game and making a lot of noise. Anger welled up inside her, and she scolded, “Wen Wen, don’t you know how to help your mother? You’re 17 years old, and all you do all day is play on your phone! Who would dare marry someone as lazy as you?!”
Wen Wen pouted and muttered, “Mom, who says I’m lazy? You haven’t seen anyone lazier than me! Many of my roommates are too lazy to even wash their clothes, okay? I wash mine myself! Why will no one be willing to marry someone like me? The line of suitors stretches will all the way to France!” The troupe leader’s wife rolled her eyes: “You’re just bragging. Anyone who marries you will be marrying a princess.”
Wen Wen stomped her foot, “Mom, how can you be so mean to your own daughter! Am I even your biological daughter?”
The troupe leader’s wife casually said, “Actually, I picked you up.”
Wen Wen was so angry her mouth could practically hold an oil bottle.
Although the mother and daughter were playfully teasing each other, it was clear they had a good relationship. Seeing this, Tang Tang chuckled, walked over, and took the groceries from the group leader’s wife, saying, “Sister-in-law, Wen Wen is still so young. Let her play; I’ll help you.”
The group leader’s wife quickly waved her hand, “No, no, no, you’re a guest, how can you help? I just think Wen Wen is too lazy. She’s such a big girl and doesn’t know how to lift a finger for housework. I’m really worried she won’t have a good life in the future.”
“Sister-in-law, you’re worrying too early. A good girl won’t have to worry about not being loved. Don’t be so polite with me, let me help you. I love cooking in the kitchen, and that’s no lie.”
“This…” The regimental commander’s wife thought it best not to be too formal, so she nodded and said, “Alright, then I’ll trouble you to help me out.”
Tang Tang immediately started picking vegetables, glancing at the ingredients on the stove as she did so: “Sister-in-law, how do you plan to cook these ingredients? I can cut the vegetables according to your desired dish.”
The regimental commander’s wife chuckled and said, “To be honest, I’m ashamed to say that after cooking for so many years, I only know a few dishes, all ordinary home-style dishes, and the taste is just so-so. I really don’t know how to make complicated dishes. I’ll just braise all the meat and stir-fry the vegetables.”
“…” the commander’s wife asked, “Tang Tang, do you have any suggestions? If you do, it’s good to tell your sister-in-law. Don’t keep it to yourself, I really can’t cook, I’m not being polite.”
Tang Tang chuckled, finding the commander’s wife very easy to get along with. So she didn’t stand on ceremony and said, “Sister-in-law, I looked at the ingredients. What do you think about making braised lion’s head meatballs[1], hibiscus shrimp[2], four-happiness meatballs[3], crispy braised pork[4], and sweet and sour fish[5]?”
Actually, Tang Tang had a little secret she was too embarrassed to say. Ji Yan liked braised pork and sweet and sour fish, so she was thinking of making those. But it seemed a bit inappropriate, didn’t it?
The commander’s wife had never made these kinds of dishes before. Her eyes changed as she looked at Tang Tang, her tone rising, “Tang Tang, you can make these?”
Tang Tang nodded. What was wrong with making these?
The troupe leader’s wife exclaimed “Oh!” in surprise and delight. “I’ve only ever eaten these dishes outside. When I cook, I always make braised pork, braised fish, and boiled shrimp. I really don’t know how to make these dishes. I didn’t expect you to be so young and already know how to cook them. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-five.”
Tang Tang died at eighteen in her previous life, and her current body was twenty-five.
The troupe leader’s wife was even more impressed by her young age. She immediately took off her apron and gave it to Tang Tang, saying, “Tang Tang, I’ll be shameless today and help me cook. I’ll assist you and secretly learn from you, okay?”
Tang Tang enjoyed cooking and didn’t find it tiring. She smiled and took the apron, “It’s nothing, sister-in-law. If you want to learn later, I’ll teach you. It’s easy to learn.”
She immediately started cooking.
Watching Tang Tang’s nimble and fluid movements, the regimental commander’s wife couldn’t help but sigh: Ji Yan certainly didn’t choose his wife randomly. Although she isn’t particularly beautiful, you can’t judge a wife solely on her looks. For a good marriage, you have to look at her inner qualities. Look at this young woman— she’s such a skilled cook, and so gentle. Having a wife like this is true enjoyment. These days, how many girls can cook? The young couple always eats out after work; they rarely even step into the kitchen. The more the regimental commander’s wife looked at Tang Tang, the more she liked her.
Just as the dishes were almost cooked, shouts rang out from outside. The regimental commander’s wife smiled and said, “They’re back! We can serve the food now.”
Tang Tang’s ladle kept moving. “Sister-in-law, take the dishes upstairs and let them eat while they’re hot; that’s when they taste best. I’ll just stir-fry some vegetables.”
“Alright!” The regimental commander’s wife carried the main dishes outside and called to the men outside, “Hurry up and wash your hands and eat.”
The regimental commander sat down first, and when he saw the dishes on the table, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. He asked his wife, “Old Liu, this isn’t your cooking, is it? Did we get a chef?”
The regimental commander’s wife smiled and explained, “It really wasn’t me. How could I make such good food? It was Ji Yan’s wife who made it. I’m truly ashamed of my own skills compared to Tang Tang’s.” As she spoke, she teased Ji Yan, who had just sat down, “Ji Yan, you really married a good wife.”
A smile crossed Ji Yan’s face.
Dong Li stared in astonishment at the dishes on the table, hardly believing that such a delicious and visually appealing meal could have been made by the same hysterical, alcoholic woman from before. Had she really changed completely, just as Ji Yan had said? The regimental commander’s wife looked around and asked, “Where’s Zhang Cheng? Didn’t we invite him too?”
Dong Li replied, “He went to the door to meet his wife. They’ll come over to eat together later.”
Zhang Cheng couldn’t cook tonight, and his wife wouldn’t have anything to eat when she got back, so they had to bring her along.
The regimental commander’s wife said, “Oh,” and added, “Then you all eat first. I’ll go help Tang Tang.”
“Come on, come on, don’t be shy. Let’s try Ji Yan’s wife’s cooking.”
The regimental commander urged, picking up a large shrimp, dipping it in the sauce, and popping it into his mouth. He immediately exclaimed, “Great! It tastes really good! Ji Yan’s wife is really skilled!”
“It’s really delicious! Sister Tang Tang is amazing,” Wen Wen praised after taking a bite.
Dong Li quickly picked up a shrimp and put it in his mouth, not even peeling it. After swallowing, he spat out the shell, said nothing, and only glanced at Ji Yan with a look of amazement, envy, and a hint of jealousy.
Ji Yan ignored him and put some food into Ji Xiaozhuo’s small bowl, telling him to eat slowly.
At this moment, Zhang Cheng and his wife came in. Seeing that they had already started eating, he quickly pulled out a seat for his wife. “Come on, wife, let’s eat quickly, are you hungry?”
Zhang Cheng’s wife, Fang Yuwei, smiled slightly at the people present and greeted them before sitting down and picking up her chopsticks to start eating.
Zhang Cheng looked at the dishes on the table and exclaimed, “Why are the dishes so plentiful today? Sister-in-law’s cooking skills have improved!”
The group leader laughed and said, “What improvement? It’s Ji Yan’s wife who’s cooking. Your sister-in-law can’t make such fragrant dishes.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng immediately gave Ji Yan a thumbs up and then buried his head in his food.
After everyone had eaten for a while, the group leader picked up his glass and said, “Come on, let’s not just eat, let’s have a good drink tonight!”
Zhang Cheng laughed and said, “I think we should have a good drink with Ji Yan. Today is his big day. His wife and children are here, and his good days are here too.”
“Yes, yes, that’s right. Let’s all toast Ji Yan!” Ji Yan knew he couldn’t escape tonight, so he simply drank without saying a word.
By the time Tang Tang had finished cooking all the dishes, the group outside had already finished drinking halfway through, and the second bottle of wine had been opened.
Seeing Tang Tang come out, everyone praised and thanked her, urging her to sit down and eat.
Ji Yan pulled out a chair next to him and said, “You’ve worked hard, sit down and eat.”
Tang Tang felt a sweet warmth in her heart, smiled sweetly at him, and sat down beside him as instructed. She ate herself while serving food to Ji Xiaozhuo. Seeing everyone drinking with Ji Yan, and worried that he might upset his stomach, she took his bowl, ladled out a bowl of soup, and secretly tugged at his sleeve under the table, whispering, “Honey, could you drink some soup before drinking?”
Ji Yan glanced at her, put down his chopsticks, and picked up a spoon to drink the soup.
Tang Tang then asked Ji Xiaozhuo, “Baby, do you want some soup?”
Ji Xiaozhuo shook his head, pointing at the shrimp with his chubby little fingers, “Mommy, I want to eat shrimp, but I can never peel them properly.”
“You’re still little, Mommy will peel them for you.”
Tang Tang picked up a few shrimp and put them in her bowl, peeling one and feeding it to the little guy, then peeling another and putting it in Ji Yan’s bowl, one for each of them, perfectly balanced.
The regimental commander’s wife watched Tang Tang’s actions and suddenly thought that among the men present, Ji Yan was definitely the best at choosing women. Look at the wife he married, how comfortable his life would be! The regimental commander’s wife then glanced at Fang Yuwei, who had sat down to eat as soon as she arrived. She saw Zhang Cheng drinking and serving her food, and couldn’t help but sigh, these couples really do have different ways of getting along.
Tonight was a celebration for Tang Tang and Ji Xiaozhuo’s arrival to join the army, so their family was the main focus. However, Tang Tang couldn’t drink, and given her injuries, no one wanted to make things difficult for her. Therefore, all the fire was directed at Ji Yan. Unable to refuse, Ji Yan reluctantly drank one cup after another.
Tang Tang watched with great concern, but she couldn’t spoil the fun, so she kept pouring him water and reminding him to eat more. Despite her efforts, Ji Yan eventually drank too much, his face flushed, and he became unsteady on his feet.
Ji Yan was truly drunk.
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