Chapter 23

Chapter 23

When Xie Junli returned, he was greeted by his wife's radiant smile, her eyes curved into crescents. "What has you so happy?"

Xu Yuqing was genuinely elated. It felt as if a tiny ant-sized hole had appeared in the bleak future of her career, letting a sliver of light shine through. She threw her arms around Xie Junli. "Sister-in-law said that my peanut candy is good enough to sell!"

Xie Junli was taken aback, his expression softening. "You're very happy about it?"

"Mm-hm!"

The warmth in his embrace made Xie Junli reluctant to move. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes. "That's good."

The next morning, Xu Yuqing woke up full of anticipation, humming a tune as she got out of bed. Regardless of the outcome, this was an affirmation of her abilities.

As they were having breakfast, there was a knock on the door. Xu Yuqing put on her cotton jacket and opened the door in confusion. "Who are you?"

"Good morning, Sister! I've been sent by the Political Commissar with a message! The Political Commissar wants you to come to the daycare at eleven o'clock today!" Liu Min explained. He looked young, with a dark complexion and flushed cheeks. Xu Yuqing smiled gently. "I see, wait a moment."

She took the leftover cookies from yesterday and wrapped them in oil paper. "Here are some cookies, thank you for your hard work."

Liu Min stared at the paper package in Xu Yuqing's hand, his face reddening even more. "Sis... Sister! I can't take these!" His eyes couldn't help but linger on Xu Yuqing, and Liu Min was genuinely surprised. The wife of Commander Xie was not only beautiful but also gentle... She didn't seem to match Commander Xie at all.

"It's no trouble. You've helped me, and I can't eat them all myself. I'm going back inside now, thank you, comrade." Xu Yuqing firmly placed the package in his hands and went back inside, ignoring the stunned Liu Min standing outside. She continued eating her breakfast.

This morning's breakfast was still from the canteen: porridge, specifically coarse cornmeal porridge, accompanied by a boiled egg. This time, Xie Junli was a bit smarter, knowing to bring a small bowl of pickles.

Without the pickles, Xu Yuqing wouldn't have been able to eat.

It was still early before eleven o'clock. Xu Yuqing swept the slightly dirty floor and prepared the ingredients for lunch. There wasn't much food left from yesterday, so Xu Yuqing planned to cook noodles for lunch, using the leftovers as toppings. It wouldn't go to waste.

Before long, it was almost half past ten. Xu Yuqing changed into her clothes, braiding her loose hair into a loose pigtail, neat and attractive. She grabbed her small shoulder bag, packed a handkerchief, and set off.

She had never been to the daycare before. Along the way, she asked for directions. Fortunately, she did ask, or Xu Yuqing wouldn't have known that the somewhat dilapidated bungalow in front of her housed so many children.

"Hello, I'm here because Political Commissar Huang called me."

Today was Saturday, and the daycare was closed for the day, leaving only three military wives responsible for the children. In addition, there was the military wife who cooked poorly.

However, Xu Yuqing didn't recognize any of them.

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Zhou Xiu went to open it. She had been at the daycare for a long time, one of the first military wives when it opened. She had been there since the beginning, and the other military wives listened to her at the daycare.

"Are you Yuqing? The Political Commissar sent someone to deliver a message," Zhou Xiu said without a smile. When she saw Xu Yuqing's delicate and weak appearance, she didn't have a good impression of her. Another person coming to disrupt their daycare.

"Mm."

Xu Yuqing followed Zhou Xiu inside, and the other military wives stood up.

Xu Yuqing noticed immediately that one of the military wives had red-rimmed eyes and seemed to be isolated.

It seemed a bit tricky, Xu Yuqing couldn't help but think. Political Commissar Huang had called her to give guidance, but how could she guide when she was the only one present?

After a brief silence, someone finally spoke.

"Girl, how's your cooking?" One of the petite women asked. Her name was Huang Aimin, and she was rather timid. It was Zhou Xiu who had pinched her just now, urging her to speak up.

Xu Yuqing noticed the subtle gesture and smiled. "I'm not here to cook. Political Commissar Huang asked me to provide guidance."

Guidance?

Now everyone's expressions turned sour, almost certain that Xu Yuqing was just a relation, here to play around.

Zhou Xiu's face was so bad that she didn't bother hiding it. She had made up her mind to complain to Political Commissar Huang later. If he insisted on letting such a person disrupt the daycare, she would quit!

The atmosphere cooled again, no one speaking. No one knew how many minutes later, a familiar voice came from outside the door.

It was Political Commissar Huang, and there seemed to be voices of others with him.

Xu Yuqing stepped aside, and Zhou Xiu, with a furious expression, rushed to open the door.

"Commissar—" Zhou Xiu shouted loudly, but the moment she opened the door, she was shocked. Three people stood outside, besides Political Commissar Huang, there was a soldier and... Commander Xie.

"Commander Xie?" Zhou Xiu asked in confusion, finding it inexplicable why he would be there.

"Mm." Xie Junli remained silent, standing behind Political Commissar Huang, forming a stark contrast. His indifferent expression made Zhou Xiu awkwardly suppress her anger.

Political Commissar Huang walked in, casting a glance at Zhou Xiu. Irritation rose within him as he led the young soldier inside.

"Zhou Xiu, this is the apprentice from the kitchen. His cooking isn't great, but his knife skills are more than sufficient. As for this one, she's here to guide. Little Zheng, this is Little Xu. Just listen to her when it comes to cooking. I guarantee you'll learn a lot. As for you, go back, go back." Political Commissar Huang waved his hand, arranging everything in a few short sentences, catching everyone off guard.

Xu Yuqing was somewhat puzzled, looking at the woman who was told to leave. She still had red-rimmed eyes and was crying even harder now.

Suddenly, the woman knelt down, her dry lips pursed, and she wailed loudly, "Commissar, I won't do it again. Please forgive me this time!"

The sudden outburst startled everyone present. Xie Junli quickly moved in front of Xu Yuqing, shielding her.

Political Commissar Huang's face darkened as he looked at the woman on the ground, struggling to control his emotions. The veins on his neck bulged.

"You've been doing this for so long, and how many times have you been reported to me? Damn it, if you'd done your job properly, who would want to deal with you?" Political Commissar Huang said angrily. The whining was making him angrier the more he looked at her. He would rather fight the enemy on the battlefield than deal with these people.

"The work arrangements are settled. Zhou Xiu, tell them the schedule. Little Xu, you can come later. Prepare the menu and wait for Little Zheng to get the ingredients ready before you come. Once you've taught him, you can go back." Political Commissar Huang said with a smile. Having finished his instructions, he nodded for Zhou Xiu to explain the schedule to them. Then, he pulled Xie Junli outside.

"Junli, does your wife want to work in the Military District's cafeteria?" Political Commissar Huang rubbed his hands together, feeling a bit embarrassed. His old face flushed red.

Xie Junli furrowed his brows. "I don't know," he said. He wouldn't make decisions for Yuqing, and he had already realized that Yuqing was someone with her own ideas.

When Commissioner Huang heard this, he looked at Xie Junli with a mix of frustration and disappointment, saying irritably, "It's no use; you don't even know if your own wife wants to go!"

Xie Junli remained silent this time, allowing Commissioner Huang to scold him.

Sighing, Commissioner Huang said, "Junli, I don't want this either. I know your wife is frail, but the Military District is struggling too. Your wife's cooking is so good. I've been eating meals for decades, and I can tell that with the same ingredients, she just knows how to cook them. Winter is coming soon, and it will be hard to find even vegetables, let alone meat. The soldiers lose weight every year at this time, eating potatoes and Chinese cabbage day after day. It breaks my heart."

Xie Junli fell silent, not speaking. The winter in the Military District was harsh. Soldiers had to train and help the locals without taking anything from them. They ate boiled Chinese cabbage every day back at the Military District, their high energy expenditure leaving them with insufficient food supplies. Even Xie Junli lost five pounds each winter.

Thinking of his comrades, those sincere new soldiers, Xie Junli spoke up, "I'll ask her when I get home."

"Ah! That's more like it!"

The Military District wasn't short on money; one person's salary was more than enough. What was lacking were the conditions!

If it meant the soldiers could eat better, what did his old face matter!

Commissioner Huang glanced at the sky; it would snow soon!

Xie Junli watched as his superior walked away, then turned to wait for his wife. It wasn't long before the door opened and Xu Yuqing emerged. Her face didn't show much emotion, except when she looked at Little Zheng, who always brought a smile to her face. She was like that: if you were kind to her, she would be kind in return; if you weren't, she wouldn't bother with you at all.

Thinking about this, Xie Junli couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a faint smile as he waited for Yuqing.

"Let's go!" Xu Yuqing bid farewell to everyone and ran to Xie Junli's side, smiling as she said this. This favoritism filled Xie Junli's heart with warmth.

"Alright, have you made all the arrangements?"

"Yes, the daycare center will only prepare lunch. Little Zheng can take care of the teachers' breakfasts himself. I don't need to come over. I'll arrive around eleven to help out, and once the meal is done, I'll leave."

Xie Junli nodded; it didn't sound too exhausting.

But would she agree to work at the Military District?

Would it put too much pressure on her?

"Yuqing."

"Hmm? What is it?" Xu Yuqing responded playfully. There was no one else on the road now, and she couldn't resist reaching out to hold Xie Junli's hand. As expected, it was as warm as she imagined.

"How about the Military District's cafeteria? Are you interested?"

"Huh??"

Looking into the surprised eyes of the person beside him, Xie Junli turned to face her seriously. "The Commissioner thought that perhaps you could provide some guidance there."

Guidance? Cooking guidance??

Xu Yuqing looked at Xie Junli with questioning eyes, full of life, and he nodded.

"Did they see my talent?" Xu Yuqing asked with a laugh. She wasn't too surprised. Although she hadn't eaten the cafeteria food, she knew it was average at best. After all, it was still mass-produced, with fewer seasonings, likely for the soldiers' health.

"So, are you willing?" Xie Junli found it difficult to express himself. He wanted her to agree, but he also feared she would tire herself out. Part of him didn't want her to agree at all. These conflicting emotions tugged at him, causing his brows to furrow tightly.

Xu Yuqing, however, didn't share his hesitation. She nodded decisively. "Of course I'll go. Why wouldn't I? It's just guidance, and I'm confident that everyone will enjoy the dishes I make!"

Her self-assured demeanor left a deep impression on Xie Junli's heart.