Chapter 443: Improvement

Chapter 443: Progress

"I'm fine. Yu Dahai was just unlucky; he still tried to come over even though he saw my brother here."

Even if Ye Xiaoxiao were alone, she wouldn't be afraid of the other party. She carried many self-prepared powders with her, just in case of danger.

A packet of itching powder would be enough to make the other side suffer.

Ye Changyuan didn't mention Ye Xiaoxiao throwing stones at people, although he was also shocked, he had to protect his sister's face.

"We're fine, it's just that Yu Dahai..."

Lu Hanchuan's expression was stern, "I'll take care of it."

Lu Hanchuan arranged for someone to send Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changyuan home, while he personally went to the police station to resolve the matter.

After a long conversation with the chief, he finally came out.

Ye Xiaoxiao was still thinking about returning the tricycle to the old man who sold vegetables.

When only the two siblings were left, Ye Changyuan said, "I was scared to death just now. If you want to do something, just tell me directly. Why did you have to act on your own?"

Ye Changyuan: "Don't do that again next time."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, "I only rushed out because I knew you were there. I wouldn't be so foolish if I were alone."

Ye Changyuan: "That's more like it."

Today's incident made Ye Changyuan realize that the environment on the island was not as safe as he had imagined.

He reminded Xiaoxiao, "Don't go too far in the future, and even if you do, don't go alone."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Got it, let's buy some things and go home. I'll cook for you."

Ye Changyuan: "Are you sure you can manage?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Seafood isn't hard to make; just cook it until it's done. You can help me with the fire."

Ye Changyuan was half-convinced.

Ye Xiaoxiao was just not good at chopping vegetables, but if she took her time, she could still manage.

Moreover, Ye Xiaoxiao had been secretly practicing lately. It might not be delicious, but it would definitely be edible!

With Ye Changyuan's help, Ye Xiaoxiao made a dish of braised shrimp, spicy stir-fried clams, steamed scallops with vermicelli, and stir-fried greens from the garden.

Of course, Ye Changyuan was responsible for the fire and cleaning the seafood.

By the time Lu Hanchuan returned, the two had already finished preparing the meal.

Lu Hanchuan was still thinking about the proposal the police station chief had mentioned. While the idea was good, implementing it wouldn't be easy.

The two systems were different, and the military couldn't be easily mobilized. He would have to consult with the Central Military Commission.

After multiple rounds of coordination and approval, even if it was approved, it would take several months.

Stepping into the yard, Lu Hanchuan finally smelled the scent of home.

"You cooked?"

Ye Xiaoxiao ran out, "I cooked the dishes."

Lu Hanchuan: "That’s impressive, Xiao Xiao."

"Of course, don't underestimate me."

Ye Xiaoxiao put her hands on her hips; she was absolutely full of herself.

Ye Changyuan stood at the door, "Hey, you two, come in and eat already. Quit showing off."

Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan then went inside. Four dishes were plenty for the three of them.

It was Lu Hanchuan’s first time trying a real meal Xiao Xiao had cooked, and it was unexpectedly good.

"You’ve been practicing behind my back, haven’t you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Maybe it's because I've been cooking for the chickens a lot lately, so I’ve gotten better at it."

Lu Hanchuan: "..."

Either way, his wife had earned some praise, and the food was genuinely good.

In the end, they polished off every last bite.

Ye Xiaoxiao cooked, and Lu Hanchuan was on dish duty. Ye Changyuan had already cleaned the pot, so Lu Hanchuan only needed to wash three bowls.

After dinner, Lu Hanchuan pulled Ye Xiaoxiao aside.

"Don’t think cooking for me gets you off the hook for today."

Ye Xiaoxiao feigned ignorance, "What incident?"

Lu Hanchuan: "The Head said Yu Dahai’s sticking to his story—that you threw the first punch."

Ye Xiaoxiao scuffed her foot against the floor, looking everywhere but at Lu Hanchuan.

"So what? He was the one who stopped me."

She said defiantly.

Lu Hanchuan pinched Xiao Xiao’s cheek, "Still got an attitude, huh?"

"No..." Ye Xiaoxiao wriggled free from his pinch and covered her face with her hands.

"Don’t do anything so dangerous next time. Yu Dahai’s just a punk, but you can’t beat him."

"Okay, I got it," Ye Xiaoxiao mumbled.

Lu Hanchuan could tell from the way her eyes darted around that she wasn’t truly remorseful—she might even still be defiant inside.

He pulled her close, "Xiao Xiao, cut me some slack, will you?"

Luckily, they were in their own bedroom. Ye Xiaoxiao pressed her face into his chest, "I do feel bad for you."

"Then look after yourself. If you get hurt, what would I do?"

Lu Hanchuan patted Xiao Xiao’s back, his voice softening but serious.

Ye Xiaoxiao did feel bad for him. "I understand. I’ll think twice next time. I’ll just drug him next time before beating his ass."

Lu Hanchuan fell silent.

...

The next day when they went out, Xiao Xiao and Ye Changyuan stayed close by.

Ye Xiaoxiao set up with her medical kit at the small market, providing free checkups.

A few older folks came by cautiously and found that Ye Xiaoxiao could accurately identify their ailments.

Ye Xiaoxiao had medicine in her bag and handed it out for free to the villagers if it treated their condition.

However, no one took the medicine without offering something in return—they exchanged it with homegrown veggies like radishes and cabbages, or even a big fish.

"What type of fish is this? But I don’t know how to cook it."

An old woman on the island said, "It’s not hard at all! I’ll descale and gut it for you, then you can just put it in the pot—steam or stew it."

The old woman explained what ingredients to use for steaming and what to use for stewing.

Ye Xiaoxiao gained some new knowledge.

Ye Changyuan sat nearby holding an umbrella over her. "Take it back. I can cook it."

Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head. "Changyuan, you’re full of surprises!"

Ye Changyuan: "...I can cook it properly."

"Ah!" Xiao Xiao sighed. "I don’t just want it cooked properly—I want it to taste good."

"Hey, how do you know it won’t taste good? I might not measure up to your Lu Hanchuan, but I can definitely out-cook you."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "...Hmph."

Ye Xiaoxiao accepted the fish. Fish was cheap on the island, and her medicines were far more valuable.

After taking the fish, Ye Xiaoxiao continued sitting until Kong Xuelan finished work, then prepared to head back.

Kong Xuelan was standing with Xu Li, who at first glance thought Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changyuan were married.

Kong Xuelan came over to greet them. "Xiao Xiao, who is this...?"

"This is my brother. He’s visiting me on the island for a couple of days."

Ye Xiaoxiao also packed up to go home.

Ye Changyuan remarked, "We’ve really fallen on hard times. We used to charge for our stalls, but now we’re giving things away for free."

Kong Xuelan smiled. "You two have such a great relationship."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Yes, I have a really good relationship with all my brothers."

Kong Xuelan had brought Xu Li home for a reason, but since they ran into Ye Xiaoxiao, they walked back together.

As they reached the courtyard gate, Lu Hanchuan happened to return, walking a bicycle.