Battalion Commander Shen's wife, watching her angry mother-in-law unable to eat, felt extremely happy. Her good feelings towards Sheng Ze Xi and his spouse soared.
Finally, someone can manage this hateful old woman.
Meanwhile, Sheng Ze Xi, after his argument, returned to his small home.
As soon as he entered, his little wife took the food from his hands, pulled him to sit down, and pushed a bowl of mutton soup in front of him. "This is the mutton soup I bought at the market this morning. It's delicious. This is a special portion for you. Try it."
"Good. What about you? Shall we eat together?"
"No, I've already had a bowl. I'm not hungry now. You eat."
"Good."
Gu Jia Ning had kept the mutton soup warm on the stove since bringing it back, and it was still steaming.
Sheng Ze Xi took a sip of the mutton soup and felt his whole body warm up.
He picked up another piece of mutton and put it in his mouth. It was soft, tender, and fragrant—indeed delicious.
While eating, he listened to his little wife chattering about her morning at the market.
"...You wouldn't believe it, people outside are spreading rumors that I'm an ugly monster, that's why I covered myself up so tightly."
"Humph, I, Gu Jia Ning, am a beauty. I met two children today, and they called me Immortal Fairy Sister. So I didn't use a scarf to cover my face today. Sure enough, everyone was amazed by me."
Gu Jia Ning, speaking of this matter, raised her chin slightly, a little proudly, like a haughty Persian cat. Sheng Ze Xi nodded repeatedly, "Yes, my wife is definitely beautiful."
"That's right. By the way, I also met Sister-in-law Yu today. She's a very nice person, and she'll come to help tomorrow."
"I also bought Cordyceps. I didn't expect that the Northwest region would produce Cordyceps. It's a good thing for health. I bought a lot, intending to keep some for us, some for my maiden family, and some for my grandparents..."
"By the way, I also bought a lot of herbal medicine. I bought them from the Qin siblings who sold Cordyceps. They gave me a very good price."
"I noticed that their family situation is not very good, so I made a long-term cooperation agreement with them."
"I plan to make medicated plasters for treating rheumatism and spinal diseases, and Stomach Protecting Pills for treating stomach problems, when you have time. I'll bring them with you when you go on missions."
"..."
Outside, the heavy snow still blocked the mountains, the water on the stove in the room was boiling, emitting puffs of hot air. Sheng Ze Xi ate the warm mutton, listening to his little wife sitting cross-legged, her beautiful eyes shining, her red lips chattering away. Sheng Ze Xi's eyebrows and eyes unconsciously softened. At this moment, he only felt that life was peaceful, and there was no more beautiful moment than this.
-
"Jia Ning, I'm here."
The next day arrived in a blink of an eye. Gu Jia Ning had lunch and took a nap. She had just woken up when she heard Zhang Shuwan calling her from outside.
Gu Jia Ning quickly went to open the door. "Sister Shuwan, you came so early."
"I finished my chores at home, so I came over."
"Thank you for your concern."
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
Sister Shuwan had only been there for a short while when Sister-in-law Yu also arrived.
The housewarming banquet was scheduled for the evening. Sheng Ze Xi's comrades and family members calculated that they could set up two adult tables and one children's table.
Three tables of food is quite a lot, so they needed to prepare early.
Although Gu Jia Ning couldn't cook, as the hostess, she couldn't just watch. She could still help with the preparations.
Washing vegetables was a challenge because the water was too cold. Fortunately, Sheng Ze Xi had prepared a pair of gloves, which could help insulate some of the cold.
"Girl, what dishes are you planning to make?" Sister-in-law Yu asked. Looking at the abundance of ingredients in the kitchen, including many meat dishes, she wondered if they were all for the banquet today.
Gu Jia Ning realized then that she hadn't told Sister-in-law Yu what dishes to prepare.
"Braised fish, chicken stew with potato noodles, pan-fried tofu, stir-fried green vegetables, shredded potatoes with pork..."
Gu Jia Ning listed eight dishes.
Sister-in-law Yu gasped. Eight dishes, half meat and half vegetarian.
That's too...
"Aren't there too many meat dishes? I think two meat dishes would be enough."
"It's alright. This was decided earlier, and I bought all the ingredients at the market yesterday." Gu Jia Ning thought it was fine.
"The heavy snow will seal the mountains soon, and supplies will be scarce. I'm afraid you won't have enough to eat then."
"I know about the heavy snow sealing the mountains. Xi Ge told me before. Both sister-in-laws, don't worry, I've stocked up, we won't go hungry. You forgot that yesterday I bought a whole cart of supplies, and there should be one or two more markets before the heavy snow seals the mountains. I'll go buy more then."
Even if they couldn't buy anything at the market, as long as she had points, she could buy them at the System's Exchange Mall. The supplies there, including food, clothing, housing and transportation, were very cheap.
After Gu Jia Ning said this, Sister-in-law Yu stopped persuading her and said with a smile, "Then the people who come to the housewarming banquet today are lucky."
"Yes, they'll have a feast," Zhang Shuwan agreed.
The snow had stopped today, and the temperature had dropped by several degrees. Without the snow, looking up, it was no longer a boundless expanse of white.
The ingredients were washed and chopped. Before it was time, the three of them chatted on the kang in the living room.
When the time was almost up, Sister Shuwan and Sister-in-law Yu took over the cooking in the kitchen. Gu Jia Ning helped with the firewood and divided the cooked dishes.
When the dishes were almost cooked, Sheng Ze Xi arrived with his comrades, bringing borrowed tables and chairs.
At Sheng Ze Xi's request, all the comrades brought their spouses and children, as they were close friends.
However, they were also mindful and brought at most one or two children, and everyone who came brought gifts.
Sheng Ze Xi helped his comrades and their families to sit down, then went into the kitchen.
While the two sister-in-laws were busy, he put his hands on Gu Jia Ning's shoulders and tucked a strand of hair that had fallen over her forehead behind her ear. His eyes were full of tenderness. "You've worked hard."
Actually, Gu Jia Ning knew that the two sister-in-laws had worked hard. However, Gu Jia Ning was always pampered and basically didn't need to help in the kitchen at home.
She had indeed been busy back and forth this afternoon.
She muttered petulantly, "Of course I've worked hard, you have to reward me later."
Sheng Ze Xi quickly assured her, "Definitely!"
Seeing her like a proud little cat, Sheng Ze Xi found her endearing. He wanted to hug her and cuddle her right now.
But he still held back, considering the two sister-in-laws were there.
"Sister-in-laws, I'll take the dishes out."
"Okay, okay."
As Sheng Ze Xi carried the dishes out, the two sister-in-laws winked at Gu Jia Ning, especially Sister-in-law Yu. "I've never seen Battalion Commander Sheng so gentle before. Truly, a match made in heaven. The unruly Battalion Commander Sheng is completely captivated by our Jia Ning."
"