Chapter 32 : Meat Buns

After changing and washing up, Fang Xiaoluo discovered that breakfast was already set on the table.  

The meal was simple: millet porridge, boiled eggs, pickled radishes, and a plate of pancakes made from who-knows-what.  

Zheng Lanhua called everyone over. Shen Haifeng pulled Shen Haiping along, and Shen Jinxia followed close behind.  

Shen Haiping was as detached as ever, seemingly lost in his own world.  

Shen Zheng served porridge for everyone and pulled Fang Xiaoluo to sit down with him.  

Zheng Lanhua divided the pancakes among the three children and then sat down herself.

Shen Zheng picked up a pancake and asked Fang Xiaoluo, “Do you want one?”  

Zheng Lanhua glanced at her son, noticing his attentiveness to his wife, but said nothing.  

Fang Xiaoluo was a bit surprised. Zheng Lanhua was a contradictory person, hardheaded when Shen Zheng wasn’t around, yet never tattling when he was home. Now, even though it was her breakfast being served, she didn’t stop them.  

Fang Xiaoluo asked, “What is this?”  

Shen Zheng took a bite and swallowed with an expressionless face. “I think it’s potato pancakes.”  

Fang Xiaoluo stared at the pancake for a long time. It was hard, dark, and streaked with purplish spots. When she sniffed it, there was a faint sour smell.  

She couldn’t help but admire how they managed to eat it.  

Zheng Lanhua corrected him, “It’s not just potatoes! I added cabbage and carrots for nutrition.”  

Shen Zheng: …  

“Mom, sometimes there’s no need to make it ‘that’ nutritious.”  

Zheng Lanhua retorted, “You’re almost thirty, so it doesn’t matter for you. But Haifeng and the others are still growing!”  

Shen Zheng pursed his lips. “Actually, we could just use meal tickets and eat at the canteen. It’d save you the trouble of cooking.”  

Zheng Lanhua snapped, “How can you eat at the canteen all the time? We have so many mouths to feed at home. Don’t you know how to save money? You really don’t know how to live!”  

Shen Zheng sighed inwardly. He knew this argument would go nowhere, as it always did. His mother had a peculiar obsession with cooking meals herself.  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled lightly and shook her head. “I don’t have much appetite in the morning. I’ll pass.”  

Zheng Lanhua added another pancake to each child’s plate and urged, “Eat more. Grow taller and stronger.”  

Fang Xiaoluo clearly noticed Shen Haifeng’s struggle to swallow the food, despite his young age.  

Shen Jinxia cradled her bowl, sipping porridge and nibbling on her egg in small bites.  

Shen Haiping, however, put the pancake in his mouth, chewed twice, and then spit it out. “It’s not good.”  

Zheng Lanhua, initially distressed at the waste of food, froze upon hearing him speak.  

“Haiping, my precious grandson, you’re finally showing some progress. If this isn’t good, tell me what you want, and Grandma will make it for you.”  

Shen Haiping said nothing, acting as if he hadn’t heard her.  

Zheng Lanhua cleaned up the mess with a sigh.  

—

After breakfast, Shen Zheng left for the army. He’d taken several days off for the matchmaking and needed to catch up on work. Plus, with plans to visit Fang Xiaoluo’s family tomorrow, he had a lot to arrange.  

Fang Xiaoluo noticed Shen Haiping sitting alone in the courtyard, staring at the sky, with Shen Jinxia quietly standing guard nearby.  

Meanwhile, Zheng Lanhua limped over to fetch water for the laundry, and Shen Haifeng dutifully gathered the dishes to wash in the kitchen.  

When Shen Haifeng turned around, he saw Fang Xiaoluo enter the kitchen.  

“Why are you following me?”  

Fang Xiaoluo picked up a basin, scooped some flour, and casually replied, “Does this kitchen have your name on it?”

Shen Haifeng pouted, “If I come into the kitchen and you come too, how is that not following me? Let me tell you, don’t bother trying to win me over. I won’t give in.”  

Fang Xiaoluo sighed while kneading the dough. “You little kid, so full of yourself. You think I want to pay you any attention? Immature.”  

Shen Haifeng, taken aback by the retort, huffed softly and continued washing dishes.  

Fang Xiaoluo set the dough aside to rise and began chopping meat, green onions, and ginger.  

As she mixed the filling, a mouthwatering aroma filled the air.  

Shen Haifeng glanced over. Was Fang Xiaoluo about to make something delicious again for lunch?  

Once she finished her preparations and stepped outside, a small figure bumped into her leg.  

Looking down, she saw Shen Jinxia.  

The little girl’s nose was red, clearly from running too fast and hitting her hard.  

Fang Xiaoluo squatted down and noticed her eyes were slightly red, but she wasn’t crying.  

“Big sister, I didn’t cry!” Shen Jinxia declared, remembering how she’d cried yesterday when meeting Fang Xiaoluo and feeling it was wrong.  

Fang Xiaoluo gently rubbed her head. “Our Xiaxia is the strongest and bravest. Did you come looking for me for something?”  

Shen Jinxia twisted her little fingers together, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. “Big sister, are you making something delicious for lunch?”  

Fang Xiaoluo laughed. A three-year-old was indeed a three-year-old, her mind filled only with thoughts of food.  

“Yes, I’m making meat buns for lunch.”  

Shen Jinxia’s eyes lit up. “Big, meaty buns full of meat?”  

“Yes.”  

Shen Jinxia exclaimed, “Big sister, I can work too! I can help you.”  

Fang Xiaoluo took her small hand and thought, ‘This child really needs some good food. She’s so small, thin, and frail.’  

“I’m heading to the yard to pull weeds. If Xiaxia does a good job, I’ll reward you with two big meat buns at lunch.”  

Hearing this, Shen Jinxia swallowed hard and nodded eagerly. “Big sister, I’ll do a great job!”  

Shen Haifeng, still washing dishes inside, overheard the exchange and scoffed.  

It’s just buns! He’d had them before.  

And now Shen Jinxia, the little traitor, was running off to work for Fang Xiaoluo just for a bite to eat. He decided he’d have to talk to his little sister later, being young didn’t mean she had to be so gullible!  

Shen Jinxia followed closely behind Fang Xiaoluo, like a tiny shadow. She proudly held up the weeds she had pulled and said, “Big sister, look! Did I do well?”  

Fang Xiaoluo never hesitated to praise. “Xiaxia did great!”  

Shen Jinxia beamed, her smile utterly adorable.  

Nearby, Zheng Lanhua, while washing clothes, quietly observed the scene without saying a word.  

“Madam, washing clothes, are you?” A crisp female voice rang out.  

Both Zheng Lanhua and Fang Xiaoluo looked up.  

A lively young woman with two thick braids walked over.  

Zheng Lanhua glanced at the soldier but didn’t show much emotion, merely responding, “Yes, washing a few things.”  

The young woman leaned against the fence. “Madam, is this the new sister who just married in? I saw her yesterday, and she’s so beautiful.”  

To Fang Xiaoluo’s surprise, Zheng Lanhua actually introduced her. “Xiaoluo, this is Liu Qianru. She works with the arts troupe.”  

‘The arts troupe?’  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled politely. “Thank you for the compliment.”  

Liu Qianru waved her hand. “Sister, it’s not just me. The entire military district is talking about it, you’re the most beautiful woman in the whole place!”  

“Oh, right! Did you try the walnuts I gave to Captain Shen yesterday? They were so delicious.”