The soda was in old-fashioned glass bottles, and each person was given one. Zhu Jing boldly used her teeth to bite off the bottle cap, causing the soda inside to instantly fizz up.

Wen Ci also imitated Zhu Jing and bit open her bottle.

Zhu Jing raised her soda bottle and said, “Let’s all make a toast.”

Soda was a rare treat in these days, and the table was laden with dishes so rich and abundant that it rivaled a New Year’s feast. The group clinked their bottles together.

The residential compound wasn’t just home to the few of them.

The aroma of braised pork knuckle and stewed pig trotters wafted through the air, drawing many residents who followed the scent to take a peek. Hearing their laughter and chatter, they soon left.

After taking a couple of bites, Wen Ci praised, “Sister Jing, your cooking is absolutely amazing.” Then, with a hint of curiosity, she asked, “With skills like yours, why haven’t you joined the canteen kitchen in the compound?”

Hearing this, Zhu Jing smiled self-deprecatingly and said, “It’s all about cliques. They only call me to help during the New Year when they’re too busy.”

Wen Ci felt it was a pity.

Someone with Sister Jing’s exceptional culinary skills could run a wildly successful restaurant in the south.

At a time when everything was being rebuilt, many northerners saw opportunities and headed south to start businesses. Sister Jing’s northeastern imperial-style dishes would surely attract many northern entrepreneurs.

However, her husband was still serving in the military in the northwest.

…

Despite the large spread of dishes, the five of them didn’t eat much, leaving more than half of the food untouched. Zhu Jing finished the last sip of her soda and said calmly, “We can have these dishes again for dinner tonight.”

Wen Ci shook her head and said, “I won’t be joining.”

She had been eating a bit too well lately and had noticeably gained a few pounds. She needed to control her diet a little. Seeing the looks from the other sisters, she added, “I need to lose weight.”

“Wen Ci, what are you talking about? You don’t need to lose weight.”

“Yeah, yeah, I even think you’re too thin.”

Flattered by their compliments, Wen Ci’s face lit up with a smile.

As the sun set over the desert, Wen Ci finished dinner, bid farewell to the sisters, and returned home. The house was quiet and cold. Suddenly, she noticed that the sketch she had left on the table that morning was gone.

She had made sure to lock the door before leaving. The sound of movement in the kitchen caught her attention, and she instinctively glanced in that direction, calling out tentatively, “Huo Jingyuan?”

“Hmm.”

As soon as she spoke, Huo Jingyuan emerged from the kitchen holding a bowl of noodles. His deep, ink-like eyes fixed on her, and his low voice asked, “Have you eaten?”

“Yes,” Wen Ci nodded, tilting her chin up curiously. “Weren’t you supposed to be out on field training? Why are you back?”

“How did you know I was on field training?”

When Wen Ci didn’t answer, Huo Jingyuan’s lips curled slightly. “I was worried you wouldn’t be able to apply the medicine yourself, so I came back to help you with it. I’ll leave after that.”

Wen Ci: “…”

She was both shocked and embarrassed, her mouth hanging open.

“N-no need for medicine anymore,” Wen Ci stammered.

But her mind couldn’t help but recall the scene from last night when he had helped apply the ointment. His strong, bony fingers had gently spread the medicine over her skin.

The swollen areas had instantly felt cool and soothing.

Seeing her face turn bright red, Huo Jingyuan didn’t press further. He sat down at the table in the living room, took a slurp of the noodles he had made, and said, “Ah Ci, your drawing skills are impressive.”

The first thing he had noticed upon returning home was the sketch on the table. Even among his subordinates, there were few who could draw with such precision. Besides Wen Ci, no one else in the house could have done it.

Wen Ci smiled faintly. “I’ve always enjoyed drawing, even back in the village.”

She paused, then asked, “So, do you think we can build the courtyard according to the sketch?”

“Sure.”