Chapter 32: Finished to the Last Drop

Jiang Rou noticed that Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua were actually very well-mannered.

Even though the food was already served, neither of them reached out to grab anything, nor did they sneak a bite out of impatience.

Every time they ate, they would only start using their chopsticks after Zhou Zhongshan announced: “Time to eat.”

They were truly obedient and sensible.

Jiang Rou felt a deep sense of satisfaction.  

Just like last time, she picked up pieces of braised pork belly and placed them into the bowls of Zhou Xiaochuan, Zhou Xiaohua, and Zhou Zhongshan.  

“Hurry and try it! This braised pork belly was made by me personally—it’s definitely delicious!”  

Jiang Rou had absolute confidence in her cooking.  

Before anyone could praise her, she had already affirmed herself first.  

Zhou Xiaohua was still not very skilled with chopsticks, so she held onto her small bowl and scooped up the food clumsily. The glistening piece of pork belly was stuffed into her mouth in a hurry, as if she was afraid someone might take it away.  

Her little cheeks puffed up as she chewed with big bites.  

The moment she tasted it, her eyes widened in surprise, and then curved into a joyful arc.  

Even though the little girl couldn’t express herself well in words, her face was full of vivid and lively emotions.  

Her bright eyes stared straight at Jiang Rou, almost as if the words “so delicious” were written all over her tiny face.  

Zhou Zhongshan also picked up a piece of pork belly and took a bite.  

This taste…  

The experienced man raised his eyebrows in disbelief.  

In the military camp canteen, they made braised pork belly once a month.  

But the meat there was usually neither simmered nor flavorful—it was just pork stir-fried with soy sauce, simply tasting like plain meat, sometimes even carrying an unpleasant gamey smell.  

However, Jiang Rou’s braised pork belly was not only deeply infused with rich flavors, but it also had a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The fatty parts were rich without being greasy, while the lean meat was tender and not dry.  

Even the pork skin was delightfully bouncy and smooth.  

This was way too delicious!  

Zhou Zhongshan had no choice but to admit—he had once again underestimated Jiang Rou.  

As the exquisite flavors lingered on his tongue, a sense of satisfaction spread warmly through his chest.  

After all… she was his wife!  

Jiang Rou didn’t immediately start eating. Instead, she quietly observed everyone’s reactions.  

When she saw the astonishment and shock on Zhou Zhongshan’s face, her rosy lips curled up into a triumphant smile—bright and beautiful.

She didn’t say a word, just fixed her bright, clear eyes on Zhou Zhongshan, staring at him intently, waiting for the older man to speak first.  

Zhou Zhongshan swallowed a bite of pork belly, the lingering flavor still filling his mouth, and finally spoke.  

“Your cooking is excellent. This is the best braised pork belly I’ve ever had.”  

The moment he said that—  

Zhou Xiaohua was the first to nod eagerly, the little tuft of hair on her head bouncing up and down in excitement.  

Without words, her expression shouted: Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! So delicious! The best! ლ(´ڡ`ლ)  

Out of the three of them, two had already confirmed that it was delicious.  

Jiang Rou’s eyes flickered with amusement, and she turned to look at Zhou Xiaochuan.  

Zhou Xiaochuan had yet to pick up his chopsticks.  

In front of him was a bowl of neatly arranged white rice, with a glistening piece of braised pork belly resting on top.  

Just from looking at it, anyone could tell it was delicious.  

Not to mention, the rich aroma of the braised pork belly was wafting directly into his nose.  

Gurgle, gurgle—  

A small, hungry growl sounded from his stomach.  

It was partly because he was genuinely hungry and partly because he felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on him.  

Zhou Xiaochuan furrowed his brows slightly, putting on a reluctant expression. In the end, he still picked up that piece of pork belly.  

In an instant—  

He shoved it into his mouth.  

The little wolf cub had a plan in mind: stuff it in, chew a couple of times, and swallow it whole without savoring the taste.  

No matter how good it was, if he ate fast enough, he wouldn’t be able to register the flavor—so he wouldn’t risk revealing any expression of enjoyment.  

There was no way he would give Jiang Rou the satisfaction of seeing him like it.  

But.  

The moment the tender, bouncy pork belly entered his mouth, its enticing flavors exploded across his taste buds.  

After just a few bites, the rich, savory juices mixed with his saliva and slid smoothly down his throat.  

He… simply couldn’t bear to just swallow it without savoring it.  

Instead, he took bite after bite, unable to stop himself!  

The expression he had carefully maintained was long gone, and in his dark, deep eyes, tiny sparks of delight flickered.  

Just as he was about to completely lose control and reveal his enjoyment, he forcefully suppressed it.  

He pressed his lips together tightly and refused to say a word.  

Even when Jiang Rou asked: “Is it good?”  

He simply shook his head.

This was the little wolf cub’s last bit of persistence.

Jiang Rou kept smiling gently, as if she could see right through what Zhou Xiaochuan was thinking.

She didn’t ask anything.

Instead, after seeing Zhou Xiaochuan pick up his chopsticks, she placed another piece of braised pork belly into his bowl.

“Xiaochuan, if you like it, eat more.”

Jiang Rou chuckled and picked up her chopsticks, beginning to eat her own meal.

As a food blogger, the happiest thing for her was when the food she made was enjoyed by others.

Even though Zhou Xiaochuan didn’t say a word, Jiang Rou could tell—this kid absolutely loved it!

Jiang Rou continued eating cheerfully.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaochuan was still caught in his own dilemma.

He hadn’t even said anything, yet she was already so happy?

She had already given him a piece of braised pork belly, so why did she give him another one?

Everything Jiang Rou did… felt so natural.

But it was completely different from what Zhou Xiaochuan had experienced before.

He blinked in confusion, staring at the new piece of braised pork belly in his bowl, swallowing hard.

Then.

He ate it!

There was no other choice—it was just too fragrant, too delicious!

…

That dinner left all four of them completely satisfied.

Jiang Rou didn’t hold back on the pork belly; instead, she let everyone eat as much as they wanted.

The Zhou family, with one adult and two children, all had impressive appetites.

Even the youngest, Zhou Xiaohua, a little girl who could eat two mantou and a steamed cornmeal bun in one sitting, was now devouring her food ravenously, unable to stop.

The braised pork belly Jiang Rou made was completely finished.

Even the last bit of sauce was mixed into the rice, not a single drop left behind.

After eating so much rich, fatty meat, having a sip of the light seaweed egg soup made it absolutely perfect!

When the meal was over, Jiang Rou got up to clean the dishes.

However, her arm was gently pressed down by Zhou Zhongshan beside her.

“You’ve been busy all day. You’ve worked hard. I’ll wash the dishes.”

As he spoke—

Zhou Zhongshan had already started clearing the empty bowls and chopsticks.

Jiang Rou was momentarily stunned.

This old man actually did housework?

She thought about Zhou Zhongshan’s military background. Even the blankets and clothes at home were folded as neatly as tofu cubes. Washing dishes was probably something he had been trained for in the military as well.

But the key point wasn’t whether Zhou Zhongshan could do it—it was whether he was willing to do it.

After all, rough men like him were usually full of macho pride.

They barely knew how to read, yet they upheld the belief that “a gentleman stays away from the kitchen.” If their chopsticks fell on the floor, they wouldn’t even bother picking them up.

At first, Jiang Rou didn’t say anything. She simply observed Zhou Zhongshan in silence.

She noticed that his movements were swift and efficient, as if second nature to him. His expression remained calm, showing no hint of reluctance, none of that usual resistance men had toward doing housework.

This old man… really knew how to take care of people!

A warm feeling spread in Jiang Rou’s heart.

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