Chapter 89: She Is the True Miss of the Jiang Family! She Is Jiang Rou! (1)

Two hours later.

It was midday.

The ship finally docked at the pier.

They had arrived in the city!

Jiang Rou and Zhou Chongshan stepped off the boat with their children. The moment their feet touched solid ground, their minds became instantly clear.

They had entered the city!

They had finally made it to the city!

Jiang Rou looked at the scene before her, both familiar and unfamiliar.

Outside the dock, the roads were bustling with traffic.

Blue-and-white public buses, black Phoenix-brand bicycles… Everything appeared so lively and prosperous.

Every era had its own kind of excitement.

Jiang Rou saw people riding bicycles, their faces beaming with joy, no less content than those driving imported cars decades later.

“Wife, let’s go eat first.”

“Okay!”

Jiang Rou immediately nodded happily.

Zhou Chongshan asked the dock workers for directions to the nearest State-Owned Restaurant.

Meanwhile, Jiang Rou lowered her head and reminded Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua,

“This is the city. There are many cars and many people here—it’s completely different from the village and the islands. You must hold hands at all times and never wander off. Do you understand? Always hold onto an adult’s hand.”

Zhou Xiaohua immediately clenched her small hands tightly and nodded seriously.

Even Zhou Xiaochuan, who rarely showed nervousness, nodded earnestly.

After her “safety lesson.” Jiang Rou softened her tone.

“There are lots of delicious foods and fun places in the city. Today, we’re going to explore properly. But first, let’s eat! We’ll have braised pork and braised fish! Let’s go!”

By the time the four of them arrived at the State-Owned Restaurant, the peak mealtime had already passed.

There weren’t many customers inside.

Jiang Rou immediately noticed a blackboard with chalk-written words displaying the day’s menu and prices.

In those years, State-Owned Restaurants were still quite expensive. Ordinary families could hardly afford to eat there.

However, Jiang Rou’s family had come to the city specifically to enjoy a good meal, so they didn’t worry much about the cost.

Zhou Chongshan walked in front. With his tall stature and military uniform, he stood out no matter where he went.

Several people turned their heads to glance at him.

But the moment they saw the military uniform on his body, the curiosity in their eyes faded, quickly replaced with respect.

Jiang Rou held onto the children’s hands and followed behind Zhou Chongshan.

Under the shadow of the man’s figure, the number of gazes falling on her lessened significantly.  

However, Zhou Xiaohua still could not get used to the constant flow of people in the city. She became extra cautious, tightly clutching Jiang Rou’s hand, unwilling to let go.  

The four of them walked into the restaurant.  

They chose a quiet spot and sat down.  

Zhou Chongshan ordered three dishes and then asked Jiang Rou: “Wife, is there anything else you’d like to eat?”  

Jiang Rou glanced at the menu. Her gaze shifted, and she noticed something else.  

Her eyes lit up.  

Softly, she said: “I want soda.”  

Orange-flavored soda, in a glass bottle.  

The golden-yellow soda sat in a plastic crate, looking incredibly tempting.  

It seemed that just by looking at it, one could almost hear the fizzy sound of bubbles popping the moment the bottle was opened.  

Jiang Rou happened to be thirsty. She licked her lips, full of anticipation.  

“Alright.” Zhou Chongshan responded.  

He added three bottles of orange soda to the order.  

Since the restaurant wasn’t very busy, both the sodas and the dishes were served quickly.  

Under normal circumstances, Jiang Rou would not have allowed the two children to drink too many beverages before eating.  

But this was a rare visit to the city, and soda was a rare treat as well.  

When the golden-yellow glass bottles were placed on the table, Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua stared at them, unblinking.  

Soda.  Yet another thing they had only heard of but never tasted before.  

“Have you ever had soda?”  

Jiang Rou asked.  

Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua shook their heads vigorously, like little rattles.  

They had never even seen such beautiful glass bottles before.  

Jiang Rou smiled and said: “It’s alright. After today, Xiaochuan and Xiaohua will have tasted soda too.”  

She picked up the bottle opener, applied a slight force to her wrist, and popped the metal cap off the soda bottle.  

With a crisp “pop” sound, the bottle opened.

Then—pff, pff, pff.  

From the soda bottle, a string of tiny bubbles surged upward, gurgling as they rose.  

The moment Jiang Rou heard this sound, she couldn’t help but like it.  

After all, who wouldn’t love a bottle of fizzy happiness?  

The two children were even more mesmerized, their eyes shining with excitement.  

Especially Zhou Xiaohua—she wiggled her little feet, nearly standing up on the chair in anticipation.  

Jiang Rou handed the opened soda to Zhou Xiaochuan.  

When she opened the second bottle, she brought it close to Zhou Xiaohua’s ear, gave it a slight shake, and then—pop!  

This time, the bubbling sound was even more intense than before.  

Countless tiny bubbles continuously emerged from the bottom of the bottle.  

The moment they met the air, they let out soft, crackling bursts.  

Tiny droplets splashed into the air.  

Some landed on Zhou Xiaohua’s cheek—cool and refreshing.  

It was an experience unlike anything she had ever felt before.  

Jiang Rou placed the opened soda into Zhou Xiaohua’s small hands. “Hold it and drink.”  

Zhou Xiaohua and Zhou Xiaochuan held their glass bottles, their bright, glistening eyes meeting in silent excitement.  

At this very moment—  

The little wolf cub, after all, was only six years old.  

Curiosity, anticipation, delight, and pure wonder were all written in their eyes.  

They lifted their sodas carefully and took a small sip.  

The moment their lips and tongues touched the fizzy liquid—  

Pop! Crackle!  

Countless bubbles danced inside their mouths, playfully bursting against their tongues.  

The sound was light and cheerful—pff, pff!  

“Wow!”  

Zhou Xiaochuan and Zhou Xiaohua’s eyes widened in astonishment.  

Soda!  

So this was soda!  

A wave of fizz rushed from their mouths down to their throats—so magical!  

“Hoo—”  

On the other side…

Jiang Rou took a big gulp of soda, letting the refreshing sensation travel from her mouth to her throat and down into her stomach. A wave of comfort spread through her entire body.  

She squinted her eyes as she smiled, looking utterly content and relaxed—like a little fox basking in the sun.  

Satisfaction filled her heart.  

Once she had fully savored that soothing sip, she handed the glass bottle to Zhou Chongshan. “Chongshan, you should have some too.”  

Zhou Chongshan hesitated briefly before taking the bottle from Jiang Rou’s hand.  

Lifting it to his lips, he took a sip.  

A wave of sweet fruitiness, carried by tiny, fizzy bubbles, flowed smoothly down his throat.  

Zhou Chongshan was no stranger to soda. Back in his days on the battlefield, when seizing spoils from the enemy, he had come across not only soda but even whiskey at times.  

However, he was never someone who cared much for indulgences like these. He never paid them much attention.  

“How is it? Tastes good, right?”  

Jiang Rou’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and asked.  

The sweetness lingered in Zhou Chongshan’s throat. In a low voice, he replied: “It’s good.”  

Jiang Rou smiled in satisfaction.  

See?  

Who wouldn’t like a bottle of fizzy happiness?  

Even Zhou Chongshan couldn’t resist!  

Everyone loved it!  

With the addition of the orange soda, the lunch became especially enjoyable.  

However, regarding the food at the state-owned restaurant, Zhou Chongshan commented: “Wife, this pork belly isn’t as good as yours.”  

Zhou Xiaochuan, sitting beside him, subtly nodded in agreement.  

Jiang Rou raised an eyebrow proudly. “I think so too. Mine is still the best.”  

The dishes were mediocre.  

But the orange soda—that was unforgettable.  

“Hic—”  

Zhou Xiaohua suddenly clutched her small chest, her lips parting as she let out a soft hiccup.  

Everyone froze.  

Three pairs of eyes immediately turned to look at Zhou Xiaohua in unison.