Chapter 22: Like a Young Wife Waiting for Her Husband to Return from Work

Gu Nan was unaware of what had happened on the other side.

He was still waiting on the road near the educated youth camp, holding the braised pork he had prepared for Su Niannian.

After all, that wild boar hadn’t been hunted by him alone, so naturally, the pork should go to Su Niannian.

But why was she taking so long?

She was only supposed to escort Gu Ningning home. By reason, she should have been back in no more than fifteen minutes.

Could something have happened?

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Gu Nan quickened his pace, striding toward his house.

Just the thought that something might have happened to his younger sister or that little girl made his chest feel as if a heavy stone were pressing against it—unbearable!

When he hurried home, he saw his mother and younger sister chatting happily in the courtyard.

There was no sign of Su Niannian anywhere.

Gu Nan frowned.

Just as he was about to ask something, a voice drifted from the direction of the kitchen.

A gentle, melodious voice, as soft and warm as water.

“You can come and carry the dishes now.”

“Coming!” Gu Ningning responded cheerfully, dashing into the kitchen with light, eager steps.

Gu Nan didn’t even notice how much livelier his sister seemed today—her movements were light and buoyant.

At that moment, Gu Zhi looked up and saw Gu Nan standing at the doorway.

“Why are you just standing at the door like a fool? Hurry up and come in to wash your hands for dinner!” Gu Zhi said with a smile, already making her way toward the kitchen as she spoke to Gu Nan.

As soon as Gu Nan stepped into the courtyard, a rich, mouthwatering aroma filled his nostrils.

In fact, the fragrance had long since spread far and wide—even the neighbors could smell it. But earlier, he had been too preoccupied with worry to notice anything at all.

The moment he heard the little girl’s voice, the weight pressing on Gu Nan’s heart finally lifted. Only then did he suddenly take in the overwhelming aroma filling the air.

Before long, a delicate and graceful figure appeared at the kitchen doorway.

The golden sunlight spilled over her, as if casting a radiant filter upon the girl, making her seem even more luminous and captivating.

Gu Nan couldn’t help but stare in a daze.

Su Niannian looked up and met his gaze.

The moment their eyes collided, Gu Nan felt his ears heat up, and his throat tightened slightly.

He quickly turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.

“I’ll take this over to Big Brother Zhendong first,” Gu Ningning said, holding two bowls in her hands—one filled with potato and chicken soup, the other containing two cornmeal steamed buns.

Su Niannian had just made them.

Gu Zhi carried out a large bowl of braised potatoes and chicken that Su Niannian had made, placing it on the table in the courtyard.

Su Niannian followed behind, carrying a tray of steamed cornmeal buns, setting them down on the table as well.

The two then went back inside to fetch bowls and chopsticks.

For some reason, watching this scene unfold, Gu Nan felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart.

At this moment, Su Niannian truly looked like part of the family—like a young wife who had prepared dinner and was waiting for her husband to return from work.

Thinking this, a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of Gu Nan’s lips.

If this were truly the case, how wonderful would that be?

But… such a beautiful and gentle young girl—how could someone like him ever be worthy of her?

Thinking about his current situation—a paralyzed older brother, a mother with lung disease, a frail younger sister, and a reputation tainted by an unclear family background—Gu Nan’s fleeting smile quickly faded.

Gu Zhi , noticing that he was still standing in the courtyard without moving, hurriedly urged him to wash his hands and eat.

Gu Nan responded with a simple “Mm” and went inside.

Gu Nan scooped two ladles of water into the basin, then washed his face, arms, and hands.

When he returned and sat down, a few crystal-clear droplets still clung to the short strands of hair on his forehead.

Su Niannian looked at him and couldn’t help but smile.

This was her man. And such a handsome one at that.

Just looking at him made her happy.

Gu Zhi and Gu Ningning, who had just returned from delivering food to their eldest brother Gu Zhendong, noticed Su Niannian staring at Gu Nan with a silly smile. They exchanged a knowing glance and stifled their laughter.

But the potato-stewed chicken made by Su Niannian carried the pure fragrance of chicken soup. Without excessive seasoning, it instead highlighted the natural deliciousness of the ingredients.

Gu Nan took a bite and couldn’t help but pick up another piece of chicken, placing it in his mouth and chewing slowly.

The tender chicken, infused with rich broth, melted in his mouth. The taste was even more flavorful than the ones served in state-owned restaurants.

He couldn’t help but glance at Su Niannian, his eyes filled with a hint of surprise and admiration.

Such a young girl—who would have thought she could cook so well?

After being sent to the village, his mother had also stewed wild chicken they had hunted themselves. At that time, there were no extra seasonings—only salt and soy sauce—so the taste was quite plain. Sometimes, there was even a faint earthy smell from the chicken bones.

But now, the chicken soup stewed by Su Niannian had no extra seasonings, yet it was incredibly rich and flavorful.

Moreover, after drinking it, a warm sensation spread through his entire body.

He felt completely at ease.

It was as if, after drinking this chicken soup and eating the braised chicken with potatoes, all the exhaustion from the day—and even the grogginess from a sleepless night—had been completely washed away.

All that remained was an endless supply of energy coursing through his body.

“Mom, the chicken soup that Sister Niannian made is just too delicious! I’ve never had such tasty chicken soup before! I want to have another bowl later,” Gu Ningning said with a bright smile, taking sip after sip, her face full of satisfaction.

“Your sister Niannian is from a big city. She’s got great skills—who knows which lucky boy will benefit from them in the future?” Gu Zhi said teasingly.

“Marrying Niannian would truly be a blessing earned over several lifetimes!” She genuinely liked this young girl.

Not only was she kind, with a good temperament, a beautiful face, and a well-proportioned figure, but her cooking skills were also top-notch.

Moreover, when she had gone into the kitchen earlier, she had noticed that the stove and all the used bowls and basins had already been cleaned up—everything was spotless.

If their family hadn’t fallen into such dire straits… If Gu Nan were still the legendary soldier who became a regiment commander at just twenty years old, then…

Gu Zhi didn’t allow herself to continue that train of thought.

“Auntie, what are you saying? Here, have another bowl of soup—it’s good for your health!” Su Niannian smiled as she ladled another bowl of soup for Gu Zhi.

This chicken soup contained the miraculous spring water, and drinking more of it would surely be beneficial.

Gu Nan lifted his gaze to look at Su Niannian, his eyes filled with warmth.

“When your illness is cured, I’ll make you some spicy chicken. It tastes even better than this potato-stewed chicken. I made it this way today because I wanted you to have some soup. If I had stewed it longer and let the broth thicken, it would have been even more delicious,” Su Niannian said with a gentle smile, her eyes crinkling.

“Spicy chicken… Just hearing about it makes my mouth water! When I recover, let Gu Nan go catch some wild chicken, and we’ll all enjoy it together,” Gu Zhi laughed along.

Gu Nan, however, was momentarily stunned. The piece of potato he had just picked up slipped from his chopsticks and landed on the table.

He froze for a second, then picked up the fallen potato and put it into his mouth.

Did she… just say that his mother’s illness would be cured?

Gu Nan wondered if he had misheard.

Gu Ningning immediately spoke up.

“Second Brother Nan, Sister Niannian knows traditional Chinese medicine. She said she can prescribe herbal medicine for Mother, and her illness will get better!” Gu Ningning beamed, as if she could already see their mother fully recovered.