Feng Shunhua saw Huo Qingshan stop walking and quickly stepped forward to catch up with him. Lowering her voice to avoid the sentry, she said, “Brother Huo, don’t you think something’s off about Sister-in-law?”

Huo Qingshan only frowned slightly before stepping into the courtyard. Then he looked at Feng Shunhua. “What are you trying to say?”

Feng Shunhua glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then nervously pinched the hem of her clothes. “I know it’s not really my place to say this, but Brother Huo, you’re such a good man. I just can’t stand by and watch you get deceived.”

Having lived over fifty years before being reborn, she knew exactly how to stir the pot and pique someone’s curiosity.

She paused, and when Huo Qingshan didn’t respond, she continued, “They say Sister-in-law lost her memory, but when someone has amnesia, their personality doesn’t change. But hers has changed a lot. Brother Huo, haven’t you ever found that suspicious?”

Huo Qingshan didn’t like all this beating around the bush. His voice turned cold. “Just say what you want to say.”

Feng Shunhua pressed her lips together and put on an innocent face. “Actually, I heard some things when I went into the city. My sister-in-law used to like some man. He asked her for a large sum of money, and she promised she’d give it to him.”

“When I went to the hospital to visit her, I even saw that man at the gate. He was talking to the guard. I overheard them, and I’m sure that was the man she liked.”

After all, gossip only needs a pair of lips to spread—once it’s out there, someone will believe it.

Huo Qingshan frowned. “Is what you’re saying true?”

Feng Shunhua quickly raised her hand as if taking an oath. “It’s true. I heard a man asking the gatekeeper about her condition. He also said that he and Sister-in-law were truly in love, but for certain reasons, they couldn’t be together…”

“I haven’t told anyone else. Not even my sister. Brother Huo, I just didn’t want to see you being taken advantage of.”

“Sister-in-law’s behavior has changed so much, she’s definitely up to something. You really need to be careful.”

Huo Qingshan stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I got it.”

With that, he turned and walked away in long strides.

Feng Shunhua was left dumbfounded. After making up such a story, did Huo Qingshan even take it seriously?

Why did it seem like he didn’t really care? What kind of man could tolerate his wife being involved with another man and even giving him money?

…

When Huo Qingshan got home, Xu Suining had already changed into a light red jacket. She was squatting in the yard with her sleeves rolled up, washing wild vegetables.

The tender green leaves fluttered through her slender, fair fingers, glistening with water that shimmered in the light—it was unexpectedly beautiful.

Huo Qingshan’s gaze lingered for a couple of seconds. Just then, Xu Suining looked up and smiled at him. “You’re back? I just got the fire going. Let’s have dumplings for lunch.”

She had picked up how to light a fire just by watching Huo Qingshan do it twice.

She had tried it earlier and realized that as long as there was a spark, it wasn’t that hard.

Huo Qingshan walked into the house to check the stove. As expected, Xu Suining hadn’t done it right—she’d thrown the coal in without clearing out the ash first. He squatted down, tidied up, and restarted the fire.

Xu Suining brought in the washed vegetables and was a bit surprised. “Did I do it wrong?”

Huo Qingshan, for once, explained in more detail. “Before lighting the fire, you need to clear out the ash in the stove. Then you can add coal.”

Xu Suining let out a small “oh.” “I’ll keep that in mind. I didn’t realize there was that much to it.”

After saying that, she went to chop the meat, planning to render the fat into lard first.

Huo Qingshan noticed how awkwardly she held the knife. “I’ll do it.”

Xu Suining stopped him. “No need, your shoulder’s injured. You shouldn’t move it around. Just sit and rest. I’ll be done soon.”

Huo Qingshan didn’t insist. Instead, he found a whetstone and said, “I’ll sharpen the knife for you.”

Xu Suining didn’t refuse and handed him the knife, watching as he sat by the small table, grinding it against the whetstone. His long fingers pressed firmly against the blade, moving back and forth with strength and precision. It was oddly mesmerizing.

For a moment, she felt dazed. This was what an ordinary, simple life was supposed to look like.

Xu Suining was quite capable and efficient. After rendering the lard, she set it aside. While the crispy bits cooled, she started kneading the dough.

By the time Huo Qingshan returned from a quick round outside, Xu Suining had already finished wrapping the dumplings. One plump, round dumpling after another sat neatly arranged on the board.

Xu Suining smiled at him as he stepped in. “Perfect timing, I’m about to cook the dumplings. We’ll eat soon.”

Then she casually said, “It’s too hot inside. Open the door for some air, and crack the window too. This weather is not good for cooking indoors.”

Huo Qingshan didn’t reply, but he did as she asked.

Xu Suining dropped the dumplings into the pot. As the white, chubby dumplings floated to the top, her mouth watered. She felt lucky to be able to eat white flour, thanks to Huo Qingshan.

If she’d transmigrated to the countryside, would she be living this well?

That thought made her smile even more sweetly. “Want some mashed garlic? No, wait—you’re going back to the regiment this afternoon. Garlic’s too strong. Let’s just go with chili and vinegar.”

Huo Qingshan was nearly dazzled by her bright smile. Only then did he notice a bowl of chili oil on the table.

She had used a generous amount of oil, so it glistened red and glossy, incredibly appetizing.

Who would be willing to use so much oil? People didn’t even make chili oil unless it was New Year’s. Usually, they just added soy sauce and some water.

But he said nothing, only wondering silently if Xu Suining still had enough oil coupons.

Xu Suining served the dumplings and called out crisply, “Time to eat.”

She placed three big plates of dumplings on the table, and while she went to grab the chopsticks and bowls, Huo Qingshan brought over the pot, covered the stove, and placed a kettle of water on top.

Xu Suining was briefly stunned. Huo Qingshan really had good instincts.

After washing his hands and sitting down, Xu Suining quickly passed him the vinegar bottle. “Mix in some chili and vinegar. It’s great with dumplings.”

She had already made herself a half bowl.

Huo Qingshan took the bottle. Looking at the steaming dumplings on the table and Xu Suining’s radiant smile, he felt, for the first time in half a year of marriage, that this place actually resembled a home.

Xu Suining was good at making dumpling filling. The dumplings were tender and juicy—the best he’d ever had.

She was generous with oil, lard, and meat. How could they not be delicious?

Seeing how he ate one dumpling after another without seeming crude, Xu Suining felt proud that he appreciated her cooking. “There’s still some crispy lard bits left. I’ll dig up more wild vegetables later and make them into buns.”

Huo Qingshan actually responded this time. “Be careful out there. The peach blossoms have just started blooming, and there are lots of bees on the mountain.”

Xu Suining’s smile grew even brighter. The fact that Huo Qingshan would warn her meant they were becoming closer. She nodded. “I’ll be careful. Also, the shed outside—could you ask a few soldiers to help with it? I can’t move it by myself.”

Huo Qingshan nodded. “Sure, I’ll call them over this afternoon. Tell them how you want it done.”

Xu Suining was satisfied. She liked having a partner who listened, responded, and helped with everything.

Of the three plates of dumplings, Xu Suining ate one, and the rest went into Huo Qingshan’s stomach.

Xu Suining felt like her belly had rounded out from the meal. This appetite was more than double the original host’s. If she kept nourishing herself like this, maybe giving birth wouldn’t end in a fatal dystocia next time.

While she was lost in thought, someone outside called, “Xu Suining, telegram!”