Chapter 37 – Teaching the Sisters-in-law to Cook

The next morning, Ye Tao got up rubbing her sore waist, regretting how she had provoked Huo Tingwu yesterday. Never again!

Her sisters-in-law seized the opportunity while the iron was hot, coming to her for cooking lessons.

Chen Xiangmei and Ma Qiuxia also came to join in the fun.

Wu Huaying and the others brought ingredients with them—since they came to learn, they couldn’t just use up Ye Tao’s supplies.

Ye Tao asked, “What dish do you want to learn?”

Without thinking, Wu Huaying blurted out, “Tomato and scrambled eggs.” Xiao Xing loved tomatoes, and this was one of the few dishes she really liked.

“Sure thing, let’s make it now,” Ye Tao replied with a smile.

The kitchen was spacious, and everyone gathered around, chatting as they worked.

Just then, the news came that Wang Mingshan had received a transfer order—three days later, Zhang Yuzhen would be leaving the island.

Chen Xiangmei sighed, “Seven or eight years have flown by just like that. Time really flies.”

Ma Qiuxia added, “Exactly. There are more people on the island now than before, but just as many have left. Who knows when we’ll see each other again after this.”

They were among the first wave of military spouses to come, witnesses to the island’s every step of growth.

Zhang Yuzhen smiled, “There’s no such thing as a feast that never ends. If you ever come to Ancheng, I’ll treat you all to our specialty—sauce-braised duck.”

Xu Lan laughed, “That’s perfect. When the time comes, I’ll have to eat a whole one myself.”

“Don’t say one—ten is fine!” Zhang Yuzhen said boldly, making everyone burst into laughter.

Ye Tao, still smiling, went on explaining the recipe to Wu Huaying. Tomato and scrambled eggs was a staple home dish, but different regions had different variations.

Her hometown preferred it salty. When she once traveled to Harbin, she had it cooked sweet at a restaurant—she had been shocked. Having grown up on the savory version, the most she could accept was a sweet-and-sour balance. Purely sweet? No way.

“First, cut a cross on the tomato skin and scald it in hot water to peel it. If you don’t want to, you can skip this step.”

Wu Huaying nodded attentively, memorizing every word.

The peeled tomatoes were cut into chunks and set aside. The eggs were beaten, poured into the pan, fried until just set, then removed. A bit more oil went into the wok before adding the tomatoes, stir-fried until juicy.

“This is when you add a little sugar—it enhances the flavor.”

Wu Huaying had never known sugar was added. At first she worried the taste would be strange, but after trying a bite, she was completely relieved.

“This is delicious!” she exclaimed excitedly. The slight sweetness didn’t cover up the tomato’s natural flavor.

She had brought a whole basket of tomatoes. They cooked enough for everyone, and Ye Tao told her to take the rest home.

Wu Huaying waved her off. “We’ve planted two whole rows of tomatoes at home—we eat them every day and are already tired of them. Since everyone’s here, let’s just share these.”

Since they had been brought, there was no reason to take them back.

That day, the smell of tomatoes lingered all across the family compound.

When Huo Tingwu returned home, Ye Tao had just brought out the rice.

“We’re having tomato and egg rice bowls today,” she said.

“No wonder I smelled tomatoes at the gate of the compound,” Huo Tingwu said, guessing this must have been the dish the sisters-in-law had learned today.

To make sure they wouldn’t forget the steps later, Ye Tao even wrote out a recipe for them.

Since both she and her husband were meat lovers, she also stir-fried a plate of pork with chili—perfect over rice.

A whole pot of rice, the two of them ate until it was all gone.

Touching the flesh on her arm, Ye Tao felt she had put on some weight lately.

“Really? I don’t think so,” said Huo Tingwu. To him, she was still too thin—if she ate more, holding her would feel even better.

After he left for the military camp, Ye Tao woke from her nap and, as usual, went to inspect the little garden.

The vegetable seedlings she had sown were now ankle-high—just right for hotpot, though unfortunately she couldn’t eat too much spicy food for now.

The two mangoes on their tree had ripened. Standing under the tree, she breathed in their fragrance, itching to taste them right away. Since Huo Tingwu wasn’t home, she dragged over a chair, carefully climbed up, and picked them.

After washing them, she cut them open, scored the flesh into cubes, and scooped them into a bowl. She cleaned the seed carefully and placed it in a cool spot, hoping it would sprout.

Sitting under the eaves, surrounded by the life in her little yard, Ye Tao felt her mood lift endlessly.

“Is Comrade Ye home?” came a knock at the door.

It was Feng Delu. After a whole morning of meetings, he had finally found time to come by.

Seeing it was him, Ye Tao quickly invited him in. They sat under the eaves to chat, leaving the gate wide open so no one could gossip.

“Have some tea, Commissar Feng,” Ye Tao said.

“No need,” he replied. “I still have another meeting to attend. Let’s keep this short. About yesterday’s matter—have you thought it over?”

His expression was tense, afraid she would refuse. With the soldiers grumbling, this time success was the only option.

“I’m willing to go.”

“What, not willing—wait, no, you mean you agreed?!” Feng blinked.

“Yes,” Ye Tao nodded. “I happen to have time recently.”

Feng clapped his hands. “Excellent! Don’t worry, I’ve already learned about your situation. You only need to guide the cooking at the canteen in the mornings. The number of dishes depends on what you arrange yourself.”

It was a flexible job, perfectly suited to Ye Tao’s circumstances.

“But since this is a special appointment,” he continued, “your pay and rations will be in between—more than the regular temps, but less than the permanent staff.”

Ye Tao understood. “I get it. I trust the leadership won’t treat me unfairly.”

“Of course. This much I can promise. Thirty yuan a month and twenty jin of grain coupons,” Feng said firmly.

Compared to Huo Tingwu’s salary, this was a drop in the bucket, but for Ye Tao, it was her first real earnings here—a milestone.

They agreed she would officially start tomorrow morning. After sending Feng off, Ye Tao took out pen and paper, writing down her recipes and planning dishes according to the situation.

Focused and absorbed, she didn’t realize dusk had fallen until she looked up. She stretched, picked some fresh greens from the garden, and washed them.

There was still a piece of pork belly left from yesterday. She minced it into paste, boiled it, then blanched the greens in the broth. Seasoned simply with salt, it became a clear and hearty meatball soup.

When Huo Tingwu came home, Ye Tao told him about her new job at the canteen.

“Make sure you get enough rest,” he said. “Tomorrow I’ll bring food back after training. Once we eat, I’ll walk you to the canteen.”

“Alright.” That meant she could still sleep in a little—no need to get up too early.

On her first day of work, Ye Tao felt nervous and excited. She hadn’t slept well the night before. Not long after Huo Tingwu left for morning drills, she also got up.

After washing up and stretching, she changed into the clothes she had prepared the night before: a simple white cotton blouse and black trousers, practical for cooking.

On her feet were the sturdy cloth shoes her mother-in-law had made. The soles were thick and comfortable, so even standing all day wouldn’t tire her out.