Upon hearing this, Jiang Guo’an was utterly shocked.

She went to till the land?

How is that possible?

Seeing his expression, Li Jianguo knew he didn’t believe it.

Li Jianguo said, “Listen, you might not believe it, but it’s true.

My wife told me she was really hard at work.

She cleared the weeds on the land allocated by the compound all by herself, burned them, and even tilled the entire plot.

My wife said your wife’s palms were covered in huge blisters—it looked painful just to see.

I’m not lying to you. If you don’t believe me, go check your family’s plot when you get back.”

Li Jianguo knew Jiang Guo’an had been through so much because of Su Banxia that he wouldn’t easily believe anything about her.

But when someone was trying to change for the better, they deserved recognition.

To put it bluntly, nobody was perfect—everyone made mistakes.

Since she was making an effort to improve, they should also adjust their perception of her.

Jiang Guo’an was half skeptical. “Really?”

“Really. My wife was even saying this morning that she wanted to take her to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy vegetable seeds and seedlings. They’re probably planning to grow vegetables together.”

Jiang Guo’an wondered: She’s been so diligent lately—could she be possessed?

As he lost himself in thought, Li Jianguo added, “So, take my advice: go back and build a good life with her.”

Little did Li Jianguo know, his wife was worrying about the same thing.

When Su Banxia returned from town and opened the door, she heard the sizzling sound of stir-frying coming from the kitchen.

She placed the vegetable seeds on the table and carefully carried the seedlings into the bathroom. She filled a washbasin halfway with water and submerged two-thirds of the seedlings in it.

After washing her hands, she stood at the kitchen door and peeked inside.

Jiang Guo’an’s tall figure stood by the stove. He wore a white shirt on top and army green pants below, with the shirt tucked neatly into his waistband.

His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his sun-tanned, sturdy arms.

With one hand gripping the stove handle and the other holding a spatula, he stir-fried with practiced ease.

From this angle, he seemed much gentler.

Sensing someone at the door, Jiang Guo’an turned his head. His deep eyes met Su Banxia’s captivated gaze, and both froze for a moment.

A flicker of panic crossed Su Banxia’s eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.

She hadn’t meant to spy—it was just that the sight was so pleasing she couldn’t help but look a little longer.

Remembering the incident from the morning, Jiang Guo’an’s ears turned red, and he averted his eyes to focus on cooking.

Su Banxia thought it over: since they weren’t separated yet, it was better to maintain peace between them.

Feeling slightly awkward, she scratched her ear and stepped inside. “Um… do you need any help?”

“The stir-fry is almost done. Could you set the chopsticks and bowls on the table? We’ll have lunch soon.”

Jiang Guo’an also wanted a few days of harmony and tranquility.

Su Banxia placed their bowls and chopsticks on the table. Shortly after, Jiang Guo’an brought out a plate of potatoes stir-fried with lard and four steamed buns.

Su Banxia asked, “Are there any other dishes?”

Jiang Guo’an replied, “No.”

One dish is already pretty good. How many more did she expect?

Jiang Guo’an frowned slightly. Having steamed buns to eat is already fortunate. How many dishes was she hoping for?

Su Banxia said, “I’ll make a vegetable soup.”

With that, she went into the kitchen, quickly sliced some cabbage, boiled water in the pot, and prepared two bowls of cabbage soup.

Jiang Guo’an didn’t enter the kitchen or touch his chopsticks.

Su Banxia brought out a bowl of cabbage soup and placed it in front of Jiang Guo’an. Consider it a thank-you for giving her the grain ration book and money these past couple of days.

She said, “This bowl is for you. I’ll go get the other one.”

The soup was piping hot right out of the pot. Su Banxia rubbed her ears and turned to leave, but Jiang Guo’an grabbed her arm.

“You sit. I’ll get it.”

Su Banxia paused. Seeing he had already stood up and was heading toward the kitchen, she had no choice but to sit back down.

Jiang Guo’an brought out the cabbage soup, picked up a steamed bun, and handed it to Su Banxia.

“Let’s eat.”

Their interaction felt somewhat strange, but Su Banxia thought it wasn’t all that bad.

After a moment’s hesitation, she accepted the steamed bun from Jiang Guo’an.

Both understood the situation clearly—it seemed they were both just making do.

Jiang Guo’an took a big bite of the steamed bun and sipped the soup. He paused in surprise.

Unexpectedly, this plain cabbage soup actually tasted quite good.

As they ate quietly, Jiang Guo’an’s gaze inadvertently fell on the basin in the corner, which held several bundles of vegetable seedlings.

Was she really going to grow vegetables?

It seemed Li Jianguo had been telling the truth.

For some reason, a part of Jiang Guo’an’s heart softened.

Could it be that she now wants to build a proper life with me?

The thought made him feel somewhat nervous.

Unable to hold back, Jiang Guo’an asked, “Are you planning to grow vegetables?”

His sudden question nearly made Su Banxia choke.

“Yesterday, I went to the backyard with Battalion Commander Li’s wife, Sister Zhang, and found out every household has a plot of land there.

Our family’s plot was the only one left untended. I didn’t want to leave it like that and become a laughingstock, so I cleared the weeds and tilled the soil.

But I didn’t do it alone—Sister Zhang helped too.

Don’t overthink it. I simply didn’t want people gossiping behind our backs.”

Jiang Guo’an had initially felt a flicker of happiness, but upon hearing her words, his heart sank.

His face instantly darkened, and he said coldly, “I see.”

Su Banxia: “…”

Jiang Guo’an’s sudden shift in mood left Su Banxia baffled.

This man is so unpredictable. He’s even unhappy about me tending to the land.

No, I must find time to go into the city and look for a place to stay.

The meal concluded with both lost in their own complicated thoughts.

When Su Banxia stood up to clear the dishes, Jiang Guo’an snatched them from her hands almost aggressively and said coldly, “Go do your own thing. I’ll wash them.”

Su Banxia: “…”

Fine, you wash them. It’s less work for me anyway.

Though she claimed she wouldn’t interfere, Su Banxia still went into the bathroom, fetched a rag, wiped the table clean, then washed the mop and scrubbed the cement floor twice.

Both rooms and the living room were spotless, giving off a refreshing coolness.

When Jiang Guo’an stepped out of the kitchen, he was met with this sight.

He paused mid-step. Su Banxia put the mop back in the bathroom and went straight into her room without a word.

Jiang Guo’an’s mind was in turmoil.

He had been the one to bring up divorce, but hearing her tell him not to overthink it during the meal had left him unsettled.

If they could continue getting along like this, maybe divorce wouldn’t be necessary.

Frustrated, Jiang Guo’an ran a hand through his hair.

Forget it. No use dwelling on it.

He turned and entered his own room, slamming the door shut as if in a fit of pique.

Su Banxia collapsed onto her bed as soon as she entered her room.

The sound of the door slamming made her heart jump.

She couldn’t begin to guess what was going through that man’s mind.

Right now, all she wanted was a good nap—she still had to go vegetable planting with Zhang Xiaolan in the afternoon.

Within minutes, Su Banxia was fast asleep.