Chapter 34

Xu Zhao glanced at Zhang Xiangqian and said, “You’ve come a long way, bullying a seven-year-old when you’re already thirty.”

Zhang Xiangqian disagreed, exclaiming, “Hey, I’m only twenty-eight this year, not thirty. Don’t keep pushing me into the older age bracket. Being in your twenties and thirties is not the same thing.”

It’s not just women who care about their age, men do too.

In his twenties, one is considered young, but thirty is almost middle-aged. At twenty-eight, he is in his prime years. Xu Zhao categorizing him as middle-aged didn’t sit well with him.

Xu Zhao sneered, “You’re twenty-eight, just two years away from thirty. Rounded off, calling you thirty isn’t wrong.”

Zhang Xiangqian gritted his teeth, “I’m only three years older than you. Even if I’m considered a thirty-year-old, so are you. No one stays young forever.”

Xu Zhao nonchalantly replied, “Oh, I don’t think I’ve even had my twenty-fifth birthday yet.”

Which means, rounding off, he’s still not thirty.

This is infuriating!

Xu Zhao is such a jerk!

Zhang Xiangqian closed his eyes, unwilling to talk to this “young person.”

Xu Zhao patted Jiang Leyun’s head, “Alright, I’ve avenged you.”

Jiang Leyun beamed with a smile, showing his little white teeth, and nodded repeatedly, “Thank you, brother-in-law.”

He then cheekily made a face at Zhang Xiangqian, signaling, “This is what you get for bullying me.”

The dishes were brought to the table: stewed chicken with potatoes, scrambled eggs with black fungus, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, stir-fried cabbage, and a pot of mushroom chicken soup.

Jiang Suihan placed the rice bowl on the table as well, “There aren’t many dishes, and they’re quite simple. I don’t cook much, so my culinary skills are average. Please don’t mind.”

She was quite self-aware. Before the Jiang family’s misfortune, she rarely cooked. The family lived on a university campus and often ate at the cafeteria. After their downfall, even if she wanted to cook, she didn’t have the means, and they barely had enough to eat.

Looking at the four dishes and one soup in front of him, Zhang Xiangqian swallowed and grinned, “These dishes look delicious. Sister-in-law, you’re too modest. You’ve worked hard. Xu Zhao is lucky to have you.”

Jiang Suihan felt a bit embarrassed by the compliment and glanced at Xu Zhao.

Xu Zhao served a piece of chicken to Jiang Suihan and another to Jiang Leyun, not neglecting anyone.

“Dig in.”

Oh, Zhang Xiangqian was an outsider, not included.

The four of them each had a bowl of soup first before eating the main course.

Jiang Suihan tasted all four dishes. The stewed chicken with potatoes was the best, better than expected. The scrambled eggs with black fungus was a bit salty, the stir-fried cabbage was watery and turned into boiled cabbage, and the spicy and sour shredded potatoes weren’t outstanding but also not a failure. Next time, she could add more spice since the other three present, apart from her, liked spicy food.

Xu Zhao and Zhang Xiangqian weren’t picky eaters. They didn’t care much about food as long as there was something to eat. Jiang Leyun was once very particular about food, but after the family’s troubles and hardships, he no longer had the spoiled attitude.

Zhang Xiangqian’s favorite was the stewed chicken with potatoes and suggested that when they killed a chicken at home, he should ask his wife to make it.

Xu Zhao said while eating, “I heard from the political commissar before that the army plans to build a primary school. Do you know about this?”

Zhang Xiangqian chewed on a flavorful potato and took a bite of rice, “I’ve heard some talk about it. It seems it’s been approved, and construction might start by the end of this month or next. Why? Are you planning to send your younger brother to the army’s primary school?”

His son was only three this year, too young for school. He had only heard about the primary school plans and hadn’t looked into it further.

Xu Zhao replied, “Leyun is already seven and should start school. I’ll ask the political commissar about it tomorrow.”

Zhang Xiangqian had brought half a bottle of white wine and was drinking with Xu Zhao, chatting about the past days of being in the army and looking forward to future life.

Jiang Suihan finished eating, took Jiang Leyun off the table, and, noticing it was getting dark, went to heat water for her brother’s bath.

Zhang Xiangqian slapped Xu Zhao’s shoulder heartily, his face slightly reddened, though his dark skin made it less noticeable.

“You’re living better and better. I see Comrade Jiang is more than enough for you. Not to mention she’s good-looking, she’s also gentle, quiet, and cooks well. She’s capable in household chores and never complains, even moving from Mingjiang City to this remote place with you. She’s truly devoted to you. Don’t always keep a cold face.”

He burped from the wine, “Women like gentle and considerate men. In a marriage, you should be open and honest with each other, though of course, it’s not necessary to reveal everything. It’s normal for men to have some secrets.”

Xu Zhao loosened his collar and unbuttoned the top button, “So you’ve got a lot of secrets from your sister-in-law. Next time I see her, I’ll be sure to mention it.”

This comment wiped most of the drunkenness off Zhang Xiangqian’s face, “Don’t cause trouble for me. I’ve always said you’re heartless, you’ve got more schemes than a beehive. I truly feel sorry for Comrade Jiang. With a black-hearted guy like you, she’ll never escape in this lifetime.”

He and Dai Jia had met through a blind date. Initially, they thought they were a good match and tried dating for a while. He confessed his feelings first, and they married six months later. Their son, Ruyu, was born a year after.

Dai Jia had a fiery temper, and they sometimes argued, but she had a good quality—she never brought up past issues. Once something was over, it was over, and she wouldn’t keep reminding him.

Xu Zhao finished his drink in one gulp, “I’ve never thought of letting her leave my side.”

Zhang Xiangqian turned to glance at Xu Zhao and gave a meaningful smile.

After the guests left, Jiang Suihan began clearing the table while Xu Zhao rested his head on one hand, watching her with a focused gaze.

Jiang Suihan noticed his face was only slightly flushed. “Are you drunk?”

Xu Zhao slowly shook his head. “Not drunk.”

Usually, drunk people claim they’re not.

Jiang Suihan suspected he might be drunk and asked, “Do you need help getting upstairs to rest?”

Xu Zhao stood up, simply gazing at her without speaking.

He seemed genuinely drunk.

Jiang Suihan helped him, noticing he wasn’t completely drunk and didn’t press most of his weight onto her.

They moved slowly upstairs. As they climbed the stairs, she reminded him, “Be careful.”

Once they got him to bed, Jiang Suihan wiped the sweat off her forehead. “Be good and don’t move. I’ll be back soon.”

Xu Zhao seemed uncomfortable, furrowing his brows.

She brought a basin of water, dampened a towel, and wiped his face and neck. Her gaze couldn’t help but linger on his face.

He had sharp eyebrows, long and curled eyelashes, a high nose bridge, and well-defined features, giving him a handsome, chiseled look. His thin lips were slightly pursed, and his jawline was prominent.

The more she looked, the more she felt his handsome face was imprinted on her heart.

Xu Zhao suddenly spoke, “Do I look good?”

Jiang Suihan instinctively answered, “Yes, you look good.”

Then she realized what she had just said and felt her face flush with embarrassment. She had been staring at a man so intently.

Oh no, this is so embarrassing!

Xu Zhao chuckled softly. “Yes, I think I look pretty good too.”

Jiang Suihan, now slightly embarrassed, responded, “I see you’re quite narcissistic.”

Xu Zhao smiled at her. “Can’t I compliment myself? You just confirmed it yourself.”

Jiang Suihan’s face reddened again, feeling flustered. “Alright, you’re handsome, the best in the world. I’m not talking to you anymore. I’ll go downstairs and wash the dishes.”

It felt like she was making a hasty retreat.

Xu Zhao’s smile grew more pronounced, and he eventually laughed out loud.

Jiang Suihan stood in the yard, feeling the night breeze and sighed, patting her hot face.

It was just looking at him a few extra times. There was no need to be so shy. She should have countered his teasing earlier. It was quite embarrassing.

Jiang Suihan noticed that Xu Zhao was different at home compared to when he was with outsiders or family. He was usually serious and calm outside, rarely smiling, but at home, he would laugh at funny comments. Though his smile wasn’t very apparent, she could still see his mood changes.

Sometimes he would playfully tease her, showing a bit of boyishness, just like he did earlier.

After cleaning the table and putting the dishes into the basin, Jiang Suihan squatted on the ground to wash them. When her legs went numb, she would move around a bit. By the end of washing, the thought of having a well in the yard became more appealing. It would be much more convenient.

After tidying up the kitchen and cleaning the floor, she rubbed her lower back and checked the time on the clock in the living room. It was almost eight o’clock.

The military power supply wasn’t available twenty-four hours a day. The family compound experienced a scheduled power outage every night at eight. She had been startled by the sudden outage last night.

In a hurry, she went upstairs to grab clothes, not noticing Xu Zhao was just about to leave.

Xu Zhao wrapped an arm around Jiang Suihan’s waist and asked, “Did you get hurt?”

Jiang Suihan stepped back a bit, rubbing her forehead. “I’m fine. Why are you up?”

She had thought he would be asleep in bed after drinking.

Seeing her forehead was slightly red, Xu Zhao said, “I couldn’t sleep, so I’m going to take a shower.”

Jiang Suihan looked at him. “Shouldn’t you go first?”

It was good that she wouldn’t have to sleep in the same bed with a dirty drunk tonight. His cleanliness was a plus.

Xu Zhao wasn’t in a hurry. “You should hurry and shower. The power will go out soon.”

Jiang Suihan didn’t argue and went to her room to get a set of pajamas, then went downstairs to shower.

Halfway through, the power went out.

Even though she was prepared for it, Jiang Suihan still let out a surprised sound.

Xu Zhao, sitting in the living room, heard her and quickly ran out. “Are you okay?”

Jiang Suihan took a moment to calm down and shouted back, “I forgot to bring candles in. Can you bring them to me?”

Xu Zhao replied, “Okay, wait a moment.”

After a short while, not even a minute, Xu Zhao knocked on the bathroom door holding a candle. “Open the door, I’ll pass you the candle.”

Jiang Suihan gently opened the door, and he extended the candle towards her while turning his body sideways.

She quickly took the candle from his hand and shut the bathroom door again.

Xu Zhao’s ears turned red involuntarily. He didn’t go in but stood outside, enjoying the breeze.