Xu Suining still wanted to get a better look at that woman, but the jeep had already turned the corner and she was out of sight.

But Xu Suining quickly figured things out. If Huo Qingshan married the original Xu Suining as a substitute, then she would just do a good job playing that role. Making Huo Qingshan happy was now her task.

If he was pleased, maybe she could get a better deal in the divorce. Or maybe he would even help her get a college spot.

Then she could go to university, secure a government job with a steady income, and decades later when younger people were worrying about delayed retirement, she could already be dancing in the park with her pension.

How comfortable and joyful that life would be.

And besides, Huo Qingshan had a white moonlight from his past, and the original Xu Suining had an ex-boyfriend. It was balanced. No need to feel guilty anymore.

Thinking of this, Xu Suining couldn’t help but grin.

Huo Qingshan had just calmed his emotions. He turned to check if Xu Suining wanted to buy anything else, only to see her staring blankly ahead, grinning strangely.

He cleared his throat. “There’s a farm tools store up ahead. Do you need anything?”

Xu Suining snapped out of it and nodded quickly. “Yes, I do. A hoe and a small spade.”

It was more convenient to dig wild herbs with a small spade.

Huo Qingshan nodded and told Li Zhiguo to stop ahead.

Xu Suining bought the spade and found the hoe only had the head without a long wooden handle. She hesitated—she didn’t know how to fix it.

Huo Qingshan seemed to notice her dilemma. “I’ll find a wooden handle and attach it when we get back.”

Xu Suining’s eyes lit up. She nodded immediately. “Okay, I’ll take it then.”

Once everything was bought, they headed home. Xu Suining mentally noted which items required ration tickets and which didn’t. Items without tickets cost more.

Altogether she spent less than ten yuan, it was a good deal.

When they returned, Feng Shunhua and Li Qin had just made it to town with the children. They walked around, bought nothing, and walked back empty-handed.

Back at home, Xu Suining saw it was still early. She took yesterday’s clothes and soaked them in the courtyard, then checked the stove. The mud had dried somewhat. It was starting to take shape.

While she was washing clothes, a soldier came by looking for Huo Qingshan. Someone from the regiment was asking for him.

Xu Suining vaguely heard the name Zhu Hong. It seemed the woman from town had come to find him. She didn’t care much. As Huo Qingshan was about to leave, she smiled and called out, “Come back for lunch. I’ll make noodles.”

Huo Qingshan paused for a moment, nodded and said okay before following the soldier out.

Xu Suining smiled as she watched him leave, then went back to washing clothes.

Huo Qingshan could feel Xu Suining’s gaze following him. He didn’t understand why she was acting this way, but it stirred something in him. He thought about handing over the grain and oil ration books to her when he got back.

‘’…’’

Xu Suining finished the laundry, put the pig trotters on to stew, kneaded dough for noodles, and even took time to dig some dandelion greens.

She had always loved exploring food, but in the past, work had worn her down. After a long day she only wanted to lie down. Takeout was bad, but she didn’t have the energy to cook.

Now she finally had time to do what she liked. The conditions were limited, but she still felt happy.

When Huo Qingshan returned, Xu Suining was sitting by the outdoor tap, picking wild greens with a smile on her face. Her whole presence radiated energy.

Compared to her previously gloomy and lifeless state, she now looked far healthier.

Xu Suining looked up and saw him. She tossed the greens into the basin and said, “I was just waiting for you to come back and cook the noodles. We’re having pig trotter noodles today. Wash your hands out here—it’s very convenient.”

Then she went inside to boil the noodles.

Huo Qingshan had never heard of pig trotter noodles before. Following her suggestion, he washed his hands in the courtyard and went inside.

On the table was a small bowl of braised pig trotters, glistening with a rich sauce, and a plate of blanched wild greens.

Xu Suining brought out two large bowls of noodles, giving Huo Qingshan more and herself less.

She also divided the pig trotters, giving most of them to him and keeping just two small pieces and some sauce for herself.

Huo Qingshan stared for a moment as she served. He picked up his chopsticks and tried to give her some of the trotters from his bowl.

Xu Suining stopped him. “This is enough for me. You’re injured, you need more nutrition. And you’re the backbone of the household. Training is tough, so you must eat well.”

Huo Qingshan was quietly moved. He looked at her deeply, said nothing more, and stirred his noodles.

Xu Suining then pushed the wild greens toward him. “These are cold-dressed dandelion greens. They’re antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and good for your health.”

Huo Qingshan was surprised. These ordinary greens, found everywhere in the wild, tasted completely different when prepared by her.

Xu Suining smiled with her eyes as she watched him almost finish. Then she said, “I want to plant some flowers around the courtyard. Can you get me some seeds?”

The families in the compound might have some, but given the original Xu Suining’s strained relationships, she didn’t want to bother asking.

Huo Qingshan nodded. “Sure. I’ll ask around at the regiment. The kitchen staff should have some.”

The regiment’s flowerbeds were managed by the cooks from each unit.

Xu Suining’s smile brightened. “Thank you. I want to plant a ring of flowers around the fence. If possible, something that repels mosquitoes. That way in summer evenings we can eat outside without getting bitten.”

Huo Qingshan suddenly had a feeling, maybe this time Xu Suining really wanted to settle down and live a good life.

After the meal, Huo Qingshan voluntarily picked up the bowls and chopsticks to wash them in the courtyard.

Xu Suining didn’t stop him. After a busy morning she was a bit tired and planned to take a nap. In the afternoon she would go out to gather more wild greens.

With a full stomach and enough activity, she fell into deep sleep quickly.

When she woke up, the sun had started to dip—it was probably around three or four.

She washed her face and discovered that Huo Qingshan had not only cleaned the dishes but had also washed the wild greens she’d left in the sink. They were stacked neatly.

She couldn’t help but laugh. Were all soldiers this meticulous? Even wild vegetables had to be so tidy.

After washing her face, she put on a straw hat, grabbed her basket, and went out to dig more greens. She wanted to dry some in case they stayed through the winter—if there were no fresh vegetables then, dried ones would do.

Might as well make use of the time.

She headed to the orchard across from the infirmary and dug up a whole basket of wild greens. Whether they could finish them or not didn’t matter, better to have too much than too little.

As she was leaving the orchard, basket full, she happened to see Huo Qingshan talking to a girl.

It was the woman from that morning in town, wearing a white blouse and a long black skirt, standing delicately in front of him.

They were more than two meters apart, but Xu Suining could still sense a subtle tension between them.

Even from this distance, she could feel that Huo Qingshan was angry. He radiated a sharp chill.

Zhu Hong said something and wiped away tears with a handkerchief, her whole posture looking fragile and broken.

Huo Qingshan stepped back, his expression cold, saying nothing.

Xu Suining stood frozen. Should she walk over? If they saw her, would it be awkward?

Just as she was caught in indecision, Huo Qingshan suddenly looked over and began walking toward her.