After Sheng Zexi agreed without hesitation, Gu Jianing gave him a thumbs-up, unable to suppress the smile on her face.

Sheng Zexi looked at his charming little wife and was almost mesmerized.

His wife was truly beautiful!
Just a bit silly.

His silly wife probably didn’t know yet that for her sake, he had specially sought out a chef to learn cooking for a while.

Back then, when he was injured and picked up by Gu Jianing, staying at her home, he gradually fell for her. Although he left without confessing due to his infertility.

After returning, he tried to forget about Gu Jianing, but once his heart was stirred, her image haunted him, growing deeper and deeper. How could he ever let go?

After struggling for half a year, Sheng Zexi finally decided to give himself a chance.

At that time, he wanted to rush to Huaihua Village, to Gu Jianing’s side, but he couldn’t get leave and had to hold back.

Coincidentally, during a mission, he met a chef. Recalling how Gu Jianing’s mother had mentioned that Gu Jianing was picky and loved food but disliked cooking, saying she needed a husband who could cook.

Sheng Zexi thought that if he could cook well, his chances of proposing would be higher.

So, after helping the chef with a big favor and paying him, Sheng Zexi spent his free time learning from the chef.

Not only did he have a natural talent for it, but his hard work paid off. By the end, the chef even wanted to take him as a disciple and marry his granddaughter to him.

Sheng Zexi naturally declined. When the chef learned he was learning to cook for the girl he loved, he gave him a thumbs-up.

“To win a woman’s heart, first win her stomach. It’s great that you have this idea and the drive to act on it.”

Back in the day, the chef had also won over the most beautiful girl in the village with his cooking skills. Now, that girl had been his lifelong companion for decades.

“Jianing, are you there?”

Just as he was lost in thought, a call from outside interrupted Sheng Zexi.

“It must be Sister Shuwang. I’ll go see.” Gu Jianing recognized Zhang Shuwang’s voice and hurried out to open the door.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw Zhang Shuwang smiling, holding out a bowl.

“Jianing, haven’t eaten yet, right? I just made a dish of stir-fried cabbage with cured meat and thought to bring you some.”

The bowl was filled with cabbage topped with plenty of cured meat, and the air was filled with a delicious aroma, showing Zhang Shuwang’s culinary skills.

“How can I accept this, Sister Shuwang? You should keep it for yourself and Guoguo.” Gu Jianing knew meat was scarce, especially in the resource-scarce northwest. How could she take someone else’s cured meat?

“Oh, Jianing, don’t refuse. Not to mention you saved my Guoguo, I just really like you. I’m happy to give this to you, so please take it.”

After several refusals, Gu Jianing finally gave in.

Thinking of something, Gu Jianing said, “Sister Shuwang, come in with me.”

Huh?
Zhang Shuwang was puzzled but followed Gu Jianing toward the kitchen. Before they even got close, they heard noises and a mouth-watering smell.

They were cooking meat too.

Entering the kitchen, she saw a tall figure wearing an apron, busy at the stove.

Looking closely, it was Sheng Zexi!

My goodness! It’s Battalion Commander Sheng cooking!

Sheng Zexi looked up and saw Zhang Shuwang besides his wife. He nodded in greeting, “Sister Shuwang.”

“Hey.”

“Brother Xi, Sister-in-law brought us some stir-fried cabbage with cured meat. Is your stir-fried rabbit ready? Let’s give her some too.”

Gu Jianing took a bowl, poured out the stir-fried cabbage with cured meat Zhang Shuwang had brought, and handed the bowl to Sheng Zexi.

Sheng Zexi: Coincidentally, his stir-fried rabbit was just done.

So, Sheng Zexi took the bowl and started serving the rabbit meat.

Since his wife said to give some, he wouldn’t be stingy. Besides, it’s about reciprocation.

“No, Jianing, Battalion Commander Sheng, really, it’s not necessary.” Zhang Shuwang quickly refused.

But Gu Jianing wouldn’t take no for an answer. Though she wasn’t particularly generous, she understood the principle of reciprocity.

Moreover, she had a good impression of Zhang Shuwang’s family.

“Sister Shuwang, you just gave us cured meat. How can you refuse now?”

“If you refuse, I won’t dare accept anything from you in the future.”

With that, Sheng Zexi had already filled a bowl with rabbit meat and handed it to Gu Jianing.

Gu Jianing then firmly handed the bowl to Zhang Shuwang, walking her out.

“Take it back, and let Guoguo and Battalion Commander Lin try Battalion Commander Sheng’s cooking.”

“I can smell how delicious it is. It should be good.”

With Gu Jianing insisting, Zhang Shuwang had no choice but to accept.

She just felt Gu Jianing was at a disadvantage. The stir-fried cabbage with cured meat she brought had only a third to a quarter of cured meat, while the bowl of rabbit meat was packed full.

Zhang Shuwang thought Gu Jianing was truly kind, a friend worth keeping.

Before leaving, Zhang Shuwang pulled Gu Jianing aside and whispered, “Is it really Battalion Commander Sheng who cooks in your house?”

Gu Jianing blinked, “Yes, I can’t cook. He said he enjoys cooking for me.”

Zhang Shuwang: My goodness, it’s the first time I’ve seen a man who loves cooking.

Zhang Shuwang felt that Battalion Commander Sheng must truly adore Jianing.

If others had seen that scene, they’d be as shocked as she was.

Even as she carried the bowl home, Zhang Shuwang was still in a daze.

“Weren’t you delivering food? Why are you bringing something back?” Lin Xing and Guoguo had already set the table, waiting for her to return.

Looking up, they saw her holding a bowl, seemingly lost in thought.

Zhang Shuwang snapped back to reality, quickly putting the bowl down and sitting.

“Look at this.”

“This is rabbit meat, Jianing gave it to me.”

“What? How could you accept that!” Lin Xing frowned. That’s a lot of rabbit meat.

“I couldn’t refuse. Jianing is really kind. I’ll make sure to think of her more in the future.” Zhang Shuwang wasn’t one to take advantage of others.

“Try this rabbit meat, see if it’s good?” Zhang Shuwang picked up a piece for Lin Xing.

As for Guoguo, since the rabbit meat was spicy, not suitable for children, Zhang Shuwang rinsed it to reduce the spiciness before giving it to Guoguo.

Lin Xing casually picked up a piece and tasted it. As soon as it entered his mouth, his eyes lifted. It was quite delicious, perfectly seasoned, with the spiciness enhancing the flavor. Of course, being meat, who wouldn’t love it?