Chapter 23 – Visiting the Commander’s Home

“Hello, Uncle Cheng. Dad, I’m hungry.” Little Zhong Ling greeted Cheng Qian politely, then looked pitifully at Zhong Youliang.

“Let’s go back and eat.” Zhong Youliang scooped up his daughter with one arm and coolly turned to head home.

“Lingling, come play later!” Cheng Xuan waved at her. Little Zhong Ling waved back, indicating she got the message.

After father and daughter picked up breakfast from the canteen and returned home, He Yashu finally woke up slowly. Feeling sore all over, she thought to herself that they were a bit too wild last night.

“I’m heading to work soon. Lingling, be good and listen to your mom at home.” Zhong Youliang carefully glanced at He Yashu. Seeing that she wasn’t angry, he quickly ate breakfast and kissed both mother and daughter on the cheek before walking out with slightly flushed ears.

He Yashu thought: That’s all it takes to make you flustered?

After breakfast, Little Zhong Ling couldn’t wait to go outside, and He Yashu didn’t stop her. Remembering that Zhong Youliang had mentioned visiting the commander’s home, she thought it would be impolite to go empty-handed. Looking over the kitchen supplies, she decided to make some sponge cakes.

She got to work right away. As she steamed the third batch, Little Zhong Ling dashed back inside.

“Mom, what are you making? It smells so good!” she said as she sniffed the air with a delighted face.

“I made some sponge cakes. Take a few to Uncle Cheng’s house, can you handle that?” He Yashu pinched her daughter’s chubby cheeks—she’d been eating and sleeping well lately and had gained weight.

“Mission accepted!” Little Zhong Ling solemnly took the plate and carefully made her way to the Cheng family.

“Auntie Liang, my mom made these sponge cakes. Please try them,” she said, eagerly watching as Liang Xiao took a bite.

“These are delicious! Your mom’s cooking is amazing. And thank you, Lingling, for bringing them.” Despite being pregnant, Liang Xiao had no morning sickness and was enjoying her food.

Pleased by the compliments, Little Zhong Ling skipped her way back home.

Meanwhile, He Yashu also sent a piece to their neighbor, Aunt Chen.

“You’ve got magic hands to make something so tasty!” Aunt Chen said cheerfully. Neighbors should share and help each other, after all—she’d return the favor when she had something nice.

“I just messed around a bit. Glad you like it.” He Yashu appreciated people like Aunt Chen—straightforward and easy to get along with. After some chatting, she packed up the remaining cakes, took Lingling along, and headed to visit the commander’s home.

Knock, knock, knock.

“We’re coming. Who is it?” Zhao Han opened the door and looked at the mother and daughter with curiosity.

“Hello, I’m Zhong Youliang’s wife, and this is our daughter. We’ve just arrived on the island and wanted to pay our respects,” He Yashu said confidently.

“Oh! So you’re from Captain Zhong’s family. Come in, come in. That guy didn’t even bring you two over all this time.” Zhao Han saw no flattery or scheming in He Yashu’s eyes and immediately had a better impression of her.

“Lingling became so attached to her dad the first time they met—they’re super close now.” Seeing that the commander’s wife was gentle, He Yashu quietly let out a sigh of relief. A difficult woman would’ve made things harder.

“Aunt Zhao, I made these sponge cakes. Please try some.” He Yashu smiled and placed the treats on the table.

“Mmm, soft and sweet. These are delicious.” Zhao Han loved sweets, and her eyes lit up as she tasted them.

“Grandma, my sponge cakes are the best!” Little Zhong Ling chimed in proudly.

“Our Lingling is such a sweet, lovable child. Your grandpa was praising you nonstop yesterday. Your dad is a lucky man—such a beautiful wife and daughter.” Zhao Han pinched Lingling’s cheek with a big smile. So soft!

“Don’t call me ‘commander’s wife’—just call me Aunt Zhao,” she said kindly.

“Aunt Zhao,” He Yashu responded readily.

The mother and daughter chatted with Zhao Han for a while. When she invited them to stay for lunch, they politely declined and went home to cook.