Ayalee: Special birthday treat: 1 full chapter unlocked from each of my translations for everyone to enjoy because it’s my birthday today! Enjoy🎉

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Chapter 33.1

Xie Yanzhao’s serious gaze suggested he might actually think that way.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She couldn’t help but glare at him.

“I’m still angry!”

Ruan Mingfu pushed his hand away from her head again.

The way he touched her head reminded her of how she had patted the dog earlier.

Was the dog man treating her like a dog?

“Alright,” Xie Yanzhao didn’t resist, but he grabbed Ruan Mingfu’s small hand in his palm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She tried to pull her hand back, but he wouldn’t let go. Seeing he might be acting a bit like a hooligan, Ruan Mingfu quickly said, “We should go out now.”

They had been in the room for a while.

If people didn’t know better, they might think they were doing something inappropriate behind the door. This was someone else’s home, so they couldn’t be too reckless.

Ruan Mingfu understood this much.

“Then…” Xie Yanzhao’s eyes flickered, and he continued, “When will we get married?”

This was the third time Xie Yanzhao had mentioned marriage.

Ruan Mingfu felt a sense of satisfaction.

Hum~

Thinking about how she had been rejected several times before, Ruan Mingfu wanted to make the dog man experience that feeling too.

“I’m still angry.” Ruan Mingfu raised her beautifully sculpted chin and added, “I’ll decide when I’m no longer upset.”

Xie Yanzhao’s eyes showed a trace of helplessness.

But at least the little ancestor had eased up a bit and he felt relieved.

After all, it was his own fault, so he should just bear the consequences first.

When they went out, they happened to see Xu Zhu leisurely strolling in, hands behind his back. Seeing their appearance, he knew they had sorted things out.

He raised his eyebrows proudly at Xie Yanzhao and whistled.

Xie Yanzhao said solemnly, “Old Xu, you’re a political commissar, and you’re out here acting like this. The new recruits are supposed to practice carrying loads for a hundred miles tomorrow; you should supervise them.”

Xu Zhu: “…”

Who was he, and where was he?

Xie Yanzhao’s words sounded nice, asking him to supervise. Even if he didn’t have to carry a load, he still had to run a hundred miles…

Xu Zhu gritted his teeth, “Old Xie, you really are something.”

He put so much effort into ensuring his lifelong happiness, and this is how he’s treated?

How frustrating!

Isn’t this just like biting the hand that fed you?

Ruan Mingfu also realized that this man is quite petty.

As they walked to the backyard, Ruan Mingfu asked, “Won’t he be upset with you for doing this?”

“It’s fine,” Xie Yanzhao shook his head and then smiled, “Let him get some exercise, so his bones don’t rust away.”

They were always like this—quarreling and making noise as a matter of habit.

Besides, Xu Zhu was always complaining about this pain or that discomfort, so letting him move around is for his own good.

Ruan Mingfu nodded thoughtfully.

“Oh, you’re here?” Hu Wanning, who had just finished serving the last dish, looked up to see the two of them walking in together. She had a clear idea of what was going on but chose not to mention it.

Ruan Mingfu quickened her pace, saying, “I’ll help.”

The kitchen had a stove that used firewood.

At that time, coal wasn’t widely used. There was a mountain not far from the family compound, and firewood collected from there could last a long time.

The key was that firewood was free.

People’s living standards at that time were still very low, and they would try not to spend money if possible.

Hu Wanning swiftly poured a scoop of water into the pot. “Oh, this little task doesn’t really need your help. Just… help me bring the dishes over.”

The stove was large, with plenty of space for the dishes.

Ruan Mingfu agreed and was about to take the dishes away when Xie Yanzhao quickly stepped forward.”Let me do it.”

He took the dishes away with ease.

Hu Wanning watched this scene with a smile. “Alright, you don’t need to help anymore. Go wash up and get ready for dinner.”

“…Oh.”

Knowing that Ruan Mingfu liked the pickled vegetables from the last time, Hu Wanning had specifically prepared a dish of pickled vegetables stewed with vermicelli, filling a large bowl and giving off a tempting aroma.

The dish included chili peppers, making the vermicelli both chewy and flavorful with the unique taste of pickled vegetables.

Ruan Mingfu ate a large bowl of it.

“Sister-in-law, your cooking is really delicious,” Ruan Mingfu commented, thinking it was as good as Mrs. Ruan’s cooking.

Her mother, Mrs. Ruan, had inherited a great recipe for stewed soups, but unfortunately, Ruan Mingfu didn’t inherit her mother’s cooking talent.

Hu Wanning was pleased by the praise. “I’m glad you like it.”

…..

When she woke up the next day, Ruan Mingfu felt more relaxed than ever before.

She was frightened by the mother’s incident and thought she would have a nightmare at night, but she didn’t have any dreams that night. After waking up, she was more energetic than ever.

When Ruan Mingfu came out, Xu Zhu had already left, and Hu Wanning was playing with Goudan in the yard with her son.

“Sister-in-law, I left breakfast for you in the kitchen. Go eat it.”

Ruan Mingfu felt a bit awkward.

She glanced at the clock—it was only eight o’clock.

For someone used to waking up at five or six, sleeping until eight felt a bit lazy.

Ruan Mingfu awkwardly went to the kitchen.

The breakfast was simple but much better than what the educated youth usually had.

It consisted of a bowl of porridge, a steamed bun, and an egg, with a side of Hu Wanning’s homemade pickled vegetables.

Ruan Mingfu couldn’t identify the pickled vegetables.

They were finely chopped and mixed with red chili peppers, making them very appetizing.

How tempting~

She almost didn’t want to leave.

Ruan Mingfu finished her meal in tears and washed the dishes for the first time ever.

When she came out again, several sisters-in-law had already gathered around Hu Wanning. When they saw her, they turned to look with keen interest.

“Yesterday it was too dark to see clearly, but Commander Xie’s partner is really beautiful.”

“Indeed, her small waist could be grasped with one hand.”

“Her fair and delicate appearance is truly lovely. Commander Xie is really fortunate.”

“That’s right. Everyone has said before that Commander Xie is destined to be a bachelor…”

In the eyes of these older women, a young man of twenty-eight who was still unmarried was not worth much. Most women of his age had already married and had children.

So, when they heard that Commander Xie was getting married, everyone was intrigued.

They were eager to see who had captured Xie Yanzhao’s heart.

“Come here, sister-in-law,” Hu Wanning called out to her, “Let me introduce you.”

“This is Captain Liu’s wife, Lin Aihua,” she pointed to a plump, older woman. “You can call her Sister Lin.”

Lin Aihua smiled at Ruan Mingfu.

“This must be Comrade Ruan, so pretty.”

Ruan Mingfu greeted her, “Sister Lin.”

“Oh,” Lin Aihua’s smile deepened. “Commander Xie is indeed very lucky.”

Hu Wanning was about to continue introducing people when the next woman took over.

“Well, there’s no need for you to introduce me. My name is Wang Juhua. My husband, Old Chen, had drinks with Commander Xie before. Comrade Ruan should have met him.”

Sister Wang had a bright, cheerful smile, clearly a warm-hearted person.

Ruan Mingfu had some impressions in her mind.

She should be talking about the first day she came here and had dinner at Xu Zhu’s house.

However, she hadn’t paid much attention at that time, and it was hard for her to distinguish between the three big men.

“It was just a brief meeting,” Sister Lin said. “Comrade Ruan had just arrived, so it’s understandable if you didn’t recognize everyone.”

Sister Wang also smiled. “It’s no big deal. Once you get to know each other better, you’ll recognize them.”

“Alright,” Hu Wanning began introducing the next person, “This is Captain Wang’s wife, Li Xianglan.”

This sister-in-law was quite different from the previous two.

She was petite and delicate-looking, appearing slightly younger than the previous two, about the same age as He Cuixiang, who was sitting beside her. She smiled shyly and nodded at Ruan Mingfu.

“The one sitting down, I won’t bother introducing. Sister-in-law should already know her.”

Ruan Mingfu nodded and smiled. “At that time, I also went to drink at Sister He’s wedding.”

If it weren’t for Wu Gang’s wedding, she might never have met Xie Yanzhao. In fact, this couple should be considered their matchmakers.

He Cuixiang, who had also recently joined the army, was a new face. Although she had little interaction with Ruan Mingfu in the village, being from the same place made her seem more approachable.

“Isn’t it a coincidence?”

Sister Wang was curious, “So Comrade Ruan and Cuixiang are from the same village?”

The other women also turned their attention to He Cuixiang.

“Not really,” He Cuixiang glanced at Ruan Mingfu before continuing, “Comrade Ruan is an educated youth from our village.”

Sister Lin’s eyes lit up. “An educated youth from the city? That means she’s a well-educated person.”