Chapter 78: They Built a New House

Days swiftly passed to the holiday. 

The sun rose, and sunlight spilled over the island.

In the courtyard of the Zhou family, a lively scene unfolded early in the morning.

Zhou Chongshan had just returned from the Military Camp, having completed his last shift.

He did not come back alone; he brought along quite a few people.

All of them were tall men dressed in military uniforms.

Among them, the man Jiang Rou recognized most was Song Yan, since he was the first person she had seen on her first day on the island.

As for the other men, they were all comrades of Zhou Chongshan, who had come to lend a hand.

In the courtyard, this was how they helped one another. Whenever someone needed to build a house or do something else, they would just call out, rallying seven or eight people to join in the work.

Previously, Zhou Chongshan had assisted several families in building their houses.

Now it was his turn, and naturally, others were happy to return the favor, coming together cheerfully to help.

Moreover…

Of course, they were also there to catch a glimpse of the rumored beautiful wife of Regiment Commander Zhou.

“Have you seen Regiment Commander Zhou’s new wife? I haven’t seen her yet, but I heard from the sentries at the military camp entrance that she’s an absolute beauty! Even more stunning than the girls in the performing arts troupe! Is that true?”

“It’s true, it’s true! Sister-in-law came to the military camp yesterday to bring Regiment Commander Zhou a meal. I caught a glimpse of her from afar—she’s genuinely beautiful! Even prettier than the village belle from our hometown.”

“Didn’t you say your village only has a few hundred people? There are, at most, a dozen young women. Your village belle doesn’t count. Even I look better than her.”

“Hey! How can you say that? Sister-in-law is truly beautiful! Even if our village belle is slightly less attractive than her, she’s still fresh and charming.”

“What are you arguing about? Aren’t we about to reach Regiment Commander Zhou’s house? Once we see for ourselves, we’ll know the truth.”

---

Jiang Rou had already heard from Zhou Chongshan in advance that everyone would be coming.

So, before dawn, she got up early to prepare.

She started kneading dough in the morning to make steamed buns, boiled several pots of hot water, and took out the pickled vegetables she had made earlier with bracken fern.

Although the food was simple, it was guaranteed to fill the stomachs of all these men.

While Jiang Rou was busy, the sounds of her work woke up Zhou Xiaochuan, who was sleeping in the bedroom.

After waking up, Zhou Xiaochuan quietly got out of bed, tucked Zhou Xiaohua in properly, and then silently walked to the courtyard, picking up the broom placed to the side.

He also knew that guests would be arriving today.

So, while Jiang Rou was bustling in the kitchen, Zhou Xiaochuan thoroughly cleaned the courtyard.

He also watered the plants, pulled out weeds, and fed the chicks…

All sorts of little chores.

Back when Zhou Xiaochuan lived with his biological parents, he had to start working in the fields as early as four or five years old.

Now, these small tasks were effortless for him.

After Jiang Rou finished her work in the kitchen and set the steamed buns in the iron pot, she stepped outside and was immediately greeted by the sight of a freshly cleaned courtyard. She felt both delighted and relieved.

“Xiaochuan, you’ve worked hard.” She said with a gentle smile.

At the same time, she placed two freshly steamed buns into Zhou Xiaochuan’s hands.

“There isn’t much meat left at home, so I could only make two. Xiaochuan, go wake up Xiaohua, then eat the buns before coming out. Don’t let anyone see.”

After saying that, Jiang Rou thought for a moment and added,

“You and Xiaohua each get one. You are not allowed to give both to her. I’ll ask her later.”

Zhou Xiaochuan held the steaming hot buns in his hands. The rich aroma of meat filled his nose, and his empty stomach growled in hunger.

He pressed his lips together and said: “I understand.”

Jiang Rou watched as Zhou Xiaochuan walked into the bedroom.

The next moment, she heard footsteps approaching from outside.

From the sound of it, quite a few people had arrived.

Jiang Rou quickly smoothed her hair and adjusted her clothes before stepping out.

In the blink of an eye, a group of tall, sturdy men had already entered the small Zhou family courtyard.

Zhou Chongshan led the way at the front.

As soon as he stepped inside, he naturally called out: “Wife.”

Then, he walked to Jiang Rou’s side.

The young couple stood shoulder to shoulder, their figures bathed in the warm golden light of the morning sun.

Facing his comrades, Zhou Chongshan introduced her.

“This is my wife.” Zhou Chongshan introduced. “Her name is Jiang Rou—’Jiang’ as in river, and ‘Rou’ as in gentle.”

Jiang Rou lifted the corners of her lips into a radiant smile.

“Hello, everyone. I’ll be troubling you all today—thank you so much for your help.”

At that moment, a warm spring breeze swept through, gently stirring the strands of hair at Jiang Rou’s forehead, making them sway lightly.

This scene—

Just like her name—was the very embodiment of gentleness.

These rugged men had seen plenty of fiery, strong-willed women like Zhao Guifen, but someone like Jiang Rou… as soft as water, as warm as a spring breeze, was something they had never encountered before.

With just that one smile, she made people… unconsciously want to smile too.

Everyone stood there, dumbfounded.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Among them, a scholarly-looking man wearing glasses stepped forward.

He nodded at Jiang Rou and took the initiative to greet her: “Hello.”

Following his lead, Song Yan also chimed in: “Hello, Sister-in-law.”

Only then did the others snap out of their daze and begin greeting her one after another.

With that, the little moment of awkwardness passed in a lively, cheerful manner.

However…

The way these men looked at Zhou Chongshan had completely changed—now filled with envy, jealousy, and even resentment!

How could they not be jealous of a man with such a beautiful wife?

They were all from the countryside—so how was it that Zhou Chongshan managed to find a wife back in his hometown, while they remained single?

Zhou Chongshan, unwilling to back down, shot them a glare in return.

This is my wife—no use being jealous!

---

Before everyone started working, Jiang Rou brought out the steamed buns she had prepared, making sure everyone ate before getting busy.

The men didn’t stand on ceremony. After expressing their thanks, they eagerly dug in.

A bite of a fluffy steamed bun, followed by a bite of tangy pickled vegetables—there was nothing more satisfying.

As they ate breakfast, they started chatting about yesterday’s events.

“Sister-in-law, the military camp canteen upgraded our meals yesterday! I heard from the soldiers in the cooking squad that you went over to teach them how to make those green dumplings?”

“Yes, I went with Sister Guifen from next door.” Jiang Rou replied while pouring water for them.

“Sister-in-law, those things were delicious!”

“Sister-in-law, there’s no way Old Tao from the cooking squad could have come up with something so creative. Thanks to you, we got to enjoy them!”

“Sister-in-law, even these steamed buns taste better than the ones from the cooking squad…”

A flood of praise showered over Jiang Rou.

She couldn’t help but smile shyly.

Then she asked: “So you all really liked the green dumplings?”

“Yes! They were amazing! Especially the ones stuffed with pickled bamboo shoots—it was so good. The only problem was, we only got one each. A few bites, and it was gone before I could even properly savor it!”

“You didn’t even pound it properly to bring out the flavor, and yet you can still taste that it’s delicious?”

“Do you mean to say it’s not good? Then why don’t you just give me yours?”

“Tch, I barely have enough for myself. Who’d be willing to give it to you?”

They were all comrades who knew each other well, spending day and night together. Their banter flowed effortlessly, one remark following another.