Chapter 36: Hosting a Dinner

“Comrade Ye, we meet again.” Wu Huaying greeted Ye Tao with a smile.

Huo Tingwu introduced her, “This is Ding Daming’s wife, Wu Huaying.”

“So it’s Sister-in-law Wu. Thank you for helping me just now,” Ye Tao replied.

The two women exchanged a knowing smile—no more words were needed.

Ding Daming scratched his head, confused about what kind of riddles they were playing.

Not long after the Ding family arrived, Commissar Feng and his wife, as well as Commander Ren and his wife, came in one after another.

Two tables were soon filled to the brim.

Smelling the aroma, Commander Ren teased, “No wonder you rushed to submit your marriage report—you must’ve been afraid someone else would snatch up Comrade Xiao Ye.”

Although he held a high position, Commander Ren had worked his way up from a simple soldier. He kept close ties with his subordinates—especially with Huo Tingwu, his trusted right-hand man. He had a touch of private fondness for him too.

Huo Tingwu raised a glass to him. “Thank you for your help.”

“Come on now, enough speeches,” Commissar Feng waved his hand, blunt after thirty years of working with Ren. “With such good food, if you keep talking, it’ll be cold before we eat. Let’s dig in.”

“You’re the oldest and the greediest,” Commander Ren chuckled. “Fine, I won’t say more. Thanks to the ladies for this wonderful meal.”

As soon as his words fell, Commissar Feng eagerly picked up his chopsticks.

The braised pork was rich but not greasy.
The abalone vermicelli pot was full of garlicky fragrance.
And the “Snow Falling on a Volcano”—sweet and tangy, with such an elegant name—was refreshing.

The children were buried in their bowls, even little Ding Xiaoxing, who usually ate like a sparrow, polished off a whole bowl of rice.

Wu Huaying was moved. “Since the day she was born, Xiaoxing has eaten like a cat, never like her brother Xiaoshu who has a hearty appetite. This is the first time she’s ever eaten a full bowl.”

Her eyes reddened as she spoke. Her daughter had been born prematurely, with the doctor even issuing a critical notice at birth. The child survived through sheer resilience, but her appetite had always been poor. Compared with little Ruirui, strong and hearty, Xiaoxing’s food intake wasn’t even half as much.

Usually, no matter how hard Wu Huaying racked her brains over cooking, the girl would eat no more than half a bowl. But tonight—she’d eaten a full bowl for the very first time.

Worried her daughter’s stomach couldn’t handle it, she hesitated, “Sweetheart, maybe you should stop now?”

But Xiaoxing touched her belly and said, “Mama, can I eat one more tomato?”

“Of course. Mama will get it for you.” Wu Huaying’s voice was tender.

Seeing her daughter’s satisfied little face, a thought took root in her heart.

“Taotao, I’d like to ask you a favor,” she said.

“Sister-in-law, just say it. Meeting here is fate—no need to talk about favors.”

“My Xiaoxing really likes the food you make. I’d like to learn a few dishes from you… would that be okay? Of course, if it’s inconvenient, just forget I said it.”

The other military wives overheard and grew tempted too.

Ye Tao thought about it—she had plenty of free time, and she liked this well-behaved child. She quickly agreed.

“Of course it’s fine. You can come to me anytime, or I’ll go to you. But I only know a few dishes—don’t be disappointed.”

“Of course not. I’m already grateful you agreed,” Wu Huaying said sincerely.

Xu Lan chimed in, “Taotao, we want to learn too.”

Zhang Yuzhen added, “Yes! My husband and son aren’t picky, but I love the way you cook.”

Ye Tao smiled. “Alright, let’s all learn together.”

At the men’s table, they couldn’t help but envy them. Tonight’s food was so good—going back to the mess hall tomorrow would feel like torture.

An idea struck Commissar Feng. He clapped his hands. “Deputy Commander Huo, Comrade Ye doesn’t have a job yet, does she? How about letting her work at the army canteen?”

Huo Tingwu’s eyes instantly cooled.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Commissar Feng muttered. “I only thought about everyone’s stomachs. If we had another decent cook, I wouldn’t be pushing for this. The men have been complaining about the food for ages.”

Commander Ren wiped the oil from his mouth. “Old Feng is right. Don’t worry—Comrade Ye won’t work for nothing. She’ll get the same subsidies and ration tickets as the canteen staff.”

Huo Tingwu frowned. “My wife’s health isn’t good.” The implication was clear: he couldn’t bear to let her toil.

Commander Ren softened his stance. “Then maybe she could just guide them occasionally? The food here is too monotonous—we really can’t take it anymore.”

“This isn’t my decision to make,” Huo Tingwu said flatly.

Zhou Chongli chuckled, “Commander, Commissar, no use talking to him. Old Huo’s henpecked—you’ll need to get Comrade Ye’s approval.”

Commander Ren, realizing, told the Commissar to follow up with Ye Tao later.

After dinner, Huo Tingwu and Zhou Chongli started clearing the table. The others, embarrassed to sit idle, also joined in under the excuse of “helping digestion,” and squatted in the yard washing dishes.

“My goodness, this is the first time Old Feng’s been this hardworking,” Commissar Feng’s wife, Ma Qiuxia, exclaimed in her hometown dialect, too shocked to hide it.

Chen Xiangmei teased, “Exactly—he’s nothing like the man at home.”

The wives of the two leaders openly judged their husbands, making the men squirm in embarrassment. Only Huo Tingwu and Zhou Chongli remained calm and unbothered.

When the guests finally left, Ye Tao noticed in the kitchen that some vegetables, eggs, and pastries had been left in the corner—gifts from the sisters-in-law.

Smiling softly, she thought about how gentle and kind they all seemed. The idea of living in the family compound suddenly felt much warmer.

That night, after washing up, she lay on the bed with a satisfied sigh. “So comfortable.” Hugging the blanket, she rolled around in delight.

When Huo Tingwu came back from his shower, he caught sight of her shirt riding up, exposing a stretch of fair, smooth waist. His gaze darkened.

“Why didn’t you dry your hair?” Ye Tao asked, oblivious to his look.

“It’ll dry soon enough,” he replied, running a hand through it.

“No way. Come here, I’ll dry it for you.”

The corners of his lips lifted. “Alright. Thanks, Taotao.”

His short hair was prickly against her palms.

Later, lying side by side, he asked, “Do you want to take up the commander’s suggestion?”

“I do,” Ye Tao admitted.

“Then I’ll tell the Commissar tomorrow. But remember, don’t strain yourself—let the canteen staff do the heavy work.”

Ye Tao laughed. “I’ll only be there once in a while. If I start bossing around too much, they’ll drown me in spit.”

“Whoever dares say a word against you—I’ll be the first to shut him up,” Huo Tingwu said firmly.

In his eyes, his wife was a little white rabbit, while the canteen was full of rough men with booming voices. He felt like an old father trailing behind a child, worrying endlessly.

The thought startled him—no, not a father. A husband.

“Alright, let’s sleep. Staying up late gives you wrinkles,” Ye Tao reminded him.

His sensitivity flared. “Wife, are you saying I’m too old?”

Ye Tao: …Is this man serious?

When she didn’t answer, Huo Tingwu convinced himself it was true. Hugging her tightly, he sighed.

“Don’t think nonsense. Look at these strong muscles, this firm skin. Does this look like someone nearly thirty?”

He started with a smug grin, but ended with a pitiful whimper.

He was only twenty-five! How had he suddenly become “nearly thirty”?

So he made sure to prove to Ye Tao—with action—that he was still very young indeed.