CHAPTER 19

So this was what Grandpa Zhou meant before the blind date when he said: “His personality’s a little cold, doesn’t talk much, but he’s dependable and responsible”?

Aaaaahhhhh!!

He called her treasure!

Zhou Cheng’an’s voice was simply too swoon-worthy.

He dropped a kiss lightly on Lu Zhi’s earlobe.

Come on—Lu Zhi had lived through the 21st century. How could she stay unaffected?

Lu Zhi kissed him back on the lips. The two of them tangled together for a long time before they finally parted.

….

The next morning, after waking up, Lu Zhi opened the curtains and glanced outside. The weather was perfect—clear skies and bright sun.

Downstairs, Zhou Cheng’an had picked up breakfast at the cafeteria. Zhou Jun was playing around, waiting for Lu Zhi to eat together.

Zhou Jun called, “Sister-in-law, they have baozi today!”

The cafeteria had made steamed buns this morning, stuffed with fresh shrimp and choy sum. Though, truthfully, the choy sum was more of a side ingredient—the juicy shrimp was the real star.

One bite, and it was full of springy, plump shrimp. Absolutely delicious.

Today was another day of seafood freedom.

Lu Zhi bit into a bun. “Let’s go to the seaside today and look at the ocean.”

Zhou Jun’s cheeks were puffed out as he ate, and he nodded hard!

He loved the ocean—really loved the ocean!

There were still a few buns left. Lu Zhi put them back in the pot. She could just reheat them for lunch, so she didn’t need to cook again or make another trip to the canteen.

After the meal, Lu Zhi tidied up, put on her floral dress, locked the door, and headed out with Zhou Jun.

Zhou Jun said, “I know the way, big sis-in-law. We go straight ahead!”

Lu Zhi smiled, “Alright.”

Zhou Jun continued, “Big sis-in-law, we have to turn left now!”

Lu Zhi said cheerfully, “Turning left, turning left, la la la la~”

After the left turn, Lu Zhi was met with the sight of the endless sea.

A breeze came in from the sea, and it felt wonderful.

There were already many people playing by the shore—most of them kids too young for kindergarten since those in school were in class at the moment.

There were also people like Lu Zhi—spouses who had followed their military husbands to the island, or some fellow villagers, or young intellectuals sent down to the countryside.

Finding a spot to sit, Lu Zhi looked out at the shimmering sea.

Zhou Jun stood with his hands on his hips next to Lu Zhi. “Sister-in-law, look, it’s a seagull!”

Lu Zhi looked over, and sure enough, there were a few seagulls flying over the water in the distance.

When Zhou Cheng’an happened to pass by the beach and spotted the two figures, he stopped in his tracks and looked over.

Lu Zhi’s slender figure stood against the wind, her dress and hair fluttering. Under the sunlight, her skin glowed as if it were lit from within.

The people walking behind Zhou Cheng’an couldn’t help but look too.

“Hey, look at her. Who is she?”

“She’s gorgeous.”

Zhou Cheng’an turned around, face cold. “You think she’s good-looking?”

No one said a word.

Zhou Cheng’an looked back. “That’s your sister-in-law.”

Everyone: “???”

Oh my god, their sister-in-law?!

Aaaahhhh! Why were they still single, yet their cold-faced, rigid, no-nonsense Deputy Commander Zhou got a wife like that?

….

The buns Lu Zhi had left over from the morning? She didn’t end up eating them at lunch. After spending time by the sea, she stopped by her second sister’s place and stayed there the entire afternoon.

Holding Tuantuan in her arms, Lu Zhi played with her happily.

Lu Zhi cooed, “Isn’t that right, Tuantuan? You’re Tuantuan, and who am I? I’m your little auntie, right?”

Tuantuan: “Yaa yaa yaa yaa~”

Laughing so joyfully.

Lu Yue looked at the two of them and said, “If your brother-in-law isn’t too busy, he should be on his way here soon.”

Then she asked, “You’re really not staying for dinner?”

Lu Zhi replied, “I made sauced crab. I’m going home to eat sauced crab over rice.”

Lu Yue teased, “I bet it’s not just Tuantuan drooling—you’re drooling too.”

Hehehe.

But seriously, sauced crab was so delicious.

Zhou Cheng’an soon arrived. When he walked in, he greeted, “Second Sister.”

Lu Yue was pleased. No matter how she looked at her brother-in-law, he was a good one. Look at that—so polite, he immediately called her Second Sister.

Wait a second—Zhou Cheng’an, polite?

The realization made Lu Yue twitch the corners of her mouth, but when she looked back at her sister, she calmly accepted it.

It was normal. If another man had married her sister, he might be even sweeter and more attentive than Zhou Cheng’an.

The three of them walked home together.

Lu Zhi said, “Today I went to the beach with Xiao Jun, then came to Second Sister’s place. I still have those buns you brought back this morning. When we get home, you can cook some rice, and we’ll have the sauced crab with it. We’ll also reheat the buns.”

As Lu Zhi talked, Zhou Cheng’an nodded and reached out to hold her hand.

Zhou Cheng’an said, “Whatever you say.”

Lu Zhi couldn’t help but smile. “Who knows—you might not always listen to me.”

Zhou Cheng’an thought about it seriously, then nodded. “I will.”

….

Once they got home, Zhou Cheng’an went to make dinner.

Lu Zhi came up beside him, wrapped her arms around his arm, and looked up at him. “Old Zhou, thank you for your hard work.”

Zhou Cheng’an said, “It’s not hard work. Not at all. I married you—what’s hard about that?”

She just loved seeing Zhou Cheng’an say such things with a completely serious face.

Lu Zhi took a shower upstairs, and by the time she came down, Zhou Cheng’an had already set up dinner.

Lu Zhi looked at the sauced crab on the table, full of anticipation.

Zhou Cheng’an brought all the dishes to the table. “Alright, we can start eating now.”

He had already picked the meat from the sauced crab for Lu Zhi and placed it in her bowl.

Lu Zhi took a bite of rice with the crab and her eyes lit up.

The crab meat was tender and flavorful, and mixed with the rice, it carried the rich aroma of crab roe.

Zhou Jun was having it for the first time. “Wow, it’s so yummy!”

Lu Zhi said, “Next time I go back, I have to bring some sauced crab for my big brother!”

Zhou Cheng’an said, “You make it, and I’ll find someone to help deliver it.”

Lu Zhi took another bite and said, “Deal!”

She ended up eating a little too much.

After dinner, Lu Zhi took Zhou Jun to the rooftop to hang out. The two of them each carried a small stool and sat side by side.

The breeze was wonderfully cool.

Zhou Cheng’an came out, and Lu Zhi and Zhou Jun both waved at him. They were still sitting on their little stools, with Zhou Jun leaning against Lu Zhi’s shoulder.

Lu Zhi called out, “Old Zhou, come on up!”

Zhou Jun echoed, “Big bro, come up!”

Soon, Zhou Cheng’an brought up his own stool and joined them.

Tonight’s starry sky was especially brilliant.

It was truly beautiful.

….

At the Li household, the family of three was also sitting outside enjoying the cool evening air.

Li Weidong munched noisily on his spicy gluten snack. He was the one in the family who could handle the most spice, so he was eating the spiciest kind. Chen Chunni had the mildly spicy version, and Li Changyuan didn’t eat any at all.

Li Weidong, face flushed from the heat, took a big gulp of water. “So good, so good. It’s really good.”

Unable to resist, Chen Chunni grabbed one of the spiciest ones and took a bite. She nodded in agreement. “Mhm, tasty, tasty. So delicious!”

Watching them, Li Changyuan thought of the dishes Lu Zhi made—but still had no interest in spicy gluten.

Chen Chunni and Li Weidong were nearly finished when she handed one to Li Changyuan. “Try one.”

Seeing that Chen Chunni had already handed it to him, Li Changyuan took a bite.

Li Changyuan: “!!!”

This flavor, this texture—this was spicy gluten?

Li Changyuan started eating faster and faster. After he finished, he looked toward Chen Chunni and Li Weidong.

They were done. They’d finished eating!

Chen Chunni and Li Weidong stood up contentedly and stretched together.

All right, they’d had their fill. Time to brush their teeth, wash up, and go to sleep.

Li Changyuan: “……”

Spicy gluten… he wanted more spicy gluten.

….

Another day had begun.

Lu Zhi had just finished preparing the marinated crabs for her eldest brother’s family. She picked up the phone to call them.

As soon as the call connected, she could hear the voices of her family on the other end.

“Zhizhi!”

“What made you call today?”

“Are you doing well over there?”

“I know you love cured meat—after much searching, I found some for you. Your Grandma Zhou also pickled some sour long beans and dried cucumber slices for you. She said she’s worried it’s hard for you to get fresh vegetables over there.”

Lu Zhi laughed. “Everything’s great here. The swimming crabs are especially tasty. I made some marinated crabs—Cheng’an will have someone deliver them to you when they head out.”

Li Lan, who was holding the phone, nodded eagerly. “Good, good, good.”

Lu Xiangde quickly took the phone. “Zhizhi, when we get some free time, we’ll come visit you!”

Lu Zhi: “Great.”

Lu Zhi: “How’s everyone doing?”

Lu Xiangde: “We’re all doing well. I’ve been preparing for my exam—I’m confident I’ll make it to Level 7 as a machinist! Your eldest brother and sister-in-law, and your mom—they’re all supervising the kids while they study, and they’re being very diligent. Even your niece—her kindergarten teacher praised her recently.”

Lu Zhi: “Really?”

Hearing herself mentioned, little Lu An’an waved her arms energetically. “Auntie! Auntie!”

Lu Zhi: “Mm, I heard her. Tell An’an to study hard, and I’ll send her a new backpack.”

The phone call charges were expensive, and there were others waiting in line. After chatting a while longer, Lu Zhi said goodbye and was about to head back.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Li Cuihua.

Lu Zhi: “You’re here to make a call too?”

Li Cuihua: “I’ll call later, later. Come here, I need to tell you something.”

She looked very excited.

Outside the phone booth, Li Cuihua lowered her voice. “Do you know why Deputy Company Commander Li didn’t approve it?”

So powerful!

Seriously, she was amazing! In the future, if she doesn’t become a journalist, that would be a waste of her talent and brilliance.

Lu Zhi: “Why?”

Li Cuihua recalled what happened that day at the market, when she ran into Deputy Commander Li and his sister.

Deputy Commander Li: “I’m telling you, Li Yu is a no-go. You can tell just by looking—he doesn’t like you! His character doesn’t seem great either. When it comes to picking a husband—if he doesn’t like you, has poor character, and is a bit narcissistic—what exactly are you going after?”

Then came a shouting match between the siblings.

“I don’t care!”

“Are you crazy?!”

“I want to marry him!”

“Believe it or not, I’ll break your legs!”

After relaying everything, Li Cuihua was still full of relish. “You think Deputy Commander Li would really break his sister’s legs?”

This Deputy Commander really was something.

And he knew Li Yu was narcissistic!

Lu Zhi: “Seems like Deputy Commander Li can keep his sister in check.”

Li Cuilan: “Definitely. Otherwise, why would the two of them not be together by now? Who knows how this whole thing is going to end.”

She shook her head as she spoke.

Seeing others lining up to make calls, and having finished gossiping, Li Cuilan quickly went back to her place in line.

Lu Zhi glanced over. She had to admit—such etiquette! She’d actually gone to the back of the line instead of cutting in where she was before.

….

Cafeteria.

Zhou Cheng’an looked at Li Changyuan, who was smiling at him with such sincere enthusiasm.

Zhou Cheng’an: “It’s been all morning.”

This whole morning, Li Changyuan had been like this. His attitude toward Zhou Cheng’an had been way too good. It was obvious he wanted something.

Li Changyuan: “Cheng’an!”

Zhou Cheng’an: “Mm.”

Li Changyuan: “Your wife is amazing!”

Zhou Cheng’an couldn’t help but smile and press his lips together. “And?”

Li Changyuan: “You have great taste! And your wife also has great taste! The two of you—in the future—you’ll be golden together! Grow old side by side!”

Zhou Cheng’an said nothing. Li Changyuan was still thinking of more compliments, but nothing came to mind.

He couldn’t exactly say, Zhou Cheng’an is such a double standard, huh.

Li Changyuan: “Anyway, you two are just so sweet.” He grinned. “So, uh… about that spicy gluten—when are you guys making more?”

Zhou Cheng’an: “Didn’t you say you can’t handle spicy food?”

Li Changyuan: “People change, don’t they?”

Zhou Cheng’an didn’t answer. Whether it was spicy gluten or anything else, if it involved Lu Zhi, he wouldn’t agree to anything on her behalf.

Zhou Cheng’an was eating and said, “I’ll go back and ask if she’s free recently, and whether she has time to make some. She’s been really busy lately.”

Li Changyuan replied, “No worries, just have her make a little for me next time!”

…No, wait, that’s not what he meant!