Chapter 13: How Can She Be So Good at Flirting?!

An Huan’s first attempt at cooking didn’t go well.

When Zhou Meihua helped her out of the house, they found a crowd had already gathered outside.

Zhou Meihua waved her hands dismissively. “It’s fine, it’s fine! There wasn’t a real fire, just the oil in the wok caught flame.”

An Huan explained, “I’m not used to this kind of wood-fired stove. You have to watch the fire and the pot at the same time, and I got flustered… that’s when the oil caught fire.”

Once it ignited, she panicked. She’d never encountered something like this before. Even though she knew how to put out a grease fire, she didn’t dare approach it.

Fortunately, Zhou Meihua had come in just in time to help resolve the situation.

Though everyone thought An Huan seemed pretty useless, they were understanding and offered comfort. “It’s alright, you’ll get the hang of it after a few times. I was the same when I first got here.”

Ge Hongying stared at An Huan for a long while, then said sternly, “I know you were raised pampered, but now you’re a wife and a mother. If you can’t even manage basic housework, what are you doing here, following the army?”

Zhou Meihua spoke up in An Huan’s defense. “Nobody’s born knowing how to do these things. You learn as you go.”

Ge Hongying snorted. “She’s been married long enough. If she wanted to learn, she’d have learned by now. People with bad backgrounds can’t do anything right anyway.”

Bad background?

Everyone turned to look at An Huan.

Her expression instantly turned sharp as she stared directly at Ge Hongying. “Director Ge, you shouldn’t speak carelessly. My father is a University professor, my mother a housewife. What’s so bad about that background? Spreading baseless rumors like this—isn’t that a bit out of line?”

Everyone now turned their attention back to Ge Hongying.

As for An Huan’s family background, that was a matter of her ancestry—no one could really find fault with her current standing.

Ge Hongying took a deep, frustrated breath. “I was just trying to give you some friendly advice. Why are you acting so aggressive?”

An Huan’s face was cold. “I have parents. If I need to be taught something, it’s not your place.”

From the beginning, Ge Hongying had shown no goodwill toward her—maybe because of the whole canceled divorce, which had ruined Ge Hongxia’s chances of marrying Xiao Zheng?

Heh. Ridiculous.

Even without her, Xiao Zheng would never have married Ge Hongxia.

Ge Hongying’s thoughts were really too self-centered.

The atmosphere turned tense.

Just as the standoff was reaching its peak, someone suddenly shouted, “Deputy Commander Xiao is back!”

Before the words had even faded, a figure darted in from outside.

Xiao Zheng halted, immediately spotting An Huan in the crowd. He strode toward her with furrowed brows. “What happened? I heard the house caught on fire?”

Xiao Zheng was already known for his fierce demeanor, and now with that dark expression on his face, everyone thought he was about to hit his wife.

Zhou Meihua quickly stepped in to block him. “It’s a misunderstanding! Young An didn’t set the house on fire—just a cooking accident, the oil in the wok caught flame.”

Others joined in to defend An Huan.

“She’s just not used to the wood-fired stove. Once she gets more practice, she’ll be fine.”

“You’re a leader—you can’t go around hitting your wife!”

Hearing this, An Huan didn’t really think Xiao Zheng was going to hit her, but he clearly looked pissed.

Her eyes welled up with grievance. “You’re not even going to comfort me? And now you’re blaming me?”

Xiao Zheng: “?”

When did he blame her?

And when did he ever try to hit his wife??

“Young Xiao, don’t be like that. Young An didn’t mean to do it. Back at the military academy, she didn’t do any chores at all. Now she’s trying to cook for you—that’s a huge step forward.” Although Ge Hongying sounded like she was mediating, her words were laced with condescension.

“What’s going on?” Chen Gang and Yu Baoshan had arrived as well.

“No big deal, Commander,” Xiao Zheng gave a quick explanation.

Chen Gang looked over the crowd of military wives with authority. “If it’s nothing serious, then everyone disperse. Go back to your homes for dinner.”

The women were reluctant to leave. They were afraid Xiao Zheng might hit his wife and wanted to stay and watch over things.

Ge Hongying waved them off. “Alright, alright, let’s go. Don’t disturb this young couple trying to sort things out.” She shot a glance at Xiao Zheng.

This man probably wouldn’t hit his wife, but his temper wasn’t exactly mild. An Huan had clearly messed up—no way she’d escape a scolding.

Hmph. She had said it all along—those pampered city girls couldn’t handle real life. This household was in for a bumpy ride.

A secret sense of schadenfreude bubbled up inside Ge Hongying as she ushered the others out of the Xiao residence.

Zhou Meihua lingered in concern but kept her ears pricked to catch any sounds from the house.

Her husband, Shi Weiguang, couldn’t stand it and said gruffly, “First it was the Wang family, now it’s the Xiao family. Why don’t you just move into someone else’s house already?”

Zhou Meihua completely ignored him.

Shi Weiguang angrily stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth.

Once everyone was gone, Xiao Zheng finally stepped in front of An Huan. He was just about to check her for injuries when a small body clung tightly to his leg.

“Daddy!” Dongdong called out anxiously. “Don’t hit Mommy!”

The little guy had taken in everything the adults had said earlier.

Xiao Zheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He picked his son up by the back of his shirt. “I’m not hitting Mommy.”

He carefully examined An Huan from head to toe. After confirming that she was completely unharmed, he finally relaxed a bit.

“If you can’t cook, then don’t. I already told you—we can eat in the cafeteria.”

His tone was still brusque, but An Huan could tell he wasn’t angry—just worried.

She deliberately looked hurt. “I cooked for you out of the goodness of my heart, and you’re still so mean to me.”

Xiao Zheng took off his cap and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Was he cursed or something? Why did everyone think he was being harsh?

“I…” He lowered his voice, trying to sound gentle. “I didn’t mean to be mean…”

“Really?” An Huan shot him a sideways glance. “Then kiss me.”

“…What?” Xiao Zheng’s face flushed red instantly. In broad daylight—how could she say something like that?!

“To prove you weren’t mad at me. Kiss me,” An Huan pouted, her soft lips glowing enticingly in the sunlight.

Xiao Zheng: …Damn it! How can she be so good at flirting?!