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The renovation materials for the bathroom had arrived. Xiao Zheng called a few soldiers from the engineering battalion to help with the construction and also had them dig a cellar while they were at it.
The worksite was buzzing with activity.
Midway through, An Huan brought over a large basin of iced tea. “Take a break, everyone. Have some tea to cool off.”
“Sister-in-law, we’re not tired.”
An Huan smiled. “Even if you’re not tired, drink some water. You’ve all been sweating so much—it’s important to stay hydrated.”
The soldiers exchanged glances and temporarily stopped their work, taking turns using enamel mugs to scoop the tea from the basin.
Once they were done and An Huan left, the murmuring began.
“Deputy Division Commander Xiao’s wife is really beautiful. No wonder he heads straight home after work now, doesn’t wander around anymore.”
“Yeah. Back then, when he was bored, he’d go around catching people. If you zoned out on guard duty, he’d catch you. If you dozed off while feeding the pigs, he’d catch you. Even if the pigs in the pen weren’t eating enthusiastically, he’d scold them!”
“Living in constant fear!”
“Not just people—pigs too!”
“Hey, do you think Deputy Division Commander Xiao yells at his wife in private?”
“Yell? He beats her, I heard! Beat her black and blue… Haven’t you heard?”
“He beats such a beautiful wife? How could he lay a hand on her?!”
…
It was unclear how long the gossip continued until suddenly, the voice of Deputy Division Commander Xiao’s wife drifted from the front. The soldiers immediately slowed their movements and perked up their ears to listen.
“Old Xiao, don’t just toss your stinky socks everywhere. Didn’t I put two baskets by the bedroom door? The big one’s for dirty clothes, the small one’s just for your socks. Also, the first thing you do when you get home is wash your face and hands—don’t come rubbing your sweaty self on me.”
“Hehe, I’ll go wash now. Don’t be mad, Wife.”
“Take our son too. He was practicing calligraphy and got ink on his hands.”
“Got it, Wife! Leave it to me!”
The soldiers exchanged incredulous looks.
Why did Deputy Division Commander Xiao sound like a tame little lamb around his wife? Didn’t they say he beat her?
Someone whispered, “Doesn’t he seem especially like…”
“Like what?”
Like a big wolfhound wagging its tail and sticking out its tongue.
But the speaker didn’t dare say it aloud.
Luckily, he didn’t. Because Deputy Division Commander Xiao, who had a knack for appearing out of nowhere, suddenly showed up. “How’s it going? Can we finish by tomorrow?”
“Reporting, Sir! Once we bring in more bricks this afternoon to finish the cellar interior, we can complete it by tomorrow.”
“Reporting, Sir! The interior of the bathroom
will be done tomorrow. Once the cesspit is dug, it’ll be ready to use.”
Xiao Zheng nodded with his hands behind his back. “Good.”
Solemn and commanding.
But the moment An Huan arrived, his demeanor instantly changed. “The backyard’s all dirt. Don’t come over—you’ll get dirty.”
An Huan rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a fusspot. I’ve already been here several times this morning. I just came to say it’s lunchtime. Let’s eat first and then rest before getting back to work.”
The engineering battalion commander said, “No need to trouble yourself, Sister-in-law. We’ll eat at the cafeteria.”
“The food’s already made. If you don’t eat, it’ll go to waste.” An Huan gave Xiao Zheng a look.
He immediately got the message and barked, “By my order—go wash up and eat, now!”
The soldiers groaned inwardly.
They’d heard that the Deputy Division Commander’s wife once set the kitchen on fire while cooking. How good could her food really be?
The engineering battalion commander whispered, “Remember—no matter how bad it tastes, we eat it with a smile and thank Sister-in-law for her effort!”
This wasn’t about food—it was about respect!
The soldiers nodded solemnly, looking like they were preparing for battle.
It was fine to treat them to a meal, but they had to provide their own food coupons and go to the cafeteria to exchange for staples. Otherwise, ten or so grown men could eat up half a month’s rations for a family of three.
This wasn’t stinginess—it was just the reality of the supply system. Unless it was a formal banquet, no one had the means to casually feed so many.
From a certain perspective, it was a kind of built-in fairness within the system of that era.
Xiao Zheng returned with steamed buns from the cafeteria, followed by Ling Hansong, who also carried his own rations.
“Sister-in-law, I’m here to mooch off your cooking.”
The soldiers from the engineering battalion were surprised—Director Ling had quite the unique palate.
Today’s main dish was Sichuan-style boiled fish.
That morning, An Huan had spotted a farmer selling fish at the entrance to the family Courtyard and bought a small one. Then she secretly pulled a large fish from her space and cooked up a huge pot.
Once the hot oil was poured over the boiled fish, the aroma hit everyone like a wave, making their mouths water.
The soldiers stared, stunned, at the glistening red, oil-drenched fish.
Didn’t look like it was going to taste bad at all.
Ling Hansong gulped. “Glad I came today. I love Sichuan food!”
An Huan smiled. “Don’t be shy, everyone—dig in!”
Dongdong couldn’t handle spicy food, so An Huan poured him a bowl of plain water to dip his food in before eating.
People in this era ate simply and lacked rich flavors. Anything remotely tasty lit up their taste buds, and this dish—spicy, savory, and aromatic—earned unanimous praise.
All except…
An Huan glanced at Xiao Zheng. “You don’t like it?”
Xiao Zheng wiped his sweaty forehead, wincing from the heat but still nodded. “I like it!”
Clearly lying.
Xiao Zheng wasn’t picky—he just couldn’t handle spicy food.
Without another word, An Huan poured him a bowl of hot water. “Dip it first, then eat.”
Xiao Zheng, lips swollen from the spice, looked deeply touched. “Wife, you’re so kind and thoughtful.”
An Huan elbowed him. “Eat your food.”
So many people were around—what’s the point of being so sentimental?
Xiao Zheng suddenly grinned, the corners of his mouth nearly reaching his ears.
He’d been here for days, and it was the first time he’d seen his wife blush.
Wasn’t she always the bold one?
Everyone else stared at Xiao Zheng in horror.
In all their years in the army, it was the first time they’d seen Deputy Division Commander Xiao smile so… goofily.
Wasn’t he always the serious type?
“Ahem.”
Xiao Zheng cleared his throat and composed himself.
The rest of the group buried their heads and focused on eating.
The numbing, spicy, aromatic fish was so good it felt like a hallucination.
There was no way Hell King Xiao would smile like that so casually!
After the meal, Ling Hansong even stayed to help out before heading off to work with Xiao Zheng.
“Director Ling,”
A timid voice suddenly called out on the road.
Ling Hansong looked around and spotted a young woman stepping out from behind the Political Commissar Yu’s house.
Ge… Ge what’s-her-name again?