Chapter 27

“For example,” Yin Xiaoman pointed at the crab in her hand, “This kind of crab is everywhere along the coast. There should be even bigger ones by the rocky shore. The main reason people didn’t pick them up before, I think, is because they didn’t know how to eat them. But from today on, at least you’ll know how! Sister-in-law, when you have some free time, you can bring Qiangzi and Huzhi to pick some up.”

Hearing this, Cui Yan couldn’t help but click her tongue.

She glanced at the several men still fooling around and shook her head. “Sister, forget it. With this thing, how much seasoning would I waste just to cook it once? With all the sugar and wine, isn’t there something else I could be doing? Should I soak it?”

Yin Xiaoman was momentarily stumped by her blunt words and could only try to remedy the situation. “Actually, you don’t necessarily have to make drunken crab. You can pick up some bigger ones, boil them in plain water, and once they’re cooked, dip them in some ginger vinegar. They taste pretty good.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Yan was slightly swayed.

She hadn’t gone for the small crabs earlier, but from the men’s expressions, she could tell they must have tasted really good.

She wasn’t willing to soak them in alcohol and sugar, but if they were just boiled in water with some ginger vinegar, that seemed worth trying.

“Then I’ll go with you tomorrow to pick some up and try?”

“Okay,” Yin Xiaoman nodded happily.

Seeing that her persuasion had worked, she got even more excited and pointed at the plates that had previously held clams and jellyfish. “Sister-in-law, these were also picked up by me when I went to the beach, and they didn’t cost anything.”

When Cui Yan heard this, she became fully alert. She had been wondering about the two dishes Xiaoman had made earlier. 

The tofu stew with clams, she knew was made with shellfish, but which type of shellfish it was, she couldn’t tell after the shells were removed.

As for the dish with cabbage and the other ingredient, she had no idea what it was either.

These two dishes were different from the crab, but she liked them a lot. This was something she could serve as a dish!

There were no shells to peel, and it was perfect for children to eat.

When she heard that she could pick these things up by going to the beach, she was eager to go and find out for herself.

As for what Cui Yan was thinking, Yin Xiaoman didn’t try to guess. At this moment, she continued speaking along her own train of thought.

“Crabs are troublesome to eat, not suitable for communal meals. The soldiers have short meal times and can’t sit there peeling them; it’s just too time-consuming. But clams and jellyfish are both fine.”

The men had already finished off the entire plate of drunken crab by this time.

Earlier, when they had overheard the conversation between the two sisters, they hadn’t paid much attention. But now, suddenly hearing Xiaoman shift the topic to the mess hall and the soldiers, they all stopped fooling around and gathered around.

As the commander of the first battalion, Shen Qingyun was naturally more perceptive than the others at critical moments. When he heard his wife speak, his mind instantly sparked, and he was the first to ask, “Xiaoman, did you just say the mess hall could make this?”

If the mess hall could prepare something like this—no, no, even if it was something a bit less flavorful—it would greatly improve the soldiers’ meals!

“Yes, they can,” Yin Xiaoman immediately gave him a very affirmative answer.

“These things are everywhere along the coast. If you have someone available, you could have them go pick some every day. If there’s no time, just ask the fishermen to help pick them up. It’s not hard at all, and it’s definitely easier and more convenient than buying meat or tofu.”

“The reason people aren’t used to eating these things is usually one of two causes: one is not knowing how to eat them, like with crabs, and the other is not knowing how to prepare them, like with clams and jellyfish.”

Yin Xiaoman continued, pointing to the dish. “These clams, and other shellfish, don’t have to be stir-fried with a lot of oil and seasonings like we did today.”

“Just pick the live ones, put them in water with a bit of salt and oil, and leave them for a day or two to let them spit out the sand. Then, when you take the meat out of the shell, you can stir-fry it with vegetables or use it to make soup. Even without adding extra oil, the flavor is still fresh and delicious.”

“As for the jellyfish, if you soak it and rinse it multiple times, you can get rid of its salty bitterness. After blanching it, you can mix it with some vegetables or stir-fry it, and it tastes great too.”

“Besides these, there’s also the catfish that Sister-in-law gave us before. It’s a small fish and a bit more troublesome to clean, but if you remove the internal organs and rub a little oil on the pan, you can slow-cook it over low heat until it’s crispy and charred. You can eat it with the bones, and it’s fragrant. It won’t get stuck in your throat, and it’s great for the kids, too. It helps them grow stronger bones.”

“Helps grow bones? That’s for calcium, right?” 

Before anyone else could speak, Liu Chang was the first to get excited and almost jumped up.

He had a medical background and, naturally, knew more about nutrition than anyone else present.

With the military unit stationed by the coast, the soldiers’ daily training, patrolling, and dealing with physical ailments led to a tremendous amount of energy consumption. How to replenish their nutrition had always been an unresolved issue.

The country was in a difficult situation, and it was impossible to provide a large amount of meat and eggs for the soldiers. The only solution was to look for alternatives.

More than one nutritionist had suggested that the soldiers eat more fish from the sea, but the current situation was complicated. The fishermen could not go out to sea freely. If they were captured by hostile forces, they could easily become bargaining chips.

Catching large fish, especially deep-sea fish, was extremely difficult.

As for the small fish and shrimp near the coast… Well, Liu Chang didn’t even want to suggest eating them because they were just too unpleasant!

The dishes Sister-in-law had prepared today were the best he had ever eaten.

But what Sister-in-law had just said was even more exciting than those delicious dishes!

If what she said was true, that by simply improving the preparation methods, they could get the soldiers to eat more seafood, then they could solve the serious long-term nutritional deficiencies the soldiers had been facing!

What Liu Chang had thought, Shen Qingyun and Qi Feng were just as quick to realize.

Before Shen Qingyun could speak, Qi Feng eagerly interrupted, asking, “Xiaoman, would you be willing to help out in the mess hall if we asked?”

Yin Xiaoman was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what kind of help was being asked for. She turned her questioning gaze to Shen Qingyun.

Seeing her look, Shen Qingyun became calm instead.

He suddenly remembered how shy his little wife was, and she might not want to go to a busy place like the mess hall.

But this was too important!

He fell silent for a moment, carefully considering how to phrase his response, and then spoke to her in a gentle tone: “Xiaoman, what you said earlier seems feasible to us. But, as you mentioned, the biggest problem right now isn’t the lack of materials—it’s that no one knows how to cook them.”

“Everyone has seen your cooking skills. Would you be willing to go to the mess hall and help the Kitchen Unit soldiers? It won’t take too long—just teach them the method.”

At this point, he had a sudden thought and quickly added, “I can have Gao Chong assist you.”

If there was a familiar person coordinating in the middle, perhaps his wife would feel less nervous.

What Shen Qingyun hadn’t expected was that Yin Xiaoman immediately agreed without hesitation.

“Okay. But there’s no need to go to the mess hall right away. If we’re going to learn, we should start with the beach. Tomorrow, you two can find two people to come with me and Sister-in-law to the shore.”

The reason she hadn’t agreed before was that she wasn’t clear on how exactly the help in the mess hall would work.

A day or two, or even three to five times, would be fine, but if they wanted her to go there regularly, she wasn’t willing.

After all, compared to her past life, in this life, she just wanted to stay at home and live her own small life.

The job of cooking for others full-time was something she had no intention of repeating.

But since it was something she had suggested, Yin Xiaoman didn’t want to back out. She naturally would do her best to teach the soldiers well.

“Good, good, good!”

Hearing her agreement, Qi Feng was overjoyed and immediately said, “After breakfast tomorrow, I’ll have Gao Chong bring some men to report to you! Xiaoman, the people are in your hands now, feel free to use them as you see fit. If anyone is disobedient or causes trouble, you don’t need to report to anyone—just send them back! I’ll replace them with better soldiers right away!”

The meal was a happy occasion for everyone. While getting full and satisfied was secondary, after Yin Xiaoman painted a bright picture of the future, each person present was genuinely excited and eager.

The table had been cleared, and the children were already yawning with fatigue. Yet the adults were still full of energy, unwilling to let Yin Xiaoman leave, bombarding her with questions.

It wasn’t until Cui Yan lost her temper and chased everyone out that the gathering finally came to an end.

Da Bao and Erniu, who had played wildly all evening, were already exhausted. Da Bao could still manage to walk, but Erniu was already swaying from tiredness.

Shen Qingyun carried Da Bao on his back, and Yin Xiaoman, holding the dishes and bowls she had brought earlier, walked back home with the others.

As soon as Da Bao entered the door, he rushed straight into the bedroom and was silent in an instant, probably already asleep. Yin Xiaoman was about to take Erniu, but the man shook his head at her. “Don’t switch.”

Saying this, he simply carried the child into the inner room.

Yin Xiaoman hesitated for a moment but did not follow him in. Instead, she went to the kitchen to pour water and wash up.

In the afternoon, Gao Chong brought over two thermos bottles. She immediately boiled hot water and poured it into them.

At this moment, the water in the thermos was still scalding hot, just like it had just been boiled. This surprised and delighted Yin Xiaoman.

With this, she wouldn’t have to keep a fire going at night anymore.

She mixed the water in the basin and brought it back to the living room, placing it on the face-washing rack. Just as she set it down, she heard footsteps behind her.

She knew it was Shen Qingyun coming out after settling Erniu.

“Don’t leave yet, come here for a moment. I need to talk to you.” She didn’t turn around, speaking softly without facing him.

She still wanted to ask a few more things about taking the little soldiers to the shore tomorrow.

The footsteps behind her clearly paused for a moment, and then, in no time at all, a warm body pressed up against her. At the same time, a large head suddenly rested on her shoulder.

Yin Xiaoman didn’t expect this situation at all. Her entire body stiffened, and she couldn’t even turn her head. Her hands, which had been placed in the basin, felt as if they were stuck, unable to move.

“Wife, I’m drunk. I can’t understand anything you’re saying.”

The large head didn’t stop there. It rubbed against her neck and then buried itself in her nape, taking a deep breath before shamelessly speaking.

If he hadn’t said that, Yin Xiaoman, still focused on practical matters, wouldn’t have immediately remembered what happened earlier at Sister-in-law’s house.

But with his words, all those embarrassing moments came flooding back.

Her face immediately turned crimson, and a mix of “new grudges and old resentments” surged up!

Drunk?

“Two crabs and you’re drunk? You really know how to exaggerate!”  

All of Yin Xiaoman’s calm self-assurance vanished in an instant.

Without hesitation, she grabbed a towel and slapped it right onto his face, then yanked his hair, forcing his head off her shoulder.

“Go run a few laps to sober up! Run all the way from our door to your camp and back again. Don’t come back until it’s morning!”

As she spoke, she pushed Shen Qingyun, still with the damp towel on his head, toward the chilly door.

The phrase “our home” completely delighted Shen Qingyun. His clothes were wet, and his hair was being tugged by his wife, but he wasn’t annoyed at all. Instead, he laughed heartily, casually wringing out the towel and wiping his face.

Then, he pulled Yin Xiaoman into his arms, grinning foolishly at her. “My Wife knows how to take care of me, knows I need a towel to sober up. Now I’m completely awake!”

Yin Xiaoman was so angry that her chest was heaving, and she stomped her foot heavily on his, only for him to easily dodge it. She clenched her fist and punched him, but her hand hurt terribly as it collided with his hard chest.

—–

Seeing that his wife was completely upset, her eyes were filled with tears, Shen Qingyun dared not to tease her anymore. He coaxed and embraced her, persuading her to go back to the house, then sat her down on the rattan chair in the living room.

Shen Qingyun moved a stool and sat next to her. Only then did he straighten his expression and, with a face full of apology, looked at her.

“Xiaoman, I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that… I didn’t have a chance to tell you earlier. This afternoon, I received a notice from the team, saying that the military factory needs to temporarily transfer me to help out, and I have to report there tomorrow. I might not be able to come back for a long time.”

It had been difficult enough for his wife to join him, and the house had finally started to feel warm. Shen Qingyun hadn’t had the chance to savor it, but now, suddenly having to leave, he truly felt reluctant in his heart.

This feeling burned like fire, making him anxious and unable to express it. It was easier not to see her at all, but once he did, he couldn’t control his desire to cling to her, not wanting to leave her side for a moment.

Hearing him say this, Yin Xiaoman was startled.

The anger from their previous argument was quickly forgotten.

The first thought that popped into her mind was—could this transfer have something to do with the sacrifice he had made in the original memories?

As soon as she thought of this, Yin Xiaoman felt a sudden pain in her heart, and an unprecedented sense of panic and fear immediately washed over her.

She couldn’t even hide it anymore. She grabbed Shen Qingyun’s sleeve, urgently asking, “Where are you being transferred to? How long will you be gone, and when will you come back?”

Shen Qingyun didn’t expect his wife to react so strongly.

After all, transfers and business trips were ordinary matters to him.

Seeing her nervous, her face turning pale, Shen Qingyun couldn’t help but feel an indescribable sense of comfort in his heart.

He pried her fingers off his sleeve, then held both of her hands together, covering them in his large hands.

He then spoke softly, “The location is confidential, so I can’t tell you. The return time is also uncertain for now. But don’t worry, this kind of thing happens often, it’s nothing dangerous. Once I get there, I’ll write to you.”

But these words couldn’t comfort Yin Xiaoman, and the more he spoke, the more her heart filled with fear.

Not giving up, she continued asking, “But didn’t you say you were going to participate in a competition with the team? Isn’t the time already here? Can you leave as the battalion commander?”

Shen Qingyun stared at her, suddenly chuckling a few times, his eyes narrowing with a smile, “You’re going to miss me that much, huh?”

After saying that, Shen Qingyun went even further, gently running his hand through her hair, “As for the competition, we have the instructor handling it. Besides, we’ve been preparing for so long, and the training is almost done. As long as we follow the plan, there shouldn’t be any major mistakes. I know the soldiers I’ve brought out, whether I’m there or not, it won’t be a problem.”

Yin Xiaoman bit her lower lip, remaining silent, not even refuting his comment about her not wanting him to leave.

At this moment, her heart was a tangled mess.

The original memories were vague, and there was no clear recollection of the exact time or reason for the man’s sacrifice.

All she knew was that it happened after the New Year, when the weather had just started to warm up.

But now it was almost March, and the warm weather in Shuanggui Village wasn’t far off. How long would this temporary transfer last? Would he be gone before the time came?

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy just thinking about it, but couldn’t think of any way to resolve it.

Seeing that his wife hadn’t said a word, Shen Qingyun turned to look at her, his gaze full of concern.

He saw her biting her lower lip, her expression filled with panic, and his heart instantly ached.

He reached out and pulled her close, gently wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pressing her head to his chest.

Sighing, he spoke seriously, “Xiaoman, I regret it.”

Yin Xiaoman was confused, and in her daze, she heard him say “regret,” thinking he was saying that he regretted going on the transfer and no longer wanted to go. Her spirits immediately lifted.

Her eyes suddenly brightened.

But then, she heard him continue, “Forget all those things I said before about letting you go. Never think about it again. I’ll never let you go in this lifetime.”

Yin Xiaoman: “…”

“You want to go to school? I won’t stop you, but once you’re done, you have to come back. Remember to come home! If you try to use school as an excuse to leave the house, to leave me, that’s not happening. If you dare stay out there and not come home, I’ll bring our son and daughter to drag you back. No matter how far you go, I’ll carry you back!”

Yin Xiaoman: “!!!”

Forget it, just go to that military factory of yours.

She tried to sit up straight, but was held even tighter. Through the fabric of his clothes, she could hear the pounding of his heartbeat from his chest.

The sound was urgent and fervent.

This made the tension that had built up in Yin Xiaoman instantly dissipate.

She remained silent for a moment, then nodded and said, “Okay.”

Shen Qingyun, who was still preparing how to continue persuading his wife, suddenly heard this response. He froze for a moment, unsure if he had heard it correctly.

It took a while for him to realize—his wife had agreed!

She had agreed to live a good life with him, to stay together forever!

He excitedly sat up straighter, pressing his hands firmly on Yin Xiaoman’s shoulders, his eyes shining with an intense light. “Xiaoman, what did you just say? Say it again!”

As soon as she said “okay,” Yin Xiaoman felt her heart settle.

The unsettled heart that had been hanging since coming to this world seemed to finally have found a place to rest.

She wasn’t foolish—she could tell that this man in front of her truly cared for her.

She wasn’t the original person. Going to school, leaving—those were never her aspirations.

What she had been working for all these years was simply to have a home of her own, a peaceful life.

And now, she had all of that.

In addition, she had a man who treated her well, and a pair of children she liked.

Why wouldn’t she agree?

“Shen Qingyun, listen carefully. As long as you come back safely, I will live a good life with you from now on, and I will never mention leaving again.” She looked into his eyes and made the promise seriously.

Her gaze was clear and transparent, without a trace of impurity, allowing anyone to see through to her sincerity.

Shen Qingyun could easily tell from her eyes—she was serious, sincere.

But there was one thing missing.

There was no passion in her gaze, no sign of the intense love he felt for her.

In his heart, there was a tiny bit of regret, but it was quickly replaced by acceptance.

His wife had agreed not to leave. What more could he ask for?

One shouldn’t be too greedy. Emotions could be cultivated, as long as the person was there, everything could come in time.

Shen Qingyun quickly planted a kiss on Yin Xiaoman’s forehead.

Before she had a chance to react, he spoke rapidly, “I promise you, I’ll come back safely. Don’t forget your promise. Once you’ve said it, you’ll be my wife for life, Shen Qingyun’s woman!”

With that, without waiting for Yin Xiaoman’s response, he let go of her and strode towards the direction of their bedroom.

The door to the bedroom closed with a faint thud, and Yin Xiaoman remained rooted to the spot, her mind still in a daze.

She reached up to touch her forehead, where it still felt warm from the kiss.

She knew that the jerk had once again taken advantage of her while she wasn’t paying attention, but for some reason, she didn’t feel disgusted.

Maybe it was because it had happened too often, and she had grown numb to it from being so angry.

That’s what she told herself.

But even when she lay down in bed, drifting into sleep, the warmth on her ear lingered for a long time, not fading away.

The next morning, Shen Qingyun didn’t attend the morning drill. Instead, he got up early and began packing.

Since it was a temporary transfer with an uncertain return date, he had quite a bit of luggage. Yin Xiaoman even saw him packing a military woolen coat.

In Haicheng, the weather was warm, and no one could wear a coat. Not only were the hand warmers and knee guards that Yin Xiaoman made useless, but even the padded clothes she brought had been stuffed at the bottom of the suitcase.

The fact that he was taking a woolen coat showed that the place he was going to wasn’t close at all.

Yin Xiaoman felt even more uneasy inside, and an emptiness began to spread in her chest.

But no matter how uncomfortable she felt, life had to go on as usual.

After breakfast, not long after seeing Shen Qingyun off, Gao Chong arrived with two new soldiers to report to Yin Xiaoman.

It was obvious that Gao Chong was excited about the task he had received. The moment he saw Yin Xiaoman, his mouth hadn’t stopped grinning, almost reaching his ears.

“Sister-in-law, the instructor said from now on, we’ll follow your orders! This is Xiao Yuan, and this is Xiao Ding. We’ll be following you from now on.”

Hearing his introduction, the two new soldiers shouted in unison, “Hello, Sister-in-law!”

Yin Xiaoman was startled.

She looked at the three youthful faces in front of her, took a deep breath to steady herself, and then said, “Did you bring everything I asked for yesterday?”

“Everything’s here.”

Gao Chong said, lifting a bucket beside him to show her. “Shovel, salt bags, hooks, and gloves… Sister-in-law, what do we need gloves for?”

As he spoke, he asked, puzzled.