In the hospital room,
Commander Lin held Yan Li’an’s hand tightly, excitement in his voice. “Li’an, now that you’re awake, the organization can finally rest easy! I’ve reported to our superiors how you risked your own life to save your comrade.”
“Is Xiao Wang okay?” Yan Li’an asked with concern.
“You’re alive and well, so how could he be in trouble?” Chen Kai said sarcastically. He and Yan Li’an had once been on the same level, but now he could only watch as Yan Li’an kept earning merit after merit. Why him?
“Excuse me, careful, I won’t be responsible if you get burned!” Su Jinhui walked in carrying a tray of food, deliberately swinging it as she passed Chen Kai, causing him to step back repeatedly, afraid of getting scalded.
She huffed arrogantly. If she actually spilled it on Chen Kai, she’d still think it was a waste of food!
Wherever Su Jinhui walked, the rich aroma of the food followed, making everyone swallow hard.
She placed the dishes on the table in front of Yan Li’an. Everyone leaned over to take a look: the plump, white rice wrapped around fresh shrimp, and sizzling oysters, probably something they hadn’t eaten in a long time.
Feeling embarrassed to eat alone with everyone watching, Yan Li’an said, “Why don’t we share some together?”
“No need. Comrade Jinhui prepared this for you specifically. How could we take any of it?” Commander Lin immediately refused without thinking, completely oblivious to the longing looks from the others, except Chen Kai.
Su Jinhui didn’t speak; she simply took an empty bowl and divided some of the food, handing it over.
No one could refuse what was offered, so Commander Lin accepted it with repeated thanks. He tasted it and nodded repeatedly. “Delicious! I’ve had seafood porridge before, but none as fresh and flavorful as this. Li’an really hit the jackpot—an engaged fiancée who can cook and knows medicine, truly lucky!”
Chen Kai’s face darkened instantly, a shadow crossing his eyes.
The comrades who tasted the food all nodded in admiration. “Delicious! Absolutely delicious!”
“Vice Commander Yan, I’m so jealous! If I had such a beautiful wife and good food, I’d want to lie here too!”
“First come, first serve! Let me lie down first!”
Laughter filled the room.
Chen Kai smirked, “Oh? I heard Comrade Jinhui not only has a special background, but her character is questionable, and even her biological parents have cut ties with her?”
This was nearly common knowledge, but everyone had tacitly avoided mentioning it.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the ward grew awkward.
After all, it was true, and no one wanted to comment further.
Yan Li’an’s gaze swept coldly across him. “I trust her. She’s standing right in front of me. I can tell what kind of person she is just by looking. Why listen to others gossiping?”
“Yes, yes. I don’t see her as that kind of person,” Commander Lin quickly chimed in, trying to smooth things over.
He deeply regretted bringing Chen Kai along. His intention had been to ease tensions between the two, and Chen Kai had insisted on coming. Now it was clear Chen Kai had come just to stir trouble.
Su Jinhui remained calm and composed. “The innocent have nothing to explain. I have nothing to clarify. As for my background, the Su family has cut ties with me, so it’s clear I was never favored. I never enjoyed their wealth, so the label of ‘capitalist heiress’ shouldn’t stick to me anymore, right?”
“Chen Kai, what do you say?” Commander Lin forced himself to remain calm as he looked at him.
Chen Kai could only grit his teeth and admit, “Yes.”
That single word served to vindicate Su Jinhui.
To avoid disturbing Yan Li’an while he ate and rested, they all left.
Yan Li’an scooped a full spoon into his mouth. The aroma exploded in his mouth. “Delicious!”
“Eat it all if it’s good!” Su Jinhui stayed busy, standing by to prepare his post-meal medication. Thinking back on Yan Li’an’s words earlier, she felt a ripple of emotion—her care for him was not in vain.
When Su Jinhui returned to the kitchen, the head chef came from afar to greet her, a smile barely contained on his lips.
“Comrade Jinhui, you finally came!” The head chef pulled money from his pocket and handed it to her. “Keep your money. From now on, you can use my stove whenever you want. I have no objection!”
Su Jinhui looked down at the money in her hand, then up at him, suspicious. “Just call me Jinhui. Honestly… you didn’t prepare a whole cart of potatoes for me, did you?”
The chef waved apologetically. “Oh no, you misunderstand. From today on, you won’t have to peel a single potato! Not only that, if you need it, I can have someone peel potatoes, chop green onions and garlic for you. How’s that?”
His attitude was completely different from yesterday, making it hard not to suspect a hidden agenda.
Su Jinhui hesitated, so the chef continued, “As for my purpose… well, I do have one. After tasting your cooking, I was genuinely impressed. I reported it to my superiors, hoping to learn from you and promote your dishes. If you don’t want to hand over the recipes, you can join our chef team.”
“Sorry, my ambitions aren’t in the kitchen, but I’m willing to teach you. Yesterday’s two dishes were time-consuming, and you serve too many people. How about this—I’ll create a few simple, basic nourishing recipes for you.” Su Jinhui spoke thoughtfully as she said it.
Seeing her agreement, the head chef’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly nodded.
After preparing soy milk, small dishes, and steamed buns, Su Jinhui arranged for them to be delivered to Yan Li’an’s ward.
She stayed behind in the kitchen, carefully planning dishes that were simple, tasty, and didn’t rely on the spring water.
…
Suddenly, inspiration struck. She finally had a plan.
Four dishes would suffice: Seaweed and Oyster Blood-Boosting Soup, Grouper Glutinous Rice Porridge, Cactus Jellyfish Salad, and Steamed Egg with Sweet Potato Leaves and Seahorse.
These ingredients were easy to obtain, and the dishes were effective even without the spring water.
When she told the head chef the names of the dishes, he was excited and eager to learn.
Su Jinhui didn’t hold back. “The oysters in the seaweed soup contain zinc, and the seaweed contains iodine. It’s suitable for replenishing blood after battle.”
“Zinc and iodine? What do those do?” The head chef was confused.
She made something up on the spot. “Not important. I read it in medical books. Just remember it helps replenish blood.”
Clearly, explaining too much would only complicate things.
“Grouper promotes wound healing, perfect for patients! Cactus is good for soldiers with heatstroke! Steamed eggs with sweet potato leaves and seahorse make soldiers strong and healthy!” Su Jinhui deliberately spoke slowly while glancing at the head chef’s notebook.
This gave him time to absorb the information and made it easier for him to record everything accurately.