When it came to food, Cheng Zi still had quite a bit to say. Since childhood, she had been diligent and capable. In the orphanage, she often helped the director, learning a set of excellent cooking skills from her.
She herself also loved eating. In her free time, she was either studying food or on her way to find delicious dishes.
Cheng Zi could cook both northern and southern cuisines, and she even had some knowledge of foreign dishes.
Anyone who had eaten her cooking would not hesitate to praise it.
“Xie Ci, we’re out of soy sauce at home. Can you go buy a bottle?”
When Xie Ci heard her calling him, he got up and went to the kitchen. “Give me the bottle.”
The bottle?
Xie Ci glanced at her twice, a trace of helplessness flashing across his eyes. He felt that Cheng Zi was just messing around—she didn’t even understand that buying soy sauce required bringing a bottle…
He didn’t say much and simply took the soy sauce bottle and left.
In this era, soy sauce wasn’t sold in bottled form. People had to bring their own bottles to the soy sauce shop to have it filled.
How could Cheng Zi possibly know that?
The original owner of this body had indeed been rather clueless. She usually ate at the factory cafeteria at the clothing mill, and her cooking skills… were only learned to take care of Gu Yechen.
Cheng Zi kneaded dough in her hands, lost in thought.
She wasn’t someone who liked gossip, but she was very familiar with the internet term “love-brained.”
Wasn’t the original owner exactly a love-brain?
The author was really too cruel, writing her into such a miserable state…
Gu Yechen’s health was poor, and she had taken care of him for nearly a year.
Clearly a girl who had never touched housework before, yet she learned to be a perfect “good wife and mother”—washing clothes, cooking, cleaning the house. She was even more capable than a housewife.
Cheng Zi cooked two bowls of pork rib noodles and stir-fried a plate of green vegetables.
Even the most capable housewife cannot cook without rice. The household supplies were pitifully few; she would have to find time to restock properly. This place didn’t feel like a home at all.
When Xie Ci returned, he subconsciously sniffed.
The aroma of the pork rib noodles was rich and appetizing.
Even his usually cold expression softened slightly.
“You’re back? Hurry, wash your hands, dinner’s ready.”
“Mm.”
After seasoning with soy sauce, the color of the pork ribs became even more appetizing.
She also pan-fried two eggs and placed them on top of the smooth, springy noodles—truly mouthwatering.
“Hubby, come help carry this.”
Cheng Zi was naturally lively and good at social interaction. With her deliberate effort to ease the atmosphere, Xie Ci could clearly feel her friendliness and warmth.
“Alright.”
The two sat side by side.
The sunset light streamed into the dining room, tinting her face with a soft reddish glow.
“So hot. Cooking in this weather is really suffering.”
Xie Ci didn’t respond, his eyes fixed on the noodles.
“Eat quickly. Noodles get soggy and won’t taste good.”
“Mm.”
Xie Ci was tall and strong. Cheng Zi served him a generous portion—an overflowing bowl with tender, fatty-and-lean pork ribs.
With just a few mouthfuls, he was eating quickly.
Cheng Zi rested her chin on her chopsticks, watching him with expectation in her eyes.
Seeing that he had no intention of praising her, she didn’t mind and ate on her own instead, then changed the topic.
“I want to go buy some things. Life at home before really didn’t feel proper at all.”
Xie Ci slowed slightly, clearly listening.
“You should come with me to the market. We need seasonings, and we should also buy two pots. From now on, you’ll eat breakfast and dinner at home—I’ll cook.”
Xie Ci looked up at her, his expression becoming strange again. “You mean I should move back here?”
Seeing him stare at her without blinking, Cheng Zi nodded without hesitation. “I eat at the clothing factory at noon. It’s too troublesome to run back and forth. What do you think?”
Xie Ci’s jaw tightened. After a moment, he lowered his head and continued eating.
“Also, once we get the money back, let’s buy a refrigerator. Otherwise food will spoil in summer.”
“Oh right, can you come home every day? Or do you need to stay at your unit often? I see the men next door all go home every day.”
“Can you not go on missions these two days? Stay with me so we can organize the house properly.”
She seemed to be chatting casually, but every question carried another layer of meaning.
For ordinary couples, these were all normal matters—but for Xie Ci, everything felt suspicious.
“Cheng Zi, what do you mean?”
Xie Ci finished his last bite of noodles, put down his chopsticks, and wiped his mouth with a tissue.
He sat upright, expression serious.
“I thought I had made myself clear enough. If you really don’t want to live with me anymore…”
Cheng Zi deliberately showed a sorrowful look, disappointment flashing in her eyes.
But Xie Ci didn’t buy it. After a long silence, he finally said, “If you can guarantee you’ll live properly from now on, I can move back. But I can’t guarantee I’ll come home on time every day—I’ll try my best…”
“Okay, hubby. I’ll cook and wait for you every day.”
Xie Ci: “……”
He had never seen her so lively before—soft words on her lips, but her eyes clearly full of schemes.
“Then can you take leave and stay with me these next few days? I have a headache…”
Xie Ci still agreed. “I’ll call the unit tomorrow morning to request leave.”
“Deal.”
“Mm.”
She cooked the meal.
He washed the dishes.
After dinner, they began their formal “negotiation.”
Cheng Zi spoke nothing but pleasant words, yet somehow arranged everything clearly in place.
“You usually wake up at five for a run, right? Then buy some groceries on the way back. I’ll just be finishing breakfast by then.”
“Okay.”
“Wash your own clothes, alright?”
“Mm.”
“No, we should buy a washing machine later. Agreed? When you get your salary.”
“Alright.”
“Hubby, you’re so good.”
“……”
“Also, keep your salary with me. I’ll manage it. I promise not to waste money.”
By the time Xie Ci lay in his own bed, his mind still felt slightly foggy.
Yet the corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly, forming a faint smile.
The next day.
Bright sunlight poured through the window, and the fragrance of osmanthus drifted in with the wind.
Cheng Zi slept unusually well that night—deep and peaceful, without dreams.
She glanced at the clock: 7:00 sharp.
Early to bed, early to rise—she felt full of energy.
Last night, bathing and using the toilet had been quite a struggle. The bathroom was just a tiny washing stall, and even using the toilet required going to a public restroom outside.
The bathroom was immediately added to her renovation list. She needed a water heater and a proper toilet—she couldn’t stand the public restroom at all.
“You’re awake?”
“Mm, I’m up.”
“Then get washed up and come eat breakfast,” Xie Ci’s voice came from outside.
Cheng Zi froze for a moment, suddenly feeling her nose sting.
Since the passing of the director who raised her, no one had prepared breakfast for her again…
That small, unexpected warmth felt strangely overwhelming.
“Okay, hubby. Thanks for your hard work~”