Jiang Li went to the state-owned restaurant and looked over the menu posted by the service window. She ordered a serving of braised pork, minced pork with eggplant, and a bowl of white rice.
The portions were generous. Normally, she didn’t eat much, but perhaps because she was especially hungry today—or because the food was so delicious—she ended up eating more than half of both dishes in one sitting.
Growing up, she had always been cared for by servants. Later, when the servants were dismissed, her mother still never allowed her to do household chores. As a result, she never learned how to cook.
After her parents were sent away, her aunt claimed she would take care of her, yet she had never once cooked a meal for her. Jiang Li had tried teaching herself, but her cooking was terrible.
The only truly good meals she could remember eating were the ones Lu Yuanshan had cooked during the two or three days they spent together after their wedding.
At the time, she had never expected such a rough, rugged man—a hardened soldier who carried guns into battle—to be such a talented cook.
Lu Yuanshan was blunt and straightforward. He didn’t know how to sweet-talk people, and they didn’t share many common interests.
She loved reading poetry and wanted to talk about romance, moonlit nights, and beautiful scenery.
Whenever she tried, he would fall asleep listening.
On the other hand, he enjoyed talking about battles, rifles, artillery, and military operations, often demonstrating movements with animated gestures.
She wasn’t interested in any of that either.
Perhaps it was because his cooking was so good.
At first, she had been terrified of consummating their marriage.
But after eating his meals for two days, she gradually relaxed around him.
By the third day, she wasn’t nearly as afraid anymore, and before she knew it, they had shared a bed.
Back then, Lu Yuanshan had urged her to join him at his military post because he worried she couldn’t even cook for herself and wouldn’t be able to take care of herself alone.
She had insisted that her aunt and uncle would look after her and completely ignored his concerns.
The result had been regret.
And then rebirth.
In her previous life, after her death and her experiences in another world, she had learned how to cook.
This time, she would cook for him.
And she wouldn’t keep trying to discuss poetry and romance with him.
Maybe she should learn about rifles and artillery instead.
At least then they’d have something in common to talk about.
After finishing her meal, she let out a satisfied burp.
She asked the waitress to pack up the leftovers and then ordered two additional servings of braised pork and three bowls of rice to take away.
She planned to store them in her space and save them for dinner.
When she arrived at Sister Wu’s house, Sister Wu was still home.
The moment she saw Jiang Li, she warmly ushered her inside.
“Lili, what brings you here? Come in and sit down. I’ve made something delicious—you have to try it.”
Among all her coworkers at the factory, Jiang Li was closest to Sister Wu.
The older woman had always treated her kindly and thought of her whenever something good came along.
After entering the house, Jiang Li accepted a piece of osmanthus cake from Sister Wu.
Although she was already full, she didn’t want to reject the gesture.
After taking a bite, she said,
“Sister Wu, the day before yesterday you mentioned that your second daughter couldn’t find a job and might have to go to the countryside. Well… I’ve decided to join my husband at his military post, so I won’t be keeping my position anymore.”
Sister Wu stared at her in surprise.
She knew Jiang Li had married a deputy regiment commander about a month ago.
She also knew his unit was stationed in the northwest.
Jiang Li had complained more than once about how harsh conditions were there. As someone raised in comfort in the city, she had always insisted she could never endure life as a military spouse in such a remote place.
Yet now she had changed her mind.
“Lili, have you really thought this through? Didn’t you say the conditions there were too difficult and that you wouldn’t be able to handle it?”
“I’ve changed my mind,” Jiang Li replied.
“Yuanshan is there. We can’t stay separated forever. I think if I live there for a while, I’ll eventually get used to it.”
Sister Wu smiled.
“That’s true. A young married couple can’t remain apart forever. Besides, you’re all alone here in the city. If you go there, at least someone will be taking care of you.”
“Exactly,” Jiang Li said.
“That’s why I’d like to sell my job. Once I deal with the house too, I’ll go join him.”
“All right.”
Sister Wu agreed immediately.
“Your position is one of the best jobs in the factory. Since we know each other well, I’ll give you one thousand yuan for it. When would you like to handle the transfer paperwork?”
“This afternoon.”
“The sooner it’s finished, the sooner I can leave.”
“Then this afternoon it is.”
Jiang Li also wanted Sister Wu’s help finding a buyer for her house.
The problem was that her three-story villa was far too expensive for most people.
She wasn’t sure whether anyone in Sister Wu’s circle could afford it.
“Sister Wu, there’s one more thing I’d like your help with. Could you ask around and see if anyone is interested in buying my house? My parents are gone, and I probably won’t be coming back. I’d like to sell it.”
Sister Wu looked troubled.
“Your house is so large that finding a buyer won’t be easy. But I’ll ask around and see what I can find.”
“Thank you.”
After sharing a meal with Sister Wu’s family, Jiang Li accompanied her and her second daughter back to the factory.
The job transfer procedures were completed quickly.
Sister Wu handed her one thousand yuan.
Feeling embarrassed to accept the entire amount, Jiang Li tried to return fifty yuan, but Sister Wu firmly refused.
“I know you’re not short of money, but this is what you’re entitled to.”
After saying goodbye, Jiang Li prepared to head to the supply cooperative to purchase necessities and store them in her space.
The northwest was dry, received little rainfall, and became extremely cold during the winter.
She needed to stock up on food and warm clothing.
Besides, she wanted to use up all her local ration coupons before leaving. Once she moved away, they would become useless.
To reach the supply cooperative, she had to pass by the state-owned restaurant.
As she approached the entrance, she noticed a scholarly-looking middle-aged man wearing glasses, accompanied by a middle-aged woman and a younger man, exiting the restaurant.
The moment the middle-aged man stepped off the stairs, he suddenly clutched his chest.
His face turned deathly pale.
Then he collapsed.
“Old Qin! Old Qin!”
The woman panicked.
Dropping to her knees beside him, she frantically checked his condition.
“Please don’t let anything happen to you!”
The younger man was equally alarmed.
“What kind of attack is Professor Qin having? We need to get him to a hospital immediately!”
After quickly examining her husband, the woman pulled a bottle of pills from her purse.
She shook several tablets into her hand and prepared to feed them to him.
“Old Qin has heart disease. It must be a heart attack. This medicine will help.”
“Then hurry and give it to him,” the younger man urged.
Together, they tried to administer the pills.
At that moment, Jiang Li stepped forward.
“Don’t give him the medicine.”
“And don’t move him.”
The two froze.
“He isn’t having a heart attack.”
“He’s been poisoned.”
“What?!”
Both of them stared at her in shock.
The middle-aged woman looked especially skeptical.
“But this is exactly what his heart attacks look like. Why are you saying he’s been poisoned?”
Jiang Li crouched beside Professor Qin and took hold of his wrist.
After checking his pulse, she looked up at the woman.
“Professor Qin really has been poisoned.”
“The poison was in the food he just ate.”
“And it’s an extremely insidious toxin. Even after symptoms appear, most people would assume they’re looking at a heart attack.”
Whoever had created such a poison, she thought, was clearly no ordinary person.