That day, a sudden downpour began, and the weather turned sharply cold.
The literacy class also notified everyone that classes would be suspended for the day.
Zhou Zhuo didn’t return at noon, so Wen Mingyao just made do with a simple meal.
After a period of non-stop work, she inevitably felt somewhat fatigued. By the time she woke from her afternoon nap, it was almost four o’clock.
She was just pondering what to make for dinner when a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
Wen Mingyao grabbed an umbrella and opened the door. Seeing who it was, she quickly smiled and greeted, “Sister Xiangxiu, please come in and sit.”
Xiangxiu, draped in a raincoat, waved her hand repeatedly. “I won’t come in today. I’m here to invite you and Commander Zhou to our place for a meal.”
Wen Mingyao hesitated for a moment. Zhou Zhuo hadn’t returned yet, and he was never one for socializing.
Although Sister Xiangxiu had helped her before, she didn’t dare make a decision for Zhou Zhuo on her own.
Zhou Zhuo already disliked her; if she angered him further, their relationship would likely become even more strained.
As if sensing Wen Mingyao’s dilemma, Xiangxiu smiled. “The literacy class isn’t held today, so you finally have a day off. There’s no one else—just our two families having a meal together and chatting.”
Hearing this, Wen Mingyao thought, If Zhou Zhuo doesn’t want to go, then so be it.
She and Zhou Zhuo hadn’t seen each other for a while anyway. It was just as well if he didn’t go, sparing them both the awkwardness.
The cold rain carried a chilly wind, and Wen Mingyao instinctively rubbed her arms. “Alright then, Sister. I’ll change my clothes and come over.”
Xiangxiu smiled and said, “Sure. I’ll head back first and start preparing.”
Wen Mingyao returned to her room, changed her clothes, picked up a basket, and headed out.
Seeing that the courtyard gate was open, Wen Mingyao walked straight in with her things.
The overall layout of Xiangxiu’s home was similar to theirs, looking like a sixty-square-meter, three-bedroom, one-living-room unit. It seemed to have been lived in for some years—the walls were slightly yellowed, and the place was filled with the warmth of daily life, though everything was kept tidy.
In the courtyard, there was also a plum tree, not very tall, as if it had been planted not long ago.
Just as Wen Mingyao placed her umbrella in a corner, Xiangxiu, wearing an apron tied around her waist, came out upon hearing the noise.
Even though she had seen Wen Mingyao a few times before, she couldn’t help but take another look.
Wen Mingyao’s features were delicate, her jet-black hair tied into a low bun at the back of her slender, graceful neck. It looked casually done, exuding a touch of languid charm.
Her attire was simple, clearly not specially dressed up, yet she appeared exceptionally beautiful.
“Sister, is there anything I can help with?” Wen Mingyao casually hung her coat over the back of a chair.
As she spoke, she handed over the basket she was carrying, which contained twenty eggs she had brought from home.
“Oh, you. We’re neighbors—you could’ve just come over without bringing anything,” Xiangxiu chided her with a glance. “That’s too formal.”
Then, she reached out and took the basket. “Don’t bring anything next time.”
“Just sit and rest for a while, keep me company. The kitchen work is full of smoke and grease—it wouldn’t be good to let you get all smoky.”
Xiangxiu didn’t dare let her help with the cooking.
She thought, Given how hard Xiao Wen cried the other day, if she accidentally cut her finger, she’d probably cry from the pain again.
Seeing Xiangxiu’s expression, Wen Mingyao could roughly guess what she was thinking.
But she didn’t point it out, simply smiling instead. “It’s fine, Sister. I only know how to do simple tasks. With both of us working together, it’ll be faster.”
Seeing this, Xiangxiu didn’t try to stop her anymore, though she secretly prayed that nothing would go wrong.
Only when she saw Wen Mingyao cut a small basin of evenly sized potato shreds with her own eyes did her heart finally settle back in her chest.
Xiangxiu looked at Wen Mingyao’s slender back with a complicated expression.
To be honest, when Wen Mingyao first arrived with the army, everyone thought she was a delicate young lady who couldn’t carry heavy loads or cook well.
Although Xiangxiu hadn’t voiced her agreement at the time, she had thought the same.
But today, not only did Wen Mingyao work quickly and efficiently, but she also handled everything in an orderly manner.
Seeing Zhang Guodong and Zhou Zhuo enter the house, Xiangxiu couldn’t help but tease loudly, “Oh, Commander Zhou is truly blessed. Just look at these two dishes Wen Mingyao made—they’re enough to make anyone’s mouth water.”
Hearing the words “Commander Zhou,” Wen Mingyao’s hand, which was wiping the stove with a cloth, suddenly froze. Why was he here…?
The rich aroma of braised chicken with mushrooms filled the air, and steam rose from the kitchen. Wen Mingyao stiffly turned her head, unable to see anyone’s face clearly.
She could only vaguely make out a tall, straight figure standing beside a petite silhouette.
A faint sense of unease stirred in her heart.
Xiangxiu stood at the kitchen door. When she saw Ye Jingjing step out from behind Zhou Zhuo, she nearly lost her smile.
But since everyone had already arrived, she could only suppress her anger. Finding an angle where no one could see, she glared fiercely at Zhang Guodong.
The message was clear: I’ll settle this with you after they leave!
Ye Jingjing stood beside Zhou Zhuo and said softly, “Sister-in-law, it seems I’ve come at an inconvenient time. I followed along after Brother Zhang called me over. I didn’t know you had guests today. I’m really sorry.”
Well!
So it was her own foolish husband who had invited her over.
Xiangxiu walked over to Zhang Guodong and pinched him hard on the waist.
Watching him try to endure the pain, she felt no sympathy at all.
What a mess this was…
“I should go back,” Ye Jingjing said, subtly glancing at Zhou Zhuo. Seeing his indifferent expression, she felt somewhat disheartened.
Xiangxiu stepped forward, smiling as she took Ye Jingjing’s arm and patted it gently. “It’s just a matter of adding one more set of bowls and chopsticks. Since you rarely visit, you must try the dishes Wen Mingyao and I made.”
“Don’t be shy. Make yourself at home.”
At this point, there was nothing more she could say.
She could only secretly hope that Wen Mingyao didn’t know about the messy history between Zhou Zhuo and Ye Jingjing.
Thinking this, Xiangxiu couldn’t help but feel indignant on Wen Mingyao’s behalf:
What a wonderful young wife!
Although Wen Mingyao’s background wasn’t the best, in terms of looks, education, character, and ability to manage a household, she was far better than Ye Jingjing.
Was Zhou Zhuo blind?
He didn’t know how lucky he was!
Seeing Zhang Guodong already ushering everyone to sit down, she turned and went back into the kitchen to serve the dishes.
The sound of rain continued, and the voices in the living room were muffled to Wen Mingyao.
She deftly plated the dishes one by one. “Sister-in-law, who is that person outside?”
Xiangxiu whispered, “She’s the daughter of the family committee director, Ye. Her name is Ye Jingjing.”
Hearing this, Wen Mingyao’s hand trembled, and the spatula nearly fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Xiangxiu understood everything.
It seemed Wen Mingyao already knew about this “character,” Ye Jingjing.
She sighed softly, saying nothing, only gripping Wen Mingyao’s hand tightly and giving it a couple of gentle pats.
Wen Mingyao’s expression remained calm as she shook her head with a light smile. “Sister-in-law, I’m fine!”
But inwardly, she was both furious and heartbroken:
Zhou Zhuo, how dare he?
How dare he brazenly bring the woman he loves before his own wife…