“Commander, that looks like your wife.”
Inside the jeep, the man’s gaze fixed on her. Watching her walk into the pawnshop, his expression gradually turned cold.
A few minutes later, Qiao Yuwei came out, looking at the 80 yuan in her hand. Her mood instantly brightened this was no small amount. It was enough to buy a lot of things, and at least she wouldn’t go hungry even if they argued again.
At that moment, in a clothing store, a pure white shirt displayed in the window caught her attention.
The salesgirl enthusiastically introduced it:
“Miss, you have a great eye. This is the latest Dacron shirt this is the last piece.”
Qiao Yuwei touched the fabric of the white shirt. In her mind appeared the man’s cold expression, his well-defined abs and back. If he wore this shirt, he would definitely look handsome. And if, like in those videos, his eyes were covered, with some mood lighting…
The more she thought about it, the more excited she became.
“How much is this?”
“15 yuan.”
“15?” That could buy several jin of meat and flour. But thinking about how good he would look in it, she gritted her teeth and handed over the money.
Meanwhile, in the car, Liu Gang, sitting in the driver’s seat, angrily slapped the steering wheel.
“This is too much! Did she sell her dowry just to buy such an expensive shirt? She must be giving it to Doctor Lin! Commander, aren’t you even a little angry?”
Song Zhinian clenched his fists tightly.
A white shirt…
The last time they went to the hospital, wasn’t Lin Sen wearing that exact style?
He rolled up the car window, no longer looking at her. The last trace of guilt disappeared from his eyes.
“Drive.”
“Achoo!”
Qiao Yuwei suddenly sneezed. She felt like someone was watching her. Looking around, she caught sight of the jeep’s taillights driving away.
Probably just her imagination…
“Yuwei, are you done shopping?” Sister-in-law Zhao came over, carrying several bags.
Qiao Yuwei hurried to help take some of them.
“Not yet. I want to buy some vegetable seeds and mung beans to make sweet soup, but I don’t know where to go. I was waiting for you to take me.”
Zhao nodded and led her through several streets before they finally bought everything.
Before getting on the bus, Qiao Yuwei took out 10 yuan from her pocket and handed it to Zhao.
Zhao froze.
“Yuwei, what’s this?”
“Sister-in-law, this is for the travel money I borrowed today and also for the rice, flour, and groceries I borrowed from you before.”
“But this is too much. Five yuan is enough,” Zhao hesitated, not taking it.
Qiao Yuwei stuffed the money directly into her pocket.
“Please just take it. I’ve caused trouble before please bear with me. I’ll change from now on. I hope you’ll continue to help me.”
Seeing her sincere expression, Zhao didn’t refuse and finally accepted it.
By the time they returned home, it was already noon.
After resting for a bit, Qiao Yuwei prepared to cook mung bean soup. But remembering yesterday’s near disaster and the scolding she decided to ask Zhao for help.
As soon as Zhao heard she wanted to cook mung bean soup to bring to the training ground, she immediately agreed.
“It’s normal you don’t know how to cook or start a fire. Just watch more and you’ll learn. When lighting the fire, spread the wood a bit…” Zhao patiently taught her while starting the fire.
“Okay, I’ll remember.”
After simmering for over an hour, a sweet, fragrant aroma of mung beans filled the kitchen.
“Wow, that smells amazing! Yuwei, your mung bean soup turned out great it smells delicious,” Zhao said, now much friendlier after their trip earlier.
“It’s because you handled the fire well,” Qiao Yuwei replied with a smile.
They exchanged a look, and the past grievances between them seemed to dissolve at that moment.
She borrowed a large insulated container from the canteen, filled it to the brim, and headed toward the back mountain. After leaving the stainless steel container by the stream for an hour, the soup became refreshingly cool.
Around 2 p.m., she finally reached the training ground, panting heavily. It wasn’t far from the compound, but going back and forth through the mountain paths had nearly exhausted her.
The training ground was vast. From afar, she saw rows of soldiers training under the blazing sun, their shouts loud and full of energy.
Song Zhinian stood at the front, dressed in a neat military uniform, his posture straight, his gaze sharp as he guided the soldiers. Even from a distance, his commanding presence was unmistakable.
Her heart sped up a little.
No wonder she liked him one word: handsome.
Her arrival caught the attention of many soldiers. Their movements slowed slightly as curiosity got the better of them. Everyone knew their commander’s wife had a bad reputation seeing her here naturally drew attention.
Song Zhinian also noticed her. Seeing the insulated container beside her, he frowned.
What was she doing here? What was she planning this time?
Under everyone’s gaze, she gathered her courage and walked over.
“Um… Song Zhinian, it’s really hot today, so I made some mung bean soup for you and the soldiers to cool off.”
Mung bean soup?
This woman had just been buying clothes for another man this morning, and now she was kindly bringing him soup? What was her motive? Was she trying to convince him not to kick her out?
“I thought since it’s so hot, mung bean soup would help cool everyone down, so I made some and brought it over.”
She handed him the container, quickly adding,
“Sister-in-law Zhao helped with the fire. The kitchen’s fine.”
Looking at her sincere expression and the beads of sweat on her forehead, the anger in Song Zhinian’s heart quietly subsided a little.
After a brief hesitation, he took the container.
As soon as he opened it, the fresh aroma of mung beans spread through the air. The soldiers nearby couldn’t help but swallow.
He scooped a spoonful into his empty cup and took a sip. The cool, lightly sweet taste slid down his throat refreshing and soothing.
She made this?
Wasn’t she only good at causing trouble and chasing Lin Sen? Since when did she have this skill?
“Well? Is it good?” she asked, eyes full of anticipation.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped forward and addressed the soldiers:
“It’s hot. Take a thirty-minute break. Come get some mung bean soup.”
The soldiers lit up immediately, grabbing their cups and lining up. Some even gulped down their remaining water just to get a refill faster.
“It’s delicious really delicious!”
“Didn’t expect sister-in-law to have such skills. Commander, you’re lucky!”
Hearing their praise, Qiao Yuwei felt a warm sweetness in her heart, her smile bright and genuine.
“Don’t rush there’s enough for everyone.”
Watching her radiant smile, Song Zhinian felt something stir in his heart.
Had she really changed? Maybe… she wasn’t so bad after all.
At that moment, a voice broke the cheerful atmosphere.
“Well, well what’s everyone drinking? Since you’re done, might as well measure your height afterward.” Lin Sen stepped forward, craning his neck curiously.
Song Zhinian’s eyes turned cold.
So that’s why she went through all the trouble to bring soup in this heat.
So that was it.