When Han Qingmo and He Yancheng returned to the He family courtyard carrying large bags and small parcels, they could smell a rich, savory aroma from a distance.
He Yancheng sniffed the air, his eyes lighting up. “Smells incredible! They must be cooking the Jizong mushrooms!”
As they stepped into the yard, they saw He Yanchu walking out of the kitchen carrying the final dish.
“You’re back?” Yanchu looked up, her eyes curving into crescents. “Just in time for dinner. Second Uncle and the others should be back from the fields soon.”
Han Qingmo’s gaze followed her instinctively, a wave of warmth rising in his chest. He thought of the Commander’s skepticism on the phone and found it hilarious—why would a girl this wonderful need “voodoo”? Just standing there was enough to make him fall for her willingly.
“So much good food!” Yancheng dropped the bags and rushed to the table. “Pumpkin shoot and Jizong soup! Green-cap mushrooms! And Matsutake chicken stew! This smells so fresh—Xiaochu, when did your cooking get this good?”
Yanchu gave a mysterious smile. “Because I’ve been practicing in secret!”
He Yannuo was already seated. Though she maintained her usual cool demeanor, her eyes were fixed on the pot of Matsutake chicken. She offered a polite greeting: “You’re back.”
Xiang Yang couldn’t wait any longer, chopsticks already in hand. “Xiaochu, your skills are amazing! I could smell this from outside the house!”
Yanchu chuckled and ladled a bowl of soup for everyone. “Taste it quickly. Once Second Uncle and the others get back, we can officially start.”
Han Qingmo took a bowl and took a small sip, his eyes widening instantly. The soup was unbelievably delicious—the earthy fragrance of the mushrooms mixed with the sweetness of the pumpkin shoots and a lingering, crisp clarity that made him crave more.
“This… what kind of soup is this?” he asked in surprise.
Yanchu blinked innocently. “Just Jizong and pumpkin shoot soup!”
Beside them, He Yannuo had abandoned her reserved image, finishing two bowls of soup in a row before taking a large helping of the green-cap mushrooms. The spicy, savory flavor brought a look of pure satisfaction to her normally stoic face.
Xiang Yang was even more dramatic, sighing as he ate. “Heavens, this is too good! Xiaochu, if I marry your sister, can you come over and cook for us often?”
“Pffft—” Yannuo spat out a mouthful of soup. “What nonsense! Are you telling me you’re only marrying me so you can occasionally eat Xiaochu’s cooking?”
Yanchu shot Xiang Yang a look of exasperation. “Brother Xiang Yang, don’t push your luck, or your title as ‘Future Brother-in-Law’ might be revoked!”
Xiang Yang immediately put on a fawning act, leaning toward Yannuo. “Nuonuo, I’m innocent! It’s all because Xiaochu’s food is too delicious. Forgive me just this once!”
Yannuo played along, letting out a soft huff. “Oh? Is that so? Then practice your cooking until it’s as good as Xiaochu’s, and maybe I’ll forgive you.”
Xiang Yang looked at her with feigned heartbreak. “Nuonuo, aren’t you making things impossible for me? You might as well just kill me now!”
Yannuo: “…” Is this guy really acting right now? He shouldn’t be a doctor; he should be an actor!
He Yancheng had never seen such a display—a grown man acting spoiled one moment and aggrieved the next. He watched, utterly dumbfounded. Yanchu silently gave Xiang Yang a thumbs-up; the Oscars really owed this man a trophy. Han Qingmo, however, was already used to it.
Suddenly, the courtyard gate creaked open. Second Uncle and Second Aunt arrived carrying their farming tools, followed by He Yanhua.
“Oh, quite a crowd!” Second Uncle set down his hoe and dusted off his clothes. “I could hear you all laughing from down the path.”
Second Aunt spotted the feast on the table and gasped. “My, did you all go foraging today? Such a spread!”
Yanchu stood up quickly. “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Brother Hua, go wash up! Dinner is served!”
He Yannuo suddenly stood and cleared her throat. “Wait a moment.” She took Xiang Yang’s hand, showing a rare flash of nervousness. “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, this is Xiang Yang. He’s… my boyfriend.”
The courtyard went silent for a beat.
“What?!” The towel in Second Aunt’s hand hit the ground with a thwack. Her eyes were wide. “Nuonuo has a boyfriend?”
Second Uncle was stunned too, then broke into a grin that showed every tooth. “Good! Excellent! A double blessing for our family! Both you and Xiaochu are settled. Now I don’t have to worry about how to face your parents in the afterlife!”
Yanchu: …Second Uncle’s train of thought is certainly unique.
Xiang Yang felt a bit rattled by their intense stares, but he straightened his back and gave a respectful bow. “Hello, Second Uncle and Second Aunt! I’m Xiang Yang. I’m a doctor at the Military Hospital. I’m twenty-one. My parents are both well, and I have a sister in high school…”
Second Aunt grabbed his hand, looking him up and down. “Oh, what a spirited young man!” She turned to Yannuo. “Nuonuo, you finally saw the light!”
Second Uncle, meanwhile, shifted into “background check” mode. “Xiang Yang, is it? What’s the salary? Do you have a house? Where do you plan to settle down?”
Sweat broke out on Xiang Yang’s forehead, but he answered honestly. “My salary is 52.50 yuan a month. The unit assigned me a dorm. As for the future… I’ll go wherever Nuonuo wants to go.”
Yannuo rolled her eyes. “Second Uncle! Are you interrogating a prisoner?”
Second Aunt interrupted with a smile. “Oh, it’s better to ask clearly! Nuonuo has such a cold personality; it’s rare to find someone who can put up with her…”
Yannuo: “……”
Yanchu suppressed a laugh, tugging on Han Qingmo’s sleeve. “Look at my sister,” she whispered. “Her ears are beet red.”
Han Qingmo looked down at her, his eyes full of tenderness. “When you brought me back, were you worried they would object?”
Yanchu shook her head. “No! They wouldn’t, and even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. Once I make up my mind, I don’t change it.”
Finally, the elders finished their questioning and nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad, a solid lad.” Second Aunt suddenly slapped her thigh. “Oh! I got so excited I forgot—we haven’t finalized the menu for Xiaochu and Qingmo’s banquet tomorrow!”
Worried the food would get cold, Yanchu cut in. “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, let’s eat and talk, otherwise everything will be cold!”
Second Aunt smiled. “Xiaochu is right. Let’s sit.”
However, the moment they picked up their chopsticks, the conversation died. The food was so good that everyone simply buried their heads in their bowls. Once the table was cleared, Second Uncle patted his stomach. “Xiaochu, I had no idea your cooking was this good. That was the most satisfying meal I’ve had in ages!”
Yanchu stuck to her story. “Second Uncle, I’m home alone while everyone is working. I found some recipes in a book and practiced in secret. Practice makes perfect!”
He Jishu looked at his niece with increasing pride. “Xiaochu is wonderful—doing big things quietly. I like a humble, sensible child like you.”
Seeing her husband rambling on, Yang Donghui cut him off. “Alright, her cooking is great, we can discuss that later. Let’s talk about tomorrow’s menu.”
Yanchu suggested two dishes. “Second Aunt, how about a wild mushroom stir-fry and a poached fish?”
Yang Donghui thought for a moment. “That sounds good, but where will we get the fish?”
Yanchu patted her chest. “Don’t worry about the fish, Auntie. I have a way.”
Yang Donghui looked at her skeptically. “Really? You’re not teasing your aunt?”
Yanchu nodded solemnly. “Trust me. When have I ever lied to you? Especially for something as big as tomorrow.”
Second Aunt conceded; Xiaochu wasn’t one for big talk. “Alright, I trust you. The fish is on you.”
He Jishu chimed in, “We need a ‘heavy’ dish. How about Braised Pork?”
Second Aunt shook her head. “Everyone does Braised Pork. Let’s do something different. Xiaochu, that Jizong chicken stew you made today—can we have that tomorrow?”
Yanchu nodded. “Sure. Han Qingmo and Brother Cheng bought two chickens, and we foraged plenty of Matsutake.”
The family chattered away, the atmosphere lively and warm. Han Qingmo listened quietly, feeling a sense of belonging. Watching Yanchu discuss the menu with such spirit, her small hands gesturing excitedly, he realized this was exactly the life he wanted—vibrant, grounded, and with her.
For the final dish, He Yanhua suggested, “How about Steamed Pork Belly? I saw my brother bought some pork.”
Second Uncle agreed immediately. “Good suggestion, Xiao Hua. Let’s settle on that.”
With the menu set, the elders and Yanhua grabbed their hoes to head back to the fields. Once they left, Xiang Yang, showing great situational awareness, stepped up to clear the table.