At that moment, Shen Jianing walked into the kitchen carrying a few freshly washed tomatoes.
“Ruanruan, let me help you.”
“No need, Sister Jianing. Go keep Grandma company in the living room. I can handle everything here.”
“No way. I have to help you. Otherwise, you’ll be too busy by yourself.”
Qin Ruofeng also came in and said,
“That’s right, Ruanruan. Jianing can help you prepare the ingredients, and I’ll tend the fire.”
Seeing how enthusiastic they both were, Qin Ruan stopped refusing.
“Alright then. Thank you.”
Qin Ruofeng sat down in front of the stove and added several pieces of firewood. The flames crackled loudly, lighting up his face.
Standing beside Qin Ruan, Shen Jianing helped pick and wash the vegetables. As they worked, the two chatted and laughed together, filling the kitchen with cheerful conversation.
Before long, the rich aroma of braised pork spread throughout the entire courtyard.
Sitting in the living room, Hu Yufen inhaled the delicious smell and smiled at Aunt Zhang, the neighbor sitting beside her.
“Take a sniff. Doesn’t my Ruanruan’s braised pork smell wonderful?”
Aunt Zhang took a deep breath and said enviously,
“It smells incredible! Your Ruanruan is such a wonderful girl—hardworking and thoughtful. Whoever marries her will be truly fortunate.”
“Of course!” Hu Yufen replied proudly, her eyes narrowing into happy crescents. “After all, she’s my granddaughter.”
“Dinner’s ready!”
Qin Ruan carried the finished dishes to the table.
The braised pork glistened with a rich reddish-brown glaze. The twice-cooked pork with garlic shoots looked tender and flavorful without being greasy, while the vegetable egg drop soup appeared light and refreshing. Just looking at the meal made everyone’s appetite grow.
“Grandma, try my braised pork.”
Qin Ruan placed a piece into Hu Yufen’s bowl.
Hu Yufen took a bite and couldn’t stop praising it.
“Delicious! Absolutely delicious! It’s even better than mine!”
Qin Ruofeng also picked up a piece and tasted it.
“Mmm… It really is excellent. Tender, fragrant, slightly sweet, and not greasy at all. I never imagined someone your age could cook this well.”
“Exactly, Ruanruan!” Shen Jianing exclaimed happily. “Your cooking is amazing! From now on, you’re in charge of our family’s dinners.”
She looked like a true foodie who had just discovered an outstanding chef.
“No problem. I’ll cook delicious meals for all of you every day.”
Qin Ruan accepted the compliment with a bright smile.
The family sat around the square dining table, eating, chatting, and enjoying one another’s company.
Qin Ruan loved this kind of family atmosphere.
She had never experienced it in her previous life.
And in this life, it had seemed no different.
But now she had her grandmother, her youngest uncle, and her aunt.
She wanted to cherish this warmth for as long as she could.
That night, lying in bed and gazing at the moon outside the window, Qin Ruan silently made a promise.
I’ll take good care of Grandma, Uncle, and Aunt. I’ll make sure they can enjoy delicious food every day and live happily.
I’ll also work hard to earn money, buy a big house, and one day have enough rental income to live a carefree, laid-back life.
Early the next morning, Qin Ruan’s internal clock woke her before dawn.
She got dressed and spent more than half an hour busy in the kitchen.
Breakfast consisted of millet porridge with pickled vegetables, steamed white-flour buns, fried eggs, and a plate of cucumber salad freshly picked from the garden.
Looking at the table full of food, Hu Yufen smiled so broadly that she could hardly close her mouth.
“Our Ruanruan is becoming more and more capable. This breakfast is even better than what you’d get at a state-owned restaurant.”
“I’m just glad you like it, Grandma. From now on, I’ll make breakfast for you every day.”
As he ate a steamed bun, Qin Ruofeng added,
“That’s right. From now on, Ruanruan is in charge of breakfast at our house. I finally won’t have to eat the cafeteria’s watery porridge and pickled vegetables anymore.”
The family was happily enjoying breakfast when Hu Yufen suddenly set down her chopsticks and looked at Qin Ruan seriously.
“Ruanruan, you’re not getting any younger. Don’t you think it’s time to start thinking about finding someone?”
Qin Ruan was in the middle of drinking her porridge and nearly choked.
She looked at her grandmother in surprise.
“Grandma, I’m only nineteen. I’m still young. There’s no need to rush into finding someone.”
She truly hadn’t expected this conversation on only her second day here.
She had thought her grandmother would wait a few more days before bringing it up.
“Nineteen isn’t that young anymore. Besides, you’re a girl. You can’t stay with me forever. If you marry into a good family and have someone to take care of you, I’ll be able to stop worrying.”
“Your grandmother’s right,” Qin Ruofeng chimed in in complete agreement.
“You’re living in the military family compound now. If you could find someone in the military, the two of you could live in the same compound and look after each other. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Qin Ruan’s heart skipped a beat.
She felt both speechless and at a loss for words.
She knew they were only thinking of what was best for her.
She had only been in this world for a few days. She hadn’t even adjusted to life in this era yet.
Not to mention…
The first thing that had happened after her arrival was spending the night with a complete stranger.
And now they were already trying to set her up on a blind date.
Seeing the troubled expression on her face, Qin Ruofeng smiled.
“You don’t have to reject the idea right away. I actually have someone in mind. He’s the regiment commander of the Third Regiment. His name is Huo Tingchen. He’s the same age as I am, handsome, capable, and an excellent young man.”
“Huo Tingchen?”
Qin Ruan blinked curiously.
“That sounds like the name of a hero from a modern romance novel. What’s he like?”
Qin Ruofeng put down his chopsticks and continued.
“He’s a very upright man and treats his subordinates well. He’s just a little serious and doesn’t talk much. But he’s extremely capable. He became a regiment commander at such a young age, so his future is very promising. He’s currently away on a mission, though, and hasn’t returned yet.”
“Yes,” Shen Jianing agreed.
“I’ve met Regiment Commander Huo a few times before. He’s really a good man, and he’s very handsome too. I think he’d make a perfect match for our Ruanruan.”
Qin Ruan didn’t know what to say.
She had no idea what kind of person Huo Tingchen really was.
Nor did she want to get married so soon.
Yet looking at the hopeful expressions on her grandmother’s and uncle’s faces, she couldn’t bear to refuse them outright.
“He’s still away on a mission, right? We don’t even know when he’ll be back. Could we wait until he returns before talking about this again?”
she asked softly.
“Deal!” Qin Ruofeng said with a grin.
“When he comes back, I’ll arrange for the two of you to meet. Maybe you’ll hit it off. Besides, his mission should be ending soon. He’ll probably be back within the next few days.”
“That’s right,” Hu Yufen reassured her.
“Just meet him first. If you two are compatible, great. If not, then forget about it. We’re not forcing you to get married immediately.”
Looking at their eager expressions, Qin Ruan was still reluctant, but she eventually nodded.
“Alright. We’ll talk about it after he comes back.”
Hu Yufen and Qin Ruofeng exchanged relieved smiles.
They knew Qin Ruan wasn’t entirely willing, but as long as she agreed to meet him, there was hope.
Lowering her head, Qin Ruan quietly continued eating her steamed bun while thinking to herself,
What kind of person is this Huo Tingchen?
I hope he isn’t someone who’s difficult to get along with.
And what about that man from my first night here? Did he ever go back to look for me?
After breakfast, Qin Ruofeng changed into his military uniform and prepared to head to work.
As soon as he stepped out of the family compound, he spotted Huo Tingchen.
Dressed in camouflage fatigues and carrying a military backpack, Huo Tingchen was walking toward the regimental headquarters.
“Tingchen!”
Qin Ruofeng called out.
Huo Tingchen stopped, turned around, and immediately saluted when he saw him.
“Regiment Commander Qin.”
Qin Ruofeng walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
“We’re the same rank. What’s with the salute? Mission accomplished? Everything go smoothly?”