Commander Liang’s expression was grave. He knew this mission was exceptionally dangerous and difficult.
Lu Zhiyan sensed his concern and immediately straightened his back like a pine tree, his gaze sharp as he replied, “Commander, as long as the Viper dares to show up, I’ll be ready to close the net.”
Commander Liang nodded, retrieved a file from his drawer, and handed it to Lu Zhiyan. “The target of this mission goes by the codename ‘Viper.’”
“He operates year-round between the Golden Triangle and the Gulf of Tonkin—cunning and ruthless.”
“Zhiyan, your task isn’t to confront him head-on.”
Commander Liang tapped the tip of his pen heavily on a hidden route marked on the map. “Instead, keep a close watch on this line. Figure out their transaction timing and rendezvous points.”
He looked up at Lu Zhiyan. “Only then can we round up these desperados in one sweep!”
“Understood. I will complete the mission without fail!”
Lu Zhiyan’s voice was as cold and firm as iron. “Once the Viper surfaces, I’ll spare no effort to capture him.”
Commander Liang opened his mouth to speak. “Zhiyan, you’ve just gotten married. The danger level of this mission…”
“Commander Liang, I only know that military orders are as unshakable as mountains.”
Lu Zhiyan interrupted him, his eyes unwavering. “I believe my wife will understand.”
Commander Liang gave a bitter smile and patted his shoulder. “Go on, have a good dinner with your family.”
“Assemble at the dock at eleven tonight.”
Lu Zhiyan saluted and turned to leave. “Yes, sir!”
…
The Old Courtyard.
In the backyard, Ji Nanxi had already prepared a new wok.
She was now cooking directly in the iron wok.
There was still plenty of scrap wood left from tidying up the rooms over the past couple of days, so firewood wasn’t an issue for the time being.
The main thing was, earlier that day in Ya County, she and Lu Zhiyan had come across an elderly woman selling duck eggs—thirty in total.
Ji Nanxi bought them all on the spot.
Now, she planned to use five duck eggs to make a pot of soup.
After heating the wok, she added a generous amount of oil, then poured in the beaten duck egg mixture.
Next, she turned the stove flame down low. At this stage, she couldn’t stir the egg mixture in the wok.
When the egg mixture was about sixty to seventy percent cooked, she still couldn’t touch it. Instead, she poured cool water around the edges until it covered the surface of the eggs.
Then she turned the flame up high. Once the entire solidified egg “tofu” floated up from the water, she used a small knife to cut the egg tofu into pieces directly in the wok.
For this duck egg tofu soup, she seasoned it with pepper, salt, and chicken bouillon, then sprinkled chopped scallions on top just before serving.
Ji Nanxi tasted a small spoonful of the soup before taking it off the stove. Her eyes lit up—it was so delicious it could make your eyebrows dance!
She transferred all the soup from the iron wok into a clay pot.
There was no other choice. When she went to the Ya County Supply and Marketing Cooperative earlier, she’d forgotten to buy a large bowl for serving soup, so the clay pot would have to do for now.
Carefully, Ji Nanxi retrieved the System’s beginner’s gift from her space: Gene Repair Agent x1.
She glanced at the Gene Repair Agent and was surprised to find it was quite substantial—a full 100 milliliters!
Wow!
The System was being quite generous!
Ji Nanxi knew that ordinary Interstellar civilians used Gene Repair Agents in 20-milliliter doses, while Interstellar soldiers received 50-milliliter doses.
Considering Lu Zhiyan was a soldier and her own body wasn’t particularly resilient, Ji Nanxi didn’t hesitate. She poured the entire 100 milliliters into the soup.
Just as Lu Zhiyan had gone to the cafeteria to get two portions of food and was returning with the takeout boxes, Ji Nanxi happened to emerge from the small kitchen in the backyard, carrying a clay pot.
Ji Nanxi placed the clay pot on the table and greeted him with a smile, “Husband, you’re back just in time!”
“Try my cooking!”
Lu Zhiyan was stunned, unable to believe that Ji Nanxi would actually cook.
Catching the aroma in the air, he walked over to the dining table.
Ji Nanxi returned to the kitchen to fetch two sets of bowls and chopsticks.
She picked up a ladle and first served a bowl for Lu Zhiyan. When she looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, filled with nervousness and anticipation. “Husband, taste it and see if the seasoning suits your palate?”
After sitting down, Lu Zhiyan placed the takeout boxes on the table and lowered his gaze to Ji Nanxi’s fingers.
Her slender, fair hands showed no trace of injury.
Lu Zhiyan felt a quiet relief in his heart, grateful she hadn’t hurt herself. “Mm, I’ll try it now.”
Lu Zhiyan took the bowl, his eyes lingering on the creamy yellow egg drop soup in the clay pot.
The tofu-like egg curds floated in the milky white broth, dotted with finely chopped green scallions. The aroma of pepper rose with the steam, truly enticing.
He lifted the bowl and took a small sip.
The warm broth slid down his throat, and an indescribable burst of savory flavor instantly exploded on his taste buds.
This taste far surpassed any soup he had ever tried in the cafeteria or even at his grandfather’s home.
Beyond its deliciousness, there seemed to be another elusive quality, difficult to put into words.
“It’s very good.”
Lu Zhiyan could only offer a concise evaluation, his voice noticeably gentler than usual.
After sharing his thoughts, he fell silent, quietly and swiftly finishing the soup in his bowl before ladling another serving for himself.
After two bowls of hot soup, a warmth spread slowly from his stomach to every corner of his body.
The pepper-infused broth didn’t bring a dry heat but rather a comforting warmth that seemed to seep into the very marrow of his bones, dispelling the chill in his body.
Lu Zhiyan’s nerves, perpetually tense and alert from years of vigilance, felt a rare moment of relaxation.
Moreover, the accumulated fatigue and old injuries from years of military training and missions seemed to ease under the soothing warmth.
After finishing the two bowls of soup, Lu Zhiyan looked up at Ji Nanxi. “This soup of yours is special. I like it.”
Seeing his approval, Ji Nanxi’s eyes curved into crescents, her smile radiating from within. “I’m glad you like it!”
“It’s just a simple scallion and duck egg soup. Come, let’s eat the food from the cafeteria before it gets cold.”
Lu Zhiyan nodded and began to eat.
Yet the lingering warmth from the soup persisted, and his originally stern and heavy mood, weighed down by the impending mission, felt steadier and more grounded under the influence of this warmth.
The couple ate in silence, exchanging no further words.
Ji Nanxi divided the clay pot of soup directly in half.
She gave half to Lu Zhiyan, who, without complaint, drank every last drop of the portion served to him.
After the meal, Lu Zhiyan took the initiative to clear the dishes.
Ji Nanxi wanted to help, but he refused. “You worked hard today preparing the soup. It’s only right that I wash the dishes.”
Lu Zhiyan washed the dishes and wiped the table, his movements as clean and efficient as ever.
As the sky darkened, Ji Nanxi lit the kerosene lamp.
The soft yellow light didn’t reach far, but it was far more practical than a candle.
Using a kerosene lamp meant it wouldn’t be blown out by the wind.
Lu Zhiyan helped Ji Nanxi check the doors and windows, confirming the kitchen stove fire was completely extinguished.
After returning to the room to pack the luggage to take away, Lu Zhiyan stood behind Ji Nanxi with a backpack in hand, silent for a moment.
“Nanxi.”
He called her name, his voice low.
“Hmm?”
Ji Nanxi turned to look at him.
“I have a mission tonight, and the return date is uncertain.”