Everyone said that Huo Commander’s wife was lazy and useless, but who would have thought she could make something so fragrant?
She was nothing like the rumors!
They themselves couldn’t make such a treat.
“This is called pudding. It’s a kind of dessert.”
“Pudding? What’s that?”
Pudding… pudding… wasn’t that supposed to ‘supplement offspring’? Could this thing be some kind of aphrodisiac? She suddenly looked at Jiang Mengning with a completely different expression. Unexpectedly, the commander’s wife actually played around like this. She had been worrying for nothing; the couple was fine, and all those supposed aphrodisiac things had already been used. Huo Commander was lucky.
Jiang Mengning didn’t know that the woman had jumped to such a conclusion, and she didn’t bother explaining. When the time came, she lifted the pot lid. The smell of milk instantly became more fragrant.
The steamed pudding was milky white, soft and bouncy, like jelly, with a delightful texture.
She poured a layer of locust-flower honey over the creamy pudding.
The golden honey covered the white pudding, creating a beautiful color contrast that was visually tempting—almost too beautiful to eat.
Feng Xiulian was very curious.“So this is pudding! Looks like a super nourishing thing.”
She smiled meaningfully. Jiang Mengning gave her a suspicious look. Something about what she said felt… off.
Jiang Mengning grabbed a bowl from the kitchen and scooped a portion of pudding.“Sis, this is for you.”
Feng Xiulian had been smiling, but when the bowl was placed in front of her, she instantly felt awkward. She waved her hands and backed away.“No, no… you keep it for your Huo. We already have three kids; we don’t need this. You and Huo Commander eat more; I won’t bother you anymore,” she said, turning to leave.
Just as she was about to leave, Qin Sufang, who had been eavesdropping from the corner, heard the commotion and quickly hid. She couldn’t be seen. She waited until Feng Xiulian had gone far enough before coming out from behind the building. She glared at Jiang Mengning’s front door. Making pudding? Clearly trying to seduce Huo Jinyan—a shameless woman.
Jiang Mengning’s hands were still holding the bowl midair. She didn’t understand why the woman had suddenly run off. Never mind—she’d give it to Nian Nian.
“Nian Nian, go grab a little stool. We’ll sit and eat slowly.”
Nian Nian, obedient as always, ran to fetch a small stool and sat down.
As she ate the pudding, she puckered her little lips adorably.
“How is it? Good?”“Delicious! Anything my mom makes is delicious. Mom, you try some too.”
She scooped a bite and fed it to her mother. The creamy, bouncy texture, combined with the milk and honey flavor, spread instantly in the mouth. A pudding like this on a summer day was pure bliss. If it were chilled, it would be even better. Next time, Jiang Mengning thought, she’d make a batch and chill it in the well.
“Alright, I’ll just eat a little; the rest is all for you, Nian Nian.”
“Mom!” the little girl suddenly said, her eyes darting.“Mom, can I save some for Dad and my brother?”
She wanted her father and brother to enjoy this delicious treat too.
“Of course! I already set aside some for them. Everything in your bowl is yours—eat up!”
This little girl really loved her dad and brother. Nian Nian’s eyes sparkled like little stars. She puckered her lips and leaned over to plant a kiss on her mother’s lips.“Mommy, hi!”
Her happy, playful way of showing affection—so cute! Jiang Mengning ruffled her little head.
The girl was simply adorable—soft and cuddly, she just wanted to hug her.
If all children were like Nian Nian, Jiang Mengning thought, she might consider having more.
After lunch, Jiang Mengning took Nian Nian to nap.
She slept soundly, unaware that in the army, a little scandal was brewing.
Qin Sufang sneakily made her way to the shooting range and, seeing Huo Jinyan, couldn’t help complaining.“Huo Commander, something big is happening at home! Do you know what your wife is doing? She’s making pudding for you!”
Huo Jinyan frowned.“What pudding?”
“You don’t know? It’s that… that thing… the aphrodisiac. Isn’t she idle all day, thinking about it? Saying your wife is restless really isn’t wrong!”
“Shut your mouth!” Huo Jinyan barked, scaring Qin Sufang stiff.
“H-Huo Commander, I wasn’t making it up!”“Get out. Not another word.”
She swallowed nervously, realizing she had flattered the wrong person.
She had thought Huo Jinyan disliked Jiang Mengning and would be furious if he knew she was making pudding—but she had been wrong. She left in disgrace.
Huo Jinyan exhaled, thinking of Jiang Mengning making pudding at home, feeling a rush of heat.
That woman… what was she up to now?
Jiang Mengning didn’t wake up until three in the afternoon. Seeing the sun less harsh outside, she took a stool and sat under the eaves to comb Nian Nian’s hair and check for lice. A single day without cleaning could lead to an infestation, so she wasn’t taking any chances.
Soon, Huo Jinyan returned with several lunch boxes. As he entered, he saw mother and daughter under the eaves. The little girl’s head rested on Jiang Mengning’s lap, and she was combing through it—obviously checking for lice.
He didn’t expect that Jiang Mengning, usually so meticulous, would go through such trouble for Nian Nian—and she was completely sincere. She had changed so much.
“Oh, Dad’s back.” Jiang Mengning looked up and saw him standing nearby. She put her hands down, finishing for the day. Nian Nian climbed off her lap and ran to hug her father’s leg.“Dad, you’re home! Did you miss Mom?”
Huo Jinyan instinctively glanced at Jiang Mengning, who stretched and suppressed a smile.
“You actually listened to your commissar and came straight back!” She wiggled toward him, deliberately brushing her body against his.
Huo Jinyan’s muscles tensed immediately. Jiang Mengning stopped teasing; with Nian Nian around, certain matters were best kept private.
“What’s for dinner? I’m starving. Is there meat? You can’t always have just soup, you know! I’m a military wife, not a nun!”
She hadn’t cared much for meat before, but now in the 1980s, she craved it.
Huo Jinyan said nothing and led Nian Nian to the kitchen, opening the lunch boxes one by one. Jiang Mengning announced each dish as he lifted the lids.
“Mapo tofu.”“Braised eggplant.”“Stir-fried cabbage with vermicelli.”
After three dishes, her small face started to frown, her delicate eyebrows knitting into a caterpillar-like shape. She grew more disappointed.
As Huo Jinyan prepared to open the last box, he glanced at Jiang Mengning. Seeing her rare expression, he couldn’t help but smirk.
The last box revealed an irresistible aroma.“Ah! Jackpot—braised pork!”
Jiang Mengning’s frown immediately relaxed. She smiled, showing her white teeth, full of joy. Seeing meat in this context felt like hitting the lottery! She almost wanted to cheer.
“The meals for military families are usually light. If you want meat, you can buy some from the street.” He knew Jiang Mengning wouldn’t feel wronged, so he just said it casually.
Jiang Mengning ignored him, sat at the table, and picked up a piece of braised pork. Even though it was communal food, it was delicious. The pork was tender, flavorful, without any unpleasant smell—truly tasty. Indeed, food in this era was all good.
Huo Jinyan sat across from her. Nian Nian busily served pudding to her father and brother, placing the brother’s portion in his spot.“Dad, this is pudding Mom made for you—eat it!”
Her pronunciation was slightly off, so “pudding” sounded like “aphrodisiac” in some ears.
Huo Jinyan assumed the matter was done, but seeing the pudding in front of him, he frowned, inspecting it with suspicion. What was this thing? He couldn’t figure out what Jiang Mengning was up to.