By noon, the house was filled with the irresistible aroma of spicy hotpot—it was absolutely mouthwatering.
Commissioner Li kept taking plate after plate. By mealtime, he had already tasted Tang Jin’s cooking, and it was nothing short of divine—a level his own wife could never match.
Tang Jin also prepared a dipping sauce using sesame paste, sesame oil, garlic, cilantro, and scallions.
The five of them gathered around the table for hotpot. Even with the fan spinning nonstop, everyone was sweating profusely, but the heat only seemed to make them eat with more enthusiasm.
“Mu Heng, this mission went very well. Your promotion to battalion commander is already under review; the order will come soon. When the celebration is held in a couple of days, make sure to bring Xiao Jin too,” said Lu Wensheng, pleased to see the couple’s relationship seemed to have improved, and he even took a few extra sips of wine.
“Xiao Tang, your man is truly outstanding. You must be his solid support,” said Commissioner Li, now a bit looser-lipped after a few rounds of drinking.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Li. I’ll earn money to support the family, and he’ll protect the country,” Tang Jin said, patting her chest proudly. Her grand words made everyone laugh.
“Earn money to support the family? How exactly?”
Lu Wensheng remembered that she had refused the job at the clinic, saying she had plans for the future—but he hadn’t heard what those plans were.
Tang Jin hurriedly pulled the suits and qipaos out of their bags.
“Godfather, this suit is for you. Godmother, this qipao is for you. What do you think?”
“Oh! This qipao is beautiful. The embroidery is so intricate. Did you stitch this?”
Guo Suna was drawn to the qipao Tang Jin had prepared—it looked far better than anything sold in stores, and it was pure silk, immediately exuding class.
“Of course! Come, Godmother, try it on,” Tang Jin said, pulling Guo Suna toward the bedroom.
Once changed, Tang Jin quickly styled Guo Suna’s hair in a Korean-inspired updo.
“Godfather, look at Godmother in this qipao,” Tang Jin said, guiding Guo Suna out of the bedroom.
Lu Wensheng’s eyes lit up. His wife looked years younger, regal and elegant, graceful and poised.
“Beautiful! Godmother looks ten years younger; anyone would believe she’s in her thirties,” Lu Wensheng praised, smiling.
“See? Godmother has the base. In her youth, she must have been stunning, a true beauty,” Tang Jin flattered, making Guo Suna blush.
Guo Suna genuinely loved the qipao—it looked far better than anything she’d ever worn.
“Godfather, you try the suit too. See if it fits,” Tang Jin quickly handed it to Lu Wensheng.
“My girl! You think I’m not hot enough? Look at this sweat,” he complained, but still cooperated, putting the suit over his T-shirt.
“Godfather, look at yourself in this suit—you instantly look ten years younger, noble and commanding, radiating the aura of a general. It suits your temperament perfectly,” Tang Jin praised, using her best salesperson skills.
“Old Lu, I envy you! Your goddaughter is amazing. My own daughter can’t cook properly, let alone make clothes. She doesn’t even know how to handle a needle or buy me underwear,” said Commissioner Li, genuinely envious.
Lu Wensheng turned in front of the mirror. Indeed, he felt years younger; the suit fit perfectly.
Tang Jin took the suit from him and handed it to Godmother.
“My money-making plan is doing small-scale work. By the way, Godfather, what’s that one-story yard next to the residential compound for?” Tang Jin asked, seizing the opportunity—she had her eyes on that yard for a couple of days.
“That yard? Nothing much. Just store some stuff,” Lu Wensheng replied casually.
“Then may I borrow it? I want to let jobless military wives make some handicrafts and earn pocket money there.”
Tang Jin thought the small yard would be perfect for storing scrap fabrics, saving trips upstairs. Closed off, it could become a tiny workshop.
“Sure, it’s idle anyway. I think Uncle Li has the key,” Lu Wensheng said.
“Old Li, is it okay for my girl to use it?”
“Of course! I’ll go get the key for you. In the future, when you come to cook for Godfather, just tell me,” Commissioner Li, who truly loved Tang Jin’s cooking, said.
“Absolutely, Uncle Li. If you like Godfather’s suit, I’ll make one for you too,” Tang Jin added, skillfully flattering everyone.
“Really? Then I won’t refuse,” Commissioner Li replied. He had admired Lu Wensheng’s suit but hadn’t said anything.
The meal was delightful. Mu Heng got to see firsthand how charming and adept Tang Jin was—her sweet words and skillful hands made everyone happy.
He also began to understand why Director Lu had taken Tang Jin as his goddaughter. She could cook, was clever, and had a sweet mouth.
He realized he had never truly understood this woman.