Mu Heng took a bite of the scallion pancake—crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a rich fragrance. This was easily the best scallion pancake he had ever eaten.
Then he picked up a piece of cucumber—crisp, refreshing, with a hint of garlic. Even the cucumber salad in the canteen didn’t taste this good.
He couldn’t believe it. This woman not only knew how to cook, but she cooked incredibly well.
Before, it had been because she was so lazy—he’d never seen her cook. She either bought her food or freeloaded at someone else’s house.
Mu Heng wasn’t used to this change. Not only was the apartment spotless, but she had taken the initiative to cook as well.
He lowered his head, eating quietly, full of doubt.
Would her memory come back and revert her to the old ways?
Seeing him silent, Tang Jin decided to break the awkwardness.
“Brother Heng, what would you like for lunch tomorrow? I can make it for you too.”
“Brother Heng?”
Was this her new way of addressing him?
Never mind. Divorce was still three months away—she could call him whatever she wanted, as long as she didn’t cause trouble.
Mu Heng looked up at Tang Jin and noticed her long braid was gone, replaced with a high ponytail. She looked youthful, vibrant, and confident.
Her entire aura had changed.
Her pride had always been that long braid—gone just like that? Would she regret it when her memory returned?
Of course, that wasn’t his concern. He just thought this amnesia was absurd.
“I’ll eat at the canteen for lunch. If you’re going to cook yourself, I won’t come back tomorrow.”
He then pulled thirty yuan from his pocket. “Here’s this month’s living allowance. I’ll be on a mission out of town for about ten days to half a month.”
He was still being distant. Tang Jin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
A pretty face is common, but an interesting soul is one in a million.
Looks alone weren’t enough.
If this man were all about appearances, the original Tang Jin would have won him over long ago—she had looked like a national beauty.
But because he wasn’t shallow and had strong self-control, Tang Jin wanted to conquer him even more.
She needed to showcase her talent, her fun and interesting soul, to truly attract him.
Slowly, she thought. There were still three months.
“Then take care on your mission. I can take care of myself at home.”
Tang Jin didn’t refuse the thirty yuan either—she really needed money right now.
Men only slowed her down from making money; it was better to separate for now. Make money first, win him later. Two things didn’t conflict.
After washing the dishes, Tang Jin went to her bedroom.
She planned to sketch some design plans and contact a few clothing factories for potential cooperation. She lacked startup funds, so she needed partners first.
She also needed to make herself two sets of clothes for daily wear.
Mu Heng went downstairs, preparing to return to the military district. At the gate of the residential area, he ran into Lu Wensheng, returning from the hospital.
“Hello, Instructor!” Mu Heng saluted and was about to continue walking.
But Lu Wensheng called him back.
“Kid, today you owe it to your wife. Tomorrow, I’ll have the residential broadcast announce her helpful deeds. Think carefully about this divorce. I saw Xiao Tang today—she’s quite capable. I want to introduce her to a job; you should let her consider it.”
Mu Heng was stunned. Tang Jin helpful?
He must have misheard.
Before, people had always complained about her: stealing eggs, hitting kids, quarreling…
Now someone was praising her? And the praise came from the Instructor himself?
Seeing Mu Heng still frozen, Lu Wensheng continued, “Xiao Tang didn’t tell you? She saved your sister-in-law’s life today. She knows some medical skills and I planned to assign her to the clinic, but she refused.”
“She saved my sister-in-law’s life?” Mu Heng repeated in disbelief.
And she knew some medical skills? Why hadn’t he known this? This woman was increasingly unpredictable.
“Yes. Xiao Tang is very caring. Also, among the candidates for permanent Battalion Commander, I favor you the most, and there’s only one spot. So, handle your marital relationship properly and avoid gossip.”
Lu Wensheng earnestly advised him. He valued talent.
Mu Heng was exceptional—both in personal combat and leadership. A promising young man like him shouldn’t be held back by a troublesome marriage.
“Understood. Thank you, Instructor!” Mu Heng acknowledged the good intentions.
If Tang Jin were a normal woman, now that she was married, she would have to live properly. But she was far too troublesome.
Tang Jin had no idea that Instructor Lu was speaking in her favor—she was focused on sketching her design plans.
The lighting was dim, straining her eyes. Tomorrow, she would replace the bulbs with higher wattage ones in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen. She liked bright rooms, well-lit and vibrant.
The next day, Tang Jin slept until ten. Inspired, she had sketched designs until two or three in the morning.
After washing up, she kneaded some dough and made herself a bowl of tomato-and-egg hand-pulled noodles.
After eating, she quickly brought out two pieces of cloth and cut two dresses.
One was a short dress ending just above the knee; the other a long dress to the ankle.
The short one was green with small floral prints; the long one had gradient colors.
With the fabric cut, she faced a problem—no sewing machine.
She remembered that when the original Tang Jin married, her mother had a three-spool, one-stitch machine—but it was left at her parents’ house.
No choice, she had to borrow one.
But who would lend it to her?
Everyone in the residential area had been offended by the original Tang Jin.
After thinking, she decided to ask Wu Xiulan. They had been fine during the hospital stay.
If she went to someone else, she’d be kicked out immediately.
Tang Jin took the cut fabric and went downstairs.
On the first floor, she ran into Wang Lifen, opening her door to leave.
Tang Jin was about to greet her, but Wang Lifen saw her and quickly shut the door with a bang.
Tang Jin sighed wryly. Was she a beast of destruction?
She could only take the blame.
Wu Xiulan lived across on the fourth floor. By the time Tang Jin climbed up, she was slightly out of breath.
The original Tang Jin’s physical fitness was terrible—she would need to exercise more.
Knock, knock, knock. Tang Jin rested a moment, then began to knock.
The door opened quickly. Wu Xiulan was surprised to see Tang Jin.
“Tang Jin, what’s up?”
Her tone was neutral.
“Sister-in-law, I want to borrow your sewing machine to make two dresses,” Tang Jin asked cautiously, afraid of being refused.
“Sure. You know how to use it?” Wu Xiulan replied readily.
It wasn’t an unreasonable request. She was amnesiac and had apologized. Holding grudges over the past was pointless.
“Yes, I do.”
Hearing her agree, Tang Jin was delighted, her face blooming like a flower.
“Come in. Old Zhang is at the military district, Lele went downstairs to play, it’s just me at home.”
Wu Xiulan welcomed her inside to the living room and the sewing machine.
It was an old-fashioned Butterfly brand machine, foot-operated.
Tang Jin was grateful she knew how to use it.
Her grandmother had one just like it. She had loved playing with it as a child, which led to her interest in clothing design and eventually to studying fashion.
“Then I won’t be polite. Thank you, Sister-in-law.”
She immediately threaded the needle, changed the thread, and efficiently got to work.