After hearing what Su Qinghe said, Deputy County Magistrate Gu lowered his head and thought for a moment. “The cadre looked serious and asked about the situation in the county. Could it be someone from the city?”
“Dad, I think so. Things were really bad last year, so we need to pay more attention this year,” Su Qinghe replied. She felt that her thinking was still pretty sharp.
Anyway, she had to perform well in this situation—and maybe find a way to set up her opponents.
Deputy County Magistrate Gu also felt it was possible. Otherwise, who would come to the county seat on business? Their place was like a wasteland. He looked at Su Qinghe and asked, “You said they want to go to the restaurant to eat?”
“Yeah, that’s what they said. But I don’t know if they’ll really come. They wanted to eat the braised pork I made before—well, the chef made it. They said they’d come again next time. I’m not sure if they were serious or just being polite.”
Su Qinghe really didn’t know if the cadres these days were so interested in food.
Deputy County Magistrate Gu said, “If they do come, no matter who they are, try to find a chance to talk. If someone cares about the county, we should tell them the real situation. Even if they can’t help, at least they can put some pressure on the county leaders. Those people have no shame now!”
Su Qinghe nodded. She didn’t want the county to end up as bad as it did last year.
Seeing how sensible and thoughtful Su Qinghe was, Deputy County Magistrate Gu smiled with satisfaction. This daughter-in-law was kind-hearted and cared about the people. If it were someone else, they might think it had nothing to do with them and not care at all.
“Qinghe, our family can’t just care about ourselves. You’re doing well—keeping the people’s situation in your heart. That shows real awareness. Keep it up.”
Su Qinghe smiled and said, “Dad, I’m just a farmer from the countryside. Of course I have to care.”
Gu’s mother had been smiling the whole time. When she saw they were done talking, she jumped in, “Old Gu, look at our Qing Miao’er. She listens to everything and wants to help. She’s not like others who don’t care about anything!”
Su Qinghe quickly said, “Mom, it just happened by chance. They came to our restaurant, so I had the opportunity. The others didn’t. And I don’t even know if that person can actually help.”
Deputy County Magistrate Gu said encouragingly, “Whether they can or not, it’s good that you have this heart.”
Gu Ma immediately added, “That’s right. Our Qing Miao’er is sensible and still so humble.”
After a while, the rest of the Gu family came home. Ever since Gu Ma came back earlier than Su Qinghe once and made a fuss, the others had started working overtime to make up for it. Lately, the leaders had been praising them often.
When they got home, the older sisters-in-law went to prepare dinner.
Su Qinghe stood up and said, “Let me cook. The braised pork I made last time was really tasty. Today, some people even came looking for it after smelling the aroma. I’ll make it for Mom and Dad.”
She wanted to cook so she could earn more rewards. After going to bed, she could enter the military wife’s kitchen to keep practicing and leveling up.
No matter how the seed issue turned out, she needed to improve her skills and get more rewards.
Gu Ma was still a little unhappy. Su Qinghe wrapped her arms around her and said sweetly, “Mom, let me cook for you and Dad. I want to practice my cooking skills.”
“Alright, alright. Mom will try our Qing Miao’er’s cooking,” Gu Ma said with a smile. Her heart softened. If only she had a daughter like this. But luckily, Qinghe was her daughter-in-law, and she’d stay with them for a lifetime—longer than a daughter would.
Although Su Qinghe cooked the braised pork, Gu Ma didn’t let her do other chores. She still asked the first and second daughters-in-law to help.
Gu Ma was worried that the older daughters-in-law wouldn’t handle the cooking properly, so she kept watching Su Qinghe closely.
This wasn’t just about the food. Chang’an was working so hard out there. If he came back and saw his wife being treated like a servant, he’d feel bad.
Thinking of her son who had to leave home, Gu Ma felt heartache. Since she couldn’t take care of her son, she had to take good care of his wife. The third couple must not be wronged.
The three women were busy in the kitchen.
After the rice was steamed, the older sisters-in-law watched Su Qinghe cook.
Seeing her skilled movements, they realized the third sister-in-law wasn’t lazy. If she were lazy, how could she cook like this? She just hadn’t had many chances to work before. If she had, she might be even more hardworking than them.
She had simply been delayed by the old lady.
They both felt a little embarrassed.
Soon, the whole house was filled with the smell of braised pork.
The aroma was strong. When the meat was brought to the table, the whole family sat down to eat. As Gu Ma looked at the shiny, juicy braised pork, tears welled up in her eyes again.
“If only Chang’an were home. His wife made this herself. He’s the one who should be eating it. But he still can’t…”
“Mom, eat some meat,” Su Qinghe said, placing a piece into her bowl.
Gu Ma was touched and took a bite. “It’s delicious. Our Qing Miao’er is really good at cooking.”
Deputy County Magistrate Gu also took a bite and nodded while chewing. “It’s been years since I’ve had such tasty braised pork.”
The rest of the family also ate happily. The third daughter-in-law was truly talented.
After dinner, Su Qinghe washed up and got ready for bed so she could enter the army’s kitchen again.
Just as she got to her room, there was a knock on the door. Su Qinghe opened it and saw Gu Ma standing outside holding a metal box.
“Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“I need to talk to you.” Gu Ma smiled and walked in, closing the door behind her. She put the box on the table, opened the lid, and took out a stack of money and ration tickets.
Su Qinghe was surprised.
Gu Ma stuffed the money and tickets into Su Qinghe’s hands. “Your father said you need to spend money when buying things for the family. You can’t use your own money all the time. You and Chang’an are the youngest—we don’t expect you to support the family. Your dad and I don’t have many chances to use this money anyway, so we’re giving it to you. Use it however you want, and don’t be shy.”
“…Mom, it’s okay. I have a salary. I live at home, so I should help by bringing some food. We’re a family.”
Gu Ma didn’t agree and stuffed the money into her pocket. “We’re giving it to you, so just take it. If we keep it, it’ll just sit there. If you want to buy something, go buy it. Your dad told me to give this to you. Don’t overthink it—this is your home. You’re a good girl, and we all like you. Even your brothers-in-law aren’t as thoughtful as you.”
Su Qinghe felt her eyes and nose sting a little.
She hugged Gu Ma, touched. “Mom, you and Dad are so good to me.”
“You’re our daughter-in-law,” Gu Ma said, hugging her tightly like her own daughter. She felt very satisfied.
Her other two daughters-in-law had been in the family for years, but they’d never been so affectionate or close with her.
Su Qinghe didn’t refuse the money and tickets. After all, she didn’t plan to spend them recklessly. She could save them for when the family really needed something.
After Gu Ma left, Su Qinghe lay in bed with her eyes closed, waiting quietly. Once everything outside was quiet, she entered the military wife’s kitchen.
Whether it was for the people, for her father-in-law, or for a stable future, she had to work hard.
In another room, Second Sister-in-law was lying in bed, chatting with her husband Gu Changping.
“Changping, I think the third daughter-in-law is really nice. Don’t complain about her anymore.”
Gu Changping replied, “Why the sudden change of heart?”
“She’s really good at cooking. If she makes food for us again one day, we’ll eat so well.”
She smacked her lips and rubbed her belly in satisfaction.
Gu Changping: “…”
He turned over and pulled her into his arms. “Go to sleep. We have work tomorrow.”
Su Qinghe didn’t know it, but she had won over her second sister-in-law with just a plate of braised pork.
She was now in the army’s kitchen, practicing how to make Kung Pao Chicken.
She used the ingredients from the braised pork instead. Though they were a bit different, it was close enough.
After studying the recipe for a while, Su Qinghe began cooking slowly.
The ingredients could be reused, so she didn’t worry about wasting anything. She could also save the finished Kung Pao Chicken in her storage space. Last time, none of the fish soup had gone to waste—it had all gone to Chang’an.
This time, the Kung Pao Chicken would also be for Chang’an.
Chang’an wasn’t picky. She liked watching him eat. It gave her a strong sense of satisfaction.
Thinking of Chang’an made her feel happy. Even if she failed the recipe twice, she wasn’t discouraged. At worst, she’d just make more Kung Pao Chicken for him.
…
At the Frontier Corps.
Gu Chang’an was training hard, spinning non-stop on the horizontal bar.
“Two hundred seventy-eight… two hundred ninety-three… two hundred ninety-nine… three hundred!”
After finishing, he dropped from the bar, shook his arm, and looked at his muscles—bulging and firm.
He felt full of strength now. If he met the enemy again, he could rush up and knock them down with one punch.
Just thinking about it made his heart race with excitement.
Defeating the enemy with his own strength—that would stop those thugs from ever daring to show up again!
He was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly realized he was daydreaming about fighting…
He quickly shook his head. No, he couldn’t do that. Qing Miao’er was still waiting for him to come home. He had promised her.
He rubbed his eyes sadly.
Looking up at the moon in the sky, his eyes slowly turned red. “Qing Miao’er, I’m scared. I’m afraid I won’t be able to come back. What if I can’t… someday?”
Inside the army kitchen, a ding sounded: “The soldier has completed training beyond expectations and is rewarded with two gold coins.”
Su Qinghe, who was stir-frying, became even more energetic when she heard the prompt. She shook the wok with force.
Sweat poured down her face.
“Ding… Congratulations to the host for completing the B-level task ‘Kung Pao Chicken.’ The taste is good. You are rewarded with two sets of ingredients and one skill point.”
Su Qinghe poured the dish onto a plate and took a deep breath. Smells so good! She took a few bites.
Her “Food” skill now had five points. Her cooking was getting better and better. Future tasks would be easier.
The next day at work, Su Qinghe waited to see if the people she suspected were cadres would show up again.
But she waited all morning, and even by lunchtime they didn’t come. Lots of people came and went for meals, but by the end, even Qiao Da and Aunt Li had left. There was still no sign of them.
“Did I overthink it? That’s embarrassing,” Su Qinghe muttered, touching her smooth cheek. Then she went back to studying recipes and prepared to test another dish that night.