102. The Eye for Choosing a Bride (Second Update)

“Let’s go, Qingxin!” Gao Shen was ready to lend Jing Qingxin a hand. He could not bear to let her work alone; even if he couldn’t help much, he insisted on accompanying her.

The Liu family’s kitchen was much like the others in the village—a separate earthen stove. Jing Qingxin took a quick glance around, noting where everything was placed, then began cleaning the pots and stove.

Liu Gang immediately fetched their stock of fine grain and eggs from the cabinet and explained where the oil and salt were kept, as well as the vegetables piled in the basket.

“All right, I understand. Leave this to me!” Jing Qingxin said with a smile.

Liu Gang, as the host, felt quite embarrassed to let his guests cook. He wanted to help by tending the fire, but found their squad leader already sitting comfortably in the kitchen, with an expression of complete composure.

As Liu Gang was about to step forward, a sudden chill swept through him. He looked up, only to see the squad leader’s light gaze sweep over him. Years of experience from training made him freeze instantly, retracting his hands and feet, body stiff.

Turning it over in his mind, Liu Gang felt puzzled. This can’t be right! He hadn’t done anything wrong, yet the squad leader’s gaze made it seem as though he had committed some grave mistake. That look really was terrifying—not all sharp or cold stares are frightening; sometimes, the gentler the look, the more unsettling it becomes.

Even though he’d been retired for two years, these impressions remained vivid. His body instinctively assumed a defensive posture.

When Liu Gang was finally ushered out of the kitchen by the pair, he stared blankly at the sky and muttered, “This is my house, isn’t it? Why do I feel like an outsider, while the squad leader and his wife seem like the hosts entertaining guests?”

And he had only meant to help by tending the fire. What was with the squad leader’s look? Had he done something wrong? Liu Gang felt completely bewildered.

He pondered this for quite some time, staring at the sky, but still came up empty. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it—it was just too much trouble.

He turned, picked up the pastries wrapped in oiled paper, and went inside to let his mother taste the fresh cakes.

“Why are you in here? At this hour, you should be in the kitchen preparing dinner. What are you doing in my room? Get out there and don’t neglect our guests,” Liu’s mother fussed.

Liu Gang replied, half amused and half exasperated, “Mother, your son’s already been kicked out. There’s nothing for me to do—what’s the point?”

“What’s going on?” Liu’s mother asked, puzzled.

Liu Gang roughly explained how Gao Shen and Jing Qingxin had brought gifts and offered to cook.

After listening, Liu’s mother laughed. “Little Gao really dotes on his wife!”

Then, glancing at her son who seemed rather dazed, she sighed, “When are you going to find me a daughter-in-law? Look at little Gao—he’s older than you, and he’s already found himself a wonderful wife. You’re still running around without a care in the world!”

At the mention of a wife, Liu Gang could only remain silent. He, too, wanted to find someone he liked, but it wasn’t so easy. Friends and neighbors had introduced a few girls, but they looked down on his family’s circumstances, and worse, complained that his mother was a burden. He could never abandon his mother to live his own life.

He had never told his mother about this, worried she wouldn’t be able to bear it. That would make him a bad son.

Not wanting his mother to continue on this topic, Liu Gang quickly opened the oiled paper and said cheerfully, “Mother, here are pastries made by sister-in-law. The squad leader said they’re delicious. Try them!”

Sure enough, Liu’s mother’s attention was immediately drawn to the “Peach Blossom Cake” wrapped in oiled paper. She was pleasantly surprised and exclaimed, “What beautiful pastries! What are these? It’s my first time seeing them, and they seem to have a hint of floral fragrance.”

Seeing his mother successfully distracted, Liu Gang felt delighted, and his tone grew lighter. “I think I heard the squad leader say they’re called ‘Peach Blossom Cakes.’”

“Peach Blossom Cakes? Such a lovely name—it suits them perfectly. The flowers on top are peach blossoms, aren’t they? Miss Jing is so skillful. Little Gao is truly fortunate!” Liu’s mother remarked with heartfelt joy for Gao Shen.

Worried his mother might circle back to the previous topic, Liu Gang urged, “Mother, try the taste.”

“You have some too!” Liu’s mother laughed.

She picked up a piece and took a bite, chewing gently. Instantly, her eyes brightened, and her expression relaxed. The Peach Blossom Cake melted in her mouth with a delicate fragrance, soft and delicious—much tastier than anything from the supply store.

Even though Liu’s mother hadn’t seen how it was made, she could tell by the taste that the ingredients were solid and wholesome. She savored the cake slowly, countless words of praise welling up in her heart.

But then she noticed that three pieces were already missing. Scanning the room, she saw her son devouring them ravenously, about to reach for a fourth.

Liu’s mother quickly slapped his hand away, scolding lightly, “Enough! Save some. Eat the rest in a few days.”

Not yet satisfied, Liu Gang saw his mother’s stern gaze and immediately obeyed, “All right, I’ll eat sparingly.”

He pursed his lips, still craving more, and couldn’t help but think how the squad leader truly had an eye for things. Sister-in-law’s culinary skills were outstanding—the pastries were so delicious, he couldn’t even find words to describe them.

The squad leader had always been his role model, and now, even his choice of wife was so discerning, making Liu Gang admire him all the more. What should he do? He vowed that one day, he would find a wife as skillful as sister-in-law.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Jing Qingxin deftly washed, chopped, and stir-fried the vegetables. Gao Shen managed the stove, adjusting the firewood as needed, while rice steamed in the pot.

With the ingredients on hand, Jing Qingxin prepared a braised chicken with potatoes, a dish of spicy and sour shredded potatoes, and a scallion and egg soup. The vegetables from her “Glorious Brocade” plot were already ripe, but given the circumstances, she couldn’t bring them out now.

At that moment, Jing Qingxin was grateful for her mother’s excellent cooking skills. Back in middle school, she’d become interested and learned from her mother for a while, but it was thanks to her mother’s strict guidance that she mastered the basics—enough to handle everyday dishes.

Otherwise, in these times of limited ingredients, she wouldn’t know what to cook. Her mother’s stern teaching had proved invaluable; she truly felt grateful.

By evening, as the stars began to twinkle, four people sat around the Liu family’s main room. Though there weren’t many dishes, there was enough to go around. None of them were particularly picky, and the food was delicious. The simple dinner left everyone satisfied and joyful, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

This novel was first published by Xiaoxiang Book House. Please do not repost.