Chapter 53: No smoke without fire

"Sister-in-law, smelling this aroma, I feel that this braised meat is definitely better than the food in the military cafeteria."

In Chu Minglan's mind, the best restaurants in the world are state-owned restaurants and military canteens. Last time, she was interrupted at a state-owned restaurant, and the food she ate was tasteless...

Lin Anan looked at the greedy expressions of the two little guys and thought they were adorable. "By the way, Xiaolan, what is the cafeteria in this military compound like? Can you eat there often?"

Chu Minglan nodded, "Well, we have a headquarters canteen and a company canteen here. The headquarters canteen is an external canteen where military dependents can eat, but they need to give food tickets."

"The last one that was sealed off was the office cafeteria?"

"Yes."

If all military families can go and eat, then there will be relatively more people to be entertained. If something goes wrong, it will be a big problem...

As she spoke, Lin Anan checked the stew in the pot again. She felt that it was about time, so she picked up a piece of pork belly with chopsticks, looked at the color carefully, pressed it gently, and nodded with satisfaction. "Well, it's almost done, Xiaolan, you can turn off the fire on the stove and let it soak in the marinade for a while. This way it will be more flavorful."

Chu Minglan responded quickly and skillfully adjusted the firewood in the stove, making the fire gradually smaller.

Lin Anan turned around and cut some onions, ginger and garlic, preparing to use them in making the braised pork rice later.

"For this braised pork rice, besides having delicious braised pork, the side dishes and seasonings are also very important. Chop the braised pork into small pieces and pour it over the rice with the onions, ginger, garlic and marinade. The taste will be amazing."

Chu Mingyu was listening on the side, turning around anxiously.

Lin Anan was amused by his appearance and said, "Xiaoyu, just bear with it for a while, it will be ready soon, go get the dishes and chopsticks."

When Chu Mingyu heard this, he immediately ran to get the dishes and chopsticks. His movements were so agile.

"Sister-in-law, Xiaoyu is very active when he hears there is something delicious. Normally, he won't work so quickly."

Lin Anan smiled so much that her eyes curved. "Children are all like this. They are motivated when there is something delicious."

Chu Mingyu took three bowls, his was the biggest...

"Sister-in-law, why is my stomach growling?"

"Okay, okay, you little greedy cat, sister-in-law will prepare the braised pork rice for you right away."

Lin Anan took out the braised pork belly, put it on the chopping board and cut it into small dices. Then she put the braised pork into a bowl, poured the hot marinade on it, and sprinkled chopped onions, ginger and garlic on it. A braised pork rice with good color, aroma and taste was ready.

"Okay." Lin Anan brought the braised pork rice to the table, "Xiaolan, Xiaoyu, come and try it."

When the two little guys heard it, they immediately ran over and sat down, and couldn't wait to eat. As soon as they took a bite, Chu Mingyu gave a thumbs up. "Wow, sister-in-law, it's so delicious. This is the most delicious meal I have ever eaten. I love it so much."

Chu Minglan also nodded and said, "Yes, sister-in-law, this braised pork rice is really delicious. It is fragrant and goes well with rice. I feel like I can eat a lot."

Seeing that they were enjoying their meal, Lin Anan felt... inexplicably satisfied!

"Sister-in-law, go and turn over the pot. You guys eat first. If it's not enough, add more."

"Uh-huh."

Just as the pot was turned over, there was a knock on the door outside the yard, "Mingzhou's wife, are you home?"

Lin Anan poked her head out of the kitchen and frowned when she saw Aunt Wang's face.

"Mingzhou's wife, what are you doing?"

Aunt Wang seemed to be tactless and kept peeking inside.

Although Lin Anan was a little unhappy, she still responded politely: "It's Aunt Wang, I'm just about to have lunch, what can I do for you?"

Aunt Wang smiled ingratiatingly, sniffed hard, and was choked by the cold wind again...

"Hey, what kind of food did you cook? The smell spreads far away, I can smell it even from my home. You are such a great cook! I just came to see you. I heard that you were not feeling well, so I came to check on you."

Lin Anan was speechless. The cold face he showed before was still vivid in her mind. How could this guy be so shameless?

"Thank you for your concern. I am much better now."

Seeing that she only talked but didn't open the door, Aunt Wang gradually lost her patience, "Mingzhou, please open the door first. I have something to tell you."

Lin Anan walked to the door. She was already a little annoyed by Aunt Wang's sudden visit. When she heard that she had to come in to talk about something, her brows furrowed even tighter. "What is it, Aunt Wang? Just tell me here. My meal is almost cold."

Aunt Wang felt bad when she saw Lin Anan didn't want her to come in, but she suppressed her emotions and put on a caring smile, but her voice was deliberately low, "Mingzhou's wife, I'm doing this for your own good, that's why I came to tell you this. Brigade Commander Tang's daughter Tang Jingqiao is going back to the military compound to celebrate the New Year, she has a very close relationship with Mingzhou..."

Lin Anan's face turned cold. Could it be that this silly old woman could never change her nagging habit?

Every time I see her, she is either arguing or gossiping.

"Aunt Wang, please don't talk nonsense. Don't I know who Ming Zhou is?"

Seeing that Lin An'an didn't believe her, Aunt Wang quickly moved closer, her head almost sticking through the crack of the door, "Oh, how dare I say anything? Everyone in the compound knows about this. In the past... your Mingzhou and Tang Jingqiao were very close."

Lin Anan didn't believe it at all, and directly scolded with a sullen face: "Aunt Wang, if you keep talking nonsense, you will be slandering the soldiers!"

Aunt Wang was stunned!

Then she curled her lips, with an expression that said "you don't know how to appreciate kindness", and took several steps back, "How can you talk like that, kid? Isn't this all for your own good? There is no such thing as a simple thing between a man and a woman? There is no smoke without fire, you better be more careful, or you will suffer a loss without knowing it!"

"Don't worry about it. I'm still waiting for my meal. Please go back quickly."

Seeing Lin Anan's attitude and her refusal to even open the door, Aunt Wang thought that she would never be able to ask what was happening in the kitchen, so there was no point in continuing the conversation.

"Hmph, your kindness is taken for granted. I'm telling you this out of pity for you. You can do whatever you want. Don't blame me for not reminding you when the time comes!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked away quickly.

Lin Anan rolled her eyes in a very ungraceful manner. It was really annoying to live next door to such a person.

In just a few days, Lin Anan had a general understanding of Chu Mingzhou's character. She could believe what he said about other things, but she would never believe him when he talked about his moral character.

Being married, can Chu Mingzhou flirt with the girl?

Let others talk to you without any justification?

What's more, the other party is the daughter of a brigade-level leader.

Chu Mingzhou is not good at talking, but he is not stupid, nor is he a bad person!