Next, add the diced pork belly and diced shiitake mushrooms to the pot and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add the previously fried fried onions and simmer over low heat until tender and flavorful.

During this process, the originally golden and crispy fried onion gradually softens and becomes transparent, eventually melting quietly into the soup. The aroma wafts straight into people's noses, making their mouths water.

While the meat was stewing, Zhou Qiqi boiled three eggs, gently cracked the shells, and threw them into the broth to braise together.

The white rice in the large basin was also placed on top of the iron pot, steaming hot. Before long, the aroma of the food wafted out of the yard.

It was lunchtime, and people who had been busy all day were hurrying home.

Zhao Yi, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Regiment, and Wang Tiejun, the regimental commander of the 4th Regiment, bumped into each other on the road.

Zhao Yi was Qiu Chunfang's husband. He was over forty years old and as thin as a long, thin bamboo pole, as if a gust of wind could blow him away.

The moment he smelled that tempting aroma, he stopped in his tracks as if frozen in place, sniffing hard like a puppy smelling a bone.

His eyes darted around, and he looked at Commander Wang beside him, unable to resist asking a question.

"Good heavens, what's that smell? It smells so good! I've never smelled such an enticing meaty aroma before. Commander Wang, has your wife learned to cook? You're in for a treat!"

Wang Tiejun is 35 years old this year. He has a mature appearance and looks 7, 8 or 9 years older than his actual age.

He naturally smelled the aroma as well, but simply shook his head slightly, saying in a flat tone, "Impossible, you probably stewed meat at home today."

After saying that, he didn't look back and strode towards his own yard, the lunchbox in the net bag he was carrying swaying with his steps.

As soon as Wang Tiejun opened the door, sure enough, a burnt smell hit him.

Then look at the culprit—his lover Zhu Yingying. Her hair was messy, like a bird's nest, and her face was covered in soot, making her look like a little kitten. She was biting her lip, her eyes were red, and she looked aggrieved, as if she was about to cry.

"It's okay, I brought back lunch. Go wash your face first."

Wang Tiejun remained calm and spoke in a detached tone. After finishing speaking, he casually closed the door.

But his voice was full of energy, and Zhao Yi could hear it clearly from outside.

Zhao Yi chuckled to himself, "Well, it seems this fragrance doesn't belong to Commander Wang's family, so it must be mine!"

There were several military officers living in the tenement buildings opposite the courtyard, smoking and chatting downstairs. Hearing what he said, they couldn't help but swallow hard.

"It smells so good! I never knew Aunt Qiu had this skill!"

"I'm so envious!"

This woman finally gave him a chance to shine!

Hearing these comments, Zhao Yi felt a surge of pride. He stood tall and proud, like a victorious general, and strode open the gate to his courtyard.