Chapter 6 A breakfast made an exception for her by the living devil!
The sky was still shrouded in a hazy gray light, but the sharp reveille had already sounded in the military compound.
The sound was extremely penetrating, shattering the tranquility of the early morning.
Immediately following were the sounds of orderly footsteps and resounding slogans echoing from afar in the camp, injecting a new day's pulse into this solemn place.
Su Wanqing opened her eyes almost the instant the bugle sounded.
She lay on the wooden bed in the study, momentarily dazed.
An unfamiliar ceiling, the faint scent of incense in the air, and the morning light, different from that in the countryside, filtering through the gaps in the curtains.
Everything reminded her that this was no longer Sujia Village, but a military compound thousands of miles away.
Her life has turned a new page since yesterday.
Su Wanqing sat up, covered with a new cotton quilt with a red peony pattern that her mother had prepared, which was soft and warm.
She listened intently, but there seemed to be no sound from the master bedroom next door.
Where is Lu Zhanting?
What time did he get home last night? And how did she fall asleep?
She only remembered that after the two of them made their "three rules" last night, the tense atmosphere eased a lot. She returned to her room, lay on the bed, and kept thinking about what Lu Zhanting had said. Her thoughts were in turmoil, and she finally drifted off to sleep very late.
Su Wanqing dressed and quietly walked out of the room.
The living room was empty; the tablecloth and cushions she had arranged yesterday remained quietly in their original places.
The door to the master bedroom was tightly closed.
She walked to the door, hesitated for a moment, but still didn't push it open.
I went to the kitchen instead, intending to boil some water first. The stove was cold, and the pots and pans were neatly arranged, clearly indicating that they hadn't been used since last night.
He might not have come back to sleep at all.
This thought brought a sense of relief to Su Wan-qing, but also a strange, inexplicable feeling.
She walked into the courtyard. The morning air was cool, and breathing it in invigorated her.
The yard was still a mess of weeds, but Su Wan-qing had already started planning in her mind which plot of land was sunny and suitable for planting tomatoes; and which plot of land was slightly shady and suitable for planting vegetables.
Just then, she saw Lu Zhanting walk in from outside the courtyard gate.
He changed out of his crisp cadre uniform and into a white vest and military green shorts, revealing his strong, bronze arms and long, powerful calves.
Sweat soaked his vest, clinging tightly to his body and outlining his broad back and well-defined abdominal muscles.
He had a towel around his neck and water dripping from his short hair, clearly having just returned from his morning exercise.
The morning sunlight gilded him with a golden edge, and the masculinity and strength emanating from his very bones made Su Wan-qing's heart skip a beat.
This was the first time she had seen him so...domestic and energetic.
Lu Zhanting also saw her, paused for a moment, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He probably didn't expect her to get up so early.
"Good morning." His deep voice, slightly hoarse and magnetic from exercising, was soft and husky.
"Good morning." Su Wanqing looked away somewhat awkwardly and nodded. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Don't worry about me, I'll go to the cafeteria to eat." Lu Zhanting said, walking straight into the room, picking up a washbasin and towel, seemingly preparing to go to the public water room to wash up.
Watching his retreating figure, Su Wanqing almost instinctively said, "There's rice and flour at home, I'll cook it, it'll be quick."
This was their first morning as husband and wife.
She didn't want their first breakfast to be separate meals.
Lu Zhanting stopped in his tracks.
He turned around and looked at Su Wanqing, who stood in the morning light, her figure appearing somewhat slender.
Her eyes were bright, filled with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
The man was silent for two seconds, then nodded: "Okay."
Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Su Wanqing immediately perked up.
The time Lu Zhanting spent washing up was enough for her to prepare a sumptuous breakfast.
She strode into the kitchen and closed the door.
With a thought, she entered the space.
Time flows more slowly inside than outside, giving her more time.
Without delay, she went straight to the black soil and picked a few bright tomatoes still covered in dew and a small handful of emerald green bok choy.
Then, she went to the warehouse and scooped out some plump Northeast rice produced in the space from the rice jar.
After thinking for a moment, she took out a small bag of finely ground white flour and a few fresh eggs.
Most of these things could be explained as being "brought from her mother's family," but as for the exceptionally fresh vegetables, she could only hope that Lu Zhanting wouldn't investigate further.
Having done all that, she quickly returned to the kitchen.
She rinsed the rice, put it in the pot, and prepared to cook a pot of thick white rice porridge.
Before putting the lid on the pot, she discreetly dripped two drops of spiritual spring water into it. This spring water not only makes the porridge taste sweeter and softer, but it can also subtly regulate one's body.
Lu Zhanting's training intensity is so high, it can't hurt to drink more.
Next, she began kneading the dough. The white flour quickly transformed into a smooth dough in her hands. She placed the dough to rise by the warm stove while she began preparing the side dishes.
Fresh bok choy, after being washed, can be brought out to its fullest sweetness with just the simplest stir-fry.
Cut tomatoes into chunks and stir-fry them with eggs for a sweet and sour, appetizing flavor.
She also cut a few thin slices from the cured meat she had brought, wrapped in oil paper, and stir-fried it with minced garlic until it released an irresistible aroma.
As the aroma of porridge began to fill the kitchen, the dough had also fermented.
Su Wanqing deftly divided the dough into several portions. One portion was made into soft white steamed buns, while the other portion was rolled into thin wrappers, filled with a simple scallion oil filling, and made into small scallion oil flower rolls.
As the steamer fills with steam, the plump, white steamed buns and twisted rolls quickly release an enticing aroma of wheat.
When Lu Zhanting finished washing up, changed into a clean military uniform, and returned to the room, he smelled this aroma, a mixture of rice porridge, wheat, and the fragrance of dishes.
This warm, homey atmosphere was completely different from the cold, hard feeling he remembered about this house, leaving him momentarily lost in thought.
He walked to the dining table and was completely stunned.
The food was already laid out on the table.
A pot of white porridge, cooked until it's white, soft, and sticky, with rice oil floating on top.
A plate of vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, a plate of red and yellow scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a small dish of sizzling garlic slices and cured pork.
In the bamboo basket beside it, there were several steaming, plump white steamed buns and scallion rolls.
This is no ordinary breakfast; it's even more lavish and tempting than a banquet at a state-run restaurant.
Su Wanqing was just coming out of the kitchen with the last plate of steamed buns when she saw him standing by the table. She smiled a little embarrassedly and said, "You're back. Sit down and eat. I didn't know if you preferred rice or noodles, so I made a little of both."
Lu Zhanting's gaze slowly shifted from the lavish breakfast on the table to her face.
Her face was flushed from the heat, and fine beads of sweat glistened on the tip of her nose, but her eyes sparkled like a child showing off a treasure.
"You've worked hard." He swallowed hard and squeezed out three words through his teeth.
The two sat facing each other.
The atmosphere remained somewhat silent, but unlike the negotiations last night, there was a subtle warmth in the silence.
Lu Zhanting first served himself a bowl of porridge.
He spent most of his time in the army, eating communal meals where the porridge was usually just watery broth. But this bowl of porridge in front of him had perfectly cooked rice grains, a thick broth, and melted in his mouth.
A rich aroma of rice instantly filled his mouth, sliding down his throat and into his stomach, making him feel comfortable all over.
He picked up another steamed bun, which felt soft and elastic in his hand.
Take a bite, and you'll experience the pure aroma of wheat mixed with a hint of sweetness, a texture that's both firm and soft.
He still ate very quickly, as if he were on a mission, but his movements unconsciously slowed down.
A mouthful of porridge, a bite of vegetables.
The greens were incredibly fresh and tender, the cured pork was savory and delicious with rice, and the scrambled eggs with tomatoes were sweet and sour.
Every dish was better than anything he had ever eaten.
Su Wanqing sipped her porridge, secretly observing him out of the corner of her eye.
She saw him finish a bowl of porridge almost without stopping, then serve himself a second bowl. The dishes on the table were also dwindling at a visible rate.
A great sense of satisfaction rose in her heart.
Nothing makes a chef happier than seeing people enjoying their food.
Lu Zhanting ate three bowls of porridge and five steamed buns for breakfast, and he cleaned up all the dishes on the table.
When he put down his chopsticks, a thin layer of sweat had already seeped onto his forehead, and the lines on his usually tense face seemed to have softened a little.
"I'm done eating." He looked at Su Wanqing, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction that he himself was unaware of.
"Mm." Su Wanqing also put down her chopsticks, stood up, and prepared to clear the dishes.
Just as her hand touched the dishes, a large hand reached out and pressed down on her hand.
"Leave it, I'll do it."
Lu Zhanting's voice was deep and powerful.
Su Wanqing suddenly raised her head, staring at him in shock, wondering if she had misheard.
"What...what did you say?"
“I said, I’ll wash it.” Lu Zhanting stood up. He was much taller than Su Wanqing, so when he spoke while standing, Su Wanqing had to look up to see his expression.
His expression was calm, as if he were talking about something perfectly normal.
The calmer he appeared, the more turbulent Su Wanqing's heart became.
do the washing up?
A grown man, a battalion commander with a distinguished military record, has to wash the dishes by hand?
In an era where "a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen" is considered a truism and men are ridiculed for doing housework, he actually offered to wash the dishes.
“No, no need…” Su Wanqing subconsciously refused, “It’s what I should do.”
“The three rules we agreed on didn’t say that washing dishes was your job.” Lu Zhanting’s reasoning was simple and blunt.
He walked around the table and began to clear away the dishes.
His hands were large, with distinct knuckles, and his palms and fingertips were covered with thick, rough calluses.
These are hands that hold a gun, hands that can fight enemies on the battlefield.
At this moment, these hands are doing mundane household chores like cleaning up the dishes.
The scene was both incongruous and strangely harmonious, leaving Su Wanqing somewhat stunned.
"But……"
“No buts.” Lu Zhanting picked up the stack of bowls and plates, his tone resolute, leaving her no room to refuse. “You cooked the meal, I’ll wash the dishes. It’s fair.”
After he finished speaking, he picked up the bowls and plates and strode towards the kitchen.
Su Wanqing stood there, stunned, watching his tall figure disappear into the kitchen doorway, unsure of how to react.
Soon, the sound of running water came from the kitchen.
Su Wanqing snapped out of her daze and followed.
She stood at the kitchen doorway, watching Lu Zhanting stand in front of the small stove.
He was so tall that the stove looked rather small in front of him, and he had to bend over slightly.
He was clearly not used to this kind of work, and his movements were a bit clumsy. But he was a quick learner and soon mastered the technique, washing each bowl thoroughly clean.
In Su Wanqing's heart, it was as if a small pebble had been thrown in, creating ripples that spread in circles.
This man was much better than she had imagined.
It's not that he doesn't understand consideration; it's just that his consideration is hidden in these silent actions.
This kind of silent respect and care is far more touching than any sweet words.
"By the way," Lu Zhanting said without turning his head as he washed the dishes, "let me tell you about the situation in the compound."
Su Wanqing was surprised that he would bring up serious matters at this time, so she quickly focused her attention and listened.
“Our row of houses is inhabited by battalion-level officers. The house next to us on the left is the home of Company Commander Zhang from the guard company. His wife is Aunt Liu, whom you met yesterday. She’s very friendly, and you can ask her for help with small things. The house next to us on the right is that of Officer Wang from the logistics department of the regimental headquarters. His wife is a gossip, so try to avoid her.”
His introduction was simple and direct, and his assessment of the characters was incisive.
"Five minutes east of the family quarters are the service center and the health clinic. The service center gets new supplies every Wednesday and Saturday, so you have to get there early to queue for meat and vegetables. The health clinic has a military doctor surnamed Li, who is quite skilled. Further on is the children's school."
"There's a post office at the entrance of the compound; you send and receive letters and packages there. It closes at 5 p.m.
"Don't go to the training area or office area casually, especially near the firing range and armory. The family quarters are enough for you."
“I will give your monthly allowance and ration coupons to Chen Gang on the 1st, and he will bring them to you. Chen Gang is my bodyguard. If you need anything from me in the future, and you can’t find me, you can go directly to him.”
He spoke slowly and clearly, as if he were giving a task briefing.
The contents were all practical information that Su Wanqing needed to know most, clearly outlining a map of life in the military compound for her.
Su Wanqing listened attentively, remembering every word he said.
She knew that this information was a survival guide he had compiled for her based on his years of experience living here.
This gave her more peace of mind than any vague promise.
"I understand," Su Wanqing replied softly after he finished speaking.
Lu Zhanting finished washing the last dish. He rinsed his hands with water and casually wiped them on his apron before realizing that he was wearing the apron that Su Wanqing had just used.
His tall stature paired with that small, floral apron made him look somewhat comical.
He noticed it himself, and an unnatural red tinge instantly appeared at the base of his ears.
He hurriedly took off his apron and hung it on the wall, his movements revealing a hint of embarrassment.
Seeing his unusually flustered expression, Su Wanqing couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Her laughter was crisp and clear, like the tinkling of a spring, echoing in the small kitchen.
Lu Zhanting froze and turned to look at her.
Under the lamplight, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons with a genuine, bright smile that dispelled the aloofness and guardedness that had always been present in her.
Lu Zhanting looked at her smiling face, his gaze darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
He felt that his heart, which had remained calm even amidst gunfire, had been struck by something at this moment.
"I... went to the camp."
He left those words behind as if to cover something up, then turned and strode out of the kitchen without even looking back.
Su Wanqing watched his retreating figure, which was almost a hasty escape, and her smile deepened.
This man seems... kind of cute.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window into the spotless kitchen, making everything appear bright and full of hope.
Su Wanqing leaned against the door frame, her heart filled with tenderness.
This marriage, which began as a transaction, and the husband who appeared out of nowhere, didn't seem as bad as she had imagined.
On the contrary, he is gradually breaking down the high walls she has built for herself in his own unique way.
For the first time, this gave her a genuine and warm expectation for this brand-new "home" and for this unknown married life.
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