Yan Jinsu definitely wouldn’t admit that she was tempted by the delicious aroma of fish soup in the air! That’s why she flung open the bathroom tent flaps, and as soon as she came out, she saw Xie Jingchen gently stirring the fish soup with a ladle in his hand, his tiger-like eyes fixed on her location like those of an eagle.
Yan Jinsu stepped back in fright, truly unnerved by Xie Jingchen’s gaze, inky and deep, with an undercurrent of determination she couldn’t comprehend.
As she took a step back, Xie Jingchen immediately closed his eyes, sighing inwardly as he tugged at the corner of his mouth, then opened them again to show a gentle clarity. He raised a smile and called out:
"Wife, come over here, the fish soup is ready. Come and taste it. Is it seasoned well enough?"
"Uh, yeah... coming." Yan Jinsu calmed her racing heart, and then, hearing him call her wife, she no longer felt the initial repulsion. It was as if it was only natural for him to call her that.
Although she didn’t understand why Xie Jingchen had that expression, thinking about him staring in her direction and remembering that he is a Spiritual Power User made her face flush red instantly.
Understanding was one thing, but actually saying it would be awkward! Regardless of what the truth was, these things really couldn’t be made a fuss over.
After responding, Yan Jinsu lowered her head and moved closer slowly: For some reason, there was not a trace of anger in her heart, just a bit of sweetness... and a secret thrill.
The fact that a powerful man had eyes only for her was precious in Yan Jinsu’s view. Moreover, this man was strong, self-controlled, warm as sunlight, and his care for her was meticulous.
Whether it was preparing bathwater or cooking soup, he did it all with ease.
Focused, passionate, with strong, enveloping arms, and eyes that indulged only you—such a ’husband’ would be desired by all women, right?
"What are you thinking about? You seem distracted." Xie Jingchen saw that his little wife was lost in thought as she walked over, so he reached out with his long arms, pulled her close, avoiding the sparks from the matches, and asked softly.
The flush hadn’t completely faded from Yan Jinsu’s face, her fair little face still tinged with pink. She tilted her head and curiously asked:
"I was wondering, with you being such a good person, do you have a lot of admirers?"
At this question, Xie Jingchen’s face darkened, and in Yan Jinsu’s eyes, it seemed like an involuntary confession!
"Oh, so there really are! Xie Jingchen, hurry up and spill it, who are they?"
Yan Jinsu got a genuine question out, and her expression immediately fell. She wished she could slap that cheap woman dead: How dare she compete with Yan Jinsu for a man!
It didn’t matter if she wanted him or not, what she liked, no one else could touch.
Yan Jinsu’s reaction was like that of a little jealous pot over her husband’s infidelity. This made Xie Jingchen both happy and helplessly amused inside. He pulled her into his embrace and explained, lowering his head:
"Silly Ni, where has your mind wandered to? There’s only you in my eyes, heart, and body."
Xie Jingchen’s straightforward and honest words turned Yan Jinsu’s face a deep red, looking just like a fully cooked red shrimp.
"Come and taste it, is the saltiness just right?" Little Ni liked to put pepper in her fish soup and didn’t care for ginger. Xie Jingchen also followed Yan Jinsu’s preference, so whenever the couple made fish soup, they didn’t add ginger.
Yan Jinsu, to divert the blush on her face, had to lower her little face and, following the soup bowl in his hand, gently blew on it before taking a small sip.
She savored the thick scent of the fish-flavored scrambled egg in her mouth, noting the little sprouts added to the soup base for a sweet yet clear taste. If there were tofu, it would likely be even more flavorful!
Just one taste was enough to know it was flavor she liked. She revealed a big happy smile and nodded, "It’s perfect."
When Xie Jingchen looked down, he saw his little wife’s joyous smile and felt a tightness in his heart. He cleared his throat with a light cough and nodded in agreement:
"As long as it’s to your taste. Here, sit tight. I’ll serve you some fish soup."
Xie Jingchen felt an urge to flee, as his little wife’s tender laughter was too much to bear. He really wanted to hold her in his arms and press her with kisses—
Yan Jinsu, unaware of how her heartfelt smile could captivate a man, obediently took her seat, looking every bit the good baby waiting to be fed.
The rice was steamed, in two bowls, one large and one small, while the dishes were ready to serve. The hot steam was still rising when Xie Jingchen took them out from the Space Button: one was Yan Jinsu’s favorite Mapo Tofu and the other a spicy pork trotter.
Both husband and wife loved spicy food, and these dishes were specially prepared by Yan Jinsu before returning to her ancestral home. She had made a lot and had Xie Jingchen store them in the Space Button so they could have ready-made meals whenever they were hungry.
Xie Jingchen’s stern expression softened the moment he took out the dishes.
There was even a wild chicken that he had just roasted. The couple had three dishes and one soup, which was enough. They were not ones to waste food.
After a couple sips of soup, Yan Jinsu noticed the air was filled with the aroma of her favorite dishes. With just one bite, she felt perplexed: how could these dishes taste so much like her own cooking?
"Wife, don’t just drink soup. Have some solid food. You hardly had any yesterday, so make sure to eat well today," Xie Jingchen scooped two spoonfuls of Mapo Tofu for her.
As long as his little wife had no appetite, this appetizing dish would ensure she ate well.
Seeing her stare at the dishes in confusion, Xie Jingchen furrowed his brows and took a taste. He didn’t feel anything amiss and said, "Wife, doesn’t it suit your taste? This dish was made by you, it shouldn’t be off..."
Yan Jinsu had intended to make Xie Jingchen accustomed to her way of cooking right from the start. All the meals they ate were mostly prepared by her, with him at most playing a supporting role.
The advantage was that he wasn’t picky about food, and more importantly, Yan Jinsu’s culinary skills were so tremendous that there was nothing he disliked.
"I made it?" Hearing this, Yan Jinsu’s emotions surged:
She had always been strong-willed and rarely took to the kitchen lightly. Because kitchens are often dirty and messy, and she had a bit of a clean freak in her, so she would only personally cook when she was in a very good mood!
"Mm-hmm, of course you made it. You said you wanted to train my stomach to be the same as yours, so that I could never leave," Xie Jingchen said with a warmth in his smile, his gaze burning intensely as he looked at Yan Jinsu.
Whenever he thought of his little wife, who, before giving birth to their lovely twins, would still insist on cooking while pregnant with a huge belly each time she returned to the military family’s home, he would stay by her side and persuade her not to, but she adamantly refused.
The reason was exactly that.
Yan Jinsu’s heart raced along with Xie Jingchen’s words, ’thumping’ wildly. Her eyes reddened slightly as she avoided his fiery gaze and dropped a few words, "Oh, let’s eat."
She scooped up a bite of rice mixed with the spicy, fragrant, and silky tofu, and chewed slowly—she felt as if through these delightful and satisfying meals, she could sense the ’her’ from back then, filled with all the love and care for Xie Jingchen...