Chapter 68: She’d Definitely Put Her Hands on Her Hips and Say to Xie Ze: Kid, You’ve Got Good Taste!

""Exactly, exactly."" Zhang Shuwan nudged Gu Jianing with her elbow. ""Your Company Commander Sheng is really good to you.""

Gu Jianing blushed, a little embarrassed. She shot her a playful glare and said, ""And your Company Commander Lin isn’t good to you?""

Thinking of how sweet her own Old Lin usually was to her, Zhang Shuwan’s face also turned a little red.

Sheng Zexi carried all the dishes out, leaving three portions that Gu Jianing had set aside in the kitchen—both meat and vegetable dishes.

Gu Jianing quietly told Zhang Shuwan and Sister-in-law Yu, ""Shuwan-jie, Sister-in-law Yu, when you leave later, each of you take a bowl of these home.""

Zhang Shuwan and Sister-in-law Yu were both shocked—neither had expected Gu Jianing to save food for them.

Sister-in-law Yu hurriedly refused, ""No, no, I just came to help cook a few dishes, how could I take food home too?""

This Jianing, she’s just too generous, too kind.

She’s the type to easily get taken advantage of.

""But for you it’s just a few dishes, while for someone like me who can’t cook, it’s a huge help. I don’t care, I’ve already divided it up, you have to take it. Otherwise, I won’t dare ask you for help next time.""

Sister-in-law Yu was dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

Zhang Shuwan, half-laughing and half-exasperated, said, ""Sister-in-law Yu, let’s just accept it. If we have anything extra in the future, we can give some to Jianing too.""

With Zhang Shuwan saying that, and Gu Jianing being so sincere, Sister-in-law Yu finally stopped refusing. ""Alright, I’ll take it then.""

Sister-in-law Yu and Company Commander Cui had five children, all still young and hungry.

Today, they’d only brought one along.

The other four were left at home.

If she could bring back such a big bowl of food, the kids would definitely be thrilled, especially since there was so much meat. With so many children, and the three older ones still in school, Sister-in-law Yu had to stay home to look after them and couldn’t work. The whole family relied on Company Commander Cui’s salary—it was a real struggle.

Especially with another period of shortages coming up, Sister-in-law Yu knew how hard things could get. That’s why she’d tried to persuade Gu Jianing earlier when she saw so much meat being cooked.

Now, she was truly touched by the big bowl of meat and vegetables that Gu Jianing had set aside for them.

This Jianing girl, she’s so genuine.

Sister-in-law Yu made up her mind to get along well with Gu Jianing from now on. If anyone ever spoke badly about her, she’d be the first to stand up for her.

Gu Jianing was never stingy with friends or family. As long as others treated her well, she’d always repay them.

And both Zhang Shuwan and Sister-in-law Yu had left her with a very good impression.

When Sheng Zexi came back in, Gu Jianing handed him another bowl of meat and vegetables and said, ""Isn’t there a soldier under you named Xie Ze? Yesterday, when I came back from the market, he helped me push the cart and carry things.""

""I could tell, when he mentioned you, his eyes were full of admiration. He’s a good kid, and very warm-hearted.""

""Take this bowl of food to him now, and hurry back.""

Xie Ze?

Now that Gu Jianing mentioned it, Sheng Zexi remembered him. He had a good memory and knew all his men well.

That kid Xie Ze was hardworking and determined—Sheng Zexi thought highly of him.

He hadn’t expected this to have happened yesterday.

""Alright, I’ll go now.""

So, after training, Xie Ze—who was still running laps on the field—was called over by Sheng Zexi and had a big bowl of meat and vegetables shoved into his arms.

""Company Commander Sheng, this, this is..."" Xie Ze was at a loss, not knowing what was going on.

""Your sister-in-law told me that you helped her push the cart and carry things yesterday. Today we had a gathering, and she set aside a portion just for you. Here, it’s still hot—take it home and eat."" Sheng Zexi explained simply.

Xie Ze knew there was a gathering at Company Commander Sheng’s house today, but only close comrades were invited. He was just a new recruit under Sheng Zexi, so he hadn’t dared to hope for anything.

He never expected that his sister-in-law would think of him.

But how could he accept it?

""No, no, Company Commander Sheng, I just helped out a little, and yesterday she already gave me two meat buns. That’s more than enough—I can’t take any more.""

""Take it. Xie Ze, train hard—I have high hopes for you!""

Without waiting for Xie Ze to react, Sheng Zexi patted him on the shoulder and left.

""Company Commander Sheng praised me... He praised me..."" Xie Ze muttered, looking like a silly fan who’d just been complimented by his idol.

By the time he came to his senses, Sheng Zexi was already gone.

Looking down at the big bowl in his arms, Xie Ze realized he had no choice but to accept it.

He went to a secluded spot behind a grove of trees—a little secret base of his own, where he liked to go when he wanted some peace and quiet.

Sitting under a tree, Xie Ze lifted the plate covering the bowl. When he saw it was filled to the brim, especially with so much meat, he was stunned.

""How... how is there so much? And so much meat...""

He stared for a long while before finally pulling out the steamed bun he’d gotten from the canteen earlier. Eating the bun and picking at the meat and vegetables with his chopsticks, he murmured,

""So good... It’s so good...""

As he ate, tears started to fall.

No one knew, but today was actually Xie Ze’s birthday. When he was little and his parents were still alive, they’d always celebrated his birthday.

But after his father died and his mother remarried, Xie Ze was sent to live with his uncle and aunt, and never celebrated his birthday again.

Even so, he never forgot the date.

For years, he was the only one who remembered his birthday—there were never any birthday noodles or presents.

But now...

Xie Ze ate big mouthfuls of the fragrant meat and vegetables. Even though the taste was sometimes mixed with the saltiness of his tears, he didn’t mind. He thought, even though Company Commander Sheng and his wife didn’t know it was his birthday, he’d treat this bowl of food as their birthday gift to him.

How wonderful!

Company Commander Sheng was good, and so was his wife.

Looking at the brilliant sunset lighting up half the sky, Xie Ze’s tear-streaked face broke into a wide smile.

Xie Ze thought, if he ever got married, he’d want a wife just like his sister-in-law—beautiful and kind.

At that moment, Gu Jianing had no idea that, because of her kindness, a young man had etched her into his heart and even set her as the standard for his future wife.

If she knew, she’d definitely put her hands on her hips, look at Xie Ze, and say: Kid, you’ve got good taste!

(I forgot to schedule today’s update...)"