Chapter 23: Entertaining Sheng Wanze’s Comrades
Mother Sheng had gone grocery shopping early that morning, but she had only managed to secure a pound of pork and some bones. It was definitely not enough to entertain guests.
But there was nothing to be done about the current state of the world; just having meat on the table was a luxury. Originally, she had planned to make a pound of braised pork, steam ten eggs, boil a bone broth, and serve two vegetable dishes alongside steamed white flour buns.
However, she worried it still wouldn’t be enough. She knew all too well how much soldiers could pack away. There was an old saying: a growing son can eat up half his father’s wealth. Her son was a soldier; if he ate like this at home for every meal, the entire family would go bankrupt.
“How about we add a braised fish and cut off a piece of that extra meat to make meatballs?” Mother Sheng asked for Sheng Wanyan’s opinion. After all, her daughter was the one who had brought the extra meat home.
“Mom, just leave it to me. I’ll handle the fish and the meatballs,” Sheng Wanyan volunteered.
“Alright.”
The mother and daughter got busy in the kitchen, while Father Sheng, with his strong hands, was tasked with kneading the dough out in the living room.
Sheng Wanyan preferred to pan-fry the fish in oil before braising it. Mother Sheng’s heart ached to see her using so much precious cooking oil, but considering the important guests arriving today, she held her tongue.
As Sheng Wanze led Gu Tingxiao toward the tube-shaped building, the rich, savory aroma of cooking meat wafted down from the Sheng family’s apartment.
Downstairs, the neighbors were already gossiping.
“How does the Sheng family manage to eat meat every few days? What a luxury.”
“Her battalion commander son just returned, how could they not cook meat? Did you see how many heavy bags he brought back? Who knows how many good things he brought home.”
“It’s true what they say: comparison makes one feel dreadful. Why is the Sheng family so lucky?”
In the past, people had secretly mocked the Sheng family for only having one son. But now, that single son was worth ten of theirs.
When the crowd spotted Sheng Wanze approaching, they instantly hushed their whispers and greeted him with enthusiastic smiles.
Every year he came back, Sheng Wanze was terrified by the relentless enthusiasm of these neighborhood aunties. The gossip of just one old lady was as devastating as an assault rifle; facing a dozen of them was like walking into the sweep of a submachine gun.
Sheng Wanze quickly ushered Gu Tingxiao toward the stairs. The aunties’ eyes lit up when they saw the unfamiliar officer, eager to interrogate him. However, one look at Gu Tingxiao’s cold, intimidating expression scared them silent. No one dared to utter a single word.
Upstairs, just as Mother Sheng and Sheng Wanyan finished preparing the meal, a knock sounded at the door.
Mother Sheng hurriedly smoothed out her clothes and ordered Sheng Wanyan to go change into a clean outfit. Wanyan had been dealing with the fish, and her clothes were speckled with stains and smelled heavily of oil smoke.
Wanyan didn’t really care about her appearance, but for some reason, her mother firmly shoved her toward her bedroom.
“Clean yourself up properly,” Mother Sheng ordered, shutting the bedroom door behind her before rushing to answer the front door.
Seeing the tall, striking young man in uniform standing behind her son, her face broke into a welcoming, enthusiastic smile.
“Come in, come in! Hurry, we’ve just been waiting for you to eat.”
Sheng Wanze led Gu Tingxiao inside. Gu Tingxiao immediately offered the gifts in his hands to Mother Sheng.
“Hello, Auntie. I’m Gu Tingxiao.” He stood perfectly straight, introducing himself with serious, military politeness.
“Oh, you good child, you really didn’t have to! Take these back, Auntie doesn’t need them,” Mother Sheng said, trying to push the gifts back. This boy is too thoughtful, she thought to herself.
“Auntie, it’s just a small token of my respect,” Gu Tingxiao insisted. He was very strong, and Mother Sheng couldn’t outmaneuver him.
“Mom, just accept it,” Sheng Wanze chimed in, knowing his comrade well. “If you don’t, he won’t dare to eat his fill.”
Hearing her son’s reasoning, Mother Sheng had no choice but to accept the items. “Alright, but don’t bring anything next time!”
Gu Tingxiao nodded respectfully, though he internally made no such promise.
“Come sit, come sit,” Grandma Sheng said as she brought the last dishes to the table. “Go call Yan’er for dinner.”
Mother Sheng immediately went to Wanyan’s room. When she opened the door and saw that her daughter had changed into an ordinary, plain gray dress and a simple pair of cloth shoes, she was furious.
She had a beautiful braided skirt in her closet, yet she chose to wear this? Why was this girl so completely oblivious? Mother Sheng had dropped such obvious hints, but her daughter hadn’t reacted at all. Did she never think about finding a good partner?
Sheng Wanyan looked at her mother’s stormy expression in confusion. “Mom, let’s go eat.”
Sheng Wanyan was completely focused on the food. Today’s meal was cooked with plenty of oil and meat, and the delicious smells while cooking had left her ravenous.
Mother Sheng took a deep breath. Eat, eat, eat. All she can think about is eating!
Before Mother Sheng could scold her, Sheng Wanyan slipped past her, opened the door, and walked out. Mother Sheng was rendered speechless. Sometimes I really wonder why I had this daughter, she thought in exasperation, before following her out.
Sheng Wanyan walked straight to her usual seat and sat down.
Gu Tingxiao was seated diagonally across from her. When Sheng Wanyan glanced at him, she had to admit that the man was incredibly masculine. Exuding a strong, rugged energy, the muscular lines of his arms visible under his uniform were impressive. Gu Tingxiao was handsome in a very grounded way, with sharp, distinct eyebrows, strong facial features, and a clean jawline. While he might not be breathtaking at first glance, his face was very pleasing to the eye.
He was completely different from the delicate, heavily styled “pretty boys” of her future era who completely lacked this kind of raw masculinity.
Sheng Wanyan took one appreciative look, then turned her head away, immediately losing interest as her attention returned to the table.
Gu Tingxiao had incredibly sharp senses. The moment she had looked at him, he had felt her gaze. He had assumed she would sneak a few more glances at him, just like most girls did. After all, young women of this era held a deep admiration for men in uniform and often stared secretly.
Instead, Sheng Wanyan treated him as if he were just another ordinary person, or perhaps a passing face on the street. He got the distinct feeling that if he wasn’t Sheng Wanze’s comrade, she probably wouldn’t have bothered to look at him at all.
Sheng Wanze began introducing his family to Gu Tingxiao one by one.
“And this is my sister, Sheng Wanyan.”
Gu Tingxiao glanced at Sheng Wanyan, who had her head slightly bowed, focusing on the food. He introduced himself clearly and simply: “Hello, I’m Gu Tingxiao.”
Sheng Wanyan raised her head and offered a polite nod. “Hello, I’m Sheng Wanyan.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, a surprising contrast to her composed, delicate face. Yet, it didn’t feel out of place; instead, it added a unique, gentle charm to her demeanor.
“Come on, come on, don’t stand on ceremony. It’s rare for you boys to have a day off, so let’s have a good drink,” Grandpa Sheng said warmly.
He poured a glass of liquor for each of the men. They raised their glasses together and drank it down. Gu Tingxiao drank politely, but out of the corner of his eye, he observed Sheng Wanyan.
After a month of proper nourishment, Wanyan’s complexion had transformed. Her skin was much fairer and more radiant, and her hair had grown thick, dark, and smooth. Paired with her refined facial features, she possessed an indescribable, elegant temperament.
Furthermore, she ate with a natural grace, chewing her food slowly and carefully. Yet, she wasn’t putting on the usual shy, timid act that most girls adopted around guests; she unapologetically reached for every piece of meat she wanted. Her every movement was comfortable, natural, and remarkably dignified.
Seeing Sheng Wanyan wholly focused on her meal without sparing the handsome officer a single glance, Mother Sheng couldn’t help but kick her under the table. She shot her daughter a look full of exasperation.
Sheng Wanyan looked back in confusion. She hadn’t provoked her mother today, so why was she getting kicked over a meal?
Father Sheng, observing the silent exchange, completely understood his wife’s intentions. Mother Sheng wanted Wanyan to interact with Gu Tingxiao and see if there was any chance for a romantic development.
And Father Sheng had to admit, Gu Tingxiao truly was an outstanding young man. His every movement was measured and appropriate, and he spoke with genuine politeness and respect.
