Chapter 179: Third-class merit is collected standing, second-class merit lying down, first-class merit by the family

People who often eat fruit salad know that eating too much natural fruit is good for the skin.

On Sea Island, this season, the cooling dessert has already become popular.

The cooling dessert topped with coconut milk is prepared differently in each household.

Jiang Ye's first attempt resembled fruit salad more than the authentic cooling dessert, still far from the real thing.

However, in this era of scarce resources, it is already remarkable that he managed to make it with all his effort.

"My wounds have healed; this month I must return to my unit. During typhoon season, I still need to go out for rescue missions. When I'm not home, you must never wander far."

Jiang Ye gazed affectionately at his wife, discussing matters with her while reaching out; his fingertips gently brushed her fair cheek, then tenderly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"I will obey; you also need to be careful. When facing danger, you must look after yourself—don't think that because you're skilled you can do whatever you want......"

Shen Man licked the coconut milk from her lips, naturally responded, and nagged on for a while.

She knew that once a man entered work mode, he would become more focused, ready to risk his life.

If he had not married, had no wife and children, and was not her husband, she would only admire him as a hero.

But he is her husband, the father of her children; their roles differ, and her feelings are selfish.

She had once seen a video: third-class merit is collected standing, second-class merit lying down, first-class merit by the family.

Only when she herself became a military dependent did she understand how valuable and powerful that saying is.

She did not want a heroic husband, nor a martyr husband; she only wanted her husband to be safe and to accompany her for the rest of her life.

She wanted their children to have a father's companionship while growing up, not to miss out on childhood.

Perhaps someone will call her selfish, but she is no saint—selfishness is simply the nature of ordinary people, isn't it?

"Yes, sir."

After hearing that, Jiang Ye's heart softened completely.

This is the mother he has chosen for his children—gentle and kind.

It is also his sole anchor in this world, his lifelong beloved, the woman he strives with all his might to protect and love.

On the roof, the Tangyuan that had been hiding stretched out its body comfortably.

I don't know if it's an illusion, but it feels as if it has grown a bit, no longer a juvenile!

At least it has entered the juvenile stage; its size has finally increased a little.

Well, to celebrate growing up, it will eat three small dried fish tonight!

Besides, the boss's refreshing drink looks tempting; later, when the boss is away, it will coax its owner for a bite to quell its cravings.

Over the next few days, Shen Man's life slowed down.

Fortunately, her shooting accuracy is nearly perfect, and she can disassemble ordinary firearms with ease—at least she now has a means of self‑preservation.

She cancelled her morning run and sit‑ups, replacing them with a half‑hour leisurely walk, pedalling a bicycle for ten minutes each in the morning, noon, and evening.

During reading time, Shen Man must not exceed half an hour at a stretch; she then gets up to walk around, look at the garden's fruits and vegetables, water them, and move a bit.

The only pleasure is that her baking time is not restricted.

Recently Shen Man has become obsessed with baked bread spread with jam; it's so appetizing she can eat two in one go!

One is about the size of a palm; before, she could only eat one.

This bread is suitable for young and old alike.

Children who smell the aroma pull adults at home to bring things for barter.

In the household kitchen, the fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs are increasing, while only the flour bag is dwindling.

Jiang Ye always makes time to come home, cherishing his wife dearly.

As this happened often, many in the Military Region knew that the Jiang Regiment doted on its wife, being extremely clingy.

Men joked, women envied.

Perhaps because she had no worries and was lovingly cared for by her family, Shen Man showed no symptoms in early pregnancy.

She neither vomited nor was picky about food; her skin became increasingly delicate and radiant.

The other pregnant women in the dependent compound, seeing this, were all envious to the point of being unable to contain themselves.

They either vomit and can't keep food down, or develop brown spots on their faces, or grow stiff black hairs on their arms and legs!

Even Pei Yan Ting, who usually has a strong constitution, now feels uncomfortable in her stomach and has begun to vomit from pregnancy.

However, Pei Yan Ting's condition showed little improvement; in just half a month she lost about ten to twelve catties!

Until one day, Shen Man unintentionally used durian to bake a layered cake.

Pei Yan Ting had been lying in bed, starving yet unable to eat, tossing and turning in discomfort, when she caught a whiff of a rich fragrance......

As if possessed, she got up, put on the cloth shoes her sister gave her, went next door, and wanted to see what tasty thing her sister was making.

"Sister‑in‑law, durian cake, want some?"

Sister-in-law, durian cake, want to eat?

The aunt‑in‑law and sister‑in‑law exchanged a smile; this bite finally stopped Pei Yan Ting from vomiting!

This thing—she used to think it smelled awful, but now it tastes wonderfully fragrant!

It's sweet and delicious, truly fragrant!

Shen Man's layered cake is only six inches wide; she cut a small piece to try, and gave the rest to her sister‑in‑law, who devoured it.

But she is pleased: on one hand it shows her skill is good; on the other, she knows her sister‑in‑law has been suffering severe pregnancy vomiting, unable to keep food down, and now she can finally eat—this is a good thing!

Next, Shen Man took out the durian that her husband had peeled for her and gave it to her sister‑in‑law to take home and eat.

"Thank you, Manman; if it weren't for you, I would have gone hungry today."

Pei Yan Ting let out a satisfied durian‑flavored belch that she couldn't stop with her hand, feeling embarrassed.

"Pah pah pah, you can't say unlucky things."

"Pfft pfft pfft, you must not speak inauspicious words."

Shen Man made a pah pah pah gesture, patted her chest, and said firmly:

"Sister-in-law, don't worry, with me here, you and the baby in your belly won't go hungry."

She happened to be very bored, making a mille-feuille cake, which she handled with ease.

"Hmm."

Pei Yan Ting felt relieved at the same time, sleepiness overtook her, she bade farewell to her sister, went back to her room and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

This time her stomach didn't have that hungry, heart-clutching feeling; sleepiness came over her and she fell into a deep sleep.

Later, Lu Xiu Bai returned home, knowing his wife could eat durian, without another word he hopped on his bicycle and went to an old neighbor's house to collect durian.

The next day, a group of old gentlemen came as usual for a gathering; upon entering the courtyard they were overwhelmed by the pungent smell that hit their heads, causing them to hold their breath.

"Lu Xiu Bai, did you split your pants? Why do you reek so badly?"

The old gentleman Lu pinched his nose and, without another word, shouted at his own grandson.

Because the smell coming from his grandson's side was the strongest.

"Grandfather, it's your great-grandson who wants to eat durian; this has been tormenting his birth mother and his paternal aunt, and I and my brother-in-law have been suffering terribly."

Lu Xiu Bai still wanted to play the victim, but his grandfather and the other old gentlemen couldn't stand it any longer, and they all put down their things and fled in all directions.......

"This gathering, it's not absolutely necessary to hold it, huh!"