Chapter 89: Heaven is vast, earth is vast, but the cook is greatest

A man willing to expose his weakness before you and recount his family situation shows great trust.

This usually means you hold an irreplaceable place in his heart.

"Section Commander Duan gave me the name Jiang Ye, first because he discovered that I was on that mountain, and the people in the village at its foot generally have the surname Jiang."

"The single character 'Ye' means wild, because I was born in the wilderness; he hoped I would grow like weeds everywhere, unrestrained and tenacious."

Jiang Ye's handkerchief was soaked through; he put his arm around his wife's waist, pulled her into his embrace, his tone still flat, yet it revealed gratitude toward Section Commander Duan.

Shen Man felt immense gratitude toward Section Commander Duan at this moment.

Without him, her husband's fate—whether alive or dead—would be uncertain!

At this very moment, Section Commander Duan, who was fishing by the seaside with Lu Lao Yezi, suddenly sneezed several times.

The nearby guards hurriedly draped a military overcoat over the commander.

"Lao Duan, your constitution isn't good enough—after just a few hours of sea breeze, you can't hold up?"

Lu Lao Yezi smiled, his face full of teasing.

The two were quite familiar and could joke with each other.

"Ah, as I grow older, I feel more and more inadequate; I fear I won't be able to work much longer before I can retire."

Section Commander Duan sighed; after fishing all afternoon, he still caught nothing.

Look at Lu Lao Xiong's fish bucket—full to the brim—my own luck, how could it be so awful?

Lu Lao Yezi saw through it all and commented leisurely:

"The military affairs on Sea Island still can't do without you; you still need to endure a few more years in this post."

Just as his words fell, the line on the fishing rod suddenly tightened—another big catch!

Let him see what he can catch this time.....

Section Commander Duan beside him stared dumbfounded, looking at the other's luck then at his own, instantly feeling bitter inside.

Upon seeing the other catch a black spiny sea bream, his whole face twisted and distorted, his eyes watering with envy......

"It's about time; let's go to Jiashuyuan, to my son-in-law's house for dinner."

"I've taken a liking to that kid; his cooking is not bad—I haven't eaten like that in a long time."

"That's great; this black spiny sea bream, steamed, is fresh."

The two exchanged thoughts on the cuisine.

Lu Lao Yezi didn't care about gout or not; getting food into his stomach was what mattered.

Besides, since coming to Sea Island, he felt his constitution much stronger; it had been a long time since he'd taken any sedatives or sleeping pills......

At Jiashuyuan, after vigorous exercise, the man panted from exhaustion, yet he still got up, dressed, and went to fetch warm water into the room.

Pei Yan Ting stretched her limbs, rubbed her waist, and ordered without hesitation:

"Open the window to let the air out."

Then she reached over to the nightstand, took a cigarette, and lit it.

"Oh."

Lu Xiu Bai nodded; nowadays, people don't bother with the harm smoking does to health—men naturally love cigarettes.

Moreover, for his wife who held a cigarette and exhaled clouds, a gleam coated the lenses of her eyes......

Next door, the sound of bones being chopped rang out—thud, thud, thud.

Jiang Ye was handling the pig's trotter bone he'd gotten from his brother Lao Mo—oh wait, exchanged.

This makes a good soup; add some radish, drink it in early spring, and it's good for the body.

Would it hurt one's conscience?

No.

Lao Mo is just a lonely bachelor; what's he doing leaving all those ingredients in the restaurant's back kitchen?

Better to give it to him—he has a wife to support; it's wholly justified!

In the room, the tear-weary Shen Man placed a damp towel over her eyes, better than nothing.

"Meow~"

Master, the big shot's background is truly miserable.

Tangyuan silently gnawed on the small fish snack the big shot gave her—what a great big shot!

Meanwhile, she wondered inwardly: the big shot's purple aura was overwhelming—surely a sign of great wealth and nobility—so how could his fate be so troubled?

Sigh.

One person and one cat exchanged a glance, both hearts clouded with sorrow.

About half an hour later, the dark red in Shen Man's eye sockets faded; having just swallowed a cup of diluted Spiritual Liquid, she heard her grandfather's loud voice from the courtyard——

"Manman, son-in-law, look—I caught a bucket of sea fish this afternoon; tonight Old Duan and I will have dinner at your place......"

"Grandfather, Section Commander Duan, you're here—please sit, hand over the bucket, and I'll handle the fish."

Jiang Ye saw the two elders arrive, put down his work, left the kitchen, and went to receive the plastic bucket his grandfather was holding.

Quite a haul—he estimated it weighed a dozen or so catties!

Grandfather's fishing skill far surpasses that of a certain someone.

"Where is my Manman?"

Lu Lao Yezi saw his son-in-law emerge from the kitchen wearing an apron, and he was extremely pleased.

What fine judgment his granddaughter has—she picked a true dragon among men, who excels in court and battlefield, and in the kitchen; truly a family-oriented good man.

Jiang Ye, hearing this, naturally explained, "He's resting indoors; we can call him when the food is ready."

"In that case, I'll help you process the fish."

Lu Lao Yezi said, rolling up his sleeves to get ready to help.

When his wife was still alive, he could also lend a hand.

No need, Grandfather, you and Section Commander Duan can play chess on the stone table to pass the time.

Jiang Ye wouldn't let elders help; he's enough on his own.

Besides, there's an elder looking at him eagerly.

Can't just let the other party stare, unable to do anything, that'd be awkward.

Embarrassed, Section Commander Duan scratched his nose; he's a lonely bachelor—where would he learn housework?

Since joining the organization, he's always eaten communal meals, eaten at the canteen; there's no need to worry about cooking.

In other words, he eats whatever is available; he's not picky.

After looking around, he felt the small courtyard was tidied up surprisingly neatly, especially when he saw a round stone table and bench set up beside the coconut tree, with a Chu-Han boundary line laid out on top, and a box placed underneath the table; opening it, he was delighted:

"Huh? You little brat, when did you put together a chess set? The pieces are a bit rough-hewn."

"I made it in my spare time; if you don't want to play, I'll call my brother-in-law over to keep Grandfather company."

Jiang Ye glanced at Section Commander Duan, eyes warning: if he complained further, he'd be kicked out.

Section Commander Duan stayed silent, wondering why he suddenly didn't want to play.

"Haha, Brother Duan, come on, sit down, let's play chess—heaven and earth are big, but the cook is the biggest~"

Old Master Lu saw that his son-in-law and Section Commander Duan, though not related by blood, were like close kin.

He immediately gave him an out, pulled him to sit, and they started playing chess.

Section Commander Duan nodded silently; indeed, the cook is the greatest......

Lu Xiu Bai came over next door drawn by the aroma, but soon he was conscripted for labor.

"Handle the seafood in the bucket, I'll go wash rice and cook; later Grandfather and Section Commander Duan will stay for a meal."

Jiang Ye saw his brother-in-law, the corner of his mouth twitched into a scheming grin—oh no, a caring smile.

He hadn't forgotten that the other had used his kitchen but left the mess uncleared!

Now, don't even think of escaping!

Lu Xiu Bai: Can I escape? Do I dare to escape?