Chapter 22: Flirting Until They Blushed

A faint jolt of electricity pulsed through Ye Changzheng’s entire body. Unbidden, the wonderful memories of their wedding night flooded his mind. However, the realization that Xie Jinyu was pregnant forced him to suppress the sudden surge of restlessness in his heart.

He slowly loosened his grip on Xie Jinyu’s slender waist, took the menu she handed him, and read it over carefully.

"Xiaoyu, the island isn't like Yuejin Village. If we cook too much, it will easily go bad."

Xie Jinyu had naturally considered this, so she explained, "I initially thought about keeping the portions small. But then I felt that since this is the first time we’re hosting your comrades at home, it might seem stingy if the portions are too meager."

Ye Changzheng and Xie Jinyu had spent a fair amount of money when they registered their marriage back in Yuejin Village. Now, with so many things needed for their home, Xie Jinyu had calculated her remaining funds and royalties and decided that even with hosting, they had more than enough. She decided to simply be generous and make the meal a lavish one.

"Fine. We’ll set the time for when I’m on leave, and we’ll cook together."

Ye Changzheng still prioritized Xie Jinyu’s health above all else; he did not want her to tire herself out for the sake of his dinner party.

There were few recreational activities on the island. After heating water, Ye Changzheng brought it to the bedside for Xie Jinyu to soak her feet once she finished washing up. After she finished, she leaned against the headboard to read. Remembering the time she had woken up starving in the middle of the night, Ye Changzheng had specifically placed peach blossom cakes and malted milk powder on the bedside desk, thinking it would make it easier for her to snack whenever she needed.

After reading for a while, the book slipped from her hands. Ye Changzheng carefully tucked her in. Looking at her pretty, captivating face in the lamplight, he couldn't help but swallow hard. Ye Changzheng was four years her senior and had only recently experienced the intimacy of marriage. Teased by that accidental kiss earlier in the evening, he found himself missing those days back in Yuejin Village.

He turned off the lamp and slowly moved closer to her. Xie Jinyu’s delicate, elegant fragrance enveloped him. Ye Changzheng reached out to embrace her from behind, burying his head in her hair as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

For the next while, Xie Jinyu was busy preparing for the dinner party. Endless Island was full of banana and coconut trees. She folded banana leaves into box shapes and tried cutting coconut shells in half; both would serve perfectly as containers for cold dishes. Aside from the military families, there were also local fishermen on the island, so there was no shortage of fresh seafood. Xie Jinyu trimmed and adjusted her menu until the very day before the party, when she finally settled on the final list.

On the day of the party, Xie Jinyu and Ye Changzheng rose early. They went to select fresh pork belly, slaughtered a chicken, and bought some freshly caught seafood from the fishermen.

They returned to their small courtyard laden with bags. In just one week, the seeds in their vegetable patch had already sprouted, painting the ground in vibrant green. After a quick lunch at the cafeteria, they began preparing for dinner.

Ye Changzheng used an axe to chop the cured pig trotters they had brought from Yuejin Village into pieces, placing them into the heavy cauldron to stew slowly. The free-range chicken they bought from a local villager was cut and placed into a newly purchased clay pot, simmered over low heat with ginger slices, red dates, and wild mushrooms.

The red beans, steamed that morning, were mashed into a paste and neatly arranged in a bowl, wrapped in slices of pork belly. Glutinous rice, lard, and brown sugar were mixed together and placed in a steamer. While the longan meat and glutinous rice were steaming, Xie Jinyu cut more pork belly into strips, marinated them in scallion-ginger water and salt, and prepared to fry them with egg and sweet potato starch for crispy pork. She also prepared spicy clams, blanched fresh shrimp, steamed yellow croaker, cold-tossed wood ear mushrooms, and fried peanuts.

With the preparations mostly complete, Xie Jinyu felt exhausted and reached back to gently knead her waist. Ye Changzheng, who had been busy assisting her, immediately stood up, walked to her side, and began to gently massage her waist, using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her brow.

"Xiaoyu, sit and rest for a while."

Xie Jinyu was guided into a chair by Ye Changzheng, who then busied himself making her a cup of malted milk. "Xiaoyu, if there is any other work, tell me to do it. Don't wear yourself out."

Looking at Ye Changzheng, Xie Jinyu felt an indescribable emotion. Perhaps it was due to his upbringing, but Ye Changzheng lacked any trace of chauvinism. He gave her ample respect and helped with chores whenever he was off duty. He supported everything she wanted to do. This was different from the men she had known before. The men in the Lu family were all chauvinists—drinking, smoking, and gambling—and they would take their frustrations out on their wives at the slightest provocation.

Ye Changzheng was also different from her colleagues in her past life. She had once had a colleague who seemed to treat his wife well and was known as a model couple in the school. Yet, the moment his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he immediately began searching for a new partner. The day after the funeral, he registered his marriage with a new wife, even taking his late wife’s gold bracelet—a gift from her daughter—to a jewelry store to exchange it for a new one to wear on his new wife’s wrist.

"Xiaoyu, what are you thinking about?" Seeing her staring blankly at her cup, Ye Changzheng asked.

Xie Jinyu shook the messy thoughts from her head. Whatever the future held, she would live in the present. If Ye Changzheng ever had a change of heart, she would simply learn from Zhan Xinyue and get a divorce with grace. In this world, it wasn't as if one couldn't survive without someone else.

"Is the alcohol ready?"

"It’s ready." The liquor was Wuliangye, and the drink was coconut juice.

"I’ll watch the fire on the stove. You go find Commander Gu and have him bring over the tables and chairs."

Ye Changzheng replied readily, "No need. I already told Gu Siyuan to carry them over himself when he comes."

Xie Jinyu: "He’ll actually do that?"

"I’m kidding." Ye Changzheng reached out and pinched her cheek. Her face was fleshy and soft, and it felt very comfortable. "Gu Siyuan will have his men bring them over."

Xie Jinyu glared at him. "Easy, that hurts."

Ye Changzheng hadn't felt he was using much force, but a man's strength was naturally greater than a woman's; a light pinch had already turned her cheek red.

"I didn't use much strength!" Ye Changzheng felt a bit embarrassed. He swore he really just wanted to tease her.

"Do you even know how strong you are?"

During their first two days of marriage, Ye Changzheng had left her bruised all over, and it took a week for them to fade.

Once the steamed dishes were done, Xie Jinyu began frying the crispy pork. In less than half an hour, all the dishes were ready. Estimating the time, she turned to change into a dress—a white one with red polka dots that made her look bright and captivating. She braided her hair and tied it with a ribbon, looking both exquisite and fashionable.

Gu Siyuan’s men arrived with the tables and chairs. After Ye Changzheng wiped off the dust with a towel, he and Xie Jinyu began serving the food.

Suddenly, a female soldier she didn't recognize ran to the courtyard gate and called out, "Xie Jinyu, you have a phone call."