My Happy Daily Life After Being Reborn
Chapter 87 - 14 Purchasing Home Appliances_2

Chapter 87: Chapter 14 Purchasing Home Appliances_2

So when Lin Xiaoguai brought a plate of sour shredded potatoes and crispy chicken out to the dining room, the two male figures—a big and a little one—were so engrossed in the thrilling plot that they only snapped out of it when the delicious aroma hit them.

Shen Chi checked the time and realized it was already half-past eleven. He touched his nose and said, "I’ll go to the Military Family Area canteen to see if there’s any good food."

They had only just found out that the garrison had two canteens: one for the military and one for military families. The former catered to soldiers who had just finished rigorous training and had huge energy needs, following the guidelines of plenty of oil, plenty of meat, and large quantities; that was the canteen they had visited yesterday. The latter, serving military families, made smaller stir-fries that were clean and tasty.

But the military canteen ensured you were fed well at three meals a day, and although it was said to have plenty of meat, it was relative to the average citizen, and having lavish dishes every meal was impossible. Moreover, family members couldn’t come by often. The Military Family Area canteen operated on a supply system, where different ranks of sergeants and officers received different portions. For example, as a Lieutenant Colonel, Shen Chi could get a portion of meat, two of vegetables, a soup, and a pound of rice for free every day. Anything extra would cost money.

The garrison’s meals were considered quite good, with the military canteen far out-doing what civilians ate, not to mention the Military Family Area’s even better offering. That’s why Shen Chi had mentioned it.

Lin Xiaoguai nodded and said, "Then hurry up."

After Shen Chi left, Lin Xiaoguai made some peanuts for his drink and took out the steamed egg custard from the rice cooker that she had made for Little Niangao. Looking at it, she decided there was no need for more food and started serving the rice.

As she was dishing out two bowls of rice, she heard the door open and Shen Chi’s voice followed, "Wanwan, we’ve got guests, bring out two bottles of white spirits!"

Lin Xiaoguai removed her apron and went out, only to see Shen Chi walking in with two men in their thirties.

"Hello, sister-in-law." They seemed a bit uncomfortable upon seeing her.

Shen Chi pointed to the man on his right, who had a plain face but a composed temperament, and said, "Wanwan, this is Xu Jinjun, a Captain by rank and essentially my right-hand man. He’ll help me train the soldiers below."

Then pointing to the gentleman behind him, who wore glasses and exuded scholarly grace, he said, "This is Zhou Huai Country, also a Captain by rank and responsible for political commissar work."

He stood next to Lin Xiaoguai, put his arm around her, and said to the two men, "You probably already know who she is, but let me introduce her anyway: my wife, Lin Xiaoguai."

Xu Jinjun and Zhou Huai Country had brought their food as well, suggesting that the three men had run into each other at the Military Family Area canteen.

"Have you let your families know you’re here?" Lin Xiaoguai knew men were often careless about these sorts of things, so she asked.

But her question made both men’s faces turn crimson, Zhou Huai Country pushed his glasses up and said with a cool expression, "Sister-in-law, we’re not married yet," even though his pale face blushed lightly.

Lin Xiaoguai was momentarily taken aback, then smiled, "That’s good, I’d feel guilty if there were families worrying about you guys."

She found it a bit strange that both Xu Jinjun and Zhou Huai Country seemed to be around thirty years old, which was quite uncommon for that time compared to the future.

But she let it go and didn’t delve deeper, simply starting to urge them to eat.

"Please, take a seat and don’t be shy."

Lin Xiaoguai brought plates from the kitchen and dished out the food that the men had brought back. Really, the food from the Military Family Area canteen was quite good. Shen Chi had selected some Kung Pao chicken which Lin Xiaoguai liked, some mapo tofu, stir-fried garlic shoots, and a tomato and egg soup. Xu Jinjun brought some braised pork, while Zhou Huai Country brought some stir-fried bean sprouts and leek with eggplant.

—In the garrison, soldiers could get one vegetable dish or one soup per day for free from the Military Family Area canteen; noncommissioned officers could get one vegetable dish and one soup; junior officers could get one meat dish and one soup or two vegetable dishes and one soup, as well as half a pound of rice; field grade officers could get one meat dish, two vegetable dishes, one soup, and a pound of rice; and general officers could get two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, one soup, and two pounds of rice daily.

With the food Lin Xiaoguai had already cooked, they had more than enough for the five of them.

The three men talked mostly about work, and Lin Xiaoguai couldn’t contribute, so she went to her room to feed Little Niangao some milk. At this point, her own milk supply wasn’t enough to fill him up, so after she came back, he eagerly gazed at the egg custard on the table, his desire for it unmistakable.

"You’ve caught us at an amusing time," Lin Xiaoguai said with a smile to Xu Jinjun and Zhou Huai Country, who curiously looked over, as she picked up the egg custard to feed her son.

"You eat first, feed him later," Shen Chi said, knowing his wife’s pickiness; if the food got cold, she would lose her appetite.

"Little Niangao eats quickly," Lin Xiaoguai replied softly.

Shen Chi frowned, about to speak, when Xu Jinjun, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Brother Shen, is this your son? Is Little Niangao his nickname?"

Shen Chi’s attention was diverted, and he nodded, "His formal name is Shen Yinian."

As if knowing they were talking about him, Little Niangao looked at his father with wide eyes—as if to ask, "What are you saying about me?"

Xu Jinjun and Zhou Huai Country found this humorous, their eyes twinkling with laughter.

The meal ended with everyone in good spirits, and Shen Chi escorted them all the way downstairs when they left.

"How was it?" Walking along the shaded path of the Military Family Area, Zhou Huai Country asked Xu Jinjun.

"What?" Xu Jinjun squinted lazily.

Zhou Huai Country raised an eyebrow, "Obviously, about our new superior."

"Eighty points for the initial impression," Xu Jinjun said with his hands in his pockets, somewhat content. "Ninety points for the Lieutenant Colonel’s wife, and with her cooking skills, a perfect score!"

Zhou Huai Country chuckled, "Don’t you dare get any other ideas, boy. That Shen Chi is not a simple man."

Xu Jinjun looked down silently, yet he thought: Indeed, he’s not simple, that face, both unfamiliar and yet familiar, impossible to ignore. (To be continued. If you like this work, please feel welcome to vote on Qidian for a recommendation or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)