Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s
Chapter 827: Make Amends

Chapter 827: Chapter 827: Make Amends

The shoes left by the doorstep, the military uniform hanging on the coat rack, and the military textbooks on the table all made Cheng Yu genuinely feel how close she was to Qin Jian.

This is not a dream!

"Miss Cheng, please have a seat! It’s hot today, so start with a couple of slices of watermelon to cool off." An Hao brought over some freshly cut watermelon.

"Thank you." Cheng Yu ate a small piece and then stopped, "I’ll go make a phone call first; we can chat later."

"Okay. The phone is on the table. Help yourself, Miss Cheng. I’ll start preparing things slowly in the kitchen."

An Hao went to the kitchen to prepare chicken and fish for lunch.

Cheng Yu picked up the phone and dialed home. It was Cheng Yue who answered, "Who’s calling?"

"It’s your sister."

"Sis!" Cheng Yue said excitedly, "I must be dreaming! Has the sun risen from the west? How come you’ve decided to phone home? This is really rare!"

"Cut it out." Cheng Yu smiled, her mood lifted, her fingers twirling the phone cord as she chatted with Cheng Yue, "How’s your vacation? Is everything okay? Didn’t you say Dad was going to toss you into a military camp? How come you are still at home?"

"Dad’s gone to a meeting in the capital. Mom is lonely at home so, luckily, I got to stay." Cheng Yue sounded like he’d gotten a huge bargain.

"Let me talk to Mom." Cheng Yu said.

"Sis!" Cheng Yue felt something was off, "You haven’t been kidnapped, have you? Can’t speak freely? Trying to give me a hint with a code? You know Mom isn’t home at this time, ever."

"Fine then. If nobody’s there, forget it. I won’t waste the phone bill! You better take good care of Mom at home, and when I get back, I’ll ask about your behavior. If you’ve caused trouble again, watch out for your skin!"

"Those words are music to my ears. Now I’m sure you’re safe and sound."

Cheng Yu chuckled softly, then hung up the phone.

Having heard Cheng Yu finish her call, An Hao poked her head out from the kitchen, "Miss Cheng, why didn’t you talk more? Calls like that don’t happen often."

"Both parents are out. Yuyu is always so mouthy, so I just made some small talk." Cheng Yu said offhandedly, then walked into the kitchen to help An Hao, "I’ll cook today; how about you assist me? I feel bad for bothering you; let me make up for it by preparing a meal."

"You are too polite, Miss Cheng. But I should do it; the kitchen is too hot." Cheng Yu is a guest; it wouldn’t make sense for a guest to cook.

"It’s fine. I like cooking. I’ll let you taste my cooking skills! Let’s decide on this. It’s getting late, let’s start quickly. Otherwise, if Staff Officer Qin comes back and we haven’t finished cooking, it will be quite embarrassing." Cheng Yu said cheerily, her eyes and brows brimming with a smile.

An Hao, who seldom saw such a joyful smile from her, was momentarily spellbound.

By the time she snapped back to reality, Cheng Yu had already begun chopping vegetables.

"Alright then. It seems today’s lunch will be courtesy of Miss Cheng." Saying this, An Hao untied her apron and tied it around Cheng Yu, then stood by to assist her.

After busily working for a while, the dishes were served.

Braised fish, spicy chicken, cucumber with peanuts, honey-glazed ribs, tomato and egg, and a mixed vegetable dish—six in total, plus a vermicelli and meatball soup in the pot.

Everything was ready.

Sweating profusely, Cheng Yu washed her face in the restroom and touched up her makeup before coming out.

Just as the clock’s hands pointed to twelve, the sound of a turning lock signaled Qin Jian’s return.