CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 203: MOTHERS-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW ARE NATURAL ENEMIES

The smoke-filled kitchen wasn’t as shiny and bright as the kitchens of later generations; it was rather a bit grayish.

But it didn’t hide the brilliance of the handsome man at all.

With his shirt off, wearing only a vest and military trousers, the man looked sexy and fit, as if glowing in Yi Chichi’s eyes.

She swallowed, feeling somewhat hungry.

Not physically hungry, but a hunger of the heart.

"When did you come back?"

Stepping behind him, she reached out and hugged the man’s waist.

The warmth pasted on his back made Wen Shi’s throat tighten, "For a while now."

Yi Chichi peeked her head out from his side and was stunned to see the fish on the plate, "Where did the East Star Grouper come from?"

Indeed, on the plate was an East Star Grouper, a rare species protected in later generations.

"Bought it at the grocery station."

Seeing the ingredients included chili, she asked, "How are you planning to cook it?"

"Braised?"

"No, braising would ruin the East Star Grouper, let’s steam it."

Not all fish are suitable for spicy braising; some are only suitable for steaming or light preparations.

Otherwise, it would spoil the unique freshness of the fish.

"Okay."

He responded cheerfully, but his movements came to a halt.

Yi Chichi, "???"

"Why aren’t you moving?"

Wen Shi felt helpless; the smoky environment and hot weather, with someone hanging on his back, really made it easy for one to feel agitated and reluctant to work.

"Honey, isn’t it hot clinging onto me?"

"Should I let go?"

While speaking, she tightened her grip.

Wen Shi realized she didn’t really want to leave.

That’s fine.

As long as his wife is happy, anyway, when it gets too hot, she’ll let go herself.

Indeed, his judgment was completely correct, no matter how tempting the allure, it requires specific places like ’bedrooms’ to be effective.

In kitchens, especially the gray ones without air conditioning in summer, allure ultimately loses out to smoke and oil.

So when Ji Jian came over with some tender corn, Yi Chichi was squatting at the door munching on a cucumber.

The cucumber was a friendly offer from Madam Zhu across the way, an old variety of white jade cucumber with a strong flavor and a crispy, delicious taste.

She munched away energetically. Upon seeing Ji Jian, she quickly stood up, "Sis, want some cucumber?"

"Got some at home."

Every household had a vegetable patch in the courtyard, and this season cucumbers and eggplants were rampant. Only Yi Chichi came late, finding the courtyard bare and empty.

Handing over the corn, she said, "Here, boil these corn and eat them."

"Where did they come from?"

Yi Chichi was curious not in a rush to accept them.

Ji Jian laughed, "From the household of the Third Company Captain."

She didn’t know them.

Currently, she was only familiar with the neighbors and a few close families nearby; she knew no one else in the area except for Yang Qing.

"Don’t bring them all over or Yuan Chu won’t get any."

"No worries, I left over ten for Yuan Chu."

Wow, just how much corn did the Third Company Captain’s family grow?

Since Yuan Chu had his, she wouldn’t hold back either.

"Thank you, sis."

"You’re welcome."

Glancing towards the back door, she lowered her voice and chuckled, "I should be thanking your Vice Commander Wen at home."

"??? For what?"

"For helping educate Old Lin."

Grinning with a mischievous look like a cat that stole cream, with a hint of cunning.

Yi Chichi understood immediately, saying meaningfully, "Indeed, that deserves thanks."

Saying that, she and Ji Jian started whispering, "Is he behaving well now?"

"Very well."

In every aspect.

Previously, he couldn’t be termed bad; compared to most men, her Old Lin wasn’t lacking towards her.

But men generally don’t have that keen sense of detail.

He was always a bit lacking when it came to details.

Now it’s different, ever since he learned to cook from Wen Shi, her Old Lin started developing that sense of detail, doing exceptionally well in the little things.

"I think you shouldn’t go back."

The unexpected comment left Yi Chichi stunned, she raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"If you go back, your Old Wen will be self-sufficient, and my Old Lin will lose his benchmark; I’m afraid he’ll revert to his old self."

Yi Chichi was at a loss for words, wanting to say she couldn’t place her happiness and pleasure on their couple’s shoulders. The words almost slipped out but she changed to, "Not at the moment, haven’t organized things at home yet."

Worried Ji Jian would persist, she laughed, "Once I have everything organized, I’ll come and be neighbors with sis."

Quickly sealing the conversation, because if Ji Jian was still thinking of convincing her past this point, it would signify she is not a trustworthy friend.

Luckily, she didn’t disappoint Yi Chichi and instead smiled, "Alright, you guys get busy, I’ll go help Old Lin with the cooking."

"Okay."

After seeing Ji Jian off, Yi Chichi took the corn to the kitchen, arriving just as Wen Shi took the fish out of the pot.

"Honey, grab some bowls and chopsticks, it’s time to eat."

"Alright."

She placed the corn down, transforming into a diligent little bee setting the table, and carrying the dishes out.

Having washed the pot, Wen Shi prepared to eat, seeing the corn he boiled them, washed his face, wiped his sweat, and then went to eat.

The East Star Grouper tasted fantastic, tender, and delicious, with a pleasant chewy texture, satisfying both of them immensely.

The wild East Star Grouper wasn’t large, the one Wen Shi bought looked about one and a half or so pounds, perfect for the couple.

After the meal, the plates and bowls were empty.

Even the cucumber juice was mixed with rice by Wen Shi, while Yi Chichi pretended to clear the table but was stopped by him.

"No, you don’t move."

"I feel it’s not good for you to cook and wash dishes and bowls every day."

Wen Shi looked at her with a smile in his eyes, pursing his lips; his wife had a quirky sense of humor sometimes.

"Then why don’t you wash this time?"

"Would you let me?"

He laughed, "Knowing I don’t want to, yet you tease me."

"I was worried you might feel bad."

Yi Chichi spoke confidently, Wen Shi replied with a "Hmm," "No need to test in the future, it’s unnecessary; as long as I’m home, household chores aren’t your concern."

If he’s not home, she would have to manage alone.

Thinking of matters when she returns, he cautiously asked, "Honey, can you live with Mom when we return?"

He wouldn’t be at ease if she lived at the Youth Corps Courtyard.

"We’ll move once we get back."

Yi Chichi was straightforward; before marriage, anything was acceptable, but after marriage, it wasn’t suitable to live in the Youth Corps Courtyard anymore.

Love was a matter between two people, marriage was different, it’s between two families.

She had no family here, Yi Yong and the others had nothing to do with her, she could represent a family.

Wen Shi was different; he also had a mother.

As a wife, as a daughter-in-law, while she might not treat Wen’s mother as her own, she would fulfill her obligations and responsibilities.

For the specifics, it would depend on the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law.

She chattered, "But let me be clear first, if Mom isn’t nice to me, I won’t tolerate it; I’ll turn my face."

"??? What’s that about?"

"You don’t understand; daughter-in-law and mother-in-law are natural enemies."

Wen Shi paused while washing dishes, "Can’t deny some mothers-in-law are difficult, but you can’t tar everyone with the same brush."