CHAPTER 228: 218 MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL PARTY SIGN-UPS (PART 1)

Over the past few days, the flowers Tian Sangsang planted in the vegetable garden have grown exceptionally well. She wore white gloves as she carefully picked the blooms.

Qin Lan noticed her meticulous manner—bending over to pick the flowers, wearing gloves—as though the flowers in her hands were her own children, requiring delicate care.

From a side profile, she even had an intellectual air. Just in terms of demeanor, she was far superior to the other military wives.

How could this be possible?

"Sister-in-law, picking flowers, huh?" Qin Lan walked closer, intending to get friendly. "What are you picking flowers for?" If it weren’t for her husband telling her not to provoke Tian Sangsang anymore, she wouldn’t have bothered. But she still couldn’t figure out why Captain Jiang was so taken with this dark-skinned, plump woman. Was it something remarkable in bed?

Tian Sangsang naturally had no idea about Qin Lan’s filthy thoughts. Ever since that incident, she had simply regarded Qin Lan as a passerby.

She nodded indifferently, "I’m taking them back to use on my face." She had always planned to make skincare products, so there was no need to hide it. This way, she could even explain her future fairness while promoting her products.

This was living proof—with ample evidence—starting from being so dark to becoming...

Like those before-and-after promotional photos of acne treatments, freckle removals, or whitening products from later generations—the contrast so striking!

Talking about faces was fine, but once mentioned...

Qin Lan scrutinized her more closely under the warm light. Astonishingly, Tian Sangsang’s skin didn’t seem as dark as before. Skeptical, she asked, "Flowers can be used on the face?"

"Of course. Nature gives us these gifts, and if used right... their benefits are endless." Tian Sangsang cast her a side glance, her expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk, as she walked past her.

Qin Lan’s curiosity was piqued, but Tian Sangsang paid her no attention and left. Spotting an opportunity, Qin Lan stealthily plucked a rose and shoved it into her pants pocket.

"What a thing... As if a single flower could stir up waves."

During this time, Tian Sangsang was juggling scriptwriting and whitening remedies, while Meng Shuyan’s leg was steadily improving, though not fully healed yet.

Running practices were progressing smoothly, and Tian Sangsang even felt noticeably lighter on her feet.

As usual, Jiang Jinghuai spent his days training—coming home, training—coming home, occasionally reading the newspaper or carving something with his blade. Life carried on like this.

But in between, the atmosphere distinctly shifted as the Mid-Autumn Festival approached. Tian Sangsang often noticed the girls in the Art Troupe dormitory chattering delightfully, as though something was brewing.

One day, Tian Sangsang went out and bought some glutinous rice and a can of malted milk powder. She had originally wanted to buy fresh milk but couldn’t find any after walking around for a while—even when available, it required ration tickets. So she had to settle for malted milk powder as a substitute, at least on the surface.

"Today I’m making coconut red bean cake." Tian Sangsang pinched her son’s tender cheeks lovingly.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jinghuai, standing nearby, heard her words and gave her a long, deep look, leaving Tian Sangsang puzzled.

Tian Sangsang busied herself washing the steamer and its tray in the kitchen before taking out the red beans she had soaked that morning.

Jiang Jinghuai sat on the living room sofa, holding a newspaper in both hands, but his eyes were glued to the kitchen. Before long, seemingly having made up his mind, he put down the newspaper and walked toward the kitchen...

There was no coconut milk—only the dimension held that. With a cautious glance behind her, Tian Sangsang prepared to retrieve it from the dimension.

"Jiang Jinghuai, you..." She turned her head and saw Jiang Jinghuai standing at the kitchen doorway.

A suspicious flush spread across Jiang Jinghuai’s left ear as he seriously inquired, "Do you need help?"

Tian Sangsang chuckled, "Thank you for the offer, but I can manage just fine on my own."

"It’s just that Yanyan was too hungry, so I thought I’d check in," he replied.

"Hungry already?" Tian Sangsang was surprised and nodded, "Alright, I’ll hurry up then."

"Okay." Jiang Jinghuai took one last quiet glance and left the kitchen.

That afternoon, Tian Sangsang steamed a tray of coconut red bean cakes. To make them look more appealing, she specifically cut the cakes into diamond-shaped pieces—each one had a vibrant red base and a pure white top, with plump raisins sprinkled across the white layer.

Tian Sangsang placed two cakes onto light green plates, carried them outside, and set them on the table.

"Here, Yanyan, weren’t you hungry? Eat while it’s hot; be careful not to burn yourself." She flashed a soft smile toward Jiang Jinghuai, "You try some too—it tastes pretty good."

Meng Shuyan froze, scratching his head. When had he said he was hungry??

"You go ahead. I’ll take some to Huihui and Dongni." Tian Sangsang removed her apron and filled a plate with twelve cakes, stacking them neatly into a tower-like arrangement that looked exquisite. "By the way, I made a bit extra today. Later, when you leave, take some to Tongzhou."

"Extra? How many is ’a bit extra’?" Jiang Jinghuai shifted his gaze from the cakes to Tian Sangsang.

"Thirty-six."

"And this is ’extra’?" Jiang Jinghuai frowned faintly. "Forget it—he won’t appreciate them. In the future, just make some meat dishes for him instead."

Tian Sangsang was baffled, "The future is the future; today is today. Honestly... giving him a few is no big deal." It’s just food. Why so lofty in the arts of appreciation?

Jiang Jinghuai insisted, "No need—he doesn’t deserve them. You’ve made too few already."

Tian Sangsang: "..." Why hadn’t she noticed before that Jiang Jinghuai could be this petty?

After Tian Sangsang left, Jiang Jinghuai washed his hands and returned to the sofa, carefully picking up a piece of coconut red bean cake and taking a small bite.

His mouth was filled with the fragrant taste of coconut, complemented by the sweetness of the raisins. The red bean layer underneath was compact and soft, spreading gently across his palette. Beyond these distinct flavors, there was something he couldn’t quite describe—like the food Tian Sangsang made never seemed to use ordinary water, more like celestial dew. He had tried the finest pastries from Beijing’s top-tier shops a few years ago, but none compared to Tian Sangsang’s creations.

It was delicious.

Carrying her cakes, Tian Sangsang arrived at You Huixixi’s house. As soon as You Huixixi opened the door, Tian Sangsang said directly, "Huihui Sister-in-law, I made some cakes for you, Political Commissioner Lin, and Nini to try."

You Huixixi glanced at the delicately stacked cakes, which resembled a miniature pagoda. Her eyes lit up, "These are so pretty, Sangsang—you’ve got such skillful hands!"

"Mm, Sister-in-law, just take them. I made too many; we can’t finish them at home."

You Huixixi naturally protested a bit before finally giving in and accepting, even offering Tian Sangsang a bag of milk candies in return, though Tian Sangsang politely and firmly declined.

"Sister-in-law, is there some kind of event happening recently? It’s been unusually lively around here." She had initially wanted to ask Jiang Jinghuai, but some questions were better answered by women than men.

"Oh, that." You Huixixi explained, "In ten days, it’ll be Mid-Autumn Festival. Every year there’s a Mid-Autumn gala. The Art Troupe will perform, singing and dancing—it gets really festive. If any of the military wives have a program to perform, they can sign up too. After Mid-Autumn, the troops usually hold military exercises, then it’s National Day—there’ll be holidays."