CHAPTER 357: 342 IT’S TOUGH TO ENDURE

Tian Sangsang nodded repeatedly, "Do you have anything else to do later?"

Jiang Jinghuai replied, "Heading out at noon."

"Perfect, then I’ll make lunch," Tian Sangsang said excitedly, "It feels better to eat food you make yourself. By the way, do you use the kitchen?"

She walked over to take a look, and her heart sank, "Uh... this..."

Jiang Jinghuai held her soft body, his tone tinged with helplessness, "Everyone eats at the cafeteria. Occasionally, some families might cook on their own. The army provides grain, and if you grow your own vegetables, you can source some things yourself. This place is so remote..."

Tian Sangsang immediately caught the key point, "You said earlier, sourcing things yourself, you mean I can still find things myself? Other than vegetables?"

He chuckled and pinched her soft little cheek, "Yes. There’s mountains and water nearby—things that swim in the water, run on the mountain, fly in the sky, or grow in the ground."

"Honey?" Tian Sangsang pouted, looking at him expectantly. Her slightly upturned almond-shaped eyes glimmered warmly.

Jiang Jinghuai’s breathing deepened instantly. Actually, she didn’t need to do anything; just standing there obediently could stir him.

Let alone when she deliberately teased him like this.

"Even if you didn’t ask, I’d get it for you anyway." Jiang Jinghuai hugged her, inhaling her subtle fragrance deeply. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I’ll deal with you later tonight."

She blushed furiously and asked, "Where will Yanyan sleep tonight?"

"He’s four now; he should learn to be independent. Let him sleep in his own room," Jiang Jinghuai said firmly.

Tian Sangsang hesitated. To her, holding her son’s soft little body while sleeping was like cuddling a warm little heater—it was wonderful. But if she did this, her husband would have to suffer.

"Alright, let’s first see if he can adapt." She looked up at him with tender concern.

Seeing his deep and handsome features, she lifted her hand and gently smoothed them.

Tian Sangsang stared directly at him for a while and murmured, "Is it because of winter? I feel like you’ve gotten paler... and thinner."

"Did they give you less meat?"

She reached out her hand, wanting to check if his abs were still there.

He shook his head slightly, his voice husky, "Touch me and see if I’ve gained weight."

At first, Tian Sangsang was speaking seriously to him, but when she looked up at his fiery eyes, she immediately understood what he meant. Quickly, she withdrew her hand and laughed awkwardly, "Brother Jiang, there’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you. Actually, today I..."

At that moment, Meng Shuyan called out, "Mom!" Tian Sangsang went inside to see him, naturally forgetting to tell Jiang Jinghuai what she intended to say.

Lunch was eaten at the cafeteria, and Tian Sangsang got to meet Jiang Jinghuai’s soldiers. She also handed over some local specialties she’d prepared earlier for Jiang Jinghuai to share with them.

After Jiang Jinghuai left, Tian Sangsang reorganized the house, found some vegetable seeds from her storage, and dug out a small patch in the front yard to start planting. But the snowy weather made it less ideal for such work. Afterward, she tidied up the kitchen.

With the things she had brought herself, she could prepare a meal, meaning they wouldn’t need to eat at the cafeteria that evening. The day was still young—too early to cook—so Tian Sangsang decided to go for a walk outside.

Tian Sangsang counted. There weren’t many people living with the military here, given it was deep in the mountains. Altogether, there were fewer than ten military wives. With so few people, interactions tended to be more harmonious.

When she stepped out, she happened to run into a military wife. Tian Sangsang remembered her name; everyone called her Xiaocui. In this circle of military wives, Xiaocui was about the same age as Tian Sangsang. She was also said to be a recent arrival and had a child—a one-year-old.

Seeing Tian Sangsang, Xiaocui wasn’t sure what to call her. Calling her "sister-in-law" felt inappropriate, as Tian Sangsang’s husband outranked hers. So she directly called her by name, "Hey, Sangsang!"

In truth, within the compound, relationships largely revolved around rank. Xiaocui’s approach toward Tian Sangsang was partly an attempt to curry favor and partly because they were both newcomers of similar age, which made interacting easier.

"Xiaocui Sister-in-law." Tian Sangsang quickly greeted her politely, her almond eyes curving slightly in a smile.

Her smile was beautiful—her gaze clear and luminous, like the pristine snow around them.

"Why did you come out? It’s freezing. Jiang Camp Commander and the others won’t be back until at least five. You don’t need to wait for them yet."

"No, no, Xiaocui Sister-in-law," Tian Sangsang said, embarrassed. "I was just feeling a bit bored and wanted to take a look around."

You can usually tell how easy it is to get along with someone by a few simple exchanges. Tian Sangsang was undoubtedly easygoing. Xiaocui liked interacting with people like her, especially since Tian Sangsang was quite polite. Without hesitation, Xiaocui said, "I don’t have much to do either; let me take you on a walk. You’ve just arrived, so you might not know much about the area. I got here a week earlier than you."

"Thank you so much."

Leading her out of the family compound, the crunch of their shoes on the snow echoed as they walked.

"That jade green bean cake you brought was simply exquisite. I’m from the North, and I couldn’t help savoring every bite of the treats you shared," Xiaocui said. Her attire was simple and unassuming—colorful and patchwork cotton clothes. It was clear she came from the countryside, which Tian Sangsang could easily tell.

"I made them all myself. There’s plenty at home. If you like them, Sister, feel free to come by anytime."

Xiaocui hadn’t expected they were made by Tian Sangsang herself and asked, "So, do you and Jiang Camp Commander plan to eat at home or keep eating at the cafeteria?"

"We’ll eat at home," Tian Sangsang said with a smile, "If I have to stay home all day without cooking, I’d probably go stir-crazy."

As she finished speaking, her gaze fell on the tightly bundled child in Xiaocui’s arms, and she asked, "Not a peep? Is she asleep? Won’t she get cold?"

"Just fell asleep, almost," Xiaocui said, pulling the cloth down slightly, "She’s wrapped in so many layers; she won’t freeze."

As soon as the cloth was pulled down a bit, Tian Sangsang saw the child’s bright eyes, which were still open, along with tiny hands struggling to reach out. "So adorable! I suppose she’s a girl?"

Xiaocui smiled gently, "Yes, my little girl." She seemed to want Tian Sangsang to hold the child for a bit, but Tian Sangsang purposefully acted as though she didn’t notice. Xiaocui didn’t press, assuming Tian Sangsang simply didn’t understand, and continued holding the child herself.

Tian Sangsang subtly observed her and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hold the child, but rather that she didn’t know how. She’d never looked after such a little one before; Meng Shuyan was already four years old and at the age where he was much more independent. But with Xiaocui’s baby girl, she felt completely out of her depth. She had rarely interacted with young children growing up.

Her younger brother had been raised in their hometown during his early years and only came to live with her family later. After she started working, she did enjoy watching parenting shows, but those kids were always around Meng Shuyan’s age—already quite self-sufficient.

Perhaps because of those formative years spent apart from her family, her way of expressing affection had become more restrained. She loved her brother deeply but only focused on him quietly, never daring to voice her feelings. They lacked the dynamic, lively sibling relationship where they could bicker or play around freely.