Chapter 62: Hot Pot

Han Aiguo sat down by the stove, but instead of reaching for his chopsticks right away, he held Su Yue’s hand and carefully checked the gauze wrapped around her fingers.

“How’s the wound? Let me take a look.”

He couldn’t relax even over a small injury. Su Yue found it both funny and touching, she simply unwrapped the gauze and showed him.

“Look.”

Han Aiguo’s eyes widened in surprise. He examined her fingers back and forth, only to find her white, tender skin as smooth as ever. There wasn’t a single scar, as though she had never been cut at all. If he hadn’t seen her slice her hand with a kitchen knife and watched so much blood spill out, he would have doubted his own eyes.

“Are you really alright?” His tone still carried disbelief. Even the smallest wounds could not heal so quickly and perfectly.

Su Yue smiled proudly. “Yes! There’s no trace left at all. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

Even Han Aiguo had to admit it. The medicine she used was extraordinary and he could only call it a miracle. To heal a deep wound in just two days without leaving a scar… there wasn’t a hospital in the country that could match this.

Where on earth did such a miraculous medicine come from? Han Aiguo was curious, but he also knew it was Su Yue’s secret. If she didn’t want to say, he wouldn’t press.

Su Yue, on the other hand, felt even more reassured now. Since the medicine’s effects had been proven, she could confidently give it to Han Aiguo as well. She took out the small porcelain bottle and pressed it into his hand.

“This medicine is especially for you. Keep it with you, especially when you’re out on missions or training. If you ever run into danger, it could save your life. Take good care of it. For now, I only have this one bottle, and I don’t know when I’ll get another.”

Having witnessed its power with his own eyes, Han Aiguo naturally believed her words. He accepted the bottle solemnly and slipped it into the inner pocket of his uniform.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe.”

Only then did Su Yue feel relieved. She clapped her hands and grinned. “Alright then, let’s eat! We’re having hot pot tonight; I guarantee you’ve never tasted anything this good before.”

Han Aiguo glanced at the spread on the coffee table. “So… we put the vegetables into the soup, boil them, and then eat?” he asked cautiously.

Su Yue nodded. “Right. But don’t put them all in at once; just a few at a time. With hot pot, you eat as you go, dipping the food into the sauce. Wait here, I’ll make some dipping sauce.”

She ran to the kitchen and quickly mixed two bowls, one mild for herself, and one spicy for him, since she couldn’t handle spice but knew he liked it.

By the time she returned, the vegetables in the pot were just about cooked. Su Yue took out a few slices of meat, dipped them into Han Aiguo’s sauce, and held them up to his mouth.

“Here, try it and see how it tastes.”

Han Aiguo opened his mouth obediently, and the moment the flavor hit his tongue, his eyes lit up. He began to chew eagerly, savoring every bite. After that, he no longer waited for Su Yue to feed him. Following her instructions, he started cooking and eating on his own. Before long, sweat broke out on his forehead from the spicy sauce, but he didn’t stop and he ate happily, chopsticks moving nonstop.

Seeing him enjoy himself so much made Su Yue smile. She picked up a slice of meat for herself, dipped it in her sauce, and took a bite.

But to her surprise, the taste she had looked forward to so much felt bland in her mouth, far from what she had imagined. Disappointment crept in. After one piece, she lost her appetite. Instead, she picked at some vegetables, but her stomach was small, and she felt full after just a few bites. Soon, she put down her chopsticks altogether.

She leaned back and simply watched him eat. Strangely, watching Han Aiguo enjoy his food gave her a deeper satisfaction than eating herself. Every hearty bite he took made her feel like the food must be delicious. This must be the common joy of cooks everywhere.

When Han Aiguo noticed her setting down her chopsticks, he frowned.

“Why did you stop after eating so little? You didn’t even touch the noodles.”

“I’m full,” Su Yue said, shaking her head. “You finish the rest. Don’t leave anything behind.”

Han Aiguo fished out a piece of lean meat, held it up to her lips, and said firmly, “At least eat some meat if you’re skipping the noodles. You’re too thin so you need to eat more to build strength.”

Su Yue instinctively turned her head away. She frowned, clutching her stomach. “No, I really can’t eat any more.”

“Come on, be good. Just a few more bites won’t hurt,” he coaxed patiently.

But Su Yue’s temper suddenly flared. She pushed his chopsticks away. “I told you I don’t want to eat! Why do you keep insisting!?”

The movement was stronger than she intended. The chopsticks flew out of his hand, and the meat landed on the floor.

Su Yue froze, regret washing over her instantly. What had just come over her? Why had she lost her temper at him of all people? He had done nothing wrong as he only cared that she wasn’t eating enough.

Feeling guilty, she quickly grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry, husband. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. Please don’t be mad.”

She bent down to pick up the fallen chopsticks, but he stopped her. “I’ll get them. Don’t move.”

He stepped over, picked them up, rinsed the meat under the tap, and without hesitation, popped it into his mouth. Meat was too precious to waste these days.

Su Yue rushed forward, alarmed. “Don’t eat it! It’s dirty, you’ll get sick.”

Han Aiguo paused. In truth, he felt the meat was fine after being washed, and it would be a shame to waste it. But when he saw the genuine worry in her eyes, he reluctantly threw it away and patted her cheek.

“Alright, I won’t eat it.”

Su Yue’s guilt deepened. She threw herself into his arms and hugged his waist tightly. “I’m sorry, husband. I’ll never lose my temper with you again.”

Han Aiguo gently patted her head. “What’s the big deal? You lost your temper, that’s all. I didn’t take it to heart. Don’t blame yourself. If you want to get angry at me, go ahead I’m your man. It’s my job to put up with a fierce wife at home.”

His words made her laugh despite herself. She playfully hit his chest. “Who’s a fierce wife? I’m gentle!”

He chuckled, eyes full of warmth. “Yes, yes, you’re the gentlest.”

Su Yue rolled her eyes but didn’t argue further. She tugged him back toward the stove. “Now eat. Don’t mind me, I really don’t want any more.”

Han Aiguo didn’t press her again. He finished off all the remaining dishes by himself, including the noodles that would normally be enough for two of Su Yue’s meals, and even drained the soup base until only a clean pot was left.

If it weren’t impossible, Su Yue felt he might have eaten the pot itself too.

She was amazed by his appetite. Where did all that food even go? Despite eating so much every day, not a trace of fat clung to him but had only solid muscle and bone. In clothes, he looked tall and slender, lean but strong. He truly was the perfect example of a man who looked slimmer in clothes than without.

To be honest, she was envious. If she ate like him every day, she’d be round as a ball by now.

After dinner, Su Yue told him about the vegetable plot behind the family quarters. When he heard that she planned to buy fertilizer, Han Aiguo said he would ask the logistics department the next day.

The base also grew crops and vegetables, so the logistics department always had fertilizer available.

At noon the following day, Han Aiguo took the time to bring some home. Su Yue immediately carried it out to the garden and began fertilizing her little plot of land.

At this time, other military wives were also sowing vegetable seeds in the communal garden. When several of them noticed Su Yue scattering fertilizer, they looked at her strangely and asked, “Sister Su Yue, what are you doing? What are you spreading?”

Su Yue answered casually, without thinking much of it. “I’m putting down some chemical fertilizer before planting. That way the vegetables will grow better.”

In truth, she couldn’t bring herself to admit that she disliked watering with excrement. Everyone did it, and if she said otherwise, she might offend them. So she smiled and added, “I didn’t think of saving it before, so I don’t have any at home.”

The woman who spoke earlier immediately brightened and said warmly, “Ah, so that’s it. If you don’t have any, it’s fine. I’ve stored up plenty at home, and I can’t use all of it. I’ll lend you some and it’ll make your vegetables grow well. Your chemical fertilizer won’t work as well.”

With that, she actually pushed the dung bucket she had brought over to Su Yue, scooping out some liquid manure for her.

Most families here kept buckets for collecting human waste, storing urine and feces for days before pouring it on their vegetable plots. Su Yue had never used such things. The smell alone made her stomach churn, and she had always found it filthy.

The sister-in-law thought she didn’t understand farming, so she laughed good-naturedly and said, “Sister, you’re funny. Who uses chemical fertilizer for vegetables? That’s rare stuff. We just water with what we have at home. No need to be so particular.”

Indeed, most of the military wives came from rural backgrounds. They knew about chemical fertilizers, but those were usually bought by the brigade for crop fields. Nobody here wasted it on a few rows of vegetables. For them, watering with waste from the family bucket was just normal.

As the woman stirred the scoop inside the bucket, a pungent stench rushed over. Su Yue’s stomach lurched violently. One accidental glance at the swirling liquid, and she felt her chest tighten. The next moment, she squatted down and vomited, bringing up everything she had eaten for lunch until only sour water remained.

Everyone nearby was stunned. The woman who had kindly offered her fertilizer stood frozen for a moment before patting her on the back anxiously. “Sister, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re so delicate you can’t even stand the smell of manure?”

Those watching began to whisper in their hearts. She’s from the countryside too, isn’t she? Then why is she acting more squeamish than the city wives? Even women in the city use chamber pots to water their gardens. How can she be so fussy?

Su Yue couldn’t answer them. Her nose still burned from the stench, and her stomach continued to heave. Weak all over, she staggered away until she could no longer smell it, only then was she able to breathe properly again. Slowly, the nausea eased.

The sister-in-law with the bucket didn’t look happy. She felt her goodwill had been treated like something filthy, as though she were carrying a plague. With a dark face, she carried her bucket away.

Su Yue knew she had offended her, but she truly hadn’t meant it. She simply couldn’t control herself. The smell was unbearable. Back in Hanjia village, she had used pit latrines, and while nauseating, they had never made her vomit like this. Why was her reaction so extreme today?

Have I gotten soft again after living comfortably for a while? Or… is there something else going on with my body?

When she finally recovered, she went over to the sister-in-law and apologized earnestly. “Sister-in-law, I’ve had a bad stomach these past two days. The smell made me nauseous, and I couldn’t help throwing up. I really didn’t mean anything by it, and I appreciate your kindness.”

Her sincerity eased the woman’s displeasure. She waved it off, saying, “It’s fine, forget it.”

Relieved, Su Yue picked up her hoe again. She divided the soil into neat plots and sowed different vegetable seeds in each section. Spring had arrived, and there was more variety to plant besides radish and cabbage, she added eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. In less than twenty days, they should be ready to harvest, and as the weather grew warmer, she could grow even more. At least then, their table wouldn’t be so monotonous.

Eating radish and cabbage all winter had been tiresome. She had longed for new flavors.

By the end of the day, the seeds were all planted. After watering the rows, Su Yue carried her tools home to prepare dinner.

Her body was sore from the work, and she had no energy for anything complicated. Something simple and tasty would do. She remembered there was pork left. Since it couldn’t keep forever in this weather, she might as well use it up. An idea came to her that she would make wontons in red oil. Not only was it delicious and simple, it was a dish she hadn’t made before. That meant she could earn points and expand her “wallet.”

She minced the pork and mixed it with onion, ginger, garlic, salt, pepper, starch, and egg. After stirring it evenly, she covered it and let it rest for half an hour. While waiting, she kneaded flour into dough and rolled it into thin wrappers. Then she filled them one by one until she had wrapped about fifty wontons.

Seven or eight would fill her, and the rest would be for Han Aiguo; enough for him to eat his fill. Feeding such a big eater wasn’t easy.

When the stuffing was ready, she boiled the wontons with cabbage leaves, which would cut the greasiness. Once cooked, she scooped them into bowls with the red oil sauce she had prepared such as soy sauce, chili oil, chopped scallion, sesame oil, and toasted sesame.

Just as she finished, Han Aiguo returned. The moment he stepped through the door, a rich fragrance reached him. His mouth curved unconsciously into a smile. Without taking off his coat, he strode straight into the kitchen, pulled his little wife into his arms, inhaled her scent, and then looked eagerly at the food.

“What’s this?”

“Wontons in red oil, have you ever eaten it?”

Han Aiguo shook his head. “They look like dumplings, but the skin is thinner, and they’re smaller. What exactly are they?”

Su Yue chuckled. “They’re wontons, but in some places people call them dumplings. It’s just a difference in names. It doesn’t matter what you call them, as long as they taste good.”

Han Aiguo listened but didn’t dwell on it. Chinese cuisine was far too refined for a rough man like him to understand. For him, it was enough to eat whatever his wife made.

Carrying two bowls of steaming rice to the table, he sat down and dug in eagerly as soon as Su Yue picked up her chopsticks. No one knew this, but the moment he looked forward to most every day was coming home after training; where his young wife waited, and there was always a hot, delicious meal ready for him.

He had never dared to imagine such a life before.

Ever since he grew used to Su Yue’s cooking, the canteen food tasted like sawdust. He only endured it when he had to. That was why, whenever training ended, he always ran home faster than anyone else. He sometimes laughed at himself, realizing he acted like a child rushing home for dinner.

Sure enough, Su Yue noticed his smile and asked curiously, “What are you laughing at?”

Han Aiguo shook his head, still grinning. “I just feel good. None of the men here eat as well as I do.”

Hearing such boyish pride from him, Su Yue rolled her eyes. “Comrade Han Aiguo, can’t you be more humble and low-key?”

Han Aiguo nodded seriously, then silently proved with his chopsticks just how delicious his wife’s food was.

Translator’s Food Notes:-

Wontons in red oil: