I was reborn after my cousin stole my life.

Chapter 115: Yuan Xiu's Accurate Judgment of People

Since there were dried noodles at home, Yuan Xiu didn't make dough again, but instead used the dried noodles to make a simple version of steamed noodles.

Once the water in the pot boils, place a steamer basket on top, then spread the noodles evenly in the steamer rack. Brush a layer of oil after each layer to prevent the noodles from sticking together after steaming.

While steaming the noodles, Yuan Xiu began preparing the side dishes.

The side dishes for steamed noodles are flexible; whatever you have on hand can be put in. It's just a pity there's no meat; it would taste even better if there were meat.

Yuan Xiu took two eggs, beat them, and then fried them in a pan. After the eggs were fried, she added all the side dishes and seasonings, and then added water to simmer for a few minutes.

By this time, the noodles should be almost steamed. Mix the noodles with the stewed side dishes in the pot, put them in the steamer and steam for another ten minutes.

"It smells so good!"

Jiang Zhou stood behind Yuan Xiu, sniffing the aroma emanating from the steamer.

Jiangzhou prefers handmade noodles to dried noodles, such as ramen, knife-cut noodles, and pulled noodles...

Thanks to Yuan Xiu, he didn't have this problem before. Yuan Xiu always made different kinds of noodles, and the dried noodles at home became a reserve food, which spoiled his palate.

Making handmade noodles is too troublesome; it involves kneading and mixing the dough, which is time-consuming and laborious. Even if Jiangzhou wanted to eat them, he wouldn't mention it.

He did it himself...

He tried to do it a few times but gave up; it was just too difficult.

The dough was very obedient in Yuan Xiu's hands, but when he kneaded it, it would stick to his hands no matter how much he kneaded it.

"It smells good, doesn't it?" Yuan Xiu smiled. "I'll make a simple soup next."

This simple soup is really simple: a few tender cabbage leaves, three or four peppercorns, and a pinch of salt, and you have a simple cabbage soup.

After scooping it out, Jiangzhou took a sip. It was clearly the same cabbage, but with a few more peppercorns, the taste was quite different from the hangover soup he had at noon.

"Is it good?"

Jiang Zhou nodded: "Fresh! And with a hint of numbing sensation."

When the steamed noodles were ready, Jiang Zhou said "delicious" after taking his first bite. After that, he didn't say anything. He would eat a couple of bites of noodles and drink a sip of soup. Judging from the expression on his face, he knew that the taste was wonderful!

"How do you know so many ways to cook noodles? I remember steamed noodles are a traditional dish from North China and the Yellow River and Huai River regions, how do you know how to make them too?"

Yuan Xiu glanced at him. Was it a little too late to ask now?

"I learned it from the educated youth in the village. There are many educated youth in our village, from both the south and the north. They always love to talk about the food in their hometown. You know my cooking skills. The most important thing is that I have a strong talent. I can make it pretty much after listening to someone talk about it."

Jiang Zhou smiled and nodded: "I do know about your cooking skills."

Look how proud she is.

Yuan Xiu and Jiang Zhou settled into their new home. For the first two days, they were a little unaccustomed to it. When they got home from get off work, their bicycles seemed to have a mind of their own and would turn towards the courtyard.

After turning the corner, I realized something was wrong and quickly turned back.

Whenever this happened, Jiang Zhou would awkwardly try to change the subject, but Yuan Xiu wouldn't give him any face and would laugh loudly from behind on the bicycle.

"What are you two laughing about? Why are you so happy?" Yuan Xiu stopped laughing and looked over. It was Wu Yufen who was speaking. She was standing at her door with a bunch of keys in her hand.

The two houses are close to each other, separated only by a small building.

I heard a joke.

Yuan Xiu got out of the car. "Sister-in-law, you're off work?"

"Just got off work." Wu Yufen was about to go inside, but when she saw Yuan Xiu, she turned back. "Little Yuan, come here, I have something to ask you."

Jiang Zhou pulled the brakes on his bicycle, put one foot on the ground to let Yuan Xiu off, and said, "I'll go back and cook first."

Yuan Xiu nodded.

"I'd heard that Chief of Staff Jiang does all the cooking and washing at home, and now I believe it. But he cares about you, so you should care about him too. Don't make him do all the housework. Men work hard in the military too; they bear the heavy responsibility of protecting our country!"

Wu Yufen started lecturing again.

Yuan Xiu didn't want to argue with her about these things, so she changed the subject and interrupted her: "Sister-in-law, didn't you have something to ask me? Go ahead and ask, because I have to go back and cook for my husband after you're done."

Wu Yufen then asked, "You've met that relative of Political Commissar Wang, haven't you?"

"I've seen it."

"What's she like as a person?"

"I haven't spoken much with her, so I can't comment on what kind of person she is. Why is my sister-in-law asking this?"

Wu Yufen: "It's nothing much, I just wanted to ask. As a member of the residents' committee, I definitely need to find out about the situation since someone has moved into our residential compound. I know you're good at judging people, so I just wanted to ask for your opinion on this person."

Yuan Xiu never expected that she would be seen as someone who "has a good eye for people" in her eyes.

I must have been blind in my past life, but in this life I'm being praised for my good judgment of people.

She couldn't answer that question, and she didn't want to talk about Sister Zhu in front of Wu Yufen.

The main issue is that she doesn't have a very good impression of Sister Zhu, and from her perspective, she really can't give an objective evaluation.

It's better not to say anything.

Seeing that she couldn't say anything, Wu Yufen didn't ask any further questions. "Alright then, I won't take up any more of your time. You can go back now."

"You're back so soon?"

As soon as the door opened, Jiang Zhou poked his head out of the kitchen, holding a head of cabbage. "How about congee for dinner? How about some stir-fried cabbage and a few egg pancakes?"

Yuan Xiu nodded and chatted with Jiang Zhou at the kitchen doorway, "Do you know what Sister-in-law Wu Yufen said about me just now?"

Jiangzhou put the cabbage in a basin, scooped half a basin of water to wash it, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"She actually said I have a good eye for people! How did she know that?"

Jiang Zhou looked up at her and asked, "Did she ask you anything?"

"I asked, I asked about Sister Zhu, a relative of Teacher Shen, and said I wanted to know more about her."

"Then what will you say?"

"I didn't say anything because it's not appropriate to comment."

Jiang Zhou paused in washing the vegetables, thought for a moment, and said to Yuan Xiu, "I have seen her run to the entrance of the camp to find Political Commissar Wang several times."

Yuan Xiu straightened up: "Do you think there's a problem?"

Jiang Zhou didn't answer directly, only saying, "That's too eager."

From Jiang Zhou's two sentences, Yuan Xiu vaguely understood what he was trying to express.

There are some things that shouldn't be said casually, because saying them could be considered spreading rumors.

Yuan Xiu was originally going to go into the kitchen to help, but because of Jiang Zhou's two sentences, she forgot about helping and was thinking about Teacher Shen's family.

That Sister Zhu is about the same age as Political Commissar Wang, and in terms of youth and beauty, she can't even come close to Teacher Shen.

As long as Political Commissar Wang isn't blind and isn't afraid of jeopardizing his career due to misconduct, he wouldn't be so foolish as to fall for a relative who came to help his family.

I'm afraid someone might have ulterior motives.

Sister Zhu is a relative of Teacher Shen's family. She was invited to take care of Teacher Shen during her postpartum period. Why did she frequently go to the battalion headquarters to see Political Commissar Wang?

Does Teacher Shen know?

……

"Xiao Yuan, you're off work? Why isn't your Chief of Staff Jiang with you today?"

On her way home, Yuan Xiu ran into Teacher Shen, who was also on her way home from get off work.

"He has something to do today and will be leaving get off work later."

Yuan Xiu's gaze fell on the stack of homework books she was holding. "Are you taking this homework home to grade?"

"Yes, they were only collected this afternoon. I have classes tomorrow morning, so I need to finish grading them as soon as possible and distribute them back." Teacher Shen said with a smile, "Even your Chief of Staff Jiang has something to do, so it seems my husband Wang will also be working late today."

Yuan Xiu's eyes flickered. "Political Commissar Wang seems much busier than my husband. Teacher Shen, you are so considerate. My husband said he often sees your Sister Zhu going to the battalion headquarters to see Political Commissar Wang. You must be worried and asked Sister Zhu to pass on your message to Political Commissar Wang."

Teacher Shen paused for a moment, "...Ah, right, he doesn't take care of his health at all. He's over forty years old, but he still thinks he's young."

Yuan Xiu lowered her gaze, pretending not to see the stunned expression on her face, and changed the subject to talk to her about her studies.

Teacher Shen arrived home first. After saying goodbye, Yuan Xiu turned a corner and went around to the back of the house.

Teacher Shen entered the room quietly and saw Sister Zhu lying on the sofa watching TV. There was a plate of melon seeds on the coffee table and melon seed shells scattered all over the floor.

The sound of the homework book being placed on the dining table startled Sister Zhu, who was engrossed in watching TV.

She turned around abruptly and saw that Teacher Shen had returned. She quickly stood up, put on her shoes, turned off the TV, and asked with an embarrassed smile, "You're back."

Teacher Shen walked over and her gaze fell on the sunflower seed shells on the sofa. "There's a trash can at home. When you eat them, throw the shells in the trash can. Don't litter them."

Sister Zhu reached out and patted the sofa. "It doesn't matter where you put it, you'll have to sweep it anyway. You're just being fussy."

Seeing that Teacher Shen looked displeased, Sister Zhu didn't say anything more. "Please sit down first. I'll go get the broom now. I was planning to mop the floor later anyway. If you come back later, I'll have already mopped it clean."

Ms. Shen didn't sit down. She picked up the homework books and went upstairs. When she came downstairs, Sister Zhu had already swept up the sunflower seed shells on the floor.

"Sister Zhu, you can watch TV if you want. You don't have to turn it off as soon as I get back."

"I don't like watching TV," Sister Zhu waved her hand. "I was just bored, so I turned it on to watch something. You're back in less than ten minutes. By the way, what do you want to eat tonight? I'll make it right away."

"Do you have any meat at home?"

"Yes, I bought it this morning. I was home alone at noon, so I didn't touch it."

"Then let's stir-fry some shredded pork and make shredded pork noodles. Old Wang will probably be back a little late tonight, let's eat first."

"Working overtime again? He's really busy. He's been working overtime a lot since I came here. A successful man is different..." she muttered as she went into the kitchen.

Teacher Shen got up, walked behind the TV, and touched it. The temperature didn't seem like it had been watched for ten minutes.

Sister Zhu was quick and efficient, and her cooking skills were also quite good. She prepared dinner in less than half an hour. Teacher Shen's bowl of noodles was topped with a layer of finely shredded meat, while her own bowl only contained two or three shredded pieces of meat.

Is this all the meat you have?

Sister Zhu was eating her noodles with gusto when she heard her question. She waved her hand and said, "There's more. I'm saving it for Political Commissar Wang. I'll cook him more noodles when he gets back. Don't you have enough?"

Teacher Shen shook her head: "What I mean is, why did you only put such a small amount on your plate?"

Sister Zhu laughed and said, "I just need to taste the meat. Back in the countryside, we didn't even dare to eat noodles like this. Who eats fine grains except during festivals?"

As she spoke, she sighed again, "You're so lucky, unlike me. I married a useless man, and my life is like being soaked in bitter water. If it weren't for my family's constant support over the years, I don't know how I would have survived."

Teacher Shen didn't actually know much about this distant cousin. She had only heard that her husband was good-for-nothing and lazy, and that her family was struggling financially. She herself was known for her competence in her family when she was a young woman, which was why she introduced her to help out for a while, as a way of subsidizing her.

Rather than letting Lao Wang find someone else, it's better to reassure your family.

"If you really can't live with him anymore, you can divorce him." This wasn't the first time Teacher Shen had heard her complain.

Sister Zhu's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare say such a thing! What divorce? How could you say such things? It wouldn't be good if Political Commissar Wang heard you."

"Why not?" Teacher Shen raised an eyebrow: "I was talking about you, not him."

"What if he hears this and thinks you're thinking the same thing?" Sister Zhu wiped her greasy mouth. "Then tell me, do you dare to divorce your Political Commissar Wang?"

Teacher Shen looked at her with a deep, unsettling gaze, "If he wrongs me, I dare to."

Sister Zhu chuckled, "Of course you dare. You have a job, you can live without anyone. If I were to leave, I wouldn't even have anywhere to go. I'm not like you, we're not the same kind of people. Alright, hurry up and eat, or the noodles will get soggy."

Teacher Shen lowered her eyelids and ate her noodles earnestly.

After finishing her meal, she took a short walk in the yard before going upstairs. When she came downstairs after grading the homework, Political Commissar Wang had already returned and was sitting at the dining table eating noodles. Sister Zhu was sitting next to him, rambling on and on about something.

The two chatted and laughed.

Seeing Teacher Shen come down, Sister Zhu smiled at her and got up to go into the kitchen.

"How are you feeling today? Are your legs still swollen?"

Teacher Shen poured him a glass of water. "You're doing well today. What were you talking about just now?"

"It's nothing. Sister Zhu asked about the war, so I told her about it." Political Commissar Wang picked up a piece of shredded meat and handed it to Teacher Shen. "Open your mouth."

After eating, Teacher Shen's gaze fell on a large bowl of noodles with shredded meat on the table.

Seeing the shredded meat in the bowl, she suddenly smiled.

"What are you laughing at?" Political Commissar Wang asked.

"Is the shredded pork noodle soup delicious?"

"It's delicious! Didn't you guys have this for dinner too?" It was mainly this laugh that sent a chill down his spine.

"It's this you're eating. You're eating it so deliciously, mine definitely isn't as good as yours."

Teacher Shen took the water away, saying, "Take your time eating."

Political Commissar Wang: "...Wasn't this water poured for me? Why was it taken away?"

Teacher Shen carried the water upstairs. The first thing she did after getting upstairs was to take out an envelope and put some money inside.

After thinking for a moment, she went to the study, took out a piece of stationery, and wrote a letter to her family.