Tang Qiyue didn't recognize most of the fish from the sea.
Fortunately, she found a few familiar ones—mackerel, tuna, and yellow croaker. There were also quite a few octopuses.
She was impressed that the one-eyed uncle had chosen them carefully. They were all deep-sea fish, so they were definitely dead; even with plenty of ice for preservation, they couldn't be stored for long.
Tang Qiyue wasn't sure what she wanted to eat, but she remembered the mackerel dumplings that Uncle Wang often talked about. "Uncle, can you make mackerel dumplings?" she asked.
The one-eyed uncle assumed she had picked a common dish because she didn't recognize the fish.
"Of course! These kids have nothing to do anyway. Let them debone and fillet the fish. We can also chop the chives we brought from outside."
Mackerel and chive dumplings were incredibly delicious.
The one-eyed uncle immediately instructed his apprentices to get to work while he introduced Tang Qiyue to the other types of fish, most of which were best stewed.
After all, the one-eyed uncle hadn't grown up by the sea. Even though his cooking skills were excellent, he wasn't entirely confident with unfamiliar ingredients. Stewing was the safest method.
Tang Qiyue wanted to try cooking some herself, but considering the soldiers' heavy training and need for rich, oily, and salty food, she refrained.
While they were making dumplings, Zhan Zeyi and the others returned, each carrying quite a few things. Upon closer inspection, they were all various crustaceans and seafood.
"Sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law!"
A chorus of greetings followed. Tang Qiyue had been somewhat prepared, but she still blushed a little.
Zhan Zeyi walked up behind her, training uniform slung over his shoulder, clothes soaking wet—clearly just returned from the sea.
Chen Dazhuang urged the boys at the door to hurry and put the food in the kitchen.
Zhan Zeyi approached Tang Qiyue, noticed her flushed cheeks, cleared his throat, and asked, "Have you eaten?"
Tang Qiyue glanced at the sun, letting him understand the futility of the question.
Zhan Zeyi, thick-skinned as always, knew he had asked a pointless question.
"I brought up a lot of scallops. I'll have the uncle cook them for you to take home!"
With the canteen now bustling, Tang Qiyue certainly wouldn't stay. She noticed the uncle directing the soldiers to wash their hands and start on the dumplings.
She took Zhan Zeyi's training uniform off his shoulder. "Then I'll go back first!"
Zhan Zeyi didn't refuse but reminded her, "After we finish eating, I'll take some people to repair the fence and yard. You can collect the clothes from the yard!"
Tang Qiyue wanted to tell him she had already collected the clothes. (Have you heard of a dryer that dries clothes in seconds?)
Of course, she didn't tell him. She simply nodded.
Zhan Zeyi shook the remaining water from his hair and watched Tang Qiyue's departing figure.
Her oversized clothes couldn't hide her swaying figure; instead of looking awkward, it was oddly pleasing to the eye.
Political Commissar Wu wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Hey kid, what are you staring at? Uncle's calling us to make dumplings!"
Zhan Zeyi clicked his tongue, naturally keeping silent about the fact that he had been looking at his wife.
These men weren't greenhorns. Making dumplings was a yearly event, and besides, it was something to eat.
Tang Qiyue returned home. Before even opening the door, Zheng Hongjuan ran up to her. She looked Tang Qiyue up and down, leaving Tang Qiyue speechless.
"What are you staring at?" Tang Qiyue asked.
Zheng Hongjuan straightened her hat, awkwardly explaining, "I just wanted to see if you were crying!"
Tang Qiyue opened the door but didn't invite her in. There was nowhere to sit, so she hung Zhan Zeyi's training uniform behind the door and took out two small stools.
She handed one to Zheng Hongjuan and placed the other on the ground for herself. Then she unfolded a small box containing candies and snacks.
Tang Qiyue placed it on her lap, confirming there were plenty of items, and offered it to Zheng Hongjuan. "Want some?"
Zheng Hongjuan's mouth watered at the sight. She wanted to refuse firmly but couldn't resist. In the end, she took a biscuit.
"Don't think you can bribe me with food. I still believe Battalion Commander Zhan and Doctor Qin are a couple!"
Although Zheng Hongjuan said this, her confidence wavered as she gauged Tang Qiyue's reaction.
Tang Qiyue smiled. "Why would I try to bribe you? You're a soldier. If your will isn't strong enough, you'd be letting down your uniform, wouldn't you?"
Tang Qiyue envied Zheng Hongjuan. Female soldiers were selected differently from male soldiers. There were fewer of them, and they had to pass political reviews—something Tang Qiyue couldn't do.
She picked up a biscuit and slowly ate it. Perhaps because she had nothing else to do, she became curious about this Dr. Qin that Zheng Hongjuan admired.
"Tell me about Dr. Qin. What kind of person is she? Why do you admire her so much?"
Although they had met yesterday, Tang Qiyue wasn't a fortune teller. She naturally couldn't predict what kind of person Dr. Qin was.
Zheng Hongjuan squinted as she savored the biscuit and readily explained why she was so protective of Dr. Qin.
"Dr. Qin is a very good person. Her medical skills are excellent, and she's gentle—unlike you. You look like a pampered young lady. Although you're prettier than her, you're not suited to be Battalion Commander Zhan's partner!"
Zheng Hongjuan probably remembered she owed Tang Qiyue, so she still praised her.
"Being pretty won't help Battalion Commander Zhan. Only someone like Doctor Qin is worthy of a hero like him. You'd only be a stain on his reputation!"
Zheng Hongjuan finished a cookie, surprised that Tang Qiyue wasn't angry.
"Aren't you mad?"
Tang Qiyue handed her another cookie.
"What you said is the truth. Why should I be angry?"
Zheng Hongjuan: …
She had never met anyone like Tang Qiyue before—someone who didn't even get angry at rejection.
"Then will you leave Battalion Commander Zhan?"
Zheng Hongjuan looked at Tang Qiyue expectantly, only to be disappointed.
Tang Qiyue shook her head. "Why would I leave him?"
Zheng Hongjuan was furious. "You know you're not good enough for Battalion Commander Zhan. Why don't you leave him? Do you want to drag him down? Do you want a hero to be criticized?"
Tang Qiyue calmly closed the box and reminded her, "Whether someone is good enough or not is up to Zhan Zeyi. People will talk; I can't control that. Before worrying about me, shouldn't you consider the dangers you'll face?"
Zheng Hongjuan didn't understand Tang Qiyue's meaning. But when her collar was grabbed, she realized things were going badly.
"Zheng Hongjuan, are you tired of living? I'll grant your wish!"
A bamboo stick struck Zheng Hongjuan's backside.