Chapter 35: Looking at a Man Can Be a Strain on the Neck

"Commissar, take your family member home." Lin You’s cold voice sounded from behind Liu Xiuying.

His words had barely fallen when an angry shout followed: "Have you made enough of a scene? Go home!"

Xia Yan saw a round-faced man, over a head shorter than Lin You, with dark skin, stride forward and pull Liu Xiuying toward the back row of the family quarters.

"Let go of me, Zhao Ming! Your wife’s being bullied and you don’t say a word. You’re the commissar, what does Lin You amount to?"

"Shut up!" Zhao Ming’s face darkened and he barked, "You may not care about your reputation, but I still care about mine."

Xia Yan stood where she was, watching Zhao Ming and Liu Xiuying leave before relaxing from her Wing Chun stance.

"Are you alright?"

"I’m fine, I’ve had some training."

Xia Yan looked up at Lin You. Everything about this man was admirable, except that when he stood nearby and she met his gaze, she found it a bit of a strain on her neck. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind: if they were to kiss, standing on tiptoe should be enough.

Hmm? Xia Yan, what are you thinking? Why did that cross your mind?

Lin You leaned down to pick up the basin of fish on the ground. "What do you want these little fish for?"

"To fry them—make a snack for the three children."

"Fried?" Lin You echoed but didn’t press further. His trust in Xia Yan’s cooking was absolute.

When they got home, the two boys had already arrived. Lin Hongzhuo ran over happily as soon as he saw Xia Yan, announcing that Teacher Yuan had apologized to him that afternoon.

Xia Yan praised him a little before heading to the kitchen.

She cleaned the fish in the basin, drained them, and sprinkled on some salt for a simple marinade. She had wanted to make them spicy, but considering Lin Nuannuan was still little, she gave up on that idea, just adding a touch of minced ginger and mixing it all together.

While the fish were marinating, she rinsed some rice and started a pot of porridge, setting six large beef-stuffed buns on the side.

After a while, feeling the fish had marinated enough, Xia Yan poured oil into a cold pan, coated the small fish in batter, and tested the oil temperature with her chopsticks. As soon as the fish hit the pan, they sizzled energetically.

To a cook’s ear, that sound was like a concert—utterly delightful.

Xia Yan swallowed as the aroma of fried fish wafted up, placing the battered little fish one by one into the oil.

Inside, as Lin Hongzhuo was doing his homework, the smell reached him. "Brother, what’s that delicious smell?"

"Smells like fish. Didn't Xia Yan bring back a big basin of little fish just now?" Lin Hongzhe twitched his nose, recalling the fish in her hands when she returned.

"Why do you call Aunt by her name, though?"

"Who was it that made a fuss the moment she came in the door? What now?" Lin Hongzhe shot his brother a look. He felt he’d changed, from calling her 'that woman' to now 'Xia Yan.'

"I just think Auntie’s different from that woman before..." Lin Hongzhuo’s voice was noticeably softer.

"Second brother, what do you really think? Do you want her as our stepmother, or would you rather have Aunt Zhu?"

"Brother, I don’t know. I admit, at first I really disliked Aunt Xia, but as time went by, I noticed she’s really good to little sister and Dad, and she buys us lots of things and cooks so well… Aunt Zhu has also been very good to us, but her kindness feels different from Aunt Xia’s, though I can’t say exactly how."

Hearing Lin Hongzhe mention Zhu Yan, Lin Hongzhuo realized that the words 'Mama Zhu,' which he used to say every day, hadn’t crossed his lips in a long time.

Lin Hongzhe took a deep breath. He’d noticed the same thing, even if he didn’t want to admit it. He understood deep down that Zhu Yan’s kindness seemed more about currying favor with their father.

Besides, since that last visit to Zhu Yan’s house, she hadn’t come by to see the three of them again.

"Brother, what do you think about having a stepmother?"

"Well, that’s for Dad to decide. He’s sacrificed so much for the three of us. We can’t become a burden to his happiness. Whoever he chooses to marry, I’ll support him."

He added, "But if Xia Yan is just putting on an act, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you and little sister never suffer again."

At that moment, Xia Yan’s voice came from the doorway, "Little Zhuo, little Zhe, come wash your hands for dinner. Auntie made delicious fried fish today!"

With that, Xia Yan returned to the kitchen. Seeing the fish nearly done, she gave them a few more turns with her chopsticks and picked one up. The aroma made her swallow involuntarily.

She blew on it a few times, then popped the little fish into her mouth.

Crunch.

Instantly, the flavor of the fish and the aroma of rapeseed oil exploded on her tongue. The bones, fried to a crisp, shattered between her teeth.

It was her first time making fried little fish, and she hadn’t expected it to be so delicious.

In the living room, Lin Hongzhuo pushed open the door and was hit by the smell of fried fish. At the kitchen door, he saw Xia Yan eating, eyes half-closed.

"Auntie, you’re sneaking a bite!"

"Here, have one too," Xia Yan laughed, handing him a fish with her chopsticks.

The little guy glanced at the room, saw his big brother hadn’t come out yet, and bit right in without blowing on it. He jumped up at once, "Hot, hot, hot…"

But the taste was so good he couldn’t bear to spit it out.

"Tasty, isn’t it? Go wash your hands, and ask your dad, too. Auntie made a whole plate—plenty for you."

"Mm, mm! Dad, brother, little sister, wash your hands! Auntie’s fried fish is delicious—you have to eat it while it’s hot, or it won’t taste as good." Lin Hongzhuo called out as he walked away.

Smiling, Xia Yan took another plate from the cupboard, served up a portion, and carried it next door to Wang Guilan’s house.

As she arrived, the family was just sitting down to eat. It was Xia Yan’s first time meeting Wang Guilan’s son.

"Xiao Xia, what brings you over?" Wang Guilan looked up as Xia Yan entered with a plate of golden fried fish.

"Aunt Wang, I caught these fish this afternoon. I fried up a lot and brought some over for your family to try."

"You’re too kind—you should keep these for the children." Wang Guilan felt a bit embarrassed to accept, having only lent Xia Yan a fishing net, not really helping much.

"There’s plenty at home, more than enough. Erdan, come take the plate."

Erdan’s eyes had been glued to the fish ever since Xia Yan walked in. The moment she spoke, he jumped from his stool, grabbed a fish, and stuffed it in his mouth.

"So delicious! Auntie’s cooking is the best."

The man sitting nearby stood up as well. "Thank you, miss."

"This is my son, Ruan Xiaotian, deputy battalion commander of the second battalion. He’s been stationed up in the mountains and just got home tonight."