Cheng You frequented the nearby vegetable market, and everyone was familiar with her.
Seeing the man by her side, many people chuckled and teased, "Daughter, is your man back?"
Cheng You smiled and nodded, "Yes, he just got back."
They all knew that Qi Chengan was a soldier, and his absence during this period was because he had returned to the barracks.
Cheng You bought groceries while he followed behind, carrying them and holding her hand, reluctant to let go.
Cheng You didn't find it clingy and let him hold her hand.
"I've already secured a storefront for the pharmacy. It was a bit expensive, so I bought it directly."
Although Qi Chengan never interfered with how she spent money, suddenly spending fifteen thousand yuan made her feel a little guilty.
"If you bought it, you bought it. As long as it's suitable."
The price was not important; Cheng You felt it was appropriate.
They carried the groceries home, and Liu Zi quickly came out.
"Sister-in-law, let me have it."
Cheng You asked, "Can you cook?"
Liu Zi scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "I'm not very good."
"It's normal that you can't. You spend most of your time training, so when do you have time to cook? Today, let me make you a good meal."
Cheng You had also bought a casserole dish earlier. When she ate at the Qi family last time, Sister Lin taught her how to bake a chicken, saying it would bring out the natural flavor of the chicken. She wanted to try it today.
Soldiers consume a lot of energy, so they prefer hearty meals.
She also planned to stew pork belly and make braised fish. Two stir-fried vegetable dishes would be enough.
With Qi Chengan helping, a table with five dishes and one soup was quickly prepared.
Cheng You took off her apron and gestured for Liu Zi to sit down.
"Sister-in-law, I didn't expect your cooking to be so good."
Cheng You laughed, "What else can I rely on your Brother Yan for? I have to practice myself."
Qi Chengan: "..."
He used to cook at home before he returned to the barracks.
Liu Zi tasted the pork belly first, buried his head in eating, and couldn't spare the time to speak.
But his appearance said it all.
With Liu Zi, the dishes on the table were wiped clean.
After finishing the last bite of rice, Liu Zi let out a satisfied burp.
Qi Chengan felt embarrassed and kicked him, as if he hadn't eaten enough in the army.
Liu Zi chuckled, "Sorry, Sister-in-law, your cooking is too delicious."
"It's okay, it's okay. If you have time next time, come to our house to eat again."
Liu Zi was a straightforward person. Otherwise, he wouldn't still associate with Qi Chengan after what happened to him.
Cheng You was happy to interact with such a comrade.
When Liu Zi left, Cheng You also packed a lot of cured meat and sausages for him.
"This is all from my hometown. Take it back, and you can ask the cook in the army mess hall to heat it up for you."
Although Liu Zi was a little embarrassed, he couldn't resist his cravings and finally accepted the things.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law."
Cheng You glanced inside the house. Seeing that Qi Chengan hadn't come out, she asked in a low voice, "Tell me honestly, has the army bullied your Brother Yan?"
Liu Zi was stunned. Qi Chengan was right; Cheng You really asked that question!
"That Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang has some issues with Brother Yan, but they don't dare to do anything, after all, Brother Yan has some background. Sister-in-law, don't worry."
Cheng You felt a little relieved. That was good.
After Liu Zi left, Qi Chengan came out of the house.
"He's gone?"
Cheng You hummed.
Seeing him slightly open his arms, she smiled and threw herself into his embrace, and he lifted her up.
"Liu Zi said you weren't bullied."
Qi Chengan chuckled, "Who can bully me?"
In the entire army, in terms of combat strength, he was second to none.
If they couldn't beat him, they would come to him for trouble. Wasn't that courting death?
As for other trivial matters, he didn't pay attention to them at all; they were not worth mentioning.
Hearing this from him, Cheng You felt even more reassured and began to tell him about what had happened during this time.
In fact, they were all minor matters, nothing worth mentioning, but she just wanted to share them with Qi Chengan.
He was also very supportive, holding her and listening quietly.
When it came to Chen Qin, Cheng You thought of that Wang Fang.
"Do you have a photo of Wang Fang? I want to confirm if it's her."
Qi Chengan shook his head. How could he keep a photo of Wang Fang?
Wang Fang was ordinary-looking, the kind of person you wouldn't notice in a crowd.
So when Cheng You asked, he really couldn't recall any distinguishing features.
"Youyou, that matter is over. Don't think about it."
Cheng You rubbed against him in his embrace, finding a comfortable position to lean on.
How could it be over?
Qi Chengan only had one day of leave. He doted on Cheng You at home until evening and had to return to the barracks. He couldn't stay at home overnight.
Cheng You tidied his clothes and sighed, "This is the first time I've experienced the difficulties of being a soldier's wife."
Fortunately, she would be starting school soon.
Qi Chengan held her waist with one hand and clasped her hand with the other.
"I'm sorry, Youyou."
"I was just saying. My life is much easier than those soldiers' wives."
She had a courtyard that everyone envied, and she held so much money in her hands. Who wouldn't envy her?
After seeing Qi Chengan off again, Cheng You's nose felt sore.
She quickly turned away, afraid she would cry.
Qi Chengan didn't leave immediately but stood at the door for a while.
Separated by a wall, they silently accompanied each other.
After standing for who knows how long, she finally walked back into the house.
The house was too big, and it felt a little empty.
After lying down for a while, she heard a knock on the door.
By the sound of it, it should be Zhao Jisheng.
She quickly ran out.
"Cheng You, I've come to deliver the medicinal seeds to you."
Because the seeds were precious, Zhao Jisheng personally delivered them.
Behind him was a handcart with Cheng You's ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum.
He had people unload the items and followed Cheng You into the house.
"You should cultivate this ginseng for a few more years. This is a priceless treasure that can save lives."
Zhao Jisheng also handed her a notebook, which contained the key points for cultivating ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum.
Cheng You smiled and nodded, "I'm just casually cultivating it. I don't expect it to save my life."
She first checked the ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum in the flowerpot and suddenly paused.
She picked up a clump of soil. It was new soil, different from the one she brought from Wujing Village.
Although they all looked like ginseng, she could still see the subtle differences.
"Professor Zhao, my ginseng has been swapped."
Zhao Jisheng's alarm bells rang. He had checked it just last night!
He quickly took out his glasses, put them on, and examined the pot of ginseng that Cheng You mentioned.
It had indeed been swapped!
The thief was quite alert, only stealing one pot and leaving the other three untouched.
"Cheng You, I'm going back to the Agricultural Research Institute now. I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter!"
Someone had dared to do such a thing under his nose and on his territory. It was an absolute disgrace!
Zhao Jisheng's face turned ashen with anger, and he strode out. Cheng You couldn't stop him even if she called out.