Chapter 23: What a Pitiful Host

Not to be outdone, he immediately called out obediently, “Hello, Auntie Yu. My name is Gu Jingnan. I’ve heard my dad mention you—you’re the ones who saved my cousin. Tongtong is also my sworn little sister.”

Yu Wanqin finally realized.

This was Commander Gu’s son.

She quickly wiped her hands and invited the three children to sit down, preparing a cup of malt milk powder for each of them.

“Tongtong, you take care of the two older brothers here. Mom is going to cook.”

Tongtong nodded obediently, patting her little chest. “Leave it to me!”

Yu Wanqin smiled and dove back into the kitchen.

Since there was an extra person—and a growing boy at that, who was sure to have a big appetite—she added two more dishes.

In addition to the golden, crispy small gold bars, she also made braised pork and slippery chicken with shiitake mushrooms.

The braised pork was stewed until tender and soft, wobbling with a gentle poke of the chopsticks. The thick, savory sauce gave off an enticing aroma—rich but not greasy.

The slippery chicken with shiitake mushrooms was fragrant, tender, and juicy. The mushrooms soaked up the broth, bursting with flavor at the first bite, so delicious it felt like your tongue might melt.

There was also stir-fried tender green beans and cold mixed three shreds, finishing off with a tomato and egg drop soup.

Not to mention the three little ones inside the house.

Even the neighbors passing by outside were drooling.

“Oh my! Sister Wanqin, what delicious dish did you make this time? You’ve stirred up my appetite!”

“Absolutely! In our entire compound, you won’t find anyone with cooking skills like hers!”

Everyone chimed in one after another, showering her with praise and envy.

They whispered among themselves in secret.

They couldn’t understand what Deputy Battalion Commander Lin was thinking. With such a beautiful and capable wife at home, he was never around, always over at the storage room, claiming to help take care of his nephew and niece.

What a weirdo!

And he let that sister-in-law of his make a fuss every single day, ruining all the good fortune with her tantrums!

The neighbors only dared to gossip behind his back. Some households even hurriedly brought out their own meals, scooping up rice while savoring the aroma from Yu Wanqin’s cooking—enough to make them eat two extra bowls.

When the dishes were served.

The three little ones stared eagerly, their eyes glued to the table.

Even Si Muchen, usually the calmest of them all, couldn’t help but secretly swallow his saliva.

It smelled so good…

Gu Jingnan had already licked his lips countless times, his eyes practically stuck to the dishes.

“Let’s eat!”

Tongtong cheered in her childish voice.

Gu Jingnan’s chopsticks accurately snatched a piece of braised pork.

The meat melted in his mouth, the perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce bursting on his tongue.

Gu Jingnan squinted his eyes in bliss.

Mumbling with his mouth full, he exclaimed, “Mmm… so delicious! It’s just too delicious!”

He wolfed down the food, his chopsticks moving so fast they left afterimages.

“What kind of miserable life have I been living until now!”

Si Muchen moved away slightly in disgust, afraid of being splashed by the broth Gu Jingnan was spilling.

Then he calmly continued eating, though his chopsticks moved just as quickly.

Yu Wanqin, however, was amused. She added a small gold bar to each of their bowls, saying gently, “Eat slowly, don’t choke…”

Seeing this, Tongtong also added some vegetables to Gu Jingnan’s bowl. “Eat more, brother!”

Gu Jingnan was so moved his eyes welled up with tears. Between bites, he sighed, “Mmm… Tongtong, Auntie Yu, you’re both so good to me! I wish Auntie Yu could be my mom!”

Yu Wanqin sighed helplessly. “You shouldn’t say things like that. Your mother would be upset.”

The table suddenly fell silent.

Tongtong blinked, biting her chopsticks as she looked left and right.

Gu Jingnan scooped a mouthful of rice, keeping his head down without saying a word.

Si Muchen sighed, put down his chopsticks, and explained, “My cousin’s parents were both martyrs. Later, my uncle adopted him.”

Yu Wanqin and Tongtong both fell silent.

They never expected that the cheerful and lively Gu Jingnan had such a complicated background.

Someone so young had already endured so much.

Yu Wanqin’s eyes reddened. She turned her face away, composed herself, and then pretended as if nothing had happened, piling food onto his plate. Softly, she said, “It’s alright. Come to Auntie’s house to eat often from now on.”

Tongtong tilted her head in thought, then pushed her favorite braised pork right in front of Brother Jingnan. “Brother! Eat meat!”

Gu Jingnan, who had been feeling down just moments ago, immediately perked up and happily dug in.

“Thank you, Tongtong!”

Si Muchen looked at Tongtong with resentment.

She hadn’t helped him with any food earlier.

Even though they had met first.

[See? See?]

[I told you to actively steal energy, but you didn’t believe me. Now your little sister doesn’t even remember she has a brother like you.]

[Oh dear! How tragic~]

The System spoke sarcastically, greedily stealing energy while not forgetting to annoy its host.

Si Muchen’s face darkened even more, his handsome little face wearing a sour expression.

Tongtong felt a chill run down her spine.

That strange sense of drowsiness was back…

She turned around and met Si Muchen’s resentful gaze.

Her eyes shifted to his bowl, where Yu Wanqin had placed some braised pork.

After a moment’s thought, her eyes lit up.

So this kid doesn’t like braised pork.

Well, that’s fine—she loves it!

With that, Tongtong grinned, revealing a row of adorable little teeth.

Just as Si Muchen thought she was about to serve him some food too, Tongtong swiftly snatched the last piece of braised pork from his bowl.

She stuffed it into her mouth.

Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed happily.

Mmm… stolen meat really does taste better!

Si Muchen: “???”

Wait, is she even being polite?

[Hahahaha… I’m dying of laughter… Host, you’re so pitiful!]

The System’s cackling laughter echoed in his mind.

Si Muchen put down his bowl with a dark expression.

…

Night fell.

After finishing their meal, Gu Jingnan and Si Muchen played at Tongtong’s house for a while before preparing to leave.

The three little ones said their goodbyes at the door.

Gu Jingnan rubbed his full stomach, somewhat reluctant to go. “Tongtong, can I come over to eat again next time?”

He couldn’t help but lick his lips.

Auntie Yu’s cooking was just too delicious!

He couldn’t help but think, if only she could be his mother…

“Of course!” Tongtong patted her little chest proudly. “My mom’s cooking is amazing, right?”

Gu Jingnan immediately nodded, not holding back on praise. “It’s a hundred times more delicious than the State-run Restaurant!”

Tongtong grinned happily, even more pleased than if she had been praised herself.

Her expectant gaze then turned to Si Muchen.

Si Muchen also nodded, struggling for a moment before saying, “It’s good.”

He wasn’t as smooth with words as Gu Jingnan.

That was the best compliment he could come up with.

Not wanting to be outdone by Gu Jingnan, he thought for a moment and added, “I know someone in the Logistics Department who can get fresh crucian carp.”

Tongtong’s eyes lit up. “Then let’s make Crucian Carp Soup next time! My mom’s soup is so fragrant!”

Gu Jingnan was drooling with greed, his mouth watering profusely. Suddenly, he bent down and picked up his little sister: “Good sister! You’re practically an angel! Hahaha!”

Being suddenly lifted into the air, Tongtong was startled.

The little bun on her head swayed back and forth, making her feel dizzy.

Si Muchen’s face darkened as he tugged on Gu Jingnan’s collar: “Let’s go! The Lights-out Bugle Call is about to sound!”

Tongtong was carefully set down, smiling with her eyes curved into crescents as she waved: “Goodbye, big brothers.”

Watching the two leave, Tongtong turned back and blinked at her mother.

Yu Wanqin: “…”

She sighed helplessly, resignedly returning to her desk like a well-behaved student, nervously waiting for the teacher to check her work.