Chapter 261: Why is Su Zhaozhao So Excellent
Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Why is Su Zhaozhao So Excellent
Su Zhaozhao then remembered Shu Xue was still there and quickly said to her, "Wait, why don’t you stay for a meal before you go? It’s about time to eat anyway."
After speaking, Su Zhaozhao poured Shu Xue another cup of tea, then went to the kitchen to cook.
Xie Huaizheng followed her. Before he left the room, he shot Shu Xue a look. "Leave after you finish eating."
Shu Xue: "..."
’How infuriating!’
’Does Xie Huaizheng despise me that much?’
’We had a childhood engagement, for crying out loud! How could he treat me this way?’
But seeing the two of them acting in perfect harmony, their relationship clearly so strong, Shu Xue couldn’t help but sigh.
’Their relationship is so good. I can’t get in the middle of it. I can’t be a homewrecker!’
Su Zhaozhao had only planned on making a few simple dishes, but with Shu Xue joining them, she thought for a moment and said to Xie Huaizheng, "What should I do? I feel like the meal I planned isn’t lavish enough."
It was lunchtime now and time was tight, so she couldn’t make any dishes that needed to be stewed for a long time.
Xie Huaizheng opened the refrigerator and took a look. "Just some simple, home-cooked food is fine. You don’t have to be so polite to her. What if she gets ideas about staying?"
Xie Huaizheng had been put off by Shu Xue’s initial clinginess and worried that even the slightest bit of kindness toward her might make her refuse to give up.
Xie Huaizheng didn’t want to be nice to Shu Xue, lest she read too much into it.
Hearing Xie Huaizheng’s reasoning, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but chuckle. "Fine then. I don’t know where to buy groceries around here anyway, so I’ll just make something simple."
Sweet and sour ribs, stir-fried greens, stir-fried green beans with pork, and scrambled eggs with tomato, topped off with a seaweed and egg drop soup.
With a fruit platter to go with it, the meal could be considered quite plentiful.
Xie Huaizheng was in charge of washing and chopping the vegetables, while Su Zhaozhao took care of the cooking.
Shu Xue, bored with nothing to do, picked up a nearby book. After a glance, she realized it was an English textbook, filled with densely packed notes and some graded assignments.
Shu Xue couldn’t help but frown. ’Did Su Zhaozhao write this?’
’Her English handwriting is so beautiful and fluent. She must be a top student!’
’She’s beautiful, speaks gracefully, and is even highly educated.’
Shu Xue was starting to believe what Su Zhaozhao had said. Maybe she hadn’t intentionally gone after Xie Huaizheng, but had just stumbled into this by a stroke of luck?
’A woman this outstanding could find any man she wanted, couldn’t she?’
’Why go out of her way to find a soldier stationed at the border?’
Of course, soldiers are wonderful, but the conditions in West State were so harsh. Being with Xie Huaizheng meant she might have to live here forever.
She looked so delicate, yet she was determined to be with Xie Huaizheng. If that wasn’t love, what was?
She had originally thought Su Zhaozhao was a wicked woman who had deliberately seduced Xie Huaizheng, but now, Shu Xue felt that Su Zhaozhao was truly a good person.
Just then, a fragrant aroma wafted from the kitchen.
Hearing her stomach RUMBLE, Shu Xue instinctively reached down to cover it.
’It smells so good!’
’Even better than the food at the base cafeteria!’
Shu Xue glanced toward the kitchen and happened to see Xie Huaizheng reach out and wipe the sweat from Su Zhaozhao’s forehead.
In return, Su Zhaozhao flashed him a brilliant smile.
Shu Xue’s eyes widened as she watched the scene. She was truly overwhelmed by their sweetness.
’So sweet, so, so sweet! It’s just too sweet!’
After Su Zhaozhao finished cooking all the dishes, Xie Huaizheng brought them to the table, served the rice, and sat down.
Shu Xue sat opposite Su Zhaozhao, her eyes narrowing in appreciation as she looked at the several exquisite and delicious dishes.
Su Zhaozhao said to Shu Xue, "We’re both from Jiang City, so I figured you’d prefer sweeter food. That’s why I made sweet and sour ribs and scrambled eggs with tomato. Why don’t you try them?"
Shu Xue picked up a rib with her chopsticks and took a bite. In an instant, it was so delicious she was on the verge of tears.
The ribs were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The moment she bit into it, a sweet and sour flavor exploded in her mouth.
It was... so good it really did make her want to cry.
Shu Xue covered her cheeks.
"Delicious. It’s so delicious, just as good as my mom’s cooking."
Having been away from home for so long, she suddenly felt a pang of homesickness.
Hearing Shu Xue’s exaggerated words, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but laugh. "If you like it, then have some more."
As she spoke, she placed another large piece onto Shu Xue’s plate.
"Zhaozhao, you’re honestly amazing in every way. I really admire you," Shu Xue said, praising Su Zhaozhao as she ate.
At the same time, she felt a little guilty inside.
’To think I had thought such bad things about her before.’
’Su Zhaozhao is clearly such a good person, yet before I’d even met her, I had subconsciously labeled her as a bad guy.’
Now that they had met, she finally understood just how wonderful Su Zhaozhao was.
"Not at all, you’re flattering me," Su Zhaozhao said with a quick smile. "You’re wonderful too. You’re so brave, coming all the way out here by yourself."
"Zhaozhao, please don’t praise me. What I did wasn’t brave. Compared to you... what I did is nothing. By the way, you’re an English teacher?"
Su Zhaozhao nodded. "Yes, I teach at the base’s elementary school."
"That’s amazing! You look like you’re the same age as me. How are you already a teacher? Have you graduated already?"
Nowadays, even a vocational school degree could get you a job teaching elementary school, but if she remembered correctly, the standards for the base’s elementary school were usually higher.
Su Zhaozhao quickly replied, "No, I actually didn’t study for very long. I graduated from junior high."
"You can teach with just a junior high diploma? How?"
After her initial shock, Shu Xue realized how dramatic her reaction was and quickly apologized to Su Zhaozhao. "Sorry, sorry! I was just a little surprised because, as far as I know, the base’s elementary school has some requirements, right?"
Hearing Shu Xue’s words, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but smile. "Yes, but I passed their interview. My formal education isn’t high, but my family is a scholarly one, so I’ve been exposed to many things since I was young."
"I see. Your handwriting is very beautiful."
"Oh, by the way, Zhaozhao, are you wearing makeup? How is your skin so good? It’s so fine and fair with a rosy glow. Your complexion is amazing."
"I’m not. I just use some skincare products. If you need some, I can give you a few bottles to try later," Su Zhaozhao said, taking the opportunity to promote her skincare products.
Even if she didn’t view Shu Xue as a customer, she felt she should give her something, just based on the fact that she had taken the place of her fiancé.
"Really? Thank you so much, then."
Xie Huaizheng, sitting beside them, watched the two women grow happier and happier as they chatted. He couldn’t help but shake his head.
He reached out, picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, and placed it in Su Zhaozhao’s bowl. "Hurry up and eat. I need to take a nap soon."
It was a clear signal for the guest to leave.
Shu Xue pouted and glared at Xie Huaizheng. "You’re just lucky you managed to find a girl as wonderful as Zhaozhao."