Chapter 18: Cooking

In the end, it’s still my own negligence.

Jiang Miao, in her two lifetimes, didn’t belong to the physically strong type. In her previous life, she was even more delicate, often whimpering due to physical exertion.

After crossing over, thanks to genetic enhancement, her physique became outstanding. While on Dufa Star, she didn’t feel much difference, but after leaving Dufa Star and arriving in the capital star system, she realized the formidable constitution of those born on high-gravity planets.

However, Jiang Miao felt that she probably wouldn’t go back to Dufa Star in this lifetime. If it weren’t for the sake of staying healthy, she wouldn’t grit her teeth and accept gravity training three times a week, each session lasting two hours.

In reality, although Jiang Miao’s physical strength had decreased by thirty-one percent compared to when she left Dufa Star, it was still much higher than the native inhabitants of standard gravity planets in various physiological indicators.

If it weren’t for Yan He, who also came from a high-gravity planet, reminding her, Jiang Miao would still think highly of herself.

Jiang Miao pondered this in the office, recalling Yan He’s words in the morning, “Let’s talk tonight.” Well, that could be considered finding a topic.

Jiang Miao felt that the situation of having nothing to say and each going back to their rooms last night was not a good sign. Even if she and Yan He didn’t have a romantic relationship and weren’t a couple, they would have a child together in the future. How could they appear completely unfamiliar and icy in front of their child?

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On the contrary, after crossing over, Zhang Ya and Mr. Coso seemed so harmonious, rational, and calm. Even when they had different opinions on raising children, they would sit down politely to communicate, and even consult professional parenting experts together. Jiang Miao couldn’t find a sense of security.

Zhang Ya had expectations for her words and actions, and she obediently followed them. After learning about the citizenship score system in school and realizing that good behavior would reward her parents, she worked hard.

However, even so, it couldn’t change the fact that when she turned fifteen and entered university, Zhang Ya decisively and cleanly “separated” from her.

The insecurities that grew during their time living together became a reality.

Jiang Miao thought that perhaps the people here, having grown up in such an environment, tend to “protect” themselves well when they become independent adults. They are only willing to gain benefits and happiness from others, reluctant to invest too much emotion.

Lovers are like this, and friends are the same. Social interactions are superficial because of technological advancements, and there are very few daily matters that require troubling others. Friends can chat about various topics, share joy and good news, but there’s little sharing of inner feelings.

No one wants to trouble others, and no one wants to be bothered by others.

This world is probably quite friendly to those with social anxiety, but for someone like Jiang Miao, who experienced a lively yet warm life in her previous existence, it feels excessively indifferent.

Sometimes, when she thinks back to the people from her past life, she even feels that her second aunt, who used to annoyingly urge her to quickly find a boyfriend and get married, isn’t as detestable. When her mom and dad had a twisted ankle and a stomach ailment, and she and her brother couldn’t rush back home because they were both out of town, it was her second aunt who, with her younger cousin, busied herself with cooking, doing laundry, and accompanying them to the hospital.

In this world, although no one urges you to get married and have children, at the same time, there’s a lack of those warm hands reaching out to you when you need them.

Jiang Miao thought blankly.

But it’s okay. Her child, the child of her and Yan He, will definitely not grow up in such a cold environment.

After finishing work, Jiang Miao intentionally took a solo ride home, even though it’s just a few minutes away, she wanted to get there quickly. It’s evident how eager her heart is.

Upon arriving home and entering the door, she deliberately raised her voice and shouted, “I’m back!” with hopeful eyes.

To her disappointment, the one welcoming her was still Xiaona: “Welcome back, how was your day?”

Jiang Miao asked in disappointment, “Where’s the Major?”

Why didn’t she see him? Did he go out to have fun? Well, it’s probably his first time in the capital star, so he should take a look at the Congress Building, glance at the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and visit the National Museum…

“The Major is in the kitchen,” Xiaona interrupted Jiang Miao’s wandering thoughts.

“Oh. Huh? Uh?” Jiang Miao widened her eyes, “In the kitchen?”

…

No, it can’t be?

Her, her, could her luck be so good?

In her previous life, she was someone who, at best, only won five yuan in the lottery!

Jiang Miao tossed her bag at the entrance and tiptoed to the kitchen door.

Her intention was to sneak a peek without alarming Yan He, but she forgot that when they renovated, an automatic sensor door was installed in the kitchen! As she approached within twenty centimeters of the kitchen door, the sensor door automatically slid open!

Jiang Miao: = =!!!

There was a bright orange flame burning in the pot, sizzling away. Yan He, who was adjusting the pot, turned to glance at Jiang Miao, ignoring her sneaky and embarrassed appearance, and casually said, “Back? Just wait a moment; it’ll be ready soon.”

The stainless steel wok in his hands was as light as a leaf, moving up and down, and the dishes followed suit, rising and falling.

The wok, purchased along with the new house, achieved its maiden stir-fry in Yan He’s hands!

Yan He covered the flame, then turned to look at the doorway again, “Aren’t you going to change clothes?”

A handsome man is still handsome, even when wearing an apron and holding a wok with style.

Jiang Miao, under the gaze of Yan He’s cold and deep eyes, suddenly felt her IQ drop to an all-time low: “Change! I’ll change! Right away!”

She hurriedly went back to the room, flustered and fumbling.

In the kitchen, Yan He plated the just-cooked dishes, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

“Doctor, your body has lost coordination, and preliminary assessment indicates damage to the cerebellum. Should I contact a doctor for you?” Xiaona, the advanced residential AI, took care of the residents with meticulous attention.

“Ah, ah, ah, shut up!” Dr. Jiang angrily closed the bedroom door.

Ah, ah, ah, she must have looked so foolish just now!

The Major might even suspect that her doctoral title was bought with money!

But what could she do?

Some men look captivating in uniforms, while others are seductive in aprons!

If fate doesn’t give her a way out, what can she do?!

Dr. Jiang let out a silent, frustrated scream in the bedroom, disregarding the fact that she hadn’t changed clothes yet. She buried her head under the pillow, resembling an ostrich.

The next moment, Xiaona said, “Doctor, the Major requests your presence in the dining room in five minutes for dinner.”

Jiang Miao could only lift her head from under the pillow, gaze at the ceiling with a disgruntled look resembling a messy chicken nest, and get up to change clothes. She complained, “Since he decided to cook himself, he must have canceled the menu I prepared. Why didn’t you notify me at least?”

If Xiaona had given her a heads-up, she wouldn’t have been so shocked and lost her composure (IQ).

“You have already granted cohabitant privileges to Major Yan He. For non-emergency situations and changes to important terms, there is no need for separate notification to you.” Xiaona, the considerate host, asked again, “Doctor, are you sure you don’t want me to contact a doctor? The coordination issues with your body just now were quite serious.”

As she spoke, Xiaona activated a light screen in front of Jiang Miao, playing back the surveillance footage from the corridor for her to see.

Who the heck wants to see something like this embarrassing moment!

“No need!” Jiang Miao decisively said, “Quickly delete, delete, delete this segment for me!”

Having changed into home clothes, Jiang Miao, pretending as if nothing had happened, entered the dining room. The domestic robot was arranging dishes on the table. Yan He sat in a chair, activating the smart device on his wrist, bowing his head to inspect something.

“Cough.” Jiang Miao walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “I didn’t know you could cook; it’s not mentioned in your profile.”

“Personal interests and hobbies are not written in resumes.” Yan He closed the smart device and picked up his chopsticks. “In fact, many people in the military can cook. A lot of my colleagues can, and they’re quite skilled.”

“Oh, is there a reason?” Jiang Miao asked.

Her eyes widened, showing curiosity… truly adorable.

This thought flashed through Yan He’s mind. Of course, there was no trace of it on his face. He calmly said, “In a combat situation, it’s possible to sacrifice oneself at any time. When alive, it’s only natural to treat oneself well. Mechanically prepared food doesn’t qualify as ‘treating oneself well.'”

“I see.” Jiang Miao admired him a bit and felt a bit sympathetic. She couldn’t help scratching her face, not sure what to say, and awkwardly added, “Actually, I usually go to the restaurant a few times a week.”

It’s also considered treating herself well.

Yan He also had something he wanted to ask. Holding his chopsticks, he inquired, “What I find strange, Doctor, is that not only do you have a kitchen, but you also have a complete set of cooking tools, and they’re all brand new?”

For most people, let alone cooking tools, they don’t even have a “kitchen” as a separate room. Having a food processor is sufficient for many.

Because those… were all prepared for that person(Zhang Ya).

A hint of disappointment flashed in Jiang Miao’s eyes as she awkwardly explained, “I actually can’t cook. I’ve tried, but maybe I’m just not naturally talented in this area. In any case, it’s not as good as what a food processor can make.”

As she spoke, she picked up a bite of food with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and her eyes widened.

Her eyes were clearly long and beautiful, but she often widened them in a cartoonish way, like a character from an animated film.

Yan He couldn’t help but lift the corner of his mouth slightly.

“Delicious!” Jiang Miao exclaimed happily.

This taste! The taste of home-cooked food!

After leaving Zhang Ya, she hadn’t tasted this flavor in eleven years!

Jiang Miao was on the verge of tears!

What kind of luck did she have… to have found such a precious treasure!

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Sansukini: Awww… The way to a woman’s heart can be thru her stomach too… and sexy uniforms.
♪ﾟ+.ｏ(‘v★)Α ｈαρρψ ηεｗ ψεαγ (★’v)♪ﾟ+.ｏ everybody. May everyone have a prosperous 2024.

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