Yuan Jian Country was fishing in the garden.
Having retired early after a long and distinguished career in a high-ranking position, the courtyard heād chosen was in one of the very best locations.
It bordered the main garden, which, to top it all off, even had a fish pond.
Usually, when he had free time, he would go on the Star Network to mess around with his mecha. Once heād been at it for a while and started to get tired, heād invite a couple of neighbors over to the pond for some fishing.
Not that anyone knew how to cook the fish they caught; most were just thrown back. But that didnāt matter. It was all about the experience.
Today was different, though. Aiāer was coming by for a follow-up appointment. All the neighbors, afraid sheād hound them about drinking their Spirit Nourishing Liquid, were nowhere to be seen. Only Yuan Jian Country remained, happily stationed by the fish pond.
āAiāer really is a good doctor,ā he thought.
āBack on the front lines, she treated everyone tirelessly, refusing to stop even when sheād completely overdrawn her spiritual power.ā
āNow the war is over. The new generation has taken up the torch, and weāve all retired, but sheās still just as dedicated.ā
āToo bad so many of the other retirees canāt be bothered anymore.ā
āDrinking Nutrient Liquid is a bitter pill to swallow. We endured so much when we were young; having to keep putting up with this hardship is just too much. Itās not like itās some spiritual pill and magic words that works overnightāit takes years!ā
āWeāve lived so long... weāve lived long enough.ā
āLife is precious, sure, but you have to let nature take its course. Sometimes, you donāt have to interfere with death. After all, every leaf must fall.ā
āI hope Aiāer doesnāt come looking for me this week.ā
He happily cast his line. The hook drifted, the fish were too scared to bite the bait, and he didnāt get a single nibble, but Yuan Jian Country was still perfectly happy.
Untilā
āWhatās that smell?ā
As a former double S-rank soldier, Yuan Jian Countryās senses were exceptionally sharp. He soon caught a fragrant aroma wafting through the air.
It was faint, yet utterly wonderful.
Just a hint of the scent was enough to make his mouth water.
Yuan Jian Country stood up. āWhoās cooking something like this in the compound?ā He followed the aroma, his eyes half-closed in concentration. As he walked, he pinpointed the direction and slowly came to a stop.
Well now.
ā...Itās coming from my own house?ā
A look of shock filled his eyes.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at his house. The only difference was the young girl cooking in the kitchen. āCooking? The closer I get, the stronger the aroma... so this is the smell of her food?ā
He snuck past the living room and peered toward the kitchen. It was right there, but it looked like no one was inside.
Just as he was craning his neck for a better look, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. "What are you doing here?"
"...Aiāer?"
"When did you get behind me?"
"The foodās ready. I was just coming to get you for lunch."
With that, Mrs. Aiāer steered Yuan Jian Country toward the kitchen to help with the food. "Thereās quite a bit. Come on, help me bring these dishes to the side hall. Weāre about to have lunch."
Yuan Jian Country didnāt refuse, allowing himself to be led obediently into the kitchen. There, he got a much more direct look, and smell, of the dishes.
The sauces were a rich, deep color, the fragrance was intoxicating, and the broth was crystal clear. It looked nothing at all like Spirit Nourishing Liquid.
This time, he fell silent. There was no more talk of, "Iām absolutely not eating that!"
Seeing the old rascal obediently pick up his bowl, Mrs. Aiāer hmphed to herself.
Qiuqiu had just brought the rice into the side hall. When she saw the two elders carrying dishes, she hurried over. "Here, let me get that."
"Donāt worry about it. Youāre the one who should be sitting and waiting. We can handle this."
With that, the two of them quickly headed into the side hall.
Jiang Qiuqiu smiled and went to ladle the lamb soup.