"Stupid boy, kneel on one knee."
Grandma Pei couldn't stand watching anymore and quickly reminded him.
Pei Zhengnian instantly retracted one knee—no, both knees.
What kind of lousy flowers were these?
Pei Zhengnian threw the bald-headed lilies in his hand onto the ground.
He had told his grandparents their advice was useless, hadn’t he?
Just look at Shen Nanchu’s expression—her disdain could practically reach the heavens.
Better stick to his own methods.
The next second, Shen Nanchu saw Pei Zhengnian step closer to her before bending down and sweeping her up into a bridal carry.
The entire Pei family stood frozen in shock.
Without hesitation, Pei Zhengnian carried Shen Nanchu straight into the house.
Click—the door locked behind them.
System: "Host, aren’t you going to retaliate?"
Shen Nanchu: "Should I carry him instead?"
System: "Forget I said anything."
Pei Zhengnian placed Shen Nanchu on the bed, then dragged a chair over and sat facing her.
"Go on, state your demands."
Shen Nanchu adjusted her posture, settling into the most comfortable position.
"What do you think I want?"
First rule of negotiation: never reveal your own needs.
Pei Zhengnian watched Shen Nanchu’s lazy demeanor and finally relaxed.
Good, she was back to normal.
This woman was as slippery as an eel—so unpredictable.
"Whatever I can do, I’ll agree to it."
A smile curled at the corners of Shen Nanchu’s eyes.
So generous?
Then don’t blame her for being difficult.
She straightened up. "I’m lazy."
Pei Zhengnian: "You talk, I’ll act."
[Dislike Points +1]
Shen Nanchu: "I’m obsessed with money."
Pei Zhengnian: "I’ll spend all my money on you."
Shen Nanchu: "No secret stashes allowed."
Pei Zhengnian: "...Fine."
[Dislike Points +5]
Shen Nanchu: "I’m picky about food, and I don’t cook."
Pei Zhengnian didn’t hesitate. "I’ve cooked for the army before—I can handle meals."
Shen Nanchu shot him a skeptical look. "Your dishes are the same color as military uniforms. Even dogs wouldn’t eat them."
[Dislike Points +5]
Pei Zhengnian: "I’ll study colorful recipes."
Shen Nanchu: "We’ll get married once you’ve mastered them."
[Dislike Points +6]
Pei Zhengnian swallowed his frustration. "Anything else?"
Shen Nanchu grinned, her smile loaded with meaning. "One last condition—you have to agree unconditionally to my next demand."
[Dislike Points +10]
Pei Zhengnian paused. "Not if it breaks regulations."
Shen Nanchu: "Relax, it won’t be anything illegal."
Pei Zhengnian exhaled. "What is it?"
Shen Nanchu smirked. "I’ll tell you when I think of it."
Thank goodness for the richness of the national language.
And thank goodness for the male lead’s generosity.
"I’m returning to the army tomorrow. Can I submit the marriage report now?"
After agreeing to so many unfair terms, surely this was settled?
Shen Nanchu watched Pei Zhengnian’s slightly relieved expression and curled her lips mischievously.
"That depends on your performance tonight."
Pei Zhengnian had a bad feeling.
Sure enough—
"Tonight’s dinner is your responsibility."
Shen Nanchu added, "No outside help allowed."
Pei Zhengnian: "..."
Shen Nanchu: "Also, I’m hungry now. Hurry up."
What could Pei Zhengnian say?
You call the shots, obviously.
But he couldn’t let her have the final say on everything.
"I’ll cook, but how do you define ‘good performance’? There should be standards, right?"
System: "Host, the male lead is sneaky—he suspects you’ll be unfair."
Shen Nanchu: "...Then how do I seem fair?"
System: "Get judges!"
The system was smug, convinced this was a brilliant idea.
Shen Nanchu: "Fine. Don’t screw me over."
System: "Host, I’m your most loyal system! My devotion is as clear as the sun and moon—how could I ever betray you?"
Shen Nanchu felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it.
Maybe her brain was booting up slowly from oversleeping.
She met Pei Zhengnian’s gaze.
"Village Chief Wang and Sister-in-law Lanzhi helped me a lot recently. Let’s invite them over for dinner tonight as judges."
"No problem."
A glint flashed in Pei Zhengnian’s eyes.
"But without comparison, there’s no real judgment. How about the whole family cooks one dish each, and the Village Chief and his wife blind-taste them?"
Shen Nanchu nodded without much thought. "Deal."
"If I win, we submit the marriage report tomorrow," Pei Zhengnian pressed.
"Fine!" Shen Nanchu agreed. "But you can’t warn your family in advance—no cheating."
Pei Zhengnian: "Of course. I’ll win fair and square."
Shen Nanchu: "It’s settled then."
Pei Zhengnian: "No takebacks."
(System: These two have a hundred tricks up their sleeves—meanwhile, it’s the only one missing a few brain cells.)
...
Creak!
The door reopened.
Pei Zhengnian stepped out.
Grandma Pei and Pei’s Mother rushed over. "Well? Did Shen Nanchu agree?"
"She did," Pei Zhengnian confirmed.
He was confident in his cooking skills.
Truthfully, he was probably the best cook in the family.
With Auntie Tian handling meals all these years, no one else had much practice.
But Pei Zhengnian had cooked countless meals for his fellow soldiers since enlisting.
His skills easily outmatched the rest of the Pei household.
Shen Nanchu had no idea most of the Peis couldn’t cook—and thus walked right into his trap.
"Grandma, Mom, Shen Nanchu said Village Chief Wang and his wife helped us a lot, so we’re inviting them over for dinner as thanks."
Pei Zhengnian smoothly continued, "I can’t handle it alone—each of you should make one dish to help out."
Grandma Pei and Pei’s Mother, suspecting nothing, happily agreed.
"It’s only right to treat them properly."
"No trouble at all. I’ll let your grandpa and dad know."
And so,
That afternoon,
The courtyard and kitchen buzzed with activity as all seven members of the Pei family worked away.
By evening,
A large square table held six plates, each covered with an upside-down bowl.
No one knew what dish lay beneath which bowl.
Village Chief Wang and Li Lanhua exchanged excited glances.
Li Lanhua: They say city folks eat fancy. Finally, we get to try it!
Wang Jianguo: Good food needs good wine. Good thing I brought our homemade brew.
Shen Nanchu was equally curious about the hidden dishes.
Pei Zhengnian, looking smug, lifted all the bowls at once.
In an instant, six dishes were unveiled before the crowd.
...
Shen Nanchu: (⊙﹏⊙)
Yu Lanhua: City people’s tastes are… unique.
Wang Jianguo: Can you even pair alcohol with this...?
