Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 34

Ye Fangfei turned to her brother Ye Xihu and said, “I haven’t seen my sister in ages. I really miss her. Tomorrow, when we test the oven, I’ll make some sponge cakes and take them to her to try.”

“It’s a good idea for you to go,” Ye Xihu replied with a smile. “Since she heard we’re opening a pastry shop, Fanglan has been saying she wants to come see it for herself.”

Talking about their younger sister, he shook his head with a fond smile. “She’s about to give birth, but she still won’t rest. Her husband worries and says he’d come along on Sunday. It’s perfect timing—the shop opens that day, and Dongsheng can help out too.”

Ye Fangfei teased him, “Xihu, you sure know how to plan. Your brother-in-law gets only one day off, and you drag him along to do hard labor.”

Her brother pretended to be offended. “Little sister, have you forgotten whose shop this is?” He gave her a playful glare and patted the flyers on the bike. “Now get to work!”

“Yes, boss!” Ye Fangfei giggled and pushed her bicycle forward, calling inside, “Cuiluan, finish up later—come with me to hand out these flyers first.”

“All right, Sis-in-law!”

This method of promotion was still rare. People were curious and stopped to ask what they were doing.

Patiently, Ye Fangfei and Shen Cuiluan introduced their shop to everyone they met. “Hello, neighbors, uncles and aunts, friends! Our shop sells sponge cakes and marinated meats.

“For the first three days of opening, buy one pound of sponge cake and get two extra pieces free.

“For marinated meats, buy a pound of pork intestines or pig’s head, and we’ll throw in half a pound of marinated vegetables.”

“Wondering if it’s good? How can I describe it? Better yet, come try some on opening day—I promise you’ll be thinking about the next meal while eating this one.”

“Yes, it’s homemade, passed down from our ancestors. My great-great-grandfather even worked as a royal chef in the palace.”

“Exactly! Now that policies are good, the food once reserved for emperors and empresses is available to everyone. Thank the Party, thank the country—socialism is wonderful…”

Ye Fangfei rattled off all this, leaving the neighbors and other women in stitches. They promised to come on opening day, eager to taste the delicacies once eaten by royalty.

On the way back, Shen Cuiluan, sitting behind, said in awe, “Sis-in-law, you’re amazing! I wish I could talk like you.”

Ye Fangfei laughed. “It’s nothing. You’ll get used to talking with customers. Practice makes perfect.”

“I know, I wasn’t talkative before either, but now I must do business. So, I just have to be bold and speak up,” Ye Fangfei encouraged her.

“You’re not just bluffing—everything you say makes sense!” Shen Cuiluan clenched her fists. “You’re my role model, Sis-in-law. I want to learn from you.”

Ye Fangfei laughed, her silver bell-like voice echoing through the air as she pedaled her bicycle.

…

By evening, Shen Jianhua and Sun Xiujun arrived. They didn’t just bring grain and vegetables—they also carried two sacks of wood ash to help clean the pork intestines.

Yesterday, they had noted Ye Fangfei mentioning the need for wood ash. They borrowed it from friends who had plenty.

“Dad, Mom, your room in the east wing of the main hall is ready. My brother prepared it a few days ago. Just put down bedding and you can stay there,” Ye Fangfei said, helping carry the supplies inside with Shen Cuiluan.

She explained the room arrangements further. “Dad stays in the west room, Cuiluan and I next to him, my brothers in the side rooms. When Zhanqiang comes, he’ll stay with them.”

“Perfect, very nice,” Sun Xiujun said, impressed. For the first time, she stayed in such a nice room—and it was all thanks to her daughter-in-law.

She gave her husband a knowing look. Shen Jianhua reached into an old coat and pulled out 200 yuan for Ye Fangfei.

“Fangfei, we can’t help much with your shop. This is what your mother and I saved over the years. Use it to get started.”

Ye Fangfei’s funds were indeed running low. Between her own money and Ye Xihu’s, she had almost spent it all.

Though most supplies were ready, she still needed some cash on hand.

Earlier, Ye Xihu had said if money got tight, they could borrow some from Ye Fanglan. But now, her in-laws are offering help voluntarily. Ye Fangfei hesitated but understood it was likely all they had kept aside.

“Dad, Mom, I’ll treat this as a loan. I’ll pay you back as soon as I have enough funds,” she said.

“We’re family. Who talks about paying back? Just use it,” Shen Jianhua said with a smile. “If it’s not enough, send a telegram to Zhanxun—he’ll figure something out. That boy always plans ahead; he surely has some money saved.”

Ye Fangfei smiled at her father-in-law’s words. She would never ask Shen Zhanxun for money herself. Even if they eventually became a real couple, she would never stretch out her hand.

No matter what, she wouldn’t become a woman with her palm constantly held out.

She took the money but made it clear it was a loan. At the latest, she will return it next month.

The next morning, Ye Fangfei started the oven. Today, they would test it to see how it performed.

The oven had been drying for days and was ready. Ye Xihu fired it once yesterday—no cracks or issues.

“Fangfei, is this batter ready?” Shen Jianhua asked, holding the mixed eggs.

“Not yet, Dad. It needs more mixing—must get bubbles,” she instructed.

Seeing him panting from the effort, she teased, “Dad, didn’t I tell you? It’s heavy work. If you hadn’t come, us girls would never manage!”

Shen Jianhua finally believed her. He laughed and shook his head. “It looks easy, but it really takes strength. My arms are sore.”

“Today we’re making a small batch, so we’re using a basin. On opening day, we’ll use the mixing bucket—that’ll be easier,” she explained.

Ye Fangfei was a fair boss—and a devoted daughter and daughter-in-law. She assigned tasks evenly.

“Dad, later you and my father can take turns. It won’t be so tiring.”

She had already arranged each person’s role: Ye Laifu and Shen Jianhua handled prep work—cleaning intestines, pig heads, mixing batter.

She worked with Sun Xiujun and Shen Cuiluan on baking sponge cakes and preparing marinated meat before taking them to the shop for sale.

As for Ye Xihu—he went wherever he was needed.

Ye Fangfei had wanted her mother to help too, but with so many children at home, she couldn’t leave.

Since the shop had just opened, she didn’t dare ask her brothers or sisters-in-law to work yet.

Once business is picked up, she would bring more people in.