Chapter 151: By the Time Daniel Ward and Adrian Stone Changed Clothes

By the time Daniel Ward and Adrian Stone changed clothes and stepped outside, they were already as familiar as old friends. In the courtyard, the three women were bustling with activity.

"Dumplings for lunch?" Daniel's eyes lit up. Though the military occasionally served dumplings, they were a rare treat—usually only during New Year celebrations. During field training, cornmeal pancakes were considered a luxury.

Elena pointed to the water vat. "Fetch some water. We specially bought meat today. Captain Stone, you’re staying for lunch—no arguments." Her tone left no room for refusal.

Daniel happily grabbed the carrying pole. He didn’t mind chores, especially with the lively atmosphere at home.

Adrian didn’t protest. He was on leave today and had come to visit Elena before she left. He hadn’t expected to end up sparring with her brother. But it had been a satisfying fight—he hadn’t met such a skilled opponent in a long time. Clearly, the brother was sending him a message.

"Big Sis, I’ll mince the meat." He rolled up his sleeves and took the cleaver without hesitation. The chunks of meat on the cutting board soon turned into fine mince under his blade.

Elena chuckled. "You’ve got quite the technique, Instructor Stone. Do you cook at home?" She was growing fonder of her future brother-in-law by the minute. A man who could cook meant her sister would have an easier life.

"I know the basics," Adrian replied modestly.

Emily Reed nudged Elena with her elbow. "You’re lucky."

"Get back to chopping!" Elena’s cheeks flushed as she set aside the cleaned pork tripe. She needed to borrow some chili peppers from the neighbor—everyone here loved spicy food.

Once the meat was minced, Elena began seasoning it. Emily chopped leeks and fennel for two different fillings. In the kitchen, Elena rolled out the dough while Elena and Emily wrapped the dumplings.

Elena’s movements were practiced. In her past life with the Harris family, she’d done all this alone. The men there considered kitchen work beneath them, so she’d mastered every skill out of necessity.

"Elena, your dumplings look just like Mom’s," Elena remarked admiringly.

Emily glanced at her own lopsided creations and flushed with embarrassment. Back home, she’d never lifted a finger for housework.

Elena patiently guided her. Emily was quick to learn and soon shaped decent dumplings.

When Helen Reed and Martin Reed arrived and saw their daughter’s handiwork, they nearly dropped their jaws.

"Did… Emily make these?" Helen couldn’t believe her eyes.

Emily proudly demonstrated by wrapping another. "Well, Mom?"

"Better than mine!" Helen exclaimed, both shocked and delighted.

Emily winked at Elena. "Be careful—the student might surpass the teacher."

Elena dodged her flour-dusted hands. "At this rate, I’ll be out of a job."

Helen looked at Elena with gratitude. She’d never expected this girl to teach her daughter such skills.

"Godmother, why don’t you peel garlic? The kitchen’s too crowded," Elena suggested, gently ushering Helen out.

The men set up two small tables outside. Elena boiled water for the dumplings while Elena fried peanuts in another pan, using a method that made them spicy and crispy—just like the bar snacks from her past life.

She’d scrubbed the pork tripe thoroughly with cornmeal and salt, then sliced it into strips before stir-frying it with peppercorns, chili, and fermented bean paste. The aroma filled the air instantly.

Emily sneaked a bite and nearly swooned. "Heavens! No gaminess at all—this is better than any restaurant in town!"

When the dishes were served, Martin couldn’t take his eyes off the stir-fried tripe. "Elena, this is incredible!"

Adrian poured his future father-in-law a drink, heart swelling with pride. With such a capable wife, life would be sweet indeed.