Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2289 - 2225: What Illness Is This

She picked up a portion, delicately crumbling off a tiny piece before placing it in her mouth.

"The flavor is truly wonderful; it’s soft enough to eat even if your teeth are failing."

"Now, Old Zhang, your teeth aren't in such bad shape," Old Yang remarked suddenly, his eyes turning red with emotion. "You rarely eat because you're concerned about me. You're afraid I'll be tempted or feel miserable smelling food I can't consume. For the last two years, you’ve used the excuse of poor teeth just so you could stick to rice soup and porridge with me every single day."

Watching them, Chiang Xiao felt a wave of maternal warmth and emotion.

Seeing an elderly couple maintain such profound affection for one another was the definition of true love.

She couldn't help but wonder if she and Meng Xinian would share a similar bond when their hair turned gray.

"I'm already old and have tasted everything life has to offer; there's nothing I crave specifically. Besides, I find porridge quite pleasant," Mother Yang insisted, her gaze still fixed anxiously on her husband. "Old man, do you honestly feel no discomfort?"

Old Yang shook his head in the negative and shifted his attention toward Chiang Xiao.

"Xiao Chiang, what exactly did you include in the recipe for this mung bean cake?"

"Nothing unusual, really. I simply added a touch of herb to the water used in the process. If Old Yang feels alright, he should try a little more."

"Xiao Chiang, are you certain it’s safe for him to consume?" Mother Yang inquired, her expression etched with worry.

"Just take it one small bite at a time," Chiang Xiao encouraged.

Meanwhile, Meng Xinian had returned to the house next door. He began preparing two scoops of rice to cook. Since Chiang Xiao was visiting, they would certainly be handling their own meals tonight; it felt as though they were finally initiating the use of his kitchen.

Though the rice was already steaming, she had yet to reappear.

After waiting restlessly for a period, he lost his patience and headed over to knock on the neighbor's door.

"Old Man Yang!"

He had dropped the polite "Old Yang" in favor of "Old Man Yang."

This was becoming excessive—they were essentially keeping his wife from him.

The door swung open to reveal Chiang Xiao, who stood there blinking at him in surprise.

The moment he laid eyes on her, Meng Xinian’s irritation evaporated instantly.

He grasped her hand with a needy expression. "Little, it's time to come home. I’m starting the cooking tonight; you just need to relax and eat. Our kitchen hasn't even been used yet, so you really need to come back."

He had often felt envious of his colleagues in the Alliance who were greeted by wives and children. The energy in the residential quarters was always so vibrant. Being able to return home to a warm meal after a grueling day of training was a feeling he craved.

Now that Chiang Xiao was by his side, he was eager to experience that domestic life for himself.

"The Big Master and his wife will be joining us for dinner tonight," Chiang Xiao informed him.

Meng Xinian froze, the grin sliding right off his face. He pulled Chiang Xiao back toward their own home, shut the door firmly, and asked, "Did you actually invite Old Yang and his family over?"

"I did. I noticed Old Yang has a wonderful vegetable garden on the roof, and he’s already given me permission to go up and harvest whatever I need."

"Old Yang is unable to eat," Meng Xinian pointed out flatly.

He felt a twinge of regret; he really should have explained the situation to Little much sooner.

"That reminds me, I meant to ask—why is he unable to eat? You clearly hold him in high regard, don't you? Why didn't you ever mention this to me?"

Chiang Xiao found the situation baffling.

In her mind, Meng Xinian should have briefed her long ago so she could have prepared something specialized for Old Yang to try.

"Even if I had mentioned it, there wasn't much to be done. He can't keep anything down; the moment he eats, he suffers from severe vomiting. Your remedies generally need to be ingested to work, right?"

"But he manages to have rice soup and fruit."

"That is merely a facade he puts on to appease Mother Yang and Yang Zhiqi," Meng Xinian explained.

Chiang Xiao was stunned by this revelation.