Lu Yan had spent most of his life in the military.
He was used to speaking through orders and actions, and dealing with such straightforward emotions left him somewhat at a loss.
Until Shen Xing’s loud, carefree voice cut through: “What are you daydreaming about? Dawdling again! The comrades from the Military Affairs Office are waiting for us to coordinate the mission. If we’re late, I’ll get scolded!”
As she spoke, she reached out and patted Lu Yan’s arm with considerable force, leaving it slightly numb.
Lu Yan withdrew his gaze, leaned aside to avoid her touch, and pushed down the vague irritation and flustered feeling stirring in his chest.
Deep in his eyes, a trace of concern lingered.
She’s still angry… what should I do?
Following Lu Yan’s gaze, Shen Xing glanced toward the direction where Su Wanqing’s figure had disappeared, then turned back to look at Lu Yan’s distracted expression.
She clicked her tongue in amazement.
Usually as composed and serene as a meditating monk, Lu Yan now appeared so troubled by emotions, so out of sorts.
The playful glint in Shen Xing’s eyes deepened, tinged with mischief. “That was your wife just now, wasn’t it? Judging by your expression, you must’ve made her angry!”
Lu Yan didn’t deny it. He lowered his gaze and nodded slightly, fingers signing a brief sentence in sign language.
His movements carried a helplessness he hadn’t even realized himself: “I came back late from the mission last night and didn’t explain to her.”
“That won’t do,” Shen Xing shook her head, hands on her hips, adopting the posture of someone with experience giving advice. She began earnestly laying out her plan.
“Coaxing your wife isn’t that hard. First do this… then do that…”
Lu Yan listened silently, hesitating as he watched Shen Xing’s confident, self-assured expression.
Shen Xing, unaware, patted his arm again firmly. “Remember this well. Once the mission is done, go handle it!”
…
Su Wanqing, simmering with anger, walked toward the cafeteria. As she turned into the back kitchen, several unfriendly eyes immediately fixed on her.
“Well, if it isn’t Chief Lu’s wife! What are you doing here doing chores yourself?”
Wang Fang, a female worker in gray overalls, spoke with heavy sarcasm as she wiped down a cutting board.
“You’re going to have a cook-off with Comrade Weiwei tomorrow. If you don’t start practicing now, washing dishes instead of cooking, aren’t you afraid of losing badly?”
At her words, two other workers burst into laughter. “Yeah! Remember how you did with the grouper last time? Now all you do is wash seafood? I bet you’re avoiding the main dishes on purpose because you know you can’t beat Su Weiwei!”
Su Wanqing paused mid-wash, lifting her eyes to look at them.
Today she wore a light apricot short-sleeve shirt, the neckline embroidered with tiny flowers, highlighting her radiant skin.
Even with a hint of temper in her brows and eyes, her delicate, pretty features couldn’t be hidden.
“What I do isn’t any of your business,” Su Wanqing said clearly, with no trace of fear.
“As for you all, stop meddling in other people’s work and gossiping. Are you so bored because there’s too much firewood in the cafeteria?”
Wang Fang’s face darkened, and she snapped, “We’re just speaking the truth! Everyone in the military district knows about the cook-off with Su Weiwei. If you lose, it won’t just be embarrassing for you—you’ll also disgrace Chief Lu’s face!”
“Winning or losing isn’t for you to decide,” Su Wanqing said, setting down the sponge and wiping her hands.
She stood up, and her presence instantly dominated the space. “And you, running Su Weiwei’s errands like this—did she pay you off, or are you just scared I’ll win and steal whatever little relevance you have?”
Wang Fang’s face turned bright red. A few days ago, Su Weiwei had given them fruit candy and some fabric tokens.
Although Su Weiwei hadn’t asked them to do anything, they naturally sided with her out of gratitude.
Wang Fang opened her mouth but couldn’t retort.
The other two workers shrank back, afraid to speak.
Watching this from the side, Su Weiwei’s hands clenched the fabric tightly, knuckles white, eyes full of malice.
She was almost certain.
The Su Wanqing she used to control had changed…
This loss of control made her utterly frustrated.
She desperately wanted Su Wanqing out of the military district entirely!
After venting her anger, Su Wanqing felt a little lighter inside.
So, you want to challenge me?
She wasn’t afraid!
At that moment, Director Li walked into the back kitchen, hands behind his back.
His gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Su Wanqing.
“Su Wanqing,” he said coldly, “quarreling here wastes time. The seafood isn’t washed yet. Get to work immediately, and organize the coal pile in the back kitchen this afternoon. Don’t slack off.”
It was obvious to anyone—this was blatant harassment.
Ever since the small grouper incident, Director Li hadn’t allowed Su Wanqing to cook any main dishes.
Instead, he assigned her the hardest, messiest chores—washing seafood, tidying up.
Clearly, he wanted to grind down her spirit and deflate her before the competition.
Su Wanqing understood his intention, pursing her lips without arguing.
She had all the time to deal with these people.
“I understand, Director Li. I’ll go now,” she said silently.
Watching Su Wanqing turn to the seafood basin, Director Li’s eyes flickered with satisfaction. He then signaled Su Weiwei and left, hands behind his back.
Su Weiwei caught the hint and quietly followed.
As she washed the seafood, Su Wanqing schemed in her mind.
The cook-off was tomorrow. Su Weiwei would certainly play tricks.
She had to prepare in advance.
Not just to win—but to win convincingly, leaving Su Weiwei no face to show off in front of her again.
As for Lu Yan…
Thinking about the scene this morning at the military district gate made her uneasy.
That so-called “childhood friend” had a clear rapport with Lu Yan, which was naturally worrisome.
More than that, what troubled her more was Lu Yan’s attitude.
His attitude determined everything…
Su Wanqing pursed her lips, keeping her composure.
She would wait—wait to see how Lu Yan would respond once he realized her displeasure.
If he noticed but still acted cold, distant, and indifferent…
Thinking of that, Su Wanqing sighed, a heavy melancholy filling her heart.
In that case, she would have to find another way to draw closer to Lu Yan.
Lost in thought, she heard Uncle Zhang’s footsteps outside.
She looked up to see him carrying half a bag of flour, and hurried over a few steps, lowering her voice. “Uncle Zhang, take a break. I have something I want to ask you.”
He set the flour down in the corner, wiped sweat from his brow, and walked over, panting. “What is it? Just say it.”
Su Wanqing glanced around. Seeing the others busy preparing ingredients, she leaned closer and whispered, “Uncle Zhang, Director Li only took over managing the cafeteria the year before last, right? What was he in charge of before that?”
Her question seemed casual, but beneath her bright apricot eyes lay careful calculation.
Director Li always sided with Su Weiwei to make things difficult for her.
Su Wanqing had no intention of swallowing her pride.
First, she would figure out this person’s background—then her counterattack could be precise.