Zhou Yan’s military boots pressed against the green brick floor of the mess hall, producing a steady, clear sound, each step landing like a hammer on Director Li’s heart.
Behind him, the inspection team members followed, all standing straight with sharp eyes, their notebooks rustling. Just their presence silenced all the whispered conversations in the kitchen.
Everyone knew the inspection team was not to be trifled with.
From embezzlement of ration tickets by officers to soldiers abandoning their posts, once they were under scrutiny, nothing could be hidden.
Usually, when the inspection team came to the island military district, they either gave three days’ advance notice or only checked routine material ledgers.
A sudden “raid” led personally by the Chief of Staff—this was the first time since Director Li had taken over the mess hall.
Director Li’s face had already lost all color. The swagger from his earlier table-banging had vanished, his chopsticks trembling in his sweaty hands, knuckles white.
He hurriedly forced a smile and stepped forward, bending almost to the floor: “Ch-Chief of Staff Zhou! What a surprise… You didn’t give any prior notice, I could’ve prepared the kitchen…”
Zhou Yan ignored him, his gaze sweeping past the crowd, settling first on Su Wanqing standing by the workbench.
The young woman wore a light apricot short-sleeve shirt, her bun neatly in place, the ends of her hair damp from the kitchen heat but not messy in the slightest.
Even from a distance, he had heard her clear, unwavering voice earlier, defending herself without a hint of fear.
“What was the commotion just now?” Zhou Yan asked, his voice low but authoritative, scanning Director Li and Su Weiwei before returning to Su Wanqing. “You tell me.”
Su Wanqing lifted her eyes, her apricot-colored eyes steady, showing no nervousness even before the Chief of Staff.
She gestured toward the two dishes on the workbench, speaking clearly and logically: “Reporting to Chief of Staff, Director Li organized a cooking competition between Su Weiwei and me, saying whoever loses must leave the mess hall.”
“But when the judges were scoring, Director Li only dipped a little of my soup and said it was bland, while the other leader didn’t even touch the chopsticks and immediately declared Su Weiwei the winner. I felt that was unfair, which led to the argument.”
Director Li’s face turned pale as he quickly interjected: “Chief of Staff Zhou, it’s not like that! Su Wanqing’s skills are lacking, and she was making a fuss…”
“Whether the skills are good or not, one can only tell by tasting.”
Zhou Yan interrupted, raising his chin.
The guards immediately stepped forward, serving dishes from both Su Wanqing and Su Weiwei to Zhou Yan and the other two inspection officers.
Su Weiwei clutched her clothing anxiously.
Her sweet-and-sour ribs looked bright, but in the rush earlier, she had added too much sugar and hadn’t cooked them thoroughly.
Zhou Yan’s sharp eyes would not miss such details.
He first picked up a piece of Su Weiwei’s ribs, taking a small bite, his brows barely furrowing.
The sweet richness coated the tongue, the meat tender but overwhelmed by the sugar, masking the natural flavor of the ribs.
He didn’t comment, taking a bite of Su Wanqing’s mushroom chicken.
The chicken was tender and flavorful, the mushrooms soaked in the chicken juice, seasoned just right with a hint of shrimp powder enhancing the freshness, not bland at all.
Then he tried the garlic greens; the leaves were crisp and fresh, the garlic accentuating rather than overpowering the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Zhou Yan put down his chopsticks, a flicker of approval in his eyes: “This dish is well-made, with a homey flavor, not greasy. It’s more to my taste than those ribs.”
The two inspection officers also tasted, nodding in agreement.
Director Li stood there, chilled to the bone, unable to speak.
Su Weiwei paled, stepping back and nearly bumping into the stove behind her.
She never expected the Chief of Staff to show up unannounced and personally taste the dishes, exposing her deception.
Zhou Yan glanced at his notebook, his tone cold: “If this is a cooking competition, it must be fair and just.”
The result was obvious: Su Weiwei had lost.
Zhou Yan’s authority remained: “According to your earlier rules, the loser must leave the mess hall. Pack your things; starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come to work here.”
Tears immediately streamed down Su Weiwei’s face as she cried out to Director Li: “Director Li, please plead for me! I can’t leave the mess hall…”
Director Li didn’t dare intervene; he was worried about his own position.
He said firmly: “Your skills were insufficient. That’s on you, not me!”
Su Wanqing watched Su Weiwei’s tears with no sympathy.
This was entirely Su Weiwei’s doing—provoking trouble, manipulating Director Li to favor her—and now she had to face the consequences.
However…
Su Wanqing still had doubts.
Why would the military district inspection team suddenly appear, led personally by the Chief of Staff? It seemed almost too coincidental.
Once the situation stabilized, Zhou Yan spoke again, scanning everyone present: “Additionally, the military district has clear rules prohibiting such informal ‘elimination competitions’ as they disrupt work order and breed conflict. What you organized violated these regulations.”
Everyone panicked—
Most had only wanted to watch the fun, never thinking it could break military rules.
Director Li’s legs went weak; he nearly collapsed: “Ch-Chief of Staff Zhou, I was momentarily careless. Please forgive us this once!”
“Rules are rules; there’s no leniency,” Zhou Yan said sternly. “All participants in this competition, and everyone who watched, will sweep the streets at the island pier after work for three months as a lesson.”
Su Wanqing froze for a moment.
An unintended consequence.
Although she had won the competition and driven Su Weiwei out of the mess hall, she herself… had received the street-sweeping punishment.
But thinking about it, being able to see Su Weiwei humiliated and no longer bouncing around in front of her, this small punishment was worth it.
Director Li’s face twisted, angry and fearful, but he didn’t dare argue.
If he spoke further, the inspection team might uncover more violations.
Su Wanqing took note of Director Li’s guilty expression.
Uncle Zhang had mentioned that Director Li only became the mess hall director two years ago, previously working in the materials department, and somehow got promoted.
At the time, Uncle Zhang hesitated slightly when mentioning it, implying there was something fishy.
Su Wanqing had already begun investigating Director Li, and now—
She was quietly scheming.
Someone who dared act so brazenly likely wasn’t just biased; there could be embezzlement of ration tickets and misappropriation of mess hall supplies behind the scenes.
Once she gathered solid evidence, she would ensure he could never recover, paying the price he deserved.
Zhou Yan reminded the inspection team to leave and check the mess hall’s material ledgers before turning to leave.
Passing by Su Wanqing, he paused briefly, his gaze lingering with some meaning, but he said nothing.
Su Wanqing, lost in thought, didn’t notice the Chief of Staff’s significant look.
Zhou Yan smiled faintly and walked away.
Lu Yan, that kid, usually didn’t meddle in other’s affairs.
This time, however…