The kitchen assistant, seeing the situation upfront, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “So sorry about this! The girl just started and isn’t familiar with things yet.”
“Little sister, what would you like to order? Let me take your order.”
She had deliberately asked Su Nanyue because she thought the young woman looked easy to deal with.
Su Nanyue saw right through her intention, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“I dare not order randomly. Who knows what baseless accusations I might get slapped with next.”
The kitchen assistant glared at the cashier, fuming. “Apologize now.”
When the cashier remained motionless, she angrily kicked her.
Leaning closer, she whispered sharply, “Can’t you see that man’s cadre military uniform? If he decides to pursue this, not even the manager can protect you.”
The cashier quickly glanced at Jiang Yan, and upon noticing his cadre uniform, her eyes grew intensely fervent. But when she turned to Su Nanyue, her expression turned disdainful, though her voice became artificially sweet. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
Su Nanyue: “I don’t accept your apology.”
The cashier grew frantic, her eyes reddening as she instinctively looked toward Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan cursed inwardly about the nuisance.
He said coldly, “I will report this to your supervisor.”
The kitchen assistant looked at the young cashier with mixed feelings.
Having ambition was good, but one must know their place.
Bullying someone’s wife was bad enough, but to put on such an act right in front of the husband was downright disgusting.
Did she really think having the manager as her uncle made her untouchable?
When the manager was summoned, he initially looked displeased, but his expression warmed immediately upon seeing Jiang Yan.
“Regiment Leader Jiang, you should’ve told me you were coming.”
Jiang Yan regarded him calmly. “No need for that. But your staff could use some proper discipline.”
“My wife was ordering food, and your employee started making false accusations, even trying to drive a wedge between us right in front of me.”
“If it were some inspecting official next time, this behavior could land you in trouble too.”
The manager’s heart sank, and he shot the cashier a fierce glare.
He scolded her immediately, “How many times have I told you? Don’t bring personal issues to work! Just because your father broke his leg doesn’t give you the right to take it out on customers.”
“You’re suspended. Write a self-criticism and deduct one month’s salary.”
Turning back to Jiang Yan, he instantly put on a smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to discipline them properly later.”
He then pulled the reluctant cashier over and made her apologize to Su Nanyue.
Though resentful, the cashier didn’t dare cause more trouble after seeing her uncle’s reaction and obediently bowed her head in apology.
Su Nanyue could tell the manager was covering for her, but she knew this was as far as things would go.
Ignoring the cashier’s flushed, humiliated face, she proceeded to order.
She still asked for braised pork, and the kitchen assistant efficiently calculated the bill.
The manager offered to comp the meal, but Jiang Yan stopped him.
Su Nanyue handed over the money and coupons. The kitchen assistant glanced at the manager, and only after he nodded did she accept the payment.
While the manager kept Jiang Yan talking, Su Nanyue went over to Da Bao and Xiao Bao.
Jiang Yan joined them shortly after.
The manager personally brought their food and even added two sodas on the house.
Jiang Yan insisted on paying.
The manager had no choice but to accept the money, then offered a few pleasantries to Jiang Yan and Su Nanyue before leaving.
After the manager departed, Su Nanyue first served meat and vegetables to the two little ones.
Only then did she begin eating herself.
With the first bite, her eyes narrowed in contentment.
It had to be said—though the cashier had been quite irritating, the chef’s skills were truly remarkable.
Three dishes were completely finished by the four of them.
Of course, Jiang Yan did most of the eating.
After the meal, they headed toward the vehicle.
By the time they arrived, most people had already gathered, chatting beside the car.
Shen Yue was among them. She spotted Su Nanyue at once and waved, “Xiao Su, over here.”
Seeing Shen Yue, Su Nanyue’s lips curved into a smile.
With Da Bao held by Jiang Yan, she carried Xiao Bao and walked toward Shen Yue.
“Sister-in-law,” she greeted.
Then, following Shen Yue’s introductions, she addressed the other military wives nearby.
“Aunt Wang, Aunt Li, Sister Liu.”
Su Nanyue was naturally beautiful, and now dressed in this new outfit, she looked even more radiant than a flower.
The wives sitting with Shen Yue were all easy to talk to.
Sister Liu looked at Su Nanyue, then at Xiao Bao in her arms, and couldn’t help laughing. “No wonder they say you should find a pretty wife.”
“Just look at Xiao Su—she’s lovely herself, and her children are beautiful too. They’re such darlings.”
Shen Yue also smiled. “Exactly. After my Lao Guo saw Xiao Su’s two children, he kept telling me how well-behaved and sensible they are.”
Su Nanyue smiled wryly. “Regimental Commander Guo just hasn’t seen them when they’re being naughty.”
No sooner had she spoken than Xiao Bao in her arms began squirming, wanting to get down.
Su Nanyue bent over, set him on the ground, and he toddled straight to Jiang Yan, grabbed Da Bao’s hand, then toddled back.
He had noticed earlier—his brother had been staring at their mother.
Once Da Bao came over, he reached out and clutched Su Nanyue’s clothes.
The two little ones looked identical and wore matching outfits.
When standing side by side, it was hard to tell them apart.
Su Nanyue held their hands and chatted with everyone for a while.
Soon, it was about time to leave.
After another bumpy hour or so, they finally returned to the military base.
They got off at the base entrance. This time, the two children walked on their own. Su Nanyue also helped Jiang Yan carry some things, though he still shouldered the bulk of the load.
Back at the house, Su Nanyue collapsed onto a stool, exhausted.
They had left around six in the morning and it was now past one in the afternoon.
At least they had eaten lunch.
The two little ones were so tired they could barely keep their eyes open.
Jiang Yan glanced at them and told them to go to sleep, while he went to heat the kang.
The firewood for heating the kang had been borrowed from Shen Yue’s family—there was no other option, having just moved in with nothing prepared.
By the time he finished heating the kang and returned, he saw that Su Nanyue had already fallen asleep with the two children.
Da Bao and Xiao Bao lay on either side, their small bodies pressed close against Su Nanyue, their movements full of dependence.
Jiang Yan stood still, watching the scene, and felt the emptiness in his heart gradually fill.
He stepped forward and covered the three with a blanket. Su Nanyue drowsily opened her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Her voice was lazy with sleep.
Jiang Yan spoke softly, “Nothing. Go back to sleep.”
Reassured, Su Nanyue drifted back to sleep.
The kang quickly warmed up. Seeing the three sleeping soundly, Jiang Yan then turned and walked outside, closing the door behind him as he left.
Moving quietly, he put away all the things he had bought, then turned to close the main door and headed up the mountain.
He chopped some dry branches, tied them into a large bundle, and bent down to carry them back on his back.
In the house, not long after Jiang Yan had left.
Jiang Che arrived with Su Wan Ning.