“Only cook for me. No one else.”
Lu Huaizhou’s deep, hoarse voice carried an unquestionable dominance as it struck Su Hongxia’s ears in the quiet night.
Su Hongxia’s heart skipped a beat. She lifted her head and met his eyes, which shone astonishingly bright under the moonlight.
Inside them surged an intense, almost ferocious possessiveness she had never seen before.
Was this man… declaring his claim over her?
She blinked, suppressing the flutter in her heart, and deliberately put on a naive expression. Tilting her head, she asked, “Then… if someone else pays me, I still can’t cook for them?”
Lu Huaizhou was choked by her question. The emotions surging inside him instantly stalled.
He stared at her clear and innocent eyes for a long moment before finally squeezing a few words out between his teeth.
“…Depends on my mood.”
After saying that, he suddenly released her hand and quickened his pace. Leaning on his crutch, he practically fled in embarrassment.
Su Hongxia looked at his stiff retreating back and couldn’t help bending over with laughter.
This man was becoming more and more interesting.
..
Early the next morning, the entire military compound exploded with gossip.
“Have you heard? Captain Lu’s silly wife showed off an incredible skill at the party yesterday!”
“What silly wife? You still call her that? She’s the real deal hiding in plain sight! I heard even Chief Chen stood up to applaud her and said she’s a treasure of our military district!”
“Exactly! Cutting tofu into threads while blindfolded! Those tofu strands were as thin as hair—floating in water! What was it called… Wensi Tofu Soup! My husband said the taste was so fresh it nearly made his tongue fall off!”
“My goodness, what kind of luck does Captain Lu have? For just two hundred yuan, he picked up a culinary genius from the countryside?”
Rumors swept through every corner of the compound like a hurricane.
The military wives who had mocked Su Hongxia yesterday were now speaking of her with nothing but shock, envy, and even a hint of flattery.
At Wang Sister-in-law’s house, however, the atmosphere was gloomy.
Her husband had scolded her harshly when he returned the night before, accusing her of being blind and offending someone she shouldn’t have.
Fuming with anger, Wang Sister-in-law was washing clothes in the yard. Listening to everyone praising Su Hongxia, she nearly smashed the washboard with the laundry stick in her hand.
Meanwhile, the person at the center of the gossip—Su Hongxia—acted as if nothing had happened.
She was leisurely grinding soybeans in the yard, preparing to make a pot of fresh soy milk.
Lu Huaizhou sat under the eaves with a military newspaper in hand, but his gaze kept drifting toward the busy figure in the yard.
At that moment, someone knocked loudly on the courtyard gate.
“Who is it?” Su Hongxia asked casually.
A loud yet polite male voice came from outside.
“Excuse me, is this Comrade Lu Huaizhou’s home? I’m Wang Aiguo from the logistics department.”
The logistics department? And the minister himself?
Lu Huaizhou put down the newspaper, frowning slightly.
Su Hongxia also stopped her work and went to open the gate.
Standing outside was a slightly chubby middle-aged man in his forties wearing a cadre’s uniform—Minister Wang from the logistics department.
Behind him stood several curious military wives, all smiling enthusiastically.
“Oh, Hongxia is home! Minister Wang came specially to see you!” one of the women rushed to say, afraid of falling behind.
“Yes, yes! Hongxia, your cooking skills are incredible! We’re all here to learn from you!”
In an instant, the entrance to the Lu family courtyard became as lively as a marketplace.
Minister Wang cleared his throat and waved for everyone to quiet down before smiling at Su Hongxia.
“Comrade Su Hongxia, hello. I came today on behalf of the military district logistics department with a small request.”
Leaning on his crutch, Lu Huaizhou walked over and calmly stood in front of Su Hongxia.
“Minister Wang, if you have something to say, you can talk to me.”
Seeing how protective he was, Minister Wang chuckled.
“Captain Lu, it’s like this. The skill your wife showed at the party yesterday stunned all of us—especially Chief Chen, who couldn’t stop praising her.
Our logistics department manages all the canteens in the military district. As you know, it’s hard to satisfy everyone’s tastes, and the soldiers train hard. The meals always seem to fall a bit short.
So we were wondering… could Comrade Su Hongxia serve as a technical advisor for our canteen?
She doesn’t have to go every day. Just once or twice a week to train our chefs.
As for compensation, don’t worry—we definitely won’t treat her unfairly.
I can apply for a monthly allowance of ten yuan and twenty jin of grain coupons!”
The military wives at the gate gasped.
Ten yuan and twenty jin of grain coupons a month!
That was nearly half a month’s salary for an ordinary worker.
Su Hongxia was truly soaring to the top.
Everyone expected her to accept excitedly. After all, this was like a huge pie falling from the sky—money, prestige, and a government position.
But Su Hongxia only blinked, glanced at Lu Huaizhou standing straight in front of her, and timidly shook her head.
“Minister Wang, thank you for thinking so highly of me… but I can’t.”
“Why not?” Minister Wang was stunned.
Su Hongxia stepped slightly behind Lu Huaizhou and pointed at his leg.
“I… I have to stay home and take care of my husband. His leg isn’t convenient, and he can’t manage alone. If I go to the canteen, who will cook for him? Who will massage his leg?”
Her words were flawless—showing care for her husband while giving a perfectly reasonable refusal.
The military wives looked at her with even more admiration.
Not only was she skilled, she was also so devoted to her husband.
Truly a rare wife.
Listening to her words, something in Lu Huaizhou’s heart softened completely.
He knew she was making an excuse, but it was one he enjoyed immensely.
The corner of his usually cold lips curved upward ever so slightly.
Minister Wang felt troubled.
Lu Huaizhou was a war hero. Taking care of a hero’s family was only right—he couldn’t force the issue.
But giving up such a talented cook who could improve the entire district’s meals was also hard to accept.
Just as he was caught in a dilemma, Su Hongxia spoke again.
“However…” she said, suddenly changing tone as she peeked out from behind Lu Huaizhou. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Minister Wang and the gathered wives.
“Working in the canteen isn’t possible. But if everyone trusts my cooking and wants to improve your meals, I do have an idea.”
“What idea?” everyone asked immediately.
Su Hongxia counted on her fingers slowly.
“How about this…
If anyone wants to eat a specialty dish—like braised pork or Jiuzhuan chitterlings—you can bring your own meat and ingredients.
I’ll cook it for you here at home. That way I can still take care of my husband, and everyone can eat something freshly cooked.”
She paused and added shyly,
“Of course… I’ll be using coal and oil, so I can’t work for nothing. Just give a small fee—maybe thirty or fifty cents—or a few grain or cloth coupons.”
The courtyard fell silent.
Everyone was stunned by her bold and novel idea.
Wasn’t this basically running a paid private kitchen?
But the more they thought about it, the more brilliant it seemed.
She hadn’t accepted an official job from the logistics department, avoiding any formal employment relationship.
She was just “helping neighbors,” which made it mutual assistance.
No one could criticize that.
And she left the choice to everyone—come if you want, don’t if you don’t.
Completely voluntary.
Was this really the “simple-minded woman” people had talked about?
Her mind was sharper than anyone’s.
Minister Wang froze for a moment, then slapped his thigh.
“Wonderful! This is a great idea!
What do we call this? Military and civilian cooperation—one big family!
Comrade Su Hongxia, your thinking is excellent! On behalf of the logistics department, I fully support you!”
With the minister’s approval, the other wives became excited.
“Hongxia, my husband has been craving your braised pork!”
“I still have a piece of cured meat from New Year—I’ve been saving it just for you to cook!”
“Me! I’ll go first!”
A hearty voice came from the crowd. Everyone turned to see Aunt Li from nearby.
She pushed forward holding a clucking old hen with its legs tied.
“Hongxia, this is one of my egg-laying hens. She doesn’t lay much anymore. Cook it however you like—as long as it’s delicious! Just name your fee!”
Su Hongxia’s eyes lit up at the sight of the fat hen.
Smiling, she took it and said,
“Aunt Li, this chicken is perfect. Cooking it any ordinary way would be a waste. How about I make Beggar’s Chicken for you? I guarantee you’ll want another meal as soon as you finish this one.”
“Beggar’s Chicken?”
Aunt Li and the other wives looked puzzled.
None of them had ever heard of such a dish.