Chapter 110: I Cherish My Wife More Than Anything!

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When Shi Xiumei noticed Xia Yan’s tone change and that she no longer said anything, she snorted coldly and turned to leave, muttering disdainfully under her breath, “What’s so great about that?”

In truth, Shi Xiumei had fabricated the excuse that the banquet chef was unavailable. Her real intention was to ask Xia Yan for help, so they could save at least half the cost.

After all, banquet chefs nowadays charge a fixed price; they buy the ingredients themselves, which inevitably involves some markup. On top of that, there were usually extra expenses for cigarettes, alcohol, and red envelopes. Thinking about it made Shi Xiumei feel a pang of regret.

At first, she assumed that since she was asking Xia Yan herself and considering Xia Yan had helped before by fetching clay from the ranch, the girl would at least show some courtesy and lend a hand.

But to her surprise, Xia Yan refused outright without a second thought.

Seeing Shi Xiumei walk away, Xia Yan didn’t give it much thought. If she helped now, who knew how many more banquet invitations would come her way? She might as well open a restaurant in the garrison to handle these orders herself and make more money...

She turned and went inside to study, simultaneously teaching Lin Nuannuan how to read.

What she didn’t expect was that the matter wasn’t over. Shi Xiumei went straight to find Lin You.

At that moment, Lin You had just finished training the new recruits and was sitting in his office, still thirsty and not having taken a sip of water, when someone came to inform him that someone was looking for him.

At first, he thought it might be Xia Yan coming to inquire about work, but when he stepped outside, he didn’t recognize the person at all.

Shi Xiumei, seeing Lin You approaching from a distance, still felt a bit intimidated by his imposing presence.

Lin You asked in a low voice, “Auntie, are you looking for me?”

At that moment, Shi Xiumei felt a bit hesitant. Lin Captain looked much tougher to deal with than his fiancée, but thinking about the money she would save on the banquet chef, she mustered her courage and said, “Captain Lin, I’m the wife of old Wu from the ranch. I came to ask you for a favor.”

Wu Guoliang from the ranch was someone Lin You remembered, as the stable was not far from the ranch.

“Director Wu Guoliang, right?”

Hearing Lin You say her husband’s name, Shi Xiumei felt reassured and decided to handle the matter well.

What could Xia Yan’s refusal matter? In this day and age, men held the final say in the family. As long as Lin You agreed, Xia Yan couldn’t refuse, could she?

Shi Xiumei smiled and replied, “Yes, yes.”

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Lin You looked at her. Though he knew Wu Guoliang, they had barely exchanged a few words and were not close. What could his wife want from him?

Seeing Lin You’s puzzled expression, Shi Xiumei got straight to the point: “It’s like this, my husband will turn sixty next Friday...”

Lin You thought she was inviting him to a meal, but with the new recruits keeping the unit busy lately, he had no time for celebrations. “Auntie, things are hectic at the unit recently. I’m afraid I won’t have time to attend Director Wu’s birthday. Besides, I don’t have any red envelopes with me... How about this? When we visit the ranch in a couple of days, I’ll talk to Director Wu about it.”

Shi Xiumei shook her head. “No... it’s not about that.”

“Not about that?”

Lin You frowned. If it wasn’t to invite him to a meal, then why tell him about Wu Guoliang’s birthday?

“No... no, you’re welcome to come to the meal then.”

Shi Xiumei hurriedly corrected herself.

Just then, a soldier came in to inform Lin You that the recruits had assembled. Lin You turned to her and said, “Auntie, I don’t have time... If you have something to say, just say it. I have other matters to attend to.”

“It’s like this: your wife is good at cooking. I heard even the regiment commander praised her dishes. The banquet chef I hired suddenly can’t make it, so I was hoping your wife could help us cook.”

“This? My wife is at home now. You can go ask her yourself. If you don’t know her, just ask around the family quarters and you’ll find my home.”

Lin You was puzzled. Why did she come to him for this? He couldn’t make decisions on behalf of Xia Yan.

Shi Xiumei replied, “I went to your home, but your wife refused, so I came to you. I want you to talk to her for me.”

Hearing Xia Yan’s refusal, Lin You naturally wouldn’t force her. “She said no? Then there’s nothing I can do. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

“Hey, Captain Lin, don’t go yet.”

Shi Xiumei hurried forward and blocked his path. “I’m willing to pay her. She said she has school commitments, but the pay I offer is better than the school’s. She works for the money; who wouldn’t want to earn more?”

“Captain Lin, I’m just saying, women should be at home cooking and taking care of the children, not working. Your wife is just making excuses because she’s tired. That’s not good. She’s still young now, and if she’s already tired, how will she manage later?”

Shi Xiumei’s words made Lin You’s expression grow darker and darker.

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Thinking her words had some effect, Shi Xiumei pressed on, speaking even more harshly about Xia Yan.

“That’s enough!”

Lin You shouted angrily, startling Shi Xiumei. “Are you done? Out of respect for Director Wu, I’ve tolerated you so far. And now you’re badmouthing my wife? She’s not a chef!”

“What do you mean women should only cook at home? This is a new society—gender equality. Women can also support a family. Don’t impose your ignorance on others.”

Shi Xiumei was incredulous. “I’m not asking her to work for free; I pay her.”

Lin You snorted coldly. “Money? Do you think my family needs your small change?!”

Then he added, “I cherish my wife enough already, let alone letting her cook for you!”

With that, Lin You ignored whatever else Shi Xiumei wanted to say and turned to leave. He wondered if he was too easygoing. If she weren’t a woman, he would have scolded her by now.

Shi Xiumei wanted to say more, but Lin You’s fiery glare made her swallow her words.

“Hmph! I’ll go find the regiment commander. I don’t believe you won’t listen to his orders!”

Recalling that Sun Sheng had once dined with her husband at the ranch, she relied on that connection and headed toward the regiment headquarters.

At first, Sun Sheng was as surprised as Lin You, but this time Shi Xiumei was smarter and said she came to invite him to a meal. Sun Sheng thought about it and didn’t refuse.

However, after Shi Xiumei repeated the same spiel she had told Lin You, Sun Sheng’s face darkened.

Without a word, he promptly kicked her out of the office. Not feeling satisfied, he picked up the phone and called the ranch, giving Wu Guoliang a stern talking-to.

Wu Guoliang, hearing what his wife had done, turned pale and quickly hitched the horse carriage to rush to the garrison...