Chapter 52

Seeing her son like this, Aunt Lu felt bad. She stood up and said to Shi Tingyu and Lu Weiguo, “This whole situation was my fault. I’ve received criticism and education and realized my mistake. I apologize to you both and promise never to speak ill of you again.”

Aunt Lu truly understood the seriousness of the situation this time.

Even though she wasn’t happy about it, she still lowered her head.

Shi Tingyu and Lu Weiguo didn’t say anything. Commander Zhao cleared his throat and said, “Instructor Lu and Aunt Lu have both recognized their mistakes and apologized to you. Do you think you can forgive them?”

Shi Tingyu understood that this was a way to give both sides an out. The necessary punishments had been meted out, and even if they didn’t forgive them, there was nothing more to be done. It would be better to be straightforward.

Thinking this, Shi Tingyu pressed her lips together and said, “These rumors have caused us great harm. I can’t just say it doesn’t matter, but since the leadership has already punished those responsible, we won’t pursue it any further.”

Lu Wenbin breathed a sigh of relief. If Shi Tingyu hadn’t accepted the apology, things would be awkward between him and Captain Lu in the future.

“What my wife says goes,” Lu Weiguo added, indicating his stance.

Lu Wenbin stood up and promised, “Thank you. I’m truly sorry for this incident. In a few days, after we’ve settled everything, I’ll send my mother back to our hometown. She came here to help with my wife’s confinement period, and now that it’s over, she wants to go home.”

Shi Tingyu and Lu Weiguo exchanged a glance. Although Lu Wenbin mentioned his mother’s desire to return home, they knew it was related to this incident.

But that didn’t concern them.

With the apology done, Commander Zhao offered a few words of comfort to both sides before letting them go.

By the time they returned home, it was getting late, and they quickly started making dinner.

Now that the bread oven was fully functional, Shi Tingyu would occasionally bake some bread, which was very convenient.

Lu Weiguo spoke to Xiao Meng from the supply truck, asking him to bring back some beef.

It was a simple request, and Xiao Meng readily agreed.

Shi Tingyu sent Lu Weiguo to cook while she started preparing the beef.

By the time she had finished preparing the beef and put it in the oven, Lu Weiguo had already finished making dinner.

Having often helped out, Lu Weiguo’s cooking skills had improved significantly.

It still wasn’t as good as Shi Tingyu’s, but it was much better than before, reaching a decent home-cooked meal level.

That evening, Shi Tingyu was busy making beef jerky.

Watching the complicated process, Lu Weiguo couldn’t help but comment, “This is quite a hassle. Next time, don’t bother. If you feel bad, I can just buy something for Old Feng.”

Shi Tingyu looked up from the oven and smiled, “Actually, I wanted to eat it myself.”

With limited snack options nowadays, she often had to make things herself. She even wanted to make spicy gluten strips.

Thinking about it, she started recalling the recipe for handmade spicy gluten strips. Hmm, she should try it next time; it shouldn’t be too difficult.

Seeing her rare enthusiasm, Lu Weiguo said, “Then we’ll keep all of this for you. We won’t give any to Old Feng.”

“No, it’s fine. I made plenty this time,” she replied, opening the oven to take out the beef jerky.

Lu Weiguo took the thick cloth from her and said, “Let me do it.”

Shi Tingyu stepped back and watched his deft movements, feeling a strange flutter in her heart.

Once the beef jerky was brought inside, the spicy aroma filled the air.

Shi Tingyu couldn’t help but start salivating.

Seeing this, Lu Weiguo picked up a piece, blew on it, and brought it to her mouth, “Try it.”

Shi Tingyu cautiously bit into the beef jerky, savoring it.

It was spicy and flavorful, with the unique taste of beef. It was chewy and perfectly seasoned, even better than she had imagined.

She couldn’t help but praise, “It’s delicious. You should try it too.”

Lu Weiguo tore his gaze from her bright red lips and, pretending to be calm, picked up a piece for himself.

He was surprised by its deliciousness—spicy, savory, and the more he chewed, the more he wanted to eat.

They kept eating piece after piece until Shi Tingyu realized they needed to stop.

“We can’t eat any more, or we’ll have indigestion tonight.”

They decided to leave the beef jerky to cool overnight. In the morning, she would divide it into two portions, one for Feng Wei and one for Xiao Meng, who had helped. The rest would be for her and Lu Weiguo.

Lu Weiguo felt a pang of concern—not for the beef, but for his wife who had worked so hard.

The next morning, Shi Tingyu got up, divided the beef jerky, and started making breakfast.

After Lu Weiguo returned from morning training and had breakfast, he took the portions to give to them.

During a training break, Lu Weiguo handed the pre-packed beef jerky to Feng Wei.

“My wife made this for you,” he said.

Feng Wei, delighted, immediately opened it and tried a piece. Just one bite and he could taste how good it was.

Seeing this, Lu Weiguo couldn’t help but say, “You’re lucky. My wife put a lot of effort into making this.”

Feng Wei chuckled and said to Lu Weiguo, “Make sure to thank your wife for me. If you ever need help with any weeding, just call me. You don’t need to prepare anything else, just give me some of this beef jerky.”

Lu Weiguo replied, “Keep dreaming.”

At that moment, Captain Li knocked on the door. After Feng Wei called him in, a tall figure entered the office, immediately catching the strong, spicy aroma.

His eyes locked onto the jar of beef jerky in Feng Wei’s hand.

“Instructor, what are you and the captain hiding in here to eat? Let me have a taste.”

Feng Wei instinctively pulled the jar back.

Captain Li, quick and nimble, managed to grab a piece and shoved it into his mouth without hesitation.

He ate so fast that the spicy flavor choked him, but even so, he refused to spit out the meat.

Coughing and turning red, he still managed to swallow it down.

Once he recovered, Captain Li asked, “Where did you buy this? It’s really something.”

Feng Wei, annoyed, put the lid back on the jar. “This was made by the captain’s wife.”

Captain Li suddenly remembered Shi Tingyu’s cooking skills, comparable to a professional chef, and thought to himself, no wonder it’s so good.

He wanted to grab another piece but realized he wouldn’t succeed this time.

Ignoring them, Lu Weiguo turned and prepared to deliver the beef jerky to Xiao Meng.

Xiao Meng was taken aback when he received the beef jerky.

He had heard about the captain’s wife’s cooking and never expected that helping to bring some supplies would earn him a jar of beef jerky.

“This is too much. I didn’t do anything special.”

Lu Weiguo looked at him and held out his hand. “Then you can give it back.”

Xiao Meng’s smile froze, and he awkwardly laughed. “Let’s not. After all, it’s a kind gesture from the captain’s wife.”

Lu Weiguo: “Hmph.”

As Lu Weiguo was about to leave, Xiao Meng said, “Captain, if you need anything else next time, just let me know. It’s no trouble at all.”

Watching Lu Weiguo leave, Xiao Meng quickly opened the jar and popped a piece into his mouth, his eyes lighting up instantly.

Ah, delicious!

He thought to himself, the captain’s wife is amazing.

His gaze drifted back to the jar in his hand. Ever since the captain got married, he seemed to have become more considerate.