Tang Wenlan waved her hands. “Forget it, I’m already old. Let the boys learn instead.”

Before Lin Ting could respond, Principal Huang frowned and said, “Why do you think you’re old? You’re only in your thirties. When Teacher Lin teaches English, I’ll also join the class.”

Tang Wenlan pulled a bitter face. If she had liked studying, she wouldn’t have stopped school before finishing junior high.

Lin Ting, hearing the title “Teacher Lin,” knew that she had secured the job. She asked excitedly, “Principal Huang, does this mean I can teach English?”

Principal Huang nodded. “Yes, you will teach English.” His expression turned nostalgic. “A few years ago, we hired an English teacher, but she got married and moved away. It’s been difficult to find a replacement, so we had to cancel English classes. It’s wonderful that you’re taking over. On behalf of the students, I thank you!”

Lin Ting felt his words were too formal and simply responded solemnly, “You’re too kind, Principal. I will do my best.”

After reviewing her documents, Principal Huang returned them and said, “That’s enough. I’ll check your political background. Once everything is confirmed, you can officially start.”

Lin Ting was thrilled. “Thank you, Principal Huang. By the way, which grade will I be teaching?”

Principal Huang hesitated. “First to third grade?”

Lin Ting realized she would be teaching all the middle school students. She had asked an unnecessary question—she was the only English teacher, after all.

Suppressing her inner groan, she smiled and said, “I’ll do as you say.”

Principal Huang laughed. “Comrade Xiao Lin has a great attitude!”

Lin Ting… Comrade Lin?

After seeing off Principal Huang and Tang Wenlan, Hu Xiu, who had been eavesdropping outside, happily asked, “So, you’re going to be a teacher?”

Lin Ting, excited about finally having a job, replied, “I just need to pass the political review. I’ll probably start next Monday.”

Hu Xiu wasn’t worried about the political review. If there had been any issues, Lin Ting wouldn’t have been able to marry her son, let alone join the army. The job was already set.

“We should celebrate with a good meal!” Hu Xiu declared.

Lin Ting agreed. “Do we still have the sausages my parents sent?”

“Yes, plenty,” Hu Xiu replied.

“How about making rice with Chinese sausage and bamboo shoots?” Lin Ting suggested. “Huo Xiao brought the bamboo shoots from Chengdu. The last time we stewed them with meat, they were delicious.”

Hu Xiu was tempted but hesitated. “Will there be enough time to soak the bamboo shoots?”

Lin Ting shrugged. “We can use boiling water or just boil them.”

“That works!”

“By the way, Mom, since Sister Lan helped me get this job, why don’t we make extra and bring some to her family?”

Hu Xiu, always valuing relationships, immediately agreed. “I should have thought of that! Tingting, you’re so considerate. Go next door and tell Wenlan not to cook. She and her family can eat with us.” She grabbed more dried bamboo shoots from the bag.

Lin Ting smiled. “I’ll drop off my ID first and then go.”

At lunchtime, not only Lin Ting’s family and Sister Wenlan’s family were present, but Huo Xiao and Political Commissar Xing also brought along a battalion commander.

The guest was Cao Wenzhe, whom Lin Ting had been curious about the day before. He was good-looking but had a sharp, fierce expression. He was tall and muscular, unlike Huo Xiao, who had an eight-pack but a leaner build.

Lin Ting didn’t believe her husband brought this man back just to let her see him. However, while serving rice in the kitchen, she couldn’t help but ask Sister Wenlan about it.

Without mentioning last night’s events, Lin Ting casually asked why they had brought only one battalion commander, considering that a regiment had three battalions.

Tang Wenlan, a known gossip, eagerly shared the details. After making sure the men were out of earshot, she whispered, “My husband, Xing, said Xiao Cao is avoiding the eldest daughter of Political Commissar Liu. He’s hiding.”

Lin Ting frowned. “Hiding here? But this is Political Commissar Liu’s territory…” She wasn’t unwilling to help, but the situation seemed tricky.

Tang Wenlan reassured her, “Political Commissar Liu spoils his daughter, but he’s reasonable. If Xiao Cao keeps avoiding her, he’ll eventually understand they can’t be together.”

She added with a smirk, “Several officers want to marry Liu Wenyan, but she’s set her sights on Xiao Cao for over a month. Poor guy.”

Lin Ting noticed Wenlan’s tone carried some dissatisfaction toward Liu Wenyan. Recalling the sharp words she had overheard the night before, she asked, “What kind of person is Liu Wenyan?”

Tang Wenlan hesitated. She enjoyed gossip but disliked speaking ill of others. After a moment, she vaguely replied, “Better to stay away.”

Was she really that troublesome? Lin Ting grew even more curious.

When the ten people gathered around the table for lunch, Lin Ting and her mother-in-law held the children on their laps to make room. The large meal, typical of northern cuisine, featured a big pot of stewed rice and two hearty dishes served in large bowls. Even Lin Ting ate without looking up.

Huo Xiao, sitting between his mother and wife, barely ate. Instead, he focused on picking food for them and wiping their mouths with a handkerchief.

This shocked Tang Wenlan, Xing Guoqiang, and Cao Wenzhe, who had never seen such a side of him. The usually serious and cold Huo Xiao was doting on his family in a way that was almost unbearable to watch.

Before Wen Lan could step on Xing Guoqiang’s foot to make him stop staring, he smirked and said, “Didn’t know Old Huo was such a considerate man.”

Lin Ting, protecting her husband’s dignity, smiled. “Yes, Huo Xiao is very considerate to his family.”

Xing Guoqiang grinned. “Why do you call each other by your full names? Shouldn’t it be ‘Brother Xiao’?”

Huo Xiao turned to his wife with an expectant look.

Lin Ting felt awkward. There was no way she could call him “Brother Xiao.”