Chapter 15: Royal Jelly

Instead of interrupting, Chen Yufeng deliberately raised her voice even more.

“Are you saying the leadership of the military district is really that corrupt?”

Zhang Yanli wasn’t stupid. She had been a store clerk before, skilled at reading people and situations.

She suddenly turned her head—and there he was, the division commander, Xu Yongyi, standing outside.

Immediately, she snapped to attention and saluted. “Commander Xu! What brings you here?”

Chen Yufeng had just encountered this man—he wasn’t just the head of this division but also the deputy chief of staff of the entire military district.

Although he looked young, he was one of the eight top leaders in the military district.

Han Chao had slipped away from his unit without permission, never expecting to get caught by such a high-ranking officer. He kept his salute up, standing stiffly at attention.

Commander Xu stepped into the courtyard and first asked Zhang Yanli, “How is the business at Daqingshan Wholesale Market?”

“Thanks to your support, sir, we haven’t made much profit, but at least we haven’t lost money,” Zhang Yanli replied with a smile.

Commander Xu then turned to Han Chao. “How’s the new recruit training going?”

“Everything is proceeding according to plan,” Han Chao replied.

“You were recommended by me and personally endorsed by the higher-ups,” Commander Xu said. “Han Chao, the military district does not operate on connections or favoritism. We value only one thing—ability. And you earned your position through your own strength.”

Although it was unclear why Zhang Yanli had been talking about connections and nepotism, Commander Xu’s words were clearly directed at what she had just said.

Zhang Yanli was no ordinary woman—she had risen from being a store clerk to a businesswoman, so she was quick to adapt. She immediately added, “Of course! The military district is all about competence. Even our wholesale market lease was secured through merit!”

Commander Xu gave no reaction. Instead, he turned back to Han Chao.

“Where is your mother from?”

“Yungui province,” Han Chao answered.

“Yungui is a big place. Where exactly?” Commander Xu pressed.

Han Chao genuinely had no idea—Wang Guoguo had never mentioned her exact hometown.

He was always straightforward and honest, so he simply replied, “My mother never told me, so I don’t know.”

Chen Yufeng, listening nearby, guessed that Commander Xu might have some connection to Wang Guoguo.

But she didn’t know Wang Guoguo’s hometown either—though she suspected it was somewhere around Luliang. Just as she was about to speak, Commander Xu changed the subject.

“Since Han Chao’s wife is now living in the city, she should have something to do. Do you have a high school diploma? We can arrange a job for you in the military district.”

“I don’t. I only finished junior high school,” Chen Yufeng answered.

“In that case, the available jobs would be washing dishes in the cafeteria or working as a janitor in the logistics department,” Commander Xu said.

Chen Yufeng had already thought about her future, thanks to Mimi’s earlier reminder—she wanted to lease the restaurant next to the nursery class. And she could tell that the key to securing that lease was none other than Commander Xu.

“I just arrived, so I’m not in a hurry to find a job,” she said. “Commander Xu, do you have time today? Would you like to stay for a home-cooked meal?”

Worried he might refuse, she quickly added, “I can make a few authentic Yungui-style dishes.”

To open a restaurant, the quality of the food was crucial. She had picked up on his accent and suspected he was from Yungui.

Zhang Yanli, always quick to chime in, scoffed, “Yufeng, do you think a busy division commander has time for your homemade food?”

Ordinarily, a division-level officer wouldn’t dine at the home of a battalion-level officer.

But unexpectedly, Commander Xu sniffed the air and said, “I smell pickled chili sauce—it’s quite authentic. But today isn’t a good time. Let’s do it another day. I have a few Yunnan comrades—I’ll bring them along for a meal.”

“Of course,” Chen Yufeng agreed readily.

Now, it was Zhang Yanli’s turn to be dumbfounded.

Commander Xu was known for being aloof—he rarely socialized, even with fellow high-ranking officers.

Yet he was willing to come to Chen Yufeng’s home for a meal?

As a sharp-witted person, she could clearly see that Commander Xu greatly appreciated Han Chao. This kind of recognition, if reinforced with a shared meal, would establish a connection between Han Chao and his wife with Commander Xu.

Her original plan was to use the promise of a promotion to regimental level as bait to persuade Chen Yufeng to agree to the adoption of Mimi. But if the couple were to form a relationship with Commander Xu, how could Chen Yufeng still be tempted by her offer?

“Since your wife is here, Han Chao, take the afternoon off and rest. I’ll take a walk around your camp.” Commander Xu was straightforward. After shaking Han Chao’s hand, he turned and left.

Since the leader had given the order, Han Chao had to comply. But first, he needed to escort the commander out.

By now, Zhang Yanli had already abandoned the topic of adoption—she needed to go home and come up with a new approach for her next visit.

But Chen Yufeng had no intention of letting her leave just yet. Picking up a bottle of royal jelly, she asked, “This stuff must be expensive, right?”

“The logistics officers all take it. One bottle costs 180 yuan, but it’s great for health,” Zhang Yanli replied with a smile.

“My mother-in-law was recently ill. This would be good for her recovery, but I’m afraid she’d need it regularly, and we can’t afford it,” Chen Yufeng said.

Zhang Yanli’s mind worked fast, and she immediately saw an opportunity. “Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s not like we can’t afford it. Let me tell you a secret—a wealthy businesswoman has taken a liking to your little black girl. If you let her recognize the girl as her goddaughter, your mother-in-law could have royal jelly like this as a regular meal.”

“I don’t mind, but I’m not sure about Han Chao…” Chen Yufeng pretended to hesitate.

Han Chao was known for his extreme filial piety—Zhang Yanli had heard this from Chen Fanshi. It was said that he feared nothing, except his mother, Wang Guoguo. He would never bow to anyone, yet if Wang Guoguo told him to kneel, he would obey without question.

Zhang Yanli immediately grasped the implication and added, “Han Chao is such a devoted son. If your little black girl recognizes a wealthy woman as her godmother, that godmother could provide for his mother’s needs. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

“You should ask Han Chao. He truly is a filial son,” Chen Yufeng said, biting her lip.

By this time, Han Chao had returned after seeing Commander Xu off. He noticed some clothes drying in the courtyard, now dry, and began taking them down while keeping an eye on Mimi.

The little girl was engrossed in playing with a flower cake and a swarm of ants beneath her feet. She was using crumbs to lure two trails of ants toward a small high ground.

To an outsider, this might seem like mere child’s play, but Han Chao, as a soldier with battlefield experience, saw it differently. If the ants were troops, then Mimi was a natural commander. On that small patch of uneven ground, she instinctively led the ants on the shortest but most defensible route.

In other words, if this were a battlefield, and she had two squads of soldiers, she would be able to lead them to seize the high ground with minimal casualties in the shortest time.

She was completely absorbed in her game, and Han Chao watched with fascination.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yanli became increasingly convinced that her plan was feasible. After all, the little black girl was ugly and enjoyed playing in the dirt—something she found repulsive. Surely, Han Chao and Chen Yufeng wouldn’t be too attached to such a child.

Turning to Han Chao, she said, “Han Chao, a very wealthy businesswoman has taken a liking to your little black girl and wants to be her godmother.”

Han Chao had overheard part of Chen Yufeng’s phone call earlier.

She had suspected that Zhang Yanli’s visit was about introducing Mimi to a wealthy family in order to sell her.

The difference between humans and animals is a sense of morality.

Zhang Yanli had once worked in the military district—she had worn a uniform before. Now, she was a successful businesswoman with strong connections to the wives of high-ranking military officials. Someone of her status—how could she be involved in child trafficking?

So before today, Han Chao had hesitated, unsure if Chen Yufeng was overthinking things and making Zhang Yanli seem worse than she really was.

A retired soldier turning into a child trafficker?

He thought he must have misheard. Frowning, he asked, “What do you mean by godmother?”

Mimi, still absorbed in her game, should not have been paying attention. But she was. She continued playing with the ants while speaking softly, “It means transferring my household registration. At first, I would still live here, but when my little brother is born and Mom gets too busy, I’ll be sent to my godmother’s house.”

This was exactly what Zhou Yafang and Su Hong had once planned.

First, they would move the household registration and let the child gradually get used to another mother. Over time, she would develop feelings for her new guardian.

It was a seamless method of adoption.

But it was also the root of Mimi’s deeply ingrained cynicism.

She didn’t even lift her head as she spoke, her tone calm and indifferent. It showed that she had anticipated this all along.

Never mind what Han Chao was thinking at that moment.

Zhang Yanli clapped her hands together, the sound landing on Han Chao’s chest like a heavy stone.

“So, you’ve already planned it out! What’s there to hesitate about? Han Chao, you know Ma Jinfeng, right? The famous coal boss from the capital…” She kept talking.

Han Chao glanced at his daughter again.

Her hands were steady, her posture unwavering. The two groups of ants had successfully occupied the high ground, forming a defensive circle.

If this were a real battlefield, she would have captured the flag and won.

This was his daughter. If nurtured properly, she would surpass him.

She had the makings of a great commander.