Chapter 43: An An and the Broadcasting Station

“Who knows?” Li Xia scoffed. 

“By the way, Sister-in-law, do you know of any jobs that would suit me? Can you introduce me to one?” 

Before her article was published in the newspaper, she needed a job as a temporary solution. 

Sister-in-law Tao was well-connected, having been part of the military family relocations for a long time. She knew a lot of people, so asking her might lead to an unexpected opportunity. 

Sister-in-law Tao said, “You know what? You actually asked at the right time. Master Zhao from the Military Family Cafeteria asked me to see if you’d be interested in working there. You wouldn’t be cooking communal meals, just handling private cooking, so it’s not as exhausting as large-scale cooking. Plus, the salary is just as high as the communal meal chefs. But I thought you were going to work at the Broadcasting Station, so I turned it down for you. The cafeteria job is decent, but it’s not as good as the Broadcasting Station. But since you didn’t get into the Broadcasting Station, you might as well give the cafeteria a try.”

At this time, a job at the cafeteria was actually quite good. The pay was high, the benefits were excellent, and it even came with extra supplies like cooking oil, rice, and flour. 

Moreover, the salary was a few yuan higher than that of the Broadcasting Station—though, admittedly, it wasn’t as prestigious as working there. 

“Alright, I’ll take it,” Li Xia agreed without hesitation. 

She went with Sister-in-law Tao to the Military Family Cafeteria to find Master Zhao. When Master Zhao heard that Li Xia was coming to work, he was delighted. 

“I’m from the same hometown as Xiao Hu. That day, Commander Gu brought him some vegetables, and I got to taste a bit as well—the flavor was really something. It just so happens that Master Tan, who usually handles private cooking, hasn’t been feeling well and has been in the hospital. I was thinking you could fill in for a while. And even after he returns, it’s no problem—we can set up a separate window just for you.” 

Master Zhao had nothing but praise for Li Xia’s cooking skills. 

Li Xia said, “Master Zhao, I can tell you’re a straightforward person, so I won’t hide anything from you. Actually, I only came here because the Broadcasting Station was no longer hiring. It’s not that I dislike working at the cafeteria, but personally, I prefer jobs related to writing and academics. So, if another suitable opportunity comes up in the future, I might leave.” 

Hearing this, Master Zhao found her to be especially honest. She was upfront about her plans instead of making empty promises and then failing to follow through later. 

Master Zhao said, “Just having you here is already a huge help to me. If you need to leave when the time comes, that’s fine too. If Master Tan hasn’t returned by then, I’ll find someone else, and if necessary, I’ll step in myself. Either way, I won’t let this job hold you back.” 

And just like that, the job was happily settled.

Since it was already noon, Li Xia decided to head home first and start work tomorrow. 

…

At lunchtime, Gu Weicheng brought food back from the cafeteria, intending to eat with An An. 

However, when he arrived home and saw Li Xia there, he was surprised. “Why are you back so early? Are you feeling unwell, or do you not have to start work on the first day?”

Li Xia shook her head. “Neither.”

Seeing her like this, Gu Weicheng became anxious and couldn’t wait to ask, “What happened?”

An An, sitting beside them, chimed in, “Mommy said the Broadcasting Station already hired someone.”

“They hired someone?” Gu Weicheng’s brows furrowed tightly, and his face darkened. “But the Organization Department told me just yesterday to have you report to work today. How did they suddenly fill the position? Who did they hire?”

Li Xia said, “Su Wenyen. She only applied last night. The Organization Department probably didn’t know about it yet at that time.” 

“Su Wenyen? Commander Su’s younger sister?” Gu Weicheng’s frown deepened, forming a tight crease between his brows. 

Li Xia nodded. “Mm. She seems to have finished high school, so her literacy level is higher than mine. It makes sense that the Broadcasting Station would hire her.” 

Gu Weicheng, however, didn’t agree. His tone was cold and firm as he said, “There are plenty of high school graduates, but not all of them can write an article like yours. If the Broadcasting Station didn’t hire you, that’s their loss.” 

He didn’t have a good impression of Su Wenyen and refused to believe that someone like her could write as well as his wife. 

Seeing that Gu Weicheng was even angrier than she was, Li Xia couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not even mad, so why are you?”

Gu Weicheng said, “I’m just angry that they don’t recognize true talent.” 

As he spoke, he reached out and held Li Xia’s hand. “Wife, your writing is truly outstanding.” 

Ever since the last time he called her wife and she didn’t object, the term had come more and more naturally to him. 

Calling her Xiao Li felt too distant, like addressing one of his subordinates. Gu Weicheng only used that name when others were around.

His hands were broad and well-defined, completely enveloping Li Xia’s own, filling her with a deep sense of security. 

Meeting Gu Weicheng’s affectionate gaze, Li Xia’s heartbeat quickened slightly. She chuckled and said, “That’s right, they were blind to talent. Let them regret it.” 

So, what if Su Wenyen had taken the position at the broadcasting station? 

She had Gu Weicheng, An An, a strong support system and a warm home. 

These are things Su Wenyen could never take away from her. 

“My wife… I actually earn over 130 yuan a month. It’s more than enough to take care of you and An An. Our family doesn’t need you to go out and earn money. You can just stay home and do what you enjoy. When you have free time, you can write articles—it’ll be more comfortable that way,” Gu Weicheng said. 

He wasn’t being old-fashioned, thinking that women should just stay at home. 

If Li Xia wanted to work, he fully supported her. It was just that now that the broadcasting station job was no longer an option, he said this to comfort her. 

Li Xia understood it all. 

This man might be tall and imposing, but he was also incredibly attentive—not rough or careless. 

He was trying to console her. 

“I know,” Li Xia said with a smile, “but this morning, I already found a job.” 

Gu Weicheng was surprised. “You found a job? What kind of job?” 

Li Xia then explained how Master Zhao had approached Sister-in-law Tao, and how the two of them had gone to the cafeteria to meet with him.

“Master Zhao said my cooking skills are excellent. After tasting my dishes, he wanted me to work in their cafeteria.” Li Xia lifted her chin slightly, a proud look on her face as if saying, ‘See how amazing your wife is?’

Gu Weicheng had still been upset about Li Xia losing the broadcasting station job, but seeing her like this, he felt much better. A smile appeared on his face. 

“My wife is amazing,” Gu Weicheng praised her. 

At first, he had worried that working in the cafeteria would be tiring, but since Li Xia was willing and it was at the private cooking station instead of communal cooking, he decided not to object. 

While Gu Weicheng and Li Xia were talking, An An had been quietly drawing something with a pen. 

Once he had finished, he handed the drawing to Li Xia and said, “Mommy, this is for you.”

Li Xia took the drawing and glanced at it, finding it somewhat familiar. Wasn’t this the entrance to the broadcasting station? The sign even had the character “Guang” written on it. Since An An didn’t know how to write “Bo” and “Zhan”, those spaces were left blank. 

In front of the broadcasting station, An An had written his own name, making it read “An An Broadcasting Station.”

Although An An was still young and his drawing wasn’t very realistic, he had captured the essence of it well. 

“An An, is this the broadcasting station?” Since he had accompanied her there earlier, he recognized the place. 

An An nodded. “Yes! Mommy, they don’t want Mommy, but An An’s Broadcasting Station wants Mommy. Mommy can come work here.” 

This child… 

Li Xia felt warmth spread in her heart, yet at the same time, her eyes welled up with tears. 

Her little An An was always so understanding and sweet, always trying to cheer her up.

How could she be so fortunate? To have a child like An An. 

“I really love it,” Li Xia said as she hugged An An tightly. 

…

After lunch, Gu Weicheng left for a meeting. This time, it was a regimental commanders’ meeting for their division, and all the regiment commanders under the garrison division had to attend. 

On the way, he ran into Su Wenbin, who greeted him, “Old Gu, heading to the meeting? Let’s go together.” 

Gu Weicheng glanced at him coldly, ignored him, and continued walking on his own. 

Su Wenbin scratched his head, completely clueless as to what had upset Gu Weicheng. He quickly jogged up to him and asked, 

“Hey, Old Gu, what’s up with you today? You’ve got such a sour face. I greeted you, and you didn’t even acknowledge me. Who pissed you off?” 

Gu Weicheng removed Su Wenbin’s hand from his shoulder and said coldly, “Wouldn’t Commander Su know exactly who upset me?”