Chapter 35 – A Farce at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative

Zhao Juanjuan hadn’t expected that someone who looked so soft and weak could actually have such a fiery temper.

Ye Tao’s loud outburst just now had drawn everyone’s attention. People had long been displeased with Zhao Juanjuan, and now they were pointing fingers and whispering about her.

“Comrade Zhao, even if you’re the niece of the cooperative director, you can’t take out your temper on ordinary folks. People come here to buy things; they don’t expect you to bow and scrape, but at the very least you should show some basic courtesy, right?”

The one speaking was Wu Huaying, a straightforward woman from Heilongjiang who couldn’t tolerate the slightest injustice. She had disliked Zhao Juanjuan for a long time—always looking at people with disdain, nostrils flared, as if the whole world revolved around her.

Everyone lived together in the family compound. Offending people every day without fear of bringing trouble to Director Lu really took some nerve.

“Sister-in-law Wu is right. Comrade Zhao, today you’re in the wrong. Just look at the slogan on the wall—‘Serve the People.’ If you keep acting like this, we’ll have to lodge a complaint with Director Lu.”

Zhao Juanjuan clearly didn’t realize the situation she was in. Her eyes reddened as she pointed at Ye Tao and the others, snapping, “You—you’re going too far!”

“Ha! Now we’re the ones at fault?”

The military wives exchanged looks, all shaking their heads. With this, Director Lu’s reputation was completely ruined by her.

“What’s going on here?”

Lu Zhengyi had just returned from a business trip and was passing by the cooperative to check on the staff. He hadn’t even stepped inside when he heard the argument.

Wu Huaying spoke up: “Director Lu, you’ve come just in time. Zhao Juanjuan slacked off at work. This comrade came to buy something, but she just sat there cracking sunflower seeds instead of helping, then even lost her temper. With someone like that working in the cooperative, I for one won’t stand for it.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhengyi looked at the pile of shells on the counter. Back in his army days he was known for his iron-fisted discipline, and his sharp gaze could pierce right through a person.

Zhao Juanjuan shrank away, lowering her head, not daring to meet his eyes.

Seeing this, Lu Zhengyi knew very well who was in the wrong. Disappointment colored his voice: “Juanjuan, apologize to this comrade.”

She didn’t dare talk back. Holding her anger inside, she muttered, “Sorry.”

Ye Tao tapped her ear and said blandly, “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”

“You—!” Zhao Juanjuan choked.

Lu Zhengyi’s low grunt made her flinch.

She raised her voice and shouted, “I said, sorry!”

Ye Tao smiled faintly. “Now, can you weigh out that sugar for me?”

With her uncle watching, Zhao Juanjuan didn’t dare refuse. She quickly and skillfully measured the sugar, wishing Ye Tao would leave as soon as possible.

Before heading out, Ye Tao nodded politely to Wu Huaying, thanking her for speaking up.

By the time she got home, Xu Lan and Zhang Yuzhen had already cooked two dishes.

“Sorry, I made you wait,” Ye Tao said apologetically.

Xu Lan waved it off. “What are you saying that for? We agreed to help, and besides, we can’t just eat and drink for free. But you—why were you gone so long?”

Ye Tao recounted what had happened at the cooperative.

Zhang Yuzhen snorted. “She definitely did that on purpose.”

Ye Tao blinked. “What do you mean?”

“She once ran into Vice Commander Huo and went home asking her aunt—Director Lu’s wife—to arrange a blind date between them. When Vice Commander Huo turned her down, she and her aunt sulked for ages. Lots of people in the compound know about it.”

Realizing this might sound awkward, Zhang Yuzhen quickly added, “But Taotao, don’t overthink it. Vice Commander Huo never showed any interest. Every time he saw her, he deliberately avoided her.”

Ye Tao had confidence in both herself and Huo Tingwu. “I know, sister-in-law.”

Zhang Yuzhen nodded. “Well, Zhao Juanjuan’s aunt isn’t easy to deal with either. She married Director Lu as his first wife, but here’s the thing—Director Lu’s original wife passed away, and he hadn’t remarried. Later, through the organization, he was supposed to meet another woman. But when the day came, the one who showed up was Zhao Shuhui. She claimed the other woman was sick and couldn’t come. Director Lu didn’t make a fuss—after all, it was an arranged meeting. But not long after, somehow he ended up marrying Zhao Shuhui instead.”

She gave a dry laugh. “Who knows what the truth really was? But from what I’ve seen of Zhao Shuhui, she’s not someone worth getting close to. Anyway, I’m about to leave soon, so I’ll just say a bit more. Take it as gossip, nothing more.”

Ye Tao and Xu Lan exchanged a knowing look. They understood perfectly. Then the three of them got back to cooking.

The pork belly was blanched, then stir-fried in caramelized sugar before adding star anise, bay leaves, and water to braise.

While the braised pork simmered, they cooked the other dishes.

Luckily, the kitchen had two big woks; otherwise, they’d never keep up.

Ye Tao even made a simple treat for the children—sweetened tomatoes, also called “sugar-coated snow cups.”

When Huo Tingwu came home from work, Ye Tao couldn’t help but recall Zhao Juanjuan, and though it wasn’t his fault, she still felt a little uncomfortable.

Xu Lan told him about what happened at the cooperative. Huo Tingwu’s brows immediately furrowed.

“You’d better explain things clearly to Ye Tao,” Xu Lan reminded.

“Thank you, sister-in-law,” Huo Tingwu said solemnly.

Later, Ye Tao was reaching for a large mango high on a branch, stretching on tiptoe.

“Here, let me.” His deep voice sounded behind her, and a big hand easily plucked the mango.

Ye Tao muttered, “So what if you’re tall?”

She snatched the fruit and started walking inside without a glance.

Quick as lightning, Huo Tingwu caught her arm. “Taotao, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing? Unless… you have done something to be sorry for?” she teased.

“Of course not!” he said anxiously.

Seeing his flustered face, Ye Tao burst out laughing, her irritation melting away.

“Taotao, I have nothing to do with Zhao Juanjuan. Back then, Director Lu’s wife—her aunt, Zhao Shuhui—suddenly came to me about a blind date with her niece. I wasn’t even thinking about marriage at the time, so I refused. I never imagined she’d take it out on you. Don’t worry, I’ll speak with Director Lu right away.”

He turned to leave, but Ye Tao held him back. “Director Lu already knows. He made her apologize in front of everyone.”

Huo Tingwu relaxed a little. “If she dares cause trouble again, just tell me. I’ll deal with it.”

“Alright, I know.”

“What secret are you two whispering about?”

Zhou Chongli entered carrying Ruirui, who immediately ran to hug Ye Tao’s leg, acting spoiled.

“Hey, brat, don’t hug her!” Huo Tingwu scolded.

With Ye Tao backing him, Ruirui made a face. “I will! I will!”

Huo Tingwu pretended to chase him, and the boy squealed, running laps around the courtyard.

“Enough, stop teasing him,” Ye Tao said, laughing. “He’s running around getting air in his belly. He won’t feel well at dinner.”

Huo Tingwu finally caught Ruirui and hoisted him onto his shoulder. “Got you!”

“Old Zhou, you got here fast,” Ding Daming greeted as he entered with his wife and children.