Chapter 30

After the dinner gathering, Shi Tingyu felt relieved about an important matter.

Following the enthusiastic praises of the guests who had dined at her home, Shi Tingyu’s culinary skills had become quite renowned in the compound.

Especially Damao, who, when talking to his classmates, would proudly boast about his aunt’s cooking skills, leaving them to assume she was his actual aunt.

On this day, Shi Tingyu planned to take the supply truck to buy some groceries.

The vegetables in the compound garden had just sprouted, so they would have to wait a couple of months before they could harvest them.

With few people on the truck that day, Shi Tingyu was at ease, not having to deal with crowds.

Just as she thought she could make it to town without any interactions, a woman in her fifties cheerfully sat next to Shi Tingyu.

Smiling, the woman said, “Xiao Lu’s wife, I’m the mother of the instructor from the Third Battalion. I have a favor to ask you. Can you help me out?”

Looking at the unfamiliar woman, Shi Tingyu replied calmly, “What can I help you with?”

The instructor from the Third Battalion was called Lu Wenbin, and everyone fondly referred to his mother as Aunt Lu.

Excitedly tapping her leg, Aunt Lu said, “Not long ago, my daughter-in-law gave birth to a chubby grandson. In a week, the child will turn one month old. I heard you’re skilled in the kitchen and thought you could help organize a meal for the occasion.”

Without much consideration, Shi Tingyu politely declined.

While she excelled at cooking, she wasn’t fond of catering large events, especially banquets, and wasn’t experienced in cooking for a large group.

It was both exhausting and mentally taxing.

Plus, if she set a precedent, everyone would start expecting her to cater events regularly.

If she ever decided to decline in the future, she was afraid of being criticized for being selective about when to help.

Cooking at home was enjoyable, but catering large events was a different story.

She had witnessed the challenges during the recent dinner they hosted, which had kept them busy all day, even with Mrs. Zhang and Lu Weiguo’s help.

“Excuse me, I’ve never organized a banquet before, and in a couple of days, I have to start work. Besides, I’m not available at the moment,” Shi Tingyu politely declined.

Seeing Shi Tingyu’s diplomatic refusal, Aunt Lu insisted, “Oh, it’s nothing. Take a day off, and I’ll give you a two-dollar red packet.”

Shi Tingyu explained, “It’s not about the money. I’m starting work soon, and it wouldn’t be right to take leave right after beginning a new job, don’t you think?”

Persistently pushed, Aunt Lu’s face fell a bit. “Xiao Lu’s wife, I’m reaching out to you despite my age, and you’re still declining. Two dollars may not seem like much, but you’re only making thirty-six dollars as a teacher for a month, which is less than what you’d earn in a day, right?”

Shi Tingyu pursed her lips, her expression cooling. She responded, “It’s not about the money. I can’t neglect my primary job to help you, and I’m not suited for this task. If you’re keen on hosting an event, there are professional chefs available who are more experienced and capable than me.”

Faced with Shi Tingyu’s firm refusal, Aunt Lu huffed and turned away.

The other women on the truck remained silent; their husbands’ positions didn’t compare to those of Aunt Lu and Shi Tingyu.

Aunt Lu knew she could hire an outside chef, but it wasn’t as easy as it seemed. Apart from the hefty fee, chefs expected additional perks like kickbacks from purchasing ingredients. Hosting a celebration would be costly.

That’s why she had thought of asking Shi Tingyu for help.    

Unexpectedly, Xiao Lu’s wife, Shi Tingyu, was unyielding, refusing to accept the red packet. It was rare for a neighbor to help without any form of compensation.

Feeling frustrated, Aunt Lu didn’t exchange a single word with Shi Tingyu throughout the journey.

With the peace and quiet, Shi Tingyu’s furrowed brow relaxed. Silence was preferable; it brought her a sense of calm.

However, to Shi Tingyu’s surprise, the matter was far from over.

That evening when Lu Weiguo returned from training, he was intercepted by Aunt Lu along the way.

Meeting Lu Weiguo’s stern expression, Aunt Lu felt a hint of nervousness. However, considering the money involved, she gathered her courage and said, “Xiao Lu, I need to talk to you about something.”

Lu Weiguo couldn’t recall any interaction with the mother of the Third Battalion instructor, but out of respect for her age, he didn’t walk away immediately.

“What is it?” he inquired.

With Lu Weiguo’s low and deep voice, Aunt Lu’s eyes flickered, feeling somewhat relieved.

Lu Weiguo appeared to have a strong personality, someone who could manage his wife effectively.

If she brought up the matter, he might convince his wife to help out. If the woman didn’t listen, it was likely the man’s fault.

Thinking along these lines, she straightened up and said, “Xiao Lu, in a week, our grandson will turn one month old. I wanted to ask your wife to assist with organizing a meal for the occasion, and I was even going to give her a two-dollar red packet. But she finds it tiring and refuses. How can we pass up the opportunity for extra income?”

“Women cook wherever they are, and I’m even paying for it,” she justified.

Lu Weiguo’s brows furrowed as he sensed something amiss in her words. As she continued, his expression darkened.

Seeing his increasingly menacing demeanor, Aunt Lu continued with more vigor, “Xiao Lu, no offense, but your wife needs to take care of her responsibilities. It’s not right to be lazy.”

At this point, Lu Weiguo’s face turned completely cold, and he spoke with a stern tone, “What do you mean? My wife isn’t a cook; she can’t handle that kind of work.”

His wife was delicate, and he could imagine the workload from their previous dinner gathering; organizing a celebration would be even more demanding.

Aunt Lu looked incredulous, saying, “I’m not asking her to work for free; I was even going to give her a two-dollar red packet.”

Lu Weiguo uttered coldly, “Hiring someone outside to cater a meal costs at least five dollars.”

Aunt Lu choked up.

Lu Weiguo reiterated, “I wouldn’t even let my wife cook; find someone else.”

If not for the fact that the other party was a military spouse, he wouldn’t have bothered speaking those few words.

Seeing Lu Weiguo about to leave, Aunt Lu found the courage to grab his arm.

With a cold gaze from Lu Weiguo, Aunt Lu instinctively pulled her hand back, but she couldn’t resist saying, “Xiao Lu, what you’re saying isn’t right. In our military community, we should help each other. There’s no need to be so strict. Let her handle the event; it’s not a big deal.”

Lu Weiguo was almost amused, “I remember Lu Wenbin has a sister; he always says she excels at cooking and housework. Let your daughter-in-law do it, and you can save those two dollars.”

This remark agitated Aunt Lu, and she retorted, “What nonsense are you spouting? My daughter is a high school graduate and currently works in the Women’s Federation propaganda department. She doesn’t have time for such tasks!”

Lu Wenbin’s sister was named Lu Wenchan, often praised by Lu Wenbin to find a good family in the military community.

Otherwise, Lu Weiguo wouldn’t have known about Lu Wenchan’s situation.

Observing Aunt Lu’s expression, Lu Weiguo chose not to engage further, simply stating, “Anyway, my wife is also a high school graduate. Besides, I earn enough for us; she doesn’t have the time or need to do such tiring work.”

With his broad shoulders and long strides, Lu Weiguo easily outpaced Aunt Lu’s shorter legs.

She could only watch as Lu Weiguo disappeared around the corner.

Frustrated, she stomped her foot before resigning herself and walking away.