Chapter 38

Lu Wenbin’s face darkened beyond description as he said, “Take some food to your sister-in-law. She’s eating alone in the room; it’s too lonely. Stay in the room with her.”

Seeing her brother had said this much, Lu Wenchan reluctantly agreed, “I’ll take it to her first. Jinbao should be asleep by now, so I’ll still eat outside. I don’t want to wake him up.”

Saying this, she carried the food prepared for Su Qiaoyue into the room.

When Lu Wenchan returned, everyone finally started eating.

They say comparisons can be hurtful.

Sitting next to Shi Tingyu, Lu Wenchan was outshone in every aspect: looks, figure, and table manners. Shi Tingyu’s elegance made Lu Wenchan seem ordinary, even worse than ordinary — completely overshadowed.

Anyone would feel awkward eating when one person at the table was all smiles and graceful, while the other had a plain face, a hostile look, and an attitude of eating like it was an act of revenge.

Hosts usually welcome guests with a smile, not with a sour face.

Even Aunt Lu, despite her friction with Lu Weiguo and his wife, still put on a smiling face.

Instructor Lu’s sister didn’t know her place and had a poor personality.

At this moment, Captain Yang decided he couldn’t pursue anything further with Lu Wenchan.

Shi Tingyu observed everyone’s expressions clearly.

She shook her head inwardly. They underestimated how a woman with a strong sense of jealousy would react when compared to others.

Under normal circumstances, Lu Wenchan probably wouldn’t behave so irrationally.

But things coincided. With Shi Tingyu present, and the potential for a relationship with someone sitting nearby, how could she not care?

Usually, she might have been spoiled, but now, in the heat of the moment, she lost her composure.

Lu Weiguo glanced at his wife and saw her only picking at the food in front of her. With his long arms, he helped serve her food from the far side of the table.

He even placed a piece of fish belly in her bowl.

The Second and Third Battalion Commanders were used to this display, but others looked on with amused eyes.

Shi Tingyu looked at Lu Weiguo and said softly, “Don’t worry about me, you eat too.”

Lu Weiguo nodded, giving her another serving of food before stopping.

Watching this, Lu Wenchan felt a bit uncomfortable, but when she saw Lu Weiguo’s stern and cold face, she felt relieved.

She thought, no matter how well he treated her, he still looked scary.

It was lucky Shi Tingyu wasn’t afraid.

With this in mind, Lu Wenchan’s expression softened, and she even attempted to talk to Shi Tingyu.

“Comrade Shi, I heard you wanted to work in our publicity department before?”

Shi Tingyu swallowed her food and asked, “Who did you hear that from?”

Lu Wenchan smiled, “Don’t be so guarded, what’s there to hide? It’s not like you got the job. Our director told us our department has high standards. Now you’re a teacher, which is also good, though it can’t compare to our department.”

Back then, their director had said, “You all better pull yourselves together. Our publicity department’s work is in high demand. If you slack off, plenty of capable people are waiting. I just got a call from the organization department. Director Wu recommended Lu Battalion Commander’s wife. If you think you can match her abilities, then go ahead and slack off. If not, you better work hard, or I’ll replace you.”

But Lu Wenchan’s words made it seem like their director didn’t take Shi Tingyu seriously.

Lu Wenchan’s intentional belittling of the teaching profession while elevating herself offended several people at the table.

Liu Xiaohong and Shi Tingyu were both teachers at the local school, and even Su Qiaoyue was one.

Her words displeased not only Shi Tingyu and Liu Xiaohong and their husbands but also her own brother.

“What’s wrong with being a teacher? Teaching isn’t something just anyone can do. It requires education, patience, attention to detail, and courage. Not everyone can stand in front of fifty people and teach.”

Facing her brother’s angry eyes, Lu Wenchan felt a moment of guilt.

Then Shi Tingyu spoke up, “I didn’t know I wanted to join your department. Our jobs are all organized by the organization department. But I’m glad I became a teacher. The other teachers in my office are wonderful, and we get along well. If I had joined the publicity department, I’d probably be stressed about getting along with my colleagues every day.”

Hearing Shi Tingyu’s words, Liu Xiaohong couldn’t help but laugh.

Teacher Shi’s words practically implied that Lu a bad temperament would cause conflicts with others.

Lu Wenchan finally realized it, glaring angrily at Shi Tingyu, “You!”

Lu Wenbin snapped, “Lu Wenchan, eat your food.”

Lu Wenchan had never felt so humiliated.

Especially in front of so many outsiders, her brother didn’t leave her any face at all.

How could she hold her head high in the future?

She glanced towards Captain Yang, only to find that he wasn’t even looking at her. His attention was on the food in front of him, seemingly oblivious to their exchange.

Tears welled up in Lu Wenchan’s eyes, almost spilling over.

Aunt Lu couldn’t bear it any longer. She gave her daughter a piece of meat and said to everyone, “Sorry for the embarrassment. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Despite what they felt, everyone gave Aunt Lu face, politely agreeing and saying she was too kind.

However, the meal felt tasteless.

Seeing everyone’s low spirits, Aunt Lu tried to salvage her daughter’s pride, “Try this braised green beans with pork. It’s Xiao Chan’s specialty.”

Everyone politely took some.

However, the commanders who had tasted Shi Tingyu’s cooking had odd expressions. Wasn’t Lu Instructor’s sister supposed to be an excellent cook?

The braised green beans with pork were nowhere near as good as Xiao Lu’s wife’s cooking.

It was just average home-cooked food.

If Shi Tingyu knew their thoughts, she would definitely say,

Lu Wenchan’s brother tried to build her up, but she couldn’t live up to it.

Seeing everyone eating, Aunt Lu asked with a smile, “How is it? Tastes good, right?”

Those who hadn’t tasted Shi Tingyu’s cooking nodded sincerely, while the commanders’ nods were more forced.

Nevertheless, Lu Wenchan felt somewhat comforted.

She gave Shi Tingyu a subtle glance, meaning to say, “Everyone praises your cooking, but mine isn’t bad either.”

Shi Tingyu almost rolled her eyes.

She had no intention of competing.

As a married woman, why would she need to fuss over such things? She didn’t need to impress anyone.

Lu Weiguo leaned closer to Shi Tingyu, whispering, “Your cooking is the best.”

Shi Tingyu couldn’t help but smile.

This man really knew how to make her happy.