Walking ahead of the group, Bai Yichen couldn’t help but curl his lips into a slight smile as he listened to the teasing banter from his brothers behind him. Turning back to look at them, he feigned a serious tone and said, “Alright, enough joking around. Let’s head down the mountain and get back. I still have to head to the provincial city to check on my mother-in-law.”

Having worked together for years, his brothers didn’t hold back. As soon as Bai Yichen finished speaking, one of them fearlessly continued teasing.

“Captain, checking on your mother-in-law is just an excuse, right? You’re really actually going to see your wife, aren’t you?”

“Exactly! Your wife’s been away for a few days now. You’ve probably been eating plain ‘vegetarian’ meals these past days, huh?”

“Man, with your strength and youth, how could you survive eating ‘vegetarian’ every day? Since you’re married, why not hurry to the provincial city and ‘eat meat’?”

Bai Yichen: “…”

He wanted to “eat meat,” but he hadn’t even had the chance yet. Married for so long, and he was still living a “vegetarian” life.

Of course, he couldn’t let the brothers know about that. Let them tease all they wanted. He kept his face composed, but as he thought about how he’d likely be heading to the provincial city every night for the next ten days, he turned stern again and issued instructions.

“Alright, say what you want. But listen up—over the next few days, I’ll be in the provincial city helping care for my mother-in-law at night. You guys better stay alert in the dormitory and not stir up any trouble.”

Wang Aiguo smirked and said enviously, “Sigh, married life is something else. When your wife’s not around, you’ve got to trail after her.”

The others: “…”

Well, obviously. He’s married. Of course, he’d want to stick close to his wife instead of sleeping alone in a cold bed.

Bai Yichen silently agreed with Wang Aiguo’s logic. Wasn’t he trailing after his wife because she barely paid him any attention? Still, he pretended to be mature and said, “What nonsense are you spouting? My mother-in-law is in the hospital, so I’m going to help take care of her. Once she’s discharged, I’ll bring your sister-in-law back with me.”

Wang Aiguo immediately put on a learning expression and said cheekily, “Oh, Captain, you’re absolutely right. But when your wife comes back, you’ve got to ask her to make a good meal to treat us brothers.”

Hearing this, the others chimed in eagerly.

“Yeah! We’ve been missing her cooking for a long time!”

Back when Bai Yichen wasn’t married, the food at the unit’s canteen had seemed decent. But ever since An Xin started cooking for Bai Yichen, the brothers had been spoiled by her cooking. The canteen food no longer satisfied their palates.

Looking at their pleading eyes, Bai Yichen sighed helplessly and relented, “Fine. I’ll talk to your sister-in-law. Once everything at home is sorted, we’ll arrange a big meal so you can eat to your heart’s content. But let me be clear—until then, you must keep everything in the unit in order. If anything goes wrong, the meal is off.”

As soon as he said that, their eyes lit up like wolves spotting prey. Wang Aiguo even clasped his hands like a bashful wife and said with a grin, “Oh, Captain, you’re so kind. If you were a woman, I’d fall in love with you!”

The others burst out laughing, joining in the playful banter.

“Captain, you’re the best!”

“Yeah, even after getting married, you haven’t forgotten about us!”

Bai Yichen: “…”

He had no idea his brothers had such sharp tongues. Their flattery was so quick and effortless.

“Alright, I’m leaving. Save whatever else you have to say for later.”

Waving dismissively at the group, Bai Yichen strode off in frustration.

Meanwhile, An Xin, who was driving a heavy truck towards the train station, had no idea that Bai Yichen had committed her to a big dinner for his “hungry wolves” of a team.

The day’s transportation had gone smoothly. An Xin planned to finish another run before inviting the team to the rental apartment near the provincial hospital for dinner. Following closely behind Kaizi’s truck, she found herself caught in rush-hour traffic.

Kaizi’s truck sped through the back gate of the provincial government compound, kicking up dust. An Xin’s truck was blocked by a crowd of staff members leaving work.

“Ugh, lost him again!” she sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. She had planned to speed up at the next intersection to catch up with Kaizi and discuss dinner arrangements. Now, with no mobile phones or ways to contact Kaizi or the others, it looked like dinner would be delayed.

As staff members exited the provincial government building in droves, Zhang Fan, carrying his briefcase, was the last to leave. Glancing at the leadership offices, he noticed the lights were off, indicating that the higher-ups had already left. Relieved, he headed for the back gate.

Just as he reached the exit, a deep male voice called out, “Xiao Zhang, working late again?”

Turning around, Zhang Fan saw Director Zhou approaching, his large belly leading the way. Quickly, Zhang Fan put on a polite smile and replied, “Oh, Director Zhou, it’s you! It’s already past office hours. Why are you still here? You’re truly dedicated to your work!”

Director Zhou, with his waddling gait, looked at Zhang Fan with satisfaction. “Oh, Xiao Zhang, you’re too kind. This old body doesn’t have much time left in the game. The future belongs to young talents like you. Keep working hard!”

Director Zhou gave Zhang Fan’s shoulder a friendly pat. Zhang Fan’s smile widened, and he replied eagerly, “Oh, Director Zhou, you’re far from old! You’re still in your prime. We young folks have so much to learn from you!”