On his first night as a substitute bride accompanying the army, the abstinent tycoon dropped his pre

Chapter 29 The Imperial Chef of Northeast China?

"Are you from the countryside too?"

Wen Ci: "Mm."

Upon hearing this, the women smiled and developed a more favorable impression of Wen Ci. In those days, most city dwellers looked down on rural people.

Several city dwellers have also visited the military compound's family quarters.

But after getting to know them, they all preferred hanging out with people they got along with: "Hey girl, how come your skin is so smooth and beautiful? Do you have any secrets?"

Wen Ci shook her head: "Perhaps she is naturally beautiful."

The calluses on her hands prove that Wen Ci is a skilled worker.

Which building do you live in?

“Uh…” Wen Ci hesitated.

She really didn't know which building she lived in. She tried hard to remember, and vaguely remembered that it was written on the wall, but in the end she still couldn't remember: "I can't remember which building it is."

"It's okay if you can't remember, just come visit us often!"

The group introduced themselves; the woman from Northeast China was named Zhu Jing.

The eldest sister sitting next to Zhu Jing is named Hou Li, the eldest sister with tanned skin is named Xiang Qin, and the eldest sister who doesn't talk much is named Miao Ling.

Wen Ci smiled gently and said, "My name is Wen Ci. From now on, I'll call you Sister Jing, Sister Li, Sister Qin, and Sister Ling, okay?"

When the group introduced themselves, they mentioned their ages. Wen Ci was twenty-three years old this year, and they were a few years older than her, so she addressed them all as "sister."

"Wen Ci, come to my house for lunch!"

After spending a few minutes together, Zhu Jing really liked Wen Ci's personality, so she thought about it and invited her to her home for lunch.

Wen Ci quickly waved her hand to refuse: "No, no, that won't do. I'll just have lunch at the military canteen."

"The cafeteria is too expensive; it's cheaper to cook your own meals."

Aside from the free breakfast, lunch and dinner require payment. Many residents in the compound buy a week's worth of groceries to keep at home, much like in a canteen.

Cooking your own meals is actually cheaper than going to the cafeteria.

Wen Ci hesitated for a moment, then thought that Huo Jingyuan might come back at noon, and even if he didn't, Xue Li would still come to deliver food to her.

If I'm not home.

not good.

Wen Ci said, "My husband might be back around noon."

"They won't be back." Zhu Jing explained with a smile, "The men all went on a field training exercise today, and they won't be back until at least tomorrow."

Zhu Jing was among the first to move into the family compound. Her husband was from Lijiazhuang. He served in the army in Northeast China years ago and was transferred back in recent years.

She knew exactly when the monthly training sessions would take place.

Seeing Wen Ci's hesitant look, Zhu Jing pretended to be angry and said, "Xiao Ci, do you look down on your sister?"

"No," Wen Ci replied earnestly.

"Xiao Ci, please say yes to A Jing. Her ancestors were imperial chefs in Northeast China. We've all tasted her cooking; the vegetables are even tastier than the meat."

Royal Chef!

Wen Ci's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but lick her lips, thinking that since Huo Jingyuan could buy vegetables and meat from the cafeteria, she might as well treat him to a meal herself.

Wen Ci slowly said, "How about this, Sister Jing, Sister Li, Sister Qin, Sister Ling, I'll treat you to lunch today. How about Sister Jing cooks?"

Wen Ci made the final decision: "It's settled then, otherwise I'll assume you don't like me and don't want to be my friend."

Zhu Jing listened to Wen Ci's "tough talk," and the others exchanged helpless smiles before finally saying, "You're treating today, so next time it'll be my turn to treat. Let's each treat once."

"can."

The group chatted for a while longer when Zhu Jing heard a child crying upstairs and said, "The child is awake; I have to take him to school." In this era, women generally married and had children early.

Apart from Sister Ling, the others have all had children and are old enough to attend childcare classes.

Wen Ci then left, heading towards the gate of the family compound. She thought for a moment—Huo Jingyuan had already asked Xue Li to bring her lunch!
This suggests that Xue Li may not have gone on the training exercise. She is not familiar with the canteen and needs Xue Li's help to talk to the aunties in the canteen kitchen when buying meat and vegetables.

Upon arriving at the guardhouse, the two young men who had seen Wen Ci the day before yesterday were still on guard duty. They greeted Wen Ci with loud shouts, "Hello, sister-in-law!"

"Hello." Wen Ci waved to them and asked, "Do you know Xue Li?"

"know."

Wen Ci caught a glimpse of a landline on the guard's desk out of the corner of her eye. She suddenly remembered that there was also a landline in her living room at home, so she could call Huo Li directly.

The military compound has only one internal number. No matter who makes the call, it goes to the switchboard first, and then the switchboard will transfer the call to someone else.

Should I call Captain Xue for you?

"Is that alright?" Wen Ci's eyes lit up.

"Of course, we are here to serve the women in the family compound."

A minute later, the call was answered: "Sister-in-law, please come in and answer the phone."

Wen Ci put the landline receiver to her ear, and Xue Li's voice came from the other end: "Sister-in-law, is there something you need to talk to me about?"

Wen Ci said, "Xue Li, I have something to ask you."

"Sister-in-law, please feel free to ask."

“I’d like to invite a few of the ladies from the family compound to lunch. We plan to cook our own meals, and I’d like to ask if you could help me buy some meat and vegetables from the canteen kitchen.”

"can."

Xue Li agreed without hesitation. He often traveled to Haishi for business and frequently brought back supplies for the kitchen staff from Haishi. He had a very good relationship with the kitchen staff.

Buying some vegetables and meat from them is a piece of cake.

“But…” Xue Li paused, “I still have some things to take care of here, and I estimate it will take about an hour and a half before I can be back.”

"It's okay, I'll wait for you at home."

"Sister-in-law, what I mean is, how much vegetables and meat do you need? I'll deliver it to your door in a little while."

Upon hearing this, Wen Ci moved the microphone away, glanced at the young guard, and asked, "Do the children in the family compound need to go home for lunch?"

She didn't know if Jingjie and the others' children would come back.

"I won't come back; the school provides full-day care."

"Thank you." Wen Ci brought the microphone closer and said, "There are only four of us eating, so we need ingredients for Northeastern cuisine. It would be best if we had any main dishes. I'll pay you back later."

"Okay sister-in-law."

After hanging up the phone, Wen Ci smiled faintly, put the receiver back in its place, and thanked the two people: "Thank you, what are your names?"

"Zhang Cheng, Li Wei."

Wen Ci repeated their names again, then suddenly remembered that she had a box of instant noodles at home and could give them some: "Do you like instant noodles?"

"Instant noodles? The kind that costs 50 cents a pack?"

Wen Ci nodded: "Okay, I'll send you a few packs later."

The instant noodles she bought were the largest in the mall, with a full box of fifty packs. Giving away a few packs wouldn't be a problem; Zhang Cheng and Li Wei, being young, would probably like to eat them.

Zhang Cheng swallowed hard: "Really? Sister-in-law?"

Li Wei nudged him with his elbow and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, we have a rule that we can't accept things from family members."

(End of this chapter)