Reborn as an 80s-aged woman, her unfilial son begs for forgiveness on his knees.

Zhang Wenying paused, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"Comrade Zhang, rules are flexible, not something to be nitpicked at."

"If it weren't for Comrade Shen's sake, I wouldn't be standing here today."

Zhang Yurou's expression changed slightly, and the smile on her lips turned completely cold.

"Don't try to pressure me with Comrade Shen."

Let me tell you, Comrade Shen's wife is the director of the provincial opera house. You're just a cook; don't think you can put on airs in front of me just because you've climbed the social ladder."

As she spoke, she took a step forward and whispered, "It's best to have self-awareness."

From now on, stay away from Comrade Shen. He's not someone you can even dream of getting close to.

That's really nonsensical.

Did they come because of Shen Mingyuan?

What is Shen Mingyuan's identity? What is her identity?

Is it her place to give Shen Mingyuan face?

If it weren't for the high price her father offered, would Zhang Wenying have come?

Moreover, his father's actions were unnecessary.

Every year, my family holds a birthday banquet, but we don't invite guests. At most, a few old comrades-in-arms will have a meal together.

We usually have a housekeeper to cook, but this year they insisted on hiring an outsider. I don't know what got into them.

Zhang Wenying couldn't help but laugh out loud. She raised her eyebrows and said in a somewhat indifferent tone, "Comrade Zhang is probably overthinking things. Comrade Shen and I are just nodding acquaintances. There's nothing to it about us climbing the social ladder."

Since you have many complaints about me, I won't force you.

Please find another place to eat this meal.

After Zhang Wenying finished speaking, she turned around and walked out with a calm and unhurried pace.

She's not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle; she doesn't need to put up with this humiliation.

"stop!"

Zhang Yurou's voice came from behind, tinged with anger and embarrassment, "If you leave, what will happen to my dad's birthday banquet?"

A slight distortion appeared on Zhang Yurou's otherwise delicate face.

I never expected that a poor and lowly cook would dare to speak to her like that!

She was caught off guard when he suddenly quit and left without a word.

As a cadre in the Bureau of Culture, when has she ever been treated like this?

Aunt Li from the Zhang family also glanced at Zhang Wenying with some surprise.

She thought this young woman was trying to steal her job, but she didn't expect her to be such a tough nut to crack.

Zhang Wenying didn't stop walking, only replying calmly, "That's your business, not mine."

Shen Mingyuan heard the noise and came over.

"What's wrong?" He glanced at Zhang Wenying and Zhang Yurou, his tone calm but with a hint of scrutiny.

Zhang Wenying stopped and looked up at him, a faint smile playing on her lips: "It's nothing, Comrade Shen, I just feel that I'm afraid I won't be able to cook this meal."

Her tone was flat, as if she were stating something trivial.

"If Comrade Zhang thinks I'm not qualified, then there's no need for me to force him to stay."

"Please find someone else; I won't delay the Zhang family's birthday banquet."

Shen Mingyuan frowned slightly, turned his gaze to Zhang Yurou, and asked in a cooler tone, "Yurou, what's going on?"

Zhang Yurou felt a little uncomfortable under Shen Mingyuan's gaze, but she still forced herself to raise her chin and said, "Brother Shen, I was just reminding her a few things, telling her to pay attention to hygiene and professional ethics, but who knew she would get angry."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mingyuan's gaze darkened, but his tone remained gentle: "Comrade Zhang Yurou, how is Comrade Zhang Wenying unhygienic? Your words are rather unfair."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Zhang Wenying. "Comrade Wenying, don't take it to heart. I invited you here today. Just focus on the birthday banquet arrangements."

As for the rest, ignore them.

Zhang Yurou said with some embarrassment and annoyance, "Brother Mingyuan, why are you protecting her like this?"

I was just telling her to wash her hands carefully!

Zhang Wenying held her hand tightly.

I washed my hands properly before I left home.

When I arrived here, Comrade Zhang asked me to wash my hands again. I washed them three times, but she was still not satisfied.

I suspect she wasn't telling me to wash my hands, but rather that she thought I was dirty.

Comrade Shen, I only came here because of you.

Since this Comrade Zhang looks down on me, an ordinary citizen, then I won't get in his way anymore.

I appreciate your kindness, but I really can't take this job.

Zhang Yurou was so angry that her face turned pale.

She looked down on Jung Moon-young and genuinely found her filthy.

But is it even possible to say such a thing?

How could she save face in front of Shen Mingyuan?

Shen Mingyuan glanced at Zhang Yurou and rolled his eyes inwardly.

Zhang Yurou is like that; she acts harmless in front of others, but shows a completely different face in private.

He had seen through it all long ago, but he couldn't bring himself to say it out of consideration for the relationship between the two families.

He looked at Zhang Wenying and said sincerely, "It was my oversight today that caused you to suffer."

How about this, I'll personally assist you, is that alright?

His tone was sincere, and his gaze was open and honest, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness.

Zhang Wenying was slightly taken aback, not expecting that Comrade Shen would go to such lengths.

"As you know, the old man is eager to taste your cooking."

The old man was very happy to see that I had invited you today.

The old man just said that you seem like a reliable and capable comrade, and told me to treat you well.

Just consider it as giving me face, and also as giving the old man something to look forward to.

You wouldn't want the old man to go hungry because of someone insignificant, would you?

He paused, then lowered his voice, "Comrade Zhang Yurou is just being fussy, don't take it to heart."

It's said that when she was little, she would pick up sheep droppings and eat them like black dates. She probably developed a psychological aversion to that, which is why she's become so hygienic now that she's grown up.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenying couldn't help but burst out laughing, and even Aunt Li, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but lower her head and chuckle.

Zhang Yurou's face flushed red and then turned pale in an instant. She was both angry and embarrassed. She stomped her foot but couldn't lash out. She could only bite her lip and stand aside.

What's going on with Shen Mingyuan?

He doesn't even glance at someone as outstanding as Sister Song Can, yet he publicly exposes her shortcomings just to win a smile from this ordinary woman?

Could it be that he has actually taken a liking to Zhang Wenying?

Shen Mingyuan deliberately brought up Zhang Yurou's embarrassing moments.

He knew Zhang Yurou's personality too well; if he didn't teach her a lesson, she would really think she was someone important.

Isn't she just putting on airs and looking down on Zhang Wenying?

They really thought that staying in the Zhang family's small villa would make them forget where they came from.

Who among those who have lived through war-torn and turbulent times hasn't crawled out of the mud?

Who is she putting on this act for?

Zhang Wenying was someone he brought with him, so naturally he had to protect her.

Moreover, Zhang Wenying's cooking skills were praised by the old man himself; not everyone can be picky about such a skill.

After laughing, Zhang Wenying saw that Shen Mingyuan had already said so much, so she couldn't insist on leaving anymore and relented: "Since Comrade Shen has said so, then I will stay."