Xia Enruo got up very early; she couldn't let today's business be delayed. She washed her hair and put it up in a bun to prevent it from falling into the food while cooking.

Wu Meixia repeatedly emphasized that today's banquet was very important to her, and Xia Enruo dared not neglect it, paying attention to every detail. Moreover, this was also her stepping stone to opening up the world of personalized services, so she had to make the most of it.

She took out a set of clothes with fitted cuffs from the closet, and put the new arm sleeves, apron and hat she bought yesterday into her bag. No matter what you do, being fully equipped makes you look more professional.

After finishing breakfast, Xia Enruo left the house at the agreed time.

Although it was Sunday, a day off, Qiao Huizhen couldn't sleep since she got back yesterday. She kept thinking about how to catch Xia Enruo in the act again. When she woke up early this morning, she heard the sound of locking the door. She looked out the window and saw Xia Enruo walking out. She quickly put on her clothes and followed her. She was secretly pleased to see Xia Enruo getting into yesterday's car again.

"Shameless bastards have actually learned to cheat on their husbands. Breaking up a military marriage is a crime punishable by imprisonment. If this gets out, not only will Xia Enruo suffer, but Gu Shaoxuan will probably be too ashamed to face anyone in the army. Let's see how long their family can be so smug."

Qiao Huizhen was overjoyed, as if she had found a precious treasure, and happily wiggled her hips as she walked back.

When we arrived at Wu Meixia's house, it was indeed very grand. The entire courtyard belonged to her family, and there were even several rooms. The interior furnishings were exquisite, and the tables, chairs, and benches looked quite old and were made of mahogany.

"Sister Wu, your house is really grand. The furniture in this house will be antiques in the future."

“Enruo, you’re making me sound like a rich landlord. I don’t deserve that. This is all the inheritance my parents left to me and Shaojun before they passed away. There’s nothing else. When Shaojun gets married, we’ll have to clear out a few rooms for him as his bridal chamber.”

"You could be considered a tall, rich, and handsome guy."

Xia Enruo looked at Wu Shaojun and said.

"What's so handsome about being tall?"

Wu Shaojun looked completely bewildered.

"Tall, rich, and handsome" means you are tall, rich, and handsome, and young girls all like that.

Xia Enru explained.

"You're just making fun of me. I can accept that you're tall and handsome, but where does this wealth come from with just a few dilapidated bungalows? These days, young girls prefer to live in apartment buildings; bungalows are inconvenient."

"You brat, how can you talk about the house your parents left you like that? Even a dilapidated house can still shelter you from the wind and rain. Hurry up and help wash the vegetables."

Wu Meixia's orders were much more effective; Wu Shaojun ran to the kitchen.

It seems that people today don't realize the future value of courtyard houses, always thinking they're old-fashioned and dilapidated. However, in the future, they will be priceless.

After changing into her gear, Xia Enruo busied herself in the kitchen. Although there were only 10 dishes, there was a lot of preparation work to be done beforehand.

Wu Meixia's guests arrived one after another; they were all her former comrades-in-arms. Only the leaders had not yet arrived. The group sat around the table, eating melon seeds and chatting.

“Meixia, this old leader is coming, and you didn’t even think to host a proper dinner at a restaurant to show your sincerity. It seems a bit disrespectful to do it at home.”

"Let me tell you, I really went all out today. I invited a top chef to my home, and the food he makes is much better than what you get in restaurants."

"You mean that young girl in the kitchen? She looks about the same age as my daughter. Don't be fooled. What good dishes can a little girl like her cook? We can still move you. I can book a table at our usual restaurant for you. It'll be fine."

"It's Meixia. Treating people to dinner is just a token of our appreciation. Your comrades all know that today's gathering is very important to you. Don't let the leader seem petty; that wouldn't be good."

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, completely disbelieving Xia Enruo's culinary skills, and kept urging Wu Meixia to find another place.

"Just you wait and see, today I'll show you what it means to wish you had a bigger stomach."

Wu Meixia was naturally full of confidence.

"Alright, alright, let's see what kind of trouble that little blonde girl of yours can get up to."

"Let's go, wait at the alley entrance. I reckon the old leader will be here soon, so don't be impolite."

Wu Meixia led everyone out the door. Xia Enru came out of the kitchen and saw that no one was in the house, so she was puzzled.

"Shaojun, where is everyone?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Shaojun came out.

"Oh, he's probably gone out to pick up his boss. How are we going to start cooking?"

"No, let's wait a little longer. If the food is made too early and left for too long, it won't taste good."

"Comrade Xia Enruo, I must say, you look really professional today, with an apron, sleeves, and a hat. You look just like a chef."

Wu Shaojun looked at Xia Enruo, who was dressed so much, yet still had a delicate appearance, especially her oval face, which made her look particularly lively.

"Alright, you've been praising me all the way here, my ears are stuffed with honey."

The noisy voices outside the door gradually drew closer.

"Shaojun, help me out. I've started cooking. The leaders should be here soon."

Wu Shaojun stood up quickly and helped Xia Enruo step by step according to her instructions.

The leader was escorted through the door by a crowd.

"Director Zhang, Meixia knew you were in Yongning on a business trip, so she specially invited us to come and keep you company. You're still so healthy and as energetic as ever."

"That's right, it's really thoughtful of them to invite the chef to their home."

Hearing her comrades praising her in front of Director Zhang, Wu Meixia was overjoyed. This was exactly the effect she wanted.

"It's quiet at home, but noisy in the hotel. I didn't want to disturb you, so I specially hired a chef to cook for you. His skills are impeccable."

“It’s rare to see Meixia so thoughtful. I’m happy to see that you’ve all achieved some success. When I was working in Yongning, you were all just starting out, and now you’ve all become leaders. That’s really great.”

The group sat down with Director Zhang, and Wu Meixia ran to the kitchen.

"Let's serve the food now, Enruo."

"Okay, coming right away, Sister Meixia."

Xia Enruo directed her good helper, Shaojun, to serve the soup first to warm everyone's stomachs. Today she made old duck, red date and bamboo shoot soup. She started stewing the duck on the fire early in the morning. By this time, the nutrients in the duck meat had already blended with the soup. Combined with the sweetness of the red dates and the crispness of the bamboo shoots, it was a good appetizer before the meal.

"The old duck, red date, and bamboo shoot soup is here!"

Wu Shaojun called out as he entered the house.

"Shaojun has grown up so much. I remember he was just a little kid in class back then."

When Director Zhang worked in Yongning City, Wu Shaojun was only 13 years old. Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

"No, Uncle Zhang. I was still in junior high school back then, and now I'm already working. But you haven't changed at all; you're still as handsome and dashing as ever."

Wu Shaojun served his superiors every day, his words were like honey, and he could praise people without hesitation.

"Oh dear, I'm so old now, I'm no longer handsome and dashing. People call me grandpa when I go out."

"Not at all, I think Shaojun is right. You haven't changed much. You still look the same as when we started working here. Director Zhang, let me get you a bowl of soup to warm your stomach. The other dishes will be here soon."

While speaking up for Shaojun, Wu Meixia got up and used a spoon to serve soup to everyone.