Director Li and his wife were so hospitable that Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan couldn't refuse. So they didn't go back to the courtyard to put their things down and followed the two straight to the military guesthouse.

Director Li, familiar with the place, opened two adjacent rooms. One was for Jiang Linchuan and Xu Xinghe to temporarily store their belongings, and the other was for him and Lin Hui. It also had a small, separate kitchen, perfect for cooking.

"Please put your things here and make yourselves at home. I'll go to the kitchen to cook!" Lin Hui put down her suitcase and pulled Xu Xinghe towards the kitchen, her tone as warm as that of an old friend she hadn't seen in years. "Xinghe, don't be shy, make yourself at home. If you don't mind, could you help me out?"

"I don't mind." Xu Xinghe nodded and followed her into the kitchen.

Jiang Linchuan put the things the two had bought from the city into the room, then turned around and went to the kitchen door, wondering if there was anything he could do to help.

The kitchen was small, but it was clean and tidy. Lin Hui took out a lot of dried goods and local specialties from her luggage.

There was braised pork from the capital, dried shiitake mushrooms, and several kinds of exquisite seasonings and spices; it was clear that everything had been prepared very thoroughly.

"Could you help me wash some vegetables? These greens were delivered from the cafeteria; they're very fresh." Lin Hui handed Xu Xinghe a bunch of spinach and a few tomatoes, then picked up a knife and began processing the braised meat she had brought.

Xu Xinghe rolled up her sleeves and carefully washed the vegetables under the tap.

The water was running loudly, and there was a hint of cooking smoke in the kitchen.

As Lin Hui cut the meat, she turned to look at her, her eyes full of admiration, "Xinghe, you are so beautiful, with fair skin and delicate features. No wonder Commander Jiang dotes on you so much."

Xu Xinghe's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head somewhat shyly, "Aunt Lin, you flatter me. I have an average appearance."

"That's no compliment!" Lin Hui smiled and shook her head, her tone exceptionally sincere. "I've seen many girls in the capital, but it's rare to find one as pretty and attractive as you. And I've also heard that the frostbite cream you invented has been a huge help to the army, saving many soldiers from the cold in winter. It's a great thing for the country and its people!"

She smiled slightly, her eyes full of charm, "Old Li told me that you have a very high level of ideological awareness. It's rare to have such a heart at such a young age. Most young girls these days only think about their own lives. There are too few like you who have the country and soldiers in their hearts."

The string of praises made Xu Xinghe even more embarrassed, and she slowed down her washing of vegetables. "Aunt Lin, you flatter me too much. I just happen to know how to make this ointment. It's nothing to be ashamed of as it is."

"How can it not be a big deal?" Lin Hui stopped wielding her knife and looked at her seriously. "The soldiers are protecting our country on the front lines. They suffer so much. Their hands are swollen from the cold in winter, but they still have to keep training and standing guard. Your frostbite cream has come to their rescue. It's no exaggeration to call you a hero!"

Jiang Linchuan stood at the kitchen doorway, watching Xu Xinghe's cheeks flush red from the praise, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

He didn't go up to disturb them, but just watched quietly.

Although Lin Hui was exquisitely dressed, she was straightforward and enthusiastic.

As they were talking, Lin Hui had already prepared a table full of dishes.

Stir-fried pork with green peppers, stewed chicken with mushrooms, stir-fried spinach, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a soup made with local dried goods—the aroma was irresistible and made one's mouth water.

"Alright, alright, dinner's ready!" Lin Hui smiled, wiped her hands, and carried the dishes to the table one by one.

The four sat around the dining table. Lin Hui picked up her chopsticks and immediately took a piece of stewed chicken that was tender and put it into Xu Xinghe's bowl. "Xinghe, try this mushroom stewed chicken. I specially used dried mushrooms brought from the capital. It tastes even better. Eat more to nourish your body."

Then, she placed a piece of braised meat on Xu Xinghe's plate, saying, "This braised meat is also a specialty of the capital. You can't find it anywhere else. Try it and see if you like it."

As she picked up the food, she carefully explained how each dish was made and the source of its ingredients.

Xu Xinghe was taken care of so meticulously by her. "Aunt Lin, don't just put food on my plate, you should eat some too!"

Director Li sat to the side, watching his wife treat Xu Xinghe with such warmth and thoughtfulness, and felt extremely gratified.

He knew Lin Hui was always good at interpersonal relationships, and her current initiative to win over Xu Xinghe must be to help him secure the prescription.

Thinking of this, he quietly took Lin Hui's hand under the table, gently squeezed it with his fingertips, and his eyes were full of gratitude.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

Lin Hui felt the warmth from her hand, her smile remained unchanged, but a hint of mockery flashed quickly in her eyes.

She shook Director Li's hand back without making a sound, inwardly sneering.

She did this not for this foolish man, nor for his so-called job.

The prescription for external injuries in Xu Xinghe's hands is her real goal. As long as she can get the prescription and complete the mission, she can return to her homeland as soon as possible!

This lavish hospitality was merely the first step in her plan.

Lin Hui placed another piece of spinach on Xu Xinghe's plate, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Xinghe, don't be shy, eat more. Auntie will make you more if you're still hungry!"

Xu Xinghe nodded quickly, lowered her head and ate the food in her bowl, feeling that the other party was really too enthusiastic.

Jiang Linchuan noticed a hint of deliberate intent, but assumed it was just Lin Hui's personality and didn't think much of it.

By the time the dinner party ended, it was already getting dark.

Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan got up to say goodbye, but Lin Hui grabbed her hand and wouldn't let go, "Don't rush off, let me see you off!"

Seeing this, Director Li smiled and followed suit, "Yes, it's a good opportunity for us to stretch our legs too. I'll see you to the door."

Lin Hui's hands were warm and soft, and she held Xu Xinghe tightly, her tone as intimate as if she were family, "Xinghe, let me tell you, I liked you from the bottom of my heart the moment I saw you. You are clearly a kind-hearted and good girl."

She gently patted Xu Xinghe's hand, her eyes full of genuine affection. "I won't be staying for more than a few days this time, so you must come and keep me company so we can have a good chat."

After saying that, she subtly gave Director Li a wink.

Director Li understood immediately, taking it as her trying to win over Xu Xinghe. He quickly followed up, saying, "That's right, Xinghe, don't call her 'Auntie' anymore, just call her 'Sister-in-law'! It's more intimate and less formal. Your sister-in-law is warm-hearted, and you women have more in common. You should visit each other more often so she won't feel lonely here."

Xu Xinghe was enveloped by their enthusiasm and found it difficult to refuse.

Lin Hui held her hand tightly, and her tone was exceptionally sincere, so she could only smile and nod, "Okay, then I'll call you sister-in-law from now on, and I'll come to see you often."

"That's right!" Lin Hui pulled her hand and walked towards the entrance of the guesthouse, saying to herself, "If you're free, come over. We can go to town together, or I can make you some local specialties from the capital. I guarantee you'll love them."

Soon, the group arrived at the door, and she reluctantly let go of Xu Xinghe's hand. "Take care on the road, go back and get some rest. Come over tomorrow if you have time!"

"Okay, sister-in-law, Director Li, you should go back too." Xu Xinghe smiled and waved goodbye.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, Director Li turned to look at Lin Hui and said approvingly, "You really have a way with people. You've become familiar with Comrade Xu so quickly. We might need you to put in a good word for us regarding the prescription later."

Lin Hui's smile remained unchanged, and her tone was gentle, "We're husband and wife, so your problems are my problems. Don't worry, I'll try to persuade her for you."

"Thank you very much, Madam. Let's go, we should go back and rest..."