Chapter 376 An Invitation to a Feast at Hongmen
The next morning, Lu Jingyan went to a meeting at the military region. Su Wantang had just finished watering the flowers in the yard when Wang Ma returned from outside.
She held a red invitation in her hand, her expression somewhat subtle.
"Miss, Sister Wang asked me to bring this to you." Aunt Wang handed over the invitation. "She said it's for a tea party tomorrow afternoon, and you must attend."
Su Wantang took the invitation and glanced at it.
The writing was neat and tidy, in black ink on red paper.
"We cordially invite all military families to a gathering at the club tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. to chat and share our stories."
The document was signed by Sister Wang, and a stamp was affixed to the end.
Su Tang closed the invitation. "Aunt Wang, who is this Sister Wang?"
“Her husband is a division commander in a military region. He’s lived in this compound for over ten years,” Wang Ma said in a low voice. “He loves to organize parties. Nothing that happens in the compound escapes his notice.”
Su Wantang nodded.
This kind of person exists in every circle.
A middleman who specializes in relaying messages, facilitating connections, and making connections.
He seems kind-hearted on the surface, but he's actually quite shrewd.
Has she ever hosted a tea party like this before?
“We’ve done this several times,” said Wang Ma. “Last time it was a welcome party for some new military wives, and it was quite a lively affair.”
Su Wantang placed the invitation on the table.
Holding a tea party at this critical juncture is likely ill-intentioned.
When Lu Jingyan returned home that evening, Su Wantang handed him the invitation.
Lu Jingyan glanced at it and frowned.
"I'm not going." He threw the invitation on the table. "These kinds of occasions are boring."
"I can't not go." Su Wantang poured him a glass of water. "They've officially invited me. If I don't go, it'll be disrespectful."
Lu Jingyan took a sip of water. "You want to go?"
"I want to go and see what's going on." Su Wantang smiled. "I want to see what tricks they can come up with."
Lu Jingyan stared at her for a few seconds.
He knows his wife too well.
That expression looks like someone's about to cause trouble.
"Wantang, if you're not feeling well, you can leave anytime." He held her hand. "Don't make yourself suffer."
Su Wantang nodded.
The following afternoon, Meng Wan also received an invitation.
She didn't look too good when she came to Su Wantang's place.
“Wantang, this tea party might be a trap.” Meng Wan sat down. “Sister Wang is the best at reading the room.”
"Mom, you received it too?"
"Received it." Meng Wan sighed. "The people she invited this time are all prominent military spouses in the compound."
She paused.
"And Shen Qing."
Su Wantang smiled.
really.
The real purpose of this tea party is not the tea itself.
"Mom, please come with me," Su Wantang said. "With you here, they won't dare to go too far."
Meng Wan thought for a moment and nodded.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
At 3 p.m., the mother and daughter arrived at the club on time.
The club is located on the east side of the compound. It is a separate small building specifically for activities for military families.
As soon as you enter, you'll see Sister Wang standing at the door to greet you.
She was in her forties, wearing a navy blue Lenin suit, and her hair was neatly combed.
"Oh my, Professor Meng is here!" Sister Wang greeted him warmly. "Please come in, please come in."
Then she looked at Su Wantang, her smile becoming even brighter.
"This must be Commander Lu's wife, right? She's really beautiful!"
Su Wantang nodded in greeting, then glanced around the living room.
"Sister Wang, you're too kind."
Shen Qing sat by the window, next to a woman in military uniform who looked quite old, with deep nasolabial folds on her face.
"Come, come, let me introduce you." Sister Wang pulled Su Wantang inside. "This is the deputy commander's daughter-in-law, Zhao Fang."
Zhao Fang glanced at Su Wantang and smiled, "I've heard about Commander Lu's family for a long time."
Su Wantang sat down and said, "Hello."
“This is Liu Guilan, from Commander Zhang’s family,” Sister Wang said, pointing to another woman.
Liu Guilan, in her forties, had her hair neatly combed and was drinking tea from a teacup.
She put down her teacup and nodded to Su Wantang, "It's so nice that Commander Lu's family is so young."
Su Wantang smiled but didn't reply.
Wang Ma put the basket on the table and stepped aside.
"Hey, what's this?" Zhao Fang looked at the glass bottle in the basket. "Did you also bring a gift?"
"It's just a small thing," Su Wantang said. "It's nothing but a token of my respect."
Sister Wang opened a bottle, and a pleasant fragrance wafted out.
"What's that smell?" Liu Guilan leaned closer to smell it. "It smells quite nice."
"A calming balm," Su Wantang said. "I made it myself; it helps with insomnia."
Zhao Fang laughed, "Oh, the Lu family knows how to do this?"
"Just messing around with it," Su Wantang said casually. "I don't even know if it'll work."
Shen Qing put down her teacup. "Comrade Su also knows medicine?"
I know a little bit about it.
“That’s quite a talent,” Shen Qing said with a gentle smile. “Unlike me, I grew up in a military camp and all I know is how to shoot and train. I don’t know anything else.”
Zhao Fang chimed in, "What you're saying is, growing up in a military camp is so great. What we military wives want most is someone we know well, right?"
Liu Guilan nodded, "That's right, marrying someone of equal social standing is the proper thing to do."
Sister Wang poured tea for everyone, saying, "Speaking of matching social status, my husband and I are a perfect match. His father and my father were old comrades-in-arms. I've known him since I was a child. I know him inside and out, and we live a very stable life."
Zhao Fang put down her teacup. "That makes sense. It's the same with our deputy commander's family. My father-in-law and my dad are both veterans from Northeast China, and they've known each other since they were kids. My husband and I also grew up together."
“This is the kind of marriage that is stable,” Liu Guilan said. “The couple speaks on the same wavelength, and they understand each other with just a glance, without needing to explain.”
Su Wantang held her teacup and slowly sipped her tea.
"Is Commander Lu's family from Shanghai?" Zhao Fang asked casually. "I heard they're in business?"
"Hmm." Su Wantang put down her teacup. "My dad owns a department store."
"Oh my, that's a big deal," Sister Wang said with a smile. "We soldiers don't know anything about this."
“It’s not a big business,” Su Wantang said. “It’s just to make a living.”
Zhao Fang laughed, "Brigade Commander Lu's family is too modest. But to be honest, doing business and being a soldier are two completely different things."
Liu Guilan chimed in, "That's right. Soldiers are all about obeying orders, while business people are all about being flexible and adaptable. They're not on the same wavelength at all."
“So, when a soldier marries, he still needs to find someone who understands soldiers.” Zhao Fang said, glancing at Shen Qing. “Someone like Staff Officer Shen truly understands the hardships of soldiers.”
Shen Qing waved her hand, "Sister Zhao is joking. I'm just lucky. I grew up in the military region and was influenced by what I saw and heard all along."
“This isn’t just good luck,” Liu Guilan said. “It’s something you’re born with, something that’s in your bones.”
After refilling the tea, Sister Wang sat down and said, "Speaking of which, Staff Officer Shen and Brigade Commander Lu are old comrades-in-arms, aren't they?"
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