A invitation from a group of beauties? She even specifically mentioned her brother's name. A woman's intuition kicked in; her first instinct was that this was no simple matter.
Bai Chen didn't notice her little scheme and walked very fast, arriving at the shop in no time.
Shen Ying had finished calculating the bill and, after a habitual stretch, decided to help Jiang Yu with something else. Just as she looked up, she saw Bai Chen. He was holding a package, which she guessed contained food.
"Brother, Bai Chen is looking for you."
Shen Wan glanced at him and spoke to Shen Ying. Unexpectedly, the other person had already entered the shop, found a seat, and repeated the purpose of his visit.
"I'm not going."
Shen Ying refused decisively; he didn't want any ambiguous relationship with that woman, not even a group dinner.
"It's just a meal. Think it over carefully. You might be able to get what you want out of it."
Bai Chen glanced at Jiang Yu secretly, then stopped there.
"I have something to do, I'll come over later."
He picked up his bundle and got up to leave, but just before he went out, he made a point of asking again:
"Sister-in-law, is Liu Cui in the shop?"
Jiang Yu immediately understood; this guy had come to offer Liu Cui some comfort—how thoughtful! Of course, Bai Chen didn't waste any time; after getting the exact answer, he dashed away as if his feet were on grease.
Reminded by Bai Chen, Shen Ying remembered Deng Wei's current identity. Because he still needed to use Commander Bai's connections to find his son, he reluctantly began to speak:
"I'll go there tonight and come back early."
Jiang Yu felt like a hundred alpacas were stampeding through her mind, but she forced a smile:
"what ever."
Amidst a mix of emotions, her last remaining hope for the man vanished. Wasn't his aloof act on the bus to the provincial capital just for show? He didn't need to do it at all, because she didn't care for or expect any feelings between them.
"Brother, Sui Sui is waiting for you to come home and explain the homework your teacher assigned to her."
Shen Wan noticed the awkwardness between the two and tried her best to salvage the situation. Judging from their expressions, this gathering was definitely not simple.
"Yes, I'll come back soon and tell her."
Shen responded. He could see his sister's intention and knew that Jiang Yu was somewhat happy, but he had to wait until there were clues before telling them about the missing child; otherwise, who knows what kind of bloodshed would ensue at home.
After he finished speaking, he seemed hesitant to look Jiang Yu in the eye. He tidied the notebooks on the table and walked out. Shen Wan was about to say something when the woman interrupted her in time.
"Wanwan, didn't you want me to teach you how to make mung bean cakes a long time ago? We happen to have some time today, so let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative later."
"Can..."
Shen Wan wanted to say something, but hesitated for a long time before finally remaining silent. She decided against it; her second brother had always been a man of principle, and she shouldn't interfere too much.
After the man left, the clothing store instantly became deserted. Other shops also gradually closed, and they didn't linger any longer.
After buying things at the supply and marketing cooperative and returning home, it was already quite late. Seeing her sister-in-law and aunt return, Zhao Meiyun couldn't help but ask:
"Where's Shen Ying? Didn't he come back with you?"
"His unit had some matters to attend to, so he went back first."
Jiang Yu responded listlessly, then turned around and found a basin to soak the mung beans. Shen Wan pulled her mother aside and recounted what had happened at the shop, and Zhao Meiyun had an idea in mind.
......
It has to be said that since Deng Wei and Commander Bai reunited, she has become much more extravagant. This time, she not only chose the most expensive restaurant in the city for their dinner, but she also paid for everything.
When Bai Chen and Shen Ying arrived, everyone was already there. Deng Wei was in the private room wearing a gorgeous dress that accentuated her slender figure. The room was filled with compliments, mostly flattery. Tonight, she was the leading lady.
When the door opened and Deng Wei saw who entered, her expression lit up. When she told Bai Chen she was inviting a man, he had been very serious and told her to be prepared to be rejected. She never expected he would actually bring one.
"Battalion Commander Shen, Company Commander Bai."
The people in the private room greeted each other politely, but Bai Chen waved his hand and said that it was a family dinner and there were no need for so many formalities.
Just then, Yuan Shuhui came in from outside, still saying:
"Weiwei, I asked the restaurant manager, and they said they don't have braised bear paw, but they can substitute it with Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."
Then I saw Shen Ying and was startled. Military regulations explicitly forbid extravagance and waste, and especially forbid eating nationally protected animals; these are all punishable offenses.
So she specifically asked if the meat could be made a little less obvious, so that at least the people eating it wouldn't know what it was.
"What nonsense are you talking about? We are all soldiers, how can we eat those kinds of things?"
Deng Wei walked up to Yuan Shuhui and teased her. The two casually brushed it off, and no one took their words seriously. Only Shen Ying frowned, sensing that this meal was definitely not as simple as she had imagined.
"Battalion Commander Shen, Company Commander Bai, please take a seat."
Deng Wei pointed to the main seat and beckoned to the two of them.
Tonight's dinner party only included some comrades-in-arms with whom Deng Wei had a fairly good relationship. No regimental commanders or anything like that were invited. Shen Ying was the highest-ranking officer among the group.
"No need, we can just sit anywhere."
The man refused decisively, showing no respect for Deng Wei whatsoever. He had come here with ulterior motives and naturally had no desire to accept this woman's flattery. Moreover, if it weren't for her current status, he would have already taught her a lesson to avenge Jiang Yu.
Deng Wei smiled awkwardly, and despite her extreme reluctance, she still said gently:
"Then I'll have them move over to where they want to sit."
As he spoke, he prepared to go out and ask the waiter to rearrange his seats.
"It's not that complicated, just sit there."
Shen Ying pointed to the place furthest from Deng Wei, and as soon as he finished speaking, he was about to go there. Bai Chen followed closely behind, and anyone with eyes could see their intentions at a glance.
Deng Wei was used to being pampered in the performing arts troupe and had almost never done anything like this, trying so hard to please others. After being rejected, her eyes reddened a little.
"Comrade Deng Wei, I heard from Commander Zhou that you choreographed the dance that the cultural troupe performed in the provincial capital this year. That's really amazing."
Sensing something was amiss, Bai Chen acted as a peacemaker, trying to smooth things over. He figured it was just a meal, and he didn't want things to get too awkward, or it wouldn't sound good if word got out.
Besides, Shen Ying was someone he tricked into coming; his tasks tonight are quite demanding.
"fine."
Deng Wei took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down and said with a smile. Although winning the award was within her expectations, she wasn't sure if Commander Bai had tampered with the list out of guilt towards her.
"Battalion Commander Shen, I heard that your wife has a good relationship with a young educated youth surnamed Lu who was sent to the countryside. It is said that it is well known in Shenjiazhuang."
While the dishes were being served, Yuan Shuhui spoke up casually.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
