Chapter 1229: Treating Guests

Fortunately, they had prepared enough ingredients, otherwise today would have been hard to arrange.

Originally six tables had been prepared, but in the end three more had to be added.

After the highest-ranking officer present, Instructor Guan, gave his speech, someone heckled: "Battalion Commander Fu, tell us whether you and your sister-in-law met through a matchmaking arrangement or through free love — everyone's pretty curious."

After saying that, he turned the question back on everyone: "Am I right?"

The crowd was clearly enthusiastic about the topic, their voices swelling to an unprecedented pitch: "Yes, we want to know."

The two exchanged a glance, and Fu Yan Cheng took Liu Chuxue's hand: "These days we believe in free love, so naturally my wife and I got together through free love."

The moment his words fell, someone heckled again: "No good, that's way too perfunctory — we want the details."

Seeing that these fellows wouldn't let him off without saying more, Fu Yan Cheng raised a hand to quiet everyone, then said: "When I was out on a mission, I received help from my wife. The more we saw of each other, the more familiar we got. My wife is beautiful and cultured — naturally a fair maiden a gentleman would seek, so we ended up together."

Hearing Fu Yan Cheng's words, everyone burst out laughing, and someone in the crowd shouted: "The battalion commander is mighty!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

After that, it wasn't that no one wanted to get Fu Yan Cheng and Liu Chuxue to play games — every attempt was shut down by Fu Yan Cheng's infuriatingly smug bragging, and quite a few people envied his overtaking on the curve.

Originally they were all single men just like him, but who would have thought that once he went out on a mission he came back with a partner, after New Year's he had a wife, and now, not long after, his wife was already pregnant — while they were still hopping around in place.

Someone looked at Liu Chuxue and laughed: "Sister-in-law, do you have anyone with conditions similar to yours? Introduce one to me too."

Other comrades also heckled: "Exactly, battalion commander, you can't be the only one to escape singlehood and leave the brothers behind."

Fu Yan Cheng immediately shielded his wife behind him: "Shoo, shoo — your sister-in-law doesn't have the energy right now to set you up, but if someone suitable comes along later, naturally I won't just sit and watch you stay single."

After saying that, he lowered his head with a smile and looked at Liu Chuxue: "Wife, if there's anyone suitable, we really ought to introduce them to these fellows, otherwise I'm afraid they'll keep coming to bother our little life out of envy."

Hearing him say that, someone shouted loudly: "Brothers, the battalion commander has already come up with a plan for us, so naturally we have to respond."

Fu Yan Cheng glared at the speaker: "No wonder no one wants you."

Yesterday when delivering the fish, Fu Yan Cheng had followed Liu Chuxue's instructions and discussed it with Squad Leader Wang from the cafeteria — the fish would be made in two flavors: one as Squirrel Fish, which women and children like, and the other as Sauce-Braised Fish, with a flavor suited to the men.

When the two fish dishes were brought up, someone reached out with chopsticks to pick up a piece and asked: "Why are there two fish on one table?"

The kitchen staff member in charge of serving smiled and answered loudly: "A pair, flying wing to wing, prosperous and flourishing, full of flavor — what great symbolism, wouldn't you all say?"

Hearing this, many people responded in unison: "Yes."

For a moment, waves of laughter rose one after another, the sounds of merriment carrying far into the distance.

Over the meal, hosts and guests were all delighted, and Liu Chuxue could be considered to have formally integrated into this big collective.

After seeing off the guests, the kitchen staff said there were still some dishes left and asked how they wanted to handle them.

Liu Chuxue looked at Fu Yan Cheng: "For every sister-in-law who came to help today, pack a portion for each to take home. If there's still some left, leave it for the cafeteria staff to have as an extra meal tonight."

Originally they had thought there wouldn't be that much, but it turned out to be just right — though there really wasn't much left over in the kitchen.

After those sisters-in-law left, Liu Chuxue took out a large red envelope and a carton of cigarettes from her bag and told him to deliver them inside — they had helped with such a big favor, naturally they couldn't go without a token of appreciation.