Chapter 106: A Dinner Invitation (Part Two)

Normally, Xia Yan liked to tie her hair up in a bun for convenience while cooking. Not only did it make things easier in the kitchen, but it also fully revealed her charming face without the slightest obstruction. At this moment, her already fair skin was flushed even more rosy by the steam rising in the kitchen.

Xia Yan greeted them with a smile. “Commander Li, you’re here! Why are you just standing there? Come inside and have some sunflower seeds.”

Li Guoxiang turned to see that the others who had come with him were also standing behind, and urged, “My wife’s greeting you, why aren’t you responding at all?”

The men finally snapped out of their daze and each called out, “Hello, sister-in-law.”

It wasn’t that they harbored any improper thoughts; they were simply astonished by Xia Yan’s beauty.

It was only after Li Guoxiang led them into the living room that the men finally regained their composure. They huddled together and whispered, “The commander really knows how to pick a wife. She’s not just a little fairy, she’s a goddess!”

“I heard from Liu Yuanchao that it was sister-in-law who took the initiative to come to the commander, and the commander didn’t even know he had such a wife…”

“Commander Lin is truly my role model. When I find a wife in the future, I’ll follow sister-in-law’s example.”

“You?”

Someone couldn’t help but laugh first, and soon everyone joined in with laughter.

Jiang Weiguo and his companions arrived a bit later. Just as they entered the yard, Jiang Weiguo slapped Lin You on the shoulder and said, “You rascal, you finally settled down. I used to think you’d be a bachelor for life.”

Lin You glared at him in mock annoyance. “You can’t even show up on time for a meal. If you were any later, we’d have started eating without you.”

Lu Haiyang laughed from the side, “You got a break for your wedding, but the rest of us took over all your work. Instead of thanking us, you’re complaining. The commander hasn’t arrived yet—why aren’t you blaming him?”

Lin You replied solemnly, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Everyone burst out laughing. “There are things you wouldn’t dare?”

Just then, Sun Sheng walked into the yard and saw them laughing, curiosity piqued. “What’s this about dare or not dare?”

Upon seeing Sun Sheng, the group immediately stood at attention and saluted, “Good afternoon, Commander!”

Sun Sheng waved his hand, “Today is Lin You’s happy day, everyone can relax a little.”

Lin You hurried to the kitchen to call Xia Yan out and introduced her, “This is our commander here, Commander Sun.”

“Good afternoon, Commander Sun.”

Xia Yan greeted him.

“You must be Xia Yan. I’ve heard your name for a long time, especially your cooking. I’ve heard it’s even better than the state-run restaurant.”

Sun Sheng had glimpsed her from afar before and had a faint impression of this young woman.

As Sun Sheng took his seat, the kitchen began bringing out dishes. One by one, specialties of the Northwest were placed on the table, and the aroma swiftly filled the room.

Xia Yan said to Lin You, “Lin You, you take care of the guests first. I’ll go change my clothes and be right out.”

“Alright.”

Xia Yan first washed her face, loosened her bun, tidied her hair, and quickly changed out of her oil-stained clothes before leaving her room. After all, it was her wedding feast today, and she couldn’t keep the guests waiting too long.

As she stepped out, she saw that none of the three tables had touched their food and were all waiting for her, making her feel even more embarrassed.

Xia Yan apologized, her tone full of regret. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Lin You heard her voice and turned, beckoning her over. “Xia Yan, come here.”

Obediently, Xia Yan walked over and sat by his side. Lin You instinctively took her hand.

Jiang Weiguo and the others, seasoned veterans, watched the scene unfold with smiles.

Lin You raised his glass, stood, and addressed everyone. “All of you here are my closest friends, even family, and I’m truly happy you could come to celebrate my wedding with Xia Yan.”

“I won’t say anything unnecessary—let me first offer everyone a toast.”

After drinking, Lin You invited them, “Everyone, please start eating. Don’t be shy.”

The men immediately eyed a platter of prawns. The prawns had been brought by Zhang Chunshan that day, and Xia Yan’s eyes lit up as she saw them. It was a rare treat to have prawns here.

Unlike their usual meals, Xia Yan had made spicy prawns today to go better with the drinks.

The aroma was simply irresistible.

Sun Sheng picked up a prawn; Xia Yan had already slit the back open, making it easy to eat. The prawn was spicy, fragrant, perfectly cooked, and delightfully springy.

After finishing the prawn and taking a sip of wine, Sun Sheng couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. “Everyone says Xia Yan’s cooking is good, but today’s prawns—if I want them again, what am I to do?”

“Commander Sun, if you want to eat them, just tell Lin You, and come over whenever you like. But you’ll have to buy the prawns yourself.”

Sun Sheng was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Little Lin, your wife really knows how to manage household affairs.”

Lin You defended his wife, “That’s because your salary is so high, Commander. These prawns aren’t cheap.”

“You brat… so quick to stick up for your wife.”

Sun Sheng continued chatting, but his hands didn’t stop moving, the dishes on the table were simply too appealing.

Lin You took a prawn, peeled it, and placed it in front of Xia Yan.

This scene was caught by Li Guoxiang at the next table, and he called the others over, surprised. They’d never seen Lin You so gentle.

Li Guoxiang joked, “Commander, all my prawns have been snatched by Da Zhuang. Can you peel one for me too?”

Everyone looked up, just in time to see Lin You peeling a prawn for Xia Yan. They started teasing him. Lin You feigned composure, took a prawn, and placed it in front of Li Guoxiang. “Eat.”

His knife-like glare made Li Guoxiang shrink back and wave his hand hurriedly. “No, no, I won’t eat.”

Just then, a smiling face appeared and, in a single bite, grabbed the prawn from Lin You’s hand. “Hey, Dad, you’re so biased! You only peel prawns for Mom and ignore the three of us…”

Before he finished, the spicy flavor made him cough several times.

“Brother, have some water.” Lin Nuannuan came over with a cup of dark liquid. Lin Hongzhuo didn’t even look and drank it in one gulp. The next second, his face froze, as a wave of sourness surged through his stomach.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh… Nuannuan, what did you give me?”

“Big brother said vinegar relieves spiciness.”

The culprit, Lin Hongzhe, gave a goofy grin.

Lin Hongzhuo’s expression made everyone in the living room burst into laughter. Xia Yan poured a drink for the little one, and after a couple of sips, he finally recovered.

“You know, these prawns are spicy. Mom told you at the start you could dip them in hot water before eating.” Xia Yan wiped the spicy oil from Lin Hongzhuo’s mouth and spoke gently.

“But Dad’s so biased…”