【Dislike Points +30】

【Dislike Points +10】

【Dislike Points +8】

……

Did Shen Nanchu’s words just offend all the other female comrades in the performance troupe?

Tang Lina’s anger shot straight to the top of her head.

Who was she?

She was the star performer of the troupe.

Many of the troupe’s programs were meticulously choreographed by her—who wouldn’t applaud and cheer after watching them?

This Shen Nanchu was just an educated youth sent to the countryside. What did she know, aside from having a pretty face?

Was she acting so arrogantly just because of her looks?

Tang Lina stared at Shen Nanchu’s flawless face, her eyes red with envy.

Suddenly, Tang Lina stealthily stuck out her right foot.

A fellow comrade happened to be walking by with a tray of food, and with a subtle trip, the bowl of vegetable soup “accidentally” tilted toward Shen Nanchu…

The next second—

“Ah!”

Tang Lina shrieked as most of the soup splashed onto her instead.

Even a stray vegetable leaf now rested on her shoulder.

She stared at Shen Nanchu in disbelief.

Shen Nanchu flashed her a mocking smile.

“Comrade Tang, are you alright?”

In that split second, Shen Nanchu had moved with unbelievable speed—steadying the comrade while giving the bowl a slight push in the opposite direction.

And so, the soup ended up on Tang Lina.

The cafeteria fell silent as everyone watched the scene unfold. Tang Lina’s face flushed red and then paled, the oil stains on her clothes glaringly obvious.

“You did that on purpose!” Tang Lina finally snapped, pointing at Shen Nanchu with a shrill voice.

【Dislike Points +40】

Shen Nanchu blinked, her expression as innocent as a fawn’s. “Comrade Tang, what are you talking about? I just helped steady her so she wouldn’t drop everything!”

The comrade she had helped nodded vigorously. “That’s right. If not for her, my entire tray would’ve spilled.”

“Speaking of which, Comrade, why did you stick your foot out to trip me?”

What a solid ally.

Shen Nanchu couldn’t help but cheer inwardly.

Tang Lina trembled with rage.

“Comrade Shen, Lina is our troupe’s star performer. What if she got scalded right before tonight’s performance?”

Pan Yue stepped forward with righteous indignation.

“If she’s injured, then someone else can take her place!”

“The troupe is full of talent anyway. It’s a good chance to give younger members an opportunity.”

Shen Nanchu smiled sweetly at Pan Yue.

“You seem like a great fit—maybe you’d even outperform her.”

Shen Nanchu knew exactly how to stir the pot.

Pan Yue’s eyes immediately flickered with ambition.

The other female comrades in the troupe also began entertaining their own thoughts.

Tang Lina’s face cycled from red to white, then to green.

“You’ll pay for this.”

She shot Shen Nanchu a venomous glare before storming out of the cafeteria.

Pan Yue and the others hesitated briefly before scrambling after her.

∑(ﾟДﾟ|||)

Shen Nanchu was stunned.

She just… ran away?

Was her opponent really this weak?

(。・_・)ノ

She was just warming up—the real show hadn’t even started yet!

Pei Zhengnian had witnessed the entire scene.

Including Shen Nanchu’s slick retaliation against Tang Lina.

He had originally thought Tang Lina was just another infatuated soldier with a crush on him.

But she actually dared to bully his wife right in front of him?

Sure, his wife had handled it herself, but that was her business. He still had his own score to settle.

Pei Zhengnian kept eating, his mind already formulating a plan.

“Company Commander Pei, I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Deputy Company Commander Liu Bing approached, holding a glass jar.

The moment he heard Pei Zhengnian’s wife was visiting, Liu Bing had rushed home to fetch his own wife’s homemade chili sauce.

Originally, Liu Bing should have been the company commander, but Pei Zhengnian had been parachuted into the position instead.

Now stuck as a deputy, Liu Bing couldn’t swallow his pride and was always looking for ways to one-up Pei Zhengnian elsewhere.

Like now—after Pei Zhengnian mentioned his wife couldn’t cook and asked Liu Bing’s wife to make chili sauce for him, Liu Bing seized the opportunity.

He was determined to outshine Pei Zhengnian through his wife’s skills.

“You said no one at home could make this, so my wife prepared some chili sauce for you.”

Liu Bing proudly presented the jar, its contents glistening red under the sunlight.

The cafeteria noise dimmed by half. Everyone’s ears perked up—it was common knowledge that Liu Bing’s wife was renowned for her culinary skills, while Pei Zhengnian’s “lazy wife” reputation had spread throughout the barracks.

Though now, it seemed she was a beautiful lazy wife.

“Thank your wife for me.”

Pei Zhengnian took the jar, opened it, and placed it in front of Shen Nanchu.

Only then did Liu Bing get a clear look at the woman sitting beside Pei Zhengnian.

Earlier, Shen Nanchu’s slender frame had been obscured by Pei Zhengnian’s broad shoulders.

Now, she sat there, radiant and poised.

“T-This is…?” Liu Bing stammered.

“My wife, Shen Nanchu,” Pei Zhengnian replied gruffly.

“Hello.”

Shen Nanchu smiled, picking up her chopsticks to taste the chili sauce.

After one bite, she set them down.

“Not to your liking?” Pei Zhengnian noticed her hesitation.

“Mhm,” Shen Nanchu nodded. “Too spicy. I prefer less chili, with fermented beans and more meat.”

“Got it,” Pei Zhengnian noted. “I’ll ask her to remake it to your taste.”

“No need.”

Shen Nanchu shook her head.

“Make it yourself when you’re home on leave.”

“I’ll wait and watch you cook it just how I like.”

Pei Zhengnian thought for a moment before agreeing.

“Fine. I’ll learn from her, then make it for you in two weeks.”

“Good.”

Shen Nanchu’s eyes sparkled as she pointed at another dish with her chopsticks.

“I also want these meatballs.”

“Alright.”

“This braised eggplant is good too.”

“Sure, I’ll make it.”

Pei Zhengnian was already accustomed to Shen Nanchu’s requests.

But the surrounding soldiers—and Liu Bing—were not.

Since when did married couples interact like this?

A few bold soldiers even whispered among themselves:

“Good heavens! Company Commander Pei spoils his wife rotten!”

“If I had a wife that pretty, I’d spoil her too.”

“Damn right. I’d treat her like a goddess.”

Crash—

Liu Bing’s heart shattered into irreparable pieces.

He couldn’t compete with Pei Zhengnian in rank.

Or in ability.

Fine.

He thought he could at least win in the wife department.

But now it was clear—

Dragons pair with phoenixes, mice with rats.

They were a perfect match.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep