Chapter 76: Promotion, Redoing the Cake

Su Yue paused, the kitchen knife still in her hand. She turned around quickly to make sure no one was nearby, then suppressed her excitement and asked in a hushed voice, “Promotion? Really?”

Xu Can nodded, speaking just loud enough for the two of them to hear. “I heard my husband mention it. Your Han Aiguo made great contributions during this mission and was awarded third-class merit. Also, when he was injured before, he still put the greater good above his own life. The organization has been planning to establish a special battalion; one that’s extremely important. They need an outstanding battalion commander to take charge, and after consideration, they chose your Han Aiguo.”

“Battalion commander?” Su Yue’s heart skipped a beat. “That means he’s being promoted from company commander to battalion commander; the same rank as Feng Junwei next door?”

Her eyes lit up instantly. Since Xu Can dared to tell her, this matter was already certain. Han Aiguo really was going to be promoted.

Seeing Su Yue’s excitement, Xu Can patted her gently on the back. “Alright, just be happy in your heart, but don’t show it on your face. The official notice hasn’t been released yet. I just wanted you to know in advance, so you can feel at ease.”

“I know, I know. Thank you. This makes me so happy.” Su Yue’s voice trembled slightly with joy.

She kept her composure during the meal, but once the guests left, she pulled the tipsy Han Aiguo into their room. Throwing herself into his arms, she kissed him several times in excitement and blurted, “Comrade Han Aiguo, I have good news for you; you’re about to be promoted!”

Han Aiguo raised a brow, giving her a playful pat. “Oh? And how did you find out?”

“You… you already know?” Su Yue blinked in surprise.

He smiled and nodded. “The commander told me this morning.”

Su Yue immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, shaking it like a spoiled child. She had thought to give him a surprise, but it didn’t matter, she was still overjoyed. No one knew better than her how hard he had worked all these years. Seeing that effort finally recognized made her heart swell with pride.

She kissed him again and said: “Sister Xu Can told me while helping in the kitchen. She didn’t know the details, only a rough idea. You tell me everything, I want to hear it from you.”

Han Aiguo pulled her onto his lap and began to explain patiently, “The superiors are establishing a new Sharp Knife Battalion. Soldiers will be selected from across the entire military region and only the very best. They’ll undergo an extremely strict training system, and in the future, they’ll be responsible for dangerous and major missions.”

Su Yue’s eyes widened. “So… it’s like the special forces?”

Han Aiguo was slightly surprised she knew this term, but remembering her many secrets, he wasn’t too shocked. He had long known she wasn’t an ordinary woman.

He nodded. “Not exactly, but similar. The training methods will be the same. If the results prove effective, the army may formally establish a special brigade in the future.”

Su Yue nodded thoughtfully, and then frowned slightly. “But why you? Yes, you earned merits this time, but so did others. And with such an important unit, there must be many people vying for command. Was it really that easy for you to be chosen?”

Han Aiguo pursed his lips. He didn’t hide the truth. “It’s not just because of this merit. There are several reasons. I once participated in our country’s early-stage special forces training, so I have experience. I also studied their training methods and wrote a detailed report. Right now, the Sharp Knife Battalion needs exactly that.”

Of course, there were probably other reasons too. Perhaps saving Commander Yu during the mission played a role. Maybe Commander Yu spoke for him behind the scenes. But those were only his guesses as the true selection process lay with the higher-ups. He didn’t want to speculate further.

Han Aiguo said firmly, “All I can do, is do my duty, train the soldiers well, and build this battalion into a real sharp knife; one that lives up to its name.”

Su Yue understood. She wasn’t foolish; she knew there were layers of reasons she would never know. But none of that mattered. All she could do was support him, no matter what.

So she smiled, hugged his neck tightly, and said with pride, “Husband, you’re amazing. You deserve this. I believe in you.”

Han Aiguo felt her wholehearted trust and admiration in her gaze. For any man, such faith was irresistible. He couldn’t hold back. That night, he pressed her beneath him, and in the midst of their closeness, he whispered hoarsely in her ear, “Yue’er… thank you.”

Thank you for everything.

———

Two days later, the official appointment came from the military department: Han Aiguo was named battalion commander of the Sharp Knife Battalion.

His first responsibility was to personally go to the various units and select soldiers for this elite force.

This task meant he would have to leave home for some time.

Su Yue packed his things with a gentle smile and said, “You’re only going to pick people, not on a dangerous mission. You’ll be back soon. There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, mother is here helping me. The children and I will be just fine. Right, Dabao and Xiaobao?”

Dabao and Xiaobao. reacted very differently.

When Xiaobao saw his mother speaking to him, his chubby little hands and legs flailed about. He grinned so widely that he looked like a little turtle wriggling on its back, having fun with who knew what.

Dabao, as usual, only gave his mother a brief glance before turning his gaze away again, calm as ever, as though lost in deep thought. Su Yue really didn’t know what sort of “life philosophy” this little fellow was pondering every day.

She began to suspect she had been mistaken before. When she was pregnant, she thought the vigorous kicking in her belly must have come from both babies. But looking at them now, it was obvious; it had been Xiaobao all along as Dabao was simply too lazy to move and seemed entirely incapable of causing trouble.

Still, Su Yue felt Dabao was too calm for his own good. An impish thought came to her. She opened his little clothes, revealing his white, round, tender belly, then lowered her head and blew on it twice.

“Puuuff!”

The sound instantly broke Dabao’s composure. His tiny mouth opened in a laugh, his arms and legs flailing about as he squirmed like Xiaobao.

Su Yue couldn’t help but laugh as well. Her laughter made Xiaobao laugh even harder, waving his fat little hand so vigorously that he nearly smacked Dabao in the face.

Startled, Su Yue quickly separated the two, worried they might hurt each other.

Han Aiguo watched them from the side, his heart softening. Seeing Su Yue and the babies so full of laughter, he suddenly felt at ease. Even if he wasn’t at home, they would be just fine.

—-

The next morning, Han Aiguo prepared to leave. Su Yue woke up early with him. Before the children stirred, the two of them shared breakfast together. Then she walked with him all the way out of the family compound and stood at the gate, watching him depart, just as she had the last time he went on a mission.

She hoped that for the rest of her life, she would always see him off like this and then welcome him back safely.

When he finally disappeared from sight, Su Yue turned and hurried back home. The children would be waking soon, and if she wasn’t there, Xiaobao especially would surely kick up a fuss.

But just as she reached the stairwell and turned the corner, she accidentally bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Are you alright?” she blurted quickly, then looked up, only to see Fang Xiaoli from next door.

Su Yue’s heart sank. Of all people, she had to run into her so early in the morning.

Fang Xiaoli’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have eyes when you walk? What, are you trying to knock me over?” she snapped sharply.

Su Yue knew this woman’s temperament well. Politeness would only make things worse. So instead of apologizing again, she retorted coolly, “I don’t have eyes? Did you have eyes, then? We bumped into each other, you ran into me just the same. Were you also in a rush to knock people over?”

“You!” Fang Xiaoli’s face darkened with fury. This woman was getting more and more arrogant, daring to talk back to her now. Did Su Yue think that just because her man got promoted, she was suddenly above everyone?

Hmph. So what if he was promoted? A country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin.

Straightening her clothes, Fang Xiaoli gave Su Yue a look of utter contempt, as though she had stepped in something filthy. As she brushed past, she sneered loudly, “Some people get a tiny bit of success and suddenly think they’re something special, and that no one else measures up. Hmph! A bumpkin will always be a bumpkin!”

With that, she clicked away in her high heels.

Su Yue’s lips twitched. You’re the bumpkin, not me. And you’re stupid on top of it.

If she didn’t have two hungry babies waiting at home, she might have given Fang Xiaoli a real piece of her mind. The nerve of that woman to look down on others when she herself looked ridiculous with that overdone perm, thick makeup, and those caterpillar brows.

Su Yue honestly had no idea where Fang Xiaoli’s sense of superiority came from.

Just then, Ma Cuiyun came downstairs, frowning. “I heard voices, were you arguing with Fang Xiaoli?”

Su Yue exhaled, swallowing her irritation. “Not arguing. I was just coming up the stairs, and we bumped into each other at the corner. She started saying I was acting high and mighty, calling me a bumpkin. Honestly, she’s crazy.”

“Of course she’s crazy. Ignore her.” Ma Cuiyun snorted. “She’s probably fuming with jealousy. Don’t take her words to heart. Do you know why she’s so angry?”

Su Yue blinked. “Why?”

“Because of your Han Aiguo’s promotion,” Ma Cuiyun explained with a sly smile. “This new battalion is important and lots of people wanted to command it, including Feng Junwei. He used to outrank Han Aiguo, but now your husband is his equal. Do you think Fang Xiaoli can stomach that? She’s probably furious enough to choke.”

Su Yue suddenly understood. “No wonder she was muttering at me… so that’s what it’s about.”

“Exactly,” Ma Cuiyun chuckled. “Remember how she used to boast that her husband was a battalion commander, while yours was ‘just’ a company commander? She even claimed she could get your family kicked out of the army compound. Well, look at her now. Not only are you still here, but your husband has caught up and may even surpass hers in the future. That’s a real slap in the face.”

Su Yue couldn’t help but laugh in relief. Yes, she had endured plenty of humiliation from that woman before. Now seeing Fang Xiaoli choke on her own arrogance felt like justice served.

People like her need a mirror shoved in their face a few more times. Maybe then they’ll change.

—-

Once her confinement period was over, Su Yue returned to her cake business. With three people in the family and two babies to raise, they couldn’t live on Han Aiguo’s allowance alone.

When Xu Can heard Su Yue was working again, she immediately placed orders. Her relatives were wealthy, and after tasting Su Yue’s cakes, they were hooked. Birthdays in the family always meant ordering a cake from her. Some children even loved them so much they begged for small cakes just to snack on. Word spread quickly, and Su Yue’s business picked up again.

On her first day back, she accepted two orders. She also baked a small cake for Old Lady Han, who had never tasted one before.

This time, Su Yue improved her recipe, decorating with fruit to add freshness. As the rich aroma filled the room, Old Lady Han’s eyes lit up. She stared at the cake eagerly.

“This… this is that cream cake you made before, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Su Yue said with a smile, handing her a spoon. “Mother, try it.”

Old Lady Han carefully scooped a bite and placed it in her mouth. The soft sweetness spread instantly, and her eyes nearly sparkled. “Yue’er, this is delicious! Even better than before, no wonder the neighbor’s child is always crying for it.”

At the mention of that neighbor, Su Yue’s expression soured. “Well, if Fang Xiaoli dares come knocking again, I won’t make cakes for her family. How can she insult me and still expect me to bake for her? Even if I lose the money, I won’t take her order. If she thinks I’m a bumpkin, then she can keep her child away from bumpkin-made cakes.”

Old Lady Han agreed wholeheartedly. “Exactly. That woman looks at us like dirt every time. If it weren’t for worrying about Aiguo, I’d have slapped her already. From now on, no matter how much money they offer, we won’t bake for them.”

The two women reached a firm agreement.

Sure enough, the very next day, Old Madam Feng came knocking, asking for a cake for her grandson.

This time, Old Lady Han answered coldly, “Sister, I’ll be honest, we can’t take your order anymore. Every time we bake for you, your daughter-in-law scolds us afterward. We don’t want that kind of thankless work, its better you find someone else.”

Old Madam Feng flushed with embarrassment. She knew Old Lady Han was right. Fang Xiaoli had never shown a shred of gratitude; only rolled her eyes and sneered. Who would want to deal with that? With no choice, she left in shame, deciding to let her grandson cry it out.

As for Fang Xiaoli, she certainly wasn’t about to beg Su Yue herself. Instead, she stayed home, smashing bowls in frustration and cursing Su Yue behind closed doors, while her son wailed for cake.

For days, chaos echoed from the Feng household, pots and bowls clattering morning and night.

Su Yue heard it all from next door but paid no attention. It wasn’t cruelty; it was simply that Fang Xiaoli had gone too far. From now on, Su Yue wanted nothing to do with her.