CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 274: TREATING TO A MEAL

"Comrade Su, someone is looking for you."

Su Xiaoxiao looked up upon hearing this and asked the female colleague relaying the message, "May I ask who is looking for me?"

The female colleague glanced at her and smiled mischievously, "Two men in military uniforms, both quite attractive."

Two men in military uniforms?

The faces of Song Weidong and Zhou Cheng immediately flashed through Su Xiaoxiao’s mind.

That’s when she suddenly remembered she promised the two yesterday that she’d celebrate their birthdays today.

Thinking about this made Su Xiaoxiao feel a bit overwhelmed.

She had been working tirelessly all day and now she had to deal with these two after work, just the thought of it made her head hurt.

However, she’s not someone who goes back on her word. Since she promised, she must keep her word.

She sighed and waved at Qin Shuang, "Shuangshuang, I have something to do, I’m leaving now. See you tomorrow."

She pushed her bicycle and walked outside, soon spotting the two striking figures standing on the street side.

Both were of similar height, one with handsome and charismatic features, the other detailed, pretty, and also dashing.

Song Weidong saw her from afar and waved cheerfully at her, "Comrade Su, you’re off work?"

Zhou Cheng was a step behind, quietly moved forward a bit, and nodded to her, a silent greeting.

"Alright, today I’m treating you both. Let’s go to the state-run restaurant for dinner."

Su Xiaoxiao gestured grandly, noticing that neither were biking and it seemed inappropriate if only she rode a bicycle, so she silently joined the walking party.

Luckily, the state-run restaurant wasn’t too far from their department store, even walking over would just take a few minutes.

The three walked side by side, and Song Weidong noticed Su Xiaoxiao pushing her bicycle, hurriedly offered earnestly, "Comrade Su, let me help you with the bicycle?"

As he spoke, without waiting for Su Xiaoxiao’s response, he took the bicycle from her hands.

And then, he shot Zhou Cheng a challenging look.

To his surprise, Zhou Cheng simply ignored him, took long strides to walk beside Su Xiaoxiao.

With this, he was pushing the bicycle alongside them, looking more like the two of them were walking separately side by side.

Song Weidong inwardly exclaimed at his mistake.

No wonder Zhou Cheng didn’t offer to help Comrade Su with the bicycle, this guy is crafty!

Trying to get close to Comrade Su, no chance!

Song Weidong boldly inserted himself between the two, separating them like a border line, then smugly glanced at Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng showed an expression of ’you’re so immature,’ then deliberately slowed his pace and naturally circled to the other side of Su Xiaoxiao.

Song Weidong: "..."

Their gazes clashed mid-air, creating sparks as though a showdown was about to happen.

However, as the principal in this situation, Su Xiaoxiao’s mind was just occupied with thoughts of what to eat later, completely unaware of the open and secret competition between the two.

The three soon arrived at the state-run restaurant, entering a private room on the second floor thanks to Song Weidong’s connections.

Thinking about the two having their birthdays today, although the birthday might not be real, Su Xiaoxiao considerately ordered each a bowl of beef noodles.

"Look at the menu and see what you’d like to eat, order freely, don’t save money for me."

Considering how generous they usually were to her, Su Xiaoxiao felt she couldn’t be stingy either, so she generously invited them to order dishes.

After a long stare at the menu board, the two ultimately ordered one meat and one vegetable dish in perfect harmony, the meat being scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and the vegetable being stir-fried broccoli.

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

She knew they were trying to save money for her, felt shy to order, but didn’t have to be so frugal, right?

After all, she offered to treat them, couldn’t let them leave hungry.

She swiftly scanned over the menu, ordering two more meat dishes, sweet and sour fish, and braised ribs, along with several plain steamed buns.

Fortunately, the time they arrived was rather early, the restaurant wasn’t too crowded.

After a short while, the food was served, and Su Xiaoxiao pushed the beef noodles towards them, "Let’s take these as longevity noodles, wishing you both your dreams come true, good health and happiness."

Song Weidong noticed she didn’t have noodles in front, and couldn’t help but ask, "Comrade Su, why didn’t you order beef noodles? How about having my bowl instead?"

Before the words were out, he saw Zhou Cheng quietly push the bowl of beef noodles in front of him towards Su Xiaoxiao.

Song Weidong: "..."

He suggested it first, yet the Zhou fellow seized the opportunity, so shameless!

How did he even become a battalion commander? Surely by sheer cheekiness?

Song Weidong quickly pushed his own bowl over as well, smiling, "Comrade Su, you should eat from my bowl."

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

She’s not even the birthday star today, why were both of them offering her noodles?

"No need, no need, I don’t like noodles, just eating the dishes is fine. You both are the birthday stars today, must eat the noodles."

She quickly shook her head, handing the noodles back to them. Unable to refuse, the two had to silently eat their beef noodles.

Soon, the sound of slurping noodles filled the air.

Su Xiaoxiao picked up a piece of braised rib, placing it in her bowl, just as she was about to take a bite, two sets of chopsticks simultaneously reached over, each placing a piece of braised rib into her bowl.

It was fortunate that they both used public chopsticks.

"Thank you, you don’t need to serve me, I can do it myself."

Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t used to being taken care of this way and hurriedly stopped them.

Especially with their level of seriousness, they might even start a fight over serving a dish.

The two exchanged a look silently before continuing to eat their meal.

Su Xiaoxiao finally breathed a sigh of relief, at last able to eat peacefully.

As they quietly ate, suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

"Just look, there are strands of hair in the noodles, how’s anyone supposed to eat this?"

A man’s voice carried in from outside, full of vitality, and anger.

Soon followed a gentle female voice, "Dear sir, please don’t worry, we will definitely handle this matter, please wait a moment, our manager will be here shortly."

"Even if your manager comes, I want an explanation, this is so disgusting, how’s anyone expected to eat?"

The man’s voice relentlessly continued.

"Please calm down, wait a moment, once our manager arrives, we’ll resolve this immediately."

"I don’t care, I want a resolution now, this bowl of noodles should be on the house!"

Su Xiaoxiao heard the commanding voice and couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

It felt like this person was causing trouble intentionally, clearly not wanting to resolve the issue properly.

She usually wasn’t one to meddle, but hearing the helpless tone of the female voice, she couldn’t help but stand up.

"Comrade Song, Comrade Zhou, please keep eating, I’ll go check it out and be right back."

Before the two could react, she had already stood and briskly walked outside.