CHAPTER 451: CHAPTER 449: MAKING A FUSS

Lin Wan glanced around the store at the few waitstaff; none of them seemed capable of supporting the business.

It seems that developing someone would take time, and if a suitable candidate appears, they could stay and learn from Xiao Gu.

"Xiao Gu, how has Zhang Dandan been performing lately?" Lin Wan asked quietly while balancing the accounts at the front desk.

"She’s okay, but a bit sneaky; whenever it’s time to work, she’s either in the bathroom or thirsty. We can’t count on her for much help. Usually, I only have her watch two tables. She just needs to serve the dishes to the guests and remind them to pay the bill. Sister Xiao Wan, please don’t get mad at what I’m saying; it’s all true."

Lin Wan looked at Xiao Gu and sighed helplessly, "That’s just how my cousin from back home is like—just like her mother, sigh. There’s nothing we can do; she’s stuck in our family. We pay her the same salary, but she doesn’t put in the same work. Sigh, it’s like we’re suckers. If she keeps this up, just scold her directly. If she goes too far, make sure to tell my mom."

"I understand."

...

Mom’s health had improved, and Lin Wan had packed things up to go to the military base.

Liang Hongmei was not comfortable with her going alone with the baby; her son was at work and didn’t have time.

She insisted on taking her to the military district.

"Mom, I’ve already called Han Yi, and he said he would pick me up," Lin Wan said.

"He should pick you up. Otherwise, I’d be worried about you carrying so many things." Liang Hongmei had prepared a lot of stuff for her.

Food and supplies—whenever she went to the base, it was always with large bags, and she’d return with them all used up.

"I’m just worried that you’ll have to look after the luggage and care for the baby on the way. I’m afraid you can’t manage. The baby is still very young, just two months old. I’ll take you there and catch the last bus back in the afternoon."

Unable to argue with her mom, Lin Wan reluctantly agreed.

Luckily, Mom accompanied them. On the way, the baby peed twice and pooped once. After pooping, she started whimpering and crying.

She was probably hungry, and several people on the bus seemed impatient upon hearing the baby’s cries. Thankfully, sitting inside with her mom shielding her, Lin Wan would have been flustered handling the baby publicly by herself.

Her little Xingxing was not being cooperative this time, fussing the whole way. Ironically, once they arrived, she began to sleep soundly.

"Mom, Xiao Wan," Han Yi had been waiting at the stop for a while and was surprised to see his mother-in-law as well.

The last time Liang Hongmei was at the military base was over ten years ago, trying to gather information about Lin Guozhi. She spent days around the base and only managed to enter the communication room.

Lin Wan held the cradle in one hand with a backpack on her back, two bags of stuff, while Han Yi took one in each hand, effortlessly.

Liang Hongmei was left with empty hands.

Looking at the assigned residence for the military families, it wasn’t impressive, just row houses with no private courtyard.

However, there were a few buildings nearby. The base was set against a mountain, making transportation inconvenient—a reason why many military spouses were reluctant to come. It wasn’t as comfortable as living at home.

"Brat, I’m thirsty as heck; hurry up and boil some water,"

As Liang Hongmei was observing the surroundings, she heard cursing from a nearby house.

A little girl, about five or six, clumsily carried a ladle of water to pour into a kitchen pot.

The kitchen’s door was open, and outside, beyond a large stove, everything was a chaotic mess.

Liang Hongmei frowned, and Lin Wan didn’t need to look to know who it was. Who else could it be but Wang Guihua? Normally spoiling her daughter to no end, it was surprising today to see her daughter was actually helping to boil water.

Lin Wan silently critiqued in her mind, pulling her already wandering mother away, afraid of her good intentions leading her to help, saying, "Mom, we’ve arrived home."

It was only then that Liang Hongmei noticed they were at a courtyard gate.

"Oh, you have a courtyard too?"

"Yes, it’s the only one in the yard. We were fortunate to be assigned here," Han Yi smiled and said to his mother-in-law, "The unit was all eyeing the buildings in the back; no one wanted to live here."

"That’s good foresight, Xiao Yi; this is much better than the apartment buildings, it’s peaceful."

Liang Hongmei saw the small courtyard, with flowers planted, and looked at the kitchen. She was satisfied—it wasn’t about the house being poor but rather people’s living habits. Her daughter and son-in-law’s kitchen was much cleaner, way better than from just now.

Steam was rising from the pot, and out of curiosity, Liang Hongmei lifted the lid to see it prepared by her son-in-law.

Sigh, he really is attentive. Her daughter had chosen the right man to marry.

Looking around the house, the curtains and floral fabrics were clearly her daughter’s touch.

"The house is small, but enough for you to live in. This place is not bad," Liang Hongmei genuinely praised.

Lin Wan placed the baby on the bed; although it was a new place, she still slept soundly.

"Mom, you and Xiao Wan rest for a while. I didn’t know mom would come, so I prepared less food. I’ll go to the canteen to get more," Han Yi put down his bags and quickly checked on his daughter.

He petted her smiling face, kissing her indulgently, but she was sleeping soundly and didn’t respond at all.

"No need, no need; I just saw there are quite enough dishes in the pot. When I came, I was worried Xiao Wan couldn’t handle steaming buns while looking after the baby alone, so I steamed a batch to bring. Just heat some on the rack and make do," said Liang Hongmei, unwilling to have her son-in-law make another round on such a hot day. As she spoke, she organized the bags. One was filled with clothes for the baby and Xiao Wan, and the other was full of food.

Han Yi didn’t slack either; he turned on the electric fan to keep it away from the baby, allowing Lin Wan and his mother-in-law to cool down while he rushed to the kitchen to stir-fry some tomatoes and eggs and heat two buns.

When he came back in, Han Yi carried two bowls of white rice and two buns.

"That adult from earlier, how could they let a small child boil water? A child of four or five probably doesn’t even know how to light the fire," Liang Hongmei couldn’t help but lament during the meal, clearly disapproving of the previous mother’s actions.

"Mom, you wouldn’t know. Usually, she spoils her kid rotten—almost lawless. You only saw the surface. Maybe today she’s had a moment and let her daughter boil water," Lin Wan recounted to her mom things she witnessed before, leading Liang Hongmei to quickly change her tone, "What kind of adult educates their child that way? Aren’t they leading them astray? In the future, how bad would that be? I’m telling you, make sure Little Star is well-educated; just because she’s the only child doesn’t mean you should cater to her every whim. Remember, indulgent mothers spoil their children beyond redemption."

"Understood, Mom."

"Mom, rest assured, we’ll educate the child well. We definitely hope our kid will be talented and a useful individual to the country. Xiao Wan and I wouldn’t be short-sighted like those people, fixating on small, immediate gains. Xiao Wan, lock the doors in these days and keep a distance from them."

"Yes, no worry. I won’t provoke them; every time I come, I avoid them."

"Don’t say such things. Mom will still worry; you live as neighbors, meeting frequently. From what you said, they’re often unreasonable," Liang Hongmei was a bit worried that her granddaughter might be bullied.

Watching her mother’s furrowed brow, Lin Wan chuckled, "Mom, relax, your daughter isn’t an easy target."

"Shoo, I’m concerned about my granddaughter, not you,"

Lin Wan’s comment earned an eye roll from Liang Hongmei.

Well, Lin Wan knew her status at home had taken a nosedive since having a granddaughter.

After lunch, Han Yi let Xiao Wan and her mother rest at home while he went to the office.

He said he’d be back around four to send his mother-in-law off.

"No need for you to see me off. The bus stop is right outside the gate. What’s there to worry about? Focus on your work," Liang Hongmei knew her son-in-law couldn’t be away from the base and didn’t want to disrupt him.

"Ai Yi, go do your work. I can send Mom," Lin Wan knew Han Yi had tasks at the military academy, which couldn’t afford delays. Many wanted to join the military school, and giving any leverage could result in complaints from those with bad intentions.