The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 55

Success in business often relies on a stroke of luck, and once luck is on your side, everything flows smoothly. This was certainly the case for Mingyue and her team. Having a factory canteen purchase their entire stock in bulk was far easier—and just as profitable—as selling individual slices on the street all day.

Zhao Xing was ecstatic. She pulled out several dining coupons issued by her work unit and suggested a celebration. “We’ve struck gold! I have these meal tickets; let’s go to the restaurant, pack some dishes, and have a proper feast at home.”

“Let’s do it,” Mingyue agreed, feeling a genuine sense of accomplishment. “I have cash on me too. This is a celebration of our first major victory.”

The two headed to the state-owned restaurant in the city center. They ordered seven or eight “heavy” dishes: braised pork, stewed goose, stir-fried beef with scallions… a spread that would rival a wedding banquet in most households.

The restaurant provided large takeaway boxes, and as the order grew heavy, the waitress made a suggestion. “These are quite heavy. Are you sure you can carry them? We have a delivery service for two yuan, but I can give you a discount—one yuan to deliver it straight to your compound. Interested?”

It was essentially an early version of food delivery, a service only high-end restaurants offered at the time. Mingyue never believed in making life harder than it needed to be. “That sounds great. Deliver it to the military family compound.”

The waitress called out to the back, “Xiao Yong! We have a delivery!”

A young man named Xiao Yong rushed out, hopped on his tricycle, and sped off toward the compound to meet them at the gate.

By the time the delivery reached the compound, the sun had set. Since there was little nightlife in the 1980s, many residents were out for their post-dinner strolls.

As they neared the gate, several “aunts” of the compound noticed Xiao Yong waiting on a stone bench with a stack of large food containers. They questioned the sentry, who explained that it was a delivery for the residents.

“Tsk tsk,” one aunt whispered, “I don’t want to be mean to Comrade Mingyue, but no matter how much Commander Chen earns, it won’t be enough for her to squander at this rate.”

“Exactly,” another chimed in. “She won a prize for the compound, and I was proud of her, but look at this! Buying restaurant food and paying someone else to carry it? I feel sorry for Commander Chen.”

The gossip reached a fever pitch as Zhao Xing’s mother arrived. “This is simply unacceptable,” she huffed. “She doesn’t even have a job! My Xingxing works at the Art Troupe and gives us her salary every month. Mingyue doesn’t earn a cent, yet she spends like a queen.”

Just then, Mingyue and Zhao Xing cycled up. The mother’s expression shifted instantly, and she tried to save face. “They probably just bumped into each other on the road… they’re friends from the competition, after all.”

But the next second, Xiao Yong handed the stack of boxes to Mingyue and Zhao Xing, bowed slightly, and left.

The group of gossiping women fell into a stunned silence.

At home, Zhang Jingjing and Pei Xiaoyu were waiting. They looked exhausted. Unlike Mingyue’s team, they had been chased away from the school gates and had to spend the evening hawking melons through back alleys.

When they heard that the steel plant canteen had agreed to buy their entire future stock, Jingjing thought she was dreaming. “Xingxing, pinch me.” Zhao Xing obliged, and Jingjing yelped. “It’s real! It’s actually real!”

The weariness vanished. Mingyue invited them over to her place to eat. She also took out two of her slimmer shirts for Xiaoyu to try on, as the girl’s own clothes were in tatters.

When they arrived, the house was dark. Chen Che was likely working overtime. Mingyue transferred the restaurant food into large plates, and since they only had plain water, they toasted with that.

Halfway through the meal, Chen Che returned. Seeing a house full of women and a table laden with food, he didn’t mind at all. “Is it okay if we eat here, Commander?” Jingjing asked.

“Of course,” Chen Che said, a smile touching his lips. He was happy to see Mingyue making friends.

Mingyue waved him away. “Go inside and read your books. We’re having girl talk; you wouldn’t understand anyway.”

“Alright. Call me if you need anything.”

The other three women were stunned. “Mingyue,” Jingjing whispered, “is that how you usually treat him? You didn’t even pour him a glass of water!”

Jingjing’s husband was a gentle man, but she still “served” him the moment he got home. Even Zhao Xing, despite her modern education, had grown up watching her mother wait hand and foot on her father.

Mingyue stood up, raising her glass of water. “Sisters, let’s not belittle ourselves. Just because we don’t have ‘official’ jobs doesn’t mean we’re inferior. Teacher Chen does important work, but we’ve also worked hard all day. Labor is labor, regardless of the field. Why should I pour him water when I’m just as tired as he is?”

“Exactly!” Zhao Xing cheered, raising her glass. “Mingyue is right!”

Jingjing felt a wave of enlightenment. She had always felt she lived under her husband’s shadow because he provided for her. But if she was earning her own money, why should she be the only one “serving”?

The dinner ended late. Chen Che and Mingyue walked the others to the gate. Once they were alone, Mingyue prepared to tell Chen Che about her decision regarding the steel plant job he had secured for her.

The moonlight was bright, stretching their shadows across the ground. Mingyue decided to use a bit of charm to soften the blow. She skipped up to him, reaching out to hook her arm into his. “Hey, Chen Che, I have something to tell you—”

She stopped mid-sentence, her body freezing.

Because she was so close to him, she could clearly smell it. It wasn’t the scent of research chemicals or sweat. It was a fragrance she was 100% certain was perfume—the kind used by young women.

He’s been close enough to another girl for the scent to linger?