Chapter 93: So High-Handed

Chapter 93: Chapter 93: So High-Handed

’How strange,’ Su Wan muttered to herself. "Yes, that’s right. I’m a new student in this year’s class."

"Sister-in-law, being a top student is very impressive. Please give me your guidance in the future." Qi Hao’s voice was rather gruff, but the respect in his attitude was obvious.

Su Wan was a little confused. Lu Zhengchuan jealously pulled Su Wan’s hand away.

"Qi Hao’s grades aren’t the best, so he admires anyone who’s a good student," Lu Zhengchuan said, calling him out.

Qi Hao shot Lu Zhengchuan a flat look. He looked annoyed but didn’t argue back.

You could tell he was already on his best behavior around Lu Zhengchuan. It was obvious to anyone that he was reining himself in.

"This is the stuff you and Brother Lu are selling for profit? How much money can you even make from this little bit? Wasn’t it a pain to haul it all this way?" Qi Hao’s tone was incredibly arrogant; he clearly looked down on the goods.

Lu Zhengchuan reached out and handed him a bundle. "Don’t be so dismissive. You may look down on the clothes, but I brought you some snacks from the Southwest. There are plenty of great cooks there, so there’s bound to be a flavor you like."

"Thanks, Brother Lu." Qi Hao picked up the bundle and went straight back to the driver’s seat.

Zhang Shun and Wei Hong looked at each other, then instinctively turned to Su Jue.

Su Jue asked Lu Zhengchuan, "Is this convenient for you? Can your friend give you and Wanwan a ride back to the courtyard?"

"We can..."

Before Lu Zhengchuan could finish, Su Jue cut him off.

"Then you and Wanwan go by car. Shunzi, Ah Hong, and I will deliver these goods."

Su Wan wanted to ask her third brother to come with them, but she wasn’t sure what Mr. Qi would think. She instinctively turned to Lu Zhengchuan, a question in her eyes.

Lu Zhengchuan nodded. "Of course, we can all go together..."

"That’s not necessary," Su Jue interrupted them. "There’s too much merchandise. We still need to sort through it and arrange for selling. I’m very busy. You should take Wanwan back to rest. I’m too busy to look after her, so just make sure you take good care of her for me."

He clearly had his own plans and didn’t want to get involved with influential people who were obviously not from the same world as him.

He had his own plans and his own life.

"Alright then, Third Brother. Come back early. I’ll be waiting. I still need to talk to you about family matters," Su Wan wheedled.

Su Jue’s voice softened. He patted her head. "Go on now."

"Third Brother, this bag here has the gifts I picked out for you. Don’t sell them."

In Su Wan’s heart, nothing was more important than family.

’For Lu Zhengchuan’s sake, and to avoid offending Qi Hao, I have no choice but to go with them. Such are the compromises of married life.’

Su Wan was an adult. After watching Su Jue leave with Zhang Shun, she quickly composed herself and followed Lu Zhengchuan into Qi Hao’s car.

When she got in the car, Qi Hao was in the driver’s seat, rummaging through the various snacks Lu Zhengchuan had brought for him.

He was already munching on a flower pastry.

"Sister-in-law, Brother Lu, what took you so long? Hurry up and get in. Where’s the luggage? Just put it in the trunk." Qi Hao’s attention was fixed on the snacks, and he didn’t even look up as he spoke.

"My third brother has already gone back to the courtyard with the goods. We had him take the luggage, too. We’re already troubling Mr. Qi enough just by getting a ride. Besides, the goods still need sorting, and my brother brought a three-wheeled cart, so there was no need," Su Wan explained truthfully.

Qi Hao finally pulled his attention away from the food, his brow furrowing slightly. "Brother Lu, didn’t I come here specifically to pick you up and help with the luggage? That’s why I went to the trouble of asking my dad to requisition a military vehicle."

Su Wan froze for a second, then suddenly reached out and pinched the flesh on Lu Zhengchuan’s waist. Her silent accusation was clear: ’You didn’t tell me!’

Lu Zhengchuan’s waist hurt, but he tensed his body and gritted his teeth, not letting it show. He just reached out and gripped Su Wan’s hand tightly.

"Just giving us a ride is enough. Wanwan and her brother were worried about damaging the military vehicle. You should be more careful too. Don’t give anyone an opening to find fault with you and cause trouble."

Qi Hao no longer cared about Su Jue leaving with the luggage. Lu Zhengchuan’s last sentence had made his expression darken.

"Brother Lu, your timing for coming to the Capital is perfect. The triennial military exercise is coming up. You have to participate. I want to smash Sun Cheng’s face in with you." Qi Hao was chewing on a piece of beef jerky, putting extra force into every bite.

It seemed he really detested Sun Cheng.

It was then that Su Wan finally got a sense that Qi Hao was a real, living person.

With so many people around earlier, he had seemed unapproachable.

’He seems to be someone with very strong personal boundaries.’

"Alright. We’ll see if I have time then. I have to finish my own business first, and I’ll need to submit a report to my superiors to even participate." Lu Zhengchuan’s tone with Qi Hao was very casual.

Qi Hao, who was used to this, snorted. "I don’t care. You go apply with your superiors. I promise I’ll hide it from my dad so he doesn’t know. Otherwise, he’ll just try to obstruct it again."

"I really don’t get it. Why does he enjoy seeing me get my ass kicked so much? And he looks down on me for getting backup. I think he’s just jealous that I have backup."

Qi Hao tossed the snacks onto the front passenger seat and fired up the engine.

"Sister-in-law, hold on tight. We’re off."

Su Wan was pleasantly surprised. ’He’s actually quite thoughtful.’

After receiving her confirmation, Qi Hao stepped on the gas and they sped off.

The further they drove, the more unfamiliar the surroundings became to Su Wan.

She whispered in Lu Zhengchuan’s ear, "This isn’t the way to Jing University, is it?"

She had studied a map of the Capital long ago, so she knew that the university was in West City, while they were now heading from Qianmen Railway Station in South City toward the East District.

"We’re not going to Jing University. I’m taking Brother Lu and Sister-in-law to eat first."

"You’ve come all the way to the Capital. If I don’t treat you to a meal now, I’ll be too busy later and won’t get another chance."

Su Wan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "In that case, if you don’t mind, you should come have a meal at the house we’re renting outside Jing University sometime. I’ll cook for you myself."

"Sure! I’ll come over and try your cooking when I’m free, Sister-in-law. Good thing the military compound and Jing University are in the same district, so it’s not far." Qi Hao actually agreed.

He then told Su Wan, "I like Sautéed Pork Slices, Fish-Fragrant Pork Slivers, Braised Shark Fin, Jade Shrimp..."

As Su Wan listened, she realized many of them were dishes she had never eaten an authentic version of.

She quickly admitted, "I’ve never had Jade Shrimp, so I don’t know if I can make it taste authentic..."

"It’s fine. The fact that you’re willing to cook for me while pregnant shows great sincerity. I won’t be picky," Qi Hao said bluntly.

Su Wan instantly realized that Qi Hao was actually a very sincere person; he just appeared arrogant and unruly on the surface.

"Since you put it that way, Mr. Qi, then I won’t be shy. If any of the dishes aren’t good, just give me direct feedback, and I’ll find an opportunity to learn from an old master chef," Su Wan said with a sincere smile of her own.

Qi Hao didn’t hold back. "Deal!"

Seeing the two of them come to an agreement, the corners of Lu Zhengchuan’s mouth lifted slightly. His eyes were full of admiration as he looked at Su Wan. ’As expected, my wife can handle anyone. How could anyone not like her?’

The military jeep drove all the way into the East District.

Then it stopped in front of the famous Beijing Restaurant.

Su Wan: "..." ’I knew Qi Hao was extravagant, but I didn’t think he was *this* extravagant.’