When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 70: Chapter 44: The 1950s’ Wife of Chaff and Bran (44)

This made the Chu family seem all the more aloof and arrogant. Even walking with their heads held high could be misinterpreted as them looking down their noses at people...

”Director Jiang, we were busy and couldn’t make it when your Shen Yu got married last time. We have no idea what the new bride looks like! I hear chefs are all pretty plump, aren’t they?” A group of school colleagues came over together. Handing over their gift money, they stepped forward and asked with a smile.

Mrs. Chu smiled and nodded. ”She is indeed a fair and pretty comrade.”

’Fair and pretty’ was too vague. The colleagues exchanged glances, all eager for a bit of drama.

’Who isn’t a pale, doughy lump after spending all day in a kitchen?’

”Ay, your Shen Yu is so outstanding. We all thought he’d marry a wife who was just as accomplished as he is. A chef isn’t bad, I suppose, but... what a shame...” The woman mumbled the last part as if to herself. Her voice was low, yet everyone nearby heard it clearly.

”Oh, so Director Jiang’s daughter-in-law is a chef? How novel! Well, you won’t have to worry about your son anymore. With a chef for a daughter-in-law, she’s sure to fatten Shen Yu right up,” someone said in a shrill, mocking voice, gleeful at their misfortune, making sure all the guests of the Chu family heard.

For a moment, expressions shifted all around—some pitying, some satisfied, some gloating.

Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu shared a helpless glance but made no effort to correct them.

Their daughter-in-law was a chef. That was a fact. Rather than arguing, it was better to wait for her to arrive and let another fact set them straight.

’Could a woman who managed to tie down their son and get him to agree to marriage possibly be mediocre?’

Her beauty alone was enough to outshine all the others, not to mention they knew their son had been won over by her cooking.

Who could imagine that beneath the cool, aloof exterior of an academic prodigy was a simple-minded foodie, one who didn’t hesitate to use his own good looks as a honey trap!

The Chu family had many guests, and a third of them were single women of marriageable age who had come after hearing the news. They were bitter that the ”Immortal Herbs” they had been waiting on for years had been snatched up by someone else. Naturally, they had to come and see for themselves, resentfully wondering if they still had a chance.

The weather was hot. By ten o’clock, the sun was already high in the sky, having torn through the clouds to unleash its boundless heat.

A few stray cicadas had already started their chorus, cheering on the warmth.

Mr. Chu was the headmaster of a prestigious school, and Mrs. Chu was a director. Years ago, they had been assigned a small, two-story villa with a yard of about twenty square meters out front.

The house and yard were now packed with people. Children ran wildly around the yard when someone shouted that the bride was here. A group of young men immediately rushed out. Upon seeing Chu Shenyu driving up in his old-fashioned car, they used cigarettes to light firecrackers.

The CRACKLE and POP of the firecrackers echoed through the air. Women threw candy from plates, and the children’s cheers of joy made the celebration feel real.

Zhu Yun hadn’t expected their makeup wedding ceremony to be this lively. She was a little stunned.

Chu Shenyu said with a smile, ”It’s just the neighbors coming to join the fun. Most of them will leave by the time we eat. We’re already officially married, so just think of this... think of this as the bride’s homecoming banquet.”

Zhu Yun pursed her lips, smiling at him. ”So I guess I’ve married a man who’s moving in with the bride’s family?”

”Then I guess that makes you the head of the household. After you,” Chu Shenyu whispered, playing along.

”I made some ice cream last night. It’s in the trunk. It’s so hot, it’ll be perfect to share with everyone,” Zhu Yun managed to tell him before Mrs. Chu and Eldest Sister Chu took her by the hand, leading her out of the car to meet the guests.

The young man who had lit the firecrackers zipped over to Chu Shenyu’s side and threw an arm around his shoulders. ”Brother Yu, how do you always manage to pull off such huge things without a peep? A sister-in-law this gorgeous... which sacred mountain did you summon her from?”

A circle of young men crowded around, saying mournfully, ”Brother Yu, what was so bad about being a lone wolf? How could you break your vow and shatter the hearts of so many female comrades...”

’Didn’t they say she was a chef? Why is this chef more beautiful than Xi Shi from the ancient tales?’

’Can those slender arms and legs even handle a giant wok?’

The gossiping neighbors were also stunned, asking for confirmation again and again.

Mrs. Chu said with a smile, ”Zhu Yun is indeed a chef, but she’s in charge of the special kitchen. The leadership at the Bright Machinery Factory all love her cooking. A few days ago, she just took on twelve apprentices.”

”How many?” someone asked, so shocked they could barely speak.

’Having even three or four apprentices makes you a master chef.’

”Twelve,” Mrs. Chu said with great patience. ”Our Zhu Yun is now the deputy director of the Number One Cafeteria. She doesn’t handle the stoves anymore; she’s only in charge of supplying cold drinks...”

The Bright Machinery Factory was a huge work unit. Many people had relatives or friends who worked there, and some even visited from time to time, so they knew a little about the situation inside.

They couldn’t help but sigh. It turned out there were ranks and levels even among chefs. They had been too narrow-minded.