Chapter 270: The Matter Settled
Although Ning Xiyue was drinking and eating peanuts, she kept her eyes on the door the entire time.
When she saw the captain arrive, she finally felt relieved, her face lighting up with a smile.
“Captain, I’ve already poured you a drink—it’s been waiting just for you!”
“Ah, I’m here! I could already smell your food from the kitchen—it’s been making me drool,”
Zhang Dawei said as he walked in.
His eyes lit up the moment he saw the liquor on the table.
He sat down quickly, lifted his cup, and downed it in one go.
Only after fully satisfying his craving did he pick up his chopsticks and eat a peanut.
Aunt Yangliu saw him plop down so fast, empty-handed, and immediately snatched the wine jug from the table before he could reach it.
She glared at him. “Why are you just sitting there? What about the stove? How’s the pot doing?”
“Almost done. I sealed the fire hole—it’ll be fine. Just pour me one glass, will you? I was drooling just smelling this from over there. I’ll go back after one cup.”
Since Zhang Dawei couldn’t get the jug back, he obediently held out his cup to her with a flattering smile, eyes fixed pitifully on the wine jug in her hands.
“Auntie, please pour Uncle Dawei one more cup,” Ning Xiyue chimed in helpfully.
Then she pushed a bowl toward him with a grin.
“Uncle, why don’t you try this wine-braised poached egg first? It’s good for your health.”
“Alright, thank you, Yuewa,” Zhang Dawei said, nodding as he began to eat.
But even while eating, his eyes kept darting toward the cup sitting in front of Aunt Yangliu.
“Fine, I’ll pour you some,” she said at last, carefully filling his cup. “But sip it slowly. Don’t drink like an old ox gulping water! This wine is too good to waste—it’s made from top-quality glutinous rice.”
“I’ll savor it, I promise. Not a drop wasted—fill it to the brim.”
Zhang Dawei quickly finished the egg, then picked up his cup and took a small, deliberate sip.
Aunt Yangliu watched him and said casually, “Now that you’ve had Yuewa’s wine, you’ll need to help her with a small favor.”
“Yuewa, don’t worry—whatever it is, your Uncle Dawei agrees,” Aunt Yangliu said warmly, smiling at Ning Xiyue.
Ning Xiyue was stunned for a second—she hadn’t expected Auntie to be that straightforward.
“Cough—cough—”
Zhang Dawei choked on his drink, caught completely off guard by her sudden words.
“For heaven’s sake, such a big man and you still choke on liquor,” Aunt Yangliu scolded, patting his back while helping him recover.
Ning Xiyue quickly handed him a cup of water.
“Yuewa, tell Uncle what’s going on. If I can help, I definitely will,” Zhang Dawei said once he caught his breath.
He already knew there’s no such thing as a free meal—but since his wife had agreed in advance, it couldn’t be anything serious.
Still, that timing—right when he was drinking—had nearly cost him his dignity.
Seeing that her husband had agreed, Aunt Yangliu gave Ning Xiyue a subtle wink before going to the kitchen to check on the fire and the pig’s ears boiling in the pot.
Ning Xiyue told the captain everything about her second brother’s issue.
He listened carefully, thought for a moment, and then said, “Let me see that acceptance letter you’ve written.”
Ning Xiyue’s hand was already in her bag clutching the paper.
At his words, she immediately pulled it out and handed it over with both hands, also placing stationery and a pen on the table just in case.
“Don’t worry, we’ve already gotten approval from the town’s educated youth office. Once you submit this acceptance document, everything will be official.”
After reading it, the captain didn’t say much.
He just held out his hand. “Pen and notebook—quickly, before my drink gets cold.”
“Yes!” Ning Xiyue responded quickly, handing him the pen and opening the notebook in front of him.
Her eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Thank you, Captain!”
“No need to thank me—it’s just standard procedure,” he said as he began copying the document, making a few appropriate edits before signing it and tucking it into his bag.
Then, picking up a peanut with his chopsticks, he looked at her.
“After lunch, come with me to the brigade office to get the official seal.”
“Okay,” Ning Xiyue said eagerly, pouring more wine into his cup. “Uncle Dawei, have another drink!”
“The pig’s ears are ready!”
Aunt Yangliu came over with a platter of smoked pig’s ears.
“They go perfectly with wine, Yuewa—you must try them.”
“Of course, Auntie! Come sit, let’s drink properly together.”
Ning Xiyue filled everyone’s cups and raised hers high.
The matter was half-settled, and the rest was as good as done—she was in an excellent mood.
Aunt Yangliu eagerly joined, clinking glasses with a bright smile.
“Come on—cheers!”
Although Ning Xiyue was a generation younger, the three of them drank together cheerfully, perfectly in sync.
Both Aunt Yangliu and the captain loved their liquor, but despite appearances, they didn’t drink much.
They treasured this wine too much—after the first few bold gulps, they began taking tiny sips.
The small cups held barely a mouthful, yet they made it last.
After about two hours, the three of them had only finished about 600 grams of wine—each person roughly 200 grams.
It was just enough to satisfy them without getting drunk—warming and healthy.
Ning Xiyue left the remaining wine with Aunt Yangliu, suggesting she enjoy a cup each night before bed.
The woman carefully packed away the jug like a precious treasure.
After the meal, she shooed them out, saying,
“Alright, off you go to get that seal stamped. Don’t dawdle here—I’ll clean up.”
How thoughtful Auntie was, even reminding her!
“Thank you, Auntie,” Ning Xiyue said softly, smiling as she followed the captain out the door toward the brigade office.
When the captain pulled out the official seal, Ning Xiyue stood by nervously, watching as he pressed it into the ink pad.
Each press felt like it landed on her own heart—her nerves taut, her breath caught.
Finally, he lifted the seal and stamped it firmly onto the acceptance letter.
The bright red mark bloomed vividly on the paper.
As he set the seal back down, her heart finally relaxed with it—relief washing through her in waves.
Her face broke into a radiant smile.
After waiting for the ink to dry, the captain handed her the paper and joked,
“Keep it safe—if you lose it, I’m not writing another one for you.”
“I will, thank you, Captain! You’re the best captain in the world,” she said with mock solemnity.
Holding the document tightly, she couldn’t help reading it over again, her grin widening as she showered him with compliments until he burst into laughter.
The matter was settled!
Just then, a middle-aged man knocked on the door and called cheerfully,
“Old Zhang! Busy? I’ve got something to discuss with you.”
