Chapter 367: Chapter 368 Minister Xu

Third Aunt Zhou frowned deeply when she overheard the conversation of the waiter at the restaurant. Her mother had tasked her with introducing her niece to Zhou Chen this time.

She knew her own niece well; if it hadn’t been for that shameful incident, her mother wouldn’t have wanted her niece to just marry anyone in a hurry, and they would not have resorted to such a measure.

Sitting at the dining table, Third Aunt Zhou became curious after hearing what the server had to say, “So, according to you, your boss is very afraid of his wife?”

She intentionally raised her voice to make sure Granny Gu heard her, given how much Granny Gu doted on her own daughter, it would pain her to see her grandson being bullied by his granddaughter-in-law.

The questioned waiter had an embarrassed look on her face; she had spoken quietly enough and didn’t expect to be overheard.

She said nervously, “The boss isn’t afraid of the boss’s wife, he just loves her very much.”

“Love for a wife should be done in a proper manner. If your boss is always busy outside, then as his tool and bridge, his wife should fulfill her responsibilities well and take good care of him,” said Third Aunt Gu, looking to Old Lady Zhou for approval after her declaration.

Lu Aimin was somewhat displeased and felt it was unfair for Xu Ying, addressing Third Aunt Gu directly, “Auntie speaks true, but our boss’s wife isn’t just sitting idle.

Not only is she attending school while pregnant, but she also holds positions in two large factories. If it weren’t for the wife’s recipes, who knows if this shop could even open at all.

If Huo Chen is a bit nicer to Xu Ying, it’s only what she deserves.

Back then, when Huo Chen and Granny Huo were relying on each other, instead of taking Qiao’s credit, it would have been better to investigate Huo Chen’s past life thoroughly first.” Lu Aimin almost shouted his last sentence.

If Huo Chen really started to treat Xu Ying badly because of his change in status, Lu Aimin would forever look down on him.

Third Aunt Gu’s face changed repeatedly; she had thought Xu was just a college student, not realizing she also worked.

Considering Huo Chen’s past, Third Aunt Gu felt angry, “Surely Xu Ying isn’t using her past help to constantly threaten and control him now, is she? That would be too much.”

“If that were really the case, it would indeed be too much,” Xu Ying said as she emerged with steaming dishes, the vapors obscuring her face and leaving her emotions unclear.

Old Lady Zhou saw her come out and glared at Third Son’s wife, “Shut up, it’s not your place to meddle in the young couple’s life.”

Third Aunt Zhou indignantly said, “Mom, I’m only thinking of what’s best for Zhou Chen.”

“I think he’s doing just fine,” Old Lady Zhou said disdainfully. Third Son’s wife never did anything without something in it for her, and her sudden concern today was abnormal.

With this in mind, Old Lady Zhou looked at Third Son’s wife suspiciously, “You wouldn’t be scheming something again, would you?”

Third Son’s wife felt extremely guilty but still bravely responded, “Mom, how could you say that about me? I’m just caring for Zhou Chen. He suffered so much when he was little; now that he’s back, shouldn’t we take extra care of him?”

“Mom, let’s eat. Look at Xu Ying’s cooking skills; these dishes smell so good,” Aunt Zhou diverted the conversation with a smile.

Old Lady Zhou’s attention finally shifted to the food on the table, which was indeed crafted by a master chef, not only exquisite but also aromatic.

Old Man Zhou, already enticed by the fragrance, couldn’t wait any longer. As soon as all the food was served, he started eating heartily, unable to stop praising, “My, my, Yingying really made this meal delicious. No wonder all those foreign guests love it!” Old Man Zhou’s words left the rest of the Zhou family puzzled.

Third Aunt Zhou’s expression turned even weirder, “Dad, what are you joking about? How could those foreign guests like her cooking, and how could she ever meet them?”

Even Third Aunt Zhou didn’t believe it, nor did Third Uncle Zhou. Nowadays, exchanges and collaborations with foreign guests are conducted at the Foreign Affairs Pavilion. How could a little girl like Xu Ying possibly get in there, let alone cook for them.

“Dad, you must be joking,” said Third Uncle Zhou with a laugh.

Old Man Zhou suddenly looked upset, regretting that he hadn’t brought the newspaper with him today.

“The old gentleman isn’t joking. Our proprietress here has indeed cooked for foreign guests. Have you all not watched television? Even if you haven’t seen television, you should have read the newspapers, right?

Our proprietress has been featured in both the newspapers and on TV,” said the young waitress, curling her lip. She was clearly unimpressed with the boss’s relatives.

Pretending to be all high and mighty as if they were from some grand household, yet they were so out of the loop, ignorant about everything.

Third Aunt Zhou looked skeptical, glancing at the waitress with some disbelief: “Young lady, this isn’t something to joke about.”

“I know I shouldn’t joke about such matters, but everything I’ve said is true.”

Old Man Zhou, looking at his youngest son with annoyance, remarked, “You’re a leader after all. I don’t know what keeps you so busy every day, not paying any attention to the important national matters.”

Third Uncle Zhou was bewildered. Even if his nephew’s wife had cooked for foreign guests, it wouldn’t count as something significant on a national level.

Upon hearing this, Third Aunt Zhou couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter: “Dad, it’s just cooking a meal. How does it amount to a national affair?”

Second Aunt Zhou, who had been quiet until now, suddenly looked thrilled as she turned to Xu Ying, asking, “You couldn’t possibly be the ‘Minister Xu’ mentioned in the newspapers, could you? Xiao Xu, Xu Ying, oh my, it really is you!

The photo in the newspaper did you no justice. We didn’t recognize you at all.”

Second Aunt Zhou’s gaze towards Xu Ying shifted in an instant, filled with admiration: “Sister-in-law, this girl is that ‘Minister Xu’!”

Aunt Zhou seemed a bit bewildered, trying to reconcile the person she saw in the newspaper photo with Xu Ying standing before her. It really was a close resemblance.

The main issue was one seemed like a young girl, while the other was a pregnant woman. They hadn’t thought in that direction at all; only noticing she looked oddly familiar when they first met.

“Xu Ying, you truly are ‘Minister Xu’! You’re incredible. We saw the newspapers and the TV back then. Tell us, how do you come up with so many clever ideas,

winning over those foreign guests and having them spend so generously?”

Xu Ying offered a modest smile and quickly replied, “Aunt Zhou, it’s not about tricking anyone. The main thing is that our Huaxia products are good and worth their purchase.”

Old Man Zhou was quite pleased with her response. Their Huaxia civilization had been thriving for thousands of years; it was indeed excellent, or else it wouldn’t have been subjected to shameless plagiarism and distortion by others.

Third Aunt Zhou really knew nothing about any newspapers or television; she was too preoccupied with dressing up and completely clueless about domestic developments.

Watching the Zhou family’s change in attitude towards Xu Ying made her feel extremely uncomfortable inside.

Turning to her daughter, she was seething with anger: “Look at your own niece; she’s not even as close as an outsider.”

Zhou Ru, chided by her mother, was so filled with grievance and retorted with teary eyes: “You’re no different.”

Just as Third Aunt Zhou was about to lose her temper, Old Lady Zhou commanded sharply, “If you don’t want to eat, then get out.”