harleyscars Chapter 189 Reunion Dinner
Chapter 189 Reunion Dinner
The scorching sun gradually climbed to its zenith, and the high temperature reached its peak.
The group had been chatting all morning, and their stomachs were already rumbling, but they hadn't paid any attention since they had just met.
Lin Zhou, who regularly exercises and digests food quickly, couldn't help but rub his hands together. He looked at Su Guohua and Wang Jianjun, and said in a cheerful tone:
"Dad, brother-in-law, sister, it's almost lunchtime. Let's not bother staying at home. I've been walking around this area for the past couple of days and I know there's a state-run restaurant nearby that has pretty good food and is clean!"
Let's have a big family meal together to celebrate the official kinship recognition between our two families.
As soon as he said this, Wang Jianjun immediately waved his hand, his face showing a simple yet resolute expression as he refused:
"Brother-in-law, no, no, we can't eat out."
Su Wanrong, standing to the side, quickly echoed, unconsciously adjusting her apron as she spoke earnestly:
"Yes, brother-in-law, you came all the way from Hong Kong to see us and waited for us for several days. Now that you're home, there's no reason for you to run off again."
"Besides, we've just met as relatives, so we should have a family reunion dinner at home. It's more intimate to have a lively gathering. Eating at state-run restaurants is not only expensive, but it also feels distant and doesn't feel like we're a family."
Lin Zhou had anticipated their refusal and smiled as he advised them:
"Sister, brother-in-law, what's there to be shy about? We should celebrate properly just because we've reunited as family."
"Cooking at home is such a hassle, buying groceries and cooking, it's exhausting. Let's eat out, eat, wipe our mouths, and leave—so convenient!"
"No trouble at all!" Su Wanrong quickly waved her hand, her eyes showing a hint of stubbornness.
"I have a stove right here in the hallway, with pots and pans ready-made, so I can cook a few dishes very quickly. Since you rarely come here, you must try my cooking. No restaurant food can compare to home-cooked meals."
Wang Jianjun nodded in agreement, saying with a slightly embarrassed tone:
"Brother-in-law, we appreciate your kindness, but we really can't go out. Think about it, we've just met as relatives, and if we eat out for our first meal together, people will say we don't know the proper etiquette."
"Besides, although our family's financial situation is average, it's enough to entertain you. We can't let you spend too much money."
Seeing their resolute attitude, Lin Zhou knew they were honest people who couldn't bear the expense of eating out and valued the genuine closeness between relatives.
He turned to look at his wife beside him, giving her a coded message with his eyes, but his words went along with theirs:
"Okay, then we'll listen to my brother-in-law and sister and eat at home. Wanqing, you go with my sister and help out, see if we need anything and lend a hand."
Su Wanqing immediately understood her husband's meaning and replied with a smile, "Okay, sister, I'll go with you and learn your skills."
Seeing that she agreed, Su Wanrong smiled, took her hand, and walked towards the door: "You don't need to learn, you can just sit and rest, I'm very fast."
"Sister, don't be so polite with me. We're family now. Let me help you wash your things." Su Wanqing said, while subtly reaching into her bag and reaching for a wad of cash before quietly pulling her hand out.
She knew her cousin's family was struggling financially, and Wang Jianjun was unhappy at work, so his income was probably not high. She couldn't let them spend money on this meal.
The two walked into the corridor. Su Wanrong lifted the iron lid of the stove; the charcoal fire inside was blazing, the red flames licking the stove walls. She pointed to the vegetable basket in the corner and said:
"Look, I bought some greens, potatoes, and a piece of pork belly this morning. I was thinking I wouldn't need to go grocery shopping for the next few days, but since you're here, I can cook all of these together."
Su Wanqing peeked into the basket and saw that there weren't many vegetables in it, and the pork belly was just a thin, small piece. She couldn't help but feel a little sour.
While Su Wanrong turned around to wash the vegetables, she quickly walked to the delicatessen outside the residential compound, took out the money from her bag, handed it over, and said in a low voice:
"Boss, give me a roast chicken, a braised duck, and two pounds of braised beef, all ready-made, please hurry."
The shopkeeper quickly packed the food, and Su Wanqing carried the heavy load of cooked food back upstairs.
When Su Wanrong saw that she was carrying several oil paper packages, she immediately became anxious: "Wanqing, what are you doing? I already told you we have vegetables at home, why are you spending money to buy these?"
"Sister, since this is a family reunion between our two families, we should serve a few substantial dishes to make it proper."
Su Wanqing placed the cooked food on the small table next to her and said with a smile, "Don't try to take this money from me. It's just a small token of my appreciation. If you don't accept it, it means you don't consider us family."
Su Wanrong wanted to decline, but Su Wanqing had already picked up the cleaver and started cutting the meat, saying as she did so:
"Sister, don't be shy, let's hurry up and cook, or everyone will get impatient." She worked quickly and efficiently, cutting the roast chicken and braised duck into small pieces and arranging them on a plate. She also cut the braised beef into even slices and arranged them neatly.
Watching her busy figure, Su Wanrong's eyes welled up slightly. Without saying anything more, she picked up the spatula and started cooking.
The charcoal fire in the stove burned brighter and brighter. With a sizzle, the pork belly was poured into the pot and quickly fried until golden brown, releasing an aroma that filled the air. Su Wanrong worked quickly and efficiently, also stir-frying green pepper and potato shreds, garlic-flavored lettuce, and making a tomato and egg soup. In just over half an hour, a table full of dishes was laid out.
In the living room, Lin Zhou, Su Guohua, and Wang Jianjun were already sitting at the table. The two children, Lin Xiaofeng and Guoqing, were already drooling with envy, their eyes fixed on the dishes on the table.
Su Wanqing brought out the last bowl of soup and said with a smile, "Alright, all the dishes are ready, let's eat."
Su Guohua picked up the Moutai liquor that Lin Zhou had brought and poured it for the group, saying with a satisfied smile:
"Okay, today is a good day. Our two families are finally reunited. Come on, let's all have a drink to celebrate."
Lin Zhou finished his drink and was about to pick up his chopsticks to eat when he noticed Wang Jianjun sitting still and reminded him:
"Brother-in-law, sister, don't just watch us eat, eat more yourselves too. Wanqing, please take care of Xiaofeng."
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively. The two children chattered away as they ate. Lin Xiaofeng took out the toys his father had brought and showed them to Guoqing. Guoqing's eyes lit up, and the two little ones quickly became best friends.
Su Wanrong kept putting food on Su Guohua and Lin Zhou's plates, saying, "Second Uncle, Brother-in-law, eat more. If it's not enough, I'll cook some more."
"That's enough, sis, there's no way we can finish all this food," Lin Zhou said quickly. "You should eat too, don't just focus on taking care of us."
Su Wanqing also put a piece of roast chicken on her cousin's plate: "Sis, try this, it tastes good."
Su Wanrong took a bite and nodded: "It really is delicious. You guys really know how to buy things."
She knew in her heart that these cooked dishes must have cost a lot of money, and she felt both touched and a little guilty, so she could only keep putting food on everyone's plates.
This meal was especially delicious, not only because the food tasted good, but also because of the warm atmosphere of the family gathering.
As they ate and chatted, Wang Jianjun asked Lin Zhou about his business in Hong Kong. Lin Zhou gave a brief answer, speaking modestly, saying that it was doing alright.
Su Wanrong would occasionally chime in with a few words, mostly asking about the local customs and culture of Hong Kong, her eyes filled with curiosity and longing.
After dinner, Su Wanqing was clearing away the dishes when Su Wanrong took her hand and said, "Wanqing, come to the bedroom with me, let's have a chat, sisters."
Su Wanqing smiled and nodded, then followed her cousin into the inner room.
The two children, carrying their toys, ran into the small room next door, their chattering laughter drifting through the crack in the door.
Only Lin Zhou, Su Guohua, and Wang Jianjun remained in the living room.
Su Wanrong had already prepared tea. Lin Zhou poured a cup for his father-in-law and Wang Jianjun. The fragrant tea washed away the greasiness of the food.
"Brother-in-law, what exactly do you do at the machinery factory in Beijing?" Lin Zhou picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked casually.