Old Master Li warmly said, “Comrade Xiao Li, help yourself to the food. Don’t be shy. Just treat it like you’re at home.”

“Alright.” Li Shuping nodded with a smile.

“Boyan, you should also try Comrade Xiao Li’s dumplings. I guarantee they’re better than any dumplings you’ve ever had,” Old Master Li added, addressing his son.

“Really? Then I must have a good taste.”

Li Boyan only picked up a dumpling after his father had moved his chopsticks.

He dipped it in vinegar and took a bite.

The fresh and savory flavor made his eyes light up.

“They are delicious. No wonder my mom didn’t want to eat anything while she was sick—except for your dumplings.”

Li Shuping smiled modestly, lips pressed together.

Old Master Li commented, “This pork and cabbage filling tastes even better than the chive and egg ones we had at the Gu family’s last time.”

Mother Gu added, “The celery and beef ones are the best. Too bad you missed out—Xiao Yan wouldn’t let you have any, and had Zhenyuan take them home instead. Old Gu and I had our fill, though.”

“…” Li Yunshu’s shrimp dropped back onto her plate at those words.

This old woman really knows how to bring up the worst topics.

Old Master Li chuckled, “Well, you and Lao Gu got lucky then. But Lao Gu isn’t so lucky today—he went out fishing and missed these amazing dumplings.”

Mother Gu looked at Li Shuping and said, “Your dumpling stall’s gone. It won’t be so easy to get your dumplings anymore.”

Li Shuping replied, “It’s not that hard actually. I rented a storefront at the top of Changning Street and plan to open a dumpling shop. Renovations are already underway. Should be open in about half a month.”

Mother Gu nodded, “No wonder the stall is gone. Upgrading from shotgun to cannon—you’re opening a proper shop now.”

“Opening a store is great. The country is focusing on economic development now. Becoming self-employed and opening a store has a promising future,” praised Old Master Li, clearly impressed by Shuping’s drive and initiative.

With a smile, Li Shuping said, “Then I’ll borrow your good words, sir. I hope my dumpling shop has a bright future.”

Except for Li Yunshu, everyone seemed to enjoy the meal thoroughly.

After sitting for a while post-meal, Li Boyan asked his driver to take Li Shuping back in his jeep.

Originally, Old Madam Yu had said she wanted to see Li Shuping after dinner, but she fell asleep after taking her medicine and didn’t wake up before Shuping left.

Instead of going straight home, Li Shuping asked the driver to drop her off at her storefront.

Qin Ye was resting on the doorstep.

When he saw a military vehicle stop by the road, he looked a bit curiously. When Auntie Li stepped out, he stood up in shock.

Why would Auntie Li get out of a military jeep?

“Thanks, comrade.” Li Shuping closed the car door and waved to the driver.

After the car left, she turned toward the store.

“Auntie Li, how come you got out of a military car?” Qin Ye asked curiously.

Li Shuping smiled, “An old neighbor of Captain Gu’s family was sick and wanted to eat my dumplings, so they invited me over to make some. Afterward, they drove me back.”

Getting a ride in a military car?

What kind of family was that?

Li Shuping checked on the renovation progress.

The walls were built, and the stove was halfway done.

Everything was looking good.

She told Cheng Hongliang to continue with the current standards.

At the Li Family Study

“Mm, I’ll deal with it after the meeting,” said Li Boyan, hanging up the phone and massaging his brow.

Knock knock knock.

“Come in.”

Li Yunshu entered with a cup of coffee. “Second Brother, I made you a cup of coffee. Guoping’s classmate brought it from America—it’s very authentic.”

She placed the coffee, served in a French ceramic cup, in front of her brother.

Li Boyan frowned slightly.

He never liked these foreign things, but since his sister had made it, he took a sip to be polite.

“How’s it taste?”

Li Boyan put down the cup. “Bitter. Like traditional Chinese medicine. I’m not used to it.”

“Drink it more and you’ll get used to it. It’s great for staying alert. I’ll pack some for you when you leave.”

“No need. You keep it. Tea works just as well to stay alert,” he declined.

“Tea can’t compare to coffee!” she blurted out.

Li Boyan narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped his fingers on the table. “Overseas, our tea sells for more than coffee. China’s tea culture has a long and rich history. It’s far more refined than this bitter stuff.”

He was all but accusing her of blindly worshiping foreign things.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Li Yunshu’s face.

After a pause, she continued, “Second Brother, since you’re back this time, do you want to meet with Guofang?”

The “Guofang” she mentioned was her sister-in-law, Zheng Guofang—a high school literature teacher, 37 years old and unmarried.

Li Boyan frowned. “Why would I meet her?”

“Second Brother, Guofang’s waited for you all these years, and you’ve stayed single too. Zhenzhen is about to graduate from college and start her internship. Don’t you think it’s time to think about your personal life?”

Back when she got married, Zheng Guofang had fallen for Boyan at first sight at the wedding—even though he was already married at the time.

A few years later, his wife, a military doctor, died in the line of duty.

After learning about Guofang’s feelings, her family and Yunshu tried to set the two up, but Boyan had always refused.

Zheng Guofang, however, remained devoted.

She believed her persistence would eventually move him, so she waited all these years without marrying.

As her sister-in-law, Yunshu never gave up trying to match them.

Seeing Boyan stay silent, she pressed on. “Second Brother, it’s been seventeen years since your wife passed. It’s time to let go. Guofang waited for you all this time—her best years have passed. Everyone in our circle says she’s foolishly loyal. Don’t you feel sorry for such a devoted woman?”

Boyan’s brows furrowed deeper. “I said it many years ago—I’m not looking for anyone else. If your sister-in-law wants to wait, that’s her choice. I never asked her to wait. I can’t be expected to take responsibility just because she turned into an old maid waiting for me.”

And what’s with this “how can you be so heartless” talk?

So if he didn’t marry Zheng Guofang, who had waited for over a decade, he’d be seen as a scumbag?

“That’s not what I meant,” Yunshu hurried to explain. “I just think you should have someone who cares for you. Guofang truly loves you. The fact that she waited so long shows how deep her feelings are. She’s surely the most suitable for you—”

Boyan raised his hand to stop her. “I had no interest in Zheng Guofang ten years ago, I don’t now, and I won’t in the future. Rather than trying to convince me, you’d be better off persuading her to find someone and get married.”

He had made up his mind.

Other than his late wife, Xu Wanhua, he would never marry another woman.

Li Yunshu: “…”