Chapter 122.2

The roast duck and braised elbow brought back by Yali from the capital were perfect additions. There wasn’t much preparation needed; just reheating the dishes would suffice.

Su Xiaoxiao also made a simple meatball radish soup, adding extra pepper to ward off the cold. It was most suitable for a person to have a bowl in such a chilly winter.
Han Cheng and Zhang Hongtu arrived home, and it was the first time that Da Bao and Xiao Bao met Zhu Zi’s father. They admired him as he was a tall, handsome military uncle.

Zhang Hongtu patted the children’s heads one by one and also gave them all red envelopes.

Later, Xiao Fantuan and Xiao Bao returned with Zhao Xianfeng and his wife.

Zhou Yuhua was preparing dinner when she heard about the roast duck. Without hesitation, she brought the preserved fish and side dishes she was preparing to cook, and she even brought some preserved fish from home.

Su Xiaoxiao said, “I forgot to ask Fantuan to tell you not to bring anything over. There are so many dishes at home to eat.”

Zhou Yuhua replied, “These kids eat their family’s wealth. ^[1]It’s figurative way of saying that the kids eat a lot and hence require a significant amount of food, humorously suggesting that feeding them might exhaust the family’s resources. With so many kids, we’ll finish it all anyway.”

The kids were indeed hearty eaters, and it was rare to have such a lively gathering. They decided to enjoy this feast thoroughly.

Su Xiaoxiao soaked the preserved fish in warm water. Zhou Yuhua brought celery and garlic sprouts, but it wasn’t enough. So, she went to the vegetable garden to pick some green peppers and more garlic sprouts to prepare a simple waxed fish casserole.

Slices of ginger and garlic were put into the wok, then the fish was added and stir-fried until slightly brown. Adding enough water to cover the fish, they cooked it for a few minutes until the soup turned milky white. They then transferred the fish and soup into a shallow clay pot, adding green peppers, celery, and plenty of garlic sprouts. Placing it on a small charcoal stove on the table, they simmered it slowly. Other dishes were also brought to the table.

It was the first time that Su Xiaoxiao had gathered so many kids at home. Six adults and eight kids sat together at the dining table. It was also the first time the table was so abundantly filled with various dishes. The aroma of different foods filled the air, and the kids were excitedly chattering “wow, wow wow” around the table non-stop.

Xiao Fantuan drooled as he looked at the delicious food in front of him and said, “This is richer than any New Year’s Eve dinner I’ve ever had! Xiao Zhu Zi, how about going to the capital once a month?”

The other kids eagerly nodded, leaving Xiao Zhuzi unsure of how to respond.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao swallowed their saliva.

Xiao Bao said, “This is the first time I’ve seen so much meat!”

Da Bao nodded and said, “Me too.”

Xiao Yu couldn’t resist anymore. Since the adults hadn’t started eating, he didn’t dare touch his chopsticks. Instead, he just kept sniffing the delicious aroma of the dishes in front of him.

Only Xiao Zhuzi remained the calmest. Perhaps it was because when he was in the capital, his grandfather’s comrade took them to a state-owned restaurant where he had seen even more lavish meals. However, no matter how much meat he had eaten, he still thought that his Aunt Su’s cooking was the best.

The three men couldn’t sit still any longer. Zhao Xianfeng said, “Xiaoxiao’s cooking skills are wasted on not being a chef in a state-owned restaurant.”

Han Cheng said, “It’s not a pity, the work there is too hard. It’s already tiring for Xiaoxiao to cook for our family.”

Zhou Yuhua distributed chopsticks to everyone and, upon hearing their conversation, chuckled and said, “If Xiaoxiao becomes a chef in a state-owned restaurant, the Minister of Propaganda will cry.”

Yali served everyone meatball radish soup and added, “If the school principal finds out, they will cry too.”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and said, “If you keep talking like this, the kids will cry from hunger. Let’s start!”

Among those present, only Zhao Xianfeng was drinking; Han Cheng and Zhang Hongtu abstained. Zhao Xianfeng found it uninteresting to drink alone, so he also refrained from drinking. Instead, he raised the bowl of radish meatball soup in his hand and said, “Then let’s celebrate the reunion with soup instead of alcohol. I hope that in the years to come, we can gather like this every year.”

Su Xiaoxiao added, “We live so close by, we can gather whenever we want, just give a shout, no need for much talk. Let’s wish for good health, peace, and prosperity. May each year be better than the last. Kids, let’s eat!”

Others chimed in, “Agreed, for peace, prosperity, and better years ahead. Let’s eat!”