Chapter 56: Family Dinner

Hearing Liu Baoguo say this, Wang Fen happily walked into the kitchen.

“Xiao Zhang, help me out. I’ll make a few of my signature dishes for my son.”

Zhang Hongxia glanced at the cutting board that Wang Fen had almost chopped in half a moment ago, then looked at her current good mood. If it weren’t for the chop mark still on the cutting board, she would have suspected she was dreaming.

After Wang Fen finished cooking, she felt there weren’t enough dishes. “Xiao Zhang, these are all my signature dishes, but it seems a bit lacking. Why don’t you make a few more?”

“Okay, I’ll take care of the rest,” Zhang Hongxia said confidently. The dishes she learned from Mi Xia weren’t just for show.

So Wang Fen became Zhang Hongxia’s assistant.

Wang Fen thought: Today is a good day, it should be celebrated. After all, Mo Haoyue called them Mom and Dad.

Although they hadn’t seen each other for over twenty years, they were still her own flesh and blood; blood is thicker than water.

As soon as Mo Haoyue entered, the aroma of food made his stomach rumble.

“Big brother, I’m back.”

Mi Qiu and Zhang Hongxia didn’t go to their stall today. Since they had guests at home, they took the opportunity to rest.

“Brother-in-law is back! Go wash your hands; we’ll be eating soon,” Mi Qiu said with a smile.

“Okay, I sent a telegram to Mi Xia. If there’s a telegram tomorrow, remember to call me,” Mo Haoyue instructed.

Mi Qiu: “Okay, if someone delivers a telegram tomorrow, I’ll call you. Go wash your hands; let’s eat.”

Hearing Mo Haoyue’s voice, Wang Fen anxiously said, “Xiao Zhang, there are a few more dishes.”

“Auntie, there are only two left. Please bring the finished dishes to the table.”

“Okay, thank you for your hard work, Xiao Zhang.”

Zhang Hongxia looked up and smiled at Wang Fen, who carefully carried the best dishes.

Each dish Wang Fen made was exquisite, while Zhang Hongxia’s dishes were plentiful. Each had its own merits.

“Come and sit. Let’s see how my cooking is,” Wang Fen said expectantly, looking at Mo Haoyue.

On the table were Three-Fresh Steamed Buns, Blanched Chinese Cabbage, Lion’s Head Meatballs, Dongpo Pork, and Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork.

On the other side were Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, Butterfly Sea Cucumber Soup, Eight-Treasure Winter Melon, Scallion Oil Lettuce, and Kung Pao Chicken.

Zhang Hongxia served everyone a bowl of rice. She let the children eat at another small table.

“Haoyue, try this,” Wang Fen used public chopsticks to pick up a piece of Dongpo pork and put it in Mo Haoyue’s bowl.

“Thank you, Mom.” A smile appeared on Mo Haoyue’s face.

Hearing his son call her Mom, Liu Baoguo quickly picked up a Lion’s Head Meatball and put it in Mo Haoyue’s bowl.

Then he sat up straight, smiling at Mo Haoyue, making Zhang Hongxia and Mi Qiu want to laugh but holding it back.

Seeing Liu Baoguo like this, Mo Haoyue’s mood also improved.

“Thank you, Dad. Alright, let’s eat. The aroma of the food has made me hungry.”

After saying this, the family ate quietly. After the meal, Zhang Hongxia cleaned up the dishes. Liu Baoguo looked at Mo Haoyue and said, “Come to my room for a moment.”

There was no other place in the house, so they went upstairs to the bedroom. Mo Haoyue followed Liu Baoguo into the room.

“Dad, what’s up?”

Liu Baoguo: “Although your wife’s matter has been resolved, she can’t do that kind of work anymore. What are your plans as a couple?”

Mo Haoyue hesitated before saying, “To be honest, when I went to Bai Wei’s house that day, I planned to ask Uncle Bai if he could let my wife open a shop.”

“You know what happened later.”

“What kind of shop?”

“My wife wants to open a bakery, but the policies are a bit unclear now, and we don’t know how to open one.”

Liu Baoguo: “I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?”

Seeing Mo Haoyue nod, Liu Baoguo continued, “The manager of the Beijing Grand Hotel is an old classmate of mine. I’ll talk to him and see if they can establish a separate pastry department.”

“Let you independently operate and account, paying annual rent. They have a lot of storefronts, so you don’t need to find a place; you can just find a storefront downstairs in the hotel.”

“Discuss it with Mi Xia. If she agrees, after returning to Kyoto, bring her to see me, and I’ll arrange a meeting.”

“Thank you, Dad.” The feeling of being cared for was so good. Mo Haoyue smiled happily.

If Mi Xia knew this, she would be very happy. When he was still in Kyoto, she had been worried about how to arrange for Zhang Xiaoyu and the others.

Now it’s all settled. She can also put her mind at ease. Mo Haoyue was truly grateful to Liu Baoguo.

Seeing Mo Haoyue so happy, Liu Baoguo was also happy.

“Go back and rest. Let me know when you’re going back to Kyoto, and I’ll buy the tickets,” Liu Baoguo instructed.

“There’s one more thing to do. I’ll be back to Kyoto in two days at most,” Mo Haoyue said before leaving the room.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, after breakfast, Liu Baoguo went out. He was going to see the Public Security Bureau chief of G County.

Li Tailing, the current Public Security Bureau chief of G County, was formerly a company commander under him, having transferred to local government work twenty years ago.

Over the years, he had written to him during holidays, and even visited him in Beijing when he was promoted to chief a couple of years ago.

“Young man, is Director Li in?” Seeing Liu Baoguo’s imposing manner, the young man at the counter didn’t dare to be perfunctory and quickly said, “Yes, Director Li hasn’t gone out today. Who are you?”

“Please tell Director Li that Liu Baoguo from Beijing wants to see him.” Hearing that he was from Beijing, the young man dared not be negligent.

He quickly invited Liu Baoguo into the reception room. “Please have a seat. I’ll go and inform him.”

Soon, a middle-aged man with slightly gray hair and a resolute expression came running over.

The young man was secretly pleased. It seemed that the visitor was indeed a big shot. He had worked here for so long and had rarely seen the chief run like this.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing “Beijing” and “Liu Baoguo,” the chief dropped his files and ran out. This time, he had made a good impression on the chief.

Director Li stopped two meters away from the reception room and gave a sharp military salute: “Chief!”

“Xiao Li, you don’t have to call me Director outside.”

“Yes, Director! How did you come here? I’m so happy to see you!”

Liu Baoguo didn’t care. Let him call whatever he wants. “Xiao Li, shall we go inside and talk?”

“Yes, yes, yes. I’m so sorry, please, please!” Li Tailing said, turning to his secretary, “I’m not seeing guests this morning.”

Liu Baoguo: “No need to bother, I’ll be leaving soon.”

In the meeting room, Liu Baoguo explained the whole story.

“I wouldn’t come here unless it was important. I also have a personal reason. You know what my wife is like.”

“I think your bureau should increase the intensity of anti-gambling efforts, especially in Mojia Village. As far as I know, gambling is rampant there!”

“We must deal with it severely and seriously, and at the same time, tell them about the harm of gambling. Only then will the people know that gambling should not be touched!”

“Guaranteed to complete the mission! Within two days! Chief, I’ll send you a telegram when I have news! I’ll give you a military order!” Although he had been transferred to civilian work for twenty years, Li Tailing’s style of work was still the same as in the army. Moreover, this matter was within his duties and not against the rules.