Chapter 262: Home-cooked Meals
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The couple had woken up pretty early this morning. For Li Xiqing, it was because of his daily habit. While for Shao Yan, it was more because she was nervous about spending more time with Father Li and Mother Li today.
"Xiqing, let's go to the market?" Shao Yan suggested while folding up the blanket.
"I was thinking of bringing some flowers over. Since their place was an empty unit for a while, I figure fresh new flowers will be a good gift. What do you think?"
Li Xiqing nodded, "En, that's a good idea. We can also get some fresh soy milk, I know that is their favorite drink." After they had decided, the couple quickly changed into a casual attire and stepped out of the house.
----------
"Ma?"
They heard a sound of clutters from the kitchen utensils. He glanced at Shao Yan, and with his chin, Li Xiqing pointed towards the kitchen, "You go first, I'll be right there."
Shao Yan nodded and then she walked ahead of him, carrying the fresh-cut flowers in her hands. Li Xiqing took off his shoes before closing the door behind him. This morning, they had promised his parents to come over for breakfast. It had been a while for him to eat his mother's home cooked food again. So, Li Xiqing was more excited than usual.
He slowly walked out from the foyer with a paper bag in his hand and a smile on his face.
As he entered the kitchen, Li Xiqing saw Shao Yan was trying up her hair and his mother was stir-frying stuff in the wok.
"Oh Xiqing, you're here as well. Why are both of you so early? Didn't I say eight o'clock?"
"Ma, there is some soy milk here," He put the stuff in his hands on the kitchen island and walked over to his mother's side, "We wanted to help you. Yan Yan could not stand troubling you alone."
Mother Li turned around to face Shao Yan whose face had turned a deeper shade of red. All she said this morning was to help his mother. His parents had just taken a twenty hour flight; of course they would be tired.
"Silly girl, I'm fine," Mother Li feigned a scolding but her face was smiling wide at her. Mother Li then turned her attention back to the wok in her hands.
Shao Yan took the opportunity to glare at Li Xiqing for ratting her out. He cheekily smiled at her and shrugged as if he did not understand what he did wrong. She decided to let him go, and started to tear open a package of dumpling skin to wrap the minced meat in front of her.
Seeing that Shao Yan had started to make some dumplings, Li Xiqing walked to the fridge to cut some fruits.
Mother Li heard the door to the fridge was opened, and she looked at his son again, "Xiqing, since you are here, go help Yan Yan with those dumplings. When your father is back, let him cut the fruits."
Li Xiqing nodded, "Where is Pa anyway?"
"He went downstairs to help Xilin with some groceries," Mother Li answered without turning her back around, "Xilin said since she is alone now without Yufeng for the next few weeks, the food in her fridge will be wasted so she is giving them to me instead."
"That lazy girl," And then Mother Li chuckled while shaking her head, "She said she will just come here every night to mooch off dinner from me."
----------
"Wow! Mommy!" Mandy raised her thumbs up at Mother Li's direction, "Your noodle is always the best!"
"Your mouth is always saying such sweet words," Mother Li scooped more vegetables and put them into Mandy's bowl "Eat slowly. Don't choke."
Mandy shook her head feeling helpless. She was already more than thirty years old, yet her own mother still treated her as if she was five.
"I still remember you even made your own noodles when we were in New York, Mom. It's too bad we don't have that machine here, otherwise, it will be even more amazing!" With her chopsticks, she pointed to her own bowl, "You should impart your secret to Yan Yan, Mom, let her be in charge to fatten up Qing Qing now."
Her last words successfully drew chuckles out of Father Li who was eating silently at the side. His cheeky daughter had always been the joker in the family. The dinner time had never been dull because of her.
Father Li peeked at his son who always had a serious expression on his face. And then he glanced at the young woman who was sitting next to him. He noticed a change in his son, and he believed it was all because of this girl.
Xiqing had become wiser and more patient. During their frequent chats, Father Li also noticed that Xiqing had planned out their future together carefully; and he felt relieved knowing that his son was learning more about responsibility. He could not feel more proud of this.
Without saying anything, Father Li picked up another deep fried dumpling with his chopsticks and continued to eat heartily.
----------
After breakfast was done, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan took the initiative to clean the dishes. He chased Mother Li and Mandy out of the kitchen when they were about to help.
"Sis, you should go help Ma," Li Xiqing suddenly said, "Didn't Ma say that she has gifts for all of us?"
"Oh! That's right!" Mandy took her mother's hands excitedly, "Let's go, Mommy, let me help you."
The two ladies then exited the kitchen and let Li Xiqing and Shao Yan be busy amongst themselves. Father Li was brewing some tea for all of them while waiting for everyone to be done with their chores.
After a while, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan walked out of the kitchen; carrying plates of fruits in their hands.
"Oh! Yan Yan, come sit over here," Mother Li patted an empty space next to her, "Xiqing, you come over, too."
Father Li was sitting at the single sofa at the head of the couch, facing the TV in the living room. He had set the volume at the right level so he could still watch and everyone could be chatting comfortably. Mandy sat at the opposite side of him, also a single sofa for herself, leaving the wide, long couch for Mother Li, Shao Yan and Li Xiqing to sit together.
"Yan Yan, this is just a little something for you," Mother Li handed over two boxes in her hand, "I hope you don't dislike them."
The boxes were different in shapes, one was bigger than the other. Both boxes were wrapped prettily with gold ribbons around them. Shao Yan quickly answered, "Thank you, Auntie, of course I will like them, don't worry," she said in her soft voice, her hands were extended to receive the two boxes from Mother Li.
Mother Li patted her hands gently, "Silly girl, what are you thanking me for," and smiled at her reassuringly.
She bent down and then she took out a few more boxes from a bag next to her feet. The boxes were also wrapped beautifully, and passed them over to Li Xiqing, "Now, son, these are for you."
Li Xiqing received the boxes and was about to say his thanks, but Mother Li had continued to say, "Xiqing, the air pollution in China is getting worse. These are all nutritional herbs for Yan Yan. When you cook them, make sure to read the instructions carefully, alright?" His hands paused in the air; speechless.
Shao Yan was also looking at the wrapped boxes, feeling flabbergasted.
'H-Hold on!' Shao Yan thought to herself, 'Aun- Auntie, isn't he your son, and I'm just the daughter in law?'
(;;;・_・)
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The couple had woken up pretty early this morning. For Li Xiqing, it was because of his daily habit. While for Shao Yan, it was more because she was nervous about spending more time with Father Li and Mother Li today.
"Xiqing, let's go to the market?" Shao Yan suggested while folding up the blanket.
"I was thinking of bringing some flowers over. Since their place was an empty unit for a while, I figure fresh new flowers will be a good gift. What do you think?"
Li Xiqing nodded, "En, that's a good idea. We can also get some fresh soy milk, I know that is their favorite drink." After they had decided, the couple quickly changed into a casual attire and stepped out of the house.
----------
"Ma?"
They heard a sound of clutters from the kitchen utensils. He glanced at Shao Yan, and with his chin, Li Xiqing pointed towards the kitchen, "You go first, I'll be right there."
Shao Yan nodded and then she walked ahead of him, carrying the fresh-cut flowers in her hands. Li Xiqing took off his shoes before closing the door behind him. This morning, they had promised his parents to come over for breakfast. It had been a while for him to eat his mother's home cooked food again. So, Li Xiqing was more excited than usual.
He slowly walked out from the foyer with a paper bag in his hand and a smile on his face.
As he entered the kitchen, Li Xiqing saw Shao Yan was trying up her hair and his mother was stir-frying stuff in the wok.
"Oh Xiqing, you're here as well. Why are both of you so early? Didn't I say eight o'clock?"
"Ma, there is some soy milk here," He put the stuff in his hands on the kitchen island and walked over to his mother's side, "We wanted to help you. Yan Yan could not stand troubling you alone."
Mother Li turned around to face Shao Yan whose face had turned a deeper shade of red. All she said this morning was to help his mother. His parents had just taken a twenty hour flight; of course they would be tired.
"Silly girl, I'm fine," Mother Li feigned a scolding but her face was smiling wide at her. Mother Li then turned her attention back to the wok in her hands.
Shao Yan took the opportunity to glare at Li Xiqing for ratting her out. He cheekily smiled at her and shrugged as if he did not understand what he did wrong. She decided to let him go, and started to tear open a package of dumpling skin to wrap the minced meat in front of her.
Seeing that Shao Yan had started to make some dumplings, Li Xiqing walked to the fridge to cut some fruits.
Mother Li heard the door to the fridge was opened, and she looked at his son again, "Xiqing, since you are here, go help Yan Yan with those dumplings. When your father is back, let him cut the fruits."
Li Xiqing nodded, "Where is Pa anyway?"
"He went downstairs to help Xilin with some groceries," Mother Li answered without turning her back around, "Xilin said since she is alone now without Yufeng for the next few weeks, the food in her fridge will be wasted so she is giving them to me instead."
"That lazy girl," And then Mother Li chuckled while shaking her head, "She said she will just come here every night to mooch off dinner from me."
----------
"Wow! Mommy!" Mandy raised her thumbs up at Mother Li's direction, "Your noodle is always the best!"
"Your mouth is always saying such sweet words," Mother Li scooped more vegetables and put them into Mandy's bowl "Eat slowly. Don't choke."
Mandy shook her head feeling helpless. She was already more than thirty years old, yet her own mother still treated her as if she was five.
"I still remember you even made your own noodles when we were in New York, Mom. It's too bad we don't have that machine here, otherwise, it will be even more amazing!" With her chopsticks, she pointed to her own bowl, "You should impart your secret to Yan Yan, Mom, let her be in charge to fatten up Qing Qing now."
Her last words successfully drew chuckles out of Father Li who was eating silently at the side. His cheeky daughter had always been the joker in the family. The dinner time had never been dull because of her.
Father Li peeked at his son who always had a serious expression on his face. And then he glanced at the young woman who was sitting next to him. He noticed a change in his son, and he believed it was all because of this girl.
Xiqing had become wiser and more patient. During their frequent chats, Father Li also noticed that Xiqing had planned out their future together carefully; and he felt relieved knowing that his son was learning more about responsibility. He could not feel more proud of this.
Without saying anything, Father Li picked up another deep fried dumpling with his chopsticks and continued to eat heartily.
----------
After breakfast was done, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan took the initiative to clean the dishes. He chased Mother Li and Mandy out of the kitchen when they were about to help.
"Sis, you should go help Ma," Li Xiqing suddenly said, "Didn't Ma say that she has gifts for all of us?"
"Oh! That's right!" Mandy took her mother's hands excitedly, "Let's go, Mommy, let me help you."
The two ladies then exited the kitchen and let Li Xiqing and Shao Yan be busy amongst themselves. Father Li was brewing some tea for all of them while waiting for everyone to be done with their chores.
After a while, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan walked out of the kitchen; carrying plates of fruits in their hands.
"Oh! Yan Yan, come sit over here," Mother Li patted an empty space next to her, "Xiqing, you come over, too."
Father Li was sitting at the single sofa at the head of the couch, facing the TV in the living room. He had set the volume at the right level so he could still watch and everyone could be chatting comfortably. Mandy sat at the opposite side of him, also a single sofa for herself, leaving the wide, long couch for Mother Li, Shao Yan and Li Xiqing to sit together.
"Yan Yan, this is just a little something for you," Mother Li handed over two boxes in her hand, "I hope you don't dislike them."
The boxes were different in shapes, one was bigger than the other. Both boxes were wrapped prettily with gold ribbons around them. Shao Yan quickly answered, "Thank you, Auntie, of course I will like them, don't worry," she said in her soft voice, her hands were extended to receive the two boxes from Mother Li.
Mother Li patted her hands gently, "Silly girl, what are you thanking me for," and smiled at her reassuringly.
She bent down and then she took out a few more boxes from a bag next to her feet. The boxes were also wrapped beautifully, and passed them over to Li Xiqing, "Now, son, these are for you."
Li Xiqing received the boxes and was about to say his thanks, but Mother Li had continued to say, "Xiqing, the air pollution in China is getting worse. These are all nutritional herbs for Yan Yan. When you cook them, make sure to read the instructions carefully, alright?" His hands paused in the air; speechless.
Shao Yan was also looking at the wrapped boxes, feeling flabbergasted.
'H-Hold on!' Shao Yan thought to herself, 'Aun- Auntie, isn't he your son, and I'm just the daughter in law?'
(;;;・_・)
The couple had woken up pretty early this morning. For Li Xiqing, it was because of his daily habit. While for Shao Yan, it was more because she was nervous about spending more time with Father Li and Mother Li today."Xiqing, let's go to the market?" Shao Yan suggested while folding up the blanket."I was thinking of bringing some flowers over. Since their place was an empty unit for a while, I figure fresh new flowers will be a good gift. What do you think?"Li Xiqing nodded, "En, that's a good idea. We can also get some fresh soy milk, I know that is their favorite drink." After they had decided, the couple quickly changed into a casual attire and stepped out of the house.----------"Ma?"They heard a sound of clutters from the kitchen utensils. He glanced at Shao Yan, and with his chin, Li Xiqing pointed towards the kitchen, "You go first, I'll be right there."Shao Yan nodded and then she walked ahead of him, carrying the fresh-cut flowers in her hands. Li Xiqing took off his shoes before closing the door behind him. This morning, they had promised his parents to come over for breakfast. It had been a while for him to eat his mother's home cooked food again. So, Li Xiqing was more excited than usual.He slowly walked out from the foyer with a paper bag in his hand and a smile on his face.As he entered the kitchen, Li Xiqing saw Shao Yan was trying up her hair and his mother was stir-frying stuff in the wok."Oh Xiqing, you're here as well. Why are both of you so early? Didn't I say eight o'clock?""Ma, there is some soy milk here," He put the stuff in his hands on the kitchen island and walked over to his mother's side, "We wanted to help you. Yan Yan could not stand troubling you alone."Mother Li turned around to face Shao Yan whose face had turned a deeper shade of red. All she said this morning was to help his mother. His parents had just taken a twenty hour flight; of course they would be tired."Silly girl, I'm fine," Mother Li feigned a scolding but her face was smiling wide at her. Mother Li then turned her attention back to the wok in her hands.Shao Yan took the opportunity to glare at Li Xiqing for ratting her out. He cheekily smiled at her and shrugged as if he did not understand what he did wrong. She decided to let him go, and started to tear open a package of dumpling skin to wrap the minced meat in front of her.Seeing that Shao Yan had started to make some dumplings, Li Xiqing walked to the fridge to cut some fruits.Mother Li heard the door to the fridge was opened, and she looked at his son again, "Xiqing, since you are here, go help Yan Yan with those dumplings. When your father is back, let him cut the fruits."Li Xiqing nodded, "Where is Pa anyway?""He went downstairs to help Xilin with some groceries," Mother Li answered without turning her back around, "Xilin said since she is alone now without Yufeng for the next few weeks, the food in her fridge will be wasted so she is giving them to me instead.""That lazy girl," And then Mother Li chuckled while shaking her head, "She said she will just come here every night to mooch off dinner from me."----------"Wow! Mommy!" Mandy raised her thumbs up at Mother Li's direction, "Your noodle is always the best!""Your mouth is always saying such sweet words," Mother Li scooped more vegetables and put them into Mandy's bowl "Eat slowly. Don't choke."Mandy shook her head feeling helpless. She was already more than thirty years old, yet her own mother still treated her as if she was five."I still remember you even made your own noodles when we were in New York, Mom. It's too bad we don't have that machine here, otherwise, it will be even more amazing!" With her chopsticks, she pointed to her own bowl, "You should impart your secret to Yan Yan, Mom, let her be in charge to fatten up Qing Qing now."Her last words successfully drew chuckles out of Father Li who was eating silently at the side. His cheeky daughter had always been the joker in the family. The dinner time had never been dull because of her.Father Li peeked at his son who always had a serious expression on his face. And then he glanced at the young woman who was sitting next to him. He noticed a change in his son, and he believed it was all because of this girl.Xiqing had become wiser and more patient. During their frequent chats, Father Li also noticed that Xiqing had planned out their future together carefully; and he felt relieved knowing that his son was learning more about responsibility. He could not feel more proud of this.Without saying anything, Father Li picked up another deep fried dumpling with his chopsticks and continued to eat heartily.----------After breakfast was done, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan took the initiative to clean the dishes. He chased Mother Li and Mandy out of the kitchen when they were about to help."Sis, you should go help Ma," Li Xiqing suddenly said, "Didn't Ma say that she has gifts for all of us?""Oh! That's right!" Mandy took her mother's hands excitedly, "Let's go, Mommy, let me help you."The two ladies then exited the kitchen and let Li Xiqing and Shao Yan be busy amongst themselves. Father Li was brewing some tea for all of them while waiting for everyone to be done with their chores.After a while, Li Xiqing and Shao Yan walked out of the kitchen; carrying plates of fruits in their hands."Oh! Yan Yan, come sit over here," Mother Li patted an empty space next to her, "Xiqing, you come over, too."Father Li was sitting at the single sofa at the head of the couch, facing the TV in the living room. He had set the volume at the right level so he could still watch and everyone could be chatting comfortably. Mandy sat at the opposite side of him, also a single sofa for herself, leaving the wide, long couch for Mother Li, Shao Yan and Li Xiqing to sit together."Yan Yan, this is just a little something for you," Mother Li handed over two boxes in her hand, "I hope you don't dislike them."The boxes were different in shapes, one was bigger than the other. Both boxes were wrapped prettily with gold ribbons around them. Shao Yan quickly answered, "Thank you, Auntie, of course I will like them, don't worry," she said in her soft voice, her hands were extended to receive the two boxes from Mother Li.Mother Li patted her hands gently, "Silly girl, what are you thanking me for," and smiled at her reassuringly.She bent down and then she took out a few more boxes from a bag next to her feet. The boxes were also wrapped beautifully, and passed them over to Li Xiqing, "Now, son, these are for you."Li Xiqing received the boxes and was about to say his thanks, but Mother Li had continued to say, "Xiqing, the air pollution in China is getting worse. These are all nutritional herbs for Yan Yan. When you cook them, make sure to read the instructions carefully, alright?" His hands paused in the air; speechless.Shao Yan was also looking at the wrapped boxes, feeling flabbergasted.'H-Hold on!' Shao Yan thought to herself, 'Aun- Auntie, isn't he your son, and I'm just the daughter in law?';;;_
