Lin Jie’s kitchen was quite nice and had been decorated with great care. Wen Xiaoya had given up her job for their child, planning to be a full-ti mother until he started school. She now poured her heart into every al she prepared at ho, especially those for Lin Jie. She had once been a pampered young lady who hardly lifted a finger, but for the sake of her child and husband, she had beco proficient in all manner of household tasks.
She bustled about the kitchen with Lin Jie as her assistant, directing him to do this and that. When Zhang Yuxi offered to help, Wen Xiaoya gently pushed her out.
"Sister-in-law, you’re our guest. Just relax and let treat you to my cooking today."
When Lin Feng arrived and offered to help, Lin Jie pushed him out as well before closing the kitchen door.
All told, there were eleven people to feed: Lin Feng’s family of six, Wen Xiaoya’s parents, and the host couple with their son. It was anyone’s guess how long it would take the two of them to prepare a al for so many.
Little Treasure played with Mi Fan for a while before running off to watch TV. The little guy, Mi Fan, clung to her and followed on his short legs. "Sister, I want to watch too!"
Little Treasure patted the spot next to her. "Co here, sit with !"
Fourth Treasure and Second Treasure flanked her like two great protectors, watching the cartoon with her. As usual, they were completely absorbed, munching on snacks and giggling.
"Haha, this is great! Are kids’ cartoons always this funny?"
Fourth Treasure pouted. "That’s just because your sense of humor is easy to please."
"Oh yeah? Do you even know what a sense of humor is?"
"Who are you looking down on?"
"I’m looking down on you! What are you gonna do about it? Wanna go?"
The two siblings had a great relationship; it was all just playful banter, not a real quarrel. But Mi Fan didn’t understand and grew anxious. "Don’t fight! Don’t fight!"
"They’re not fighting," Little Treasure comforted him. "They’re just a little loud. They get along really well!"
"That’s right, we’re not fighting!" Fourth Treasure quickly added, even giving Second Treasure a hug to prove it.
Mi Fan finally relaxed. "Then don’t talk so loud."
The two of them quickly promised they wouldn’t.
Fourth Treasure found so picture books under the coffee table. Opening one, she saw it was a hidden-picture book where you had to find specific items like a cup or a piece of cake in a detailed drawing. It was actually quite fun.
Fourth Treasure called Second Treasure over. "Want to race?"
Second Treasure leaned in for a look. "You’re on!"
The two got so into it that Little Treasure was drawn in as well. Mi Fan also started clamoring, "I want to play! Sister Little Treasure, I want to play too!"
"Co on, then!"
anwhile, Zhang Yuxi and Lin Feng were chatting on the balcony. Big Treasure had tried to help in the kitchen but was shooed out just like the others, so he took out his laptop and got to work.
Suddenly, Mi Fan’s expression changed, and his face turned red from straining. He scurried off to find his parents.
Lin Feng followed him. "What’s the matter, Mi Fan?"
Mi Fan wiggled his bottom. "I have to poopoo."
Lin Feng had noticed a child-sized potty in the bathroom earlier, so he led Mi Fan there. Back in the living room, Second Treasure, Fourth Treasure, and Little Treasure were too engrossed in their ga to notice Mi Fan had left.
Lin Feng helped him with his pants and set up the little potty. Though small, Mi Fan had a strong sense of dignity. "You have to go out," he said. "I have to poopoo, and it’s going to be very, very stinky."
Lin Feng smiled. "Alright, I’ll wait for you right outside the door. Call for Uncle when you’re done, okay?"
Mi Fan nodded. "Okay!"
Just then, Big Treasure ca over to use the restroom. "Don’t go in there," Lin Feng told him. "Mi Fan is using it. You can use the other one."
Less than five minutes later, Mi Fan was finished. Lin Feng went in, helped wash his bottom, and emptied the potty. The little guy was quite embarrassed. He said shyly, "Thank you, Uncle!"
Lin Feng chuckled. "Go on, go out and play."
With that, Mi Fan scurried back to the living room.
Back with the ga, Second Treasure was the first to finish. "I win! Haha, let’s play again later!"
Fourth Treasure finished soon after, but Little Treasure was still searching for the last item. "The toothbrush... where’s the toothbrush..."
Fourth Treasure leaned over. "Let see."
But in the end, it was Second Treasure who spotted it first!
Big Treasure ca over. "Let try a round."
Good grief. The others had just started searching when he found the item instantly. His expression seed to ask, "That’s it? What’s so fun about this?"
Second Treasure waved a dismissive hand. "You just don’t get it!"
"Yeah, you don’t!" Fourth Treasure agreed.
Little Treasure looked up at him admiringly. "Wow, Big Brother, you’re amazing! How did you find it so fast?"
Big Treasure blinked. "Because it’s really simple."
Mi Fan stared up at Big Treasure with a look of pure adoration.
Just then, Wen Xiaoya’s parents arrived. After everyone exchanged greetings, Mother Wen headed to the kitchen to help.
"Everything is almost ready!"
"Yes, we can eat soon," Wen Xiaoya said. "Lin Jie, go get the new bowls and chopsticks from the cupboard and wash them." Then, turning to her mother, she added, "Mom, can you tidy up the dining room? This bowl is for Mi Fan. You can take it out and let him eat first."
Seeing how capable her daughter had beco, Mother Wen felt both relieved and a little wistful. But her daughter was happy, and Lin Jie was a capable, family-oriented man. She was genuinely happy for them.
"Dinner’s ready!"
The dining table could seat ten. Mother Wen stood up. "You all start eating. I’ll go feed Mi Fan." She went over to the boy. "Co on, Mi Fan, ti to eat."
After a few extra stools were added, everyone gradually took their seats. Wen Xiaoya served the last dish and wiped her hands.
"Well, my cooking can’t compare to Big Brother’s," she said modestly. "It’s all just simple, ho-style food, so please bear with if it’s not perfect."
Zhang Yuxi smiled. "Don’t say that! You two have been working hard all morning. Co on, sit down and eat."
Lin Jie brought out a bottle of good wine. "Brother, Dad, would you like a drink?"
Father Wen asked Lin Feng, "How about a little? Just a small cup?"
Lin Feng didn’t usually drink. "I’ll have whatever Uncle is having."
Lin Jie poured a small cup for himself as well. "Alright!"
Wen Xiaoya’s cooking was, of course, a far cry from Lin Feng’s master-level skills. However, the sentint was what mattered most. Since they rarely got to taste her food, they all found it quite delicious.
After lunch, the whole family went out for a stroll. Jingcheng had changed so much in the past few years that Lin Feng could barely recognize it. They visited shopping malls and amusent parks.
That evening, Lin Jie had intended to treat Lin Feng’s family to dinner, but Lin Feng had other plans.
"Tonight, I’m taking Big Treasure’s ntors out to dinner to et them properly," Lin Feng explained. "And tomorrow night, Teacher Qiao has arranged a eting with Fourth Treasure’s teachers."
They only had two days in the city, and now both evenings were fully booked.
Lin Jie nodded. "Alright. I’ll take Second Treasure and the others out so other ti, whenever you’re free."
The dinner was booked at a famous restaurant in Jingcheng. Big Treasure went to pick up the three professors, who were also his current ntors.
Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi, dressed rather formally, stood to greet the three n. They were true titans in their field, all nationally renowned figures, and the couple treated them with the utmost respect.
In contrast, the three professors were dressed simply and spoke informally. One of them said with a friendly laugh, "Next ti you’re in town, we’ll have to treat you. There’s a great ti-honored restaurant we know.
"It’s an old establishnt with authentic flavor. You’ll definitely like it."
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