In the midst of talking, Aunt had already opened the door from inside.
When she saw three people standing at the door, Aunt bypassed her own son and nephew and went straight to Lin Xiang, warmly saying, "Xiangxiang, you’ve been walking for so long, you must be hot and tired, right? I’ve made mung bean soup and kept it chilled in the fridge. Let’s go in and have so."
She originally wanted to hold Lin Xiang’s hand to show her kindness, but Lin Xiang was carrying a bundle of fabric almost as tall as she was, which made it a bit inconvenient.
Aunt glared at Cheng Jinyun and said with a disapproving tone, "Just because you’re the older brother doesn’t an you shouldn’t take care of your sister."
She took the fabric from Lin Xiang and handed it to Cheng Jinyun, "Heavy things like this should be carried by you. Why let a girl do the work?"
"Aunt, that is..."
"Xiangxiang, let’s go inside. I’ll get you so mung bean soup."
The mung bean soup, just taken from the fridge, was indeed ice-cold and refreshing. Coupled with Aunt’s enthusiasm, Lin Xiang couldn’t refuse and finished a bowl in a few gulps.
"Aunt, this mung bean soup is really good."
"Delicious, right? Let get you another bowl."
"Mom, even though it’s still hot now, it is actually already autumn. Mung beans are cold in nature, and since this just ca from the fridge, it’s not good for girls to drink too much."
Cheng An spoke tily, making Aunt want to hit him, "So, you’re the knowledgeable one?"
"Xiangxiang, don’t listen to him. I’ll get you so from the kitchen."
In the end, she took Cheng An’s comnt to heart and fetched so room-temperature mung bean soup from the kitchen.
As for the rest in the fridge, Cheng An was not polite and shared it with Cheng Jinyun.
Under Aunt’s keen gaze, Lin Xiang drank another half bowl of mung bean soup before returning to the previous topic.
"Aunt, this is my first ti visiting you, and I didn’t know what gift to bring. I guessed your preferences, so I decided to give you a batch of fabric."
Aunt took the fabric from Cheng Jinyun.
Just a mont ago, she was so focused on talking to Lin Xiang that she only noticed Cheng Jinyun let Lin Xiang carry the fabric, not paying much attention to the fabric itself.
Now, with the fabric in her arms, Aunt couldn’t put it down.
"I heard from Ah Yun before that you helped Mianyang Town’s cotton spinning factory secure a foreign currency order worth tens of millions. The fabric produced by the factory is in high demand by foreign rchants. Is this the sa type?"
It’s not that Aunt was thinking too much; she simply felt that Lin Xiang wouldn’t be the type to disregard etiquette.
Bringing fabric on a first visit could only an the material was very precious.
Lin Xiang smiled, "That’s why they say you have a discerning eye, Aunt. This is indeed one of the types of fabric supplied to foreign rchants. It’s perfect for making dresses. If you have a trusted tailor, I can give you a couple of design sketches later for custom-made clothes."
"That would be wonderful. I won’t stand on ceremony with you then."
Aunt lovingly stroked the fabric. Although it was already autumn and skirts wouldn’t be worn for many more days, she’d have to wait for the next spring to enjoy them.
However, Aunt truly appreciated Lin Xiang’s thoughtfulness.
It wasn’t because of the fabric itself; given her status, she could obviously get them if she wanted.
But for one, this batch of fabric was a gift on Lin Xiang’s first visit, eting her expectations, proving Lin Xiang also valued this eting.
Evidently, Lin Xiang cared a lot about Cheng Jinyun. Otherwise, why try to win over his family?
Secondly, even though Aunt held a high position, she wasn’t the type to use her status to take advantage, so even if she liked it, she wouldn’t impose on the cotton spinning factory using her or Uncle Cheng’s identity.
Aunt was already warm towards Lin Xiang, and with this fabric as a diator, in just over ten minutes, the two, who had never t before, beca good... friends?
Cheng Jinyun and Cheng An exchanged a silent glance, feeling that the situation was developing in a strange way.
Watching these two people, differing greatly in age but having much in common, go off on a tangent, Cheng An couldn’t help but steer the conversation back.
"Mom, did you call Dad? When is he coming back?"
Cheng An raised his wrist to look at his watch, "It’s almost five now. After dinner, Lin Xiang still has to be sent ho."
"Oh no, I forgot!" Aunt exclaid, "Ah Yun called, and I went out to buy groceries, keeping busy until just minutes before you all returned. I intended to call your dad, but I got distracted and forgot. Anzi, hurry and call your dad."
Cheng An: "..."
"I’m on it."
"And, Lin Xiang is Ah Yun’s sister, so she’s your sister too. It’s not very affectionate to keep calling her ’comrade’. From now on, join in calling her Xiangxiang, okay?"
Aunt yelled at Cheng An, who pretended not to hear and started dialing the phone.
Call her Xiangxiang?
He couldn’t get the words out!
Beijing Military Unit.
Uncle Cheng had just finished his work, ready for a breather when the phone suddenly rang.
He picked it up and heard his son’s voice, "Dad, if you’re free, please co ho for a bit."
Uncle Cheng rubbed his temple, which was beginning to ache. "Is it sothing urgent?"
"Today, Ah Yun brought Lin Xiang to visit, and Mom hopes you can join us too."
Uncle Cheng: ...
Uncle Cheng looked at the ti, it was already five o’clock.
Great, he was overlooked again.
"I’ll head back now."
Even though he had t Lin Xiang several tis, this was Lin Xiang’s first ti visiting officially as Cheng Jinyun’s sister, so as family, he naturally should attend.
While waiting for Uncle Cheng, Aunt and Lin Xiang continued their lively conversation.
Luckily, the military unit wasn’t very far from the army base compound, and worried that it would be impolite to keep Lin Xiang waiting, Uncle Cheng unusually used his official car.
Dinner was bountiful with four at and four vegetarian dishes, the highest hospitality in the 1970s for a distinguished guest.
During the al, Aunt kept offering Lin Xiang food, "The braised ribs are my specialty. Both your Uncle and Brother An say my cooking beats the chefs at the state-run restaurant, so have so more."
"Thank you, Aunt."
Lin Xiang held her bowl with one hand and fed herself ribs with the other.
They weren’t bad, but certainly couldn’t be called delicious.
At least, far from matching the chefs at the state-run restaurant.
Seeing the identical calm expressions of the Cheng father and son, Lin Xiang suspected they were just telling a white lie to avoid disappointing Aunt.
User Comments
0 comments from readers