Lin Zheng looked at Gu’er. A few days ago, his parents had told him and his other older sister, Lin Sui’er, that they had another, even older sister. They said she had been lost as a child but had now been found. They also said she would be coming back to live with them and that she had suffered a lot, so they should all be nice to her.
He was very curious about what this eldest sister was like. Would she be like his second sister? Now that he saw her, this eldest sister looked like their mom, and a bit like him, too. She didn’t seem very fierce. ’She seems alright, right?’
"Big Sister."
Lin Zheng called out politely. His voice was clear and crisp. From his expression, it was clear he was curious about Gu’er, but there was no real sibling affection yet. After all, it was their first ti eting.
Hearing Lin Zheng’s greeting, Lin Sui’er’s face darkened. She truly hadn’t expected the person who caused her to injure her foot the other day to actually be her eldest sister. ’They say she was lost as a child, but who knows where she just popped out from? I was the only daughter in this family. By what right does another one show up to steal my share of affection? I won’t have it!’
"Dad, Mom, I’m hungry. Are we going to eat or not?"
Lin Sui’er announced her hunger, pointedly ignoring the instruction to greet her sister.
"You’re always the first to be hungry. I told you to greet your sister. Honestly... Go wash up. We’re going downstairs to eat. I’ll order you so sweet and sour crispy pork today."
Although Chen Fengjiao’s words were a complaint, her eyes were filled with affection. She couldn’t bear to say anything more to Lin Sui’er.
Hearing this, Lin Sui’er’s eyes lit up. She shot Gu’er a provocative glance. ’So what if you’re back? Mom’s favorite is .’ After her look, she dropped her schoolbag and went to wash her hands.
"Stop."
Over on the side, Lin Shan called out, his face grim.
Lin Sui’er froze. The only person in this family she was slightly afraid of was her father. He was good to her, but he was also strict, so she was still a little intimidated by him.
"Gu’er is your eldest sister. We didn’t talk about it when she wasn’t here, but now she’s back. This is her ho. The three of you are your mother’s and my children. I expect you to respect your eldest sister and for all of you siblings to get along."
Having said this, Lin Shan glanced at Lin Sui’er and added, "Your mother just told you to greet her. Gu’er is your eldest sister. Go say hello to your big sister."
Lin Shan was a good and loving father, but he didn’t indulge his children. However, he was busy with work and spent little ti at ho, which ant he had less ti to discipline them.
Lin Sui’er bit her lip. ’I don’t want to say it. But if I don’t, if I make a scene, wouldn’t Dad just favor that Lin Gu’er who appeared out of nowhere even more? I can’t lose Dad’s affection. When I finish school, I’ll still need him to help arrange a job for . I can’t let Lin Gu’er get on their good side.’
"Big Sister."
Lin Sui’er called out reluctantly, her voice tinged with grievance and resentnt.
Gu’er acknowledged her. Lin Sui’er’s attitude wasn’t important; she had expected as much before coming. Besides, they were in front of their parents, and she wasn’t there to compete for favor. There was no need to make things too ugly on her first day ho.
"Alright, alright, go wash your hands now. Let’s go eat."
Chen Fengjiao said, smoothing things over.
And so, the family’s first eting passed in this lukewarm manner.
After going downstairs and on the way to the restaurant, Chen Fengjiao pointed out the way for Gu’er. She described the nearby places and major landmarks, afraid Gu’er wouldn’t know her way around.
Gu’er actually knew the way, but she still listened attentively.
Lin Zheng listened while secretly glancing at Gu’er. He didn’t quite understand. Why did he suddenly have an older sister who was so grown up? How was she lost?
Lin Sui’er, however, just kept glaring fiercely at Gu’er. In the past, their mother always held her hand when they went out, which she found annoying. But now that their mother was holding Lin Gu’er’s hand, she felt her affection had been stolen and wished she could rush forward and push Lin Gu’er away.
When they arrived at the restaurant, they found a table and sat down.
Restaurants back then were very simple, not lavishly decorated like they would be later. There were only a few tables, and the place looked old.
Lin Shan asked Gu’er what she’d like to eat. Gu’er said anything was fine. This was the first ti she had eaten at a restaurant since her rebirth, but she wasn’t curious. She knew how to cook the dishes these restaurants served; if she wanted to eat them, she could just make them herself.
Lin Sui’er curled her lip. ’She’s just a country bumpkin from so village. I bet she’s never eaten anything good. It’d be a miracle if she even knew how to order.’
"Dad, Mom, I want sweet and sour crispy pork, stir-fried pork tenderloin, sautéed liver tips, and the wide glass noodle salad!"
Lin Sui’er rattled off the dishes with an air of superiority, shooting a smug look at Lin Gu’er as she spoke.
Gu’er knew what she was trying to do, but she said nothing. Lin Sui’er thought she was unsophisticated, little knowing that even though her previous life had been difficult, these dishes they considered so special would later beco completely ordinary.
"Okay, okay. Your big sister is back today, so order whatever you want. Gu’er, you pick a dish too. And Zheng, what do you want to eat?"
Chen Fengjiao was all smiles. She felt like she hadn’t been this happy in years. She loved this feeling.
"I want the sweet and sour crispy pork too, but my... my second sister already ordered it, so I won’t."
Lin Zheng was a relatively quiet and well-behaved child.
Gu’er smiled at his words. ’This kid seems easier to get along with than Zhou Cai, doesn’t he? Maybe I can get along well with this little brother. He likes sweet and sour crispy pork. I can make him so tasty things when I have free ti.’
"Then I’ll have the candied sweet potatoes."
Gu’er ordered a dish. In the Northeast, it was known as ’syrup-coated sweet potatoes,’ and she figured the children would probably like it.
"Syrup-coated sweet potatoes? What’s that?"
Lin Zheng looked at Gu’er with wide, curious eyes. ’Why have I never heard of this dish my new big sister is talking about?’
Lin Shan, however, gave Gu’er a surprised glance. ’Not many people know about this "syrup-coated" style of cooking. Where did my daughter hear about it?’
"It must be so village dish. Who knows if it’s even edible."
Lin Sui’er muttered with disdain. She had never had it either. Chen Fengjiao usually cooked at ho, so they rarely ate out. When they did, she had only ever tried a few dishes. She had never heard of candied sweet potatoes and assud it was so crude village recipe.
Lin Shan agreed to the order, but a mont later, the restaurant owner ca over personally. He explained that they couldn’t prepare the "syrup-coated" dish properly. They were just a small eatery and could handle common dishes, but their chef’s skills weren’t up to par for that particular one. He was afraid they would ss it up and waste the ingredients.
Lin Shan waved his hand, not minding at all. He had eaten it before during a trip to Harbin. The dish sounded simple, but it was difficult to make well. It was perfectly normal for a chef at a small restaurant to not know how.
"Gu’er, why don’t you pick another dish?"
Chen Fengjiao felt bad that the one dish her daughter had finally picked wasn’t available, and she worried Gu’er would feel upset.
Gu’er ordered a cold dish instead, one she thought Lin Shan would enjoy.
Lin Shan added a soup, bringing the order to five dishes and one soup. That was everything.
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