"Sister-in-law, this is roast duck I brought back from Beijing. It's a local specialty. I thought I'd bring one for you to try as well," Chen Li Shu called out and handed the roast duck she brought back to Zhao Gui Ying.
The Wang brothers' eyes lit up when they heard about the roast duck, their gazes fixed on the bag in Chen Li Shu's hand.
"Then I thank you, sister-in-law," Zhao Gui Ying said with a smile, accepting it. She then took her three children home.
Chen Li Shu glanced at her watch and realized it was almost noon. She turned to Rui Rui and asked, "What do you want to eat for lunch? Mom will make it for you."
Rui Rui looked up and said very sensibly, "Mom, you must be tired from the car ride. I'm not hungry. You should go rest in the room."
Hearing this, Chen Li Shu felt as if she had drunk honey, sweetening her heart. She couldn't help but go over and pinch his little cheek. "My son knows to care for his mother. It's alright, let's cook some porridge and boil two eggs. It's convenient and simple, how about it?"
Rui Rui's eyes immediately curved into crescent moons, revealing a few small white teeth. "I like Mom's porridge the most."
Her cooking skills being praised, Chen Li Shu couldn't help but laugh heartily and turned to head into the kitchen.
Not long after, the porridge and eggs were ready. After the mother and son finished lunch, Chen Li Shu felt a bit groggy. She gave Rui Rui some instructions and went back to her room to sleep.
When she woke up again, she noticed the room was a bit dim. She checked her watch and found that she had slept until past five in the afternoon.
Suddenly, she heard some clinking sounds coming from the kitchen. Chen Li Shu got out of bed and walked out.
"Son, go wake your mom up. Otherwise, if she sleeps too much, she won't be able to sleep at night," Gu Xing Dong said as he chopped meat and turned his head.
Rui Rui nodded and quickly put down the dough he was holding. As soon as he turned his head, he saw Chen Li Shu standing at the doorway and called out, "Mom, you're awake?"
Chen Li Shu asked curiously, "What are you two doing?"
"Dad said 'dumplings on departure, noodles on arrival,' so he's going to roll noodles for you."
Hearing Rui Rui's words, Chen Li Shu's gaze fell on Gu Xing Dong's hands. Seeing that he had chopped the meat almost into mince, she couldn't help but feel amused. "Are you making meat sauce or minced meat?"
Gu Xing Dong didn't cook often, and his technique was naturally clumsy, but he didn't seem to mind. "I know now, I'll be careful next time."
Chen Li Shu went to wash her hands to help, but Gu Xing Dong stopped her. "Aren't you going to steal our father-son credit? Go sit inside."
Rui Rui's face had a smudge of flour on it without him realizing. He lifted his little face and looked at Chen Li Shu, suggesting, "Mom, if you're bored, you can watch TV."
Seeing the serious expressions of the father and son, Chen Li Shu chuckled. "Okay, then I'll just wait for dinner."
For dinner, Gu Xing Dong and Rui Rui made hand-rolled noodles and meat sauce together, along with the roast duck Chen Li Shu had bought. The family of three sat down to eat, and Chen Li Shu ate half a bowl more than usual.
"I haven't used up my accumulated leave from last time. I can take a month off this time. After I arrange my current work in the next couple of days, I can go home with you and Rui Rui for the New Year."
"Really?" Chen Li Shu looked at him with surprise. Gu Xing Dong hadn't spent the New Year with them for two years.
As the saying goes, a short separation is like a new marriage. That night, the couple had a good time. The next morning, Chen Li Shu woke up to find Gu Xing Dong had already gone to the camp.
Since they were returning to their hometown in a couple of days, she had to make arrangements for her affairs during these days.
After breakfast, Chen Li Shu took Rui Rui to visit her teacher, Chen Yin Chu.
"I bought this in Beijing, so I brought it for Teacher and Teacher's wife to try."
Besides the roast duck, Chen Li Shu also bought some apples and oranges and handed them to Han Xiu Yun.
"You're such a thoughtful child," Han Xiu Yun said happily as Chen Li Shu visited her and her husband. She was even more delighted to see that she had brought Rui Rui along.
"Come in and sit. The little fellow is getting more handsome by the day. Grandma will go wash some apples for you." Han Xiu Yun took the items and went into the kitchen. After a while, she returned with a fruit platter, containing both oranges and apples.
"My second child brought some chocolate and pastries last time. I've never seen them before. Children should like them. Wait for me, I'll go get them."
Chen Li Shu watched her busily going back and forth but didn't decline. She knew that Han Xiu Yun was happy to have her and Rui Rui visit.
Rui Rui was well-behaved and sensible, and his words were sweet. In a short while, he had the elders, Han Xiu Yun and Chen Yin Chu, laughing heartily.
"Rui Rui, do you want to learn Go? Grandpa will teach you."
Rui Rui couldn't help but ask curiously, "My dad and my Uncle Wu both play Chinese chess. I haven't seen Go before."
Chen Yin Chu smiled, got up, and quickly brought out the Go board. After patiently explaining the rules, the grandfather and grandson soon began a formal game.
Chen Li Shu went to help Han Xiu Yun cook. By the time they finished eating and left, it was past two in the afternoon.
The next day, Chen Li Shu went to Chen Guo Ping's house alone. She felt it was necessary to visit him before the end of the year, considering the trouble from the previous bidding matter.
Sun Yong Mei opened the door when Chen Li Shu knocked.
"Hello, Auntie."
Sun Yong Mei had some impression of her and smiled, nodding as she invited her in. "Xiao Chen, please sit. It's so cold today. Have some hot water."
Seeing that she was about to pour her water, Chen Li Shu quickly said, "Auntie, I'm not thirsty. Please don't trouble yourself."
After saying that, she handed over the items she was holding. "This roast duck was bought in Beijing. I brought it for you and Uncle to try."
Sun Yong Mei had already noticed the items in her hand. People who brought things usually wanted Chen to help them with something. She had already thought about how to refuse. When she heard that all she brought was roast duck, Sun Yong Mei was stunned for a moment, and then her smile became even more sincere.
"Is it from Quanjude? I haven't eaten it for years. I remember eating it once when your uncle and I went to Beijing before the tumultuous times. Later, we were sent down to the far north. Those years were truly... difficult to describe."
Thinking about the past, Sun Yong Mei couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
"I heard from my teacher before that Uncle Chen also achieved outstanding political achievements when he was in office."
"Then you don't know how much criticism he faced and how much pressure he endured..."
Chen Li Shu didn't stay at Chen Guo Ping's house for too long. After chatting with Sun Yong Mei for a while, she took her leave.
In the evening, when Chen Guo Ping returned home from work, Sun Yong Mei told him about what had happened at home that day. Da Feng Novel Network.
Chen Guo Ping was in charge of management. After the reform and opening up, the country's economy developed rapidly. His position was crucial, and more and more people came to establish connections and offer gifts.
The couple's attitude was quite firm; they did not accept anyone's gifts. Having experienced those times, they cherished their current life even more. Especially Chen Guo Ping, who had worked diligently for decades, dedicating his entire mind to revitalizing the economy and benefiting the people.
"Oh, Xiao Chen came over today and brought a roast duck. It was a small token of the child's consideration, not very valuable, so I accepted it."