Chapter 385: Chapter 218: Farewell to Parents! The Shen Family’s Welcome Banquet! The "Business War" of the Fried Bun Shop! [Seeking Monthly Ticket]_2
He had initially wanted his son to join him for a couple of drinks, but when the words reached his lips, "his son" became "us." His relatives were also very concerned about his son, so he thought it would be a good idea for Lin Xu to toast them as well later on.
"Sure, Dad. You guys go ahead and drink. I’ll join you once I’m done with this," Lin Xu replied.
After his eldest maternal uncle, second maternal uncle, and his parents left, Shi Wenming asked belatedly, "Normally your dad doesn’t encourage you to drink. Why does he seem a bit melancholic today?"
Lin Xu said with a smile, "It’s probably because I’m leaving."
"Leaving? You’re going back to Beijing?"
"Yes, I’ll head back after breakfast tomorrow. The pan-fried bun shop the company invested in is opening a new branch, and I..."
Before he could finish, Shi Wenming took out his phone and called his wife, Lin Hongxia, "Hongxia, bring Moli to the scenic area for a meal. Lin Xu is leaving tomorrow morning, and I’m afraid Moli won’t get up in time to see him and Yueyue off."
Lin Xu said with a wry smile, "There’s no need for all that, Uncle."
"Why not? That’s what families do."
After saying that, Shi Wenming notified a whole circle of relatives and then fetched a silver carp from the outdoor pond, preparing to make Double Pepper Fish Head using the method his nephew had taught him.
After so many days of learning, it’s time to show what I’ve mastered, he thought.
Soon, the relatives arrived, and the restaurant table was laden with a feast. The previous batch of Stir-fried Pork Intestines had been devoured, so Lin Xu made another.
In addition to the Stir-fried Pork Intestines, he also cooked Fried Fish Fillets, Spicy Fish Scales, Fried Crispy Fish Fillets, Boiled Fish Innards, Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves, and Bamboo Shoots Stir-fried with Pork Lard, among other dishes.
Shi Wenming also contributed his specialties, such as Double Pepper Fish Head, Dry-Fried Pork Intestines, Chives Stir-fried with River Shrimp, and Local Eggs Stir-fried with Leek Scapes.
After all the dishes were laid out on the table, Shen Baobao quietly asked Lin Xu, "Why have all the relatives come? Is it someone’s birthday again?"
When I arrived, I knew Grandma was celebrating her seventieth birthday, so Dad had packed a pure gold Longevity Peach in my suitcase. If there’s another birthday, we’ll need to prepare another gift!
Lin Xu told her with a smile, "No one’s having a birthday; it’s because we’re heading back."
Shen Jiayue: ??????? Why am I the last to know about something this important?
Everyone started eating and drinking.
Lin Xu took the opportunity to taste the Stir-fried Pork Intestines he had made.
Mm, they’re springy yet crisp, with a full-bodied sour and spicy flavor—truly a divine artifact for accompanying rice or liquor.
He poured himself a full glass of wine and then toasted his eldest maternal uncle, his second maternal uncle, his paternal uncle and aunt, his second paternal aunt, his maternal aunt and uncle-in-law, and finally, his parents.
After he had made his rounds with the toasts, the atmosphere at the dining table became lively.
His eldest maternal uncle curiously asked, "Lin Xu, back when you couldn’t find a job in Beijing, why did you suddenly think of opening a shop there?"
Lin Xu held Shen Baobao’s hand and said with a smile, "Wasn’t it to bring you a niece-in-law, Eldest Uncle?"
Shen Jiayue: !!!!!!!! Was Lin Xu staying in Beijing for me?! That sneak, keeping it hidden and not telling me! Just wait and see how I deal with him tonight!
Chen Meijuan hastily finished her meal and then went to join Lin Hongxia, Lin Xu’s second paternal aunt, to start preparing the gifts Lin Xu would take back with him.
The Shen Family had a lot of wealthy relatives who might not appreciate common gifts, so they decided to prepare some specialty mountain products, items that were harder to come by in the city. These included wild Honeysuckle Tea, Dandelion Tea, and Mountain Flower Tea, among others. These teas generally have a cooling effect and are beneficial for health when consumed occasionally. Besides these drinks, they also prepared some other local delicacies from the mountains.
By the time Lin Xu finished his meal and went to the car, the trunk was already crammed full.
"You shouldn’t drive after drinking. Yuanyuan, drive your cousin back up the mountain," Chen Meijuan suggested.
"Okay!"
Cousin Yuanyuan, as usual, had packed some snacks—to prevent anyone from going hungry late at night, of course.
As a single person, one had to learn to plan ahead.
"Little Bro, now that you’re leaving, when will you be back? Without you here, your Big Sis’s food standards are going to plummet!" Chen Yuanyuan lamented on the road, slightly reluctant to see her cousin leave.
Lin Xu said with a smile, "If you ever get bored, you can take the high-speed train to Beijing to visit us. You could even come work in Beijing; you don’t have to be stuck here all the time. Just say the word, and Mom will definitely support you."
Anyone could be a ticket seller at the scenic area. If Cousin Yuanyuan wanted to see more of the world, Mom would only be happy for her and would likely slip her a big red envelope too. Yes, once Cousin Yuanyuan goes to Beijing, I’ll introduce her to my sister-in-law. It’ll be time for my cousin and sister-in-law to sit down and discuss their ’condition’... oh no, I mean, discuss strategies for dealing with their families pestering them about marriage.
His suggestion greatly appealed to Chen Yuanyuan.
That’s right! Since I don’t like the elders pushing me to get married, I could go to Beijing for a change of scenery!
「The next morning.」
When Lin Xu and Shen Baobao arrived at the restaurant with their suitcases, having taken the shuttle bus, they found both his paternal grandma and maternal grandma there, playing with Dundun.
"Aiyo, my dear grandson is here!"
Lin Xu and Shen Baobao quickly went over to greet them, each helping one of the elderly women to the dining area for breakfast.
Today’s breakfast was exceptionally hearty, filled with all of Lin Xu’s childhood favorites. There were Fried Spring Rolls, Steamed Vegetable Pythons, Egg Cakes, Fried Vegetable Pockets, Green Peppers Stuffed with Meat, Sweet Potato Balls, Glass Noodles Meatballs, Chicken Soup Wontons, Paper-Thin Skinned Buns, and Pumpkin Porridge—the table was absolutely laden with food.
This was all a testament to his mother’s profound love.
Lin Xu felt his eyes sting as if he had gotten sand in them.
He said to Chen Meijuan, "Mom, you didn’t have to go to so much trouble. We’ll never be able to eat all of this."
"It’s alright. We can eat the leftovers. These are all your favorites; make sure to try a bit of everything."