The materials that Grandpa Zhai sent through someone were far too numerous, several thick stacks, all densely packed with foreign language text.
Zhu Yingying plunged into the task and concentrated on translating for almost three hours. She felt dizzy and lightheaded, her temples throbbing, and she simply couldn't keep up.
Qin Peilan watched from the side, feeling guilty, thinking that she shouldn't treat other people's children like that.
In addition, she had been thinking about making a nice dinner for Zhouzhou and Huaichuan.
"I told Yingying that we'll stop here for today, take our time, and not strain our eyes! We'll finish the rest tomorrow!"
Shen Zhenbang quickly stepped forward, took the things from his wife's hands, and habitually touched her hand first. Feeling that her fingertips were a little cold, he naturally warmed them in his own warm palm, nodding in agreement.
"Yes, listen to your aunt, take a break today. We're in the same boat here, with a huge pile of documents that we haven't even gotten started yet."
Qin Peilan glanced around the main room and saw Zhou Qiqi still at the table, tidying up the papers. The thickness of the pile of documents seemed to be almost the same as when she left.
Without even thinking, she gave her husband a reproachful glare:
"You must have been slacking off again! All you did was stand there watching the fun, while I, Qiqi, did all the work, didn't I?"
After saying that, without waiting for Shen Zhenbang to explain, he affectionately took Zhou Qiqi's hand, his expression full of tenderness:
"Good child, you must be exhausted. Are you hungry? Stop doing that, take a rest! Mom will go cook dinner right away!"
As he spoke, he deftly tied on his apron, muttering to himself:
"I had your dad buy several fresh fish this morning, and there's still one big one left! Mom can also make fish balls, so I'll make you my specialty fish ball soup. It'll be so fresh and tender, I guarantee you'll love it!"
She then turned warmly to Zhu Yingying:
"Yingying, don't rush home! Eat here with me tonight! With more people, I can cook a few more dishes and practice my skills. Otherwise, I'll have to eat ready-made meals every day at the sanatorium and my cooking skills will have gone to waste!"
Shen Zhenbang also smiled and tried to persuade them to stay:
"Yes, Yingying, you've worked hard today, you must stay for dinner! When your husband gets off work later, invite him over too, let's eat and have fun together!"
Zhu Yingying is introverted and felt a little embarrassed, thinking she was bothering her too much.
Zhou Qiqi walked over with a smile, affectionately took her arm, and softly advised:
"Stay here, Yingying! My mom's cooking is amazing; we can't even get our hands on a meal like this all the time!"
Unable to refuse such hospitality, Zhu Yingying nodded, blushing.
"Oh! Well... then I'll trouble you, Uncle and Aunt! It's just too much trouble for Aunt!"
Upon hearing her agree, Qin Peilan immediately beamed and waved her hands repeatedly:
"No trouble at all! I'm so happy you all like it! Good children, tell me quickly, what dishes do you like to eat? Name a few, because when I was fighting in the war, I had many comrades from all over the country, and I learned many regional dishes from them. I know a lot of different recipes! Just tell me! See if you have the ingredients at home, and if not..."
Shen Zhenbang immediately chimed in, full of confidence: "If not, I'll drive to buy it! My car's parked outside anyway, it's very convenient!"
Seeing the elderly couple's warm hospitality, Zhu Yingying felt a surge of warmth in her heart. After thinking for a moment, she said:
"Auntie, it's fine with me. If it's not too much trouble... could you use the sausage from my hometown that I brought to stir-fry a dish? It's especially fragrant when stir-fried with Chinese cabbage or garlic sprouts. It was sent to me by my maternal grandmother. I don't know how to cook, so I haven't been able to bring myself to eat it."
"Sure, what's wrong with that? This dish is simple! No problem!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Peilan perked up even more, and hurriedly pulled Shen Zhenbang towards the kitchen, calculating as they went.
"Old Shen, make a note of this: Qiqi's fish ball soup, Zhouzhou's favorite sweet and sour pork, Yingying's sausage, and Huaichuan's scrambled eggs with onions. He won't be back for lunch, so save some for him tonight, and we can also make something else..."
Qin Peilan had never been in good health and was usually sickly and lacked energy.
But now, in order to prepare a sumptuous dinner for the children, she seemed to have used up all the energy she had been holding back for a long time. She was full of inexhaustible vitality, her face was glowing, and her eyes were sparkling.
Zhou Qiqi wanted to go into the kitchen to help out, but Qin Peilan pushed her out with a smile:
"No need, no need! Qiqi, you rest! Talk to Yingying! Your dad and I are fine here! He's my assistant, he's very efficient!"
Soon, the small kitchen was filled with the sounds of pots and pans clattering.
Shen Zhenbang was in charge of washing and chopping vegetables, while Qin Peilan was in charge of cooking. The elderly couple worked together seamlessly, and before long, a sumptuous dinner with excellent color, aroma, and taste was laid out on the table.
Just then, Zhouzhou came home from school, and sure enough, Jiang Xiangyang was following behind her.
This kid has a really keen nose. He sniffed hard, his eyes lit up, and he asked loudly:
"Aunt Zhou! Are you making sweet and sour pork? It smells so good!"
He loves sweets even more than Zhouzhou, and right now he's so hungry he can barely move.
Upon hearing this, Qin Peilan immediately poked her head out of the kitchen and greeted them with a smile:
"It's Xiangyang! You have such a keen sense of smell! Come in, come in! Dinner's just about to start! Stay and eat with us!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiangyang was so happy he almost jumped for joy, shouting, "Long live Grandma!"
Then he turned and ran home, shouting as he ran, "I have to go home and tell my mom first!"
Watching the boy's carefree figure disappear into the distance, Shen Zhenbang couldn't help but smile and sigh to Zhou Qiqi:
"This kid, with his chubby face and outgoing personality, is exactly like Huaichuan when he was a kid!"
Just then, Commander Wang from next door came home from get off work.
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