Jiang Sheng didn't dare to ask.
She didn't even dare to think any further. After sitting down, she buried her head in her food, eating the pancakes until her mouth was filled with their aroma and she became completely absorbed in the food.
When the wooden door was knocked on, she immediately looked up and stared intently at it.
It turned out that the head chef had come to see Auntie.
She lowered her head, unsure whether she felt lost or sad, only that her heart was heavy and she didn't want to speak.
The brothers came over chatting and laughing, and the fragrant braised pork knuckle was ready. The eight gingers were clamoring for food, and Aunt Zhang and the head chef were all smiles, as if they were feeding pigs.
The second courtyard was as joyful as ever, even more lively.
They were all familiar with each other, and they toasted and blessed each other. Some of the bolder ones even teased the head chef, calling him "uncle" repeatedly, which made him blush and tear up.
“In my opinion, once my eldest brother’s exam results are released, we should also take care of Aunt’s affairs.” Zheng Ruqian was the most outgoing and loved to join in the fun. “Then, we’ll have double happiness.”
"Good, not bad."
"Double happiness is great, we must do it."
Everyone chimed in, making Zhang Xianglian extremely embarrassed, and she couldn't utter a word for a long time.
The head chef, however, was used to navigating circles of influential people. He blushed and said, "Then it's settled. I'll go prepare the betrothal gifts now. I'll need everyone's help and approval."
"Of course."
"How could I not help my uncle?"
Everyone started laughing enthusiastically again, but Zhang Xianglian was so embarrassed that she slapped the master chef's round back.
She really hadn't thought about getting married.
Although the relationship between the two had grown closer after the lychee crisis, and Zhang Xianglian discovered the master chef's true strengths through the sheep-killing incident, the past hurts were too great, and Zhang Xianglian was always hesitant to take that step.
Even though everyone around them could see that it was only a matter of time before the two of them got together.
But for Zhang Xianglian, it's better to delay than to change, and to maintain the status quo rather than make any changes.
She was genuinely scared.
“Aunt, Third Brother should have left after the imperial examination.” Changyan smiled. “Jiang Yi and the others aren’t here either, so they can’t support you.”
One sentence changed her mind.
Zhang Xianglian was initially hesitant, but after glancing at Fang Heng, she immediately made up her mind: "Do it, do it right away."
Nothing could be more important than bringing these children together. The frontier is so far away; it's impossible to make them travel back again.
Even though she was still a little scared, she had the courage to move forward as long as the children were there.
"I didn't expect my third brother to have so much influence," Zheng Ruqian joked. "Uncle will definitely have to thank you."
Fang Heng smiled, pursing his lips.
The head chef also cast a grateful glance his way.
Chang Yan leaned close to Wang Xiaosong's ear and whispered something to him.
Everyone was happy, everyone was joyful, except for Jiang Sheng.
She didn't eat the braised pork knuckle or the small pancakes; she just sat there quietly, lost in thought.
"Little sister, what's wrong?" Wen Zhiyun, who was the most observant, looked over and asked softly, "Are you having indigestion? Fourth brother will make you some digestive tea."
"I'm fine," Jiang Sheng shook her head. "I'm full."
But she can still eat a couple more bites even after she's full.
Wen Zhiyun was about to say something more when Jiang Sheng suddenly smiled, carefully picked up the pork knuckle skin and braised fish, and swallowed them with the fragrant vine flower cake.
It seems like the low mood I felt just now was all an illusion.
He didn't quite understand, but he felt something was strange, as if something was pressing down on him and he couldn't say it, or as if something was being disguised.
This feeling lasted until the next day.
Xu Mo is still taking the imperial examination and will be released to rest tomorrow evening. Apart from continuing to eat and drink, there's not much else for everyone to do.
Jiang Sheng mingled among her brothers, occasionally saying a few words and flashing a smile, managing to disguise herself quite well.
As the sun set, the wooden door was knocked on again.
Wang Xiaosong was nowhere to be seen. It was Jiang Yi who opened the door. When he saw the people outside, he was taken aback at first, but quickly made way for them.
The tall, imposing man, looking travel-worn, strode up to Jiang Sheng and smiled gently, "My dear, Father is back."
So he didn't disappear after all.
It wasn't a dream after all.
So it really was my father.
Jiang Sheng put down the wisteria blossoms in her hand, looked up blankly, her big eyes slightly red and dazed.
"What, you don't recognize me after just one day?" Jiang Jizu was also a little unsure, after all, his daughter hadn't acknowledged him yet. "If you don't welcome me, I'll leave."
He made a turning motion, his imposing figure appearing and disappearing as if he might vanish from sight at any moment, turning into nothingness.
Homeless children don't have fathers; they're all fake.
But Jiang Sheng still couldn't bear to part with it. Even knowing it was all an illusion, she wanted to rush over, grab the robe tightly, and bury the broken beads inside.
"No, don't go."
The little girl's muffled sobs drifted over, carrying twelve years of grievances, the bitterness of fighting with a dog for food, and the sorrow of being ignored by her mother: "Are you really my father? Do I really have a father?"
“It really is, it really is.” Jiang Jizu said, barely suppressing his trembling. “It’s true, all of this is true.”
No one will cheat anymore, no one will bully or harm anyone, and no one will be two-faced.
Don't be afraid, the people who love you are always here.
In the courtyard, someone turned their head away, someone gently wiped their eyes, and someone else thought of their parents.
If possible, who wouldn't want a loving mother and filial children, who wouldn't want both parents alive, and who wouldn't want happiness and good health?
But life is full of hardships, and what we crave may remain unattainable or out of reach. So the only thing left is to seize the moment and cherish what we have.
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