Chapter 558 Extra - Everyone is here.
Wen Qing adjusted the position of the little Wen Ying in her arms and looked gently at Luo Xinghe, who still looked a little awkward and confused.
"Xinghe, we all treat Xingyou as our own sister, as family."
You're Xingyou's older sister, so naturally you're family too. Family members don't need to be so formal.
Luo Xingyou immediately put her arm around her sister's shoulder and leaned her head affectionately against her: "Sis, just listen to Sister Wenqing! Anyway..."
Her words suddenly caught in her throat; it seemed she had a thousand words to say, yet she didn't know where to begin.
In the end, she simply raised her head, looked into Luo Xinghe's eyes, and spoke with an unprecedented seriousness.
"Sister, I can't explain it right now... but you have to believe me, they are the family I've chosen for this lifetime."
Looking at the unwavering determination in her sister's eyes, Luo Xinghe nodded: "Okay, family."
Luo Xingyou nuzzled her older sister's neck: "Sis, you're the best!"
"Alright! Everyone's here!" Lu Nange smiled and stepped forward, waving her arm in a "please" gesture.
"The car is already waiting outside! Today, let us, the 'hosts' of Nancheng, show you what 'Nancheng on the tip of your tongue' really means!"
Nestled in Chi Yanzhou's arms, Lu Beiye said, "Eat the most authentic local snacks and see the most interesting scenery!"
Upon hearing this, He Zhuo immediately perked up: "Great! I'll be back as soon as I open my eyes..."
He had barely begun speaking when the two siblings beside him seemed to have anticipated his outspokenness.
Gu Qi quickly covered his mouth, and Gu Wan's foot "inadvertently" stepped on his shoe and even "concernedly" rubbed it.
"Ouch!" He Zhuo cried out in pain, jumped up on one foot, and hugged his foot with a look of accusation.
"Gu Wanwan! You...you're so cruel! My toes are about to break!"
"I really didn't exert any effort." Gu Wan looked innocent and quickly took Lu Nange's arm: "Nannan, tell me quickly what we're having for lunch? I'm starving."
Lu Nange smiled and said, "Juxianlou in the south of the city is a century-old establishment."
Lu Beiye immediately added in Chi Yanzhou's arms, "Sister Wanwan, their braised pork knuckle is delicious!"
“Yes.” Lu Nange ruffled his hair.
Gu Wan swallowed hard: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
He Zhuo was still standing there, clutching his feet and hissing, his eyes sweeping resentfully over the crowd that had already walked away.
"Wait for me, Lao Gu! Lao Ji! Help your brother out! Without me, you won't enjoy your food!"
Gu Qi and Ji Xian exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes—a reluctance to deal with this drama queen.
But resignedly, they turned back and symbolically supported one of his arms on each side.
Gu Qi: "I'll help you up. Take it easy. If things are really peaceful after tomorrow, go back to acting and you'll definitely win a Best Actor award."
Ji Xian: "Isn't it a bit too exaggerated?"
Gu Qi nodded: "Yeah, it's a bit greasy."
Supported by his arms, He Zhuo said with grief and indignation, "In this vast sea of people, we've only just met..."
Everyone turned around in unison and said, "You deserve it!"
He Zhuo: "..."
Watching their seamless interaction, Luo Xinghe couldn't help but smile: [They have such a good relationship...]
Chi Heng, who had remained silent all along, looked at He Zhuo's eyes, which clearly held a smile: [Young Master He seems... to be enjoying himself?]
Amidst laughter and conversation, the group marched towards the exit.
The hot summer wind from the south of the city, carrying the dry scent unique to the helipad, swept over us.
Uncle Zhou stood beside the black van with a gentle smile on his face.
What's eye-catching is that five similarly colored minivans are neatly parked behind the car, lined up in an impressive array.
Lu Xici raised an eyebrow, leaned closer to Lu Nange and whispered, "Tsk, did our dad arrange this setup?"
Lu Nange nodded: "Of course, I said you brought friends back."
"Did the old man arrange this specifically for me?" Lu Xici stroked his chin, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief and teasing.
"This level of scale, this extravagance... it shouldn't be like this."
Lu Nange replied with a smile, "No need to doubt it, after all, she's my biological daughter."
Uncle Zhou: "Miss...Young Master, welcome home."
Lu Xici stepped forward and patted Uncle Zhou's shoulder familiarly: "Uncle Zhou, it's been a long time. Thank you for your help."
"Of course." Uncle Zhou stepped aside and opened the car door for everyone: "Please get in, everyone."
The group boarded the car one after another.
The car doors closed one after another, the engines started quietly, and the convoy merged into the traffic outside the airport.
Outside the car window, the summer sun illuminated the city, and the green shade of the roadside trees cast shimmering spots of light on the road.
The tall buildings stand quietly, the traffic flows in an orderly manner, a scene of ordinary yet peaceful tranquility.
The convoy passed through bustling areas and gradually drove towards a more lush and tranquil area.
Finally, we stopped in front of a courtyard with white walls and black tiles, an antique feel, and a plaque that read "Juxianlou" hanging at the entrance.
Everyone got off the bus one after another.
Several tall old camphor trees in the courtyard spread out their dense shade, filtering out most of the summer heat and leaving only the cool scent of grass and trees.
Even more enticing was the complex and tempting aroma of food wafting from the vermilion doors.
The faint sounds of bowls and plates clinking and diners chatting and laughing emanating from inside the courtyard are the unique liveliness and energy of this time-honored establishment.
Lu Xici took a deep breath of the familiar fragrance in the air, a smile spreading across his face as he raised his arm: "This is the smell!"
Brothers and sisters, welcome to the taste we loved most as children!
He Zhu stretched, his face full of delight: "I love the warmth and life here! Hurry, hurry! My stomach is ready for a baptism!"
Gu Wan had already clung tightly to Lu Nange's arm, her nose twitching: "It smells so good! Just the aroma is enough to steal my soul! Nannan, lead the way, lead the way!"
The group chatted and laughed as they stepped over the bluestone threshold and passed through the ancient screen wall painted with pine and crane motifs.
A waitress dressed in an elegant cheongsam greeted us with a smile: "Hello, how many of you are there? Do you have a reservation?"
Lu Nange: "Miss Lu ordered it, the last four digits are 0088."
"Miss Lu, Guanyun Pavilion is ready for you. Everyone, this way please."
The waiter's smile deepened as he led the group up the wooden stairs to the second floor, where they arrived at a spacious and bright private room by the window.
Sunlight streamed through the exquisitely carved wooden window frames, casting dappled patterns on the large round table covered with a pale white tablecloth.
The air was filled with the warm, mellow scent of old wood and the faint fragrance of grass and trees from outside the window.
As everyone took their seats in order, the waiter who had led the way asked softly, "Distinguished guests, may we begin serving the dishes now?"
Lu Nange: "Okay, let's serve the food."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
The well-trained waiters filed in.
Soon, one steaming hot and tempting dish after another was served on the table in an orderly manner.
A large, glossy, dark brown pork knuckle; a rich, milky white fish head and tofu soup; and crab roe soup dumplings with thin skin and generous filling...
They quickly filled most of the table, and the rich aroma instantly awakened everyone's taste buds.
He Zhuo: "The food is served really fast!"
Lu Xici: "When we set off here, Nan Nan had already asked them to start cooking, the timing was just right!"
He Zhuo: "It still has to be my little sister..."
Everyone: "Stop!"
Looking at the steaming, abundant dishes before them, and then at the familiar faces sitting around the table, an indescribable sense of peace spread through everyone's hearts.
Lu Xici picked up a damp towel and wiped her hands, her eyes sweeping across the room with a smile.
"The dishes are almost all served. Before we start eating, shouldn't we... have a toast?"
Shi Xu: "Yan Ge, Nan Nan, at today's welcome banquet, which of you two would like to start by saying a few words?"
Lu Nange: "Brother Yan said!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Chi Yanzhou.
Chi Yanzhou picked up the cup in front of him: "Then this first cup... is for our reunion."
"Alright!" He Zhuo responded almost instantly: "To our reunion! Cheers!"
"For the sake of reunion!"
"cheers!"
"cheers..."
......
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com