The rich aroma of cumin, chili powder, and barbecue sauce mingled together, drifting on the evening breeze, forcefully piercing the nose and whetting the appetite.
He Zhuo held up a handful of freshly roasted pork belly and shouted in a loud voice, "Come on, come on! The first batch of the best is out! Don't miss it!"
"Godfather, Godmother, why don't you try our cooking first? It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and smells amazing!"
Lu Jin and Sang Niannian had just accepted the gift with smiles when He Zhuo couldn't resist taking a big bite. As a result, he grimaced and stood there breathing out hot air.
Shi Xu, who was standing next to him, couldn't bear to watch. She casually shoved a glass of chilled plum juice into his hand and said disdainfully, "No one's going to take it from you... Look at how pathetic you are."
He Zhuo: "Xu, if you care about me, just care about me. Why do you have to be like Gu Qi, with that sharp tongue?"
Shi Xu remained expressionless, glanced at him, and slowly said, "Oh, I'll just use my sharp tongue to 'protect' my 'soft heart'."
He Zhuo was taken aback for a moment, then gave a thumbs up: "...You're ruthless!"
Chi Yanzhou and Lu Xici each guarded a barbecue grill.
Lu Xici slowly brushed honey and sauce onto a row of chicken wings with a small brush, flipping them over from time to time with practiced ease.
He raised his head, looked at the clear, cloudless sky where the setting sun was slowly sinking, and then glanced at the distance.
Lu Jin and Sang Niannian were holding skewers of grilled meat and beer glasses, their faces flushed with a slight buzz, chatting and laughing heartily.
His throat tightened, and his voice was only audible to Chi Yanzhou beside him.
“Brother Yan, Nan Nan said... in my past life, my parents died today.”
He paused, his voice carrying a heavy sense of relief, as if he had regained something he had lost: "It's so good to be able to do it all over again..."
Chi Yanzhou paused slightly as he turned the beef ribs, not immediately responding, but glancing around the yard and nodding very lightly.
The charcoal crackled, the aroma grew stronger, the sunset faded, and the stars began to appear.
Apart from Lu Beiye, who was too young, and Wen Ying, who was already sleeping soundly in her mother's arms, everyone else had drunk some alcohol.
Even Lu Nange made an exception and drank two small glasses of fruit wine, her cheeks turning a faint pink.
However, everyone was very sensible, only taking it lightly and stopping short of joking around, their eyes still clear despite the laughter.
Everyone had a taut string in their heart, clearly understanding the significance of this night.
Only Sang Niannian and Luo Xinghe, who was participating in such a lively event for the first time and was now relaxed, were truly tipsy.
Shikazu was also slightly tipsy, but still somewhat sober.
Seeing that her parents' eyes were starting to look a little unfocused, Lu Nange put down her cup and said, "Brother, shall we take Mom and Dad upstairs to rest?"
Shikazu waved his hand, his voice soft from the alcohol, but he tried his best to maintain the image of a father.
"No need...no need to trouble you. I'll take your mom upstairs. You young people can continue having fun..."
He was about to head to Fusang Nian Nian when he stumbled.
Lu Xici quickly grabbed his arm and said irritably, "Dad, stand firm, don't bump into Mom."
He turned his head and said, "Nan Nan, you help Mom, I'll take care of Dad."
Supported by her son, Lu Jin mumbled, "I'm fine..."
But seeing that his daughter and Gu Wan had already taken his wife's arms on either side, he obediently let his son support her, while giving her some instructions.
"Girl, hold your mom steady, take it easy, don't let her bump into anything... your mom..."
Lu Nange nodded and said, "Dad, don't worry."
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