Seeing people arriving one after another, Liu Yanran quickly walked into the kitchen, brought out the remaining dishes one by one, and arranged them neatly. At this moment, Aunt Wang, Wang Ying and their family also arrived at the house.
It turned out that Captain Li had not come with the group, but had gone to pick up his mother-in-law and wife first. He wanted them to witness this heartwarming moment. In addition, several officers' families also arrived, carrying carefully prepared gifts.
Some brought high-quality malted milk, a rich, nutritious drink that was a popular health supplement at the time; others gave fresh apples, and still others brought eggs, a common practice during postpartum confinement. These were all very precious gifts at the time. These gifts not only expressed their blessings for the newborn, but also demonstrated their care and respect for Liu Guodong and Russell.
Liu Yanran was thankful that her home was spacious enough to accommodate so many people. She was also relieved that the dishes she had prepared were rich enough to satisfy everyone's taste buds. Facing such a lively scene, Liu Yanran's heart was filled with joy and anticipation. In modern times, people are too realistic, far less simple and kind than the people of this era.
The men sat together, while the women and children had a separate table to enjoy the joyful gathering together.
Liu Guodong and Russell, the hosts for the day, warmly greeted everyone with smiles. "We're so sorry, but our facilities are limited, so it might be a little shabby," they said. "Please bear with us. But all this food was carefully prepared by Yanran, and we hope you enjoy it." Since the military district could be on an emergency mission at any time and alcohol wasn't allowed, Liu Yanran had specially prepared a large bowl of sour plum soup for everyone.
Everyone picked up their bowls and savored the delicious sour plum soup. With each sip, the sweet and sour flavor immediately spread throughout their mouths, leaving them intoxicated. Everyone couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, this sour plum soup is so delicious!" "Yes, Yanran's cooking is really good. This sour plum soup is simply amazing!" Everyone praised the sour plum soup, their faces filled with satisfied smiles.
At this time, Aunt Wang who was sitting next to them could no longer contain her excitement and could not help but praise: "Captain Liu is too modest. These dishes may not be available even during the Chinese New Year! And I really didn't expect that Yanran's cooking skills are so good!" She has always liked Liu Yanran, and at this time she gave her high praise without hesitation.
Hearing Auntie Wang's praise, Liu Yanran couldn't help but feel a little shy, and a faint blush appeared on her face. She replied softly, "Thank you for the compliment, Auntie. You're flattering me. As long as everyone thinks it tastes good, that's all I need."
Gu Shijing silently looked at the beautiful girl in front of him, sighing in his heart. He remembered the name the two people had mentioned just now - Yanran, what a beautiful name! At this moment, he secretly regretted that if he had known that Captain Liu had such a beautiful, kind, and skilled cooking sister, he would have come to visit sooner no matter what.
"Yes, Sister Yanran is not only beautiful, but also kind-hearted, and her cooking skills are impeccable. Whoever can marry a wife like Sister Yanran would be blessed in his previous life!" Another officer's wife also echoed, with a smile on her face and admiration in her eyes.
As soon as these words came out, the young officers present couldn't help but blush. They scratched their heads in embarrassment and secretly glanced at Liu Yanran. Liu Yanran noticed their gazes and immediately lowered her head in shame, her cheeks flushed, as tempting as a ripe apple.
At this moment, Wang Ying stood up, picked up the wine glass gracefully, and suggested: "Why don't we toast Yanran together and thank her for preparing such delicious dishes for us!" When everyone heard this, they responded and raised their glasses together to gesture to Liu Yanran.
Liu Yanran glanced at Wang Ying gratefully, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She stood up, smiled, and said, "Thank you, everyone! I wish you all good luck with your work and good health!" Then, she gently sipped the sour plum soup from her cup, the sweet and sour flavor spreading across her tongue, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
Everyone raised their glasses, emptied their glasses, and burst into laughter. This laughter, like a beautiful symphony, echoed through the air, seemingly filling the entire room with joyful notes. At that moment, the air was filled with a joyful and warm atmosphere, making everyone feel intoxicated and at home.
The gathering continued amidst laughter and joy. As people savored the delicious food, they shared stories of their lives. They talked about interesting work experiences, heartwarming family moments, and their aspirations for the future. Everyone was immersed in the joyful atmosphere, thoroughly enjoying the wonderful time together with family and friends.
Liu Yanran sat quietly, listening to the conversation, occasionally interjecting a few words, showcasing her clever side. Her smile was as bright and warm as a flower blooming in spring. Her eyes sparkled brightly, revealing the joy and contentment deep within her heart. At this moment, she was like a dazzling star, attracting everyone's attention.
Gu Shijing sat not far from Liu Yanran, silently observing the beautiful girl before him. Her every move captivated his heart, especially when she smiled, a brilliant smile that seemed to dispel all gloom and illuminate the world. Looking at the lively Liu Yanran, he secretly decided to find an opportunity to have a good chat with her.
At that moment, Liu Yanran suddenly turned around, her eyes meeting Gu Shijing's. For a split second, time seemed to stop as their gazes intertwined, as if an invisible force were holding them together. Gu Shijing's heart was pounding. He tried to control his nervousness, his lips curling up slightly as he gave Liu Yanran a friendly smile.
However, Liu Yanran did not respond to his smile, but quickly shifted her gaze and continued to focus on communicating with other people. Gu Shijing felt a little lost, but he was not discouraged. He knew that pursuing love requires patience and courage, and he had made up his mind and would not give up easily.
After dining and drinking to their heart's content, the guests rose one after another to take their leave. Liu Yanran busied herself clearing the table, while Liu Guodong and Russell cordially escorted the guests out. Gu Shijing stood at the door, his gaze fixed on the busy Liu Yanran. Finally, he mustered the courage to walk over to her and whispered, "Comrade Liu, I heard you're a high school student preparing for the college entrance exam. My younger brother is also preparing for the exam. If you don't mind, could you help me with some tutoring?"
Liu Yanran looked up at Gu Shijing in surprise. She hadn't expected him to make such a request, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond. After a moment, she shyly nodded, expressing her willingness to help her brother. Seeing her agree, Gu Shijing felt a surge of joy. He quickly thanked her and said he would arrange a time for his brother to come to her for advice.
Later, Gu Shijing said that the first time he saw Liu Yanran, he even thought of the name of his future child!
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