The kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of food, along with the booming voices of my grandparents giving instructions and the clanging of spatulas.
Sister Liu and her daughter helped out, their faces beaming with joy.
In the living room, a completely different and lively scene unfolded.
Having just been relieved of his heavy burden this year, the relaxed old man, dressed in a comfortable Zhongshan suit, leaned back in a large sofa, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched the lively scene before him.
While chatting with Dean Xu, he kept peeling peanuts, planning to stir-fry them later as a snack with drinks.
Xiao Che now holds an important position, and his temperament is calm and capable. In addition, his work over the past few years has added a touch of elegance to his cold and hard temperament.
At this moment, he had taken off his coat and was only wearing a black wool sweater with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, as Xiao Zhiwei was pestering him to tell her a story.
The little girl, with her hair in two little pigtails, urged in her childish voice, "Daddy, tell me quickly, did that regimental commander catch the spy later?"
Xiao Che's eyes were full of doting affection as he scooped the child into his arms and patiently recounted the thrilling stories of those turbulent years in a deep voice.
"Guess what? Of course, they caught them..."
Bai Yajing deftly began setting the table. Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to her, leaving few traces on her face, but instead adding to her intellectual and gentle demeanor.
She had just come out of the kitchen with Xiao's mother, carrying a plate of freshly stir-fried braised pork and cured meat.
Mr. Xiao was in high spirits. He had just written a couplet and was now pulling Jingxing to put it up at the door.
The grandfather and grandson chatted quietly, their eyes occasionally sweeping lovingly over the living room filled with their children and grandchildren.
Bai Zhihe, a lively person, was drinking tea with Yan Qing, Jin Yu, and Wu Liu while discussing the latest events. Their voices were not loud, but their exchange of views was quite interesting.
Mrs. Xiao called out with a smile, "Dinner's ready!"
"Dinner's ready!" Grandpa and Grandma each brought out a bowl of food and called out, and everyone laughed and moved into the dining room.
My uncle and aunt followed closely behind, each carrying a dish.
The huge round table was already fully loaded, and there was also a small square table next to it, with the same dishes on it.
There was Bai Yajing's signature braised pork, several new dishes that Xiao's mother had learned, Xiao Che's signature steamed sea bass and stir-fried cured meat, several dishes that his uncle was good at, and finally, a slow-cooked soup that his grandparents had cooked all afternoon.
A dazzling array of dishes, steaming hot, exuding the most authentic taste of home.
Everyone took their seats, with the elders at one table.
The children sat at a separate table, where the young people chatted more freely, their eyes fixed on the delicious food on the table.
The old man cleared his throat, and the previously noisy dining table immediately quieted down, even the most mischievous little Zhiwei sat up straight.
The old man's gaze slowly swept over everyone present. Beside him were his close friends of many years, his kind in-laws, his mature and steady son and daughter-in-law, his successful granddaughter and grandson-in-law, and finally his gaze settled on the faces of his healthy and lively great-grandchildren.
Deep in his eyes was a sense of peace and contentment after weathering many storms.
He picked up the small wine glass in front of him, which contained a special supply of Maotai that Xiao Che had brought back.
"Today, our family is finally reunited!" The old man's voice was still loud and clear, with a hint of barely perceptible emotion. "The whole family can finally get together and have a reunion dinner."
He paused, seemingly recalling those turbulent years when his family could hardly reunite. His gaze lingered on Xiao Che and Bai Yajing for a moment, filled with admiration and satisfaction.
"Our family has experienced both storms and joyous occasions; life is always full of ups and downs."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com