Just as the two were having a pleasant conversation in the room, Tanya's voice came from outside.
"E'zi, the food is ready. You two can stop chatting for now and come out to eat. You can talk while you eat."
Lou Xiao'e looked at Wang Qiang, and the two chatted and laughed.
Although Wang Qiang seemed somewhat surprised when he heard that he had a son, his subsequent expression of affection reassured Lou Xiao'e.
Tan Yali watched as Wang Qiang and Lou Xiao'e emerged from the room, chatting and laughing. She saw a look of joy on their faces, but she was still worried that Wang Qiang wouldn't be able to accept the reality of having a son.
It seemed the situation was much better than expected. At that moment, the two walked hand in hand from the room to Tanya Li.
Tan Yali smiled and said, "It's a rare treat that Wang Qiang is here today. E'zi, go get a bottle of wine. When your father comes back later, let the two of them have a good drink together."
Lou Xiao'e went to get a bottle of red wine. Although they didn't have the 1982 Lafite, they did have the 1882…
"Wang Qiang, this is a bottle of wine that someone gave me a few days ago when we were discussing business. It's better to drink red wine; it's good for you. Since coming to Hong Kong, I've rarely drunk baijiu!"
"My father, I don't know if he caught a cold on the way, his health has never been very good, so I usually only let him drink red wine, but I don't dare let him drink too much. But today you're here, so I'll make an exception and let him drink a little more."
As soon as Lou Xiao'e finished speaking, Lou Bancheng's hearty laughter rang out from outside. It seems that people are in high spirits when they have good things happen. In this stress-free environment, Lou Bancheng looked much better than when she had seen him before.
Lou Xiao'e poured him some red wine.
Lou Bancheng looked at the wine glass: "This is too little, not even enough to moisten your lips! Have some more. Wang Qiang is here today, and I haven't been this happy in a long time. Pour more."
Lou Xiao'e said, "Dad, your health is the most important thing. The doctor doesn't allow you to drink alcohol, and this is already an exception."
Despite saying that, Lou Xiao'e still poured him a little more wine.
Tan Yali then smiled and said, "Wang Qiang, this is your first time visiting our home, so I don't know what you like to eat. These dishes are all southern style. If you don't like them, I'll have the kitchen make some northern dishes later."
Wang Qiang glanced at the table and saw a lavish spread of dishes, including roast suckling pig, poached chicken, and roast goose. Other signature dishes included steamed grouper with lobster, and eight-treasure winter melon soup. There was also a fish maw chicken soup.
"One can go without vegetables, but not without soup." In traditional Cantonese cuisine, soups come in various forms, including simmered soups, stewed soups, and boiled soups. Among these many types of soup, slow-cooked soup is the most favored by locals.
The slow-cooked soup uses different ingredients and cooking methods depending on the season, resulting in a variety of soups with different flavors.
It follows the principle of dispelling dampness in spring, reducing internal heat in summer, moisturizing dryness in autumn, and nourishing the body in winter.
Looking at the dishes on the table, Wang Qiang couldn't help but think of the contrasting lives of the residents in the courtyard house. The difference was truly stark.
"You're too kind, this meal is already very lavish."
Lou Bancheng was pleased and said to Wang Qiang, "Wang Qiang, now that you're here, E'zi should have already told you everything!"
Wang Qiang glanced at Lou Xiao'e and nodded.
Lou Bancheng continued, "Originally, when this happened, I disagreed with her giving birth to the child. Because at the time, I felt that the two of you would never see each other again."
"E'zi is still young. She can't live like this for the rest of her life; she'll definitely have to get married. If she has children, then things will be more difficult."
"I hope you can understand that we parents want the best for our children."
Wang Qiang nodded and said, "That's true. In that kind of environment, it's understandable that one would think that way."
Lou Bancheng felt very pleased. This kid knew how to talk. He nodded in satisfaction and picked up his wine glass.
"But Ezi insisted on giving birth, saying that this was our root over there, and with this root, we could go back. Without this root, our family would become like duckweed!"
"Although I have accumulated some wealth, as the ancients said, 'Wealth and honor not returned to one's hometown are like wearing brocade at night.' To die far from home is a tragedy for a person."
Upon hearing this, Wang Qiang said, "Mr. Lou, don't worry, it will be at most 20 years before you can go back."
Lou Bancheng and Tan Yali exchanged a glance. On the rainy night they parted, Wang Qiang had said something similar. At the time, they thought it was just something Wang Qiang said to comfort them, but they didn't expect him to bring it up again today.
Tan Yali asked Wang Qiang, "We'll talk about things 20 years from now. Let's focus on what's in front of us now."
Wang Qiang: "What's happening right now? What is it?"
Tanya Li smiled and said, "Of course it's about you and E'zi. I was originally planning to introduce her to a few blind dates after a while to see if there were any suitable ones, but now that you're here..."
"You are the most suitable candidate. After all, you are Wang Xiao's biological father, and your marriage to Ezi is perfectly legitimate!"
Lou Bancheng also smiled and said, "Yes, this is the important thing. You should get married here so that the child will have parents."
Lou Xiao'e looked at Wang Qiang with anticipation after hearing this. She had stubbornly wanted the child because of a secret crush on Wang Qiang; otherwise, she would have aborted it long ago.
Although Xu Li and Sun Qian were also at the table, they didn't say a word the whole time, especially when they heard that Wang Qiang had a son with Lou Xiao'e.
This will shock them for a hundred years. Although Xu Li had read the Lou family's records, this particular incident was not mentioned in them!
Seeing that Wang Qiang didn't speak, Lou Bancheng asked, "Is there a problem?"
Wang Qiang thought to himself that he was here to carry out a mission, and his superiors had not said that he was to stay here permanently. If one day he received an order to go back, he would be fine.
If I were to marry Lou Xiao'e, would I go back or not?
Would Lou Xiao'e be willing to go back? She definitely can't!
If I don't reply...
We'll be in a dilemma then, so it's better to ask for advice from above first.
"Mr. Lou, it's like this, I agree to the marriage in principle, but since I came here illegally, we'll have to wait. As for when exactly..."
After listening to Wang Qiang's words, Lou Bancheng nodded: "That's not a problem. As long as you two get married, your identity issue can be resolved. It's not difficult to get you a legal identity here."
Wang Qiang stood up, holding his wine glass. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Lou. I wish you booming business!"
Lou Bancheng was very happy. Although the time was not finalized, since Wang Qiang had said that, it was basically an admission!
"Okay, after you get married, you can come and help me manage the business. I'm getting old, and my health has been declining since I came to Hong Kong!"
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