"Dad, that's great! You've got such good luck, getting all these good stuff."
Mr. Shen said smugly, "I didn't expect it either, but it was just luck, good luck."
Liu Yue'e sat up.
"I'll cook a few dishes for everyone to try at noon."
At noon, my mom, Aunt Chen, and Manshen cooked, with Aunt Chen taking the lead. My mom and Manshen assisted.
Liu Qianqian, Fan Xiaopang, and Chen Huilin all took on the role of vegetable washerwomen, even though none of them had ever lifted a finger in the kitchen. But how could they possibly sit around like royalty when their future mother-in-law was in the kitchen on their first meeting? That wouldn't be tactless; it would be idiotic.
However, Liu Yue'e also knew that Sanmei didn't know how to cook these things, and she rarely cooked at home; it was always Shen's father who did the cooking.
"No need, honey. Don't come. It's cold and your hands will freeze. We'll take care of it."
Chen Huilin smiled and said, "Auntie, we'll help you out. I sometimes cook some dishes too."
"Auntie, I can do that too. How about I make one for you to try?" Fan Xiaopang immediately started showing off his skills and talents.
Liu Qianqian lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers. She watched as Chen Huilin and Fan Xiaopang both knew how to cook, while she knew nothing but eating, at most making instant noodles. Liu Xiaoli treated her like a little princess. How could she possibly be asked to cook? Besides, she was only 15; that talent hadn't even been developed yet.
Who is Liu Yue'e? She immediately smiled at Liu Qianqian.
"Sisi, could you help Auntie pick these celery and green beans?"
Liu Qianqian was a bit clueless when Liu Yue'e handed her celery and green beans; she didn't know how to pick vegetables either.
I've had it for half a day and still don't know what to do with it.
Liu Yue'e smiled and walked up to Liu Qianqian.
"Look, you need to remove the rotten leaves from the celery and keep the good ones. Green beans are very simple; just pinch off both ends and tear off the roots at the edges. See?"
Liu Qianqian nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
Liu Yue'e patted Liu Qianqian's little head.
"Give it a try."
Liu Qianqian started to try, and although she was clumsy, Liu Yue'e still praised her.
Liu Qianqian beamed. That's how it is when you're working. For beginners who don't know something, you need encouragement. You can't just call them stupid right away, saying they can't do this. Everything is learned little by little. Nobody is born knowing everything. You know this, and someone else doesn't. They try it, and you think they're slow or not doing it well. You think they're stupid. But it's not that they're stupid; they can do things you can't. Everyone has different skills. If you're someone who's good at something, when others are learning, you should encourage them, not call them stupid.
Of course, there are also those who are stubbornly insistent on doing things their own way.
Praise makes people feel good. Praise others often, even if they know it's insincere; it will still make them happy. Say nice things, and everything will go smoothly.
Although Liu Qianqian was clumsy when it came to cooking, Liu Yue'e, as her future mother-in-law, patiently taught her and didn't mind her poor cooking.
Shen Fang looked at the three diligent women and couldn't help but chuckle. They were all young ladies, how could they do this? But their attitude was very good and they were very respectful, unlike the one next to him who only knew how to eat, like a little good-for-nothing.
Shen Fang kicked Shen Lanlan.
"what."
Shen Lanlan was happily eating snacks and playing her handheld game when she was suddenly kicked, which made her very unhappy.
Shen Fang rolled his eyes at Shen Lanlan.
"Don't you have any common sense? Don't you know how to help out?"
Shen Lanlan pouted: "I can't cook either. Even dogs won't eat the food I make. Last time I cooked a meal for my dad, he had diarrhea for two days. If you're not afraid of something happening to you, I don't mind cooking for you."
Shen Fang's lips twitched.
This is awful food!!! Alright, for the sake of my safety, I'd better forget about it.
"Go get the cigars from my room, and two bottles of wine, and the ones from the third cabinet."
Shen Lanlan nodded, and soon brought over cigars and two bottles of fine red wine.
Shen Fang picked up a cigar and handed it to Lao Zhangzi.
"Senior, try this, Monte A."
Zhang Yimou took it and smelled it; it had a very pure fruity aroma.
"Brother Ma, Brother Zeng, you should try this too. It's good stuff. Even in America, only a few people can get it."
Little Ma accepted the cigar that Shen Fang had brought.
"Good heavens, this one could choke you to death if you put it in your mouth. How can you move such a thin one?" Zeng Liqing fiddled with the cigar in his hand.
Ye Daying cut open a cigar, lit it, and took a puff. He nodded.
"The flavor is quite authentic, with a rich fruity and woody aroma, and the smoke flows smoothly. It's a good cigarette."
Dad said this stuff is too nutritious and he doesn't like it; he prefers roasted tobacco.
Shen Fang didn't really like this thing. It was a gift from Xu Xin, and there was no point in keeping it. He figured he might as well smoke it at the party today.
Soon the room was filled with the smell of cigars. Chen Fang opened a bottle of red wine, a Lehua Musini Grand Cru, priced at US dollars a bottle. It was the grand cru among grand cru wines, much higher in quality than Lafite.
Shen Fang swirled the wine in his glass, gazing at the snow-red wine. He inhaled its aroma—a rich blend of grape, floral, and wine notes.
Chen Fang took a sip; it was very smooth.
Pour it for everyone.
Dad tasted it and it was just right.
"Son, this wine is pretty good. Get me some later."
Shen Fang gave an OK sign.
"I'll send it back to you once I get the goods; there aren't many of these on the market."
"Sister Manyu, come and have a drink. It's your favorite. I opened a good bottle of wine."
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