"Right, Han Chen?"
Han Chen paused, "Yeah."
"Just turn your phone to silent mode. Out of sight, out of mind."
Buzz—buzz—the phone vibrated twice at inopportune moments.
"Okay," Han Chen took out his cell phone.
on the screen.
Zhou Mo: Where are the people?
Zhou Mo: Why aren’t you talking again?
Han Chen quickly replied: Something happened.
Zhou Mo: OK.
Han Chen turned his phone to silent mode, put it back in his pocket, and pretended nothing had happened.
Zong Zheng took the cigarette, extinguished it with three fingers, and threw the butt into the trash can.
He pointed to a basin of processed shrimp in front of him and asked, "Who among you knows how to cook?"
Han Chen: "I can't."
"I guess Du Moliang wouldn't either."
Zong Zheng washed his hands, opened the drawer and searched around, finally finding the apron in a cupboard. He shook it out and put it on.
"Is the celery ready?"
"alright."
The leaves of the celery had been removed. Han Chen took a basin and rinsed it under the tap several times.
Zong Zheng took out a chopping board and a knife, chopped the celery into short pieces in a few seconds, set the pot on the fire and poured in the oil, all in one go.
Han Chen couldn't help but frown at his vigorous movements. He stepped aside and turned on the range hood above.
Zong Zheng, a burly man of about 180cm, was wearing a blue and purple floral apron. Han Chen couldn't appreciate the contrast...
Du Moliang, who came to inspect the kitchen, saw Zong Zheng's outfit and laughed so hard that he couldn't straighten his waist, "Puchi - hahahaha..."
Zong Zheng glared at him coldly, "What's so funny?"
Du Moliang clutched his stomach, leaning against the door, unable to stand straight. His face was cramped and he couldn't speak. He could only wave his hands, "No, no, I have to take a break... Hahahaha..."
Zong Zheng ignored him. When the oil was hot, he added the ingredients first, then the onions, ginger, and garlic, and began to stir-fry over high heat. The flames rose high, but Zong Zheng was not afraid at all. He held the wok in one hand, circling it over the fire, and continued to stir-fry the spices.
When the pot of red oil was boiling, he put down the pot, poured a basin of fresh shrimps directly into it, and continued to stir-fry violently like turning sand.
Brutal and rough, this is how Zong Zheng stir-fries shrimp.
Han Chen frowned.
Du Moliang, who finally managed to hold back his laughter, came over and patted Han Chen on the shoulder. "He, hahaha, is just that kind of person. Hahaha, let's go and steam some rice."
The two of them steamed rice, and Zong Zheng quickly stir-fried two vegetarian dishes.
The dish wasn't even out of the pot yet when Zong Zheng came out of the kitchen, spatula in hand. His face was serious, and he listened attentively, "Is Xiaoyi awake?"
"No?" Du Moliang pricked up his ears. "I didn't hear any sound." He put down the dishes in his hands and said, "I'll go check."
Zong Zheng then re-entered the kitchen.
Not long after, Du Moliang came back holding the crying Zong Yi.
Zong Yi looked aggrieved, with tears on her face, sobbing softly, lying on Du Moliang's shoulder like an obedient little lamb.
Du Moliang patted his back and said, "Why are you crying? Your uncle is here."
Zong Yi grabbed the cuff of Du Moliang's short sleeve with her little hands, "Mom..."
"Your mom has gone to work," Du Moliang's tone was not gentle at all. He even patted Zong Yi's butt in a punitive manner. "Your dad is here too. Why are you looking for your mom? Be a man and don't cry."
Zong Yi's nose twitched, his mouth shrank, his small facial features wrinkled, and he cried with his eyes closed and a "Wow--".
Zong Zheng came out of the kitchen holding a spatula, "Why are you crying? Why are you crying?"
Zong Yi shut up instantly, tears streaming down his face.
Du Moliang held Zong Yi in his arms and told him to face away from Zong Zheng. "Your dad is looking grumpy again. Ignore him. Let's go watch cartoons."
He took Zong Yi to the living room.
Perhaps because Zong Zheng scolded Zong Yi, or perhaps because Du Moliang used cartoons to attract Zong Yi's attention, Zong Yi was sniffling with a runny nose, but he stopped crying.
Du Moliang took out the paper with disgust and cleaned up for Zong Yi.
"You, you are such a hassle," Du Moliang carried Zong Yi to the bathroom to wash his face again.
During this time, Du Moliang's shirt was accidentally splashed with water. He carried Zong Yi out like catching a fish, "Han Chen, please help me take care of him for a while."
Han Chen pinched Zong Yi's armpit and took it, letting him sit on his lap.
Zong Yi was not shy. He tangled his hands together and looked up at Han Chen curiously.
"What are you looking at me for?" Han Chen looked at Zong Yi's innocent face, suddenly smiled gently, and lightly stroked Zong Yi's chubby face with his fingertips.
Zong Yi was so amused that he laughed foolishly, "Uncle, I've seen you. The pretty aunties all said you were so handsome and good-looking."
Du Moliang changed into a T-shirt and came out of the room, and heard his nephew praising Han Chen.
"You little guy, you're always a master of keeping things in check, aren't you?"
Zong Yi didn't understand what "water balance master" meant, and chuckled twice, "Mom also said that uncle is good-looking."
Du Moliang frowned, "Why is your mother praising another man? Isn't she afraid that your father will be jealous?"
Zong Yi took it for granted, "Mom often praises other uncles for being good-looking."
Du Moliang took Zong Yi from Han Chen's arms and slapped him on the head. "Don't talk nonsense in the future."
Then he put Zong Yi on the ground like a little bird and said, "Go play somewhere else."
Zong Yi tapped his feet and ran to the kitchen.
Du Moliang turned around and asked Han Chen: "Have you seen Xiaoyi?"
Han Chen nodded and said, "I went to the pediatric department for a consultation. Xiaoyi happened to be there at the time."
Du Moliang chuckled, "This kid, despite his young age, has a great memory. I guess my sister and the nurses in their department praised you in private, and he heard it."
Han Chen lowered his head with a slight smile.
Du Moliang was suddenly frightened when he saw his gentle expression.
On weekdays, Han Chen always has a sage face that keeps strangers away. Even to people he is familiar with, he does not seem to be very friendly.
How come after hugging Zong Yi, I became a completely different person?
"Get out!" A sudden angry voice came from the kitchen.
Zong Yi ran out as if escaping and threw himself into Du Moliang's arms.
"What's wrong? Did you make your dad angry again?" Du Moliang held Zong Yi's head.
Zong Yi shrank into Du Moliang's arms and turned to look behind him.
Zong Zheng came out of the kitchen with a dish in one hand and looked in Zong Yi's direction, "Try messing with the kitchen again!"
Zong Yi was so scared that he hugged Du Moliang's thigh and didn't dare to look at Zong Zheng.
Du Moliang picked up Zong Yi and said, "Hey, when will you stop being so naughty? Not to mention your dad, even your uncle wants to punish you."
"Uncle..." Zong Yi hugged Du Moliang's neck and murmured coquettishly.
"Um?"
"I'm not moving, kitchen stuff," Zong Yi said vaguely, his voice a little aggrieved.
Du Moliang patted Zong Yi's head and shouted towards the kitchen, "Did you hear that? Your son said he will never touch anything in the kitchen again."
Zong Zheng came out with a large basin of shrimp, "Just protect him!"
Du Moliang said with a smile: "Xiao Yi is your son, not your enemy. Why are you so cruel to him?"
Zong Zheng placed the porcelain basin on the dining table and said viciously, "He is my enemy."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
