Xu Keke noticed that Qi's mother seemed somewhat surprised to see the dimpled girl, "Xiao Bei, what brings you here? You..."
Qi's mother glanced at Qi Chang and said, "Have you eaten? We're having dumplings today. If you haven't, I'll tell the auntie to make a little extra so you can eat here too."
Just moments ago, Xu Keke thought Qi's mother was someone who spoke her mind without mincing words. But in that short time, Xu Keke's opinion of her mother had completely changed. Her words were practically a blatant invitation: "We haven't prepared any food for you. You have to stay and eat more." If she really wanted someone to stay, she wouldn't say it like that; it was practically the same as blatantly kicking them out.
Sure enough, Xiao Bei's smile faltered slightly. But it was only for a moment, and she still smiled generously, "I've already eaten, Auntie. I made chicken stew with mushrooms at home today, and it tasted pretty good. I brought it over for you and Uncle to try. But I didn't expect to have guests today, so I didn't bring much."
Xu Keke looked away disdainfully. What a pretentious act. She clearly heard them agree to come today. And now they're pretending to bump into each other. Wait a minute, Xu Keke's eyes suddenly widened. She looked at the dimpled girl, then at Qi Chang. Aren't they engaged? Why are they playing these little tricks? And Qi's mother's attitude that day was so different from today.
"What smells so good?" Mr. Qi led the two children into the house from the yard. "Xiao Bei has brought us food again. Put it down quickly, I have a lot of food to offer today. There are not only dumplings, but also chicken stew with mushrooms. Xiao Bei, the filling for our dishes today is something your Aunt Qi said she learned to make from you. Try it later and see how it tastes, whether it's authentic."
"Yes, your Uncle Qi is right, come on over!" Mother Qi glanced at Father Qi and smiled, also calling out. "Xiao Bei, I'll go tell Auntie to make extra dumplings today. Don't go!"
Xiao Bei seemed to be a regular at this house. She quickly put the bowl on the table and grabbed Qi's mother's arm. "Auntie, don't go. I'll go. I'll go to the kitchen and talk to Aunt Zhang. I can help her out."
Hearing her words, Xu Keke had a moment of self-reflection, wondering if she had been too passive earlier. But saying it now would seem like she was just repeating what others had said, appearing somewhat deliberate. Looking at Qi's mother standing there, Xu Keke was momentarily unsure whether to proceed or retreat. She felt a little awkward.
Xiao Bei went to the kitchen, and Qi's mother slapped Qi's father's arm in a complaining tone. She said in a low voice, "How can you be so annoying? Xiao Bei just went on a blind date with Chen Gang from the camp yesterday. Didn't I tell you this morning? What are people supposed to think?"
Qi's father feigned a deep breath, as if the blow had hurt terribly. Xu Keke thought to herself, "This acting... your son used to be a much better actor than you."
“The more things are like this, the less we should push people away. Besides, our family has never been adamant about their relationship. It's just that your son is too incompetent, and they don't even want him.”
"Get out of here! What's wrong with my son? It's all because of you." This time, Qi's mother went all out and pinched Qi's father's arm.
Qi's father's face wrinkled up.
This is domestic violence, right? Is it okay for kids to watch this? Xu Keke glanced at the two children, who were looking up at her with wide eyes. She nudged Qi Chang with her elbow, gave him a sidelong glance, and muttered softly, "Where should they wash their hands? I'll take them to wash their hands first."
Shouldn't these three outsiders have avoided this situation?
Qi Chang looked at her and smiled, a smile that left Xu Keke completely bewildered. She looked around, somewhat confused.
Qi Chang walked up behind Gao Jiaqing, placed his hands under his armpits, and lifted him up. This caused Gao Jiaqing to spread his arms wide, like a little crab, squealing in mid-air. Even Xiao Bei from the kitchen peeked out. Seeing this scene, she smiled and then retreated back inside.
"You silly child, you're such a grown-up, why are you being naughty again?" Qi's mother looked at her son with a mix of laughter and tears, not understanding why he had suddenly become happy.
Mr. Qi glanced thoughtfully at Xu Keke. He had just seen the young girl whisper something to his son, which had made his son so happy. He wondered what it was that had made his usually composed son so pleased.
Even Xu Keke, the person involved, hadn't expected that her casual action would put Qi Chang in a good mood for the entire evening. Qi Chang's good mood influenced everyone in the room. An unprecedented harmony prevailed among them.
The dumplings were filled with pork and chives, so delicious and flavorful that you couldn't get enough. There was also Xiao Bei's chicken stew with mushrooms; the mushrooms weren't ordinary ones, but rather Northeastern button mushrooms, stewed with tender chicken—it was simply perfect. The only thing that annoyed Xu Keke was Qi Chang's constant smile. Xu Keke really wanted to sew his mouth shut. What was he laughing at? His smile made Xiao Bei blush. Xiao Bei must have misunderstood, thinking he was happy because of her.
Xu Keke was secretly angry, thinking about the scene just now. No matter how she thought about it, she felt that Qi Chang's happiness had nothing to do with Xiao Bei.
When she finished thinking and looked up, she found everyone staring at her. Looking down, she saw that Xu Keke had only one dumpling left on the entire plate in front of her. Wow, she ate a whole plateful by herself.
Xu Keke's chopsticks were still hanging in mid-air; to pick them up or not to pick them up, that was the question.
"How about I make you another bowl of noodles? The chicken and mushroom soup will definitely taste good with it," Qi Chang asked softly beside her.
The sound was so tempting; just thinking about it made Xu Keke want to nod. Snow-white noodles were drizzled with a rich, dark red chicken broth. Xu Keke felt she might not be full, and she unconsciously swallowed. Ultimately, the feeling of fullness in her stomach overcame her desire to eat.
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