Chapter 41 Seeking Spring Through the Snow
The four-hour meeting finally came to an end, and the department heads all sighed as Yu Jingchen walked out of the meeting room.
Xu Shuo raised his hand to signal everyone's attention and said, "I'd like to announce a temporary decision. Starting today, the time for future meetings will be controlled by the person in charge on-site, trying to avoid mealtimes. If the time span is too long and unavoidable, the meeting can be divided into segments if the outcome can be controlled. Irregular meals are detrimental to health. President Yu hopes everyone can try to eat three meals a day regularly to protect their health, maintain their condition, and contribute more effectively to the development of themselves and the group. Okay, meeting adjourned."
Xu Shuo left the conference room.
"What the hell? That was President Yu's decision? Am I dreaming! Isn't he always the one who puts work first and leads us toward a short-lived future?"
"Could it be that President Yu has overworked himself and developed a stomach problem? So..."
"No way! I think President Yu is as energetic as an ox and extremely healthy! And knowing him as I do, even if he really had a stomach ailment, he would tough it out. He wouldn't surrender to a mere stomach problem. After all, he's the Bullfighting God!"
"I have a guess: Did you hear that? A last-minute decision! President Yu was about ten minutes late, and considering what happened before, it's obvious he went to meet someone! Is it possible that this person said something that made President Yu change his mind? I guess—"
A Mediterranean elite suddenly stood up, his posture upright, and he made a solemn vow.
"President Yu—he's absolutely fucking in love!"
Yu Jingchen hurried back to his office, and as soon as he entered, he smelled a faint fragrance. He frowned slightly, followed the scent to the sofa, where he saw a dark green packaging bag standing prominently on the low table. The bag was decorated with a floral and bird scroll design, and the familiar vertical logo was printed on the right: [Lingyu Studio].
Xu Shuo knocked on the door and said at the door, "It's takeout delivered by Ling Yuzhai. He said it was ordered by a Mr. Fu."
“…I understand.” Yu Jingchen raised his hand, and Xu Shuo immediately and cleverly closed the door, so that his boss could enjoy the romance of being cared for alone.
Yu Jingchen sat on the sofa, reached out and untied the packaging bag, pulling out the insulated container inside. A card fell out in the process. He opened it and saw familiar handwriting:
[Ding! Your personalized food delivery service is now available!]
This insulated water container is a winter limited edition from Lingyuzhai, themed around a snowy landscape. I think it's quite exquisite, and the shop assistant said it keeps things very warm, so I bought one with my Uncle Yu's balance. I wonder if it will still be warm when you see it? I hope it holds up well.
In the corner, there was also a drawing of a cool-looking little dumpling with its hands clasped together.
Yu Jingchen reached out and touched the hot water in the bucket, feeling a tingling sensation in his heart.
He stared blankly at the thermos for a while until his phone vibrated, snapping him out of his reverie. He opened it, only to find it wasn't a message from Fu Yanle. Yu Jingchen let out a barely audible sigh, suppressing his sentimental disappointment, and opened the thermos.
The first layer of rice was steamed until it was snow-white and round, and the hot rice had a fragrant aroma, like Fu Yanle's slightly puffed-up face when he was angry. When the lid was lifted, the rich aroma of soup wafted out, and square ribs were piled in the center, with semi-oval potatoes arranged in a circle around them. A variety of side dishes and seasonings were embedded in the rice, and clear scallions covered the surface, still sticky with steam.
Fu Yanle also thoughtfully prepared light side dishes and dessert soup on the third and fourth floors.
"..." Yu Jingchen felt full just from the aroma of the food, and even felt stuffed.
He took out his phone, deliberately arranged the food in an attractive way, opened the phone's camera, and started from where he was, walked around the low table, recording this belated dinner from various angles.
*
Pushing open the gate of "Seeking Spring in the Snow," Yan Chaoqing took off her white mink shawl and walked halfway around the courtyard. Just as she saw the freesias she had carefully planted, a sound came from the window of the master bedroom on the second floor.
She took two steps back, looked up, and said, "I'm back!"
Yu Zhouxing reached out and leaned on the windowsill, saying down, "Your son took my money to pick up men, and he even sent me the photos!"
"Really?" Yan Chaoqing immediately turned around and went upstairs. The couple met on the second floor and examined the photo together.
At the reception desk of the Chinese-style restaurant, Fu Yanle smiled somewhat reservedly at the camera, his lips curving into a half-open smile, looking rather docile. Yan Chaoqing was overjoyed and said, "Little Fu Bao is getting more and more handsome. His eyebrows and eyes really look like his mother's."
Yu Zhouxing glanced at her. "You're so happy, aren't you?"
"Is that even a question?" Yan Chaoqing placed the shawl in his arms and walked slowly towards the bedroom. "Don't you know what kind of person your son is? He's been mature since he was little. I've seen him grow up to be in his twenties, and I really haven't seen any prospect of him developing a romantic relationship with anyone. But, I've thought before, if my son likes a girl, as long as she's upright and not frivolous, that's fine. After all, he's very picky, and we don't need to pick any other conditions for him."
The two entered the bedroom. Yu Zhou put the shawl into the wardrobe, turned around and said, "What a pity. The person who finally made your son show some signs of being in love is not a girl, but a young man."
"What's there to regret?" Yan Chaoqing rolled her eyes at him, and Yu Zhouxing immediately stepped forward to massage her shoulders. Yan Chaoqing closed her eyes comfortably, "My son looks like a monk every day, who can tell whether he likes boys or girls? So I've also thought that if my son likes boys, then he should be like a little lucky charm."
“You’re attracted to his looks,” Yu Zhouxing said. “I’ve heard that Fu Yanle has some kind of ambiguous relationship with that Su family kid from before. I know about the Su family’s situation. If it’s true, it just means that Fu Yanle either has bad taste or is not smart enough.”
"Shut up." Yan Chaoqing turned her head. "He must have been deceived! After all, his mother passed away early, his father was no good, and Grandpa Lu wasn't a shrewd person either. Naturally, he's simple-minded. That's called being naive."
Yu Zhouxing nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, my wife is right."
Yan Chaoqing was finally satisfied and pulled Yu Zhouxing aside, saying, "Yanle is twenty-one this year, so it's normal for him to have a relationship. Besides, our son can now use your money to pamper someone, which means they're doing very well. I believe in our son; he'll definitely succeed. You, as his father, shouldn't be making sarcastic remarks here."
“I don’t think our son is up to it. He’s put all his talent into other areas. When it comes to dating, he’s a complete novice.” Yu Zhouxing offered a token expression of concern. “Why don’t you give him a call and check on things?”
"Right, right, call and ask!" Yan Chaoqing immediately got up to grab her handbag, but after a few steps she realized, "Wait a minute, at this time, it should be late at night for our son, right?"
"Never mind, never mind," she sighed. "Let's call again tomorrow."
"Don't be disappointed, just bear with it for half a day, and you'll find out about your son's relationship." Yu Zhouxing went over to comfort her, "Think about it this way, at this time, if our son is developing a relationship with Fu Yanle—"
Yan Chaoqing's eyes were filled with pink bubbles, "Wow!"
*
"Hey!"
Fu Yanle pounced on the bed, rolled around twice, picked up his phone, and realized that his Weibo account had been bombarded with messages.
[Bowl: A spare rib, a clump of side dishes, a bowl of rich and pure soup, a plate of delicate side dishes, paired with a glass of 82 plum juice, three handsome guys spend a wonderful evening together @I'm not dirty @Invincible beauty Fu Yanle (Cheers.jpg)]
The accompanying picture is a group photo of the three people.
[Three handsome guys? Wanwan has finally admitted to her good looks! My child is confident now, she's grown up!]
[Is this the change that comes from spending a lot of time with Fu? Bravely acknowledging my beauty—"Fu Studies: Truth"]
Wow! The background image is so Chinese-style and exquisite! It feels like an ancient restaurant, a place I'm definitely not worthy of.
[Is this a pork rib soup pot? It looks so delicious! Why did you have to post a picture at this time? I hate it! Time to get up and eat some bread!]
[These three are absolutely stunning! What makes them look like they could be on a magazine cover in a restaurant private room? It's their terrifyingly good looks and charisma!]
...
An Shi Gou reposted and commented: 【You're honored. (picking nose.jpg)】
Fu Yanle spat out a "Pah!" and reposted with a comment: 【I'm so handsome, Wanwan is the cutest, Anshigou is whatever. (Heart emoji)】
Before long, Fu Yanle discovered that his comment had been posted online, along with heartfelt replies from his two younger brothers.
Wanwan: [I love you! (spinning around.gif)]
I'm not dirty: [Ah, right, right. (crying.jpg)]
"So you've switched to a sarcastic approach now?" Fu Yanle sneered, replying: [If you think your father is right, then why don't you hurry up and kowtow to thank him? (confused.jpg)]
An Shi Gou replied strongly: 【I didn't say anything, are you getting impatient? (crying.jpg)】
Fu Yanle coldly replied: [The filth has already opened its mouth to bite, aren't you worried? (confused.jpg)]
An Shi Gou repeatedly and firmly said: 【Ah, yes, yes, yes. (crying.jpg)】
Fu Yanle remained indifferent: [Nine years of compulsory education haven't taught you anything, you can't even pronounce basic words correctly, you sound drunk when you're normal, and all you can say to people is "yes, yes, yes." Are you uncultured? Even if you are, don't worry, I'll teach you to speak like a human being. Repeat after me—"Ge wu a gua." (Sigh.jpg)]
I'm Not Dirty: [Damn it! You just wait, I'll be back! (Emerges on the spot.jpg)]
"Such a fool, truly unbeatable." Fu Yanle exited Weibo and had just opened a match-3/home decorating game when he heard a knock on the door. He quickly got up to open it, and when he peeked out, he met Yu Jingchen's gaze.
“…Hey.” Fu Yanle opened the door and took a step back.
This gesture is very suggestive.
Yu Jingchen's hand tightened slightly as he held the cup, and he closed the door under Fu Yanle's gaze. He took off his slippers in front of the carpet, took two steps closer to Fu Yanle, and sniffed the air slightly. "Just finished showering?"
“Yes.” Fu Yanle rubbed his hair, his eyes falling on the cup in Yu Jingchen’s hand.
"Honey water, it helps you sleep." Yu Jingchen handed over the cup. "I noticed you hadn't turned off the light yet, I was worried you wouldn't be able to sleep."
Fu Yanle took a few sips. "I ate too much tonight and I'm not sleepy at all. You—" He choked on his words and, under Yu Jingchen's puzzled gaze, couldn't help but let out a small hiccup.
Yu Jingchen smiled.
Fu Yanle couldn't help but grip the cup tighter and ask, "What do you think of the takeout I packed for you?"
"I've finished eating," Yu Jingchen said.
"That's good." Fu Yanle's lips curled up slightly. He walked to the bedside with his water glass in his arms, then knelt on the bed under Yu Jingchen's gaze. Then, with one knee slipping, he steadily tucked himself into the quilt.
He pulled the blanket up to his waist and said to Yu Jingchen, "Sit down!"
"Yanle." Yu Jingchen's face showed a hint of uncertainty and hesitation. "Are you inviting me?"
Author's Note:
【瓜】means stupid, foolish, or idiotic.
I really want to eat pork ribs! Stewed pork ribs, braised pork ribs, sweet and sour pork ribs, fried pork ribs!
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