Chapter 52 Dinner for Humans
"Honey, quick, tell me, do I look pretty today?"
“You’re here to see your son and his boyfriend, not to compete in beauty. Why do you have to be so beautiful—” Yu Zhouxing suddenly shut his mouth under Yan Chaoqing’s death stare and nodded seriously. “You’re stunningly beautiful! So beautiful that even swallows would salute you when they fly by.”
"That's more like it." Yan Chaoqing tugged at her shawl, pushed him away, and took a few steps forward to knock on the door of the private room.
A few seconds later, the door to the private room opened, and Yu Jingchen appeared in the couple's sight.
"Father, Mother."
Yu Zhouxing nodded, keenly discerning three parts helplessness, three parts dissatisfaction, and four parts rebelliousness on his son's face.
"Oh my, my son is still so handsome!" Yan Chaoqing reached out and cupped Yu Jingchen's face, gently rubbing it twice to show her great maternal love. Then she pushed Yu Jingchen away without hesitation, her eyes fixed on Fu Yanle, who was being blocked by Yu Jingchen.
Fu Yanle quickly stepped forward, extending his hand and saying, "Hello, Auntie. Hello, Uncle."
"Oh, you silly little thing, what are you shouting for!" Yan Chaoqing grabbed Fu Yanle's hand and brought him in front of her, her eyes full of affection. "Call me Mom. The one behind you is your Dad."
belch!
Fu Yanle was slightly startled and glanced at Yu Jingchen for help. Yu Jingchen looked away, refusing to offer assistance. Fu Yanle silently "blessed" Yu Jingchen a few words, then smiled obediently and said readily, "Hello, Mom, hello, Dad, come in quickly."
Yan Chaoqing was overjoyed. "So obedient!"
"I didn't know, Uncle—" Fu Yanle's voice trailed off abruptly, "Mom and Dad are coming, and Chen-ge and I have already eaten half of our meal. We're so sorry, Mom and Dad. Please don't take offense. Let's change the dishes and order what you like. This place is pretty good."
“We came suddenly without telling you. We’re the ones who disturbed your time together. How can you say we’re upset? There’s no need to change the dishes. We’re all family. We don’t need to stand on ceremony.” Yan Chaoqing held onto Fu Yanle tightly. “It’s been so long. Little Fu Bao has grown up and become more sensible.”
Help! Please stop calling me by my nickname!
Fu Yanle was so ashamed he was practically fuming. He quickly gave Yu Jingchen a sharp look. Yu Jingchen's lips curled slightly, and he wisely said, "Mother, Yanle is all grown up now. Please don't call him by his nickname."
"No matter how old you get, you'll always be a child in my eyes." Yan Chaoqing glared at Yu Jingchen with dissatisfaction. "Besides, Xiao Fubao is so cute, it sounds like a lucky name."
Fu Yanle: Help me! Help me! Brother Chen, charge!
Yu Jingchen coughed and said, "This is my privilege. I don't like anyone other than me calling him that."
"Huh?" Fu Yanle opened his mouth, then slowly closed it again.
Yu Jingchen, you are a traitor! We are your filial sons!
"Oh, I see!" Yan Chaoqing's voice lingered enchantingly in the air. She glanced at Yu Jingchen, who had a serious expression, then turned to look at Fu Yanle, who had a "well-behaved" look on his face, and suddenly covered her mouth and laughed.
No, you really believe that?
Yu Zhouxing remained silent for a moment, then quietly sat down in the seat opposite him and said to Yu Jingchen, "Come sit here and let your mother and her child sit closer. We two outsiders shouldn't disturb them."
"Shut up!" Yan Chaoqing glared at Yu Zhouxing, then turned back to her loving expression. "Your father and I just couldn't sit still any longer, and with the New Year just a month away, we decided to come back. Xiao Shuo told us that you work in Beicheng, and Jing Chen is here too, so we flew directly to Beicheng."
"Mom and Dad, you've worked hard. It's cold outside, so eat something to warm your stomach." Fu Yanle took the bowls and chopsticks and placed them in front of Yan Chaoqing. "We only ordered coconut milk. Mom, would you like something else? Dad, would you like some alcohol?"
"I won't drink anything else." Yan Chaoqing rubbed her stomach. "I had a small cup of milk tea on the plane earlier."
Yu Zhouxing didn't have a good impression of Fu Yanle to begin with. After all, ever since he found out his son was dating, he had people thoroughly investigate Fu Yanle. Everything else was fine, but the facts about Fu Yanle and Su Fengyao really bothered him. He thought that being so love-struck meant either he was missing a cerebellum or he was missing a brain.
But... who can resist a beautiful child who obediently calls them "Dad"?
Yu Jingchen was particularly precocious, and at a young age he had the air of a head of the family. After he turned three, he never called him "Dad" again.
Thinking of this, Yu Zhouxing deliberately softened his tone and said, "I won't drink alcohol. Your mother is very strict and doesn't let me drink except during holidays."
"If I weren't too lazy to take care of you, I wouldn't want to bother with you at all!" Yan Chaoqing pointed at Yu Zhouxing. "When he was young, he was a workaholic who didn't care about his health. He also smoked and drank without restraint, which gave him stomach problems. Speaking of which, Jingchen is just like him. I've told Jingchen many times before, but he never listens. Sigh, the kids are all grown up, and we can't control them!"
Yu Jingchen, caught in the crossfire, ate his meal intently, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.
Fu Yanle smiled and said, "I mentioned Brother Chen before. He's taking better care of his health now. He balances work and rest, eats on time, doesn't smoke, drinks less, and doesn't touch cigars anymore."
Yan Chaoqing looked delighted. "Really?"
"Really." Fu Yanle said with certainty, "Brother Chen is exceptionally obedient!"
“Then he will only listen to you.” Yan Chaoqing was overjoyed to hear this. “From childhood to adulthood, Jingchen has always been very sensible. Apart from his habit of not taking care of his health when he is working, the only thing we need to worry about is his love life. Now it seems that both of these problems have been solved.”
“Chen and I are dating. He always cares about me, and I want to care about him too.” Fu Yanle scratched his head shyly. “And actually, most of the time, it’s Chen who takes care of me.”
“He’s older than you, so it’s only right that he takes care of you.” Yan Chaoqing patted Fu Yanle’s head affectionately. “Jingchen is dating for the first time. He has no experience and doesn’t know how to say sweet words. If he does anything wrong, Lele, don’t let him off easily. If he bullies you, tell me and I’ll have his dad deal with him.”
Yu Zhouxing immediately declared, "I am ready to serve my wife at any time and share her burdens!"
Fu Yanle chuckled: "Brother Chen is so good to me."
“I wouldn’t dare to bully him either.” Yu Jingchen said with a half-smile, “Yan Le is very strong. He can make ten kids cry with one punch. I have to avoid his sharp edge.”
"Right!" Fu Yanle swung his arm, about to show off his Newbe muscles, but then realized what he was doing and quickly put his hand down, chuckling to himself.
Yan Chaoqing laughed and said, "Our Lele is so cute! Eat quickly, you're so thin, you need to gain a few more pounds."
“I’ve gained five pounds from Chen-ge’s feeding.” Fu Yanle ladled half a bowl of soup for Yan Chaoqing. “Mom, drink this. It’s rich but not greasy, and it’s especially delicious.”
"Thank you, Lele. I can already smell the love in the soup."
"This fish has no bones, it's tender and smooth, I feel like I could suck one up in one bite."
"Remember to remove the head and tail before you suck it up."
"Try this braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens. It's steamed until soft, tender, and savory, melting in your mouth. It's fundamentally different from other fatty pork."
"Like Lele, he is different from all the boys in the world. They are boys, but Lele is a cute boy."
Yu Zhouxing angrily spat out the ginger he had just eaten.
"I still want to eat this stir-fried vegetable dish. Brother Chen said that people who don't like vegetables are pigs, like me!"
Yu Jingchen paused, his hand holding the chopsticks still.
"Bullshit!" Yan Chaoqing looked at Yu Jingchen with displeasure. "Jingchen, how can you call Lele a pig?"
Fu Yanle winked at Yu Jingchen and pretended to be magnanimous, saying, "Oh, Mom, it's okay. Brother Chen was just joking. Please don't think he went too far!"
Yu Jingchen said, "I—"
“Even if Lele is a pig, she’s still the cutest pig in the world. That prefix is essential!” Yan Chaoqing turned her head and looked at Fu Yanle with doting eyes. “Right, Lele?”
Yu Jingchen covered his mouth and chuckled, then winked at Fu Yanle in a mocking manner.
“…Yes, Mom,” Fu Yanle said firmly, “I am the cutest pig in the world.”
"Oh, Lele is such a good girl, come and eat this."
"..."
Yu Jingchen watched the two people at the opposite table exchanging words with a calm expression. He couldn't help but pick up his phone and send a WeChat message to Yu Zhouxing, who was sitting next to him: "Father, what do you think?"
Yu Zhouxing replied: [Your mother is a womanizer. According to her, she pursued me because of my exceptional looks. Think about it carefully.]
Yu Jingchen frowned slightly and replied: [Yanle is also a sucker for good looks. Her mother is so beautiful that even swans would bow to her. Think about it carefully.]
Yu Zhouxing frowned, his tone alarming: "I don't care, after all, your mother and I have been married for a long time, but your relationship is just beginning and not stable yet. Son, it's dangerous. If you don't act now, it will be too late. This is all I have to say."
The father and son put down their phones and exchanged a silent glance.
Seeing Yan Chaoqing leaning affectionately against Fu Yanle's shoulder, and Fu Yanle looking at her with doting eyes, Yu Jingchen felt a chill and finally chose to take the lead. "Yan—"
"Oh dear!" Yan Chao interrupted the spellcasting without realizing it. "Lele, I'm full. Will you come with me to the restroom?"
Fu Yanle said, "Okay."
Yu Zhouxing and Yu Jingchen sat in their original seats, watching Yan Chaoqing link arms with Fu Yanle. Their eyes were only on each other, as if the two of them were just a dish on the table, nothing special to look at.
"Bang!"
The door to the private room was closed.
“…He’s a formidable rival.” Yu Zhouxing took a sip of coconut milk to calm his nerves. “Your mother often talks about this kid. She was the one who insisted on coming back this time. Now that we’re together, she definitely won’t let go. You came to Beicheng specifically to spend some time alone with Yan Le, right? You definitely won’t be able to do so this time.”
Yu Zhouxing casually sent a subtle message, "She's really inconsiderate. How could she bear to bother you? It's a pity I'm afraid of my wife. Even though I disagree with her, I don't dare to say anything to her. Sigh!"
“I recorded it.” Yu Jingchen quickly hid his phone in his pocket. “After you finish eating, remember to take your mother with you and don’t disturb me and Yanle, or I will send this recording to her.”
"...It really is true that details determine success or failure." Yu Zhouxing said with a forced smile, "You are truly my good son."
"Father flatters me." Yu Jingchen poured half a glass of coconut milk for Yu Zhouxing, raised his glass with a smile, and said, "Cheers."
Yu Zhouxing clinked glasses with him, "Delete the recording, and don't use this trick again."
Yu Jingchen said, "The Thirty-Six Stratagems are up to each individual's ability."
“Otherwise, I’ll show your boyfriend photos of you in your diaper days when you were walking around with your butt exposed,” Yu Zhouxing said.
Yu Jingchen said, "I'm sorry, Father, it was my fault."
Author's Note:
—From "The Strong-Willed Men of the Yu Family"
I stayed up all night yesterday until 7 a.m. this morning, and I'll put down my phone promptly at midnight tonight. A person can fail, but they can't fail forever.
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