When Zhou Ping returned to Xijin City with Shang Yan, he stood on a street some distance away from the local restaurant, staring blankly at it in a daze.
"We're home."
"I can smell the aroma of food wafting from the local restaurant. It seems like they're doing good business today. I think they have scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried water chestnuts with meat, and stir-fried celery with wood ear mushrooms..."
He opened his mouth and recited the names of the dishes to the person in his arms.
“You always think that Third Uncle’s cooking is better than mine. I really don’t know how to cook many dishes. I haven’t learned the ones I mentioned before…” He reached out and brushed the strands of hair that were covering Shang Yan’s eyes behind his ear, his voice a little soft.
"Your hair has grown too long, you should get it cut, it's getting in your eyes a bit." Zhou Ping reached out and lifted Shang Yan in his arms, hugged him tightly, and then turned and walked towards the city center.
Shang Yan's hair has indeed grown a bit longer than before. It's time to give him a haircut when we get back to the bookstore.
He had just turned around when a familiar voice came from behind him.
"You brat, you brought Xiaoyan back and you're just standing outside?!"
"Aren't you going to come in and have a meal?"
"If it weren't for my sharp eyesight, your uncle might have let you get away," the third uncle said, standing behind Zhou Ping with a spatula in hand.
He glanced outside casually as he was serving the dishes and happened to see Zhou Ping standing not far away.
Seeing Zhou Ping just standing outside without coming in, anyone who didn't know better would think he didn't want to go home.
Zhou Ping's body stiffened. He turned around, still holding Shang Yan, and said, "Third Uncle... what happened to you..."
"Hmph, I just saw someone standing on the street and came over out of curiosity!" Uncle snorted, waving his spatula. "Go inside, do you think your uncle will chase you away?"
Zhou Ping responded softly, carrying Shang Yan and following behind his third uncle.
The air suddenly fell silent, and Uncle San looked on with suspicion.
"Why is Xiaoyan sleeping so soundly? Are you tired from going out?" Third Uncle turned his head and glanced at Shangyan, who was nestled in Zhou Ping's arms and asleep with her eyes closed.
Are you that tired? He was shouting really loudly just now, but the kid didn't wake up.
There wasn't even the slightest reaction?
Having grown accustomed to Shang Yan's chatter, the third uncle couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, but he didn't think much of it.
“You’re tired, Yan Yan is tired too.” Zhou Ping’s eyes welled up with tears, and he quickly lowered his head.
"Alright, alright, come in. Your uncle will cook for you. It's been a while since you've had your uncle's cooking, hasn't it, nephew?" Uncle Zhou nodded thoughtfully after hearing what Zhou Ping said.
After helping Zhou Ping to sit down, he turned and went to the kitchen.
The people in the local restaurant are still the same as before.
Upon seeing Zhou Ping return carrying Shang Yan, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Little Zhou is back! Your uncle has been talking about you a lot these past few days. You and your friend have such a good relationship; you even hugged each other while sitting on the stool..."
Zhou Ping's face flushed slightly. He was worried about leaving Shang Yan anywhere else, so he held Shang Yan and responded softly, "Mmm."
"Xiao Zhou, I heard from your third uncle that you've been out on business these past few days. How was it? Did you broaden your horizons?" an old man sitting nearby asked with a smile.
"Yes, I've learned something new," Zhou Ping echoed.
"Xiao Zhou, we know about you and your friend. When are you planning to get married? Uncle will definitely give you a wedding gift!"
"Exactly, exactly, young people, they have such a good relationship, they even eat together while hugging..."
"He's sleeping so soundly. Did you carry him all the way back?"
Zhou Ping responded somewhat reservedly, never letting go of Shang Yan's hand.
At this moment, the third uncle came out with the dishes. He placed two plates of dishes and a bowl of rice in front of and behind Zhou Pingping, and said to the others, "You all know that my nephew is very bad at talking, so let him shut up for a while!"
The people around him burst into laughter and turned to go eat.
When the dishes were placed in front of Zhou Ping, the third uncle noticed that Zhou Ping was still holding Shang Yan, and it seemed that he intended to eat while holding Shang Yan. He clicked his tongue twice.
“Even if we’re very close, you don’t have to hold each other while eating, do you?” he muttered.
Zhou Ping paused, holding his chopsticks, then lowered his eyes. "Third Uncle, he can't live without me now..."
They thought he was saying something romantic, and laughter erupted from all around.
Uncle San coughed lightly, "Alright, you can eat it like that."
Zhou Ping gave a soft "hmm".
"Now that you're back, how long are you planning to stay at home? Are you going out again?" After looking at Shang Yan for a while, the third uncle finally sensed something was wrong and couldn't help but feel worried.
“They should be leaving soon…” Zhou Ping took a bite of food.
Uncle snorted and complained somewhat awkwardly, "What kind of job is this anyway? Look how exhausted Xiaoyan is!"
After saying that, he added, "If you come, come back to your third uncle's place, and he'll cook for you..."
“Okay,” Zhou Ping nodded slowly.
"Sigh, we found a helper last month. After you left, my third uncle has been working as both a waiter and a chef. He's really too busy to handle it all," my third uncle complained.
After venting his frustrations, he glanced at Shang Yan, who was still fast asleep in Zhou Ping's arms, and whispered, "When did you two...?"
As he said this, he picked up his teacup and took a sip of hot water.
Seeing that Shang Yan had no reaction, the third uncle couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Zhou Ping was taken aback by his question, and gave a bitter smile, "I haven't thought about it yet... at least not now."
Third Uncle looked at him, then glanced at the sleeping Shang Yan, and laughed.
"Actually, my third uncle had already thought it through."
“Before, I was thinking of opening this local cuisine restaurant, and once I made enough money, I would buy two houses in the suburbs of Xijin City, one for you to use when you get married, and one for retirement.”
"You don't talk much, and your cooking is just so-so. You've only learned one or two simple dishes so far."
(Refer to the vegetable porridge that Shang Yan wanted to vomit.)
“You definitely can’t take over the restaurant. Your third uncle had already planned that when he couldn’t work anymore, he would sell the restaurant and find you a wife who would take good care of you.”
"I didn't expect you to find someone first. It's good that you're with Xiaoyan. The bookstore you opened is also very suitable for you..."
When Third Uncle got to this point, he glanced at Shang Yan.
“You young people always risk your lives when you do things. Look at how exhausted you are.”
His words made Zhou Ping's heart skip a beat.
Then, the third uncle reached out and touched Shang Yan's head. "Is he really asleep?"
I don't know how tiring the work outside is, it's worn out such a good child.
"Hmm..." Zhou Ping put down his chopsticks.
Third Uncle looked at him and Shang Yan with some concern, then said, "Remember to come back after you go out this time."
"My third uncle is still waiting for you two to take care of me in my old age!"
“Okay.” After sitting there for a while, Zhou Ping stood up with Shang Yan in his arms.
Before leaving, he hugged Shangyan and said to his third uncle, "We will come back."
He will bring Shangyan back.
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