Chapter 10

Song Shu opened the door and the sound became louder and reached her ears.

When I looked closely, I saw that the kitchen was full of people, to the point where you could bump into someone else's head if you turned your head.

Chen Zonghao was standing in front of the wok, stir-frying something, while Ah Wen was washing vegetables in the sink next to him. Shi Tou was jumping up and down in the kitchen with Jia Hui in his arms, complaining about Ah Wen's clumsy vegetable washing movements, and cheering in sync with Jia Hui's expressions when he saw Chen Zonghao stirring the vegetables.

Ah Wen couldn't help but kick him, "If you don't want to help, then don't get in the way here."

Shitou was not convinced and shouted, "Who said we didn't help? Jiahui and I are your atmosphere team. Success is inseparable from encouragement."

Chen Zonghao seemed totally unaffected by their noise. He held the spoon in his hand and picked up the seasoning beside him, and sprinkled it in without hesitation. Then with a "boom" sound, the dishes were thrown into the air and fell back into the pot without any error.

This person looks calm and composed even when cooking, and his posture makes him look like a chef.

Song Shu pried open the kitchen door, stuck her head out, and watched the man pour the vegetables from the pot onto the plate beside him smoothly and accurately without spilling any of the vegetables.

Chen Zonghao put the prepared dishes aside and turned around to see someone clinging to the kitchen door.

She used a pen to comb her hair, and some of the hair was not tucked in and fell on her cheeks. Her almond-shaped eyes were very lively.

Song Shu met his gaze, smiled and said, "You guys are so lively, what delicious food are you making?"

The man just glanced at her, turned back to rinse the pot with the tap, then added oil when it was dry and continued with the next dish.

Shitou is the most supportive. "Second sister-in-law, you are in luck tonight. Brother Hao has used all his skills. There are roasted suckling pigeon, egg white fried shrimp, barbecued pork with honey sauce... and Brother Hao's specialty, fried crab in the typhoon shelter."

Shitou listed seven or eight dishes. Song Shu swallowed her saliva in a helpless manner and said, "This is the new generation of God of Cookery."

"God of Cookery, God of Cookery." Shitou applauded, "Second Sister-in-law, your statement is great, it suits our Brother Hao."

Song Shu waved her hands and said, "Haha, I heard it from others as well." She just borrowed the title from the 1996 movie "The God of Cookery" by the famous comedian Stephen Chow.

After saying that, she reached out her hand to Jiahui who was holding out her hand. She went into her arms, hugged her neck, and said to her with her head tilted up, "Sister, Second Uncle is amazing. He cooks very well."

Jiahui opened her mouth and imitated with all her might. She was imitating the sound Chen Zonghao made when he was angry while serving food.

Everyone was amused by her for a moment. Shitou gave her a thumbs up and said, "Jiahui, your description is very appropriate."

Even Ah Wen laughed so hard that his body began to shake, and he almost dropped the food in his hands into the sink.

Song Shu couldn't help but touch her belly with her head and said with a smile, "How can Jiahui be so cute?"

The little man was amused by her and started laughing.

In an instant, the small kitchen was filled with laughter.

The only injured person stood there holding a spoon and looking at them helplessly, then threatened: "Do you still want to eat?"

Shitou was immediately shocked and said, "Come on, I'll take the dishes out."

Awen put away his smile again and washed the vegetables seriously.

Song Shu carried Jia Hui and walked out of the kitchen quickly, "Then I'll set the table."

＊

“Cheers.”

Everyone sat around the dining table, raising their drink glasses. Even little Jiahui raised a small glass of orange juice to clink glasses with them.

The table that Chen Zonghao had just moved into the kitchen was moved out again and placed in the living room to continue its mission.

The dining table was not big, and was almost completely filled with dishes. The seats were not very comfortable for everyone, but no one minded. On the contrary, everyone enjoyed the food very much.

Song Shu also concentrated on eating, not caring about her ladylike appearance. She picked up a fried crab and took a sip. Immediately, the thick and juicy crab roe flowed into her mouth, and it was so delicious that it could make one's tongue go off.

She picked up a piece of roasted pigeon, the crispy skin and the meat soaked in rich sauce, and once she put it in her mouth, it was like the delicious flavors were dancing in her mouth. She felt that she could finish two bowls of rice even with the soup.

"Shitou, you are a pig. You eat so fast that you might as well be reincarnated." Ah Wen quickly used chopsticks to grab the last piece of barbecued pork before Shitou.

Shitou was not convinced and yelled for Song Shu to judge, "Second sister-in-law, do you think I eat like a pig?"

Song Shu almost couldn't help laughing out loud, but seeing his serious expression, she quickly straightened her face and said, "No, I can eat a few more bowls just to watch you guys eat."

It’s true. Although both of them eat fast, they both maintain dining etiquette and don’t make others feel uncomfortable.

"Hmph." After hearing the judgement from his second sister-in-law, Shitou raised his head like a victorious goose and gave Awen a provocative look.

Ah Wen threw his hands up, too lazy to bother with this idiot.

Song Shu looked at the two of them and saw that every time they were together they were just like the two generals beside Chen Zonghao, except that they were a little silly and funny. She really couldn't imagine what kind of gangsters these two were outside.

Thinking about it, she couldn't help but look at the person next to her. She saw the man eating while supporting Jia Hui when she was unsteady on her feet. The whole set of movements was performed smoothly.

This person is even more unpredictable and contradictory.

Perhaps because her gaze was too focused, the man turned around and looked at him puzzledly.

Song Shu gave him a thumbs up and said, "This is the dish you cooked."

The man took a look and turned his head back silently, but Song Shu saw the corner of his mouth curled up and couldn't help but complain in her heart, so she just pretended.

In the end, they finished all seven dishes and everyone felt full.

At the end of the dinner, everyone raised their drinks and toasted together. Song Shu looked at the scene in front of her through her glass, and suddenly a sense of security came over her. Life went on, and she toasted to herself for coming into this world.

After the meal, the three grown men cleaned the table quickly without her having to do anything.

Song Shu and Jia Hui collapsed on the chairs, holding their stomachs as they watched them busying about. She couldn't help but think of a married woman in the company who complained to her before, saying that her husband was the kind of person who couldn't even help to fix a fallen soy sauce bottle. She usually cooked and washed the dishes after meals, and there was even one time when her husband cooked instant noodles for himself as a midnight snack, but she had to wash the dishes the next day.

But now Song Shu feels like she is the husband that her elder sister mentioned. She doesn't have to do anything, just wait for food, and then sit back and relax. She is so leisurely, so leisurely that she hopes these beautiful days can continue.

Song Shu felt a little guilty. She looked up and saw that Chen Zonghao and the other two had already washed the dishes. The man even deliberately sprinkled some cool water on her face. "What are you thinking about?"

Song Shu took a tissue to wipe the water off and gave him a displeased look. "I didn't think anything."

At this time, Shitou rubbed his belly behind him and muttered, "It's too full, but I will finish Haoge's food even if it kills me. It's rare for Haoge to cook next time."

Ah Wen pushed him from behind and said, "I'll just beat you to death. You can walk back to digest your food later."

As he said this, Awen greeted them, "Brother Hao, Second Sister-in-law, we're leaving first." After that, he pulled Shitou out.

As Shitou was being pulled out by him, he turned around and waved, "Brother Hao, Second Sister-in-law, Jiahui, see you tomorrow."

"goodbye."

While saying goodbye to them, Song Shu couldn't help but stick her head out to look. She also wanted to go out to digest her food. She had never seen the night view of Hong Kong in this era. The night view of Victoria Harbour was absolutely amazing.

Chen Zonghao saw her stretching her head to look outside, just like when he passed by a kindergarten and saw the children waiting for their parents at the door, and he couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

Song Shu looked up and saw the smile on the man's face. She was puzzled and didn't know what he was laughing at.

Fortunately, the man looked at her and said what Song Shu wanted to hear at this moment, "Want to go out and digest your food?"

Song Shu nodded hurriedly and said, "Yes." But normally she didn't dare to go out alone at night.

Seeing her looking at him eagerly, Chen Zonghao bent down and picked Jiahui up, "Why don't you leave?"

Song Shu stood up immediately, followed him happily, and locked the door.

Chen Zonghao was waiting with Jiahui in his arms, looking at the old wooden door and frowning.

Song Shu didn't notice his actions. After locking the door, she turned around and said to him impatiently, "Let's go."

＊

The Xiangjiang River is next to the sea, and the wind blowing over it seems to carry the scent of the sea.

Chen Zonghao was walking on the outside of the road holding Jiahui in his arms. Song Shu followed beside him, paying attention to the road conditions while looking at the novel night view.

The streets are filled with neon signs of all sizes. Looking up, you can see the red sign of "Fu Lin Restaurant" and looking further down is the yellow sign of "Rong Kee Dessert".

Double-decker buses shuttled among red taxis on the road. A little boy could be seen sitting in front of the window on the second floor of the bus, drawing faces on the window facing the street.

There were all kinds of food stalls on the street, and tables were filled with people. One customer called out, "Boss, bring us some drinks."

The uncle who was shaking the pot turned around and shouted to the house, "Hurry up, you poor girl."

"Dad, I'm here to call the soul back." A girl in suspender shorts and slippers held a dozen beers in each hand and placed them on the guest's table with a "clink".

Song Shu looked at it and thought, this is Hong Kong, a Hong Kong full of human touch.

Suddenly, four or five young men rushed through the streets, crossed the fence and ran to one side. Behind them were several patrolmen blowing whistles, shouting, "Stop."

The pedestrians on the street were all used to it. Only some stalls that were knocked down by the gangsters would yell, "Fuck you!" after they ran away.

Song Shu followed the running gangsters and patrol police with her head, and sighed in her heart that Hong Kong was indeed famous for its gangsters.

"Come back to your senses." Chen Zonghao touched her with his arm, and when he looked down, he saw the woman looking at him with an unclear expression.

Song Shu looked at the people running away and then turned to look at the man in front of her, wondering if he had experienced something like this before.

Chen Zonghao glanced at the woman's face and knew what she was thinking. Jiahui in his arms had already fallen asleep on his shoulder. He reached out to cover her ears and said lightly: "You should know that my eldest brother was hacked to death on the street."

Song Shu didn't react to why he would say this to her. She was stunned and nodded, "Yeah, I know."

From the neighbors' mouths and books, but it was just a passing mention: Brother Chen Zonghao was hacked to death on the street, and then he dropped out of college. For a long time, the neighbors didn't know where he was.

Chen Zonghao looked at the bustling street in front of him. "At that time, my eldest sister-in-law came to the school to find me crying, holding Jiahui and saying that your eldest brother had died. When I rushed over, my eldest brother was lying in the freezer covered in blood. In the end, I erected his tombstone next to my mother, and my father was next to her."

Chen Zonghao retracted his gaze, and his voice almost disappeared in the sound of taxis passing by on the street, "And then it's now."

After hearing what he said, Song Shu stopped in her tracks and opened her mouth, but suddenly she didn't know what to say. Should she comfort him or persuade him?

What he experienced was not described in the blank paragraphs in the book, nor in a few sentences describing his family; it was what he experienced personally.

Before, Song Shu had been looking at him based on the description in the book. She couldn't empathize with him, and it was difficult for her to say "You can try a legal method" to persuade him.

Hong Kong today is not yet a place full of order.

Therefore, Song Shu could only watch as the man stopped three steps away from him, turned around and looked at her in confusion, "Follow me."

When he said this, Song Shu also said softly, "It's okay, go and try it."

The sound dissipated in the wind, as if only the wind and she could hear it.

Then she trotted a few steps toward his gaze and said, "I'm coming."