Then she immediately smelled the aroma coming from the kitchen and saw the spatula in Qiao Qiqi's hand. Realizing that she was making breakfast, she quickly stepped forward and said, "How can you let a guest cook? You go and rest, I'll do it."
Qiao Qiqi smiled slightly, "Auntie, it's okay. I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I just made a little bit with the ingredients in the kitchen. This is the last pancake. We can eat it as soon as it's done."
Fang's mother was very embarrassed.
"Well, Xiao Ke didn't say that we had guests. I'm so sorry for not being a good host. I'm so sorry."
Fang Ke, who was standing to the side, had already realized what was going on. She had initially felt a little embarrassed to have Qiao Qiqi cook, but since Qiao Qiqi had already finished, it was too late for her to say anything. So she simply accepted reality and said to her mother, "Mom, Qiqi's cooking is really good. It's even better than what you get in restaurants."
Fang's mother still felt this was inappropriate; no matter what, she couldn't let the guests cook. So she quickly went into the kitchen to help bring out the breakfast.
Upon serving the dish, it became clear that Qiao Qiqi's claim that it was ready was true.
That morning, she not only made millet porridge and scallion pancakes, but also steamed buns and a big bowl of egg drop soup, with side dishes of stir-fried shredded potatoes and garlic eggplant.
And there was even a fried egg at the end!
"Wow! This is such a feast!" Fang Ke hadn't even started eating yet, and her mouth was already watering. At the same time, she couldn't help but complain to Qiao Qiqi, "It's so wonderful to have you here. You have no idea how bad my mom's cooking is. It's practically inedible..."
The kitchen was so small that even though Fang Ke kept her voice down, her mother still heard her.
Fang's mother immediately snorted coldly, "You have the nerve to talk to me like that, as if your cooking is better than mine? We're both equally good."
Fang Ke chuckled, "While I said your cooking is terrible, I didn't say mine is delicious!"
The mother and daughter were bickering when Mr. Fang, who had left earlier because of his indecent attire, finally returned and reappeared in front of them. This time, his shorts had been replaced with pajamas, and his vest had been replaced with a short-sleeved shirt.
Mr. Fang was a little embarrassed because he wasn't sure if the guest had seen what he looked like.
So she couldn't help but glare at Fang Ke with a reproachful look, "You child, you didn't even tell us you had guests coming over, and you almost embarrassed me."
Before Fang could speak, Fang's mother interrupted, "You deserve to be embarrassed. It'll be a good opportunity to correct your sloppy habits and save you from having to learn no matter how many times I scold you at home."
Mr. Fang already felt ashamed, and now being scolded by his daughter-in-law made him feel even more embarrassed. He quickly begged for forgiveness: "There are outsiders here, please don't say anything to me! It's so embarrassing!"
In less than ten minutes, Qiao Qiqi could feel the cheerful atmosphere in the house.
After serving the last dish, she smiled and said, "You guys eat first, I'll go wake Xin Xin up."
"Okay," Fang Ke replied.
Qiao Qiqi immediately returned to her guest room.
Fang's mother was taken aback for a moment before asking Fang Ke, "She's so young and already has a child?"
Fang Ke quickly explained, "No, Xin Xin is Miss Qiao's sister."
Then, Fang Ke explained to her parents that Xin Xin had suddenly lost her hearing and speech due to the shock, and told them about her idea of bringing them to Beijing for treatment.
Fang's mother was a kind person and immediately said with sympathy, "Poor child, the medical conditions in the north are indeed poor. Since you're here, you must get a good look at him."
“That’s what I was thinking too, so Mom, don’t you know someone at the hospital? Could you help me ask around about what kind of treatment we should give Xin Xin in her case…”
Five minutes later, the whole family finished washing up and returned to the dining room.
The moment Fang's mother saw the adorable little Xin Xin, she immediately took a liking to her and couldn't help but reach out and touch her little face: "Your name is Xin Xin, right? How old is this child? She's so cute!"
Qiao Qiqi looked down at Xin Xin. Although the little girl was a little shy around strangers, she wasn't timid.
She witnessed this and replied, "Xin Xin is 5 years old this year."
"At this age, I think children are at their cutest." Fang's mother really liked Xin Xin, and immediately took a steamed bun and put it in Xin Xin's hand, "Little Xin Xin, have a steamed bun."
Xin Xin hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it and smiling at Fang's mother.
"Alright, let's eat quickly and chat while we eat," said Mr. Fang, and the family sat down to eat.
Fang's mother took a bite of the steamed bun Qiao Qiqi made and exclaimed in amazement, "This steamed bun is so delicious!"
Fang Ke was also eating steamed buns. She had only heard Captain Su say that Qiao Qiqi's steamed buns were especially delicious, but she hadn't eaten them during her five days at the Qingyang Brigade. It wasn't until the day before yesterday, when Qiao Qiqi brought some fern-filled steamed buns that she had made at home that morning, that she realized how delicious they were.
At this moment, Qiao Qiqi was making steamed buns with egg, wood ear mushroom and spinach filling. Although they were vegetarian, they were especially fresh and delicious!
"Qiqi can not only make steamed buns, but also braised pork, chicken stew with mushrooms, pork belly with green beans, braised noodles, and cold dishes... and so on. Everything she makes is especially delicious!"
Fang's mother looked at Qiao Qiqi with admiration, "You're so young and you have such skills, it's really amazing. You're taking Xin Xin to Beijing for medical treatment, you'll be staying for a while, right? Perfect timing, I'll learn some cooking skills from you during this time."
Qiao Qiqi paused for a moment.
She actually wanted to move to the guesthouse today.
Although she didn't know what Fang Ke and her mother said, Qiao Qiqi was still very happy to sense that Fang Ke's mother wanted her to stay.
She thought for a moment and decided not to mention that she wanted to move out, but instead smiled and agreed to Fang's mother's request.
“Sure, just tell me what you want to learn. I can learn what I don’t know how to do. I can’t speak for other things, but I do have a bit of talent when it comes to cooking.”
"That's wonderful!" Fang's mother immediately smiled.
The meal ended amidst laughter and cheerful conversation. Mr. Fang finished his soup, looking radiant and extremely satisfied.
"This is the most satisfying breakfast I've ever had, it was so delicious!"
Fang Ke finished eating and looked at Qiao Qiqi, saying, "I've already told my mom about Xin Xin's situation. My mom said she's going to ask today which department Xin Xin should go to. I'm going to report to my workplace today, so you can stay at my house for now. Once my mom has found out and made arrangements with the hospital, I'll go to the hospital with you tomorrow, okay?"
Qiao Qiqi thought this arrangement was acceptable, so she nodded, "Okay, I'll do as you say."
"Okay, that's settled for now. I need to go to my workplace to report for duty, but I'll be back by noon. I'll take you around Beijing this afternoon."
"Okay." Qiao Qiqi nodded, and when she saw Fang's mother pick up the bowl to wash it, she immediately stopped her, "Auntie, you should go to work. I can wash this bowl at home."
"How could I possibly accept that..."
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