Chapter 744: Going home for dinner. I finally settled the two children aside and gave them a few teething biscuits made from space ingredients, which bought me a moment of peace.
Fang Zhongcai entered the topic:
"That flying 'Iron Dragonfly' of yours really made a great contribution last time." His eyes flashed, but then his brows furrowed slightly.
"Now the higher-ups have issued a mission. They want a batch of them. Do you understand what a batch means? Not just three or five, but dozens, or even more."
Lu Qingyang carefully chose his words, trying not to reveal the secret of the space while also explaining the difficulties clearly: "There are some particularly delicate parts in there, and it will take time to produce them in batches."
Fang Zhong also guessed a little bit. If it was so easy to imitate, it wouldn't be considered a treasure.
He sighed, but didn't despair too much: "I knew it wouldn't be that simple."
"I'll work with Professor Qian to finalize some materials. We need them to be low-cost and effective, so don't worry."
"Of course I'm relieved, you're my son." Fang Zhong couldn't help but be proud in his tone.
…
Zhao Rui's relationship with his family gradually began to ease.
Father Zhao has been ill with pneumonia these days and is resting at home.
Zhao Rui brought home the still warm Sichuan Fritillary and Snow Pear Soup, saying that Liu Xiaohua had made it for his father to moisten his lungs.
Mother Zhao didn't say anything, but silently filled a bowl and handed it to Father Zhao who was coughing.
The soup is sweet, with the moisture of pear and the slight taste of Sichuan Fritillaria, and it really makes my throat feel more comfortable after drinking it.
Father Zhao smacked his lips and praised: "Hmm, the taste is good, sweet but not greasy."
Mother Zhao listened from the side without commenting. As she cleared the dishes, she seemed to be talking to herself, or as if she had finally made up her mind, she casually said:
"Next weekend, ask her to come over for a simple meal. It's not right for her to eat out all the time."
These words were like a thunderclap, making Zhao Rui both happy and panicked.
I was happy that my mother finally gave in, but I was also worried that this "family dinner" was like the ultimate test.
He told Xiaohua anxiously. When Xiaohua heard it, the rag in her hand almost fell into the sink.
"Let's...let's go to your house for dinner?"
In order to pass this "exam", Xiaohua urgently asked Lu Qingyang for help.
Seeing her nervousness, Lu Qingyang smiled and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. Home-cooked meals show sincerity. I'll teach you a gentle and invigorating dish called 'Duck Soup with Tangerine Peel and Barley'. It's easy to make and has a light flavor, perfect for this season. It also shows your dedication."
Therefore, the kitchen of Xinweiju after closing was temporarily transformed into a "family banquet training class".
Lu Qingyang explained the steps on the side. Xiaohua tied an apron and nervously followed the instructions to process the duck and clean the herbs.
Zhao Rui was like an unnecessary mascot, circling around the kitchen door.
Lu Qingyang retorted, "If you keep turning, the bricks will be worn three inches thinner."
"You should come and see it too. It might be useful in the future."
"Brother Qingyang, is this enough tangerine peel?"
"Should we soak the barley for a little longer?"
"It's over, the duck is looking at it, it seems to be staring at it..."
Xiaohua lost all the calmness she usually had when doing the accounts in the store, and became nagging and flustered.
Zhao Rui looked at the sweat coming out of the tip of her nose, and felt like laughing but also distressed.
On the evening of the second day, Xiaohua followed Zhao Rui into the Zhao family's house, carrying the carefully prepared soup and some seasonal fruits bought at Lu Qingyang's suggestion.
Her heart was beating like a drum, but she tried hard to keep a decent smile on her face.
Mr. Zhao was very kind and asked her to sit down and have some tea.
Mother Zhao's expression remained calm, and it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or angry. However, when she took the soup, her eyes lingered on the earthenware pot for a moment.
The food was served and the atmosphere became subtly quiet.
Zhao Rui tried desperately to find topics to liven up the atmosphere, but with little effect.
It wasn't until the bowl of "Dried Tangerine Peel, Barley and Duck Soup" was opened that the faint aroma of medicine and meat filled the air.
Mother Zhao scooped a spoonful, blew on it, put it into her mouth and savored it carefully.
The soup is refreshing, the duck meat is soft and tender, and the fragrance of tangerine peel and the freshness of coix seed are perfectly blended. It is nourishing and not greasy.
Mother Zhao finally spoke: "Did you make this soup yourself?"
Xiaohua's heart was in her throat, and she answered honestly, "Yes, Auntie, if there's anything that doesn't suit your taste, please tell me and I'll pay attention next time."
Mother Zhao said nothing. She drank two more sips of soup, then picked up the serving chopsticks and picked up a piece of food for Xiaohua.
"Don't just drink the soup, eat something. From now on...when you want to eat, just come over. You don't have to bring anything every time."
Zhao Rui was so excited that he almost picked up his bowl, and a smile flashed in Zhao's father's eyes.
…
Zhao's mother sat by the window, holding the half-knitted sweater in her hand, but she hadn't moved the stitches for a long time.
Her eyes fell on Zhao Rui, who was helping his father prune roses in the yard.
The afterglow of the setting sun cast a soft light on the son. He held the scissors clumsily while listening to his father's instructions.
Mother Zhao suddenly realized that she hadn't heard the sound of her son slamming the door for a while.
In the past, when he came home, he would either go straight into his room with his head down, or argue with her over the smallest things. They never got along at all, like a hedgehog covered in prickles.
When did it start to change?
It seemed to have started from the time he met Liu Xiaohua.
He went home more often.
At the dinner table, they talked more frequently, talking about interesting things at school or new dishes in the restaurant. Although they still never mentioned the girl, the atmosphere at home had unconsciously eased a lot.
Even his spoiled temper seemed to have been smoothed out.
These tiny changes, like trickles of water, are not noticeable on a normal day, but when they come together at this moment, they quietly loosen a hard corner in her heart.
She thought of the lung-moistening Sichuan Fritillary and Snow Pear Soup, the perfectly seasoned Tangerine Peel and Water Duck Soup, and the news her husband occasionally brought back: the girl was learning to keep accounts, and was learning very quickly.
She always felt that the girl was marrying above her station and would lead her son astray and affect his future.
Now, instead of being led astray, my son has become more family-oriented and sensible.
The girl whom she had looked at with prejudice did not seem to be completely useless. At least in terms of making her son a better person, she had achieved the effect that even she, as a mother, had not been able to achieve.
Maybe... I'm really too prejudiced?
Mother Zhao sighed softly and put down the knitting in her hands.
The thorn in her heart, although not completely removed, was no longer as sharp as it used to be.
She looked out the window at the silhouettes of her son and his father, laughing and talking, and for the first time a vague thought came to her mind: Perhaps she could try to see more clearly.
At least, don't rush to deny it anymore.
She stood up and walked towards the kitchen, shouting outside: "Xiao Rui, stop fiddling with the flowers, wash your hands and get ready to eat. I made your favorite pork rib soup today."
The voice was calm, with a long-lost motherly warmth.
Zhao Rui turned around in surprise, as if a little surprised by the softness in his mother's tone today. Then a bright smile broke out on his face: "Hey! Coming soon!"
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