In the restaurant, Hong Xiaoduo was unaware that she was being resented. When she saw the dumplings that the children had been talking about being served, she was stunned. These were dumplings, weren't they?
She knew that dumplings were also called "bianshi," "yuanbao," and "fenjiao" in ancient times, but she didn't realize that she was still lacking in knowledge.
It's just a type of noodle dish, yet it has so many names!
"What's wrong?" Fan Wu noticed her expression and asked curiously.
Hong Xiaoduo shook her head and smiled: "It's nothing, it's just..."
"By the way, may I ask your name now, young lady?" Fan Wu asked with a smile.
“Hong Xiaoduo, Hong as in wild goose, Duo as in small flowers.” She told him without thinking.
Fan Wu silently read it over, nodded with a smile, got up and pushed the dishes that the waiter had just brought over towards the children so that they could easily reach them. He then noticed that the children were looking at the soy sauce and vinegar bottles on the table again and again.
So he stood up, picked up the two condiment bottles, and explained to the children what they were and how to eat them. He even asked them if they wanted some, saying that dumplings tasted better when dipped in them.
The children nodded, indicating they wanted to try it, so he mixed the dipping sauce into each of their small bowls.
Seeing Fan Wu patiently helping her take care of the children, Hong Xiaoduo felt a warmth in her heart. "Children, why don't you thank Uncle Wu?" Hong Xiaoduo glanced at Tian Shu and immediately had an idea of how the children should address Fan Wu.
The children said in unison, "Thank you, Uncle Wu." After Tian Shu called out, he saw Hong Xiaoduo looking at him, so he lowered his head and ate the dumplings in his bowl with a guilty conscience.
Hong Xiaoduo chuckled to herself. Actually, she wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Tian Shu and tell him not to think about these trivial things all the time. But when she put herself in his shoes, she felt that this child had really had a hard time.
She's still a child herself, yet she's shouldering such a heavy responsibility, having to act like a little adult and take care of six younger children.
Oh well, let it be.
"Hey buddy, bring me a pot of wine." Hearing Hong Xiaoduo tell the children to call him uncle, and the children calling him Uncle Wu in their clear voices, Fan Wu excitedly wanted to drink.
Completely forgetting that when he first came in and sat down, Hong Xiaoduo asked him if he wanted any alcohol, and he firmly said that he had quit drinking for several years, so he didn't want any.
The dumplings were made with cabbage and pork, and the children ate them happily. However, Hong Xiaoduo felt that the happiest person at the table today was Fan Wu.
Why are you so happy to be called "uncle"?
Shouldn't Tian Shu be the happiest one...?
When it was time to pay the bill, Hong Xiaoduo had agreed to treat everyone, but she couldn't compete with the one who was drinking so much. There were eight empty wine jugs on the table, and the waiter who was clearing the table was still muttering, "Why didn't she just order a whole jar if she can drink so much? It made me run around seven or eight times."
At Fulai Inn, Murong Jing and several of his subordinates, who had booked the back courtyard, had already returned. Some of them were wondering why Fan Wu hadn't come back yet, even though it was already dark.
A voice came running in from outside, calling out urgently, "They're back! They've arrived too!"
Murong Jing frowned slightly, looking at this usually composed subordinate. Why couldn't he speak clearly?
But they soon realized what it meant to be back; they had come too.
Reeking of alcohol, but walking with a steady gait, Fan Wu was clearly drunk. Beside him were the young woman and seven children.
With a whoosh, the backyard suddenly felt a bit crowded.
"You've been drinking? How much did you drink?" Murong Jing frowned as he asked Fan Wu, his eyes fixed on Hong Xiaoduo.
Fan Wu used to be an alcoholic, drinking to the point of unconsciousness. Once, he passed out by a lake, half of his body submerged in the water. It was the dead of winter evening when Fan Wu happened to be passing by and saved him.
Otherwise, if he gets caught the next day, he'll definitely be rock hard.
From then on, Fan Wu gave up drinking, saying he wanted to repay the life-saving grace. Over the years, no matter the occasion, whether it was a holiday or a major mission that was successfully completed, while everyone else drank to celebrate, Fan Wu never touched a drop of alcohol.
She actually managed to make him break his vow...
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