Buy a house with 30,000 yuan and live in a small town

Richard couldn't come to lunch. After Liu Nanshan came from the kitchen with the last dish, Gu Xuemei asked him, "Brother-in-law, can your foreign friend come?"

When Liu Wangxue briefly introduced Richard to her aunt, her uncle, aunt and uncle-in-law heard her when she entered the living room. They asked about it and everyone knew about this "foreign friend" Liu Nanshan.

After Gu Xuemei asked, before Liu Nanshan answered, Song Ningwei continued, "Yes, brother-in-law, can you come? Do you want to go over and invite him? Are all foreigners arrogant? Haha, I have never seen a living foreigner in my life..."

Gu Xuemei glared at him and Song Ningwei gradually fell silent. Then he realized that he was the only one at the table who was "laughing heartily" and he felt immediately embarrassed.

To be honest, Liu Nanshan sometimes disliked Song Ningwei because he always spoke without restraint. Sometimes he said nice things, but they always made people angry. In addition, he liked to make jokes that he thought were funny, and then found that others ignored him, leaving him embarrassed.

But if you ask Song Ningwei if he has any bad intentions, Liu Nanshan thinks he really doesn't. Liu Nanshan once talked to Gu Xuelan, and Song Ningwei probably has a brain problem. But Liu Nanshan didn't say it so badly, after all, Song Ningwei is the husband of his sister-in-law, and she still calls him "brother-in-law". What Liu Nanshan said was: "The emotional intelligence is too low."

For example, the eldest brother Gu Xuefeng once used his connections to get Song Ningwei a leisurely position in the public institution where he worked. The family thought it was great, he could work peacefully until retirement, and then receive a pension without worrying about food and drink. Gu Xuefeng originally meant that if he didn't have the brains for business, he should stop messing around. After all the messing around, he didn't achieve anything and even lost money, dragging Gu Xuemei down.

Song Ningwei felt guilty and regretful at that time. He thanked Gu Xuefeng again and again at the dinner table and repeatedly promised that he would work quietly this time and never think about going out to do business again. But after arriving at the company, he was unwilling to be "idle" and wanted to move up, but there was really nothing to do in this department. His colleagues teased him, saying that if he wanted to be promoted, he had to have a good relationship with the leader.

Needless to say, we can imagine what happened next. The flattery went against the grain, and the gifts hit the back. During the holidays, the leader was so angry that he almost had a heart attack and slammed the table and told him to get out.

Afterwards, the leader complained directly to Gu Xuefeng. Gu Xuefeng had never been so humiliated since he took a high position in the unit. After apologizing to the other party, he really fired Song Ningwei in a fit of anger.

Ever since Gu Xuemei's filter for Song Ningwei disappeared, she has often quarreled with him because of his mouth.

At this moment, Song Ningwei was the only one feeling embarrassed at the dinner table, but he was used to this kind of situation, and his family members were also used to what he was used to, so they did not take his embarrassment seriously, nor did they take what he had just said into account.

Xu Qingsong was opening a bottle of red wine and happened to pull out the cork at this moment. He didn't let Song Ningwei feel embarrassed for more than a second. He took the bottle and poured it into the glass in front of Song Ningwei: "Uncle-in-law, I heard from Xuxu that you like to drink red wine the most. I got this from a friend. Can you taste it for me?"

The "friend" that Xu Qingsong mentioned was naturally Tao Huayu. The red wine was given to Tao Huayu by his client. He went to the city again after the Little New Year and brought it back when he came back. This client owned a winery and gave him several bottles at once.

It was a holiday, so Tao Huayu thought about giving some to relatives and friends as gifts. He first brought a bottle to Shen Nian'an's house, and when he came back he met Xu Qingsong who was just getting off work and asked him if he wanted some.

Xu Qingsong thought of Liu Wangxue's relatives who would be coming over soon, and Liu Wangxue mentioned that her uncle-in-law Song Ningwei liked to drink red wine, so he asked Tao Huayu for a bottle as a token of his appreciation.

Tao Huayu originally wanted to give one bottle to Liu Wangxue, so he asked Xu Qingsong to take two bottles away. Xu Qingsong didn't hesitate and took two bottles away, but he brought them all to Liu Wangxue.

Xu Qingsong's grandparents, parents and uncles in his family never drink alcohol, and his grandfather's side, including several uncles and uncles, only drink white wine. His uncle drinks red wine, but he is very generous and has set up an entire wall of wine cabinets at home.

When visiting the small building, Song Ningwei saw the bottle of red wine placed in the center of the dining table as soon as he entered the living room. He knew it was of good quality as soon as he saw the brand. He was wondering when his brother-in-law became so stylish. Then he thought that since it was placed here with the cold dishes, it must be saved for drinking during dinner later, so he could have a couple of glasses too. Hey, how happy!

But what he didn't expect was that this wine was specially prepared for him by Xuxu's boyfriend! Oh, the embarrassment that had just risen in Song Ningwei's heart immediately dissipated, and he was a little excited and flattered. Maybe he himself didn't realize that this was the first time someone gave him a way out in such an occasion after the "crack" appeared in the relationship between him and Gu Xuemei - before, it was only Gu Xuemei.

Song Ningwei's impression of Xu Qingsong increased rapidly because of this action.

However, although Xu Qingsong handed over this step, Song Ningwei did not step on it firmly and even showed signs of wanting to kick it over.

After Xu Qingsong poured wine for Song Ningwei, he did not immediately walk away to pour for others, but waited for him to take a sip and give his comments.

After tasting it, Song Ningwei did give a very professional evaluation, but the last sentence made Xu Qingsong's heart tremble.

Song Ningwei said: "The wine is good, but it doesn't go well with these home-cooked dishes. What a pity."

Xu Qingsong immediately turned to look at Liu Nanshan. Seeing that he didn't seem to be paying attention to Song Ningwei, he felt relieved. Without saying anything, he walked away to pour wine for other people.

Liu Wangxue gave Xu Qingsong a look from a distance: Give up, it's useless.

Looking at Song Ningwei's expression, you can tell that he didn't think what he said was inappropriate. He took another sip from the wine glass, feeling both regretful and immersed.

Xu Qingsong could only smile helplessly.

Looking at Liu Nanshan again, how could he not notice this side? He was just too lazy to care and didn't want to pay attention to it.

Just now, after Song Ningwei made that self-righteous joke, no one at the table laughed. Liu Nanshan simply skipped the topic and told Gu Xuefeng and the others the reason why Richard couldn't come, and everyone continued the conversation.

Xu Qingsong walked around the table and poured some wine into the glasses in front of everyone. Finally, he returned to sit next to Liu Wangxue and poured some for her as well. He whispered, "This wine tastes a little sweet. Try it and see if you like it. If you like it, you can keep the other bottle for yourself."

As he finished speaking, Liu Nanshan had already raised his glass and suggested that everyone clink glasses first.

In the past, everyone would go back to Liu Wangxue’s grandmother’s house to gather together after New Year’s Eve. Later, her grandmother and grandfather passed away one after another, and the three children of the Gu family didn’t want to go back anymore. They were sad and upset when they saw the scene.

It took two years for this emotion to subside. It was really not good for the old house to be left alone. Later, Gu Xuefeng showed his authority as the eldest brother and called his two sisters back. The three siblings sat together and talked for a long time. Gradually, they felt relieved. Their parents were gone, but they were still together, right?
This year's Spring Festival is indeed very special. It is neither in our respective homes nor in our hometowns, but in a completely new and unfamiliar place - but it is not unfamiliar, after all, Gu Xuelan's family is there.

Gu Xuefeng said, "If Xuxu hadn't been so impulsive and you and your wife hadn't doted on your daughter, we might not have had such a novel experience."

Yuan Lianyun turned the topic to Liu Wangxue and Xu Qingsong, saying that this is what is called "a marriage made in heaven".

Song Ningwei also wanted to say a few words to express his inner feelings, but Gu Xuemei was afraid that he would ruin the atmosphere, so she touched him with her leg under the table to stop him.

The family clinked their glasses, then picked up their chopsticks and began to eat, chatting about the present and the past while eating.

Liu Wangxue whispered to Xu Qingsong, "I think we should not keep this wine. Give it to my uncle-in-law. I think he likes it."

Xu Qingsong raised his head and looked to the side. When he said cheers just now, Song Ningwei really meant it and was now pouring wine for himself with the bottle.

Xu Qingsong said, "Okay, you decide." He thought of his uncle's wine cabinet and wondered if he could go back and get two bottles to give to his uncle-in-law.

Xu Qingsong turned the dish in front of Song Ningwei. It was the nourishing lamb neck. "Uncle-in-law, eat some food. Drinking on an empty stomach makes you drunk easily."

"Okay, okay." Song Ningwei agreed with a smile and picked up the soup spoon to add food to his bowl.

Gu Xuemei couldn't help but look at Xu Qingsong a little more.

Seeing Song Ningwei put down the spoon, Gu Xuelan turned the honey-glazed barbecued pork to Yuan Lianyun and said, "Sister-in-law, try it quickly. Does it still taste the same as before?"

Liu Nanshan also invited Yuan Lianyun to try it: "I haven't made it for a long time. I wonder if my cooking skills have deteriorated." This was the first dish Yuan Lianyun wanted to eat when she picked up the chopsticks, but she never turned to her. Now, under the two expectant gazes, she picked up a piece and tasted it: "Hmm! This is the taste! My brother-in-law is really too modest. How could your cooking skills deteriorate?"

Gu Xuefeng suddenly remembered the past, looked at her with a hint of sarcasm, and asked, "The taste is right, do you want to cry again?"

Yuan Lianyun reached out to Gu Xuelan and said with a smile, "Quick, hand me the tissue. I can't hold back my tears anymore."

Gu Xuelan took the tissue and asked Liu Nanshan to pass it over: "It's a whole pack, enough for you."

Gu Xuelan and the others also remembered the same "past event" and laughed together.

Liu Wangxue was puzzled and whispered to Xu Qingsong: "The dishes my dad cooks are so magical, they are so delicious that they can make you cry?" It's not like she hasn't eaten honey-glazed barbecued pork before, so it's a bit exaggerated.

Xu Qingsong joked, "Maybe today's one is different? How about you talk to your aunt and ask her to give you one?"

Gu Xuemei heard this and turned the dish over. "Sister-in-law, give Xuxu a piece. She wants to know why it tastes so good that she cries. Let her have a taste too."

"Okay, Xuxu, try it." Yuan Lianyun said with a smile, "But if you cry too, your dad might really doubt his cooking skills."

Xu Qingsong said: "It sounds like there is a story behind what my aunt said."

Yuan Lianyun laughed again: "Wait until Xuxu finishes tasting it and see if she cries. If she doesn't cry, I'll talk to her later."

Liu Wangxue picked up a piece and ate it with rice. After swallowing it, he said, "It's the same as what I ate before."

Gu Xuemei passed the dish back to Yuan Lianyun and said to Liu Wangxue, "They are all made by your father. Even if there are differences, it is because his cooking skills have improved and he is tastier. If you want to taste the same flavor as your aunt, wait until you marry far away."

"Xuemei, what you said is not right," Yuan Lianyun looked at Xu Qingsong and Liu Wangxue and joked with them, "Xuxu will never marry far away. Beijing is only an hour's drive away from where we are. If she wants to eat her father's cooking, she can go back anytime." After saying that, he specifically asked Xu Qingsong, "Isn't that right, Qingsong?"

Xu Qingsong nodded without hesitation: "Of course."

Under the table, Liu Wangxue's leg touched him, and he turned around and smiled at Liu Wangxue.

Gu Xuemei took over the conversation, her tone also teasing in a friendly manner: "Sister-in-law, if they still live here in the future, wouldn't it be even closer?" She pointed to the door: "Look, there's just a courtyard wall between us."

Liu Wangxue put down his chopsticks and said, "You can't keep nagging me. I've already eaten the barbecued pork. It's time to tell my aunt's story, right?"

Gu Xuefeng spoke first: "You weren't born yet at that time."

Song Ningwei was finally able to get a word in, and said to Liu Wangxue: "Not only were you not born yet, your parents weren't even married yet!"

"Ah?" Liu Wangxue thought, could it be that her father and aunt had known each other for a long time?

Before getting married, Liu Nanshan was still a worker working as a kitchen helper in a restaurant. Liu Wangxue knew this, so she wondered, could it be that her aunt met her father when she went to eat at the restaurant where her father worked? Why had she never heard her parents mention him?
Although Liu Nanshan was only a kitchen helper at that time, according to him and Gu Xuelan's words, he was still somewhat famous among the diners.

To go a little further, Gu Xuelan fell in love with Liu Nanshan at first sight, and Liu Nanshan felt the same way about her. When Gu Xuelan and her sisters were about to leave after eating a barbecue to celebrate their successful admission to university, Liu Nanshan mustered up the courage to chase after her from behind the smoky barbecue grill and asked for Gu Xuelan's contact information.

Before Gu Xuelan's freshman year was over, the barbecue restaurant where Liu Nanshan worked changed its owner. The new owner was not very honest and used inferior ingredients instead of good ones. He also drove the original chef away. So Liu Nanshan resigned and found a new job in a restaurant near Gu Xuelan University.

After graduating from university, Gu Xuelan joined a technical college in the city as a teacher. Liu Nanshan then changed his job to a location near the technical college, which can be said to be "chasing his wife."

This restaurant near the college is a Cantonese tea restaurant, where Liu Nanshan worked as a kitchen helper. He probably had a likable temperament at that time, and he became close friends with the chef not long after he went there. The chef thought he had some talent at the stove, so he would teach him a little when the kitchen was not busy.

Liu Nanshan has a quick mind, and most of the time he doesn't need the master chef to explain things in detail or teach him step by step. He can get the hang of it just by listening and watching, and can make a pretty good one once he gets the hang of it.

The master chef was surprised and happy. After careful consideration, he decided to take Liu Nanshan as his disciple. However, Liu Nanshan refused.

The master chef asked him why, and he said that he didn't really like or yearn for the job of a chef, and that he went to work in the restaurant to learn the craft just to make a living. Later, he was still working in the restaurant and was willing to learn the craft for his future wife - he cooked for his wife, and if they had children in the future, he could feed them at the same time - after becoming an apprentice, he was afraid that he would have no control over himself.

After hearing this, the chef was so angry that he almost hit him with the cooking spatula and scolded him for being useless.

Liu Nanshan was scolded but he still did not change his "original intention" and did not change his attitude towards the master. Finally, the master could not bear to see him waste his talent, so he decided not to become his disciple, and he would teach him anyway.

Although he didn't perform the apprenticeship ceremony, after all, he was learning the craft from someone else, so Liu Nanshan regarded the master chef as his master in his heart, and he didn't fail to be polite at all. Later, he left the tea restaurant and opened a fruit shop, but he would still go back to visit the master chef from time to time. A few years ago, the master chef passed away, and he also went to the funeral, and saw the old man off with several of the master chef's apprentices.

I learned how to make this honey-glazed barbecued pork from this master chef when I was working in a tea restaurant.

At that time, Liu Nanshan had just learned it and said he would show it to Gu Xuelan when he got back.

Gu Xuelan said, "It just so happens that my eldest brother is going to bring his future sister-in-law back. You can come to my house and show off your skills so that my sister-in-law can check whether it is authentic or not."

Liu Nanshan happily agreed and drove his tricycle to buy ingredients that day. Not only did he want to make honey-glazed barbecued pork, he also packed lunch.

There was no other reason, it was just that he was at a critical juncture where he was about to discuss marriage with Gu Xuelan, and Liu Nanshan wanted to perform well.

But unexpectedly, at the dinner table, Yuan Lianyun couldn't help crying after taking just one bite of the honey-glazed barbecued pork.

Gu Xuefeng was at a loss for a moment, not to mention Liu Nanshan. Liu Nanshan thought that his cooking skills were not up to par, or that there was a mistake in some step, which made his future sister-in-law cry.

Everyone at the table stopped eating and remained silent, with only Liu Wangxue's grandmother comforting Yuan Lianyun. After a while, Yuan Lianyun managed to calm down his turbulent emotions and apologized to everyone, and everyone finally understood the reason.

It’s not because Liu Nanshan’s cooking is too bad, nor is it because it’s too delicious, but because the taste is about 80% similar to the cooking of Yuan Lianyun’s grandmother.

Since her grandmother passed away, Yuan Lianyun has never returned to Guangzhou, and this dish seems to have disappeared from her life.

Gu Xuefeng said: "The taste carries not only memories, but also emotions, which are the deepest and most important emotions between relatives."

(End of this chapter)