Chapter 250: Chapter 174 This soup is too delicious! Xiaoxu, can you let your parents come to Beijing? [Seeking Monthly Ticket]_3
"Lin Xu, not having a drink?"
Chen Yan’s father, Chen Yuejin, holding a wine glass, looked ever more pleased with his nephew-in-law. Unfortunately, his own daughter hadn’t found a partner yet, making it almost embarrassing for him and Shen Guofang in front of their relatives.
"I have to drive later, Uncle, so I won’t drink. I’ll join you with a soft drink, though."
Lin Xu stood up, holding his juice, and clinked glasses with Chen Yuejin, intentionally lowering his glass to meet the middle of Chen Yuejin’s wine glass.
Chen Yuejin was even happier then.
Few young people nowadays knew the etiquette of toasting.
After finishing his drink, Lin Xu used soft drinks to toast with the other relatives in the house, much to the old lady’s delight.
"We’re all family here; no need for such formality. Liu, see if the stewed pork knuckle is ready? Bring it over if it is."
Today was such an important day. The old lady’s crystal sugar pork knuckle wouldn’t be absent.
But today, with so many people, she hadn’t stayed in the kitchen; instead, after starting the stew, she had left it to Aunt Liu to watch over.
Not long after, Aunt Liu came over with the aromatic pork knuckle.
Its skin glistened a rich, oily red, and as it was placed on the table, the meat jiggled like jelly, indicating it had been stewed for a long time.
After the pork knuckle was set down, the old lady cheerfully said to Lin Xu, "Child, come taste my cooking. See if it’s as delicious as yours."
Lin Xu quickly replied, "Grandma’s cooking is definitely better than mine because home-cooked meals have that homely flavor, unlike restaurants that only care about finesse and lack that home taste."
His words delighted the old lady immensely.
Only after the elders began tasting the pork knuckle did Lin Xu pick up a small piece of the skin with his chopsticks and pop it into his mouth.
Hmm, the pork skin was stewed until it was so soft and tender. It almost didn’t require chewing, as it simply melted in the mouth.
They always said delicious pork knuckle was best sucked rather than chewed. He finally got to taste it today.
The pork knuckle was not only soft and tender but tasted fantastic too. It had a complex flavor of sweet and salty, and one could even detect a hint of the tart-sweetness of hawthorn, which greatly reduced any greasy feel.
Delicious! The pork knuckle was truly delicious.
As he was enjoying it, Shen Jiayue suddenly said, "Grandma has been making us crystal sugar pork knuckle all our lives. Why don’t you make it for her someday?"
Make crystal sugar pork knuckle? I’m not very skilled at that.
As Lin Xu was pondering this, the system’s notification sounded in his mind: "Host shows great respect and filial piety, triggering reward task [Crystal Sugar Pork Knuckle]: Please make a Perfect Level crystal sugar pork knuckle for Old Lady Shen within two weeks to earn a seafood Dish Upgrade Card."
As expected... Every time Baobao talks about food, the system issues a reward task. It looks like I won’t be learning how to roast suckling pig any time soon.
Lin Xu still had a Perfect Level Cooking Learning Card. It was originally saved to learn Guo Weidong’s roast suckling pig recipes, but now the system specifically required a Perfect Level crystal sugar pork knuckle.
He would have to use the Perfect Level Cooking Learning Card to learn. After all, the task timeline was just two weeks. Going from nothing to practicing a dish in two weeks could hardly reach the Perfect Level.
Thinking this, he said with a smile, "Then I will humbly present my cooking in front of Grandma. I just hope she doesn’t mind a young man’s inferior skills."
Old Lady Shen was so pleased that she couldn’t stop smiling. "This child is just being modest. As per our family tradition, crystal sugar pork knuckle is a must at every banquet. If you can cook it, then I can finally rest my old bones."
Everyone enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Lin Xu also felt the warmth of family, far from his home in Beijing.
「After dinner.」
Aunt Liu brought over a fruit plate and some snacks.
Just as Old Lady Shen sat down on the couch, Dundun, who had just finished his boiled chicken thigh, rushed over and unceremoniously cuddled up in her arms.
"Oh, this little darling is really clinging to me." She held Dundun in her arms and said to Lin Xu, "Xuxu, can you have your parents come to Beijing recently?"
What? Have my parents come to Beijing?
Shen Guofu added from the side, "You and Yueyue have hit it off so well, it’s time to sit down and finalize the wedding plans. I’m still waiting to have a few drinks with your father."
Lin Xu had originally planned to buy a house before bringing up the engagement.
He didn’t expect Shen Baobao’s family to be so eager. Were they that keen on marrying off their daughter quickly?
However, since they had brought it up, he said, "I will get my parents to come to Beijing as soon as possible."
Well, in a few days, during the competition, I’ll have Dad and Mom come watch me cook. After the competition, we can finalize the wedding. And if there’s nothing else, I’ll take Shen Baobao and my parents back to my hometown for a trip. We can take a walk in the scenic area to relax and rejuvenate, then return to Beijing to continue making money.
The old lady played with Dundun for a while. Feeling a bit tired, she went to her room for a midday rest. The other relatives were also preparing to leave.
The presents Lin Xu brought were divided into six portions, with each family taking one.
After seeing the guests off, Han Shuzhen picked up Dundun. "Did you enjoy visiting Grandma’s relatives today, my little darling?"
Dundun immediately cooed softly, "MEOW~~~~~"
This immediately thrilled Han Shuzhen. She hugged Dundun and went down to the basement floor’s gym and home cinema, preparing to acquaint the little guy with the house.
Shen Guofu was sitting on the sofa drinking tea. As he set down his teacup, he said, "Xuxu, the crawfish you made last time was really good. Your aunt and I didn’t get enough. How about you make some more tonight? We can leave after eating crawfish."
Lin Xu didn’t mind. "Sure. I wish I had saved more for you that day."
Shen Guofu whispered, "Actually, I hardly had any. Your aunt ate them all. I had the maid boil some noodles and mix them in. That’s how I got a taste. Make more tonight, okay?"
"No problem."
After discussing this, Shen Guofu took the elevator to the main bedroom on the third floor to rest. He had woken up too early, and the effects of the alcohol had set in. He needed to lie down.
「After he had gone.」
Shen Baobao immediately pulled Lin Xu upstairs.
Finally, I can properly kiss my precious Xu!
On the second floor, she didn’t even bother entering a room and started nibbling at Lin Xu’s neck.
Lin Xu, wrapping his arms around her waist, passionately reciprocated.
Just as they were kissing, a sleepy figure sat up on the sofa. "Is it lunchtime yet?"
Lin Xu: ?????
Shen Jiayue: ?????
Man, no wonder it felt so quiet at the dining table. I didn’t expect my sister-in-law was sleeping here.
"Can’t you two kiss after eating? Look how clingy you are. I might as well buy some superglue and stick you together."
Chen Yan rubbed her eyes, got up from the sofa, and while tying her high heels, urged, "Come on, let’s go down for lunch; I’m starving."
Lin Xu: "..."
How should I calmly explain to my sister-in-law that everyone has already had lunch? Online now, it’s urgent!