Hosting a Dinner Party
Hearing Zhang Shi’s praise, Wen Ge’er’s cheeks turned pink, and he whispered, “I’m just glad I could help Uncle Zhang.”
Yang Lan looked at the thin and frail little brother, recalling his series of unfortunate events, and felt his heart soften. He took the opportunity to mention inviting Wen Ge’er and his grandfather over for a meal at their home.
Wen Ge’er’s eyes widened in disbelief, afraid he might have misheard.
Zhang Shi chuckled, pinching his thin cheek gently, and said softly, “Go tell your grandfather. I’ll be waiting for you both at home.”
Wen Ge’er’s eyes darted between Zhang Shi and Yang Lan, and finally, with tears brimming in his eyes, he nodded and dashed out quickly.
Yang Lan was puzzled. “It’s just a meal at our place. Why does he seem so happy?”
Zhang Shi sighed. “Wen Ge’er’s family moved to Willow Leaf Village over a year ago. Although the villagers aren’t as hostile as they once were, they still don’t treat them like one of their own. Wen Ge’er has a group of friends, so he isn’t too lonely, but he worries about his grandfather and hopes someone will genuinely accept them.”
Yang Lan was taken aback. So that’s how it was.
Thinking about how Wen Ge’er had helped them with their troubles, Yang Lan said, “We should interact with them more in the future.”
Zhang Shi’s lips curled into a smile. Lan really was growing up, learning to care for others.
When they returned home, it was just about lunchtime.
They usually had a simple meal, often just a bowl of noodles, but since they had guests today, they couldn’t be too frugal.
Fortunately, they still had half a chicken at home, and Yang Lan thought of a hometown delicacy—earth pot chicken.
He planned to stew the half chicken with potatoes and green beans. Once the aroma filled the air, he would stick the pre-prepared dough along the edge of the pot.
Yang Lan intended to make it himself, but Lin Qiao insisted on helping. So, Yang Lan gave instructions while Lin Qiao took over. Lin Qiao had a knack for cooking and could execute the dish perfectly just by listening to Yang Lan’s directions.
Besides the earth pot chicken, Lin Qiao also steamed a large pot of brown rice, stir-fried some greens, mixed a cucumber salad, and prepared a winter melon egg soup.
Just as the dishes were going into the pot, Wen Ge’er and his grandfather arrived.
Wen Ge’er’s grandfather, Qi Liangshan, was tall and dark-skinned, with deep wrinkles etched into his face by the passage of time.
The grandfather and grandson stood at the door, nervously calling out Yang Lan’s name.
Yang Lan responded and went to the courtyard to invite them in.
“Your father has always looked after Wen Ge’er, and Lin Qiao treats him well too. Wen Ge’er is just repaying your kindness, so we shouldn’t impose on you,” Qi Liangshan said, rubbing his hands in unease.
Wen Ge’er’s eyes reddened at his words, but he stubbornly bit his lip to keep from crying.
Yang Lan quickly said, “What are you saying, Uncle Qi? We owe Wen Ge’er for helping us out these two times. Without him, who knows what might have happened at home? It’s no small matter. Inviting you for a meal is nothing.”
“But…” Qi Liangshan hesitated, “Wen Ge’er and I aren’t from Willow Leaf Village. Being close to us isn’t exactly a good thing.”
Yang Lan chuckled, “Well, I’m not exactly popular in the village either. Our families seem to get along just fine.”
Seeing Yang Lan’s sincerity and lack of reluctance, Qi Liangshan finally relaxed.
He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a box with the character for happiness carved on it, the marks fresh and newly engraved.
“We don’t have anything valuable at home. This is a small carving I made myself, a wedding gift for you. I hope you won’t mind, Yang Tongsheng.”
Yang Lan quickly accepted it. “Uncle Qi, you’re too kind.”
When he opened it, he was stunned.
Inside the box was a wooden carving of two men holding hands. The slightly taller one looked gentle and refined, while the shorter one appeared shy and cute. The expressions were lifelike, as exquisite as a crafted figurine.
If this were sold in a craft shop in a historic town, it would easily fetch over 500 yuan.
Seeing him staring at the carving, Qi Liangshan felt a bit anxious. “If you don’t like it, Yang Tongsheng…”
“I love it!” Yang Lan quickly replied, gently touching the faces of the two little figures. “I heard from Father that you’re a carpenter, Uncle Qi. I thought you just made tables and chairs. I didn’t expect your craftsmanship to be so exquisite. This carving is beautiful. Thank you, Uncle Qi!”
Qi Liangshan gave a shy smile. “I didn’t use to make these. Business hasn’t been great these past few years, so I had to find ways to make some small crafts.”
Just then, Zhang Shi came out of the kitchen, playfully scolding Yang Lan, “Lan, how could you be so thoughtless? The guests are here, and you haven’t invited them to the table. You’re just chatting away in the courtyard.”
Yang Lan rubbed his nose and smiled apologetically. “Uncle Qi, please have a seat.”
Qi Liangshan, feeling honored, sat down. “No, no, I just wanted to have a word with Yang Tongsheng.”
Zhang Shi chuckled, “Why call him Yang Tongsheng, Uncle Qi? That’s too formal. Just call him Lan Xiaozi like the villagers do.”
Yang Lan nodded in agreement.
Qi Liangshan had no choice but to comply.
Yang Lan showed off the wooden carving to Zhang Shi. “Father, look at this. It’s a wedding gift from Uncle Qi.”
“Oh!” Zhang Shi was also surprised. “This is beautiful. You’ve put a lot of thought into it, Uncle Qi.”
Yang Lan smiled. “Father, you chat with Uncle Qi. I’ll show it to Lin Qiao.”
In the kitchen, the dishes were already in the pot, just needing to be watched for doneness. Lin Qiao sat on a small stool by the stove when suddenly something appeared in front of him.
Lin Qiao, upon seeing it clearly, grabbed it with delight. “It’s so cute!”
Yang Lan laughed. “Uncle Qi brought it. I thought he was just a carpenter, but he’s a master craftsman.”
Lin Qiao didn’t understand what he meant, but it didn’t stop him from being enamored with the wooden carving, nodding enthusiastically.
The two chatted affectionately for a while, and soon the meal was ready.
Three dishes and a soup filled the table. Qi Liangshan felt a bit embarrassed. “I thought it would just be a simple meal. I didn’t expect such a feast.”
“We said it was to thank Wen Ge’er. You’re just benefiting from it today,” Zhang Shi said with a smile.
Hearing this, Qi Liangshan didn’t refuse anymore and seemed much more at ease.
After the meal, Qi Liangshan leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Lin Qiao’s cooking is excellent. It’s even better than the dishes at the town’s restaurants.”
It was the first time Lin Qiao had been praised by an outsider, and his face turned red. “Uncle Qi, please don’t flatter me.”
“But it’s true,” Qi Liangshan countered.
After the meal, he was no longer as tense and spoke more freely. “Before our family faced hardships, I visited the town’s restaurants a few times. Their food really isn’t as good as Lin Qiao’s. That’s the truth.”
Yang Lan felt a stir in his heart and glanced at Lin Qiao.