(A reader reminded me that in this timeline, Cao Guixiang hasn’t passed away yet. I also noticed and made some changes to the earlier Chapters.)
Seeing Qin Huai arrive, Qin Luo looked as if he found a savior, or evidence. He puffed out his chest, straightened his back, and ran to Qin Huai with a large bowl, boasting proudly while holding onto Qin Huai’s arm:
"Look, my brother is here. My brother is definitely the best! Brother, don’t you think so?"
At Qin Luo’s age, does he still have to experience the plot where "even my brother can eat shit"?
Originally, I wanted to say two days of dumpling soup is enough for kids. Now it seems we need another two days.
"Luoluo, did you finish the math problems your teacher gave you?" Qin Huai asked.
Qin Luo’s back instantly slumped.
Zhang Zhiyun scrutinized Qin Huai with his large bowl and hummed in dissatisfaction, but spoke politely: "Although your brother’s large dumpling soup is delicious and the best I’ve tasted, it’s certainly not as good as my grandma’s."
"My grandma hasn’t made large dumplings before. If she did, they would definitely taste better than your brother’s!"
After saying this, a gentle voice came from behind Zhang Zhiyun.
"Yunyun, what are you saying?"
Following the voice, an old lady wearing a red floral cotton-padded coat, not very tall, slightly plump, with ordinary looks but a kind smile in her eyes, walked over.
"Grandma!" Seeing Cao Guixiang, Zhang Zhiyun rushed over with the large bowl, pointing at Qin Luo indignantly, saying, "She said her brother’s large dumpling soup is taste better than yours!"
Cao Guixiang didn’t speak. She lowered her head to glance at the large bowl in Zhang Zhiyun’s hand and was a bit surprised: "Four Happiness dumplings."
Then Cao Guixiang followed Zhang Zhiyun’s pointing towards Qin Huai and Qin Luo, giving Qin Huai a few more looks. She naturally took the bowl from her grandson, picked up a spoon, and scooped one up.
Cao Guixiang’s expression gradually turned into delight. While eating, she scrutinized Qin Huai as if examining someone rare. She chewed and finished the entire dumpling.
What she ate was filled with sesame brittle.
"When it comes to Four Happiness dumplings, Grandma indeed isn’t as good as his brother," Cao Guixiang said with a smile, returning the bowl to her grandson.
Zhang Zhiyun felt as if the sky had fallen, with a face ready to die in battle, wondering why his majesty surrendered first.
Grandma, how could you surrender first?
Your grandson had just started fighting them!
Cao Guixiang patiently explained, "Four Happiness dumplings are snacks from Changzhou, part of the Jiangnan region. Your grandma, I, am not skilled in snacks. Perhaps better with noodles, and somewhat knowledgeable in making buns, pea cakes, fried dough sticks. But when have I ever made Jiangnan snacks?"
"Making snacks that look good is still okay. Truly pursuing flavors, your grandma, I, can’t achieve it."
"The dumplings we eat during Lantern Festival at home are all bought from the supermarket."
Zhang Zhiyun understood and was reassured.
"Did you hear that? My grandma can’t make this kind of large dumpling. But if it’s noodles, my grandma’s are definitely better than your brother’s!"
Qin Luo didn’t care about any math problems now. Letting go of Qin Huai’s arm, he charged: "No way, my brother’s chicken soup noodles are super delicious!"
"My grandma’s are better!"
"My brother’s are better!"
The Zhang Family quietly looked into the distance, pretending not to see this unlucky child.
Qin Huai also looked up at the sky quietly, pretending he didn’t have this unlucky sister.
Zhang Chu quickly stepped forward, whispering to his wife explaining the recent events and Qin Huai’s identity, hoping she’d advise Qin Huai not to be obsessed with molds like his dad was.
One’s life is invaluable when it comes to letting go. It’s essential to let go when needed and to have self-awareness.
After listening, Cao Guixiang said, "If that’s the case, just make a few more mold sets for Master Qin he likes. With his skills, knowing the steps is not an issue."
At this moment, Qin Huai served two bowls of Four Happiness dumplings, one for Grandma Cao, and one for Zhang Chu.
"Grandpa Zhang, Grandma Cao, have some dumplings first."
Zhang Chu took the dumplings, stuffing them into his mouth unconsciously. After taking the first bite, he was shocked, swallowed the dumplings, and blurted out while looking at Qin Huai, "Are you Qin Guisheng’s grandson?!"
Who is Qin Guisheng? It’s already 980,000 words, isn’t this another character he doesn’t know?
Cao Guixiang nudged Zhang Chu lightly with her elbow, resisting the urge to roll her eyes: "This is the Qin Family Village. Isn’t it normal for Master Qin to have the surname Qin? My second senior brother has been abroad for quite a while. How could his grandson be here?"
"If we could have met his grandson, would we have lost touch with my second senior brother and master senior brother for so many years?"
Zhang Chu immediately apologized: "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I spoke without thinking. Master Qin, please don’t mind."
Then he turned to apologize to his wife: "I was confused today. When Master Qin told me about that mold, I thought it was about his dad being scammed over 20 years ago and here to settle the score today. My mind is still muddled."
"Not understanding the situation, yet you rushed over to someone’s house for dumplings. I still don’t know why we came to eat dumplings," Cao Guixiang shook her head helplessly, "Can you change this careless nature of yours? Our son’s recklessness takes after you."
Zhang Chu protested his innocence: "I didn’t know the situation either. Qin Zhishu invited us over, so I came. I even thought it was some event or festival in Qin Family Village, sharing dumplings so passersby could have a bite for good luck."