Seeing the situation, Li Zhenhua blew his beard and glared: "If you want to retract a move, just say it. No need for tricks."
Fang Cheng rubbed his nose, looking innocent as he mumbled:
"No, Grandpa, I just feel like someone is talking about me behind my back, making me sneeze uncontrollably."
Hearing this, Li Zhenhua’s eyes lit up, and he lost all interest in the chess game, immediately saying with great enthusiasm:
"I get it, it must be one of your girlfriends thinking about you."
Fang Cheng was both crying and laughing: "I’m single, where would I get a girlfriend?"
"Still pretending with your grandpa? You think just because I’m old, I can’t see straight?"
Li Zhenhua had a "I’ve seen through it all" look as he counted on his fingers, berating:
"That girl named Zhou who lives next door on Old Factory Street, she always speaks softly to you and blushes to her ears."
"And that university teacher who wears glasses, so refined, looking at you like she’s drawn to you, wanting to stick to you."
"Ah Cheng, when your grandpa was young, many girls chased after me; I’m not senile yet, I can still see these things..."
The old man got more passionate as he spoke, starting to analyze which girl was more virtuous, more suitable to be a granddaughter-in-law, like an experienced matchmaker.
Fang Cheng looked helpless, could only raise his teacup and drink water in silence, listening to Grandpa’s "matchmaking talk."
At this moment, his mother Li Biyun’s gentle call came from inside the house, finally rescuing Fang Cheng.
The two of them walked inside, and the newly renovated dining room was spacious and bright.
A brand new rosewood dining table paired with a set of carved Taishi chairs gave off a classic and grand atmosphere.
Warm yellow wallpaper was pasted on the walls, and a distinctive chandelier cast soft light.
In the corner, a half-human-height air purifier was silently running.
At this time, four dishes and one soup were already set on the table, emitting an enticing aroma.
There were glossy sweet and sour ribs, vibrant stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a plate of steamed bass drizzled with hot oil and sprinkled with green onions, and a dish of cold pig ears salad, with a big bowl of steaming tomato egg soup in the middle.
"Chengcheng, sit down and eat more ribs; you seem to have lost more weight recently. Is it because you’re not used to traveling on business trips?"
Li Biyun said caringly while serving rice to her son.
"Don’t listen to your mother’s nonsense, I think you look as sturdy as a young bull."
Li Zhenhua retorted: "Men who are tall and exercise regularly, they just appear slim." For more chapters visıt novel~fire~net
With that, he picked up a small white porcelain wine cup.
"Come, Ah Cheng, let’s have a toast."
Fang Cheng laughed and clinked glasses with his grandfather, drinking it all in one go.
Then he picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a rib, and put it in his mouth, mumbling a compliment:
"Mom, your cooking skills are getting more and more exquisite; this tastes amazing!"
"You just have a sweet tongue."
Li Biyun playfully glanced at him: "But speaking of cooking skills, Mom’s no match for you."
Li Zhenhua chimed in with a proud face:
"At the last housewarming party, Ah Cheng made those Four Happiness Meatballs, I packed some for the neighbors, and they all said it tasted more authentic than the chefs at the Wanghu Tower in town."
"Even if Ah Cheng doesn’t work in the future, he can open a restaurant by Yulong Lake, catering to tourists, and it would definitely be successful."
Saying this, he was about to grab the wine bottle again.
Li Biyun quickly restrained his hand:
"Dad, you just had a follow-up, and although the doctor said you’re recovering well, it’s best to avoid alcohol for three to six months to prevent additional strain on your liver."
Li Zhenhua sheepishly withdrew his hand, explaining:
"Today Ah Cheng came over, it’s lively at home, I was just having a little drink with him..."
Since his gastric resection surgery, he’d been a drink aficionado but had not touched a drop of alcohol for three months.
He intended to find an excuse to drink a bit more because his grandson was visiting, but his daughter saw right through him.
Fang Cheng didn’t go along with his words, immediately shaking his head like a rattle:
"Grandpa, I can’t handle alcohol, I’m about to get drunk just from this little cup."
Hearing this, Li Zhenhua had to sigh helplessly:
"Ah, young people nowadays can’t hold their liquor anymore..."
Saying this, he obediently put the wine cup down.
Li Biyun and Fang Cheng saw this, exchanged a smile.
The family gathered around the table, enjoying a delightful time together.
Fang Cheng didn’t hold back, using his chopsticks to grab a bowl of vegetables, and dug in with large mouthfuls.
Just like a whirlwind sweeping through the dishes, making Li Biyun and Li Zhenhua smile endlessly.
After lunch, Li Biyun was about to get up to clean up the mess.
Fang Cheng immediately stood up first, pushed his mother to sit on the sofa, and took on all the household chores himself.
With the sound of running water in the kitchen, from tidying up dishes, washing pots, and clean-up, to wiping tables and cleaning the stove, he worked briskly and orderly.
After finishing the kitchen work, Fang Cheng didn’t stop, looking as if he was enjoying himself.
Next, he cleaned the living room too, leaving the coffee and TV tables gleaming, and the tiles as shiny as mirrors.
Watching her son’s busy figure, Li Biyun felt both gratified and a bit helpless.
Inside, she wondered if he was affected by something, as a grown man seemed to enjoy doing domestic work.
Fang Cheng’s movements were swift. Within about half an hour, he’d completed everything.
By then, Grandpa was already yawning and had gone back to his room for a nap.
His mother sat by the water well in the yard, picking and washing mugwort.
With the Qingming Festival fast approaching, she had to prepare the ingredients for making green cakes and rice dumplings.
After wringing out the mop and putting it away, Fang Cheng quietly walked upstairs to his bedroom.
Even though he didn’t live there often, his mother kept the room spotless.