Since the younger generation was busy today, Grandpa Xu and Grandma Xu were in charge of dinner.
When Lu Jingming followed Xu Yanxia into the dining room, a table full of dishes was already laid out. Every dish looked glossy and beautifully thickened, exceptionally pleasing to the eye. They were steaming hot, emitting a rich aroma that instantly made one hungry.
Xu Yanxia helped her younger cousin distribute the chopsticks. When she handed a pair to her older brother, Xu Zhanpeng, she heard him ask, "Xiao Xia, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Huh?"
Xu Yanxia touched her face in delayed realization, then cleared her throat and said, "It's probably just from the heat of working."
Beside her, Lu Jingming glanced at her, the smile in his eyes becoming increasingly difficult to hide.
However, his clueless brother-in-law persisted in asking his sister, "If you're not feeling well, don't force yourself. Go see a doctor early..."
"See what doctor?"
Luo Jiajia nudged Xu Zhanpeng, frowning as she said, "You clueless straight man, talk less. You don't understand anything. Xiao Xia is perfectly fine."
"...Oh,"
Xu Zhanpeng finally realized what was going on and hurriedly smiled, "As long as she's fine. As long as she's fine."
Xu Yanxia's face turned even redder.
Lu Jingming's lips curled up again. Catching sight of Aunt Xu and Grandma Xu bringing bowls out from the kitchen, he quickly went over to help. "Let me."
"President Lu, please sit down."
Aunt Xu smiled and placed a bowl of noodles in front of him, saying, "Try the dalu noodles Grandma made. I wonder if you'll be used to the taste."
Dalu noodles?
Lu Jingming's eyes immediately lit up. "I'll definitely be used to it. I love eating noodles the most, especially dalu noodles."
As he spoke, Grandpa Xu apologetically said to him, "We just moved here today and aren't very familiar with the area yet. We just bought some groceries at the supermarket by the neighborhood entrance. They are all home-cooked dishes, so please excuse the poor hospitality."
"Not at all!"
Lu Jingming hurriedly smiled and said, "Grandpa and Grandma are too polite. Today's dishes look exceptionally well-made at first glance, and they are all flavors I rarely get to eat."
Hearing him say this, Xu Yanxia introduced the dishes on the table to him. "This is mustard chicken, this one is stir-fried pork liver, and there's flavored eggplant, fried lotus root boxes, and this one is stir-fried pork intestines with Laba garlic."
"They are all my grandpa's signature dishes, and they are also home-cooked dishes we commonly eat around here."
Lu Jingming nodded with a face full of anticipation. "They smell delicious."
While they were talking, the noodles were all served, and the whole family took their seats.
Grandma Xu specially called out to him, "Jingming, don't be a stranger. We are all family, hurry up and eat."
"Okay, Grandma."
Seeing that everyone had picked up their chopsticks, he also started eating with them.
As a true noodle lover, Lu Jingming naturally tasted Grandma Xu's dalu noodles first.
Today's gravy was made with sliced meat, wood ear mushrooms, tofu, and daylily. The sliced meat, in particular, had been stir-fried beforehand, presenting a golden-brown color on the surface. With one bite, the rich, savory gravy coating the chewy noodles was simply incredibly comforting.
It made him nod repeatedly and say, "Delicious! This taste is so familiar. My grandmother used to often make noodles like this for me too."
Xu Yanxia smiled and told him, "Because my grandma is also from Qicheng, she can be considered your fellow townswoman."
"No wonder!"
Lu Jingming nodded sincerely. "These noodles really give you the feeling of returning home in one bite. Delicious."
After speaking, he took another big bite.
Grandma Xu was very happy and called out to him again, "Try the dishes too. Your Grandpa Xu used to cook for leaders in Jingbei in the past. See if you're used to the taste."
"Then I definitely have to try them."
As Lu Jingming spoke, he hurriedly started tasting the dishes.
He started with the mustard chicken, which was a mix of red, yellow, and green.
This was a cold dish. The chicken breast was mixed evenly with seasonings like yellow mustard, vinegar, and sesame oil, and garnished with a little cilantro and green and red peppers.
In the mouth, the spicy aroma of the mustard, the fresh scent of the cilantro, the mellow fragrance of the sesame oil, and the meaty flavor of the chicken blended together, creating a very layered taste.
He said to Xu Yanxia, "This dish has a similar feel to the mustard duck webs you made last time, but Grandpa's version highlights the spiciness of the mustard more. It's very suitable to eat with noodles."
"That's right,"
Xu Yanxia smiled and said, "This is the 'hundred chefs, hundred flavors' of Chinese cuisine. Even though we all come from the same family, another day you should try my brother's mustard shredded tripe and mustard jellyfish. They have different characteristics again."
"No problem,"
Xu Zhanpeng, who was beside them, immediately said, "When you have time some day, you must try my cooking."
"It's a deal."
Lu Jingming readily agreed. Then he saw the Xu family's little cousin, Yuan Xiaoyue, enthusiastically inviting him, "Brother Lu, hurry and try the flavored eggplant and fried lotus root boxes. These two are the absolute best."
"Okay."
He then tried the glossy and shiny flavored eggplant, and sure enough, he was instantly amazed.
After being fried, a thin, crispy shell formed on the surface of the eggplant, while the inside was soft, tender, and dense. Eaten in the mouth, it was salty, sweet, sour, and spicy, with various flavors intertwining, making it extremely amazing.
As for the fried lotus root boxes, it went without saying. The exterior was golden and crispy, while the meat filling inside was fresh, tender, and juicy. Eating it gave one a sense of happiness akin to celebrating the New Year.
It simply made him nod repeatedly, "It really is delicious!"
Grandpa Xu then pointed at the stir-fried pork liver and the stir-fried pork intestines with Laba garlic, calling out to him, "These are authentic old Northern dishes. You probably don't eat them often in the South."
"That's right,"
Lu Jingming smiled and said, "It's indeed hard to see them over there."
After speaking, he started tasting them.
Immediately after, he was amazed once again.
The surface of the sauce-red stir-fried pork liver was glossy and shiny, wrapped very evenly in a thin layer of thickened sauce. Just the color alone was rich and enticing.
In the mouth, there was first the rich aroma of the sauce and the fragrance from the hot wok, followed by the unique savory flavor of the liver and an extremely smooth and tender texture. Moreover, it didn't have the slightest off-flavor of offal, only a mellow meaty aroma.
As for the stir-fried pork intestines with Laba garlic, it was even more distinctive. The emerald green Laba garlic and the sauce-colored intestines interspersed with yellow and green. Eaten in the mouth, the Laba garlic was crisp and slightly sour, while the intestines were soft, glutinous, salty, and savory. It was a very wonderful combination.
"It's so distinctive."
Lu Jingming sincerely exclaimed, "I think we could even open a specialized old Northern restaurant in Rong City and invite Grandpa to come out of retirement. It would definitely be very popular too."
As soon as these words came out, Grandpa Xu laughed happily and hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "You flatter me, you flatter me. We're old now; even if we wanted to do it, we wouldn't have the energy. Seeing as we've managed to raise these two siblings, our mission is complete. From now on, they have to rely on themselves."
After he finished speaking, Grandma Xu asked the grandchildren filling the table, "The holiday is over, the engagement is settled, and we've moved. When do you all plan to go back? So we can prepare meals for you."
Xu Zhanpeng spoke first, "Jiajia and I will leave on the ninth. The eighth is the peak for return trips, so it's better to avoid it."
Yuan Xiaoyue said, "Our classes start on the ninth. I bought a train ticket for the eighth."
Xu Yanxia then asked Lu Jingming, "When do you plan to go back?"
She saw Lu Jingming smile at her and say, "The company doesn't start work until the ninth. Today is only the sixth, so I can stay with you for another two days."
Xu Yanxia, "...Then what about Madam and the Chairman?"
"They might stay in Yangzhou a few more days to keep Grandpa company. Besides, Aunt Zhang has already called Uncle Wang back to work. Don't worry, it mainly depends on you."
Xu Yanxia thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll leave on the 8th as well. I need to check on Jiu Shan these past few days and make some plans for reopening after the holiday."
"Okay," Lu Jingming nodded, "I'll book the tickets later."
As he spoke, he quickly took another big bite of noodles.
Delicious.
"Then tomorrow evening we'll make dumplings to see you all off."
Grandma Xu said, specifically asking him, "Xiaoming, what filling do you like in your dumplings?"
Lu Jingming smiled and said, "I'm fine with anything. With Grandpa and Grandma's skills, any filling is sure to be delicious."
Xu Yanxia, "…"
She just felt this guy's mouth was especially sweet tonight.
Sure enough, she saw her grandparents both laugh.
Grandma told Lu Jingming, "Then we'll take care of the preparations ourselves. You just come and eat when it's time."
Grandpa specifically instructed her, "It's rare for him to come all this way, Xiao Xia, why don't you accompany Jingming for a walk in the old town tomorrow? I heard it's been rated as a national tourist area now, lots of people go there to visit."
"Sure."
As soon as the words fell, Xu Yanxia and Lu Jingming nodded in unison.
To the side, Luo Jiajia and Yuan Xiaoyue exchanged glances, both revealing knowing, indulgent smiles.
Truly, it's best to ship a couple live and in person!
...
After dinner, it was dark.
The house was pretty much tidied up. Xu Zhanpeng saw his fiancée Luo Jiajia back to her parents' home, and Lu Jingming's driver had arrived.
Xu Yanxia walked him to the neighborhood entrance and heard him say, "I changed to a hotel closer to you. Do you want to have breakfast together tomorrow morning?"
"Sure,"
Xu Yanxia said, "Then let's go eat in the old town area. There's a famous pan-fried bun place there."
"Okay."
Lu Jingming added, "Then I'll pick you up tomorrow. No need to be too early. You've been busy all day today, sleep in and get a good rest."
Xu Yanxia nodded and said okay again. Before they knew it, they had reached the neighborhood gate, and she could already see the car waiting for him.
She also reminded him, "You put in a lot of effort today too. Go back and rest well."
She saw him nod and say "Mm," then he paused his steps and opened his arms.
"One more hug."
Xu Yanxia's face flushed, "...We're outside."
"What's wrong with outside? It's a new neighborhood, no one knows you here."
Lu Jingming maintained his open-armed posture, stating matter-of-factly, "Besides, I already have the title and have met the parents."
Pfft...
Xu Yanxia was amused by him and had no choice but to take two steps closer.
Immediately, she was pulled into his embrace.
The chill of the night air and the faint woody scent from his coat rushed into her senses.
She heard him say, "Today really was a very happy day."
"Mm,"
She nodded too, "Tomorrow will be even happier."
She heard him chuckle, then say, "You go back first, I'll get in the car after."
Xu Yanxia hummed in agreement.
Who knew he still wouldn't let go, keeping her in his arms.
Xu Yanxia was helpless. She looked up at him with a smile, "Then how am I supposed to leave?"
Lu Jingming also looked down at her, smiling, "I don't want to let go. Why don't you just come back to the hotel with me instead."
"What are you saying,"
Her face reddened as she said, "This is only our first day."
"Just kidding,"
He laughed again, finally letting go.
Xu Yanxia waved to him and turned back into the neighborhood gate.
Lu Jingming stood in place watching her for a while. Only when she turned a corner and disappeared from sight did he get into the car with a smile.
The car started moving, buildings and trees on both sides of the road swiftly receding outside the window.
Inside the car, Lu Jingming took out his phone and posted another update on his social feed.
Again, no picture, just three simple words—
"Day One."
...
