When Lin’s mother arranged for the grocery delivery, she specifically asked Jian Dan, "For the pastries you’re planning to bring to your friend’s house tomorrow, should we make them today and deliver them, or should we deliver the ingredients and make fresh ones tomorrow?"
Jian Dan looked at Lin’s mother with an inquiring gaze, "Lin’s mom, what do you think is best to do?"
Lin’s mother thought that fresh ones would be better, but it was more time-consuming, and if they were made tomorrow, they wouldn’t arrive at the friend’s house until the afternoon. It might be better to make them today, and then they could head out early tomorrow to visit friends.
Zhao Linlin thought Lin’s mother’s suggestion was very good, so she discussed with Jian Dan and decided to make them today and put them in the refrigerator. They could just take them with them tomorrow.
In the evening, Zhao Linlin and Jian Dan were busy in the kitchen with Lin’s mother, and none of them expected Bo Qin, who was supposed to be on a business trip, to come home at this time. Seeing the girls bustling in the kitchen, he stood at the doorway, "Jianjian."
Suddenly, his magnetic voice drew Zhao Linlin’s attention. Both Zhao Linlin and Jian Dan turned around. Zhao Linlin had seen Bo Qin before and quickly averted her gaze, not daring to look too much.
Jian Dan’s hands were covered with flour, unwashed, as she walked out to stand in front of Bo Qin, her face full of confusion, "Uncle Qin, why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be on a business trip?"
"Yes, I am going on a trip, but I came back to see you before I left."
Jian Dan uttered, "Why did you come back to see me?"
Bo Qin couldn’t help but laugh and cry, "I was worried that you’d think I don’t value you enough."
Jian Dan’s face turned slightly red, and she felt embarrassed, not daring to look into Bo Qin’s eyes, "Uncle Qin, I wouldn’t think that."
"Just teasing you. My flight got rescheduled, I missed our appointment last night, so I’m here to have dinner with you today."
Jian Dan looked at him with surprise, "Really?"
"Then I’ll go tell Lin’s mom to prepare dinner now."
After speaking with Lin’s mom, Zhao Linlin didn’t feel comfortable staying around. As soon as Jian Dan walked aside, she followed and said, "Jian Dan, maybe I should go to my cousin’s house first, and come back after your uncle leaves."
For some reason, Zhao Linlin was especially intimidated by Bo Qin, perhaps because of his daunting presence, even more frightening than her own elders.
She really didn’t dare to face such a Bo Qin.
Jian Dan looked at her perplexed, "Why? Won’t you have dinner? Lin’s mom will have it ready soon, you’re not going to eat?"
Hadn’t she eaten quite a lot at lunch and even praised Lin’s mom for the delicious food?
Zhao Linlin’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment, "I’m scared of your uncle."
"There’s nothing to be scared of about my uncle, he’s very nice."
He’s nice, but is that just towards you alone?
But these words, Zhao Linlin dared not say. She still wanted to leave Jian Dan’s house, anxious as a mouse would be upon seeing a cat.
Jian Dan kept telling her there was nothing to fear, and Bo Qin, who had walked in, happened to see the two girls arguing with their backs to him. He overheard a part of their conversation and suddenly asked, "Do I make Miss Zhao feel uncomfortable?"
Zhao Linlin turned around stiffly, her smile more pained than happy, "No, no, no, Mr. Bo, it’s not like that. I just, just didn’t want to disturb you and Jian Dan having dinner. Yes, that’s it."
Her legs were trembling.
Bo Qin let out a sound of acknowledgment, "Then stay and have dinner with Jian Dan. It’s rare to see her friends come to visit, and I should thank you for taking care of her."
Zhao Linlin almost cried.
Jian Dan beamed, "Uncle Qin, tomorrow I’m going with Zhao Linlin to visit Lai Wei’s house, can I go by myself? Without needing a driver from home."
Bo Qin flatly refused, "No, that’s a precondition."
Jian Dan’s face instantly lost its smile, Bo Qin laughed softly, tousling her hair, "Be good, don’t make me worry."
Jian Dan found herself unable to voice any objection, and Zhao Linlin thought to herself, Jian Dan was truly so compliant she couldn’t argue back. Who wouldn’t love such a well-behaved young girl?
Lin’s mom was quick, and in just over forty minutes, she made four dishes and a soup. She didn’t join them for the meal and continued to work on the dessert and cake ingredients instead. Jian Dan tried to persuade her several times to eat with them, but she insisted on not joining them at the table.
During dinner, Lin’s mom had prepared boiled shrimp for Jian Dan. She studied her bowl, wondered whether to eat her meal first or the shrimp. If she ate the shrimp first, her hands would get dirty, and she would need to wash them before eating her meal. But if she ate her meal first, the shrimp would get cold and not taste as nice.
Then she saw a hand with distinct knuckles pick up one of the shrimp in front of her, skilfully peel it, and place the plump shrimp meat into her bowl, "Eat."
"I’ll peel it for you, no need to be indecisive now, eat."
Bo Qin’s face was smiling with a hint of indulgence, and Zhao Linlin observed the interaction between the two. This display was like a boyfriend looking after his girlfriend, not at all like the attitude of an uncle towards his niece.