203 Mom’s Cooking
Lu Shan’s heart ached when she heard Lu De’s words. She knew that Lu De was talking to her.
Shen Xi was relieved that the two old men were willing to take a step back. Watching from the side, Lu Lin and Zheng Huai thought it would be difficult to get over today’s matter without bloodshed. They did not expect Shen Xi to resolve the issue so easily.
However, even though the matter had been resolved, the atmosphere in the room remained awkward. Did they have to make small talk now that they were not quarreling? Neither Lu De nor Shen Hui was inclined to speak with each other.
Shen Xi took the initiative to break the silence. “Since everyone’s already here, let’s have dinner together.”
Shen Yan seemed to have suddenly realized something. He quickly got up and said, “Yes, Dad and…” Shen Yan looked at Lu De and continued, “And Uncle Lu, let’s have dinner here.”
“Yes, yes. Let’s have dinner. I’ll make it!” Lu Shan sprung to her feet excitedly.
Shen Xi wanted to stop her mother, who wanted to show off her cooking skills, but in the end, she could not bring herself to do so. Her maternal and paternal grandfathers probably wouldn’t despise her mother’s cooking, would they? Besides, her father was around.
The two secretaries tactfully led the others out of the house, seeing that an amicable solution had been reached. It was not appropriate for them to intrude on a private family affair or to partake in the Young Master and Miss’s hospitality.
Lu Lin and Zheng Huai, being family, stayed behind. They wanted to try the famous cooking of the Shen family’s scion and that of the Lu family’s prized daughter. It was not until they savored the cooking that was too salty and spicy that they found an excuse to run away.
Shen Xi could only look at Shen Hui and Lu De apologetically. As soon as the dishes were served, the two old men immediately went for the dishes her mother prepared, their chopsticks primed. She did not even have the chance to warn them of what to expect.
Although her mother’s cooking had improved recently, she could not compare to Shen Yan, who cooked more often than she did.
Moreover, her father usually had enough time to prepare the food his wife would cook, alleviating some of the problems that would crop up. This time, he did not have the chance to do so because Lu Shan wanted Lu De to taste her authentic cooking; hence, the current situation.
Lu De bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, doing his best to overcome the taste of salt assaulting his palate. On the other hand, Shen Hui had turned beet red from the spiciness of the dish he had picked. It was quite admirable that he still managed to smile despite his agony. As elders with an image to keep up, how could they flee like Lu Lin and Zheng Huai? It would be a complete loss of face.
After what seemed like an age, Lu De stammered, “That’s all for today. Xixi, I’ll head back first.”
Shen Hui tugged a corner of his mouth. His lips were red, and his voice sounded muffled when he said, “Xixi, Grandpa shall leave you be. Remember to visit Grandpa at his house!”
The two old men departed without waiting to receive the niceties that their station would demand of their descendants. It was not until they were safely ensconced in their respective cars that they anxiously shouted, “Water! I need water!”
Shen Xi and her parents watched the two cars drive away under the auspices of the setting sun and laughed.
“Dad, I think the food’s getting cold. Why don’t we reheat them?” Shen Xi suggested as her mind drifted to the half-eaten food still on the table.
“You’re right. I’ll reheat them,” Shen Yan said. “The delicious food your mother worked so hard to cook shouldn’t go to waste.”
Lu Shan was touched that Shen Yan appreciated her cooking. She even felt a little proud of her success.
As Shen Xi watched her parents enter the house, envy filled her heart, and she wondered when she would be lucky enough to find the right person.
A message shook her out of her stupor. Shen Xi looked at it and saw it was a new order from a client.
Although she did not have to work so hard to save money for her parents anymore, who would mind having some spare cash on hand? Besides, this new client offered a rather generous sum for her paintings.
Guan Lei, who had just sent a message to the artist, was lying on his king-size bed. Shen Xi’s beautiful features came to mind. Her bright eyes, pearly white teeth, cherry-red lips, and willowy figure consumed his thoughts. He found her very attractive.
A sudden swelling pain in his lower body jolted Guan Lei out of his reverie. As a certain part of his body stood at attention, his eyes clouded with lust. Guan Lei never thought that he would fantasize about Shen Xi!
Guan Lei was upset that he had such thoughts of Shen Xi, but he could not help himself. With Shen Xi’s figure stuck in his head, he moaned in ecstasy, giving into his banal desires.