Chapter 89

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Lin Shaoyuan saw that they were dressed appropriately in homewear. Conversely, he who was dressed in formal clothes seemed too rigid and out of place, and was unable to blend with the warm atmosphere.

Old President Lin took the initiative to introduce himself. “Hello, Mr. Chu, I am Lin Shaoyuan. My dog son has been under your care.” 0g8c3n

Teacher Chu stood up. His hands were still dirty and he couldn’t shake hands, but Old President Lin saw his embarrassment and didn’t reach out. He only gave a friendly smile.

Teacher Chu said, “Hello, I am Chu Shan, Chu Xun’s father.”

Their first confrontation was still harmonious. Old President Lin gave him a nod in his heart. The man was worthy of being called Chu Xun’s father. His neither servile nor obsequious attitude was already quite superior to that of many other people.

When Lin Yanchen saw that his father had come, he didn’t dare rebel. He was afraid that his father-in-law might think that he wasn’t filial. He obediently greeted, “Dad.” xAbG4W

Old President Lin turned his eyes to his son. Seeing the pile of wrapped dumplings on the table in front of him, he said, “You wrapped them pretty well.”

Lin Yanchen said, “En, uncle taught me.”

Chu Xun had already started calling Lin Yanchen’s father “dad,” but Lin Yanchen was still calling Teacher Chu “uncle”? Teacher Chu’s heart suddenly felt stifled, and he forgot that he hadn’t yet given Lin Yanchen permission to address him as “dad.”

Chu Xun came forward and said, “We didn’t expect that you would arrive so early. The zongzi isn’t done yet, but the first pot of zongzi will be ready in about half an hour for you to taste. Do you like sweet or salty?” BqvQsJ

Chu Xun was clearly very polite, but Lin Shaoyuan was a little disappointed. He was too polite, not like a family. When he entered just now, he had heard a lot of chatter and laughter through the door. It had been very lively, and his heart grew warm… But as soon as he entered the door, the atmosphere cooled down and turned serious.

Ai.

“I like salty,” Lin Shaoyuan said.

No one could find a topic to talk about. BHp7TQ

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

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The same was true for Lin Shaoyuan.

Chu Xun had only met Lin Yanchen’s father once so far. If you were to ask if they were close, there was no such thing. zxBJ73

Don’t even mention Lin Yanchen, his son; his relationship with his father had been on thin ice in the last two years. Now, Lin Shaoyuan wanted to repair their father and son relationship, but didn’t know where to start.

Indeed, it was Old President Lin’s arrival that caused everyone to become awkward.

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He suddenly felt deeply hurt but concealed it with a calm expression. In order to resolve the embarrassing atmosphere, he took the initiative to ask, “Where is Jiu Jiu? I haven’t seen him for days. I missed him very much. Where is he?”

Discussing the child should be fine, right? Jiu Jiu was everyone’s little treasure, and a common topic. WeZbqV

From the side came a woman’s voice. “Jiu Jiu is asleep.”

Old President Lin: “…” It was even more awkward now.

Old President Lin looked over; it was a middle-aged woman with beautiful features and fair skin. With one look, he could tell that this was Chu Xun’s mother. Chu Xun resembled her. She said with a smile, “Hello, I am Chu Xun’s mother.”

Old President Lin said, “Hello, hello. Did Jiu Jiu fall asleep? Let him sleep well then, I won’t disturb him.” fgeab8

But once again he couldn’t think of what to say.

In fact, within the business world where social niceties were a must, he would usually be regarded as a more talkative person. It was very easy if he wanted to make a good impression on someone.

But today, he was afraid. He didn’t want to have a feigned civil conversation.

Chu Xun’s mother poured him a cup of tea. He sat with the tea in his hands and furtively looked at Lin Yanchen and Teacher Chu out of the corner of his eye. He was so envious. HK7SLe

Lin Yanchen saw that his father had been glancing at them for a while. He thought for a moment, and then asked, “Dad, you… do you want to wrap some zongzi, too? Do you know how?”

Lin Shaoyuan didn’t object, but put down his tea, walked over and said bashfully, “Well, I have nothing to do anyway. I’ve made zongzi before.”

Lin Yanchen was surprised. “You’ve also made zongzi before, Dad?”

Lin Shaoyuan said, “Your mother taught me.” fgw7GI

Teacher Chu said, “You’re a guest. How can we have you help us?”

Old President Lin had always been a positive person. “We will be one family after this, how can I be a guest?”

This was actually something from many, many years ago. Lin Shaoyuan picked up a bamboo leaf and tried to recall how to do it with difficulty. His head was very fuzzy and he couldn’t remember at all. However, the big words “I know how to wrap zongzi” had been said, so he should do it bravely. He calmly pretended to pack slowly, and took peeks at Teacher Chu’s quick and beautiful technique. He learned carefully. After meticulously wrapping just one zongzi, his forehead had even begun to sweat.

After Father Lin finished wrapping it, Lin Yanchen craned his neck to take a look and held back a laugh. Wac6NK

If Teacher Chu wasn’t present, he would have immediately made fun of his father’s badly wrapped zongzi.

Teacher Chu was well aware of the situation. Thinking about the kind of person Lin Yanchen’s father was, it could be guessed that he had a professional chef to cook for him. It would actually be surprising if he did manage to wrap the zongzi well. However, he was willing to lower himself, which surprised Teacher Chu.

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His thick-skinned face about to turn red, Old President Lin humbly told the truth. “I made zongzi 20 or 30 years ago, and I’ve pretty much forgotten it all. I didn’t wrap it very well.”

Lin Yanchen was curious. “20 or 30 years ago? When mom was still alive? Is that what you were referring to when you said mom taught you?” AjeOpi

Ashamed, Old President Lin nodded. He couldn’t cook, and the number of times he went into the kitchen in his life could be counted on one hand.

Lin Yanchen almost laughed out loud.

Old President Lin was made fun of by his son, but he didn’t get angry. On the contrary, he was very pleased. He had not chatted with Yan Yan like this for many years. It was rare for Yan Yan to laugh from his heart. How nice. This way, they were like a father and son.

Old President Lin said nostalgically, “The zongzi your mother made were so beautiful and delicious. Do you remember her egg yolk and fragrant meat zongzi? I like those ones the best. When you were a child, you were able to eat a lot during the Dragon Boat Festival. You could eat two in one bite. I was afraid you would get indigestion by eating too much, so I didn’t let you eat more. But you didn’t have enough, and also ate a lot of small sago dumplings, the ones that turn transparent after they’re steamed, and have some fruit inside. They were very cute, and you would randomly choose one and taste the different fillings. It was fun and delicious, and you ate an entire batch.” duxJKP

Hearing this, Teacher Chu couldn’t help but interject, “You can also use sago to make zongzi?” He only knew the old school recipes.

Old President Lin said, “Yes ah.”

Although he wasn’t good at cooking, he usually ate a lot of good food. He was something of a gourmet and had quite a lot of experience. He was able to discuss some techniques.

Naturally, the two began to talk. u p2Ok

Hearing this, Teacher Chu nodded. “Children shouldn’t eat glutinous rice. It’s not easy for them to digest. We can make something else of that sort for Jiu Jiu to eat. He’s such a glutton. If he doesn’t have any of what the rest of us are eating, I’m afraid he might become so upset he’ll start crying.”

Old President Lin said, “Yes, Jiu Jiu loves to eat. It’s the first time I’ve seen such an obedient baby who isn’t picky at all. He’s so small but he knows how to sit and eat by himself.”

Teacher Chu said proudly, “I taught him for a long time. Jiu Jiu has a congenital defect and reacts very slowly. I had to teach him bit by bit.”

Old President Lin complimented him. “As expected of a teacher, you are indeed skilled. I’m not able to teach my child well… My son was useless for all his 26 years and rather foolish. He must give you a lot of trouble? And he even swindled your son away.” n0laWg

Lin Yanchen suddenly raised his head and raised his eyebrows. I’m right next to you. Is it really good for you to speak ill of me so boldly?

The two old fathers finally found a common topic. They discussed how bad and unfilial their sons were. One would say something, and the other would add to it, as if they would never run out of things to say.

The two compared their ages. Old President Lin was 47 this year, and Teacher Chu was 56; it was a difference of a full nine years.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Old President Lin said, “You are nine years older than me. I should call you elder brother.”

Teacher Chu said, “Aiyo, I don’t dare call you little brother.” 1FVr2G

Old Lin laughed. “You can call me Old Lin.”

Teacher Chu said, “You can call me Old Chu or Teacher Chu, both are fine. My son also calls me Teacher Chu.”

One had to learn from everyone around them. Old President Lin’s eyes brightened. This Teacher Chu was good. No wonder their family was so harmonious. When Lin Yanchen called him “father,” it was like a boss and subordinate, with a clear hierarchy. But what should Lin Yanchen call him then?

Old President Lin said, “All right, then I’ll call you Teacher Chu.” 4lP76S

Teacher Chu thought that this man wasn’t so bad, and said, “Don’t you like salted egg yolk with fragrant meat? I didn’t buy individual salted egg yolks, but we still have two salted eggs. I’ll take out the yolks inside for you. We’ll wrap two salted egg yolks and marinated meat zongzi. Come, I’ll teach you how to wrap…”

Old President Lin sat beside him. “Yes, yes, thank you, Teacher Chu.”

Seeing that the two old fathers and Lin Yanchen were all working, Chu Xun was too embarrassed to sit around idling and said, “Dad, I’ll go see if the zongzi are cooked…”

Going into the kitchen, Chu Xun opened up a zongzi. It was cooked, so he said, “It’s pretty much done. I’ll prepare two plates of pickled cucumbers, radishes and cowpeas to eat with them, to cut through the richness.” 6uvmLw

Jiu Jiu had also woken up and was held by his grandma, who said with a smile, “Our Jiu Jiu heard that the food is ready, and immediately woke up.”

Teacher Chu: “Let’s wash our hands and have dinner.”