Chapter 56: Holiday Gathering

The door quickly opened, and Mother-in-law was holding her handbag, ready to go out. "Mother-in-law, where are you going?" Li Shenxing asked.

"Oh~ It's Shenxing! Come in first, I'll go buy some groceries and cook something nice for you." Seeing her son-in-law, Mother-in-law was very happy and patted his hand.

Li Shenxing held Mother-in-law's hand and said, "Mother-in-law, there's no need to buy groceries. Look... I've already bought them. I'll cook lunch today, let Mother-in-law rest. Hyo-ri has been busy lately and can only come over in the evening." After showing the groceries to Mother-in-law, he led her into the house.

"That won't do, I can handle it. You and the old man can watch TV. Don't worry about that girl Hyo-ri." Hearing Li Shenxing's words, Mother-in-law was very pleased. Her son-in-law really knew how to take care of people! She had even put her daughter aside.

As they entered the house, Li Shenxing said, "Father-in-law, Second Sister, I'm here, Chan-jin, don't you want to greet your uncle?"

The nephew hid beside his mother, Second Sister, looking rather shy.

Mother-in-law said, "Chan-jin, if you don't greet your uncle, he won't give you any gifts!"

Whether it was due to Mother-in-law's influence or the power of the gifts, Chan-jin softly said, "Uncle, hello!"

But Li Shenxing really did bring some toys for the little nephew. He took the gifts out of the bag and extended them to Chan-jin, "Look, what's this?"

Chan-jin immediately took them happily, "Wow~ It's Pororo, thank you, Uncle." This time, his voice was louder, and then he ran off to play with his gift.

"Buying gifts for the child again, we already have so many at home. What a waste of money!" Although Mother-in-law said this, she was happy that her son-in-law got along so well with the children. He really liked children, and when they had their own, he would surely be a good father. Sigh, what she was most worried about now was that girl Hyo-ri, who was busy with her singing career and didn't want to have children too early.

"It's fine, it doesn't cost much. Besides, Chan-jin is so well-behaved." Li Shenxing pulled Mother-in-law to the sofa, "Mother-in-law, just wait for the meal. You don't need to worry about lunch. Watch TV with Father-in-law. By the way, these are the gifts I prepared for you two, please accept them." Li Shenxing brought Maotai wine and a jade pipe from China for Father-in-law, along with some tea. For Mother-in-law, he brought homemade health wine and saffron. After introducing the gifts, he carried the items into the kitchen.

"Mother-in-law, just listen to Shenxing. Today is your holiday, so rest. I'll go help my brother-in-law, don't worry." Second Sister also went to the kitchen after saying this.

Father-in-law patted Mother-in-law's hand and said, "You, just listen to the children. You've worried enough for a lifetime, hasn't it been enough?" Perhaps Father-in-law's words were more effective, and Mother-in-law didn't say anything more, starting to look at the gifts Li Shenxing had given her.

Seeing Li Shenxing take the vegetables out of the bag, Second Sister asked, "Shenxing, what dishes do you plan to make? I'll help you prepare them."

"Today, I'll make Chinese dishes. Second Sister, just wash the vegetables for me."

"Chinese dishes? I can't cook them, so I'll just wash the vegetables."

"Second Sister, how many people will be eating lunch at home?"

"No one else, just us few. They'll come in the evening, and we'll eat out then."

"Shenxing, what's this? Is it rice wine?" Second Sister took out two large lunch boxes and two large drink bottles and asked.

"This is the rice wine I made, for Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. Drinking in moderation is good for the blood and health. By the way, have you tried the rice wine, Second Sister?"

"I have, and I feel much better. I sleep well at night and don't wake up as often. Now I sleep through the night."

Li Shenxing and Second Sister were busy in the kitchen for about an hour, and a table with four dishes and one soup was ready. After everyone was seated, each person had a bowl of light rice wine and a bowl of soup. The little nephew was given fruit juice.

Li Shenxing introduced the dishes one by one, "Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, this is tofu and mushroom soup, good for the summer. This is sweet and sour ribs, a bit different from sweet and sour pork. The other dishes are spicy stir-fried clams, pan-fried eggplant cakes, and stir-fried green peppers with potatoes. Try them and see if they suit your taste."

Father-in-law was the first to try, putting a piece of sweet and sour ribs in his mouth. The cooking was just right, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the sweet and sour flavor suited the Korean palate. "Mm~! Very delicious, the meat is soft and not hard, better than in Chinese restaurants in Korea." Many Chinese restaurants in Korea no longer have the original flavors.

The others started eating after Father-in-law took the first bite. Li Shenxing first gave a piece of sweet and sour ribs to the nephew, who had been staring at the dish.

After everyone tried a few dishes, Li Shenxing asked them to pick their favorite. Father-in-law chose the spicy stir-fried clams, as it was a good accompaniment to the wine. Mother-in-law liked the tofu and mushroom soup, which suited her taste. Second Sister picked the stir-fried green peppers with potatoes, which were refreshing and light, perfect for the summer. As for the little nephew Chan-jin, it was clear he was focused on the sweet and sour ribs.

After a pleasant and relaxed lunch, everyone sat in the living room to watch TV and chat. After about half an hour, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law took the little nephew to take a nap, while Li Shenxing and Second Sister stayed in the living room to watch TV and chat.

Second Sister suddenly asked, "Shenxing, when do you and Hyo-ri plan to have a child? You can see that Father-in-law and Mother-in-law are worried about Hyo-ri, but they don't know how to talk to you, so they asked me to ask you."

Li Shenxing's face showed a hint of helplessness, "Second Sister, you know Hyo-ri. She doesn't want a child right now, and I don't want to pressure her. It might be a couple of years before we have a child..."

Second Sister, who knew Hyo-ri's personality well, sometimes found her stubborn, "Sigh... I'll find a time to talk to her... She's the key." The conversation ended there without a clear conclusion.

By around five in the afternoon, everyone was gathered at home, but they didn't rush to the restaurant. Instead, they chatted together in the living room.

Around six, after discussing with Father-in-law, Li Shenxing called everyone to go to the restaurant.

Hyo-ri arrived a bit late, around seven, wearing simple and comfortable clothes, a hat, and followed by Xiao-xie. She walked into the restaurant and saw Father-in-law and Li Shenxing playing with the little nephew Chan-jin in the hall. It was past the dinner hour, so there weren't many people around.

"Father-in-law... Oppa... Chan-jin Ahni oh." Hyo-ri called out.

Seeing Hyo-ri, Father-in-law got up and walked into the private room.

"Why so late? Are you hungry?" Li Shenxing stood up and asked Hyo-ri, then without waiting for her answer, he called to the owner, "Ammi, you can serve the dishes now." Then he walked into the private room with her.

Hyo-ri sat next to Second Sister and hugged Chan-jin, "Chan-jin, kiss Auntie... kiss Auntie..." After Chan-jin kissed her on the cheek, she smiled and held him on her lap, asking, "Chan-jin, did you miss Auntie? Did you?"

Chan-jin, shyly, softly said, "I did."

At that moment, two waitresses brought in the main dishes. The table already had small dishes and cold dishes, and now they served hot soup and hot dishes.

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