10:30 in the morning.
Fulin District in West City Old Street.
Granny Li's house was also bustling.
Daughter Li Tong and her family of four came to visit the elderly couple.
"Hello, Grandma..."
The two kids, Lele and Xiaoxiao, blushed shyly and greeted Granny Li in unison as soon as she opened the door.
Seeing her granddaughter and grandson, Granny Li was so delighted that her eyes nearly narrowed into slits. Lovingly, she said, "Oh, Lele, Xiaoxiao, you're here..."
"Mom..."
Meng Zhiqiang, visiting formally for the first time, smiled a bit awkwardly as he handed over the gift box he held: "Mom, these are some health supplements for you and Dad."
"Zhiqiang, just your presence is enough, no need for gifts," Granny Li said with a smile, understanding her son-in-law's intention as she took them.
"I wasn't sure what you both liked, so I got a bit of everything, hoping you'll like it, Mom and Dad."
Seeing his mother-in-law accept the gift, Meng Zhiqiang felt a bit more relaxed.
"We like anything you give us," Granny Li said with a beaming smile. "Come in, come inside and have a seat..."
The family sat on the living room sofa.
"Come, Xiaoxiao, Lele, have a banana to hold you over..."
Granny Li handed each of the kids a banana with a smile.
"Thank you, Grandma..."
Xiaoxiao shyly smiled, thanked her grandma, then peeled the banana and handed it to Li Tong beside her: "Mom, you eat..."
"Hmm, sweet child, I'm not hungry, you eat it..." Li Tong smiled sweetly, gently touching her daughter's little head.
"Come on, Mom, just one bite~"
Xiaoxiao pushed the banana towards her mom's mouth, her dark eyes filled with anticipation, acting coyly.
"You little one, alright, Mom will have a bite." Li Tong smiled, pulling her into a hug, and took a small bite.
Xiaoxiao was as happy as a 200-pound chubby kid that her mom ate some, enjoying the rest of the banana herself.
Granny Li watched the "mother and daughter" pair, unrelated by blood, yet so intimately warm, felt deeply content.
Living to this age, there was nothing more she could ask for.
Just hoping her daughter lives happily!
"Mom, where's Dad? Where did he go?"
Li Tong hadn't seen her father all morning and wondered if he had sneaked out again, so she asked.
Granny Li laughed: "Your dad heard you liked the So Delicious fried buns and knew you were all coming today. He heard Delicious Restaurant introduced new dishes, crab fried cake and duck neck, yesterday, so he went to pack some for you."
Li Tong was taken aback.
Her father had always seemed like a domineering figure, more a doer than a talker. Sometimes, she felt like he didn't love her.
It turned out she misjudged all along!
Now in quiet reflection, she realized every action was full of her father's care and love for her.
...
At Delicious Restaurant, it was packed, with a line forming outside.
In the kitchen, Huang Tao was busy preparing the crab fried cake while Xu Hao assisted him.
Ding Suqin was busy serving food and packaging it.
Huang Yide and Song Cailian were looking after Xuanxuan.
The elderly folks waiting for their meals chatted to pass the time.
"Oh, Old Li, you seem in an especially good mood today! Your smile's about to reach your ears. What's bringing you such joy? Tell us so everyone can share the laughter!" Jiang, standing next to Old Li, noticed his constant smile and asked curiously.
Ah...
Smiling to the point of reaching the ears?
Is it that obvious?
Old Li instinctively touched his face.
It did seem a bit obvious!
"Old Li, are you this happy because your wife didn't come, so you can quietly sneak a bite, making you so delighted?" Lao Liu teased.
Sneaking food is impossible, utterly impossible in this lifetime.
Old Li glared at Lao Liu: "Go, go, stop talking nonsense! I'm happy because my daughter's family came to visit! I'm here to pack some food for them so they can have a taste too. You wouldn't know, but my grandson loves the fried buns made by Boss Huang."
The elderly folks understood!
And they were happy for Old Li too!
"Really? That's great! Old Li, it seems you now see the silver lining! The most important thing for a family is being together..." Lao Liu said cheerfully.
"When your daughter's family visits, it's right to buy some tasty treats to take back," Jiang agreed with a nod.
Old Qin waved his fan, chuckling: "Old Li, once you've bought everything, head back and reunite with your family..."
"Got it, got it..."
Old Li nodded.
Thinking his daughter's family should have arrived home by now!
Imagining his grandson calling him "Grandpa"!
This naturally made the corners of his mouth curl upwards...
Moments later.
Ding Suqin called out: "Old Li, your order is all packed, come get it..."
"Alright! Coming..."
Old Li hummed a tune as he grabbed the food bags, feeling as joyous as if he just remarried, indescribably delighted.
Quickly.
He returned to Fulin District.
Went upstairs.
As soon as he entered, his son-in-law Meng Zhiqiang greeted him with a smile: "Dad, you're back..."
"Hey! Zhiqiang, you're here. I bought some crab fried cake for you all, come over and eat..." Old Li nodded,
"Thanks, Dad!"
Meng Zhiqiang took the food bags from Old Li, then called to his kids watching TV: "Lele, Xiaoxiao, come over and greet Grandpa. See how good Grandpa is to bring you crab fried cake."
"Grandpa! Thank you for bringing us crab fried cake."
The two kids hurriedly turned off the TV and rushed over to Old Li, getting close with him.
"Ah, Lele and Xiaoxiao are so good, Grandpa's happy. What's the saying? Oh, sharing good food is an expression of love. Grandpa tells you, the crab fried cake here is delicious." Old Li fondly pinched their cheeks, grinning ear to ear.
"Is it as tasty as the fried buns?"
Lele was still thinking about the delicious fried buns!
Old Li confidently nodded: "Of course it is! But Grandpa also got you fried buns, so eat whatever you like."
"Yay~"
Lele was thrilled to hear this.
He didn't forget to describe the tasty fried buns to his sister Xiaoxiao.
Though his words were limited, his expressions were spot on.
Successfully making his sister crave them.
Well.
To be accurate, she was tempted by the enticing aroma coming from the food bags.
Old Li laughed while watching the two kids play together like real siblings.
It was nice!
Li Tong poked her head out from the kitchen where she was helping: "Dad, the dishes in the kitchen are ready too. Take the kids to wash up, and we can have dinner."
"Okay!"
Old Li held his grandson's hand with his left and his granddaughter's with his right, taking them to wash up.
He brought them to the table.
"Dad, Mom, here's some of my stir-fried pork. Have a try..." Li Tong said while serving her parents.
Meng Zhiqiang held up two bottles and playfully asked: "Dad, would you prefer red or white wine? Let me pour for you."
"Red, please!"
In no time, the father-in-law and son-in-law were toasting with smiles and laughter.
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