The second and third days of the Chinese New Year are for visiting the maternal side of the family.
This is a very important custom among the Han ethnicity.
It's also a good day for eting the parents.
Of course, since Xu Musen hasn't married and brought ho a wife yet, he could only visit his prospective father-in-law's house.
Mother Xu got up at around four or five in the morning.
Knowing that An Nuannuan liked little rabbits, she ticulously made several stead buns in the shape of rabbits, each with a unique pose.
She also made so pastries for Xu Musen to take with him.
"The family doesn't lack anything... but you should bring all the gifts you're supposed to give," she said.
Father Xu also gave his instructions early in the morning, scratching his head, thinking the best they could take was a couple of bottles of aged Wuliangye.
But they knew that this girl An Nuannuan's family wasn't short of money, and they were unsure if their gifts would be deed insufficient.
But they needed to give what had to be given.
Mother Xu packed the prepared sweets and other items in a fine dining box.
Handmade things show more sincerity.
Xu Musen, looking at his parents who were even more nervous than him, said with a smile, "You don't need to worry, it's not like I've never been there, I know what to do."
"This is different, this is a formal New Year's visit, don't be casual about it," Mother Xu earnestly instructed.
"Alright, alright, I got it," Xu Musen nodded and agreed, then carefully took sothing from the fridge and placed it into a small thermal cooler.
"What are you taking?"
"A gift, also handmade by , Nuannuan will definitely like it more," Xu Musen said cheerfully.
"Looking at you..."
Mother Xu said with a hint of exasperation, really, trying to outdo his own mother.
"Right, should I also make you a couple of dishes for you to eat on the road at lunchti?"
"Never mind, by the ti we set off it will be dark when we arrive, I'll just eat so instant noodles at a service area along the way," Xu Musen shook his head, not wanting to inconvenience his mother who had been busy since early morning.
He went downstairs and arranged everything properly in the car's trunk.
Xu Musen decided to drive there, to arrive faster, which ant he could probably reach by evening.
Also, he didn't tell Nuannuan about his visit today, but he had spoken to the grandparents in advance, hoping to give An Nuannuan a surprise.
With everything ready, Xu Musen looked at the villa beside him; Xiao Sickly Cutie hadn't co over this morning to nag as usual.
Xu Musen suddenly felt a bit unaccustod to it.
Based on her character, she would have been standing by his bed whining early in the morning.
Just as Xu Musen closed the trunk and was about to get into the car, a voice reached him from behind.
The crunching sound of steps in the snow; he turned to look, and Yao Mingyue appeared behind him.
She was also carrying sothing.
Yao Mingyue saw the down jacket he was wearing, identical to one they had bought together.
There was only a slight color difference, but this set matched An Nuannuan's.
She huffed.
And threw what she was holding at him.
"A lunchbox?"
Xu Musen caught it and weighed it, feeling so residual warmth.
"For ?"
"For a dog," Yao Mingyue huffed and turned her head away.
Used to being insulted by her, Xu Musen looked at the exquisite lunchbox, but one glance told him it wasn't from a restaurant; it was her usual one.
Xu Musen opened one layer and a wave of aty fragrance wafted out, sweet and sour pork ribs...
This was definitely not made by a chef, because Xu Musen noticed two pieces were burnt; he looked up at Yao Mingyue.
"Did you make these?"
The future female CEO who never ventured into the kitchen was cooking him a al?
"I was clearing out the fridge and just made it along the way, if not eaten it would have just fed a dog," Yao Mingyue said, seeing Xu Musen's gaze and slightly turning her head away, looking sickly and coquettish in a way that unexpectedly made him find her silly but cute.
A dog, eh? Xu Musen didn't mind at all, he had been one in the household for many years anyway.
Besides, the lunchbox contained a couple of dishes that required so preparation ti, and considering how late she stayed up watching the New Year's Gala, Yao Mingyue seed to be in a state of lack of sleep.
And with her being a kitchen novice, it's hard to tell how many attempts she'd had before finally succeeding.
This batch of pork ribs that didn't look perfect was probably what she herself felt was the best she had made so far.
"Thank you," Xu Musen collected the lunchbox, and seeing Yao Mingyue still sowhat caring, he smiled and said, "Now I don't have to worry about being hungry."
"Tsk, so people are so good at sneaking treats, how could they ever be hungry, and don't you dare say my cooking is not tasty!"
Yao Mingyue's lips couldn't help curling into a smile, but she continued to be unkind with her words.
Xu Musen shook his head and smiled, rembering in his past life how he always used to bring her breakfast at the university and after they got married, it was always him cooking for her.
Otherwise, the maid cooked and delivered it to them.
This was the first ti Xu Musen had received a al she made by hand.
Once, Xu Musen had longed for a normal life where Yao Mingyue would occasionally put on an apron to cook and tell him "Honey, you're ho, get ready for dinner..."
Xu Musen felt a bit dazed, his tone growing softer as he looked at Yao Mingyue: "Go back inside, it's cold out here."
Yao Mingyue pursed her lips slightly, and looked at Xu Musen, seeming like she wanted to say sothing but held back, only letting out a huff at last.
"Be careful that soone doesn't get kicked out when going to visit others during the New Year."
Xu Musen jokingly replied, "It shouldn't co to that."
Reviews
All reviews (0)