The Game of Life TGOL

Chapter 492: 490

On the second day bright and early, Jiang Feng declined Jiang Yong’s kind offer to take him to the airport and instead hailed a DiDi with his luggage to go alone.

Because it was the Spring Festival travel rush, train stations and airports were always packed with people, everyone lugging suitcases and bulky backpacks.

As Jiang Feng queued to check in, many people in the line were on their phones while waiting, mostly speaking with family members, and their conversations were often about how they were going to board soon and they’d talk again after landing.

Inspired by what he witnessed, Jiang Feng took out his phone and sent Wu Minqi a WeChat message saying he had already arrived at the airport and was about to board.

Right after sending the message, it was Jiang Feng’s turn to have his ticket checked. Within the few seconds it took for the machine to validate, he received a reply from Wu Minqi.

Qiqi: Okay, I’ll be at the airport on time to pick you up. ^_^

Upon seeing Wu Minqi’s reply, Jiang Feng couldn’t help but smile, then he turned off his phone and boarded the plane.

Last night, although he had fallen asleep after eating an apple, his sleep was restless. Half-asleep and half-awake, he felt as though someone was flitting around him, seemingly touching something. He even dreamed that someone was eating an apple beside him, continuously munching on hundreds and thousands of them before starting to burp while sitting next to him.

It was quite a bizarre dream, indeed.

After boarding, Jiang Feng closed his eyes to rest, planning to sleep and recharge so that he could greet Mr. Wu, Mrs. Wu, and the whole Wu Family with the best of spirits upon landing.

So, although this trip to Shu was nominally for attending the engagement banquet of Wu Minqi’s third cousin, in reality, it was a visit to meet the parents.

In a few hours, he would face a tough battle.

.

Meanwhile, Wu Minqi was having breakfast with Mrs. Wu and Wu Hanxue when she received the WeChat message.

The breakfast, prepared by Mrs. Wu, was a blend of Chinese and Western style, featuring toast and fried eggs along with Xiaomi porridge. The choice of toast over traditional Chinese breakfast such as steamed buns and fried dough sticks was simply because it was cold and Mrs. Wu didn’t want to go downstairs to buy breakfast.

“Who is messaging you so early in the morning?” Wu Hanxue asked somewhat sternly, squinting as he ate breakfast without his glasses on.

“It’s from Jiang Feng; he said he’s just boarded,” Wu Minqi said.

“Jiang Feng has boarded already,” Mrs. Wu glanced at the clock on the wall, “He should arrive before lunch. In a bit, I’ll speak to Master Chen and tell him that you’ll take Jiang to his place for lunch today.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Wu Minqi said with a smile.

Wu Hanxue’s expression grew even more serious as he gulped down the last of his Xiaomi porridge. “The new year is nearly upon us and it’s troubling Master Chen, Qiqi could just take Jiang to a restaurant in the city for a meal, there’s no need to specifically bother Master Chen. His cooking is heavy on the seasonings, and Jiang, being from the south, might not be used to it.”

“What’s not to get used to? It’s just that Master Chen is a bit heavy-handed with the seasonings, Qiqi likes it, and as long as it’s tasty, what’s there to dislike? Following your logic, we might as well not eat anything but Sichuan cuisine since nothing else matches our local flavors,” retorted Mrs. Wu angrily. Seeing Wu Hanxue only finish the porridge and egg while the toast remained untouched, she assumed his discontent was due to not having buns for breakfast and took it out on the toast.

“Wu Hanxue, if you’re dissatisfied with this morning’s breakfast, just say it straight and stop beating around the bush with all this nonsense,” she snapped.

Wu Hanxue immediately became dejected, wondering how the discussion about Jiang Feng’s lunch had turned into an issue about today’s breakfast.

“What does this have to do with today’s breakfast? I already said I would make it if you didn’t want to. But you insisted on doing it, and now you’re not happy about it.”

“Oh, Wu Hanxue, now I see you’re dissatisfied with this morning’s breakfast, you haven’t touched that piece of toast from the beginning. What, is it not delicious just because it’s bought from a bakery? I deliberately chose that bakery, and I even spread butter on it and toasted it again in the toaster. What more do you want?” Mrs. Wu confronted Wu Hanxue with furrowed brows, “What’s this about you making it? Do you think you’re an indestructible chef? Coming home so late at night and then getting up early to make breakfast, do you think you are invincible? Even if you don’t care about your life, I still care about it for you.”

Wu Minqi: …

How did this argument start?

“Mom, Dad definitely didn’t mean that, he’s just concerned about how Xiaomi and Jiang Feng will eat lunch today and even considered Jiang Feng’s preferences. Jiang Feng can eat spicy food now, and the last time he was here, I already took him to Master Chen’s place, Master Chen knows him.” Wu Minqi jumped in to mediate.

“Last time he was here?” Wu Hanxue’s eyebrows furrowed, realizing that things were not that straightforward.

“What about last time, didn’t Jiang come over last year looking for Master Jiang? Qiqi even asked you if you knew where Master Jiang lived, have you forgotten? Really, you don’t show any concern for your daughter’s matters. Look at the time, if you don’t get to the shop soon, you’ll be late.” Mrs. Wu hurried Wu Hanxue as if she were rushing a child to school.

“No, I remember, I just meant how did Qiqi just…” Wu Hanxue turned to look at the wall clock and, seeing it was indeed late, hurriedly got up, “I have to go.”

“Toast.” Mrs. Wu tapped the edge of the plate with her chopsticks.

Wu Hanxue grabbed the toast from the plate and was about to leave. After putting on his shoes and just about to step out the door, he suddenly turned back.

“Right, did you change the bed sheets?”

“Yes, I changed them to blue as you requested, the fruit has been washed, and I’ve sprayed the air freshener. I’ll turn the air conditioning on ahead of time as well.” Mrs. Wu said helplessly.

“And…”

“I’ve prepared the snacks. I went to buy those small treats you mentioned last night this morning, and I’ve mopped the floor under the sofa as well, cleaning all the dust. I had Master Chen come last week to fix the water tap, so there won’t be any issues. Go to work with peace of mind, and remember that showing a nice face when you get back is better than anything else.” Mrs. Wu got up from the table, took a clean apple, and put it in Wu Hanxue’s hand, “If you don’t want the toast, just throw it away on the way.”

“Then I’m off. Oh, and the towels in the bathroom…”

“I’ve already tidied them up.” Mrs. Wu pushed Wu Hanxue out the door, “Be careful on your way, and remember to come back on time.”

After closing the door, Mrs. Wu shook her head and said to Wu Minqi, “Your dad is just a tough talker with a soft heart, he looks disdainful but actually cares more than anyone else. Do you know what he said to me last night? He said the gray bed sheets I had prepared for Jiang were too dull and not lively enough; they should be blue.”

“And the water tap—our faucet was problematic; it had too strong of a flow and could splash everywhere. He never made a peep before but started nagging me to get it fixed last month. Plus, all these fruits were not bought by me; your dad brought them back the day before yesterday after work, along with a fruit bowl. He still claimed some nonsense about the shop buying the wrong bowls. Him, I tell you,” Mrs. Wu shook her head, “Such a stubborn old duck, he’ll never change in this life.”

“Just watch, in an hour or two he’ll definitely call to tell me he’s already spoken to Master Chen and arranged for you and Jiang to have lunch at Master Chen’s today.” Mrs. Wu began to clean up the bowls and dishes; Wu Minqi wanted to help but was stopped.

“It’s only a few bowls; you go online and double-check the flight schedule to make sure you don’t arrive late; it’s Jiang’s first visit to our home, and we need to make a good impression.” Mrs. Wu put the dishes in the sink, “Oh right, Minqi, have you asked Jiang when he’s going back?”

“He’s leaving the afternoon of the 19th; it’s almost New Year’s, he can’t stay here too long.” Wu Minqi said.

“Going back the afternoon of the day after tomorrow? That’s a rather short visit. Well, you take him to Master Chen’s place for lunch today, and tonight we can all go out to eat at the shop. Your grandfather said he wants to cook a few special dishes for Jiang himself.” Mrs. Wu said.

“Okay, I’ll tell him then,” Wu Minqi nodded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Go change your clothes; didn’t I buy you a red down jacket? That one looks nice and suits your complexion. Wear a scarf with it, and don’t wear earmuffs or a face mask. Stand at the airport, and Jiang will be impressed as soon as he sees you, trust your mom’s taste, it’s never wrong.” Mrs. Wu imagined while washing dishes, “After dinner, take Jiang for a stroll into the city. That panda base should still be open now, right? Jiang is from out of town and probably hasn’t seen pandas much, take him to see the pandas.”

Wu Minqi nodded repeatedly, assuring she had taken note.

“Mom, which scarf should I wear then?” Wu Minqi asked.

“The one on the sofa, I’ve already picked it out for you; tie it loosely, don’t wind it tightly around your neck. Tie it like the heroines in TV shows, that way it looks nice. If it feels cold when you’re out, you can tighten it and then retie it once you get to the airport.” Mrs. Wu, the Wu family’s chief stylist, advised as she washed the dishes, “I’ve also picked out your shoes, now quickly go change your clothes and then come back so mom can check if they look good on you.”