Chapter 78: “You look slimmer”
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Sweet and sour pork ribs, Braised pig trotters and b.u.t.ter fried prawns were the next three dishes served at the table. Its aroma took less than a second to fill up the living room.
Gazing over today’s wholesome spread on the dining table, Tang Meng was trying his best to stop himself from drooling and his stomach from grumbling.
Though Auntie Qin did not have much time and had to rush cooking the dinner, she still managed to work magic with her superb culinary skills, whipping up delicacies one after another. Your sense of sight and smell would be enchanted before your taste buds.
“Auntie Qin, you are a marvelous cook!” Tang Meng could not hold back his compliment. Even Ling Yun could not wait to pick up his chopsticks and start on the spread. The four-star rated meal at Qingshui City earlier in the noon paled when compared to Auntie Qin’s standard.
‘Brother, you should return home every day for dinner! I’ll send you to and fro school, covering the groceries expenditures as well!” Tang Meng casually hinted at Ling Yun, such that he could have dinner here every night.
“Hey! Don’t even try to take advantage of my generosity! I allowed you to join us for a meal today but that doesn’t mean my mum has to cook your share of dinner every night! Get it?” Ling Yun rolled his eyes at Tang Meng.
“Hehe…” Tang Meng laughed it off embarra.s.singly, knowing that his intention was exposed.
After five minutes, the highlight of the meal, also the most expensive dish tonight, was out. On Ning Lingyu’s delicate hands was a plate of Teochew steamed lobster.
Taking small steps while smiling widely, Ning Lingyu gracefully walked her way into the living room, and into Tang Meng’s heart. Ling Yun might be attracted by how sumptuous the lobster looked but in Tang Meng’s case, he was distracted by Ling Yu’s elegance and beauty. His eyes twinkled as never had he seen someone so gorgeous serving up a dish before.
Ning Lingyu was proud of her mum’s work as she confidently placed the lobster at the center of the other nine dishes, before commenting. “Tang Meng, you are such a lucky fellow! My mum specially prepared this dish for you!”
“What…Really? Auntie Qin… made this just for me?” Tang Meng started to stutter as he was touched, while shocked at the same time.
“Ling Yun! Ling Yu! Have you guys forgotten about your social etiquette already? Why did you guys not invite your cla.s.smate to have a seat first? Come here and have your meal, before the dishes turn cold.” Qin Qiuyue made remarks at her two children, before inviting them all to the table.
From her eyes, one could still see her deep love for her daughter and son, despite the telling off.
“Stop staring! Eat your food!” Ling Yun kicked Tang Meng’s calf to signal him.
As Tang Meng ceased his sight on Ling Yu and regained consciousness, he ran to the dining table and pulled out a chair, offering it to Auntie Qin. “Auntie, you’ve worked hard preparing such a wholesome meal for us. The least we could do is to let you sit and eat first.”
This was the second time Ling Yun rolled his eyes at his buddy, for attempting to curry favor with his mum. As there were only three chairs in the living room, Ling Yun made his way to his bedroom and brought out a stool.
These three sensible kids knew what was right to do; to only pick up the chopsticks after Qin Qiuyue herself did.
Initially, Ling Yun and Tang Meng had matters to talk about but was denied by Qin Qiuyue motherly-natured smile. “Eat first. Talk later after you guys are full.”She was especially caring towards Tang Meng, reminding him to not feel restricted and to eat as much as he would like to.
Even Ning Lingyu acted differently, as she persuaded Tang Meng to feel at home and eat till his stomach explodes. You might think that Ling Yu had a sudden change in character. But it was due to the years of social etiquettes teachings from her mum. After all, it was basic courtesy to make your visitor feel like he or she was at home.
As Tang Meng began feasting vigorously into the spread, he had a casual thought on his mind. Why be shy when eating at your mother-in-law’s place? Despite so, Tang Meng knew basic social etiquettes, as he picked food from other dishes and not just from his favorite lobster.
His thoughtfulness left a deep impression on Qin Qiuyue, who decided to reward the boy with another generous serving of lobster meat.
“Auntie…Auntie…It’s okay. You don’t have to serve me, I can do it myself.” Tang Meng uttered as he was surprised by Qin Qiuyue’s sudden gesture. To someone so arrogant and carefree, Tang Meng had never thought that one day he would be sitting inside a small and dilapidated house, feasting on these delicacies. His heart felt like a was.h.i.+ng machine, with emotions mixing inside it.
This family makes me feel so…
While all these were happening, Ling Yun was neglected at the side. He was only comforted by his sister’s gesture to pick food for him.
There was no chance to get drunk this meal and they finished the spread faster than usual. Ling Yun and Tang Meng were like vacuum cleaners, inhaling everything into their stomachs rapidly. By the time they became full, there were just the plates and utensils left on the desk. Qin Qiuyue told her kids to have a chat with Tang Meng while she washed the dishes.
“No way mum! You have been working the whole day! Leave this to me!” Ning Lingyu exclaimed.
“Auntie, Don’t tire yourself out! We will settle the dishes for you! Do not worry” Tang Meng added. Before Ling Yun could comment, Ning Lingyu and Tang Meng had already taken over the task of was.h.i.+ng the dishes. Within minutes, the kitchen and dining table were back to before, or even cleaner.
Meanwhile, Qin Qiuyue was standing at the side, looking over at the very enthusiastic Tang Meng. “This little boy is so thoughtful…” She thought to herself as she started to prepare water for them.
“Auntie Qin, thanks for this sumptuous and yummy meal! Thanks and sorry for troubling you” Tang Meng spoke politely and sincerely.
‘Hey, what are you saying? I have not even thanked you for sending Ling Yun and Ling Ling Yu back home safely yet!” Auntie Qin smiled as she nodded her head.
“But Auntie Qin, aren’t you angry at me for beating up the deputy director of Lingjiang road residential agency?” Tang Meng raised an abrupt question at Qin Qiuyue.
“Why would she prepare such an enormous spread for you if she was angry at you?” Ning Lingyun replied before her mother could.
“Of course not! Why will Auntie Qin blame you? That guy deserved to be bashed, but however loyal you are to your friends, teenagers should not be so impulsive, you understand?” Qin Qiuyue attempted to explain to Tang Meng.
“I got it, Auntie Qin. Do not worry it will not happen again. Ling Yun and I had already recorded the video of that jerk’s confession, I doubt he will dare to come and find trouble with you guys anymore.”This was followed by a silent yet appreciative smile from Ling Yun’s mum.
They did not spend too much time discussing what mess the deputy director of the residential agency, Tian Botao, has made, before stopping at Qin Qiuyue’s story of demolition. Ling Yun was interested in this remarkable and breathtaking demolition despite having no memory or clues about it.
There was something else that fascinated him. He could not get why his mother had not been taking note or observing his sudden changes in life. Especially after buying so many pieces of fitness equipment and undergoing numerous sessions of physical training. Moreover, he had resorted to violence by beating up Tian Botao into a pulp, right in front of his mother’s eyes.
Ever since he came back from school, his mother had only been calm and composed, aside from showing care and concern for the kids. How is that possible?
Just as Ling Yun was bewildered and confused, his face startled upon the voice of his mother. “Ling Yun, you have become leaner.” Qin Qiuyue commented.
Ling Yun turned around, where his eyes locked with that of his mum. His heart felt warm and fuzzy inside. It was as if his mother was hugging him tightly in her arms as she said so.
Ever since Ling Yun reached Level 1, he had already slimmed down by three kilograms. That might not be a drastic difference, but that small change was significant to Ling Yun. He did not expect Qin Qiuyue to be so observant. After all, a mother knows her son best.
“Erm……Mum! Did Ling Yu not tell you about my plan to slim down? I’ve decided to do something about my body” Ling Yun a.s.serted, as he decided to play along with the public’s perception.
“Oh! Slimming down is a good thing! You should! But promise me never to starve yourself because of that, understand?” Qin Qiuyue did not forget to warn her son.
‘Don’t worry, mum! As you can see, I eat whatever I feel like! I lose my fats through the physical training I’ve planned. About that, can I go out for a run later on?” Ling Yun casually used the topic as an excuse for him to sneak out of the house for his level-up.
“Are you serious, brother? It’s already past ten at night and you still want to run outside?” Ning Lingyu found her brother’s decision absurd and ridiculous.
On the other hand, Qin Qiuyue was spontaneous and supportive of Ling Yun’s determination to slim down. “Slimming down is a long process. You have to keep going without stopping. Or else everything that you have done will be gone to waste! Mummy supports you, but just be very careful!” Qin Qiuyue agreed to Ling Yun’s plan gleefully.
That was enough to make Ling Yun happy for the rest of the day.