noveldepot Chapter 143 The Father-in-Law's Show of Power to His Sister-in-Law
Chapter 143 The Father-in-Law's Show of Power to His Sister-in-Law
Chapter 143 The Father-in-Law's Show of Power to His Sister-in-Law
The moment the door opened, Jiang Yu was greeted by a mixed fragrance.
Warm yellow light poured out from inside the door, casting a warm patch of light on the dimly lit hallway floor.
The first thing that catches the eye is a gentle smiling face. An Shaokang, who is around fifty years old, is wearing a light gray shirt and a dark blue cardigan. His eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses have a kind of scrutinizing look and the gentleness that comes with being an elder.
He stood tall and straight, and even at home, he exuded an indescribable air of dignity.
"You're back?" An Shaokang's gaze first fell on his daughter's face, his eyes instantly softening to the point of melting ice. Then he turned to Jiang Yu, his smile deepening. "This must be Xiao Jiang, right? Please come in."
His Mandarin had a touch of old-fashioned intellectual accent; his pronunciation was clear, and his voice, though not loud, was very penetrating.
Jiang Yu noticed that his sideways movement when opening the door was very natural, neither making the guest feel pressured nor failing to express his welcome. This was probably a habit he had developed over the years.
"Uncle, greetings." Jiang Yu bowed slightly and presented the gift with both hands. "It's just a small token of my appreciation."
When An Shaokang accepted the gift, Jiang Yu felt that the other man's grip was just right; neither frivolous nor overly forceful in displaying authority.
At the moment the gifts were exchanged, An Shaokang's gaze lingered on Jiang Yu's face for a second, his eyes like a rapid scanner, gentle yet penetrating.
"You're too kind," An Shaokang said with a smile, stepping aside to make way for the doorway. "Come in quickly. Yifei has been talking about this since this morning, asking what time your plane will arrive and if the journey will be smooth. My ears are practically calloused."
"Dad!" Liu Yifei blushed and stomped her foot lightly. Jiang Yu rarely saw her like this. She had shed her celebrity aura and was simply a shy daughter in front of her father.
Jiang Yu followed Liu Yifei into the apartment.
The foyer is small, with old-fashioned mosaic tiles on the floor, worn smooth by the passage of time.
A traditional Chinese ink painting of landscapes hangs on the wall, next to which is a row of hooks with several coats and a children's backpack with a panda pattern.
Just then, light footsteps came from the direction of the kitchen.
A slightly plump middle-aged woman wearing a floral apron came out wiping her hands, a simple and warm smile on her face, her cheeks flushed with a healthy rosy glow from the heat of the kitchen.
"Is that Xiao Jiang?" Her voice was cheerful, with a slight Jiangzhe accent. "Oh my, he's quite the handsome young man!"
Yifei praised you to the skies on the phone, and I thought she was exaggerating, but looking at you now, you really do look energetic!
"Hello, Auntie," Jiang Yu greeted her quickly.
This is Aunt Zhu, Liu Yifei's father's current wife, and the stepmother who is said to be very good to Yifei.
"Alright, alright, please sit down!" Aunt Zhu's joy was written all over her face. She looked Jiang Yu up and down, her eyes full of the loving kindness of an elder looking at a younger generation. "You must be exhausted after such a long flight. Have some tea first, the food will be ready soon. Old An, don't just stand there, pour some tea for Xiao Jiang! I'll go check the soup, make sure it's not overcooked."
She then hurried back to the kitchen, her apron straps swinging behind her.
An Shaokang smiled and shook his head, leading Jiang Yu towards the living room: "You see, in this family, Aunt Zhu is the commander-in-chief. Jia Lin and I both have to listen to her."
This was a humorous remark that both flattered Aunt Zhu and naturally introduced the family relationships.
Jiang Yu smiled and agreed, "The capable should do more, and Auntie is clearly a skilled homemaker."
The living room is wider than the foyer, about 20 square meters, and is tastefully decorated.
The most striking feature is that three walls are floor-to-ceiling wooden bookshelves, densely filled with Chinese and French books.
Jiang Yu quickly glanced at it: on the left were Chinese classical literature and philosophy, and next to the Book of Poetry, the Analects, and the Records of the Grand Historian, there was even a complete set of Jin Yong's martial arts novels, the spines of which had been turned white from being read so many times.
In the middle is world history and art, from Herodotus to Toynbee, from Leonardo da Vinci's albums to the Dunhuang catalogues.
On the right is French literature, with original French editions of Balzac, Hugo, and Proust crammed full, and colorful sticky notes peeking out from between the pages.
Eastern and Western cultures coexist harmoniously here, silently revealing the owner's identity and taste.
Jiang Yu noticed that although the objects were arranged seemingly randomly, they actually had a carefully crafted composition, harmonious color matching, and a well-organized arrangement of varying heights, showing that the owner was not only knowledgeable but also had excellent aesthetic sense.
The most eye-catching thing is the dark brown upright piano by the window.
The body of the instrument is made of solid wood and is quite old. It is well-maintained, and the wood grain has a warm luster under the light.
A children's song sheet was open on the piano lid, and the page turned to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" had some childish markings in pencil on it.
On the balcony outside the window, several potted plants are growing just right.
A pot of gardenias is in full bloom, its pure white flowers standing out against the green leaves; a pot of mint is lush and green, emitting a refreshing fragrance; and a small pot of rosemary has a few tender shoots peeking out from the edge of the pot.
A small wind chime hangs on the balcony, making a crisp tinkling sound when the evening breeze blows.
"The house is small, don't mind it." An Shaokang invited Jiang Yu to sit down on the sofa.
The sofa is made of dark green velvet and is quite old; it's soft and comfortable to sit on.
A French textbook lay open on the coffee table in front of the sofa, covered with dense annotations in red pen.
An unfinished sweater was draped over the sofa armrest, with bamboo needles still stuck in it, and the yarn was a warm camel color.
This is a home with warmth, stories, and life.
Every detail tells the story of this family: a learned father, a virtuous and capable mother, a lively and lovely daughter, and an older sister who, although not a long-term resident, is deeply loved.
"It's very warm and cozy, it feels like home," Jiang Yu said sincerely.
"It's just a bit messy." An Shaokang shook his head with a smile, his tone full of affection, without a trace of disdain. "Jialin's things are everywhere, and no matter how many times we tell her, she can't change it. Your Aunt Zhu and I spoil her too; we always think it's good for children to be lively."
Just then, a door at the end of the corridor creaked open.
A little girl peeked out cautiously, a few stray hairs sticking up unruly. She was wearing a yellow T-shirt with a cat pattern and blue overalls, with colorful striped socks on her feet. One sock was pulled up to her calf, and the other had slipped down to her ankle.
She was about ten years old, with big, bright eyes that were now darting around, slyly observing the strangers in the living room.
The moment their eyes met, the little girl's eyes lit up, but she immediately put on a serious expression again.
She cleared her throat, put her hands behind her back, and walked over with what she thought were very steady steps.
She stopped in front of Jiang Yu, tilted her head up, and tried to make her voice sound steady: "You must be Brother Jiang Yu."
elder brother?
7
His voice was crisp and clear, still carrying the unique brightness of a child, and his attempt to appear mature was so endearing that it was hard not to laugh.
"Yes, that's me." Jiang Yu smiled and bowed slightly in agreement. "You must be Jialin, right? I've heard your sister mention you before, saying you're smart and cute. Seeing you today, I can confirm that she's right."
An Jialin's face was tense, but she couldn't hide the smugness in her eyes.
She cleared her throat and began reciting her "lines," which she had clearly rehearsed many times, speaking very quickly, as if afraid of forgetting.
"Brother Jiang Yu, I'm An Jialin, 10 years old, and in fourth grade at the Paris International School. I'm the chief security officer and quality supervisor for this family. My sister says you're a very good person, but as the person in charge of safety in the family, I have to conduct necessary screening and evaluation of you. This is for the safety of the family, please understand and cooperate."
As she spoke, she pulled a small notebook and a carrot-shaped ballpoint pen from the large pocket of her overalls, and pretended to open the notebook.
The notebook cover had the words "Top Secret Files" written in highlighter and an exaggerated skull logo drawn on it.
"Let's begin with the first item: basic information verification." She pushed up non-existent glasses, a gesture clearly imitating an adult. "May I ask, what is your birthday?"
Liu Yifei covered her face, her shoulders trembling slightly. An Shaokang and Aunt Zhu peeked out from the kitchen, exchanged a smile, and were clearly used to this scene.
Jiang Yu tried to remain serious and answered earnestly, "March 15th."
An Jialin scribbled notes in her notebook with a carrot-shaped pen, her handwriting crooked and messy: "Zodiac sign?"
Pisces.
"blood type?"
"Type 0."
"Favorite color?"
"Dark blue."
What's your favorite dish?
"Braised pork," Jiang Yu said with a smile, "especially the kind made at home."
Anjalin frowned slightly and pressed on, "If you had a million euros, how would you spend them?"
"Jialin!" Liu Yifei finally couldn't hold back anymore, "What kind of questions are these?!"
"This is a financial literacy test!" An Jialin declared confidently, waving her notebook. "It's very important! Our teacher said that you can tell what kind of person someone is by how they spend their money!"
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and answered seriously: "I will use 30% for stable investments to ensure my future livelihood; 20% to support education and cultural projects, such as helping impoverished students; 20% to improve my parents' lives; and the remaining 20%... to take the person I love on a trip to see the world."
He deliberately didn't mention the last 10%, leaving the little girl in suspense.
Sure enough, An Jialin blinked: "What about the remaining ten percent?"
"That ten percent..." Jiang Yu lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "I'll leave it for a little girl named An Jialin so she can buy all the books, drawing supplies, and ice cream she wants."
An Jialin froze, her mouth slightly open, then she burst out laughing, snapping her notebook shut: "Okay, okay, I'm not kidding anymore! Brother Jiang Yu, welcome to my house!"
Her change of expression was so fast that it caught everyone off guard. The examiner, who had been so serious just moments before, was now smiling so broadly that her eyes curved into crescent moons, revealing two deep dimples.
She skipped over to Jiang Yu and grabbed his arm as if they were old friends.
"Actually, I've wanted to see you for a long time! Your phone is my wallpaper, your picture is in my wallet, and even my diary is filled with Jiang Yu's writing..."
'
"An Jialin!" Liu Yifei's face instantly turned red, and she jumped up from the sofa to cover her sister's mouth.
An Jialin nimbly hid behind Jiang Yu, peeking out her little head and continuing to spill the beans: "And, my sister looks at your photos every night before bed and says goodnight to them!" So cheesy! I secretly saw her kiss her phone screen!
"Right here!" she pointed to her cheek.
"You! You were peeking at me!" Liu Yifei was both embarrassed and anxious, and she went around Jiang Yu to grab her sister.
"I didn't! You just put it on the table and didn't close it properly!" Anjalin made a face and ran around the sofa. "And Mom saw it too! Right, Mom?"
Aunt Zhu shook her head with a smile at the kitchen doorway: "I didn't see anything."
"Mom, you're lying! Last night you clearly said it's so good to be young!" Anjalin shouted as she ran.
The living room was instantly filled with cheerful laughter and the sounds of the two sisters chasing and playing.
An Jialin moved like a nimble little monkey between the sofa and the bookshelves; Liu Yifei was both embarrassed and annoyed, but she couldn't bear to really grab her.
Standing in the middle, watching this scene, Jiang Yu felt a deep, tender feeling stirred within him.
He could tell that the two half-sisters had a very good relationship; Liu Yifei's embarrassment was genuine, but there was no anger in it, only the sweet awkwardness of having her little sister expose her little secret.
Anjalin's mischievousness is also entirely a childlike affection and fondness.
An Shaokang watched the two sisters playfully bickering, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.
He poured Jiang Yu a cup of tea: "You flatter me. Jialin has been spoiled by us since she was little, she has no manners."
"She's adorable." Jiang Yu took the teacup and said sincerely, "With a sister like that, the family must be very happy."
The soup is bright red, with an amber-like luster under the light.
Jiang Yu picked up the cup and took a sniff. The unique aroma of pine smoke mixed with the sweet fragrance of longan and a hint of honey was distinct.
He took a small sip; the tea soup was mellow and rich, with a lingering aftertaste and a distinct sweetness.
"Excellent tea," Jiang Yu praised sincerely. "This tea has been stored for at least five years; its initial harshness has completely dissipated, and its taste is mellow and full-bodied. Your uncle understands tea and has stored it well."
An Shaokang's eyes lit up: "Little Jiang knows about tea?"
"I only know a little bit. My mother loves tea, and I learned a little from her when I was a child," Jiang Yu said modestly. "The traditional process of making Lapsang Souchong involves smoking it with pine needles and pine wood, which gives it this unique pine smoke aroma. Good Lapsang Souchong should have the pine smoke aroma infused into the water, not just floating on the surface; the longan flavor should be natural, not added. Uncle's tea achieves both."
These words clearly struck a chord with An Shaokang.
His smile deepened, as if he had found a kindred spirit: "How rare! In Paris, it's so difficult to meet someone who understands Chinese tea. People here only know about red wine, but the depth and sophistication of Chinese tea are in no way inferior to those famous wines."
He began to speak eloquently, from tea classification to brewing techniques, from tea culture to the philosophy of life.
Jiang Yu listened quietly, occasionally offering a few words of response, each time perfectly timed; demonstrating his knowledge without overshadowing the host.
Their conversation deepened, moving from tea to culture, and from culture to the differences between China and the West.
"I've worked at the Confucius Institute for several years," An Shaokang said. "My biggest takeaway is that cultural exchange can't be rushed. It's like brewing tea; the water temperature has to be just right, and the brewing time has to be precise. If you rush it, it will taste bitter; if you slow it down, it will taste bland. Over the years, I've seen too many people who always think they can get rich quick, but the result is often the opposite of what they intended."
Jiang Yu nodded: "Uncle is right. In fact, the same principle applies to business investment. Some people always want to make quick money, but they often end up losing the most. Truly good investments require time and patience."
"Oh?" An Shaokang asked with interest. "For example, you invested in Tesla? I've heard that many people think Musk is crazy."
"That's because they only see the present," Jiang Yu said. "Electric vehicles, renewable energy, space exploration..."
These are all part of the future. Investing in the future requires not only vision, but also patience and conviction.
The two hit it off as they talked.
An Shaokang discovered that this young man not only had an outstanding business mind, but also a depth of thought far beyond his peers.
Jiang Yu also felt that An Shaokang was not only a scholar, but also a wise elder, and many of his insights benefited Jiang Yu greatly.
Liu Yifei and An Jialin stopped bickering at some point and sat quietly to the side listening.
Liu Yifei couldn't hide the smile in her eyes as she watched Jiang Yu and her father chatting happily.
An Jialin tilted her head, looked at Jiang Yu and then at her father, and suddenly whispered to her sister, "Sister, Brother Jiang Yu looks just like Dad."
"Hmm?" Liu Yifei looked down at her.
"It's...the way they talk, the way they smile," Anjalin struggled to find the right words, "they're all so gentle, yet so incredibly capable. And I couldn't understand half of what they were saying!"
Liu Yifei patted her younger sister's head and whispered, "That's because they're talking about something very important."
"Is Brother Jiang Yu a good person?" An Jialin asked directly.
Liu Yifei looked at Jiang Yu's profile as he listened intently to his father. The light cast a soft shadow on his face, making his features appear both youthful and mature beyond his years.
She nodded, her voice soft but firm: "He is a very good person."
Dinner officially began at 7 p.m.
The small dining table was filled to the brim, and every dish was steaming hot and exuding an enticing aroma.
Aunt Zhu clearly used her best skills, preparing a table full of authentic Chinese home-style dishes.
In the very center is a large bowl of braised pork belly, stewed until glossy and reddish-brown, with the marbled fat and lean meat trembling slightly in the thick sauce, and sprinkled with bright green scallions.
The meat chunks are uniformly sized, each coated in a glistening sauce, making them incredibly tempting to look at.
Next to it is a steamed sea bass, its body intact, its flesh white and delicate, topped with finely shredded ginger and scallions, and drizzled with clear steamed fish soy sauce.
The garlic broccoli is crisp and green, with a fragrant garlic aroma; the Mapo tofu is tempting with its red oil, sprinkled with Sichuan peppercorn powder and chopped green onions, spicy and savory; the tomato and egg stir-fry is vibrant in color, with golden egg pieces and bright red tomatoes complementing each other perfectly; and there is a large bowl of soup with golden egg flowers and red tomato slices floating on top, steaming hot.
The main dishes include freshly baked baguettes with a crispy crust and soft interior, exuding the aroma of wheat; and a small pot of perfectly cooked white rice, each grain plump and glistening like pearls.
"These are all home-style dishes, Xiao Jiang, please make do with them." Aunt Zhu said while setting the table, her forehead still glistening with sweat from her busy work. "The Chinese ingredients in Paris aren't as good as those back home, and some seasonings are unavailable, so I used local ones instead. For example, when making Mapo Tofu, I used French chili powder, which might not be as fragrant as the Sichuan kind. The taste might not be quite authentic, but please don't mind."
"Auntie, you're too kind." Jiang Yu looked at the dishes on the table, a warm feeling welling up inside him. "These dishes look so delicious. After all these years abroad, what I've missed most is this taste of home. It's truly remarkable that you can make such authentic Chinese food in Paris."
These words were spoken sincerely, and Aunt Zhu's eyes crinkled with joy: "Eat as much as you like! Young people are busy with work and don't eat regularly, so they should take the opportunity to nourish themselves properly. Yifei is the same; every time she comes to Paris, I cook her a delicious meal, but she always eats only a few bites before saying she needs to lose weight, which drives me crazy!"
"Auntie!" Liu Yifei blushed. "I didn't..."
"Of course you did!" An Shaokang chuckled, revealing his disappointment with eyes full of affection. "Last time you came, your aunt made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs, and you only ate two pieces, saying you needed to control your weight while filming GG and couldn't eat anything too oily. But then you were so hungry you couldn't sleep that night, so you secretly got up to eat cookies, and I caught you red-handed. The cookie box is still on the fridge, do you want to show it to Jiang Yu?"
"Dad!" Liu Yifei's face flushed even more. She lightly kicked her father under the table, glaring at him with embarrassment and anger, "Why do you tell everyone everything!"
Everyone laughed.
Jiang Yu smiled and placed the largest piece of sweet and sour pork rib into Liu Yifei's bowl: "I'm making an exception for you today, eat more. You're not fat at all, health is the most important thing. In my eyes, you look good no matter what."
Looking at the ribs in her bowl, Liu Yifei felt a sweet warmth in her heart and whispered, "Then... I'll just eat one piece. Really, only one piece. I can't have a tummy..."
An Jialin, shaking her head and mimicking her, deliberately used a high-pitched voice: "Sister blushed! Sister is shy! Sister blushed as soon as Brother Jiang Yu spoke! I've seen it in TV dramas, that's called a woman in love! Next up are kisses, hugs, and piggyback rides!"
"An Jialin! Eat!" Liu Yifei glared at her younger sister, her eyes full of laughter, showing no intimidation whatsoever.
An Jialin stuck out her tongue, shoveled a big mouthful of rice into her mouth, and then suddenly remembered something, asking Jiang Yu, "Brother Jiang Yu, are you really going to buy an NBA team? Which team? Can I go watch the games? There's a boy in my class who really likes basketball, and he says Kobe is the best. What do you think?"
The questions came out in rapid succession; she's definitely a clever and mischievous little girl.
Jiang Yu patiently replied, "I want to buy the Golden State Warriors, based in San Francisco, California. If you want to go to the US to watch the games, of course you can, I'll treat you. Kobe... he is indeed one of the greatest players of this era, but basketball is a team sport, and every player has their own characteristics and contributions."
"What about Yao Ming?" An Jialin pressed. "Dad said Yao Ming is the pride of China, and he plays very well in the NBA. Do you know Yao Ming?"
"I know him. I had dinner with him in Houston a few days ago," Jiang Yu said with a smile. "Yao Ming is a very nice person, very tall, and very humorous. If I could buy the team, I'd like to invite him to be an advisor."
"Wow!" An Jialin's eyes widened. "You absolutely have to buy it! That way I can go to America to watch a game and even see Yao Ming! I can brag to my classmates! Thomas in our class always brags about his uncle working in the NBA. Humph, now I can say my brother-in-law is an NBA team owner!"
"Jialin!" Liu Yifei and Aunt Zhu called out at the same time.
An Jialin shrank her neck, but still muttered softly, "That's how it is... what's wrong with practicing how to address someone beforehand?"
Aunt Zhu gently tapped her bowl: "Eat your food, don't just talk. The food's getting cold."
Dinner took place in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
An Shaokang told many interesting stories and anecdotes about Paris, and Jiang Yu listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words.
An Shaokang is refined and open-minded, possessing the integrity and sentiments of an intellectual; Aunt Zhu is kind and simple, embodying the diligence and warmth of a Chinese woman; Jialin is lively, adorable, and mischievous, a child who grew up surrounded by love.
Liu Yifei completely relaxed here, revealing her most authentic and gentle side; she could act coquettishly, be shy, bicker with her family, and show the coquettishness of a little girl.
Looking at the family's happy scene under the lamplight, Jiang Yu felt a long-lost sense of emotion welling up inside him.
He thought of his parents in Wuhan and the scenes of his family sitting around the table to eat when he was a child.
Halfway through the meal, An Shaokang suddenly put down his chopsticks and casually picked up a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor).
"Xiao Jiang, want some more?" he asked casually, as if it were a casual remark during a post-dinner chat.
Jiang Yu's wine glass was still half full. He wanted to say "That's about enough," but looking at An Shaokang's gentle smile, he swallowed the words back: "Okay, thank you, Uncle."
An Shaokang poured him some more wine, just enough to cover the bottom of the glass.
Then he poured himself a little, raised his glass, and said, "This is just a casual drink, I won't finish it. I'm just having some fun."
His tone was so natural that Jiang Yu was completely unaware that this was the beginning of a "test".
The two clinked glasses, each taking only a small sip.
"I heard from Yifei that you're doing very well in the US." An Shaokang put down his wine glass, his tone like that of an elder chatting with a younger person. "Investing in the internet, investing in movies, and now you're going to buy an NBA team. That's impressive."
"Uncle, you flatter me," Jiang Yu said modestly. "It was mainly because we caught a good opportunity, plus a bit of luck."
"Opportunities and luck will always exist," An Shaokang smiled, "but not everyone can seize them. The ability to see opportunities that others cannot see and to make decisions that others dare not make is a skill."
He paused, then asked casually, "By the way, do your parents support your decisions?"
"My mother wasn't very supportive at first, but she eventually let me have my way," Jiang Yu said honestly.
"That's rare." An Shaokang nodded, then raised his glass again. "This glass is for our parents, and also for you who haven't forgotten your original aspirations."
This time he took a big gulp, and Jiang Yu naturally had to follow suit.
Lai Mao liquor has a mellow taste and smooth tannins; it's a fine bottle of liquor.
Jiang Yu began to feel the effects of the alcohol. After all, he had just gotten off the plane and was still jet-lagged, so his physical condition was not at its best.
An Shaokang seemed completely oblivious and started a new topic.
This time we're talking about culture, education, and the differences between China and the US.
He spoke slowly and deliberately, and at the end of each sentence, he naturally raised his glass: "That's an interesting point, let's clink glasses."
"You're right, touch it again."
"It's rare to find a young person with such insight; we should give it a try."
Every time they clinked glasses, Jiang Yu felt embarrassed to only take a small sip; the other person was an elder and his future father-in-law; it was their first meeting, and he had to be very polite.
And so the wine in the glass went down without anyone noticing, and was then refilled without anyone noticing.
An Shaokang's way of persuading people to drink was so mild that it was almost imperceptible.
He wasn't the rude type who would say, "If you don't drink, you're disrespecting me," nor was he the forceful type who would say, "If you're a man, drink it."
He was just chatting, just sharing his views, and at each moment of consensus, he would naturally raise his glass and look at you with that gentle gaze.
Moreover, he drank just as much as Jiang Yu; every time they clinked glasses, he drank a full glass.
This left Jiang Yu with no way to refuse, and he even felt that "my father-in-law has drunk it, so it wouldn't be right for me not to."
Liu Yifei didn't realize it at first.
She chatted with Aunt Zhu and An Jialin, occasionally serving food to Jiang Yu.
Gradually, she noticed that Jiang Yu's face began to flush, and he spoke more slowly.
"Dad," she couldn't help but whisper, "Jiang Yu just got off the plane today, and he's still jet-lagged."
An Shaokang seemed to suddenly realize something and slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, look at me, I got so caught up in the conversation that I forgot. Xiao Jiang, let's not drink anymore, let's eat more vegetables."
As he spoke, he actually put down his wine glass.
Jiang Yu breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that his uncle was truly considerate.
Less than five minutes later, An Shaokang naturally picked up the wine bottle again.
This time, she wasn't pouring for Jiang Yu, but rather adding some for herself, then as if suddenly remembering something: "By the way, Xiao Jiang, about that Sino-US basketball exchange program you mentioned earlier, I think we could add something..."
He started talking about work, culture, and topics that Jiang Yu was interested in and had to seriously address.
When the conversation reached a crucial point, he naturally raised his glass: "This is a good idea, worth a sip."
""
What could Jiang Yu do? He could only stay by her side.
By the time he finished his third glass of red wine, Jiang Yu already felt his vision becoming blurry.
He was still relatively clear-headed, but his body began to relax uncontrollably; he leaned back in his chair and started gesturing more when he spoke.
An Shaokang saw it all, but his face still wore that gentle smile.
He got up and went to the study, and a moment later came out with a bottle of unlabeled liquor.
"Little Jiang, try this." He placed the bottle on the table, his movements as casual as if he were sharing a snack. "This is homemade sorghum liquor that I brought from China a thousand years ago, a gift from an old friend. I've always been reluctant to drink it. We're in a good mood today, shall we try some?"
The bottle is an ordinary glass bottle, the glass is a bit blurry, and the liquid inside is pale yellow.
As soon as the bottle cap is opened, a rich aroma of liquor immediately fills the air; it's not the fruity aroma of red wine, but the unique mellow fragrance of grain liquor, carrying the sweetness of sorghum and the aged flavor of time.
Aunt Zhu frowned: "Old An, Xiao Jiang has already drunk quite a bit..."
"Just a little bit, just a little bit," An Shaokang said with a smile, taking out two traditional small wine cups; they were made of blue and white porcelain and could only hold a maximum of three qian (a unit of weight) of wine. "This wine is strong, so let's just have one cup and taste it."
He poured himself a full cup first, and then poured Jiang Yu just the right amount, really not much, just a small sip.
"Come, have a taste." An Shaokang raised his glass. "This wine has been aged for twenty years; it should taste quite good."
With his future father-in-law putting it this way, could Jiang Yu refuse? No.
He raised his wine cup, lightly touched it with An Shaokang's, and then drank it all in one gulp.
The moment the liquor enters the mouth, a hot, spicy sensation explodes on the tip of the tongue, burning down the throat.
Immediately afterwards, a mellow sweetness surged up, along with the rich and mellow taste unique to aged wine.
It is indeed a good wine, but it is also a very strong wine.
After downing the cup, Jiang Yu felt as if the whole world had shaken.
"How was it?" An Shaokang asked, having finished his drink without changing his expression.
"Good wine..." Jiang Yu said, his voice already starting to tremble, "Strong...smooth..."
"If you like it, that's good." An Shaokang smiled, but showed no intention of pouring any more, just as he said, "I'll only try a little."
He capped the bottle, put it back on the table, and started talking about other things.
Jiang Yu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the test was over.
He didn't notice that An Shaokang's conversation was starting to change; the topics were getting deeper and deeper, the questions were getting more and more personal, and each question would naturally end with a return to that bottle of baijiu.
"Xiao Jiang, what exactly are you planning to do with that education fund you mentioned earlier?" Halfway through the conversation, An Shaokang seemed to suddenly remember something, picked up the wine bottle, and said, "By the way, this wine should be savored slowly. I drank it too quickly earlier and didn't taste it properly. Let me have another small sip and savor it."
He poured two more cups, but it still wasn't enough.
Jiang Yu was already a little dizzy, but his mind was still working.
He worked hard to organize his thoughts to answer questions about the education fund, and his answers were detailed and well-organized.
Then, quite naturally, we raised our glasses, clinked them together, and drank them down in one gulp.
The second cup of baijiu was downed.
The world has started to spin.
"Dad!" Liu Yifei was genuinely anxious this time, her voice filled with obvious worry, "Don't let Jiang Yu drink it, his face is all red!"
"It's alright, it's alright," An Shaokang waved his hand, his tone relaxed. "Little Jiang has a good alcohol tolerance; this is nothing. Besides, we're having a great chat, right, Little Jiang?"
What else could Jiang Yu say? He nodded, trying to make his smile look natural: "Um... happy..."
His tongue was starting to get tied in knots.
An Shaokang seemed completely oblivious and continued chatting.
This time we're talking about family, responsibility, and planning for the future.
His questions came one after another, and Jiang Yu had to answer each one carefully.
After answering each question, An Shaokang would naturally raise his glass and say, "Well said, let's clink glasses."
"That's responsible, let's give it a try."
"It's rare that you're so kind; let's give it a try."
After the third and fourth cups of baijiu (Chinese liquor) were consumed.
Jiang Yu could no longer see An Shaokang's face clearly.
He tried to open his eyes wide, but the figures in front of him were overlapping, and the voices were sometimes near and sometimes far.
He felt Liu Yifei holding his hand tightly under the table, felt Aunt Zhu's hesitant worry, and felt An Jialin's curious gaze.
But he couldn't control himself.
Alcohol breached the dam of reason, and the words that were usually hidden in my heart began to flow out uncontrollably.
"Uncle..." he slurred, his body swaying, "Don't worry... I... I will definitely treat Yifei well... really well... I will buy her a big house... no, not just a house... I will give her a home... a warm home... with you, with Auntie, with Jialin... and with me..."
He spoke incoherently, but every word came from the bottom of his heart.
Liu Yifei's eyes reddened as she listened.
An Shaokang stared at him quietly for a long time.
Then, he did something that surprised everyone: he picked up the bottle, poured himself a full glass, and then raised it.
"Little Jiang, this is the last cup. This one is for you."
He drank it all in one gulp, finishing it cleanly and decisively.
Then, setting down the wine cup, she looked at Jiang Yu, whose eyes were already glazed with drunkenness, and said softly, "That's enough. This kid is honest."
This was the first time he had praised Jiang Yu tonight; it was concise yet carried significant weight.
The moment he finished speaking, Jiang Yu's last bit of willpower was exhausted.
His body went limp and he fell to the side.
Liu Yifei quickly helped him up and let him lean on her shoulder.
"Dad!" She turned to look at her father, her voice tinged with a small complaint, "Look at you, getting him all drunk on our first meeting!"
An Shaokang smiled, a smile tinged with guilt, but mostly with relief: "Alright, alright, it was my fault. But..."
He looked at Jiang Yu, who was half-conscious and leaning on his daughter's shoulder, and his voice softened, "This kid is good. He speaks the truth when he's drunk, and he's saying what's on his mind. I can tell he's sincere towards you."
Aunt Zhu has already gotten up to make honey water.
An Jialin squatted down next to Jiang Yu and curiously poked his face: "Brother Jiang Yu is really drunk... Dad, will he throw up? People who are drunk on TV always throw up."
"No, he won't get a headache," An Shaokang patted his daughter's head. "This wine won't make him drunk; he'll be fine after a nap. Come on, help Daddy to the sofa."
Jiang Yu drifted off to sleep on the sofa.
In his sleep, he felt someone gently cover him with a blanket. The blanket was soft and warm, and smelled of sunshine.
Someone gently wiped his forehead and hands with a warm towel.
I heard soft voices, as if they were coming from a very distant place.
"...This child is honest; even when he's drunk, he doesn't cause trouble, he just sleeps quietly..."
"...He speaks the truth when he's drunk, and you can tell he genuinely cares about Yifei..."
"...A good night's sleep will do the trick, this wine won't give you a headache..."
The sounds gradually faded, and he drifted into a deeper sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Yu was awakened by the urge to urinate.
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