Chapter 119

Chapter 119

Shen Sijian hurriedly picked up his chopsticks: "It's not often we all get together like this. Everyone should try my little brother's cooking; he usually isn't this diligent."

Yan Jihan also quickly said, "Yes, help yourselves to drinks. We have soda, juice, and tea."

Their distraction immediately shifted the attention of Ning Shanan, who had been about to tease about the close relationship between Teacher Lin and Boss Xiao Shen, back to the dishes.

There were too many choices, and he didn't know which one to eat first.

Should he start with the meat or the light and refreshing cold dishes? He hadn't had that tofu pudding in a long time.

What is this yellow ball?

Wow, this braised pork knuckle looks so tender.

The sweet and sour fish is arranged beautifully, like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

Ning Shanan hesitated for a moment before his chopsticks moved toward the pulled sugar yam.

He didn't want to, but it had to be eaten hot, or it wouldn't be stringy.

Ning Shanan picked up a piece of yam coated in syrup, dipped it slightly in cool water, and took a bite. The outer layer was crispy, and the inside was soft and tender, making him squint with delight.

Mm, delicious, especially this yam, which is both sweet and fragrant.

"Grandpa, try this. This yam really tastes good." Ning Shanan didn't forget about his grandfather.

Ning Hedong was eating a piece of tender pork knuckle when he heard his grandson's words. He tentatively picked up a piece of pulled sugar yam, dipped it in cool water, and took a bite. The sugar shell was sweet, and the yam was fragrantly soft.

"This variety of yam is quite good, very sweet and fragrant," Ning Hedong said. Nowadays, yams don't taste as much like yams. It's not just yams; perhaps it's because he's getting older and his sense of taste has declined, but he always feels that the food nowadays doesn't have the same flavor as before.

"We grow it ourselves in our village. It's not a high-yield variety. This type of yam is small, no bigger than a palm, but it tastes great. People in my area like to grow this. We also grow high-yield varieties, but they are sent to the village factory to make vermicelli," Bai Chengqi added.

He had given these yams to Shen Sijian.

"Well, I consider myself lucky today. The ones bought outside don't have this flavor," Ning Hedong said, picking up another piece of pulled sugar yam. This time, he didn't dip it in cool water but placed it on the plate to cool naturally, preparing to eat it later when the sugar shell would be crispier.

Bai Chengqi: "If you like it, I can send you some when the time comes."

"Sure, I won't be polite with you." Ning Hedong was keen to deepen his relationship with the Shen family and their friends, and the yam was truly delicious. He happily agreed.

"Hey, Boss Xiao Shen, what is this? I've never seen it before," Zhang Qi asked, picking up a taro yam ball.

"A ball made from yam and taro, it's sweet," Shen Siqin knew Uncle Zhang liked sweets.

Hearing it was sweet, Zhang Qi eagerly put the still-hot taro yam ball in his mouth.

"Mmm! This is delicious." The outer layer was soft and the taro filling was smooth, not overly sweet, perfectly suited to Zhang Qi's taste. He couldn't resist picking up two more balls.

Only then did Shen Sijian remember that his younger brother had said he made these himself and wanted him to try them. Shen Sijian also reached out his chopsticks and picked up a taro yam ball.

Shen Sijian, who rarely ate sweets, lit up his eyes after tasting the taro yam ball.

Indeed, it's very delicious!!!

No wonder Teacher Lin likes this. Thinking of the taro yam balls in the fridge, Shen Sijian glanced at Teacher Lin, feeling a bit melancholic, thinking they were benefiting from Teacher Lin's favor.

Lin Shengjin: "???"

He secretly poked Shen Siqin's thigh with his left hand.

Shen Siqin: "..."

He turned his head slightly and looked at Lin Shengjin with a puzzled expression.

When did Teacher Lin become so proactive?

Lin Shengjin looked at him, then at Shen Sijian who was looking at him, asking with his eyes what Boss Xiao Shen had told Chief Shen.

Shen Siqin smiled knowingly: "Since you like this, I made a lot more taro yam balls. I brought some for my brother and will send some to Uncle Zhang when we go back."

"That's too much trouble." Zhang Qi still remembered to be slightly polite, "I'll come to your place to pick them up when we go back."

"Alright." Shen Siqin smiled.

...

Lin Shengjin ate the sweet and sour fish, listening to everyone chatting casually.

However, the dishes were so delicious that everyone only occasionally spoke, commenting on the food.

This was different from the usual business dinners, where everyone was relaxed among familiar faces. Lin Shengjin suddenly realized that perhaps he didn't hate dinner gatherings, but rather those formal ones with strangers!

After everyone was full and satisfied, the empty plates were cleared away, and fruits, tea, and pastries were brought out.

Shen Siqin then said, "I invited everyone here today because there's something I need you to keep an eye on."

"Is it about buying a house?" Ning Shanan bit into a lotus leaf pastry and said preemptively.

Shen Siqin nodded: "I can't ask you to work without offering something in return. I can't expect the horse to run without feeding it."

Ning Shanan: "Oh, that's why you made so much delicious food."

"Today you're quite talkative. Even eating can't stop your mouth," Ning Hedong glared at Ning Shanan.

Ning Shanan, munching on the lotus leaf pastry, said happily, "It's not often we all gather like this. If I didn't speak, that would be strange."

Lin Shengjin blinked, thinking that Ning Shanan seemed unusually excited today. They hadn't even had any alcohol, yet Ning Shanan looked as if he had gotten drunk from the meal.

"I and Xiao Shen's boss want to ask everyone to help keep an eye out for a house," Lin Shengjin continued from where Shen Siqin left off, "preferably bungalows close to each other, and not too far from the university..."

Lin Shengjin earnestly stated their requirements, then looked at Shen Siqin with his eyes asking if there was anything more to add.

Shen Siqin gently shook his head, indicating that Lin Shengjin had said it well and he had nothing to add.

Shen Sijian and Yan Jihan: "..."

Professor Liu and Professor Meng: "..."

Sigh, their teeth were about to turn sour!!!

The four of them tacitly averted their gazes, deciding out of sight, out of mind.

"Finding a house according to your plans won't be easy," Zhang Qi had only heard bits and pieces from Xiao Shen about wanting to buy a house before, but this was the first time he heard such detailed requirements. He pondered for a while, thinking that the few old houses he knew of weren't suitable; either they weren't close enough or were too far from the university, or they were in such poor condition that they would need major renovations.

Zhou Changyi and the others also thought about it, but they couldn't come up with any good options right away. Buying a house is a big deal, and if Professor Lin and Xiao Shen's boss didn't have the financial means, it would be one thing, but now that they clearly did, they should find the most suitable place.

Seeing everyone truly stumped, Shen Siqin quickly said, "It's not urgent anyway, we can just keep our ears open. If you find something suitable, just let me know."

"You're right, I can't think of anything great right now either. I do know a few places that are for sale, but they aren't close together," Zhou Changyi took this matter very seriously. If Xiao Shen lived comfortably, his mood would improve, and who knows, maybe his cooking would get even better.

"With so many of us, we'll eventually find a few places that meet your requirements. If you can move into a new home before the New Year, it would be even better. We could all enjoy a housewarming meal," Ning Shanan said with anticipation.

Shen Libin nodded in agreement.

"You two, you just finished eating, and you're already thinking about the next meal," Yan Jihan pinched Sanlin's face helplessly.

Sanlin looked at his mother innocently, "Mom, I'm so skinny, didn't you say I should eat more? Isn't it good that I listen to you?"

Lin Shengjin: "???"

Is this listening to me? Isn't this just being greedy?!

Shen Siqin half-jokingly changed the subject, "Don't worry, if I really find a place and move in before the New Year, the housewarming banquet will definitely be grander than this. Not to mention the food and drinks, I'll prepare plenty of gifts for everyone."

Of course, even if he found a place after the New Year and invited everyone over, he would do the same, but chatting and boasting didn't require such clarity.

Ning Shanan wagged his finger at him, "Hey hey hey, everyone heard that, those are Xiao Shen's boss's own words. With so many people listening, Xiao Shen's boss must keep his word."

"Yes, we heard it clearly with both ears," Wang Qiutao rarely chimed in, teasingly.

Chai Jiancheng, holding his son who was full and drowsy, was also thinking about where there might be houses that met Xiao Shen's boss's requirements.

Unfortunately, he had been back for too short a time, and his connections in his hometown were a bit scattered, knowing less than Zhang Qi and the others.

Chai Jiancheng thought to himself, he should go back and ask his wife if she knew of any.

Today, Chai Jiancheng's wife was working overtime and couldn't come for dinner. He savored the taste of the dishes, feeling very sorry that his wife hadn't tasted them.

After finishing the main topic, they chatted for a while longer before everyone dispersed. Shen Siqin distributed the pastries he had packed in advance.

"I knew Xiao Shen's boss wouldn't let us leave empty-handed," Ning Shanan raised his eyebrows, he had just been wondering what Xiao Shen's boss would give them to take home.

Shen Siqin: "Of course, since you're helping me, I can't let you leave empty-handed."

"The pastries won't last long, make sure to eat them as soon as you get home."

Shen Siqin didn't forget to remind them.

Chai Jiancheng smiled, "Rest assured, Xiao Shen's boss, we'll finish them off in no time."

He felt happy inside; his wife missed the feast, but tasting the pastries made by Xiao Shen's boss would be nice. Next time, for Professor Lin and Xiao Shen's boss's housewarming banquet, he would definitely bring his wife.

After seeing the others off, Shen Sijian found the car keys and said to the group, "I'll drive Professor Liu, Professor Meng, and Professor Lin back. You guys tidy up the house."

Lin Shengjin didn't refuse Shen Sijian's offer; it was too cold at night, and going by car would be more comfortable.

He just wished he could spend more time with Xiao Shen's boss.

"See you on the playground tomorrow. The teachers and their spouses ate quite a lot today, you should accompany them back. Call me if anything comes up," Shen Siqin secretly squeezed Lin Shengjin's hand.

Lin Shengjin squeezed back, then reluctantly let go, obediently putting on his coat and wrapping the scarf knitted by Shen Siqin around his neck.

"Then I'll go, see you tomorrow," Lin Shengjin mumbled with his chin nestled in the soft scarf.

"Okay," Shen Siqin nodded.

Shen Sijian and Yan Jihan: "..."

Professor Liu and Professor Meng: "..."

Sigh, they didn't do anything excessive, but their teeth were genuinely turning sour!!!