The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Welcoming Banquet, Absolutely Stunning

Han Xiaorui paused, then smiled when she saw Ye Feng wasn’t coming over.

She then whispered, ”I know Mr. Ye is a good guy, but you’ve seen him. He’s very reserved. I can’t just go up to him and say, ’Mr. Ye, you’re handsome and a great person. How about we start dating?’”

Han Xiaoqing stifled a laugh, finding her sister quite amusing. ”Sis, I think you and Mr. Ye are actually pretty similar in some ways.”

”We are?” Han Xiaorui blinked, looking puzzled. ”How so? I haven’t noticed.”

Han Xiaoqing giggled. ”Of course you are. You’re both the type to have a lot on your minds but remain very reserved in your actions.”

”Just now, you were both reading. But when you looked up, your eyes went straight to him. And when he looked up, his eyes went straight to you.”

”Even a total stranger could see the spark between you. Sis, no matter what, I just want you to be happy. That’s all that matters.”

’During my hardest times, my sister was always the one on the front lines, fighting my battles and demanding justice for me.’

’In this life, my sister is the most important person to me!’

Han Xiaorui smiled sweetly. ”Yes, at least for now, I feel happy. I enjoy spending time with Ye Feng. I’ve already been through one failed marriage. I’m not going to force myself to do something for someone else’s sake, and I certainly won’t compromise my own happiness just to please another person. My own feelings are what I value most.”

”Good, that’s what matters!” Han Xiaoqing smiled. ”By the way, sis, after studying with Expert Wang for a while, I’ve gotten a much deeper understanding of psychology. Do you think I could switch my major from education to psychology?”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui thought for a moment. ”I remember Expert Wang used to teach psychology courses at East China Normal University. Why don’t you ask her?”

”Before you got into university, she was already thinking about pulling some strings to get you into night school. She wanted you to get an associate’s degree so she could take you on as her apprentice and get you a position at the hospital.”

”Now that you’re a proper university student, Expert Wang will probably think even more highly of you. She might be willing to pull some strings to help you transfer majors.”

Han Xiaoqing thought her sister had a point. ”I’ll talk to Expert Wang then.”

Han Xiaorui considered it for a moment. ”With children like Pingping and An’an, the costs are something most families can’t afford.”

”I can make twenty or thirty thousand from a single fishing trip now. Regardless of whether Expert Wang can help you transfer, I want to donate a sum of money to the Maternity and Child Health Hospital to help subsidize treatment for children with autism from less fortunate families.”

Han Xiaoqing was surprised. ”Sis, are you getting addicted to making donations?”

”Haha!” Han Xiaorui laughed. ”You’re not wrong. I just feel that using my money to help people and receiving their sincere gratitude gives me an indescribable sense of satisfaction. In short, it puts my heart at ease.”

’I’m a woman with a superpower. I managed to come from the harsh environment of an apocalypse to the 1980s.’

’My superpower didn’t disappear in the transition. I can easily get the kind of haul other people only dream of, and exchange it for immense wealth.’

’I don’t understand why, so I just see it all as a gift from the heavens.’

’This profound blessing... I’m afraid I’m not worthy of it. I feel like I have to share it with others.’

With Ye Feng taking care of things, Han Xiaorui and Han Xiaoqing had a much easier time.

Ye Feng had sent a telegram to Zhou Yang ahead of time, so he was already waiting for them outside.

Han Xiaorui got off with the children, while Ye Feng went ahead, carrying the bags filled with local delicacies.

Han Xiaoqing looked at the four large woven sacks left on the platform.

Only two of the woven sacks fit in the trunk; the remaining four were all strapped to the roof of the jeep.

Zhou Yang asked in surprise, ”Director Ye, are we taking Comrade Xiao Han home first?”

”Yes,” Ye Feng said from the passenger seat, looking at Pingping and An’an who were so tired they were swaying back and forth. ”Let’s get them home soon.”

”Right!” Zhou Yang started the car. ’So that’s why Director Ye took time off... for Comrade Xiao Han.’

’The director is being so attentive, and with such a warm smile... He must have a thing for Comrade Xiao Han!’

The children fell asleep, and Han Xiaorui and Han Xiaoqing were exhausted as well.

When the jeep pulled up in front of her home, Han Xiaorui noticed the lights were on inside.

Just as she was about to knock, the door swung open. Liang Xiaoyu’s face lit up in surprise, and her expression became particularly meaningful when she spotted Ye Feng.

”Xiao Rui, you’re back! This is wonderful! We got your telegram, so we knew you were arriving today. My mother-in-law has been busy all day cooking up a feast to welcome you home.”

Han Xiaorui was overjoyed. ”Sister Cai is the best, she spoils us so much. Ye Feng, Zhou Yang, don’t leave yet. Let’s unload everything, and you can go after dinner.”

”Alright,” Ye Feng agreed, not refusing this time.

”There’s no need!” Zhou Yang declined. ’I thought the director would refuse like he always does!’

Liang Xiaoyu smiled. ”Xiao Zhou, it’s dinnertime. Having a bite to eat here won’t take up much of your time.”

Ye Feng nodded. ”Come on in.”

Since Director Ye had said so, Zhou Yang smiled. ”Thank you, Comrade Xiao Han, and thank you, Comrade Liang.”

Having slept the entire journey, Pingping and An’an woke up as soon as they arrived home.

Upon seeing their familiar playmates, the familiar faces of Aunt Liang, Grandma Cai, and Cai Wenjun, Pingping and An’an completely relaxed. Giggling happily, they grabbed a flashlight and ran off together to check on their little chicks, ducklings, and puppy...

Han Xiaorui quickly went to her room, took a shower, and changed into a pale red long dress.

Her long hair was only half-dry after toweling, so she tied it up loosely with a hair tie.

Her fresh, pretty face now had a touch of languid charm.

Han Xiaorui went to the kitchen. ”Sister Cai, what delicious things did you make for us?”

Granny Cai smiled. ”I made a Crystal Pork Knuckle, some rich Red-Braised Pork Belly, the quick-fried shrimp that kids love, and a dish of Steamed Three-Shreds.”

”It’s summer now, and with the heat, cold dishes are the best! I made a peanut and pork-skin aspic; it’s chilling in the fridge right now! I’ll just whip up a dipping sauce for it, and I guarantee it’ll be delicious.”

”And Pig Ears in Chili Oil. I didn’t make those myself; my apprentice made them at home this afternoon and brought two servings over for me.”

”There are a few other cold dishes already on the table! Go see for yourself. But since Mr. Ye and his colleague are staying for dinner, we might be a little short on food. Should we steam a fish?”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Sister Cai, I’ll go get a fish ready.”

They were still keeping live fish in the large vat in the yard!

Han Xiaorui netted a red snapper weighing over four pounds, quickly scaled and cleaned it, and handed it to Granny Cai to be made into steamed red snapper.

Han Xiaorui walked over to the table and was absolutely stunned when she saw the other cold dishes Granny Cai had told her to look at.

It was just a simple cold dish made of cucumber and small chili peppers, but the presentation was breathtaking—it was arranged in the shape of a peacock.

Catching Sister Xiao Yu as she was bringing out another dish, Han Xiaorui asked, ”What do you call this peacock-looking thing?”

”If it’s a cucumber made to look like a peacock, you call it a ’cucumber peacock’!” Liang Xiaoyu chuckled. Her mother-in-law had said Han Xiaorui would love it, and she was right.

Additionally, there was Sichuan ”Mouth-Watering” Chicken, Preserved Egg with Silken Tofu, a Cold Daylily Bud Salad, and a Spicy and Numbing Lotus Root Salad.

Of course, they also hadn’t forgotten the stir-fried tomato and egg that the children loved.

The table was filled to the brim. The welcome-home feast was ready!

Ye Feng often saw tables laden with this much food when he visited his maternal grandparents.

But Zhou Yang came from an ordinary family. Seeing the huge, fragrant, and beautifully presented spread, he couldn’t stop himself from gulping.