Su Li stuttered, "Mom, I...I just ate too fast, got a bit choked. I'll slow down."
Gu Zi watched him, her gaze turning stern. She knew her son well enough to see through his evasions. "What's going on? What's with the secrecy? Can't you even tell your own mother?"
Su Li couldn't bear to hear her words. He spilled everything at once, "I didn't mean to hide anything from you, Mom. I regret agreeing to them. Today, I told my classmates that you cook delicious food. They all wanted to come over and taste your cooking. I said I'd ask you first. I'm sorry, I didn't think...I didn't think it would tire you out..."
As the boy spoke, his tone became self-reproachful. Gu Zi's stern expression faded, replaced by a look of concern. She quickly patted Su Li's shoulder, saying, "So that's all it is. You could have told me right away. How could it be tiring? Even if you didn't invite your classmates, wouldn't we still eat?
