Song Zhenxin couldn't help but stare at the meticulously clothed men. She then slowly turned to look at her son.
"Weiwei, did you contact Uncle Jiang Cheng?" She asked.
Kang Yuanwei beamed at her in confirmation.
"He contacted all of us," an authoritative voice cut through the air, followed by the entrance of seven men.
Clad in impeccably tailored suits of various bespoke brands, they exuded an air of power that contrasted sharply with their youthful appearance. To an unsuspecting observer, they might have resembled a K-Pop group with their striking features, toned physiques, and sharp silhouettes.
And yet, those with keen eyes would recognize the dangerous aura emanating from these men.
"Cousins," Song Zhenxin gulped.
"I can explain."
"I can't wait to hear," Jiang Cheng, one of the three most powerful men in S City, glowered at her. "Does the surname Jiang mean nothing to you that you must walk out of the bastard's house on your own two feet like some peasant?"
"Didn't we tell you ages ago that that useless man does not deserve to even touch your feet?" Jiang Li, one of the most renowned and successful lawyer in S City snapped. "And you still chose to marry him!"
"Truly," Jiang Yuan, one of the most capable and famous surgeon in S City, sighed. "Weiwei is the only good thing that came out of your union. Thank God you finally divorced him."
Song Zhenxin shot the seven cousins a hesitant smile.
"Actually, it was him who divorced me..."
"WHAT!" All men cried out in unison.
Jiang Wen, CEO of the Jiang Corporation, slammed a fist against his palm.
"We are going to Kang Zihan's house now so I can make some corrections on his face."
"Cousins, please," Song Zhenxin quickly stepped before the seven men before they ambushed Kang Zihan's house. "Everything happens for a good reason. In fact, thanks to this divorce, my and Weiwei's company assets are saved!"
Jiang Kai, a top-grossing actor and model in C country over the past ten years, grabbed Song Zhenxin's arms and drilled stares into her eyes.
"Are you still protecting him?" He demanded to know. "You are, aren't you?"
"No, I am not," Song Zhenxin insisted.
"Why don't we all get inside first?" Jiang Yue spoke up.
Song Zhenxin was so thankful that she almost lunged at Jiang Yue to kiss him.
Jiang Yue, a music prodigy who could play the piano, violin, flute, qin, and guitar perfectly, had always been the calmest of all her cousins.
"Right. I already booked a private chamber in the Moon Jade Restaurant so that we can talk without any interruption, " Jiang Ting, Jiang Corporation's Chief Technology Officer, said.
"Zhenxin and Weiwei must be famished."
He scooped Kang Yuanwei off the ground and looped an arm around Song Zhenxin's. "Let's talk while filling our stomachs with good food and drink, hmmm?"
Kang Yuanwei giggled as he rubbed his face against Jiang Ting's suit.
"Uncle Ting, did you ask the restaurant to prepare all the food I list out?"
"Absolutely," Jiang Ting confirmed. "Although of course their dishes pale in comparison to your mother's cooking."
All the Jiang men agreed in this aspect.
"Zhenxin is simply a culinary genius," Jiang Cheng said in profound acknowledgment.
"Those who eat Zhenxin's cooking regularly will eventually attain enlightenment and ascend to heaven," Jiang Li agreed.
"Unless they cultivate demonic paths," Jiang Yuan frowned. "Those will immediately undergo qi deviation and perish."
Jiang Wen laughed.
"I thought you would say something like cardiac arrest or vein rupture."
"Nonsense," Jiang Kai said. "Zhenxin's cooking can help reduce fat deposits in your veins, significantly increase your body's ability to burn calories, and even enhance cognitive function by at least 5%."
"Cousins, you are exaggerating," Song Zhenxin giggled. All these compliments made no sense, but the words stemmed from her cousins' endless pool of love for her, so how could she bear to not accept them?
Because Jiang Ting bragged in front of Moon Jade Restaurant's entire kitchen staff when making the reservation, the chefs' pride was slightly wounded.
The seasoned chefs were called into the restaurant urgently to cook the food on Jiang Ting's list.
They personally served the food on the table and stayed behind to seek the guests' valuable opinion upon tasting.
The golden-fried crab meatballs sat proudly on the plate, their exteriors boasting a delicate crisp that crackled softly with the gentlest nudge of a chopstick.
A peek inside revealed not a homogenous mush, but succulent shreds of crabmeat still tinged with the sweet, briny essence of the crustacean that, you could swear, scuttled across the ocean floor just an hour prior.
The accompanying egg and clam soup shimmered under the soft light, a glistening canvas dotted with emerald flecks of chopped scallions.
Each spoonful carried the comforting warmth of the broth, its surface undisturbed by even the faintest film of oil, testament to the chef's masterful touch in coaxing out the delicate flavors without a hint of greasiness.
Across the table, the steamed grouper fish arrived veiled in a wisp of fragrant steam, the aroma redolent of ginger, garlic, and the whisper of the sea.
Nestled beneath the perfectly cooked flesh lay a vibrant medley of meticulously julienned vegetables – the verdant crunch of green beans mingling with the sweetness of red peppers and the earthy comfort of mushrooms.
Each morsel promised an explosion of textures and tastes.
Last but not least, the Yangzhou fried rice. Each glistening grain retained its individuality, separate yet harmonious, a testament to the chef's deft control over the flame.
Scattered amongst the fluffy base were jewels of plump shrimp, ruby-red cubes of ham, and vibrant pops of color from diced corn, carrot, and spring onions.
The subtle smokiness from the wok danced with the sweetness of the seafood and the vegetal notes of the spring onions, a symphony of aromas that teased the senses even before the first bite.
Everyone took their seats around the table.
Jiang Cheng scooped out food from each plate into Song Zhenxin and Kang Yuanwei's bowls.
"Go ahead," he said.
"Bon appetit," Song Zhenxin said as she lifted her cutleries.
Everyone sucked in a deep breath when Song Zhenxin and Kang Yuanwei dug into the Yangzhou fried rice...
---------
Author's note :
Some more background story :
Zhenxin's mother was surnamed Jiang.
She had one elder brother, who sired the gentlemen here, so that Zhenxin ended up with seven awesome cousins here.
The Songs, save for Father Song, know nothing about them.
Naturally, the Kangs also know nothing about them.
Just to recap the cousins and their jobs down here~
Jiang Cheng - mafia boss
Jiang Li - lawyer
Jiang Yuan - surgeon
Jiang Wen - CEO
Jiang Kai - actor and model
Jiang Yue - musician
Jiang Ting - CTO
The Jiang family is among the most influential families ruling the S City.