Only then did Bai Hui feel relieved. She poked her on the forehead and said, "You have a good time playing with Zhuzhu. I'll go and cook two dishes."
After washing his hands, Xu Zhen leaned against the door and asked, "What do you want to do this time?"
Bai Hui sighed and said, "Forget it. It's not easy for her to come back. Don't quarrel with her."
"Didn't we say it before? If she keeps chasing after that Qin Yuan, she should stop recognizing me as her father. She hasn't seen us for over a year. What on earth is she up to this time?" Xu Zhen snorted coldly.
"All right." Bai Hui tied the apron on him from behind. "How many times have you secretly gone to see her this year? Get along well with her when she's back. Don't quarrel with her. It's Zhuzhu's first time here. You cook two dishes. Doesn't Niannian like the braised pork ribs you make?"
"Who wants to cook for her?" Xu Zhen pretended to be reluctant, but his hands reached behind his back to tie the strings.
Bai Hui didn't expose him. Her eyes fell on the two people beside the sofa. "Contact that Doctor Chu again in a few days. I'm worried..."
Xu Zhen frowned and nodded. "I'll ask about it in a few days."
— — —
"Zhuzhu, are you building blocks with the little pig? Can I play with you guys?" Xu Chunnian squatted in front of Zhuzhu.
Zhuzhu hesitated for a moment, tightened her grip on the little pig doll in her hand, and then picked up a small block beside her and handed it to Xu Chunnian.
Xu Chunnian's eyes, which were as bright as a pig's, curved into a smile. She took the block from Zhuzhu's hand and said, "Thank you, baby."
She took a look at the shape on the blueprint. "Zhuzhu is making a little cake. Let me see. This piece should go here."
Zhuzhu stretched out her little finger and pointed at the half-finished little cake model she had made.
"Ah, so smart." There happened to be a vacant space there that matched.
The pictures on the model were all of little pigs.
"Zhuzhu, could you help me find a block with a little pig's tail pattern?" Xu Chunnian studied the cake pattern.
Zhuzhu rummaged through the pile of blocks and found the one with a little pig's tail pattern and handed it to her.
Xu Chunnian was also unusually quiet. Even she herself didn't notice that when she looked at Zhuzhu, her eyes unconsciously softened.
In the past, Bai Hui had scolded her a lot, saying that she couldn't sit still as if there were thorns on her butt. But she had spent the whole afternoon building blocks with Zhuzhu.
Until the aroma from the kitchen wafted out, Xu Chunnian's appetite was whetted.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she had eaten the braised pork ribs made by her father. She was already a sophomore at the age of 18. She would only go back home during long vacations as she had to stay at school. Xu Zhen was quite busy with work and seldom cooked. They had hired an aunt at home. Only on specific festivals would Xu Zhen cook in person.
Xu Chunnian placed the block in her hand properly and said, "Zhuzhu, I'll go and steal some delicious food for you to eat."
With that, she got up and walked towards the kitchen. Zhuzhu stared closely at her back.
When Xu Chunnian entered the kitchen, she indeed saw the freshly made braised pork ribs.
"Are you hungry?" Bai Hui gave her a sidelong glance.
"Yes." Xu Chunnian pouted and hugged her father's potbelly affectionately. "Daddy, after all these years, your cooking skills are still as good as ever."
"Get away. It's so hot." Xu Zhen struggled in disgust.
"Oh dear." Xu Chunnian then turned around and hugged her mother, rubbing against her. "Mommy, I'm hungry. I want food."
Bai Hui poked her on the forehead, knowing what she was like. "Help yourself."
"Okay." Xu Chunnian let go of her, washed her hands, and picked up the braised pork ribs beside her and put them into her mouth.
"Ouch."
"It's hot! This girl." Bai Hui clicked her tongue softly.
Xu Chunnian rolled the ribs around in her mouth twice and then picked up another piece of rib and left the kitchen.
Xu Zhen looked at her graceful back, his eyes deep and gloomy. "Strange. It seems as if I saw little Niannian just now."
With that, he shook his head and turned around to wash the pot.
It had been a long time since he had seen such a scene.