Chapter 546: Chapter 545: Finale_2
"The commander gave enough money, I didn’t chip in."
Ding Changwei refused to report the amount, finding an excuse to dodge the question.
Old Mrs. Song understood and changed the topic, "Where’s Old Qin?"
Qin Jiu realized belatedly that he hadn’t seen the grandpa since he returned.
He immediately looked at Ding Changwei with a questioning gaze.
"He went next door to Commander Gong’s house."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Old Qin’s voice was heard from next door, "Xiao Jiu, bring Wen Yi over to meet Grandmaster Gong."
Qin Jiu hollered knowingly, reaching out to Wen Yi, who was studying ginkgo leaves in Mr. Ma’s arms, "Yi Yi, let your brother take you to play."
Wen Yi understood human words and was sensitive to the word "play." Upon hearing this, he immediately dropped the leaves, opened his small hands, and jumped towards his brother.
He even sensibly waved goodbye to Yi Chichi and Wen’s mother.
This was his way of saying bye-bye.
"Alright, bye-bye. Go play with your brother for a while and then come home."
Wen’s mother replied with a smile, not forgetting to remind him. Wen Yi nodded in understanding.
Then, Qin Jiu took him next door.
Old Mrs. Song and the others crouched down to help with the prep work.
By the time Qin Jiu and Old Qin brought Wen Yi back with a big red envelope, Yi Chichi had already prepared the ingredients needed for the marinade, and Ding Changwei had lit the stove.
There were too many things, and the gas stove didn’t have a pot big enough.
Indeed, in those days, large cities like Beijing already had gas cylinders replacing coal stoves.
Cooking became very convenient, but the pots weren’t large enough, and besides, the elder generation believed that the flavors from big pot stoves were better than those from gas-cooked dishes.
So, the gas cylinder was set aside in favor of the big stove.
The marinade wouldn’t be ready quickly; to absorb the full flavors, it needed to soak overnight.
Uncle Ye happened to return from the grassroots level just in time to enjoy the marinated ingredients.
"This is the taste I’ve missed so much."
After eating a piece of pig’s heart, he was so moved he nearly cried. Ever since leaving Kao Shan Village, he hadn’t tasted such pleasing marinated pig’s heart. His cravings were real.
And he truly missed this taste.
"Then grandpa, eat more."
Qin Jiu, being a filial child, was quick to offer him more food.
Wen Yi was slowly nibbling on a small piece of pig liver. Seeing his brother adding food to Grandpa Ye’s bowl, he waved his small hand, and the saliva-covered pig liver ended up in the bowl as well.
Everyone, "..."
"You eat it yourself. Your Grandpa Ye is already a grown man and won’t fight with kids for food."
Worried that Uncle Ye might be put off by the saliva, Yi Chichi quickly took the pig liver out and handed it back to Wen Yi, "Uncle, would you like a new bowl of rice?"
"No need, I’m not that particular. I’ve eaten leftovers from kids many times."
Qin Jiu blurted out, "Grandpa Ye, whose kids’ leftovers have you eaten?"
"Yours!"
He asserted firmly, leaving Qin Jiu dumbstruck, turning to Old Qin for confirmation, "Great-grandpa?"
"Your Grandpa Ye is right. When you were little, he often came over to share meals. I didn’t chase him out, allowing him to have some leftovers was my generosity."
Those years, food was scarce. Without a good relationship, no one would part with even scraps, let alone leftovers.
"Hurry up and eat. Once you’re done, let your Grandpa Ye wash up and rest. Look at him, he’s already not young, and now he looks even worse."
One sentence and the whole table’s gaze was directed at him.
Yi Chichi was even curious, "Uncle, how many nights have you stayed up?"
"I have been sleeping, just not enough due to busy work."
He said, touching his face, "Do I really look that bad?"
"...Quite haggard and worn."
Without proper rest, the originally mature and steady middle-aged handsome man now had dark circles and stubble, looking old and tired.
But with a good foundation, after a few good nights of sleep and a clean shave, he’d look his best again.
Old Ye felt a pang in his chest but quickly recovered as he’s not the type who relies on appearance, "Big sis, when are you heading back?"
Wen’s mother swallowed her food and replied, "Month-end. Wen Shi will probably return by then too."
"Not much time to have fun then."
"Ten days is long enough."
Qin Jiu had a different opinion and asked Yi Chichi, "Aunt, can’t you and grandma stay with the little brother?"
"We can’t."
Yi Chichi replied with a smile, "Did you forget? You have an uncle who’s sailing at sea. Grandma and I have to stay home with him."
"He could get a promotion and come to Beijing."
