Chapter 23 - Reunion Dinner
Jia Li's break just ended, so she has to go back to school. Luckily, her father was able to provide money for her college fees.
"Mum, where did you keep the salt, I can't find it." Jia Li announced from the kitchen. She was making dinner while her parents were in the living room watching the Tv.
"It finished so I bought another one. Just look for it in the kitchen, you find it." Mrs. Qin replied with her eyes glued to the Tv.
Jia Li felt so frustrated. Her mother can never change. When she buys new things, she forgets to put them in the rightful place. But when you ask her about it so you can keep it properly, she won't remember where she left them.
Jia Li searched the shelves in the kitchen, but she didn't find anything. She had to come out from the kitchen and do to the living room.
Just before she could out of her mother, her attention was caught by a polythene bag on the dining table.
She walked to the dining table and checked out the content only to figure out what it was.
Jia Li was not in the mood to say anything, she took the polythene bag to the kitchen and resumed her cooking.
"Jia Li, have you found the salt?." Mrs. Qin asked after a while.
"Yes." Jia Li replied as she came out to set the dining table.
Mr. Qun sniffed the air because he could perceive something.
"This good girl is the food ready?." He asked as he turned his focus away from the Tv.
"Yes, dad." Jia Li replied as she walked back into the kitchen. She turned off the gas and started to dish the food.
"Wife, go and help her out." Mr. Qin whispered to his wife.
"Do you think she is in a bad mood?." Mrs. Qun whispered back.
"She looks unhappy. Maybe we can ask her after dinner." Mr. Qin replied.
Mrs. Qin helped Jia Li to serve the dishes.
As the family of three are, they made small talks. Jia Li's response was not easily heard.
After dinner, Jia carried the plates to the kitchen sink to wash them.
"Jia Li, what's wrong?." Mrs. Qin asked as she walked to Jia Li's side.
"You can tell something is bothering me?." Jia Li asked as she rinsed the plates under the tap water.
"Of course, your father and I are not blind. Tell me, what's wrong?." Mrs. Win asked.
Jia Li turned off the tap before turning to her mother to say, "Mum, I'm just worried about Grandfather Fu, and I hope he is doing well."
"Oh! You're worried about the old man? Phone him then, you can talk to him and find out about his health." Mrs. Win suggested.
"Well, I did yesterday, but he didn't return my calls. Do you think he has forgotten about me?." Jia Li said in a dejected tone.
"Old Mr. Fu doesn't look like someone that would forget somebody so easily. Remember, he was in the army for years. Alright, don't worry too much about him, he is fine. He has children and grandchildren to look after him. And maybe he has been too to look at his phone. Don't worry, he will call you soon." Mrs. Qin said to her in a placating tone.
And just like Mrs. Qin said, Grandfather Fu was currently dinner with his children and most of his grandchildren.
"Okay. I will just wait for his call." Kia Li said as she took a plate cloth to wipe the wet plates with.
Mrs. Qin chuckled softly as she said, "look at you worrying about the Old Man, you must have really taken him as your grandfather."
Grandfather Fu reminds me of my grandfather, so of course, I have to worry about him. Alright mum, go and meet father." Jia Li said to her mother as she arranged the plates on a kitchen rack.
"Alright." Mrs. Qin said as she patted her back before living for the living room.
Jia Li heaved a sigh of relief as she continued with her chores.
Mrs. Qin went to the living room to join her husband to continue the Tv drama they were watching.
"What did she say?." Mrs. Qin asked immediately his wife sat beside him.
Mrs. Qin gave him the details, and he nodded with a smile. "Leave her be. Our daughter has replaced her grandfather with Old Mr. Fu."
"Ai! Have you heard from your Sister?." Mrs. Qin asked.
"No, why?." Mr. Qin asked.
"Nothing much. She is your only family member, so I'm worried about her on your behalf." Mrs. Qin replied.
"I haven't heard from her in a few months now. I guess she has a burden to bear. Her troublesome husband keeps on causing trouble for her. But I'm surprised she hasn't come to ask for my help in recent months." Mr. Qin said.
"Maybe her husband has truly repented." Mrs. Qin replied.
"Anyway, it's left for them." Mr. Qin said as they continued to watch the Tv drama.
After cleaning the kitchen, Jia said good night to her parents before retiring to her room.
At the Fu Mansion, the dining area was quiet even though there were up to ten people having dinner there.
The only sounds that could be heard were from their cutleries.
Grandfather Fu had three children, two sons, and a daughter. His first son, which was Fu Hua's father, had three children, two sons, and a daughter.
Grandfather Fu's second son, had a son and a daughter, while the only daughter of grandfather Fu, was married, but had no child.
The only person that was missing at the dining table was, Fu Hua and YingPei's Sister. She has been in Paris for two years now.
Fu Hua's mother organized this family banquet to make the old man happy. This was a family reunion after his recovery.
Grandfather Fu was happy to see his family members around him, but he didn't show it on his face, only his rating habits showed it. He ate his dinner heartily.