Chapter 146: Chapter 27 Uncle Sun, we’re even now oh
After breakfast, he dropped her off at the entrance of a residential community. This area was within Shanghai City’s inner ring, where housing prices exceeded 200,000+ RMB per square meter. It was an old residential district. It seems Bai Feifei’s family background is quite impressive.
After dropping her off, Sun Dasheng returned to his large flat in Courtyard No.1, planning to get some rest.
「The tenth day of the Lunar New Year.」
Sun Dasheng, who had rested for a few days, received an invitation to a family dinner. Because of the job, Qian Zhi’s family was very grateful to him and wanted to treat him to a meal. Firstly, they wanted to thank him for the high-paying job. Secondly, they wanted to strengthen their relationship. Such a great connection has to be maintained, right? After all, relationships are built on frequent interaction.
"Okay, let’s just eat at home. There’s no need to go to some big hotel. Not only is it expensive, but it’s also not as tasty as a home-cooked meal."
When choosing between a big hotel and eating at home, Sun Dasheng obviously chose the latter.
On the evening of the tenth, he arrived on time.
DING-DONG!
The front door opened.
"Da Sheng, you’re always so formal. Why bring a gift just for a meal?" Qian Zhi said, quickly taking the present from his hands.
"It’s just some nutritional supplements for Uncle and Auntie. Nothing too valuable," Sun Dasheng replied with a smile as he walked into the room.
Inside, the entire family warmly welcomed the distinguished guest. The most enthusiastic, of course, was Qian Zhi’s mother-in-law from Shanghai City. "We’ve only prepared some simple home-cooked dishes. Please don’t mind, you’re a big boss after all," she said, ushering him to the seat of honor.
"Home-cooked meals are the best," Sun Dasheng said with a smile, not standing on ceremony as he sat down. Looking at the feast spread across the table, he felt his hosts were being far too modest. The ingredients were all top-notch, and every dish was a perfect combination of color, aroma, and flavor.
"Your uncle cooked all of this himself. Try some and see if you like it," the mother-in-law said, placing food into his bowl.
"Everyone, please sit down. It feels a bit odd with you all standing and watching me eat," Sun Dasheng said with a laugh.
"Sit, sit, everyone sit down." As the mother-in-law spoke, everyone obediently took their seats.
Then, she began to introduce the couple beside her. Actually, even without her introduction, Sun Dasheng had already guessed. Next to the couple sat the little troublemaker, Yang Xintian. They must be her son and daughter-in-law—in other words, Yang Xintian’s parents.
As expected, she continued, "This is my eldest son, Yang Fei, and next to him is my daughter-in-law, Cui Yingying. This little one is my granddaughter, Yang Xintian."
"Tian Tian, hurry up and greet him," the mother-in-law instructed.
The rebellious girl didn’t dare to disobey. "Hello, Uncle Sun," she said obediently, though she sneakily winked at him.
"Hello to you too, Tian Tian," Sun Dasheng responded with a smile.
"How old are you? You must be in college by now?" he asked.
Yang Xintian’s mother, Cui Yingying, answered. "Her? She’s been mischievous since she was little, and her grades were average, so she only got into an ordinary university. She’s a sophomore now."
"We wanted to send her abroad to study, but she’s so stubborn she refused to go." Cui Yingying sounded quite frustrated that her daughter hadn’t lived up to her expectations.
"Sister-in-law, I told you long ago to be stricter with her, but you just kept spoiling her. Now she’s completely spoiled, isn’t she?" Yang Meina, who had just finished helping her father in the kitchen, said as she sat down next to her husband. In the family, she had the most authority after her mother.
At her words, her older brother and sister-in-law fell silent. Her younger sister was right. They had been warned about their daughter’s upbringing before but hadn’t taken it to heart. Back then, the couple was completely focused on their careers, taking a laissez-faire approach to their daughter’s education. Besides, they were well-off and felt secure. If their child didn’t do well in school, they could just send her abroad. Who would have thought their rebellious daughter would refuse to listen to them at all?
"Alright, that’s enough. I think Tian Tian is doing just fine now," Qian Zhi said, coming to his niece’s defense.
"Uncle’s right! I’ll toast to you, my dear beloved uncle!" Yang Xintian raised her glass, ready for a toast.
Her mother, sitting beside her, quickly stopped her. "Is that wine for you to drink? You’re still a student, and a girl at that. Why are you drinking?"
Then, she turned to her mother-in-law. "Mom, do we have any juice? Get some for the kid."
"What? I’m not a kid anymore," Yang Xintian pouted, a little miffed. But there was nothing she could do. Her aunt, the one person who could keep her in line, was sitting opposite her, staring daggers.
"Juice it is, then! Uncle, I’ll use this juice as a substitute for wine. Here’s to you! I wish you smooth sailing at work and a career that reaches new heights!"
Qian Zhi raised his glass. "Heh... I have to drink this toast from Tian Tian." He downed it in one go!
He was all smiles, but as he glanced at his old classmate beside him, he felt a wave of emotion. If his old friend hadn’t helped him, his marriage might have been in trouble. Of course, he and his wife had a strong relationship. But marriage isn’t just about two people; it’s about two families. If his in-laws had kept finding fault and picking fights, their marriage would have eventually crumbled, no matter how much they loved each other.
Thinking of this, he refilled his glass, stood up, and raised it to Sun Dasheng. "Tonight’s dinner is especially to thank my old classmate, who is also my new boss. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and giving a middle-aged man like me a chance to get back on my feet. I won’t say any more sappy words—it’s all in the wine. I’m finishing mine; you can drink as you please."
With that, he downed another glass.
Sun Dasheng also stood up and drank with him. "We’re old classmates, no need for such formalities."
"That’s right, you’re old classmates, so there’s no need to be so formal. Don’t hold back tonight. Just relax and make yourself at home."