Jack Ma proudly went to cook, while Penguin Ma, who was once the head chef, was reduced to a vegetable washer.
Since Jack Ma arrived, Penguin Ma had not held the ladle. Watching Jack Ma boss everyone around in the kitchen with a smug look, Penguin Ma felt deeply hurt.
Why was it always him who got hurt?
He had never won against Jack Ma in any confrontation.
When would it be his turn to feel triumphant?
The key was that he had his daughter with him, which meant it was a two-on-one situation, and they still couldn't win.
Thinking of his daughter, Penguin Ma's heart ached. This "little cotton-padded jacket" had long been leaky; not only did she not help him, but she even spoke up for Jack Ma.
"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and wash the vegetables."
Jiang Quanshui instructed Penguin Ma, who was standing aside in a daze.
"Damn it... I'll wash them right away."
Penguin Ma wanted to curse, but he held back. He hurried to wash them, as these were prepared for Elder Huang and Elder Li, and he could benefit from it.
When he could brag about having washed vegetables for Elder Huang and Elder Li, and even eaten at the same table, perhaps even had a few drinks.
Upon thinking of this, the originally dejected Penguin Ma vanished, and he began to wash the vegetables diligently, leaf by leaf, cleaning them thoroughly, leaving no trace of dirt.
Around half past twelve, Xia Feng returned.
On his way back, Zhou Gangyi had already informed Xia Feng that Elder Huang and Elder Li had arrived.
As Xia Feng walked into the villa, he saw Elder Huang and Elder Li having tea. He walked over and said, "Are the two great leaders here to freeload a meal again?"
Xia Feng had a smile on his face, his steps light, and an air of composure and casualness.
He showed no sense of urgency in meeting Elder Huang and Elder Li.
Ever since Xia Feng entered the villa, Liao Changwei had been observing him.
Is this the young man the elders Huang and Li were talking about? The teacher from Fudan University?
Liao Changwei's first impression was:
Young, handsome, sunny, full of vitality, and most importantly, that confident demeanor and an unusual aura emanating from him.
What an outstanding man.
Liao Changwei sighed inwardly.
As expected, he was the one Elder Huang and Elder Li wanted to meet; it was clear he was no ordinary person.
"You, boy, come over and sit. Teaching is hard work," Elder Li said with a smile, beckoning Xia Feng over.
"Elder Li, this is my home, why are you still inviting me?" Xia Feng walked over and sat down.
"Haha... Can't you let me be polite for once?" Elder Li laughed heartily.
"Xia Feng, I came smelling the tea fragrance. Don't be stingy," Elder Huang stated his intention directly.
"I'm here to ask for tea, and to see you."
"Haha... Elder Huang, plenty for everyone. Last time I asked Elder Li to bring some for you all, but he refused. You can't blame me for that."
Xia Feng exposed Elder Li's thoughts from back then, but Elder Li did not seem embarrassed at all.
"If you want to drink it, come and ask for it yourself."
Liao Changwei watched the conversation of the three, his eyes almost popping out.
Xia Feng gave him the impression of being on equal footing with the two elders, and what's more, he could hear the unreserved casualness and politeness in Elder Huang and Elder Li's voices.
What's going on?
Moreover, Elder Huang had just mentioned his name, Xia Feng.
Isn't Xia Feng that young Chinese medicine practitioner who shone brightly at the medical exchange conference in the United States last time?
Upon realizing this, Liao Changwei finally understood.
No wonder Secretary Zheng's expression changed drastically when Luo Hanxiang mentioned Xia Feng when he invited Luo Youkang to dinner last time.
So that's how it was. It wasn't that the higher-ups had commended him, but rather that Xia Feng's standing was too high for them to have the qualification to commend him.
Have you ever seen a local secretary commend Elder Huang and Elder Li?
Clearly not, and it was impossible.
The more he listened, the more shocked Liao Changwei became. Shanghai actually had such a prominent figure, who could be considered a paramount figure.
He felt fortunate that he hadn't yet asked Luo Hanxiang to help notify Xia Feng to invite him for dinner, nor had he tried to invite Xia Feng through the connection with the principal of Fudan University.
Thinking of this, Liao Changwei broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he hadn't acted on it yet, or it would have been a colossal joke.
Xia Feng chatted and laughed with Elder Huang and Elder Li, while others couldn't interject and dared not to.
"Where is Qin Wen? I prefer the tea she makes,"
Xia Feng asked Lei Ming, who was making tea.
"She and Lin'er are downstairs. I'll go and call her up," Lei Ming said, putting down the teapot.
Upon hearing this, Qin Guomin's eyes lit up. It seemed his precious daughter was indeed capable, as she had already captured Xia Feng's taste.
If she could make further progress, wouldn't that be soaring to the heavens?
"Elder Huang, Elder Li, hello." After Qin Wen came up, she shyly greeted Elder Huang and Elder Li.
"Little girl, come and make us some tea. Your skill is excellent," Elder Li praised her.
Lei Ming, listening from the side, felt a pang of regret. Damn it, after all these years, why hadn't he learned tea art?
Otherwise, he could be as useful as Teacher Ma now.
"Mm-hmm, okay." After saying that, Qin Wen replaced Lei Ming and sat down.
"Elder Huang, this little girl is Guomin's precious daughter," Elder Li introduced Qin Wen to Elder Huang.
"Oh? Guomin, is this your daughter? You're fast, she's already this big," Elder Huang looked at Qin Wen in surprise, then asked Qin Guomin.
"Yes, Elder Huang, she is my daughter."
Qin Guomin was very proud, a sense of pride surging within him.
Zheng Ming and Liao Changwei looked at Qin Guomin with envy. This was a true "little cotton-padded jacket." Thinking of their own daughters at home, aside from eating, drinking, and having fun, alas... it was difficult to describe.
However, speaking of which, Qin Wen and Zheng Ming's daughter had a good relationship and interacted frequently.
Before Qin Wen came to the villa, she used to play with Zheng Ming's daughter every other day.
But after coming to the villa, Qin Wen seemed like a different person, a super good girl.
"Mm, very good, very good," Elder Huang praised her a couple of times.
Anyone Xia Feng remembered favorably must be good.
"Hmm... This flavor feels stronger."
After Elder Huang took the tea made by Qin Wen, the tea's aroma and richness were even better.
Those who don't like drinking tea will find all teas taste the same, and they can't discern the quality of the tea.
Those who pay attention to drinking tea are very particular about controlling the soaking process, not a moment more or less, which is why the title of tea artist exists.
Tea art is also a field with much knowledge.
Qin Wen learned tea art because she liked drinking tea, and her grandfather also liked tea. From a young age, she learned tea art, and she could perform freely in terms of technique and the degree of tea's richness.
No one could have imagined that her tea art could have such a great space for display.
"Thank you, Elder Huang, for the compliment, hehe..."
Qin Wen smiled with a blush, and then cast a proud glance at Qin Guomin, who was sitting beside her and smiling foolishly.
"Now you know your daughter's usefulness, right?"
"Look at Big Brother Qin Dou, he doesn't even have the qualifications to stand aside."
"Hmph! Don't underestimate women."