ICY Chapter 9

Chapter 9

In order to attend the same university as Su Zhao Li, Jiang Shi came to Su Zhao Li’s house to study every day. Su Zhao Li was very happy, Jiang Shi was also very happy, and Mother and Father Chu were also happy to see it happen. The only one who wasn’t happy was Chu Nan Du. Who wants to study during vacation time?

Jiang Shi wasn’t bad at studying; there weren’t many things he didn’t understand. When he arrived at Su Zhao Li’s house in the morning, he would go to Su Zhao Li’s room to do homework with him. He would wait until Chu Nan Du got up before taking his difficult questions to ask him.

Chu Nan Du really wanted to get angry. Compared to them, his attitude was simply terrible. After Jiang Shi left every day, he had to face Mother and Father Chu’s bombardment in turns. If it weren’t for the little snacks Jiang Shi brought every time, he really wouldn’t be able to hold back.

“Why does your man need me to teach him?” Chu Nan Du took Su Zhao Li to his room and asked.

“If I studied science, you definitely wouldn’t be of any use.”

“That’s too heartless, Su Zhao Li. I hope you change your major to science right now.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

“Why don’t you find a tutor? It’s not like you don’t have money.”

“Does having money mean you can waste it? Besides, you’re a ready-made one, why waste the money?”

“Great, free labor. Give me a salary.”

“I already said it’s free labor, where’s the salary coming from?”

“Black-hearted.”

“It’s clearly a heart that loves you. You see, you definitely won’t do your holiday homework, so when Jiang Shi comes to ask you, isn’t that helping you consolidate and deepen your understanding? We’re helping you with your opening exam.”

“Su Zhao Li, your heart is completely biased towards the Pacific Ocean.”

“You already said he’s my man, so of course I have to be biased.”

“Ahhh, Su Zhao Li, where’s your sense of shame?”

“Never had it.”

The sky is falling, what to do if my brother is too cheap and I can’t hit him?

·

“Mom, Dad, A Li is here.”

The day before the Little New Year, Su Zhao Li was invited by Jiang Shi to visit his home. Originally, Jiang Shi wanted his parents to go out and have fun for a day so he could properly entertain A Li, but as soon as Mother Jiang heard that Su Zhao Li was coming, she refused to go out and insisted on staying to entertain him.

In the morning, Mother Jiang dragged Father Jiang to the market early to shop. She had to let Su Zhao Li eat the best.

“Let me tell you, husband, A Li is really beautiful, both beautiful and cute, and very polite. His grades are also super good. If you ask around at school, everyone knows A Li. He’s the god-level student in liberal arts at school.”

“I’m so satisfied with this marriage. You’re not allowed to object.”

Since returning from the parent-teacher conference that day, Father Jiang’s ears were almost calloused from hearing these words. He was also filled with curiosity about this person who had captivated both his wife and son.

“Oranges, we’re out of oranges! Quick, quick, quick, I need to go to the supermarket to pick out some good ones.”

“Son, you hurry up and get out of bed. Clean up our house properly, buy some flowers to decorate, got it?”

“Okay, Mom.”

By half past nine, Mother and Father Jiang had already returned. Jiang Shi also went out to pick up Su Zhao Li. The person their family was receiving with such fanfare was finally about to make an appearance. Father Jiang couldn’t help but sweat in his hands.

“Uncle, Auntie, hello.”

“A Li, hello.”

Mother Jiang shook off Father Jiang’s hand that was tugging at her clothes. What was this old thing doing pulling at her at a time like this?

“I heard that Uncle and Auntie really like to eat the cookies I make, so I spent all day yesterday making them, especially for Uncle and Auntie.”

“Good child, so sensible.” In Mother Jiang’s eyes, Su Zhao Li was practically glowing.

“Uncle, hello.”

“Hello.”

While Jiang Shi was taking Su Zhao Li to tour his house, Father Jiang pulled Mother Jiang, who was happily tasting the cookies, into the kitchen, “How come it’s a guy?”

“Didn’t you know? Didn’t I tell you? Didn’t you even look at your son’s phone wallpaper? It’s a photo of A Li and your son.”

“So what if it’s a guy? Just tell me, isn’t A Li very handsome, very cute, and very polite?”

“That’s true. Wait, then what marriage are you talking about?”

“Husband, don’t be so old-fashioned. If A Li can take a liking to our son, then I’ll really be burning incense to thank the heavens. What does it matter if it’s a boy or a girl?”

“That’s true, wait, I’m being led astray by you again. Your son doesn’t seem to understand anything yet.”

“That’s exactly because your son doesn’t understand anything that we need to prepare early. When your son understands in the future, we’ll take him down early. I’m determined to get this daughter-in-law.”

“My wife is still thinking ahead, but if your son doesn’t like it, don’t force him.”

“Which eye of yours saw that your son doesn’t like it?”

“Neither eye saw it.”

“Isn’t that it then?”

“A Li, is there anything you want to eat for lunch? Auntie can make anything, I guarantee you’ll eat well.”

“Thank you, Auntie, I’m not picky, I eat everything.”

As soon as Jiang Shi heard this, he knew that wouldn’t do. A Li must be too embarrassed.

“Mom, sausage, and glutinous rice sausage. I told A Li, our family’s newly made sausages and glutinous rice sausages are super delicious.”

“Okay, okay, okay, what else?”

“A Li likes spicy food, he also likes sweet food, he also likes to eat fish, especially fried crispy fish. He doesn’t eat garlic or ginger. He also likes to eat crunchy food, doesn’t like to drink water, and usually only drinks orange juice. Mom, remember to make a soup. He likes everything made with oranges…”

Jiang Shi’s words were interrupted by Su Zhao Li. How could he make so many requests on the first visit to the parents?

“Auntie, that’s all. I love to eat everything.” Su Zhao Li pulled Jiang Shi away with a blushing face.

“Is it not good to have so many requests the first time I come to your house?” Su Zhao Li asked Jiang Shi quietly.

“No, inviting you here is to let you eat well, and my parents are looking forward to your coming. They went out to buy groceries at six o’clock this morning. They’ll only be happy if you eat well. Our house has also been cleaned by me for a long time since this morning.”

“Why are they so nice to me?”

“Because you’re very good, A Li. My mother likes you very much and has been talking about you at home.”

“Okay, I’ll come to your house more often in the future.”

“That’s great.”

The lunch was really rich, with chicken, duck, goose, fish, shrimp, and crab, everything you could want. Even the soup and dessert after the meal were full of care and delicacy.

“Come, come, let’s take a photo. This is A Li’s first time at my house. I want to post it on Moments to commemorate it.”

“Come, peace sign.” They took hundreds of photos in a row, posing in a dozen different ways.

“Okay, the photos are great. Let’s eat first. I’ll think about the caption for Moments later. A Li, we haven’t added each other as friends yet, right? Let’s add each other later, okay?”

“Okay, Auntie, I also want to thank you for the hospitality.”

“So polite.”

“Come, A Li, try this. This sausage and glutinous rice sausage were personally seasoned and stuffed by me. Try it quickly.”

“Delicious.”

“Hehe, take some home with you tonight. Our family made a lot.”

“Thank you, A Shi.”

Su Zhao Li ate very well during the meal. The food made by Mother Jiang was really delicious, and everything suited Su Zhao Li’s taste. Moreover, the three people at the table kept picking dishes for him, and he ate very happily.

“A Li, try my mother’s new attempt at orange soufflé, made especially for you. Try it quickly.”

“So soft, so delicious.”

“It’s good that you like it. My mother made a lot. You can take it all away tonight.”

“Okay, you eat too. Come, ah—”

“How is it, is it delicious?”

“Delicious.”

“Did you see? What a loving scene. We need to prepare quickly. I feel like it won’t be long.”

“Come, wife, you eat too, ah—”

“Delicious.” Mother Jiang’s mouth was sweet, and her heart was also sweet. Such a good daughter-in-law couldn’t be found even with a lantern.

“Are you leaving so soon?” Mother Jiang reluctantly held Su Zhao Li’s hand.

“Auntie, I’ll come often in the future.”

“Okay, good.”

“Son, have you taken all the things? The desserts for A Li and the gifts for A Li’s family, take more sausage and glutinous rice sausage too.”

“No need, Auntie, really no need. It’s already been too much trouble for you today.”

“What are you talking about? I feel happy seeing A Li. Come often in the future.”

“Okay.”

“Mom, I’ll safely send A Li back. You guys should go inside earlier too.”

If it weren’t for Jiang Shi’s urging, Father and Mother Jiang would probably have sent him all the way to the gate of the residential complex.

Su Zhao Li looked at the large bags and small packages on Jiang Shi’s back, “Let me help you carry some.”

“No need, it’s not heavy at all. I can’t let you get tired.”

Su Zhao Li found it funny, “How can I get tired if it’s not heavy?”

“Anyway, I’ll carry it, you talk to me.”

“Okay, A Shi, there will be a fireworks show in the park on New Year’s Eve. Let’s go see it together. I want to spend this year with you.”

“Okay.”

“Is it true that you’ll say okay to anything I say?”

“Of course, I’ll agree to everything A Li says.”

“Then A Shi, we have to be together every year for the New Year.”

“Okay.” Every year together, that’s great.

…

“Hey, hey, hey, why did you bring so many things back? Are you tired, Jiang Shi? Come in and rest.”

“Not tired, Auntie. These are just gifts my mom asked me to bring over. This is sausage and glutinous rice sausage that my family made ourselves. A Li likes to eat it very much. Auntie, you can also try it. And this is a dessert my mom made for A Li. She made a lot. Auntie, you can also try it.”

“How can I be so embarrassed? Xiao Shi, you bring things every time you come. Your mother is really working hard. Come, come, Xiao Shi, this is the bacon Auntie cured. Auntie’s craftsmanship is ancestral. The taste is top-notch. You must try it. And this, I specially fried crispy fish for A Li. A Li loves to eat it the most. You also try it.”

“Thank you, Auntie, that’s enough, that’s enough, Auntie…”

“Hey, how is it? Are your in-laws easy to get along with?”

“What do you think?”

“It seems you’ve already conquered them. Respect, respect.”

“A Li, you quickly send Xiao Shi off.”

“Coming.”

“You go back quickly. You’ve been walking for so long, take a good rest.”

“I’ll send you to the entrance of the residential complex. You’ve also been walking for so long. Take a taxi or scan a shared bike when you go back. I’ll reimburse you.”

“Thank you, A Li, but this is enough.”

“Go back quickly.”

“You go back first, I’ll watch you leave.”

“I’ll watch A Li leave.”

“Pfft hahaha, I’ll count to three, let’s turn around together.” Su Zhao Li couldn’t help but laugh.

“Okay.”

“One”

“Two”

“Three”

“A Li, you’re cheating.”

“How can I see that A Shi hasn’t left either if I don’t cheat?”

“Hug?”

“Hug.”