Chapter 1487 - 1489:

Gong Ruini yawned, curled up on the sofa reading a book, "Ah, if I had known New Year’s Eve would be this quiet, I might as well have gone to class."

According to Gong Ruini’s plan, since she wasn’t going out for class, she should have gone somewhere, like to Chinatown.

Even though they had bought a lot of things for the New Year, with big red lanterns hung up and window decorations pasted, it truly had a festive vibe.

But there just wasn’t enough hustle and bustle, which made Gong Ruini remember how lively it was at home every New Year.

On New Year’s Eve, no matter who it was, no matter what important event was happening outside, no one would go out socializing — everyone would go to the market early to buy fresh vegetables.

The whole family would get involved, frying meatballs, cooking a lavish New Year’s Eve dinner, and preparing dumpling fillings for midnight.

Even though the Gong Family and Zhao Family were Southerners, living in the Northeast for so many years had already assimilated them.

Every time something came out of the pot, it was truly lively, as hands reached out incessantly to eat — it wasn’t that there was a shortage of food, but simply to enjoy the bustling atmosphere.

Without comparison, there’s really no harm, "It’s really boring."

Zhao Xuran was busy in the kitchen, busy enough to almost fly around.

And then he heard his wife say she was bored, which made him feel like spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Zhao Xuran leaned on the kitchen door, poking his head out, "How about coming to help prepare the dumpling filling?"

Ah, this task; Gong Ruini shook her head quickly, "I’m not suited for this right now."

"Call Xiao Zhi, he’s not in class today and isn’t going out, planning to be a couch potato at home?" Gong Ruini thought for a moment, considering her brother was always cooped up in his room dealing with programs.

"Sis." Despite various interests in domestic buddies and cousins, Gong Ruzhi understood that no matter how urgent he felt, some matters were beyond his ability to resolve.

Anyway, he had discussed things with Wan Yihui, and if this guy could be smart about it, their reunion in the United States would come sooner.

Having finally adjusted his restless mindset, thinking he could wholeheartedly dive into work, he didn’t expect to be dragged into the kitchen by his sister.

Seeing a kitchen full of food, Gong Ruzhi felt like he might faint, "There are only three of us."

Even if his sister’s condition is special now and her appetite is good, there’s no need to prepare so much.

"Yeah, I couldn’t control myself." Zhao Xuran expressed his embarrassment.

"I was just going by our usual New Year habits." Every New Year’s Eve, the whole family would get involved, eager to buy everything from the market.

Habits? Surely not a good one, "Brother-in-law, we won’t have to eat so many leftovers, will we?"

Just thinking about having to constantly eat these reheated dishes made Gong Ruzhi’s stomach ache.

"I don’t eat leftovers." Gong Ruini immediately stated she wouldn’t eat leftovers.

"Then let’s not make so much." Zhao Xuran looked at the two of them fearing as if they were really reluctant, feeling quite helpless.

They haven’t even started eating yet, and they’re already making a fuss, "Truly siblings."

"Alright, go and prepare the fish floss; your sister likes fish balls."

"Are sea fish as tasty as these fish?" Zhao Xuran recalled the sea fish they’ve eaten recently, feeling nauseous.

"Wow, it’s a carp, a giant fish head, hey brother-in-law, let’s make fish head soup." Remembering the taste of fish head soup his sister made last time, Gong Ruzhi still savored it to this day.

"Alright."

"We’ll have hot pot then." Gong Ruini peeked in and saw it was indeed a big carp.

Do they have this in the United States? No, not technically rampant yet, but Americans don’t like eating it.

The reason being too many fish bones, and Gong Ruini felt it was a waste to miss out on a culinary delight just to avoid hassle — really regrettable.

"Okay." Hot pot is great; at least there won’t be many dishes to clean, making kitchen cleanup easier, and Gong Ruzhi definitely agreed with his sister.

Hot pot? Zhao Xuran naturally had no objections, aware that making a big meal would keep him busy.

Even though Zhao Xuran never paid much attention to his appearance, he had recently been startled by his exhausted look.

Really feels like his skin has become oily, and Zhao Guangran used to say Gong Ruini exaggerated, claiming cooking wouldn’t age someone.

Now, Zhao Xuran absolutely supported Gong Ruini’s theory, seeing himself after just some cooking feeling aged like a middle-aged man.

Can’t imagine if his wife cooked for years, what would her skin become?

"Make some fish balls, and then some shrimp balls."

"Finally, make some beef balls."

As Gong Ruzhi listened to this and that ball, he couldn’t stop swallowing — all foods he loved, having not eaten for a long time since going abroad.

"Sure, sure."

"Brother-in-law, you’re the best." Oh, he really wanted to hug his brother-in-law, thanking him.

But he had to restrain himself; not saying what kind of care his sister might show him afterward, at least his brother-in-law would push him away.

Their elder sister had concerns about brother-in-law becoming gentle in various ways, attracting many girls.

In fact, she worried too much; considering brother-in-law’s behavior of pulling a face upon seeing girls, attracting any would be problematic.

No girls would approach unless they understood his worth.

"As long as you’re happy." Zhao Xuran smiled and gestured to Gong Ruzhi to finish these balls, "You know how to make them, right?"

"Ah, really?" Gong Ruzhi was stunned, of course, he knew how to make those balls.

As someone who loved eating them, but since going abroad, no matter how much he wanted them, he was dumbfounded fearing the usual dreaded cooking process.

Naturally, his brother-in-law had set a trap for him here.

Crying, Gong Ruzhi really wanted to cry, "I have class tomorrow."

If tasked with dealing with so many balls, Gong Ruzhi imagined his arm becoming useless.

Being a computer enthusiast, who needed to type programs, if his arm got injured, how could he earn a living?

"No worries, I can massage for you." Zhao Xuran mentioned that they had herbal oil at home, which had excellent massage effects.

"Don’t worry, though I haven’t systematically studied Chinese medicine, I’m quite skilled in massage." Zhao Xuran assured Gong Ruzhi not to worry.

Crying, they’ve blocked all his escape routes, what could he do, "Alright, I got it."

Except for agreeing, what else could he do — saying he didn’t want to help?

Seeing Gong Ruzhi’s despondent look, Zhao Xuran laughed.

Even though he might appear as bullying the kid, there was no choice, especially when this guy was overly concerned about how Wan Yihui handled things.

If he knew Gong Ruzhi would make so many balls, he should have loudly declared he wasn’t thinking too much.

Even if he had many thoughts, what could he do other than waiting for Wan Yihui to deliver results?

It was a pity he didn’t know, and having agreed, where could he retreat?