“It would be better to just have someone buy the ingredients ready and barbecue in the courtyard.”
The old lady said, “Whenever you have a barbecue, invite me along. I have not eaten barbecue for ages.”
Mrs Shang said, “…… We will wait until winter. When the weather turns cold, then we can have barbecue. But you are getting on in years, so you should eat a little less.”
“It is fine. I have just had a full check-up at the hospital, and the doctor praised my good health. He said my results are better than those of many younger people.”
Zhan Yue said, “If Grandma wants to eat it, we can have it at home too. But as Aunt Feng says, let us wait until winter. The weather is still hot now.”
Winter arrives late in Guancheng. At present, it is only a little cooler in the evenings and mornings, still far from cold.
Only in November does a chill gradually appear, and even then the cold lasts only a few days before the temperature rises again.
To spend winter in Guancheng, a thick coat is scarcely needed.
“More people make it lively.”
Mrs Shang smiled. “Then we will all come to your house and have barbecue with you, and it will be nice and bustling.”
“That is settled, then. Old Eighth, give Beibei to me. You go back to work. You have already lost half a day today.”
The old lady abruptly changed the subject and urged Zhan Yue to return to the office.
Zhan Yue said, “I was hoping to stay here at Aunt Feng’s for lunch before leaving. Does Grandma not want me to stay for a meal?”
“Exactly. Since you are here, stay for lunch before you go.”
Mrs Shang also wanted to keep Zhan Yue for lunch.
Although Zhan Yue spoke that way, he had not truly intended to stay. After setting down his teacup, he stood up and said to Mrs Shang, “Aunt Feng, I was only joking. There are urgent matters at the company, so I must head back first.”
“I have another lunch engagement today. Next time I am free, I will definitely linger here for a meal with you.”
Since the two families had become related by marriage, they visited often and got along like one family. Mrs Shang did not press him to stay and smiled. “All right, you go and be busy. Come over for a meal another day when you have time.”
She asked the housekeeper to see Zhan Yue out.
Once Zhan Yue had left, Mrs Shang asked the old lady, “I heard from Tongtong that your family’s Old Eighth has some news. She is a doctor. What is the girl like?”
“She is a doctor, and her whole family are doctors. She is a decent person. Her looks are not outstanding, but Old Eighth is a good match for her. As long as Old Eighth likes her, that is all that matters. I have no objections.”
“With so many granddaughters-in-law already, even if one of the grandsons brought a man home, I could accept it.”
Mrs Shang burst out laughing. “You speak so freely, old lady. If someone really brought a man home, you would be anxious enough to get mouth ulcers. When my second son was not dating for so long, I said the same thing: as long as he was willing to marry, I would accept it even if he brought a man home.”
“That was just talk. If he really brought a man home, I would not feel the same way. Fortunately, my second son is perfectly normal.”
“Tongtong said Old Eighth has not confessed yet. Is it only recent?”
The old lady replied, “I only learned of it recently. He probably took a liking to her last month. Early last month he had a car accident and was slightly injured, so he was admitted to hospital, as you know.”
“Xiaoya happened to be his doctor. It was love at first sight for him. At first he did not want to stay in hospital, but later he wanted to remain there forever. He stayed for about ten days and was almost discharged against his will.”
“When a man likes someone, he lingers a few extra days. Haha, it is normal. All your grandsons are the same. Or rather, most men who have found the woman they love behave in much the same way.”
“Great-Grandma, I am hungry.”
Beibei could not understand the adults’ conversation. After playing alone for barely two minutes, she went to the old lady and announced that she was hungry.
“Beibei is hungry. Shall we have some porridge?”
Mrs Shang quickly rose and headed towards the kitchen, saying as she went, “Tongtong told me Beibei still mostly eats soft foods. Before I went to collect her, I had porridge prepared.”
“Beibei’s teeth came in later than most children’s, so for now she cannot manage much solid food. It is better to give her porridge.”
The children in their family lack for nothing in nutrition, but Beibei’s teething has simply been a little delayed. She has not grown as quickly as her brothers.
