Zeng Xiaoya smiled and said, “Grandma Zhan, you are being too kind. That was just a small thing. When people buy a house and renovate it, it’s perfectly normal to ask the neighbours nearby. Everyone is happy to share their own experiences.”
“Zhan Yue, you haven’t joined the Wan Sheng Garden owners’ group yet, right? I will add you to it later. Once you’re in the group, if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask in the group. Everyone will be very willing to teach you.”
Zhan Yue said, “Then please add me later. I really haven’t joined the owners’ group yet.”
The servant brought over fruit and fragrant tea.
Everyone chatted for a while, and soon it was time for dinner.
Zeng Xiaoya felt a little embarrassed.
She had originally come today just to chat with Grandma Zhan, but she arrived late and made Grandma Zhan wait for so long. Now that she had just arrived, it was already dinner time.
She sensed that everyone did not treat her as an outsider, so Zeng Xiaoya relaxed and took her seat along with the others.
The table was full of dishes, very abundant. She glanced over and noticed several dishes that she really liked. The other dishes were not her absolute favourites, but she still liked them.
There were many dishes, but they were all home-style cooking, nothing extravagant like rare delicacies. They were pretty much the same as what her family usually ate at home, just with a few more varieties.
“Xiaoya, have a bowl of soup first.”
The old lady signalled to Zhan Yue to personally serve Zeng Xiaoya a bowl of soup.
“Zhan Yue originally wanted to cook himself. He said he would prepare a whole table of good dishes to thank you for helping him so much during this time. But in the end, I sent him to pick you up.”
The old lady used the serving chopsticks to put some food on Zeng Xiaoya’s plate. She did not forget her two granddaughters-in-law, Haitong and Ning Yun Chu, either.
She gave them both some food too. Haitong also served some to the old lady.
They knew the old lady was worried they might feel jealous and think she favoured the new person over them.
In fact, they would not feel jealous at all. They were not petty or calculating people. Zeng Xiaoya was the newcomer, so it was only right for Grandma to take extra care of her.
They also treated Zeng Xiaoya with great consideration.
After all, this was her first time visiting as a guest.
“Stay here for dinner this afternoon before you go back.”
The old lady said, “Zhan Yue has time this afternoon. Let him cook personally and show you what he can do. He hasn’t cooked for a long time. I would like to taste his cooking too and see if he has improved.”
Zeng Xiaoya said a little shyly, “Grandma Zhan, if you do that, I will feel really embarrassed.”
The third madam said, “What’s there to feel embarrassed about? You finally have a day off, and you still came to chat with our old lady. We are already very grateful and don’t even know how to thank you properly.”
“Just let Zhan Yue cook dinner himself this afternoon. After you’ve eaten dinner, go back, and let Zhan Yue drive you home.”
Haitong also smiled and said, “Xiaoya, just agree. Grandma has been talking about this for a long time. If you don’t stay for dinner, she will feel like we didn’t treat you well.”
“Then I will shamelessly stay for dinner before going back.”
The old lady gave Zhan Yue a look that said, perform well this afternoon.
She had pulled down her own face to fight for another chance for him.
Zhan Yue returned his grandma a reassuring look.
He did not dare say his cooking skills could compare to his sixth brother’s, but they were still much better than most people’s. He was good enough to be a head chef in a restaurant.
