With Wen Dongrong’s little interlude, Xie Qian felt he had grasped his future father-in-law’s preferences. Throughout the meal, he kept praising Wen Dongrong’s cooking.
One moment he said the kung pao chicken was authentic.
The next he praised the spicy boiled fish for its bold flavour.
In truth, two bites of fish were Xie Qian’s limit. Only heaven and Wen Ying knew that the sight of the fish slices blanketed in Sichuan peppercorns made his scalp tingle.
His obsessive-compulsive tendencies ran deep. Xie Qian truly wanted to pick out every single peppercorn from the fish slices. He tried to restrain himself, but failed. He actually did it.
Wen Dongrong’s eyes widened. This lad was that picky?
Deng Shangwei held his chopsticks, feeling a little awkward.
The Xie family raised their children so delicately.
By comparison, they had raised Xiao Ying rather roughly. He wondered whether the two would clash over daily habits in future.
Chen Ru stayed calmer than the two men and revealed nothing for now.
Under the scrutiny of Wen Ying’s three elders, Xie Qian seemed oblivious. With practised movements, he finished picking the peppercorns from the fish slices and placed the clean pieces in front of Wen Ying.
“Here. No peppercorns left.”
Xie Qian’s actions were smooth, and Wen Ying accepted them as routine.
Wen Dongrong’s eyes widened further. This Xie boy certainly knew how to show attentiveness!
Deng Shangwei’s awkwardness turned to approval. He looked cold, but he was actually very considerate towards his girlfriend. Points added!
Chen Ru was slightly surprised. Xiao Ying disliked peppercorns?
As her mother, she had never noticed. She really had been negligent.
Wen Ying ignored the undercurrents at the table and enthusiastically urged Xie Qian.
“You eat too. The tomato and egg stir-fry should suit you. I specially told Dad not to add spring onions!”
Wen Ying knew Xie Qian could not handle spice, so she had asked Wen Dongrong to prepare several non-spicy dishes.
Of course, her emotional intelligence was not that low. She had told Wen Dongrong she felt like eating something light today.
Black-hearted Cotton, little fibber!
Wen Dongrong silently ground his teeth.
Deng Shangwei stepped on Wen Dongrong’s foot under the table, and Chen Ru warned him with a look. Wen Dongrong forced a smile. “Xie Qian, if it suits your taste, eat more. I left spring onions out of all these dishes!”
Who on earth did not eat spring onions?
It was normal for people from other provinces to avoid coriander. Avoiding spring onions was not normal!
Xie Qian not only looked incapable of tossing a wok, some might believe he did not even need to eat.
Wen Dongrong felt a slight aversion towards him.
He did not quite understand his own attitude, so he grew increasingly glum.
Even after the meal, when Xie Qian offered to wash the dishes, Wen Dongrong did not brighten. “Sit still. We can’t let you wash up.”
His tigress wife was right. If Xie Qian washed dishes here at the Wen home, Black-hearted Cotton might end up mopping floors at the Xie home!
Xie Qian failed to secure dish-washing duties. He stood watching in the kitchen for a while before his brain arrived at the optimal solution. “Uncle, shall I have someone install a dishwasher?”
Wen Ying knew Xie Qian was very nervous today. He seemed to have lost his usual calm composure. Whatever came into his head, he said.
First he wanted to learn cooking, now he wanted to install a dishwasher in the rented flat.
Could Old Wen be won over with a mere dishwasher?
Not just in 2008. Even ten years later, young people would face resistance installing one at home.
They were only a few bowls and plates. Wash them while cleaning the hob.
Buying a machine, altering plumbing and electrics, ongoing water and electricity costs. All that complexity for a few dishes!
Young people were just lazy!
Wen Ying’s mind instantly filled with all the high-frequency objections.
As expected, Wen Dongrong immediately rejected Xie Qian’s suggestion. He was utterly baffled. “How can a machine be more convenient than hands? Every time you wash up, you’d have to fiddle with the machine. By that time, I’d have the dishes clean!”
Besides, the rented kitchen was not large. One person cooking felt spacious enough, two was cramped, three impossible. In such a confined space, where would a dishwasher go?
Xie Qian was completely out of touch!
Wen Dongrong fumed inwardly. Moreover, with that blasted dishwasher, how would his own value be shown? The head of the household had to manage everyone’s meals and hunger!
From Wen Dongrong’s expression, Xie Qian knew he had misspoken. He was deeply annoyed.
Why did every attempt to impress backfire?
Wen Ying wanted to ease the atmosphere. Chen Ru, who had said little all day, suddenly smiled. “Enough. Don’t be so polite. There will be plenty more chances to eat here in future. Plenty of time for you to shine. Xie Qian, let’s go back to the living room and chat. Tell me about dishwashers. I’m quite interested.”
Xie Qian was surprised. He had not expected Wen Ying’s mother to offer him a way out.
He seized the lifeline at once.
“What would you like to know?”
Xie Qian only had basic knowledge of dishwashers, but if Chen Ru needed it, he could return home, research every brand on the market, and produce a table analysing models, features, pros, and cons!
“Can a small kitchen accommodate one? Does it require plumbing or electrical changes?”
“It can be adapted.”
Xie Qian quickly glanced at the kitchen again, confirming the layout. Without consulting professionals, he could guarantee with his own knowledge, “With some planning, it will fit.”
Xie Qian gave Chen Ru a simple overview of different dishwasher types. She listened attentively.
“From what you say, technology really does free up labour. A dishwasher is a good thing. You’ve opened our eyes to a new idea. My work is busy, and your uncle’s is too. A dishwasher would save us a lot of time.”
Without waiting for Xie Qian to speak or hearing Wen Dongrong’s opinion, Chen Ru decided. “Here’s what we’ll do. You arrange for someone to deliver a suitable one. We’ll trouble you to handle it. You understand these tech products better than we do. But once it’s installed, your uncle and I will pay for it. Xie Qian, don’t argue about paying. I know money is no object for you, but everything has its place. Keep your relationship with Wen Ying simple.”
It was just dating.
While theyWere still young, they should enjoy romance. No need to plunge too early into the details of daily life. Bringing fruit when visiting was polite, but hauling bags and boxes was too much.
“We’ll accept what you brought today, but no more next time, alright?”
Chen Ru instructed carefully. Xie Qian nodded mechanically.
Wen Ying’s mother had just accepted their relationship outright. No tests, no difficulties. Why?
Xie Qian felt his performance today had been dreadful!
Even as he went downstairs to leave, he could not work out how he had won Chen Ru over.
Wen Dongrong could not work it out either!
As Xie Qian left, Wen Ying went to see him off. Wen Dongrong immediately asked, “What do you see in him? You can’t just look at his face or his family money.”
“I see how good he is to Xiao Ying!”
Chen Ru cut off Wen Dongrong’s nagging. “Good looks and money are his strengths, but not what moved me most. Xiao Ying isn’t unattractive herself, and she can earn her own money! What moved me most is that he likes Xiao Ying. Because he likes her, he tries so clumsily to please us!”
