I have ten trillion licking dog gold

"What are you standing there for? Go get the fruit."

After being completely bewildered.

Pan Hui reacted before Fang Weiguo. She suppressed her surging emotions, forced a smile, and secretly nudged her dazed husband. At the same time, she couldn't help but secretly scrutinize him from head to toe.

The soft, off-white knit suit is fitted yet not tight, with gentle lines. The neckline is adorned with a delicate pearl chain, understated yet subtly shimmering. It is paired with matching soft leather shoes, light and down-to-earth, and also suitable for driving. The hair is casually styled into a low bun, and a pair of small pearl stud earrings adorn the ears. There are no extra decorations, but they show an effortless sense of sophistication.

Not to brag, but in Pan Hui and her husband's social circle, there are very few girls who can compare with their daughter. Otherwise, the whole compound wouldn't be talking about their daughter so much. But today, this girl, who has finally made her appearance but whose face we only know, stands next to their daughter and is in no way inferior, creating a visual effect that complements and enhances each other.

"Uncle and Aunt, this is my first time visiting, please accept this small token of my appreciation."

The couple was caught completely off guard and attacked without warning, but Li Shurui came prepared. As she entered the house, she handed over gifts she had purchased from the service area store.

Fang Weiguo subconsciously took the item, then composed himself and his smile returned, though it no longer seemed as natural as before. "Why are you being so polite..."

"I don't want to be polite, but Mr. Jiang Chen always says he's been taken care of by you. If I come empty-handed, I'm worried he'll scold me."

What does it mean to treat people well?

Compared to her university days, Li Shurui has indeed made a qualitative leap. A simple sentence has subtly shortened the distance between them.

Actually, she wasn't bad at socializing back in college; it's just that the students at Tokyo University thought she was aloof.

"Hehe, little one...aren't we right next door? A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative, don't you think?"

Fang Weiguo almost blurted out something out of habit, but he managed to hold back. After all, this was that kid's real girlfriend, and he couldn't be so casual. He had to be careful with his words.

Li Shurui smiled and nodded.

All of them went inside.

"sit."

Fang Weiguo closed the door, then went to put his things away and prepare fruit, feeling a mix of emotions.

He knew perfectly well that Jiang Chen had a girlfriend, and he had known for a long time.

But knowing something is one thing, seeing it in person is another.

It's like the anesthesia wearing off, and you can't pretend to be asleep anymore.

This brat, why did she bring him home like that? What's going on?!
Pan Hui didn't have time to compose herself. She gestured for the guests to sit on the sofa and then looked reproachfully at her daughter, "Qingqing, why didn't you give us a heads-up?"

Fang Qing didn't answer, but she still knew how to treat guests. Even though she was "kidnapped," she still took the initiative to pour a cup of tea for them.

“Auntie, I asked Sister Fang Qing to bring me here. Actually, I’ve wanted to come to Shacheng for a long time, but I haven’t had the time because I’ve been busy with work. This time, Sister Fang Qing and I happened to be on a business trip in Jiangcheng, so after finishing our work, we came back together.”

Li Shurui accepted the hot tea with impeccable manners, showing no sign of awkwardness. If it weren't for Fang Qing's earlier unnecessary introduction, the elderly couple's first impression of her would undoubtedly have been...

——100 points!
"I see."

In contrast, Pan Hui, as the elder, seemed a little awkward. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked, "You drove back from Jiangcheng, you probably haven't had lunch yet, right?"

"We ate breakfast before we set off, so we weren't too hungry."

"That's been a long time. You and Qingqing sit down first, I'll go cook."

Before anyone could refuse, Pan Hui quickly left and went into the kitchen, passing by Fang Weiguo who was carrying a fruit platter, their eyes meeting at the same time.

Pan Hui didn't stop walking and decisively handed over the task of entertaining guests to her husband for the time being.

She also needs to process her emotions, okay?

Li Shurui drank tea and looked around the room.

"Eat fruit."

Fang Weiguo put down the two fruit platters. "Qingqing didn't even tell me beforehand, otherwise we would have gone to a restaurant outside. Going now would be too much trouble, Miss Li... please make do."

"Uncle Fang, you're being too polite. You're Jiang Chen's family, so you're my family too. When you're eating with family, why do you care where you eat or what you eat?"

"..."

"..."

Not to mention Fang Qing, even Fang Weiguo was a little dazed, thinking that it was Jiang Chen sitting there.

They are equally eloquent.

Fang Weiguo glanced at his daughter without realizing it.

Fang Qing didn't flinch; she calmly and openly met her father's gaze, but she didn't strike up a conversation.

She knew, of course, how much of a "shock" bringing the other man home would cause her parents—perhaps even more so than bringing a man home herself. But was it something she wanted?

She was also forced into this situation by circumstances.

"Yes, that's right. We've watched Jiang Chen grow up, so don't feel awkward. Just make yourself at home."

Fang Weiguo nodded reluctantly, his mind in turmoil, and began to ramble incoherently.

Don't feel any restraint.

Ok.

He spoke well enough to make polite remarks.

But from the moment they entered until now, have they shown the slightest sign of restraint?
I should relax a bit more...

"Uncle Fang is just as I imagined, so kind and approachable."

Flattery will get you everywhere, no matter how many times you try.
It's human nature to like hearing nice things.

Even though he knew the other person was just being polite, Fang Weiguo couldn't help but smile and was guided to start a conversation, "Does Jiang Chen often mention us to you?"

Of course.

Li Shurui spoke with self-righteousness, as if she had turned the Fang family home into her own domain. "He not only often talked to me about Uncle Fang and his wife, but also always talked about the stories he and Sister Fang Qing had when they were young."

Fang Weiguo's face stiffened slightly, and he couldn't help but look at his daughter again.

Does this girl really know the "story" between her daughter and that boy?

Fang Weiguo was curious and suspicious, but he didn't dare to press the issue, so he just laughed it off and said, "Those two kids didn't get along at all when they were little. They were always arguing, which gave us adults a real headache."

"This is what childhood sweethearts are like."

Li Shurui sipped her tea and said casually, "They're just a pair of bickering lovers."

"..."

Fang Weiguo hesitated, unsure what to do. He wanted to call for help, but his wife was preparing food and would definitely ignore him. He was destined to be isolated and helpless.

"Hehe, let's eat fruit."

He forced a smile and chose to save himself, saying, "Qingqing, you stay with Miss Li, I'll go see if your mother needs any help."

"Uncle Fang, I've already said we're family, so just call me Shurui."

"hehe."

Fang Weiguo's smile became even more stiff, and then he quickly retreated and slipped into the kitchen.

"Sister Fang Qing, your parents are so adorable."

Li Shurui held the disposable water cup, feeling the temperature of the tea; its surface was soft and gentle.

"Do they know about you and him? Judging from their reaction, they probably do. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so awkward when they see me."

It's enough to understand in your heart.

Why did you have to say it out loud!

"When are you leaving? I'll book your ticket."

"..."

Li Shurui's smile vanished, a hint of hurt in her eyes. She sighed melancholy, "Sister Fang Qing, I just arrived, I haven't even had a chance to sit down properly. He said the people of Shacheng are very hospitable."

"He's the one who said it. Go find him."

"Ugh."

Li Shurui continued to sigh, "Look, you're in a hurry again."

Although her parents had lived most of their lives, in terms of "worldly wisdom," they probably couldn't compare to her. After all, Fang Qing increasingly understood the kind of ability and shrewdness required to sit in that position.

"What exactly do you want? Just tell me directly, okay?" She didn't have the energy to play mind games with him right now.

"I didn't mean to do anything, please don't overthink it, am I some kind of monster?"

Li Shurui seemed equally helpless. "Sister Fang Qing, when you watch a movie, do you ever wish you could experience the scenes in the movie firsthand? I just wanted to come and see it, that's all."

Fang Qing fell silent, bent down, and picked up a pear from the fruit plate on the coffee table.

It was too rushed.

They weren't even properly peeled before they were brought over.

Is his house across the street?

"if not."

Li Shurui smiled and said, "It's only a few steps away, it's really close."

Fang Qing declined to comment and began peeling a pear with a fruit knife.

"It's so wonderful."

Looking at the small but authentic old house, Li Shurui seemed lost in thought, her eyes unfocused, muttering to herself.

A freshly peeled pear was thrust towards her mouth, almost forcibly shoved inside.
"Eat a pear."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

kitchen.

Fang Weiguo paced back and forth, and given the small size of the area, it severely hampered Pan Hui's movements. He wasn't there to help; he was simply getting in the way.

"Can you please stop blocking the way and get out of here?"

Pan Hui told him to leave.

Why don't you go out?

Fang Weiguo stopped, turned around, and retorted.

"I need to cook, why don't you do it?"

General Pan Hui, unfortunately, it didn't work. Fang Weiguo readily agreed, "Okay, I'll cook the meal, you can go out."

Jiang Chen's ability to cook is also a result of the subtle influence of his upbringing. The saying "a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen" does not apply to ordinary families. Whether it is Fang Weiguo, his father, or most families in this workers' compound, the men all know how to cook.

"Go! Go! Go."

Pan Hui acted spoiled and tried to push him. Life always has its special moments, and here she was, vying to do everything from starting the fire to cooking.

“You’re both women, so it’s easier to communicate with you.” Fang Weiguo remained unmoved, appealing to her emotions and reasoning with her, as if he had instantly transformed into a model husband. “You can rest today, I’ll take care of the kitchen.”

"Don't give me that. Why aren't you this kind usually?" Pan Hui said irritably.

"Keep your voice down!"

Fang Weiguo quickly warned in a low voice, glancing back at the living room with concern before closing the kitchen door and scolding, "What are you doing, making such a racket? Are you trying to make a fool of yourself?"

"Humph."

Pan Hui rolled her eyes. "Who's the one who's embarrassing? You're so old, and you're being cornered in the kitchen by a girl."

"It's all that girl's fault; she didn't even say hello. Do you think Qingqing is missing a screw? Why did she bring her back?"

"How can you talk about your own daughter like that?"

“I’m telling the truth. I’ve known for a long time that this girl has a high IQ, but a frighteningly low EQ. Otherwise… what chance would anyone else have?”

Pan Hui turned around, suddenly stopped arguing, and ordered, "Hurry up and prepare the vegetables."

Fang Weiguo went to the kitchen counter, picked up the colander, turned on the tap, and rinsed the vegetables. His brows furrowed, and he continued to sigh, "I've lived for fifty years and I've never been this embarrassed before."

"Who embarrassed you? Isn't it all because you're overthinking things?"

"Aren't you embarrassed? Then why don't you get out?"

Pan Hui ignored him and took the beef out of the refrigerator. Fortunately, she had enough ingredients. She had just gone to the market that morning, otherwise it would have taken her a long time to go and buy more.

That girl, it's one thing to sneak back usually, but this time she brought guests, she should have let us know beforehand.

"How are you feeling?" Fang Weiguo asked, striking up a conversation.

"Feel what? What do you feel?"

"That girl's name is Li Shurui, right?"

"You're only just finding out about them?"

"Have you met him before?" Fang Weiguo asked in return.

"It's quite pretty."

Pan Hui picked up the kitchen knife and began chopping chili peppers with a series of "thump thump thump".

"Yes, it is quite beautiful."

Fang Weiguo nodded unconsciously, "He's polite and intelligent too."

"intelligent?"

Pan Hui stopped chopping, not to belittle the other person, but simply out of curiosity and doubt, "How did you figure that out?"

"Didn't you see what she brought?"

"I saw it."

"How tactful you are," Fang Weiguo sighed. "Think about it, they're not short of money; they could have easily brought a generous gift."

Pan Hui remained silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "...We're not short of money."

Fang Weiguo's eyes flickered. He turned off the tap and sighed, "That's where their cleverness lies."

Pan Hui seemed to understand, turned her head back, and continued chopping chili peppers. "Xiao Chen's taste is never bad."

Fang Weiguo's expression was complicated. "That's true. If that kid finds an ordinary girlfriend, then I, as his uncle, will have to give him a piece of my mind."

"hehe."

Pan Hui laughed, "Uncle Fang? Aren't you someone's father-in-law?"

This is a sarcastic jab at the performance at the Hung family's house last time.

"When a fake father-in-law meets his real girlfriend, well, that's pretty awkward."

After slicing the chili peppers into strips, Pan Hui began slicing the beef.

"Why do you always side with outsiders?"

Fang Weiguo, without batting an eye, said, "Shouldn't we be uniting against a common enemy at this time?"

Pan Hui kept wielding the cleaver, saying, "Here's what we'll do: prepare the vinegar, and pour a lot into the pot later to give them a taste of their own medicine."

"..."

Fang Weiguo was silent for a moment, then said while picking vegetables, "Wouldn't salt be more suitable? Even if she finds out, we can just say it was a slip of the hand, and she won't be able to cause us any trouble."

"Pfft."

Pan Huixian couldn't help but tremble, and Fang Weiguo then laughed as well.

"okay."

Pan Hui put down the kitchen knife and lit the gas stove. "For now, forget about your father-in-law status and play the role of Uncle Fang. It's his first time here, and as elders, we can't be impolite, or we'll embarrass Xiao Chen."

"Ugh--"

Fang Weiguo sighed deeply, a thousand emotions swirling within him. He then composed himself, roused his spirits, and said, "I'll fry the fish later and show off my skills."

Pan Hui laughed, "Are you really trying to make people jealous?"

"How can sauerkraut fish not be sour?"

Fang Weiguo handed over the bowl of rapeseed oil. "Let's get started." (End of Chapter)